[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 144 (Wednesday, July 27, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44962-44963]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-18964]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Submission for OMB review; comment request.

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SUMMARY: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 
(44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), and as part of its continuing effort to 
reduce paperwork and respondent burden, the National Science Foundation 
(NSF) is inviting the general public and other Federal agencies to 
comment on this proposed continuing information collection. The full 
submission may be found at: http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. 
This is the second notice for public comment; the first was published 
in the Federal Register at 76 FR 28244 and no comments were received. 
NSF is forwarding the proposed submission to the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) for clearance simultaneously with the publication of 
this second notice.

DATES: Comments regarding these information collections are best 
assured of having their full effect if received by OMB within 30 days 
of publication in the Federal Register.

ADDRESSES: Written comments regarding (a) whether the collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
NSF, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) 
the accuracy of NSF's estimate of burden including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; or (d) ways to 
minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are 
to

[[Page 44963]]

respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology should be addressed to: Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs of OMB, Attention: Desk Officer for 
National Science Foundation, 725-17th Street, NW. Room 10235, 
Washington, DC 20503, and to Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance 
Officer, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 295, 
Arlington, Virginia 22230 or send e-mail to [email protected]. Copies of 
the submission may be obtained by calling (703) 292-7556.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne H. Plimpton, NSF Reports 
Clearance Officer at (703) 292-7556 or send e-mail to [email protected].
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information 
unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB 
control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to 
respond to the collection of information that such persons are not 
required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays 
a currently valid OMB control number.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title of Collection: FY 2011 and FY 2013 Survey of Science and 
Engineering Research Facilities.
    OMB Control Number: 3145-0101.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to reinstate an 
information collection for three years.
    Proposed Project: The National Science Foundation Survey of Science 
and Engineering Research Facilities is a Congressionally mandated (Pub. 
L. 99-159), biennial survey that has been conducted since 1986. The 
survey collects data on the amount, condition, and costs of the 
physical facilities used to conduct science and engineering research. 
The survey also requests information on the networking and high 
performance computing capacity at the surveyed institutions, a critical 
part of the infrastructure for science and engineering research. Due to 
the rapidity of technological change, these questions are continually 
updated. It was expected by Congress that this survey would provide the 
data necessary to describe the status and needs of science and 
engineering research facilities and to formulate appropriate solutions 
to documented needs. During the FY 2007 and FY 2009 survey cycles, data 
were collected from a population of approximately 495 research-
performing colleges and universities and approximately 163 nonprofit 
biomedical research institutions receiving research support from the 
National Institutes of Health.
    Use of the Information: Analysis of the Facilities Survey data will 
provide updated information on the status of scientific and engineering 
research facilities and capabilities. The information can be used by 
Federal policy makers, planners, and budget analysts in making policy 
decisions, as well as by institutional academic officials, the 
scientific/engineering establishment, and state agencies and 
legislatures that fund universities.
    Burden on the Public: The Facilities Survey will be sent by mail to 
approximately 495 higher education institutions. The completion time 
per academic institution is expected to average 41 hours. Assuming a 
95% response rate, this would result in an estimated burden of 19,280 
hours for academic institutions.

    Dated: July 22, 2011.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2011-18964 Filed 7-26-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P