[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 232 (Monday, December 3, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62397-62398]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-26154]


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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 
collection of information described below. The Paperwork Reduction Act 
(PRA) of 1995 requires federal agencies to publish a notice in the 
Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information 
before submission to OMB, and to allow 60 days for public comment in 
response to the notice. This notice complies with that requirement.

DATES: Submit comments on or before January 23, 2019.

ADDRESSES: Send all comments to Brittany Sickler, FAST Program Manager, 
Office of Investment and Innovation, Small Business Administration, 409 
3rd Street, 6th Floor, Washington, DC 20416.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brittany Sickler, FAST Program 
Manager, Office of Investment and Innovation, Small Business 
Administration, [email protected], 202-710-5163, or Curtis B. Rich, 
Management Analyst, 202-205-7030, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Federal and State Technology Partnership 
(FAST) Program is a competitive grants program designed to strengthen 
the technological competitiveness of small businesses seeking funding 
from the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business 
Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. Congress

[[Page 62398]]

established the FAST Program under the Consolidated Appropriations Act 
of 2001, codified at 15 U.S.C. 657d(c). The program expired on 
September 30, 2005 and was reestablished under the Consolidated 
Appropriations Act of 2010.
    FAST provides funding to organizations to execute state/regional 
programs that increase the number of SBIR/STTR proposals (through 
outreach and financial support); increase the number of SBIR/STTR 
awards (through technical assistance and mentoring); and better prepare 
SBIR/STTR awardees for commercialization success (through technical 
assistance and mentoring).
    The FAST Quarterly Reporting Form will collect data from FAST award 
recipients which will be used to improve program performance. The 
Quarterly Reports will collect ongoing performance and outcome data 
from FAST awardees on a required, quarterly basis. As well as improving 
program management, the data collected will inform the Annual Reports 
to the Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship; the 
Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation; the House 
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology; and the House Committee on 
Small Business, as required in the Small Business Act 34(c)(1)(2).

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.

Summary of Information Collection

    Title: FAST Program Quarterly Reporting Form.
    Description of Respondents: FAST award recipients, including Small 
Business and Technology Development Centers (SBTDCs), state and local 
economic development agencies, and other FAST award recipients.
    Form Number: N/A.
    Total Estimated Annual Responses: 96.
    Total Estimated Annual Hour Burden: 192 hours.

Curtis Rich,
Management Analyst.
[FR Doc. 2018-26154 Filed 11-30-18; 8:45 am]
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