[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 231 (Tuesday, December 2, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71399-71400]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-28355]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Patent and Trademark Office


National Medal of Technology and Innovation Nomination 
Application

ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.

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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 2, 
2015.

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: Marcie Lovett, Records Management Division Director, 
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 John Palafoutas, 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 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 and outstanding contributions to 
strengthening the nation's technological workforce. 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: 50 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: 2,000 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Respondent Cost Burden: $75,000. The USPTO 
expects that private sector individuals of various occupations and 
professions will complete this information. The

[[Page 71400]]

hourly rate for these individuals is estimated to be $37.50.

 
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                                                           Estimated time
                          Item                              for response     Estimated annual   Estimated annual
                                                              (hours)           responses         burden hours
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National Medal of Technology and Innovation Nomination                  40                 50              2,000
 Form..................................................
                                                        --------------------------------------------------------
    Totals.............................................  .................                 50              2,000
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    Estimated Total Annual (Non-Hour) Respondent Cost Burden: $1.47.
    Although it is possible for the public to submit the nominations 
through regular or express mail, recently very few submissions have 
been received in this manner. The majority of recent submissions have 
been through electronic mail. Therefore, we estimate one mailing per 
year within the next 3 years at a rate of 49 cents for a total postage 
cost of $1.47.

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: November 20, 2014.
Marcie Lovett,
Records Management Division Director, USPTO, Office of the Chief 
Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2014-28355 Filed 12-1-14; 8:45 am]
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