[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 118 (Tuesday, June 21, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36909-36910]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-13178]


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SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION


Generic Clearance for Formative Data Collections for Evaluation, 
Research, and Evidence-Building

ACTION: 30-Day notice.

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SUMMARY: The Small Business Administration (SBA) is seeking approval 
from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for the information 
collection described below. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act and OMB procedures, SBA is publishing this notice to allow all 
interested members of the public an additional 30 days to provide 
comments on the proposed collection of information.

DATES: Submit comments on or before July 21, 2022.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments by the deadline stated in the DATES section 
above using any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments. Comments submitted 
electronically, including attachments to https://www.regulations.gov, 
will be posted to the docket unchanged.
     Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. 
www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. You can find this information 
collection by selecting ``Currently under Review--Open for Public 
Comments'' and searching by title, ``Generic Clearance for Formative 
Data Collections for Evaluation, Research, and Evidence-Building''.
     Small Business Administration. Curtis Rich, Agency 
Clearance Officer, [email protected]; (202) 205-7030.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information 
should be directed to Shay Meinzer, Lead Program Evaluator, 
[email protected], (202) 539-1429 Curtis Rich, Agency Clearance 
Officer, [email protected], (202) 205-7030, or the SBA Desk Officer, 
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and 
Budget, New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC 20503.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Generic Clearance for Formative Data Collections for 
Evaluation, Research, and Evidence-Building.
    OMB Control Number: 3245-XXXX.
    Abstract: This Information Collection Request establishes a new 
generic clearance to conduct formative studies that inform the U.S. 
Small Business Administration's (SBA) evaluation, research, and 
evidence-building activities. Under this generic clearance, the SBA 
plans to engage in a variety of formative and exploratory data 
collections with SBA grantees, program and potential program providers 
and participants, researchers, practitioners, and other stakeholders to 
fulfill the following goals:
     maintain a rigorous and relevant evaluation and research 
agenda,
     inform the development of SBA's future evidence-building 
activities,
     inform the delivery of targeted assistance and workflows 
related to program and grantee processes,
     inform the development and refinement of recordkeeping and 
communication systems,
     plan for the provision of programmatic or evidence-
capacity-related training or technical assistance,
     obtain grantee or stakeholder input on the development or 
refinement of program logic models, evaluations, and performance 
measures, and
     test activities to strengthen programs in preparation for 
summative evaluations.
    The SBA's formative studies will collect data using well-
established methodologies, including but not limited to questionnaires 
and surveys, semi-structured small group discussions or focus groups, 
observation, interviews, cognitive interviews and user testing. To 
minimize the burden of information collections approved under this 
clearance, the SBA will collect information electronically and/or use 
online collaboration tools, as appropriate, ask for readily available 
information, and use short, easy-to-complete information collection 
instruments when possible.
    Conducting formative evaluation, research, and evidence-building 
activities will help the SBA better understand emerging needs and 
issues, identify evidence gaps, and ensure that SBA leadership and 
program offices have current data and information to implement SBA 
programs and initiatives successfully. The data from formative studies 
will be used to improve internal decision-making and inform future 
studies but will not be highly systematic nor intended to be 
statistically representative. Findings from these formative studies 
will not be generalized to the broader population and are not intended 
to produce influential information that is expected to have a genuinely 
clear and substantial impact on major policy decisions. Information 
gathered may inform future evaluation, research, and evidence-building, 
which could inform future influential public policy decisions.

[[Page 36910]]

    The primary purpose of data collected under this generic ICR is not 
for publication. However, because the formative data collection efforts 
are intended to inform SBA's decision-making related to evidence-
building and programmatic activities, the findings may be incorporated 
into documents and presentations available to the public. Such 
documents may include design and method documents, process or journey 
maps, conceptual frameworks or logic models, background materials for 
technical workgroups, informational presentations, technical assistance 
plans, and evaluation or research reports. Shared findings will include 
a discussion of the limitations regarding generalizability and intended 
use, and when necessary, results will be labeled as formative or 
exploratory.
    Description of Respondents: The populations to be studied include 
SBA grantees, program and potential program providers and participants, 
researchers, practitioners, and other stakeholder groups involved in 
SBA programs, experts in fields pertaining to SBA evaluation and 
research, or others involved in conducting SBA evaluation, research, or 
evidence-building projects.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: Below is a preliminary estimate of 
the aggregate burden hours for this new collection. The Agency will 
provide refined estimates of burden in subsequent notices.
    Estimated Number of Respondents per Activity: One response per 
respondent per activity.
    Estimated Annual Responses: 900.
    Estimated Annual Hour Burden: 832.5.
    The public is invited to submit comments regarding any aspect of 
this information collection, including the following: (1) The necessity 
and utility of the proposed information collection for the proper 
performance of the Agency's functions; (2) the accuracy of the 
estimated burden; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity 
of the information to be collected; and (4) the use of automated 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology to 
minimize the information collection burden of those who are required to 
respond to the request for information.

Curtis B. Rich,
Agency Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2022-13178 Filed 6-17-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8026-09-P