[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 84 (Thursday, April 30, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24038-24039]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-09156]


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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 
following information collection

[[Page 24039]]

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.

DATES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed 
information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of 
this notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAmain. Find this particular 
information collection by selecting ``Currently under 30-day Review--
Open for Public Comments'' or by using the search function.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 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: NSF may not conduct or sponsor a collection 
of information unless the collection of information displays a 
currently valid OMB control number and the agency informs potential 
persons who are to respond to the collection of information that such 
persons are not required to respond to the collection of information 
unless it 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 the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the 
accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of 
the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (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 should be addressed to the points 
of contact in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.
    Title of Collection: Grantee Reporting Requirements for NSF SBIR/
STTR Program.
    OMB Number: 3145-NEW.
    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 300 
awards for a total of 4,800 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: April 24, 2020.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2020-09156 Filed 4-29-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P