[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 140 (Monday, July 24, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Page 47482]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-15560]



[[Page 47482]]

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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; Research and Development (R&D) Information Collection Request 
(ICR)

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 September 22, 
2023.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments by 
mail to Liz Reinhart, Management Analyst, National Institute of 
Standards and Technology, [email protected]). Please reference 
Research and Development (R&D) Information Collection Request (ICR) OMB 
Control Number 0693-xxxx 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 Cierra Bean, Business Operations Specialist, CHIPS Program Office, 
(202) 815-2677, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    The CHIPS Incentives Program is authorized by Title XCIX--Creating 
Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors for America of the William 
M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
2021 (Pub. L. 116-283, referred to as the CHIPS Act or Act), as amended 
by the CHIPS Act of 2022 (Division A of Pub. L. 117-167). The CHIPS 
Incentives Program is administered by the CHIPS Program Office (CPO) 
within the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) of the 
United States Department of Commerce (Department).
    The CPO will collect data and information in support of the 
research and development (R&D) notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) 
application process. The R&D NOFO will be designed to fund projects 
that strengthen U.S. semiconductor R&D leadership to catalyze and 
capture the next set of critical technologies, applications, and 
industries. CPO funds will be awarded to projects and programs with 
intended outcomes of creating a dynamic, new network of innovation for 
the semiconductor ecosystem in the United States. The long-term payoff 
will be reestablishing this sector as the engine of innovation for the 
U.S. domestic economy.
    Information collected as part of the application process may 
include but is not limited to project descriptions, project timelines, 
narrative justifications for incentives, applicant financial 
information, and relevant project environmental and workforce 
information.

II. Method of Collection

    CPO intends to collect information from applicants electronically, 
although other methods, e.g., interviews, email, etc., may also be 
leveraged. The primary tool will be Salesforce, which CPO leverages for 
NOFO applications.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0693-XXXX.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 140.
    Estimated Time per Response: 125 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 17,500 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $828,100.
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory to be eligible for CHIPS Act 
funding.
    Legal Authority: CHIPS Act of 2022 (Division A of Pub. L. 117-167) 
(the Act).

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 Under Secretary for 
Economic Affairs, Commerce Department.
[FR Doc. 2023-15560 Filed 7-21-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-13-P