[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 42 (Thursday, March 3, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12165-12167]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-04466]


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EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT


Request for Information To Support the Development of a Federal 
Scientific Integrity Policy Framework

AGENCY: White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP).

ACTION: Notice of request for information (RFI).

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SUMMARY: The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) 
seeks information to assist in developing a framework for regular 
assessment and iterative improvement of agency scientific integrity 
policies and practices. This effort builds on the Scientific Integrity 
Task Force's review of existing scientific integrity policies and 
practices, released in the January 11, 2022 report, Protecting the 
Integrity of Government Science.

DATES: Interested persons and organizations are invited to submit 
comments on or before 5:00 p.m. ET on April 4, 2022.

ADDRESSES: Interested individuals and organizations should submit 
comments electronically to [email protected] and 
include ``SI RFI'' in the subject line of the email. Due to time 
constraints, mailed paper submissions will not be accepted, and 
electronic submissions received after the deadline cannot be ensured to 
be incorporated or taken into consideration.
    Instructions: Response to this RFI is voluntary. Each responding 
entity (individual or organization) is requested to submit only one 
response. OSTP welcomes any responses to inform and guide the work of 
OSTP. Please feel free to respond to one or as many prompts as you 
choose. Submission must not exceed 10 pages in 12 point or larger font, 
with a page number provided on each page. Responses should include the 
name of the person(s) or organization(s) filing the comment, as well as 
the respondent type (e.g., academic, advocacy, professional society, 
community-based organization, industry, trainee/student, member of the 
public, government, other). Respondent's role in the organization may 
also be provided (e.g., researcher, faculty, student, program manager, 
journalist) on a voluntary basis. Comments containing references, 
studies, research, and other empirical data that are not widely 
published should include copies or electronic links of the referenced 
materials. No business proprietary information, copyrighted 
information, or personally identifiable information should be submitted 
in response to this RFI. If you submit scientific or technical studies 
or other results of scientific research, OSTP requests (but is not 
requiring) that you also provide the following information where it is 
available: (1) Identification of the funding source(s) and sponsoring 
organization(s) of the research; (2) the extent to which the research 
findings were reviewed by a potentially affected party prior to 
publication or submission to the docket, and identification of any such 
parties; and (3) the nature of any financial relationships (e.g., 
consulting agreements, expert witness support, or research funding) 
between investigators who conducted the research and any 
organization(s) or entities having a financial interest in Federal 
scientific integrity. Disclosure of such information is intended to 
promote transparency and scientific integrity of data and technical 
information submitted to the record. Please be aware that comments 
submitted in response to this RFI may be posted on OSTP's website or 
otherwise released publicly.
    In accordance with FAR 15.202(3), responses to this notice are not 
offers and cannot be accepted by the Federal Government to form a 
binding contract. Additionally, those submitting responses are solely 
responsible for all expenses associated with response preparation.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information, please 
direct questions to Dr. Ryan Donohue at 202-456-4444 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The framework will include assessment 
criteria that OSTP and agencies can use to inform, review, and improve 
the content and implementation of agency scientific-integrity policies. 
To support this framework, OSTP seeks information on: (1) How 
scientific integrity policies can address important and emergent issues 
of our time, including diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility; 
new technologies; emerging modes of science; and coordination with 
related policy domains; (2) The criteria to evaluate scientific 
integrity policy

[[Page 12166]]

content, implementation, outcomes and impacts in the Executive Branch; 
(3) How to ensure that scientific integrity evaluation findings lead to 
effective iterative improvement of Federal scientific integrity policy 
and practices; and (4) How to ensure the long-term viability and 
implementation of Federal scientific integrity policies, practices, and 
culture through future Administrations.
    Please note the purpose of this RFI is not to receive reports on 
alleged offenses that are in violation of Federal scientific integrity 
policies. If you have witnessed or experienced any harmful acts that 
may undermine scientific integrity and you would like to report these 
allegations, please contact the scientific integrity office or the 
Office of Inspector General at the relevant Federal agency.
    Background: On January 27, 2021, President Biden issued the 
Presidential Memorandum on Restoring Trust in Government Through 
Scientific Integrity and Evidence-Based Policymaking (2021 Presidential 
Memorandum). The 2021 Presidential Memorandum asserts the 
Administration's goal to make evidence-based policy decisions guided by 
the best available science and data, recognizing that scientific and 
technological information, data, and evidence are central to the 
development and iterative improvement of sound policies and to the 
delivery of equitable programs across every area of government. The 
2021 Presidential Memorandum emphasizes that political interference in 
the work of Federal scientists and other scientists who support the 
work of the Federal government and in the communication of scientific 
facts undermines the welfare of the Nation, contributes to systemic 
inequities and injustices, and violates the trust that the public 
places in government to best serve its collective interests. The 2021 
Presidential Memorandum reaffirms and builds on the Presidential 
Memorandum of March 9, 2009 (Scientific Integrity) and the Director of 
the Office of Science and Technology Policy's Memorandum of December 
17, 2010 (Scientific Integrity), which together specify elements that 
scientific integrity policies of Federal departments and agencies are 
to address.
    On January 11, 2022, OSTP issued a report of its Scientific 
Integrity Task Force titled, Protecting the Integrity of Government 
Science, that included an assessment of Federal scientific integrity 
policies and practices. Among other remarks on scientific integrity 
policies, the report stated that agencies need to strengthen scientific 
integrity policies to deter undue influence in the conduct, management, 
communication, and use of science; that violations involving high-level 
officials are the most problematic and difficult to address; and that 
further action is required to establish and maintain a culture of 
scientific integrity across all individuals and agencies that conduct, 
manage, communicate, and make use of science. The Task Force report 
also notes that a strong organizational culture of scientific integrity 
is a necessary foundation to reduce the potential for wrongdoing, 
protect against inappropriate influence, reinforce agency missions and 
goals, and ensure equitable delivery of Federal Government programs. 
The report made several recommendations. All Federal agencies--not just 
those that fund and conduct scientific research--need to develop, 
implement, and periodically review and update scientific integrity 
policies and that agencies need to apply scientific integrity policies 
to all those in Federal agencies who conduct, manage, communicate, or 
use science. Further, the report identified numerous good practices 
that Federal agencies can readily adopt and adapt for use as 
appropriate to their different missions and needs, including: (1) 
Fostering a culture of scientific integrity, which involves effective 
agency leadership and modeling of appropriate behaviors; (2) protecting 
the integrity of the research process; (3) communicating science with 
integrity, which entails effective and transparent communication of 
scientific information to decision-makers, the media, and the American 
people; and (4) Safeguarding scientific integrity, which requires 
clear, visible procedures for reporting concerns, robust assessment and 
adjudication, and consistent enforcement of consequences when 
violations are found. Finally, the report recommended that scientific 
integrity policies be updated to address important and emergent issues 
of our time, including diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility; 
new technologies, including artificial intelligence and machine 
learning; emerging modes of science, such as citizen science and 
community-engaged research; and coordination with related policy 
domains, such as open data and promotion of safe, equitable workplaces.
    The 2021 Presidential Memorandum directs the development of a 
framework to inform and support the regular assessment and iterative 
improvement of agency scientific integrity policies and practices, to 
support the Director and OSTP in ensuring that agencies adhere to the 
principles of scientific integrity. This framework shall be completed 
120 days after the release of the Task Force report and include 
assessment criteria that OSTP and agencies can use to inform, review, 
and improve the design and implementation of agency scientific-
integrity policies. The Director shall publish this framework on the 
OSTP website.
    This request for information aims to support OSTP's and the Task 
Force's work to develop the framework for regular assessment and 
iterative improvement of agency scientific integrity policies and 
practices. This RFI is motivated by the Presidential Memorandum's 
direction that the Task Force gather input from stakeholders and the 
public regarding the scientific integrity policies and practices and 
the Scientific Integrity Task Force's previous listening sessions, 
which underscored the need for ongoing public engagement on scientific 
integrity and policymaking processes.

Information Requested

    Respondents may provide information on one or as many topics below 
as they choose. Input is welcome from stakeholders and members of the 
public representing all backgrounds and perspectives. Through this RFI, 
OSTP seeks information on assessment and improvement of scientific 
integrity policies and practices in the Federal government, including 
on the following topics:
    1. Information is requested on how scientific integrity policies at 
Federal agencies and other components of the Executive Branch can be 
developed or updated to address important and emergent issues of our 
time, including: (1) Diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, 
which are essential to advancing the conduct, communication, and use of 
science, ensuring the equitable delivery of government programs, and 
improving equitable participation in science by diverse communities 
across the Nation; (2) New technologies, such as artificial 
intelligence, machine learning, and the lack of transparency and 
potential for bias in computer algorithms and associated data; (3) 
Emerging modes of science, such as citizen science and community-
engaged research; and (4) Coordination with related policy domains, 
such as open science and data; quality guidelines for data and 
information that agencies release; promotion of safe, equitable 
workplaces free from harassment and discrimination; and protection of 
research security and responding to research misconduct.

[[Page 12167]]

    2. Information is requested on the criteria that should be used to 
evaluate scientific integrity policies: Content, implementation, 
outcomes, and impacts in Federal agencies and other components of the 
Executive Branch. Consider methods and metrics for evaluating elements 
such as, but not limited to: Policy provisions, practices, capacity, 
and actions so that determinations can be made on their efficacy to 
achieve desired outcomes and impacts.
    3. Information is requested on how to ensure that scientific 
integrity evaluation findings, and other findings that evolve over 
time, such as findings on the emergent issues identified above, lead to 
iterative improvement of Federal scientific integrity policy and 
practices. Consider information covering, but not limited to: Types and 
frequency of evaluation of agency scientific integrity policies and 
practices; steps that OSTP, Federal agencies, and other components of 
the Executive Branch should take to ensure regular comprehensive 
evaluation and continuous improvement of scientific integrity policies 
and practices; and other mechanisms or process elements that should be 
included in the framework to ensure effective iterative improvement of 
Federal scientific integrity policy and practices.
    4. Information is requested on how to ensure the long-term 
viability and implementation of Federal scientific integrity policies, 
practices, and culture through future Administrations. Consider 
information on, but not limited to: Ways to ensure Federal scientific 
integrity is robust through changes in government leadership, funding, 
and cultural shifts; how to institutionalize policies and practices 
that ensure the integrity of science, build and sustain a culture of 
scientific integrity, and encourage transparency; and how to provide 
accountability, such as through procedures to identify, address, and 
provide appropriate and meaningful consequences for instances when 
scientific integrity policies have been violated.

    Dated: February 28, 2022.
Stacy Murphy,
Operations Manager.
[FR Doc. 2022-04466 Filed 3-2-22; 8:45 am]
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