[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 191 (Thursday, October 2, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59520-59521]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-23444]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


National Big Data R and D Initiative; Framework, Priorities, and 
Strategic Plan

AGENCY: The National Coordination Office (NCO) for Networking and 
Information Technology Research and Development (NITRD).

ACTION: Request for Input (RFI).

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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Wendy Wigen at 703-292-4873 or 
[email protected]. Individuals who use a telecommunications device for 
the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 
1-800-877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern time, Monday through 
Friday.

DATES: To be considered, written comments must be received by November 
14, 2014.
SUMMARY: This request encourages feedback from multiple big data 
stakeholders to inform the development of a framework, set of 
priorities, and ultimately a strategic plan for the National Big Data 
R&D Initiative. A number of areas of interest have been identified by 
agency representatives in the Networking and Information Technology 
Research and Development (NITRD) Big Data Senior Steering Group (BDSSG) 
as well as the many members of the big data R&D community that have 
participated in BDSSG events and workshops over the past several years. 
This RFI is a critical step in developing a cross-agency strategic plan 
that has broad community input and that can be

[[Page 59521]]

referenced by all Federal agencies as they move forward over the next 
five to ten years with their own big data R&D programs, policies, 
partnerships, and activities.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Overview: This RFI is issued under the National Big Data R&D 
Initiative. The NITRD BDSSG is inviting broad community input as it 
develops a National Big Data R&D Strategic Plan that can be referenced 
by participating agencies as they conceive and deploy their own big 
data programs, policies, and activities.
    Background: The BDSSG was initially formed to identify big data R&D 
activities across the Federal Government, offer opportunities for 
agency coordination, and jointly develop strategies for a national 
initiative. The National Big Data R&D Initiative was launched in March 
2012.
    Since the launch, the BDSSG has held numerous meetings and 
workshops, including a major showcase event of dozens of partnerships 
that will help advance the frontiers of big data R&D across the 
country. Many participating federal agencies have already established 
new big data programs, policies and activities and plan to do more in 
the future. Currently, the BDSSG is drafting a framework and 
establishing a set of priory goals for a National Big Data R&D 
Strategic Plan.
    Objective: The major goal of this RFI is to gather information from 
multiple sectors to inform the development of an effective National Big 
Data R&D Strategic Plan. After the submission period ends and the 
feedback is analyzed, a workshop will be held to further discuss and 
develop the input received.
    What We Are Looking For: As a big data stakeholder, we would like 
to (1) understand your particular role and point of view in the big 
data innovation ecosystem, and (2) using the draft, The National Big 
Data R&D Initiative: Vision and Areas of Interest, as the basis, 
encourage you to provide comments and suggestions for how we might best 
develop an overarching, comprehensive framework to support national-
scale big data science and engineering research and education, 
discoveries and innovation. Please include a description of the areas 
of critical investment (either within or across agencies), both 
currently and within a five to ten year horizon. Collectively, your 
comments could focus on one or more agencies, the set of NITRD agencies 
as a whole, or the national effort. Please keep in mind that the focus 
is on high level strategies for how agencies can leverage their 
collective investments. It will not focus on individual agency plans 
and will not contain an implementation plan. We are interested in all 
points of view on the activities that can best support research, 
development, and innovation in Big Data. However, we are not interested 
in specific research proposals or vendor offerings. While the NITRD 
agencies would welcome input on policies that are directly relevant to 
big data R&D, those policies that are more appropriately determined by 
the Administration or Congress (or both) are not relevant to this 
exercise.
    Who Can Participate: This RFI is open to all. We especially 
encourage public and private sector organizations (e.g., universities, 
government laboratories, companies, non-profits) with big data 
interests to submit their ideas. Participants must also be willing to 
have their ideas posted for discussion on a public Web site and 
included with possible attribution in the plan.
    Submission Format: All responses must be no more than two (2) pages 
long (12 pt. font, 1'' margins) and include:

 Who you are--name, credentials, organization
 Your contact information
 Your experience working with big data and your role in the big 
data innovation ecosystem
 Comments and suggestions based on reading the initial 
framework, The National Big Data R&D Initiative: Vision and Priority 
Actions , and guided by the following questions:
     What are the gaps that are not addressed in the Visions 
and Priority Actions document?
     From an interagency perspective, what do you think are the 
most high impact ideas at the frontiers of big data research and 
development?
     What new research, education, and/or infrastructure 
investments do you think will be game-changing for the big data 
innovation ecosystem?
     How can the federal government most effectively enable new 
partnerships, particularly those that cross sectors or domains?
 A short explanation of why you feel your contribution/ideas 
should be included in the strategic plan
 Examples, where appropriate

    In accordance with FAR 15.202(3), responses to this notice are not 
offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding 
contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated 
with responding to this RFI, including any subsequent requests for 
proposals.

    Submitted by the National Science Foundation for the National 
Coordination Office (NCO) for Networking and Information Technology 
Research and Development (NITRD) on September 26, 2014.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2014-23444 Filed 10-1-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P