[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 232 (Tuesday, December 5, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 84364-84365]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-26588]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Establish an Information 
Collection

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, and as part of its 
continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, the 
National Science Foundation (NSF) is inviting the general public or 
other Federal agencies to comment on this proposed continuing 
information collection.

DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by February 5, 
2024, to be assured consideration. Comments received after that date 
will be considered to the extent practicable. Send comments to address 
below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance 
Officer, National Science Foundation, 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Suite 
W18200, Alexandria, Virginia 22314; telephone (703) 292-7556; or send 
email to [email protected]. Individuals who use a telecommunications 
device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay 
Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339, which is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 
days a week, 365 days a year (including federal holidays).
    Comments: Comments are invited on: (a) whether the proposed 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
the functions of the Foundation, including whether the information will 
have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Foundation's estimate 
of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to 
enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be 
collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of 
information on those who are to respond, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title of Collection: Systematics Scientists Community Survey.
    OMB Number: 3145-NEW.
    Expiration Date of Approval: Not applicable.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to establish information 
collection for better serving the systematics and biodiversity 
community of scientists.
    Abstract: The Systematics and Biodiversity Science Cluster (SBS) of 
the Division of Environmental Biology (DEB) at the National Science 
Foundation (NSF) supports research and methods development that 
advances understanding of the diversity, systematics, distribution and 
evolutionary history of extant and extinct organisms. SBS has a 
longstanding commitment to support research and taxonomic capacity 
building across the breadth of life on earth.
    SBS requests the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to 
initiate a new survey that will capture the current state of systematic 
research in the U.S. across subdisciplines, taxonomic groups, and 
scientific training and ranks.
    Use of the Information: Individual survey responses will not be 
identifiable to the respondent. Aggregate results from the survey will 
be analyzed and summarized for internal SBS use. The data collected and 
analyzed will be used for program planning, management, and evaluation 
purposes. Analyzed data in aggregate may be used in a white paper 
reporting on the state of systematics science in the U.S. These data 
are needed for effective administration, program monitoring, 
evaluation, and for strategic planning within SBS.
    Expected Respondents: The respondents will be scientists that self-
identify as systematists.

Estimate of Burden

Estimates of Annualized Cost to Respondents for the Hour Burdens

    The overall annualized cost to the respondents is estimated to be 
$6,730. The following table shows the estimated burden and costs to 
respondents, who are generally biologists at the postsecondary level. 
This estimated hourly rate is based on a report from the Bureau of 
Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2021).\1\ 
According to this report, the median hourly rate is $33.65.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes251021.htm.

[[Page 84365]]



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Total number of    Burden hours per    Total hour      Average hourly
                      Collection title                           respondents         respondent         burden             rate          Estimated cost
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Survey of Systematists......................................                800                .25             200             $33.65             $6,730
                                                             -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total...................................................                800  .................             200  .................              6,730
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Estimated Number of Responses per Report

    Survey requests will be sent to members of all North American 
scientific societies to which systematists belong. The total number of 
systematists employed in the U.S. is not known but estimated that ca. 
800 will respond.

    Dated: November 29, 2023.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2023-26588 Filed 12-4-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P