[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 48 (Monday, March 15, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14314-14315]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-05226]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Institute of Standards and Technology


Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment 
Request; Generic Clearance for Decision Science Data Collections

AGENCY: National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), 
Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of information collection, request for comment.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other 
Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information 
collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information 
collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The 
purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment 
preceding submission of the collection to OMB.

DATES: To ensure consideration, comments regarding this proposed 
information collection must be received on or before May 14, 2021.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments by 
mail to Elizabeth Reinhart, Management Analyst, National Institute of 
Standards and Technology (NIST), [email protected] or 
[email protected]). Please reference NIST Generic Clearance for 
Decision Science Data Collections in the subject line of your comments. 
Do not submit Confidential Business Information or otherwise sensitive 
or protected information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
specific questions related to collection activities should be directed 
to Elizabeth Reinhart, Management Analyst, National Institute of 
Standards and Technology (NIST), 301-975-8707, or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    The core mission of the National Insitute of Standards and 
Technology (NIST) is to promote U.S. innovation and industrial 
competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards, and 
technology in ways that enhance economic security and improve our 
quality of life. NIST's operating units across the agency increasingy 
recognize that the built environment is meant to serve social and 
economic functions. With this in mind, NIST proposes to conduct a 
number of data collection efforts directly related to decision-making 
across individuals, insitutions, and communities relevant to key 
research areas of the agency. The use of decision and information 
sciecne is critical to further the mission of NIST to promote U.S. 
innovation and industrial competitiveness. NIST proposes to conduct a 
number of data collection efforts in decision and information science 
to include: Decision analysis, risk analysis, cost-benefit and cost-
effectiveness analysis, constrained optimization, simulation modeling, 
and application of perception, information processing, and decision 
models and theories; and drawing on parts of operations research, 
microeconomics, statistical inference, management control, cognitive 
and social psychology, and computer science. By focusing on decisions 
as the unit of analysis, decision science provides a unique framework 
for understanding interactions across technologies, socio-economic 
networks, organizations (e.g., institutions, firms), elements of the 
built environment, and a range of ecological problems and perceptions 
that influence these decisions.
    Data may be collected through a variety of modes, including but not 
limited to electronic or social media, direct or indirect observation 
(i.e., in-person, video and audio collections), interviews, structured 
questionnaires, and focus groups.

II. Method of Collection

    NIST will collect this information by electronic means when 
possible, as well as by mail, fax, telephone, technical discussions, 
and in-person interviews. NIST may also utilize observational 
techniques to collect this information.
    Furthermore, remuneration will be offered to respondents when 
deemed appropriate. Remuneration is justified due to:
    (1) The complex study design of many collections requires ongoing 
participation of various respondents, each of whom is important to 
achieving study goals. In such studies, should

[[Page 14315]]

attrition occur at a higher rate than expected, the study goals will 
not be met.
    (2) There is burden on the respondent to take time out of their 
workday in many cases. There will be equity in the use of remuneration: 
All respondents will be treated equally with regard to incentives.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: New collection.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households; first responders; 
businesses or other for-profit organizations; not-for-profit 
institutions; State, local or tribal government; Federal government; 
Standards-making bodies; Universities.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 48,000.
    Estimated Time per Response: Varied, dependent upon the data 
collection method used. The possible response time may be 15 minutes to 
complete a questionnaire or 2 hours to participate in an interview.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 15,000.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0.

IV. Request for Comments

    We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department/Bureau 
to: (a) Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is 
necessary for the proper functions of the Department, including whether 
the information will have practical utility; (b) Evaluate the accuracy 
of our estimate of the time and cost burden for this proposed 
collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions 
used; (c) Evaluate ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information to be collected; and (d) Minimize the reporting burden 
on those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology.
    Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of 
public record. We will include or summarize each comment in our request 
to OMB to approve this ICR. Before including your address, phone 
number, email address, or other personal identifying information in 
your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment--including 
your personal identifying information--may be made publicly available 
at any time. While you may ask us in your comment to withhold your 
personal identifying information from public review, we cannot 
guarantee that we will be able to do so.

Sheleen Dumas,
Department PRA Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief Information 
Officer, Commerce Department.
[FR Doc. 2021-05226 Filed 3-12-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-13-P