[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 110 (Tuesday, June 9, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32647-32648]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-14003]


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SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION


Data Collection Available for Public Comments

ACTION: 60-day notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Small Business Administration (SBA) intends to request 
approval, from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for the new 
collection of information described below. The Paperwork Reduction Act 
(PRA) of 1995, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35 requires federal agencies to 
publish a notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed 
collection of information to OMB, and to allow 60 days for the public 
to comment in response to the notice. This notice complies with such 
requirements and announces SBA's proposal to conduct a survey of the 
small businesses who participate in SBA's Regional Innovation Clusters 
(RIC) program.

DATES: Submit comments on or before August 10, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Send all comments to Brittany Borg, Contracting Officer 
Representative, Office of Entrepreneurial Development, U.S. Small 
Business Administration, 409 3rd Street SW. Suite 6200, Washington, DC 
20416.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brittany Borg, Contracting Officer 
Representative, 202-401-1354, [email protected] or Curtis B. Rich, 
Management Analyst, 202-205-7030, [email protected]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a request for the collection of new 
information.
    In October 2014, a new cohort of sites was added to the Regional 
Innovation Clusters (RIC) initiative, which was originally started in 
October 1, 2010 by the Small Business Administration (SBA)'s Office of 
Entrepreneurial Development. Through this initiative, organizations in 
11 communities across the U.S. have been selected to provide industry-
specific assistance to small businesses, and to develop industry 
relationships and supply chains within their regions. Clusters--
geographically concentrated groups of interconnected businesses, 
suppliers, service providers, and associated institutions in a 
particular industry or field--act as a networking hub to convene a 
number of resources to help navigate the funding, procurement, and 
supply-chain opportunities in a specific industry.
    SBA is conducting an evaluation of the Regional Innovation Clusters 
initiative to determine how the clusters have developed, the type and 
volume of services they provided to small businesses, client 
perceptions of the program, and the various outcomes related to their 
existence, including collaboration among firms, innovation, and small 
business growth. Small business growth will be compared to the overall 
growth of firms in those same regions and industries. This evaluation 
will also include lessons learned and success stories. SBA proposes the 
use of

[[Page 32648]]

three instruments for data collection and analysis of three distinct 
populations. These instruments are: (1) Small Business Survey, (2) 
Large Organization Survey and (3) Cluster Administrator Survey. In 
addition, SBA plans to interview each of the 11 cluster administrators 
several times a year regarding program impact and successes or 
challenges, and to obtain clarifications on information provided in 
quarterly reports. Each of the proposed surveys will be administered 
electronically and will contain both open- and close-ended questions. 
The information collected and analyzed from these instruments will 
contribute to monitoring performance metrics and program goals, as well 
as recommendations on improving program practices.
    (a) Solicitation of Public Comments:
    SBA is requesting comments on (a) whether the collection of 
information is necessary for the agency to properly perform its 
functions; (b) whether the burden estimates are accurate; (c) whether 
there are ways to minimize the burden, including through the use of 
automated techniques or other forms of information technology; and (d) 
whether there are ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information collected.
    (b) Summary of Information Collection:

Small Business Survey

    Description of Respondents: small businesses participating in the 
11 clusters.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 410.
    Estimated Annual Responses: 410.
    Estimated Annual Hour Burden: 218.

Large Organization Survey

    Description of Respondents: large organizations (e.g., 
universities, public sector agencies) participating in one of the 11 
clusters.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 195.
    Estimated Annual Responses: 195.
    Estimated Annual Hour Burden: 71.

Cluster Administrator Survey

    Description of Respondents: administration team of one of the 11 
clusters.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 11.
    Estimated Annual Responses: 11.
    Estimated Annual Hour Burden: 80.

Curtis B. Rich,
Management Analyst.
[FR Doc. 2015-14003 Filed 6-8-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE P