[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 35 (Friday, February 21, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10196-10197]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-03488]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request; 
Grantee Reporting Requirements for NSF SBIR/STTR Program

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans to 
establish this collection. In accordance with the requirements of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we are providing opportunity for 
public comment on this action. After obtaining and considering public 
comment, NSF will prepare the submission requesting Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) clearance of this collection for no longer 
than 3 years.

DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by April 21, 
2020 to be assured consideration. Comments received after that date 
will be considered to the extent practicable. Send comments to address 
below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance 
Officer, National Science Foundation, 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Suite 
W18200, Alexandria, Virginia 22314; telephone (703) 292-7556; or send 
email to [email protected]. Individuals who

[[Page 10197]]

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).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title of Collection: Evaluation of the Sustainability and Diffusion 
of the NSF ADVANCE Program.
    OMB Number: 3145-NEW.
    Expiration Date of Approval: Not applicable.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to establish an 
information collection.

Proposed Project

    The NSF's Division of Industrial Innovation and Partnerships (IIP), 
within the Engineering Directorate, serves a wide range of grantees 
across 5 major programs. The SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research)/
STTR (Small Business Technology Transfer) program is designed to 
stimulate technological innovation in the private sector by 
strengthening the role of small business, increasing the commercial 
application of federally supported research results, as well as 
fostering and encouraging participation by socially and economically 
disadvantaged and women-owned small businesses.
    The NSF SBIR/STTR program has two phases: Phase I and Phase II 
(with an optional Phase IIB as matching supplements). SBIR/STTR Phase I 
is a 6-12 month experimental or theoretical investigation on the 
proposed innovative research or study, and allows the grantees to 
determine the scientific, technical, and commercial merit of the idea 
or concept. Phase II further develops the proposed concept, building on 
the feasibility project undertaken in Phase I, and accelerate the Phase 
I project to the commercialization stage and enhance the overall 
strength of the commercial potential. As such, Phase II SBIR/STTR 
awards have an expected period of performance of 24 months.
    The Phase II interim report will be required every six months for 
the life of the Phase II award. We will use this report to collect 
information on the technical progress of the funded NSF work, which 
will allow the managing Program Director to monitor the project and 
ensure that the award is in good standing. The report will also request 
a discussion of progress on other company aspects that would allow us 
to assess the boarder and commercial impacts that are core to our 
review criteria. This report will also be used to ensure awardee 
compliance with both SBIR/STTR-wide and NSF-wide compliance 
requirements (such as lifecycle program certifications and requirements 
of our Phase II cooperative agreement instrument). Finally, it will be 
used to collect data that is required by the SBIR Policy Directive.
    All the information collected is for internal use by the Division 
of Industrial Innovation and Partnerships, and will not be made 
publicly available.
    Burden on the Public: Estimated at 16 hours per award for 125 
awards for a total of 2,000 hours (per year).
    Comments: 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 shall 
have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Agency's estimate of 
the burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to 
enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information on 
respondents, including through the use of automated collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology; and (d) ways to 
minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are 
to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology.

    Dated: February 18, 2020.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2020-03488 Filed 2-20-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P