[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 150 (Wednesday, August 5, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46586-46587]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-19237]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Community Living


Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request; Small Business Innovation Research Program--Phase II

AGENCY: National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and 
Rehabilitation, Administration for Community Living (ACL), HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Administration for Community Living (ACL), National 
Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation 
Research (NIDLRR) is announcing an opportunity for public comment on 
the proposed collection of certain information. Under the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (the PRA), Federal agencies are required to 
publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed 
collection of information, including each proposed extension of an 
existing collection of information, and to allow 60 days for public 
comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits comments on

[[Page 46587]]

the information collection requirements relating to the Small Business 
Innovation Research Program (SBIR)--Phase II.

DATES: Submit written or electronic comments on the collection of 
information by October 5, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Submit electronic comments on the collection of information 
to: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian Bard at 202-254-7345 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), Federal 
agencies must obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) for each collection of information they conduct or sponsor. 
``Collection of information'' is defined in 44 U.S.C. 3502(3) and 5 CFR 
1320.3(c) and includes agency request or requirements that members of 
the public submit reports, keep records, or provide information to a 
third party. Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)) 
requires Federal agencies to provide a 60-day notice in the Federal 
Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including 
each proposed extension of an existing collection of information, 
before submitting the collection to OMB for approval. To comply with 
this requirement, ACL/NIDILRR is publishing notice of the proposed 
collection of information set forth in this document. With respect to 
the following collection of information, ACL/NIDILRR invites comments 
on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for 
the proper performance of ACL/NIDILRR's functions, including whether 
the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of ACL/
NIDILRR's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of 
information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions 
used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques when appropriate, and other forms of 
information technology. ACL/NIDILRR proposes to use this set of data 
collection tools to be used as a grant application package for the 
information used to apply for new grants under the SBIR program (Phase 
II).
    Public Law 106-554, the ``Small Business Reauthorization Act of 
2000, H.R. 5567'' (the ``Act'') was enacted on December 21, 2000. The 
Act requires certain agencies, including the Department of Health and 
Human Services (HHS) to establish a Small Business Innovation Research 
(SBIR) program by reserving a statutory percentage of their extramural 
research and development budgets to be awarded to small business 
concerns for research or research and development (R/R&D) through a 
uniform, highly competitive, three-phase process each fiscal year. The 
Act further requires the Small Business Administration (SBA) to issue 
policy directives for the general conduct of the SBIR programs within 
the Federal Government. The purpose of this program is to stimulate 
technological Innovation in the private sector, strengthen the role of 
small business in meeting Federal research and research and development 
needs, increase the commercial application of Department of Education 
(ED) supported research results, and improve the return on investment 
from Federally-funded research for economic and social benefits to the 
Nation.
    Awards are made on the basis of competitively reviewed 
applications. The Department is requesting approval of this grant 
application package for the information used to apply for new grants 
under the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II program. 
Phase I is intended to determine, insofar as possible, the scientific 
or technical merit and feasibility of ideas. Phase II is intended to 
expand on the results of and to further pursue the development of a 
Phase I project. Phase II is the principal research and research and 
development effort. It requires a more comprehensive application, 
outlining the effort in detail including the commercial potential. 
Phase II applications must be Phase I grantees with findings that 
appear sufficiently promising as a result of Phase I. Applications are 
evaluated based on published criteria by panels of experts.
    ACL/NIDILRR estimates the burden of this collection of information 
as 240 hours for project staff, 320 for reviewers, and 1,080 hours for 
individuals. Total burden is 1,640 hours per year.

    Dated: July 31, 2015.
Kathy Greenlee,
Administrator and Assistant Secretary for Aging.
[FR Doc. 2015-19237 Filed 8-4-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4154-01-P