[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 136 (Tuesday, July 16, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33981-33982]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-15018]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request.

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SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) has submitted the

[[Page 33982]]

following information collection requirement to OMB for review and 
clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This is the second 
notice for public comment; the first was published in the Federal 
Register, and no comments were received. NSF is forwarding the proposed 
submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance 
simultaneously with the publication of this second notice. The full 
submission may be found at: http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain.

DATES: Comments regarding this information collection are best assured 
of having their full effect if received by August 15, 2019.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs of OMB, Attention: Desk Officer for National Science 
Foundation, 725 17th Street NW, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503, and 
Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance Officer, National Science 
Foundation, 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22314, or send email 
to [email protected]. Individuals who use a telecommunications device 
for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service 
(FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339, which is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a 
week, 365 days a year (including federal holidays).
    Copies of the submission may be obtained by calling 703-292-7556.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NCSES may not conduct or sponsor a 
collection of information unless (a) the collection of information 
displays a currently valid OMB control number and (b) the agency 
informs potential persons that they are not required to respond unless 
the information collection displays a currently valid OMB control 
number.
    Comments regarding (a) whether the collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of NCSES, 
including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the 
accuracy of NCSES's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection 
of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, use, and clarity of 
the information to be collected, including through the use of automated 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology; (d) 
ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those 
who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated 
or other forms of information technology should be addressed to the 
points of contact in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.
    Title of Collection: Survey of Science and Engineering Research 
Facilities.
    OMB Approval Number: 3145-0101.
    Summary of Collection: The National Science Foundation Survey of 
Science and Engineering Research Facilities is a Congressionally 
mandated (Public Law 99-159; NSF Act of 1950, as amended; America 
COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010), biennial survey that has been 
conducted since 1986. As required by law, the survey collects data on 
the amount, condition, and costs of the physical facilities used to 
conduct science and engineering research. Congress expected this survey 
to provide the data necessary to describe the status and needs of 
science and engineering research facilities.
    Use of the Information: Analysis of the Facilities Survey data will 
provide updated information on the status of scientific and engineering 
research facilities and capabilities. Statistics on the square footage 
of R&D space available, the condition of R&D space, and the costs for 
new construction, repairs, and renovation of R&D space at higher 
education institutions by S&E field are produced from the survey. The 
sources of funding for new construction and repair and renovation 
projects are also published. The survey information can be used by 
Federal policy makers, planners, and budget analysts in making policy 
decisions, as well as by institutional academic officials, the 
scientific/engineering establishment, and state agencies and 
legislatures that fund universities. Detailed statistical tables and a 
summary InfoBrief are available at http://nsf.gov/statistics/srvyfacilities/. Data reports can also be run from the NCSES 
Interactive Data Tool.
    Expected Respondents: The Facilities Survey is a census of 
institutions that performed at least $1 million in separately budgeted 
science and engineering research and development in the previous fiscal 
year.
    In the most recent FY 2017 Facilities Survey, a census of 575 
academic institutions was conducted. The sampling frame used for the 
survey was the FY 2016 Higher Education Research and Development Survey 
conducted by the National Center for Science and Engineering 
Statistics. Data are collected through a Web-based interface, although 
institutions have the option of printing and completing a PDF that can 
be sent by mail.
    Estimate of Burden: The Facilities Survey will be sent to 
approximately 600 academic institutions for the FY 2019 and FY 2021 
data collection cycles. Response to this voluntary survey is typically 
98 percent each cycle. The completion time per academic institution is 
expected to average 19 hours, based on completion time estimates 
provided by all survey participants in the FY 2013 survey. This would 
result in an estimated burden of 11,400 hours per cycle.
    Comments: As required by 5 CFR 1320.8(d), comments on the 
information collection activities as part of this study were solicited 
through publication of a 60-Day Notice in the Federal Register on March 
18, 2019, at 84 FR 9840. No comments were received.

    Dated: July 10, 2019.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2019-15018 Filed 7-15-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7555-01-P