[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 83 (Tuesday, April 30, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Page 18238]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-08690]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Research Service


Notice of Intent To Seek Renewal of an Information Collection

AGENCY: Agricultural Research Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and 
applicable regulations of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), 
this notice announces the intention of the Agricultural Research 
Service (ARS) to seek reinstatement of the ARS Animal Health National 
Program Assessment Survey. This voluntary information collection will 
give the beneficiaries of ARS research the opportunity to provide input 
on the impact of research conducted by ARS in the last national program 
cycle for each respective national program. This input will be used in 
planning the research agenda for the next 5-year program cycle.

DATES: Comments must be received by July 1, 2019 to be assured of 
consideration.

ADDRESSES: Address all comments concerning this notice to Ms. Janice 
Boarman, Program Analyst, Agricultural Research Service, Office of 
National Programs, 5601 Sunnyside Avenue, Room 4-2116, Beltsville, 
Maryland 20705. Submit electronic comments to 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Janice Boarman at (301) 504-4764.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: ARS Animal Health National Program Assessment Evaluation 
Form.
    OMB Number: 0518-0042.
    Expiration Date: June 30, 2019.
    Type of Request: Approval to seek reinstatement of the ARS Animal 
Health National Program Assessment Survey. This voluntary information 
collection will give the beneficiaries of ARS research the opportunity 
to provide input on the impact of research conducted by ARS in the last 
national program cycle for each respective national program. This 
survey seeks input from the beneficiaries of research conducted by ARS 
for program planning and helps ensure alignment of the ARS national 
programs with the needs of its customers, partners, and stakeholders.
    Abstract: ARS research covers the span of nutrition, food safety 
and quality, animal and plant production and protection, and natural 
resources and sustainable agricultural systems. It is organized into 
fifteen national programs that address specific areas of this research. 
These national programs serve to bring coordination, communication, and 
empowerment to approximately 690 research projects carried out by ARS 
and focus on the relevance, impact, and quality of ARS research. The 
requested voluntary electronic evaluation survey will give the 
beneficiaries of ARS research the opportunity to provide input on the 
impact of several ARS national programs. For the purpose of this 
National Program Assessment, impact is defined as research that has 
influenced or will significantly influence the area covered by the 
national program; has created or will create information, best 
practices, and/or economic opportunities for the national program's 
customers, partners, and stakeholders; or has enabled or will enable 
action and regulatory agencies to formulate policies and regulations to 
support American agriculture. The report and evaluation form will be 
available online through a dedicated URL. The input provided through 
the completion of the evaluation form will be shared with customers, 
partners, and stakeholders as part of each national program assessment 
process.
    ARS has fifteen national programs, each of which is assessed every 
5 years on a rotating basis as part of the ARS national program 
planning cycle to ensure the relevance, quality, and impact of ARS 
research. The assessment serves as both a retrospective evaluation and 
as the foundation for future priority setting for the Agency. Although 
the exact process for an assessment varies by the nature of the 
national program, all assessments include the following four stages:
     An in-house program assessment and document review of 
accomplishments and/or progress for presentation to external reviewers;
     An external review of accomplishments and/or progress 
based on the preceding documentation review and focused on the 
relevance, quality, and impact of the research;
     Record the results of the review; and
     Inform ARS leadership of the evaluation results.
    All the methodologies for an assessment include developing a 
written report of accomplishments from research conducted during the 
previous 5 years. One assessment method involves sending the 
accomplishment report to a broad group of informed stakeholders and 
asking them to respond by completing an online survey about the impact 
of the national program. This survey information is then compiled into 
a report that can be shared with stakeholders and ARS Administrators. 
The survey information can also be used for the next step of the 
national program planning cycle, which entails planning for the 
following 5 years.
    This survey previously has been used by only one ARS national 
program, but interest in its use has expanded. Three national programs 
will use the survey within the 3-year information collection period, 
which has been included in the burden hour estimate. Because the ARS 
national program planning cycle is 5 years in length and is staggered 
among national programs, only one or two national programs will be 
using the survey in any given year. The survey consists of a set of 
questions used in common by several or all national programs and a few 
questions specific to a given national program.
    Estimate of Burden: Completing the electronic evaluation form is 
estimated to average 15 minutes per response.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 600.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 150 hours.
    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 will have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the Agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and the assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility, and clarity of the input provided by a wide array of 
customers, and; (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of 
information on those who respond, including the use of appropriate 
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technology. Comments should 
be sent to the address in the preamble. All responses to this notice 
will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All 
comments will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: April 3, 2019.
Simon Y. Liu,
Associate Administrator, ARS.
[FR Doc. 2019-08690 Filed 4-29-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-03-P