[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 235 (Wednesday, December 7, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76388-76389]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-31356]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

 Patent and Trademark Office


National Medal of Technology and Innovation Nomination 
Application

ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as part 
of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, 
invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this 
opportunity to comment on the extension of a continuing information 
collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public 
Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before February 6, 
2012.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
     Email: [email protected]. Include ``0651-
0060 comment'' in the subject line of the message.
     Mail: Susan K. Fawcett, Records Officer, Office of the 
Chief Information Officer, United States Patent and Trademark Office, 
P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450.
     Federal Rulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information 
should be directed to the attention of Steven Berk, Program Manager, 
United States Patent and Trademark Office, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, 
VA 22313-1450, by telephone at (571) 272-8400, or by email to 
[email protected]. with ``Paperwork'' in the subject line. Additional 
information about this collection is also available at http://www.reginfo.gov under ``Information Collection Review.''

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The National Medal of Technology and Innovation is the highest 
honor for technological achievement bestowed by the President of the 
United States on America's leading innovators. Established by an Act of 
Congress in 1980, the Medal of Technology was first awarded in 1985. 
The Medal is awarded annually to individuals, teams (up to four 
individuals), companies or divisions of companies for their outstanding 
contributions to the Nation's economic, environmental and social well-
being through the development and commercialization of technology 
products, processes and concepts, technological innovation, and 
development of the Nation's technological manpower.
    The purpose of the National Medal of Technology and Innovation is 
to recognize those who have made lasting contributions to America's 
competitiveness, standard of living, and quality of life through 
technological innovation, and to recognize those who have made 
substantial contributions to strengthening the Nation's technological 
workforce. By highlighting the national importance of technological 
innovation, the Medal also seeks to inspire future generations of 
Americans to prepare for and pursue technical careers to keep America 
at the forefront of global technology and economic leadership.
    The National Medal of Technology and Innovation Nomination 
Evaluation Committee, a distinguished independent committee appointed 
by the Secretary of Commerce, reviews and evaluates the merit of all 
candidates nominated through an open, competitive solicitation process. 
The committee makes its recommendations for Medal candidates to the 
Secretary of Commerce who, in turn, makes recommendations to the 
President for final selection. The National Medal of Technology and 
Innovation Laureates are announced by the White House and the 
Department of Commerce once the Medalists are notified of their 
selection.
    The public uses the National Medal of Technology and Innovation 
Nomination Application to recognize through nomination an individual's, 
team's or company's extraordinary leadership and innovation in 
technological achievement. The application must be accompanied by six 
letters of recommendation or support from individuals who have first-
hand knowledge of the cited achievement(s).

II. Method of Collection

    The nomination application and instructions can be downloaded from 
the USPTO Web site. Nomination files should be submitted by electronic 
mail to [email protected]. Alternatively, letters of recommendation may be 
sent by electronic mail, fax, or overnight delivery.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0651-0060.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Affected Public: Primarily business or other for-profit 
organizations; not-for-profit institutions; individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 40 responses per year.
    Estimated Time per Response: The USPTO estimates that it will take 
approximately 40 hours to gather the necessary information, prepare the 
nomination form, write the recommendations, and submit the request for 
the nomination to the USPTO.
    Estimated Total Annual Respondent Burden Hours: 1,600 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Respondent Cost Burden: $60,000. The USPTO 
expects that private sector individuals of various occupations and 
professions will complete this information. The hourly rate for these 
individuals is estimated to be $37.50.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  Estimated time     Estimated       Estimated
                              Item                                 for response       annual       annual burden
                                                                      (hours)        responses         hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
National Medal of Technology and Innovation Nomination Form.....              40              40           1,600
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
    TOTALS......................................................  ..............              40           1,600
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Estimated Total Annual (Non-Hour) Respondent Cost Burden: $0.
    Although it is possible for the public to submit the nominations 
through regular or express mail, to date no submissions have been 
received in this manner. The majority of recent submissions have been 
through electronic mail. The USPTO, therefore, is not calculating an 
estimate of postage costs associated with this information collection.

[[Page 76389]]

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on respondents, e.g., the use of automated 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized or 
included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they will also become a matter of public record.

    Dated: December 2, 2011.
Susan K. Fawcett,
Records Officer, USPTO, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2011-31356 Filed 12-6-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-16-P