[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 239 (Thursday, December 14, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 86658-86659]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-27452]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Community Living


Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB 
Review; Public Comment Request; of the National Institute on 
Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) 
Grantee Annual Performance Reporting (APR) and Final Report Forms OMB 
Control Number 0985-0050

AGENCY: Administration for Community Living, HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Administration for Community Living is announcing that the 
proposed collection of information listed above has been submitted to 
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance as 
required under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This 30-day notice 
collects comments on the information collection requirements related to 
the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and 
Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) Grantee Annual Performance Reporting 
(APR) and Final Report Forms OMB Control Number 0985-0050.

DATES: Comments on the collection of information must be submitted 
electronically by 11:59 p.m. (EST) or postmarked by January 16, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments and recommendations for the proposed 
information collection within 30 days of publication of this notice to 
www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find the information collection by 
selecting ``Currently under 30-day Review--Open for Public Comments'' 
or by using the search function. By mail to the Office of Information 
and Regulatory Affairs, OMB, New Executive Office Bldg., 725 17th St. 
NW, Rm. 10235, Washington, DC 20503, Attn: OMB Desk Officer for ACL.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Myrial Earl, Administration for 
Community Living, [email protected], (202) 795-7341.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In compliance with 44 U.S.C. 3507, the 
Administration for Community Living (ACL) has submitted the following 
proposed collection of information to OMB for review and clearance. The 
National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and 
Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) Grantee Annual Performance Reporting 
(APR) and Final Report Forms collect data from all NIDILRR grantees via 
a web-based reporting system and addresses specific HHS regulations 
that shall be met by applicants and grantees. HHS regulations that 
apply to NIDILRR Grant programs include part 75 of the Uniform 
Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles and Audit requirements for 
HHS Awards.
    Specifically, Sec.  75.342, which requires grantees to submit an 
annual performance report or, for the last year of a project, a final 
report that evaluates: (a) the grantee's progress in achieving the 
objectives in its approved application, (b) the effectiveness of the 
project in meeting the purposes of the program, and (c) the results of 
research and related activities.
    Additionally, GPRA requires all federal agencies to implement 
performance measurement systems that include: (1) a five-year strategic 
plan, (2) an annual performance plan, and (3) an annual performance 
report. Currently, NIDILRR has met these requirements and has 
established performance indicators to meet the reporting requirements. 
The NIDILRR APR System currently includes reporting forms for all 10 of 
NIDILRR's grant programs.
    This information collection system covers 10 grant programs funded 
or administered by NIDILRR/ACL, and each grantee submits its 
information using a reporting form that is unique to the program 
mechanism under which it is funded. The 10 forms meet the reporting 
requirements for the following programs:

1. Rehabilitation Research Training Centers (RRTC)
2. Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERC)
3. Field Initiated Research Projects (FIP)
4. Advanced Rehabilitation Research Training Projects (ARRT)

[[Page 86659]]

5. Model Systems--(includes spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, 
burn centers)
6. Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP)
7. Knowledge Translation (KT) Projects
8. ADA National Network Centers (ADAs)
9. Small Business Innovation Research Projects (SBIR)
10. Research Fellowships Program (RFP)

    Reporting forms for all 10 programs are Web-based.
    Data collected through these forms: (a) facilitate program planning 
and management; (b) respond to ACL/HHS Grants Policy Administration 
Manual (GPAM) requirements; and (c) respond to the reporting 
requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) of 
1993 (Pub. L. 103-62). NIDILRR/ACL uses the information gathered 
annually from these data collection efforts to provide Congress with 
the information mandated in GPRA, provide OMB information required for 
assessment of performance on GPRA indicators, and support its 
evaluation activities. Data collected from the 10 grant programs will 
provide a national description of the research activities of 
approximately 313 NIDILRR grantees. NIDILRR's GPRA plan must collect 
information to meet the following mandates: (a) implementation of a 
comprehensive plan that includes goals and objectives; (b) measurement 
of the program's progress in meeting its objectives; and (c) submission 
of an annual report on program performance, including plans for program 
improvement, as appropriate. The data collection system addresses 
nearly all of the agency's GPRA indicators, either directly or by 
providing information for the agency's other review processes.
    This IC collects demographic data from people receiving programs 
and services funded by HHS regulations that apply to NIDILRR Grant 
programs under part 75 of the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost 
Principles and Audit requirements for HHS Awards.
    ACL will adhere to best practices for collection of all demographic 
information when this information is collected for the programs listed 
in accordance with OMB guidance.
    This includes, but is not limited to, guidance specific to the 
collection of sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) items that 
align with Executive Order 13985 on Advancing Racial Equity and Support 
for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government, Executive 
Order 14075 on Advancing Equality for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, 
Transgender, Queer, and Intersex Individuals, and Executive Order 13988 
on Preventing and Combating Discrimination on the Basis of Gender 
Identity and Sexual Orientation. Understanding these disparities can 
and should lead to improved service delivery for ACL's programs and 
populations served.

Comments in Response to the 60-Day Federal Register Notice

    A 60-day FRN published in the FR on September 27, 2023, at 88 FR 
66454-66456. There were no public comments received during the 60-day 
FRN public comment period.
    Estimated Program Burden: ACL estimates the burden of this 
collection of information as follows:

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                                                                     Number of        Average
                                                     Number of     responses per   burden  hours   Total  burden
                                                    respondents     respondent     per  response       hours
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New Grantees....................................            * 71               1              52           3,692
Continuations of Major Programs.................             138               1              22           3,036
Other Continuations.............................             104               1              10           1,040
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Total.......................................             313  ..............  ..............           7,768
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* Does not include SBIR Phase I grants, which do not use the system.


    Dated: December 8, 2023.
Alison Barkoff,
Principal Deputy Administrator for the Administration for Community 
Living, performing the delegable duties of the Administrator and the 
Assistant Secretary for Aging.
[FR Doc. 2023-27452 Filed 12-13-23; 8:45 am]
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