[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 42 (Thursday, March 3, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12075-12076]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-04443]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 12076]]

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

DATES: Comments must be received by May 2, 2022 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, GWCC, Room 2-2035, 
Beltsville, Maryland 20705-5138. 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: September 30, 2022.
    Type of Request: Approval to seek reinstatement of the ARS Animal 
Health National Program Assessment Survey. This voluntary information 
collection will give beneficiaries of ARS research the opportunity to 
provide input on the impact of the research conducted by ARS in the 
last National Program cycle for the Animal Health National Program. 
This survey seeks input from beneficiaries of research conducted by ARS 
for program planning and ensures alignment of the ARS National Programs 
with the needs of our 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 addressing specific areas of this research. 
These National Programs serve to bring coordination, communication, and 
prioritization to approximately 660 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 
beneficiaries of ARS research the opportunity to provide input on the 
impact of the ARS Animal Health National Program. 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 electronic 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, stakeholders, and ARS Administrators as part of the National 
Program's assessment process. ARS National Program Assessments are 
conducted every 5 years as part of 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. The electronic 
evaluation form will allow ARS to outreach to its many customers, 
partners and stakeholders that are unable to participate in planned 
assessment meetings and also ensures an efficient means of obtaining 
the greatest amount of input on the impact and direction of the ARS 
Animal Health 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.

Simon Y. Liu,
Associate Administrator, ARS.
[FR Doc. 2022-04443 Filed 3-2-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-03-P