80 FR 13635 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 50 (March 16, 2015)
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 50 (March 16, 2015)
| Page Range | 13635-13636 | |
| FR Document | 2015-05875 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 50 (Monday, March 16, 2015)] [Notices] [Pages 13635-13636] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-05875] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request AGENCY: National Science Foundation. ACTION: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) has submitted the following information collection requirement to OMB for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Pub. L. 104-13. This is the second notice for public comment; the first was published in the Federal Register at 79 FR 66419, with a corrected notice published at 79 FR 68728, along with a notice published at 79 FR 78497 requesting comments on management fees for large facilities, and 48 comments were received. NSF is forwarding the proposed submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance simultaneously with the publication of this second notice. The full submission may be found at: http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Comments regarding (a) whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology should be addressed to: Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs of OMB, Attention: Desk Officer for National Science Foundation, 725--17th Street NW., Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503, and to Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1265, Arlington, Virginia 22230 or send email to splimpto@nsf.gov. 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 regarding these information collections are best assured of having their full effect if received within 30 days of this notification. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling 703-292-7556. NSF may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to respond to the collection of information that such persons are not required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Summary of Comments on the National Science Foundation Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide and NSF's Responses The draft Large Facilities Manual was made available for review by the public on the NSF Web site at http://www.nsf.gov/bfa/lfo/NSF_Large_Facilities_Manual_110414_1700-WM_(for_OMB).pdf. In response to the Federal Register notice published December 30, 2014, at 79 FR 78497, NSF received 48 comments from 6 different institutions/ individuals. This notice was published to receive comments for a revised subsection of the Large Facilities Manual, 4.2.2.2, ``Management Fee.'' This management fee subsection will be incorporated into the revised NSF Large Facility Manual, which will be released following OMB approval of this information collection request. A summary of the comments is as follows: 48 responses were received from six different institutions/individuals, broken down by the following:7 responses questioned alignment with an existing Federal Regulation/Policy/Guideline 25 suggested changes to the NSF-proposed Policy/ Procedures; and 16 provided general observations The full comments and NSF's response may be found via: http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title of Collection: ``Large Facilities Manual''. OMB Approval Number: 3145-NEW. Expiration Date of Approval: Not applicable. Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to establish an information collection for three years. Proposed Project The National Science Foundation Act of 1950 (Pub. L. 81-507) set forth NSF's mission and purpose: ``To promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense. . . .'' The Act authorized and directed NSF to initiate and support: Basic scientific research and research fundamental to the engineering process; Programs to strengthen scientific and engineering research potential; Science and engineering education programs at all levels and in all the various fields of science and engineering; Programs that provide a source of information for policy formulation; and Other activities to promote these ends. Among Federal agencies, NSF is a leader in providing the academic community with advanced instrumentation needed to conduct state-of-the- art research and to educate the next generation of scientists, engineers and technical workers. The knowledge generated by these tools sustains U.S. leadership in science and engineering (S&E) to drive the U.S. economy and secure the future. NSF's responsibility is to ensure that the research and education communities have access to these resources, and to provide the support needed to utilize them optimally, and implement timely upgrades. The scale of advanced instrumentation ranges from small research instruments to shared resources or facilities that can be used by entire communities. The demand for such instrumentation is very high, and is growing rapidly, along with the pace of discovery. For large facilities and shared infrastructure, the need is particularly high. This trend is expected to accelerate in the future as increasing numbers of researchers and educators rely on such large facilities, [[Page 13636]] instruments, and databases to provide the reach to make the next intellectual leaps. NSF currently provides support for facility construction from two accounts: the Major Research Equipment and Facility Construction (MREFC) account, and the Research and Related Activities (R&RA) account. The MREFC account, established in FY 1995, is a separate budget line item that provides an agency-wide mechanism, permitting directorates to undertake large facility projects that exceed 10% of the Directorate's annual budget; or roughly $100M or greater. Smaller projects continue to be supported from the R&RA Account. Facilities are defined as shared-use infrastructure, instrumentation and equipment that are accessible to a broad community of researchers and/or educators. Facilities may be centralized or may consist of distributed installations. They may incorporate large-scale networking or computational infrastructure, multi-user instruments or networks of such instruments, or other infrastructure, instrumentation and equipment having a major impact on a broad segment of a scientific or engineering discipline. Historically, awards have been made for such diverse projects as accelerators, telescopes, research vessels and aircraft, and geographically distributed but networked sensors and instrumentation. The growth and diversification of large facility projects require that NSF remain attentive to the ever-changing issues and challenges inherent in their planning, construction, operation, management and oversight. Most importantly, dedicated, competent NSF and awardee staff are needed to manage and oversee these projects; giving the attention and oversight that good practice dictates and that proper accountability to taxpayers and Congress demands. To this end, there is also a need for consistent, documented requirements and procedures to be understood and used by NSF program managers and awardees for all such large projects. Use of the Information: Facilities are an essential part of the science and engineering enterprise, and supporting them is one major responsibility of the National Science Foundation (NSF). NSF makes awards to external entities--primarily universities, consortia of universities or non-profit organizations--to undertake construction, management and operation of facilities. Such awards frequently take the form of cooperative agreements. NSF does not directly construct or operate the facilities it supports. However, NSF retains responsibility for overseeing their development, management and successful performance. The Large Facilities Manual is intended to: Provide step-by-step guidance for NSF staff and awardees to carry out effective project planning, management and oversight of large facilities while considering the varying requirements of a diverse portfolio; Clearly state the policies, processes and procedures pertinent at each stage of a facility's life cycle from development through construction, operations, and termination; and Document and disseminate ``best practices'' identified over time so that NSF and awardees can carry out their responsibilities more effectively. This version of the Large Facilities Manual reflects recent changes in organization and formatting to improve readability and facilitate period revision. It also up-dates sections related to contingency and cost estimating requirements. The Manual does not replace existing formal procedures required for all NSF awards, which are described in the Grant Proposal Guide and The Award and Administration Guide. Instead, it draws upon and supplements them for the purpose of providing detailed guidance regarding NSF management and oversight of facilities projects. All facilities projects require merit and technical review, as well as approval of certain deliverables. The level of review and approval varies substantially from standard grants, as does the level of oversight needed to ensure appropriate and proper accountability for federal funds. The requirements, recommended procedures and best practices presented in the Manual apply to any facility significant enough to require close and substantial interaction with the Foundation and the National Science Board. This Manual will be updated periodically to reflect changes in requirements, policies and/or procedures. Award Recipients are expected to monitor and adopt the requirements and best practices included in the Manual which are aimed at improving management and oversight of large facilities projects and at enabling the most efficient and cost- effective delivery of tools to the research and education communities. The submission of proposals and subsequent project documentation to the Foundation related to the development, construction and operations of Large Facilities is part of the collection of information. This information is used to help NSF fulfill this responsibility in supporting merit-based research and education projects in all the scientific and engineering disciplines. The Foundation also has a continuing commitment to provide oversight on facilities development and construction which must be balanced against monitoring its information collection so as to identify and address any excessive reporting burdens. NSF has approximately twenty-two (22) Large Facilities in various stages of development, construction, operations and termination. One to two (1 to 2) new awards are made approximately every five (5) years based on science community infrastructure needs and availability of funding. Of the twenty-two large facilities, there are approximately eight (8) facilities annually that are either in development or construction. These stages require the highest level of reporting and management documentation per the Large Facilities Manual. Burden to the Public: The Foundation estimates that an average of three (3) Full Time Equivalents (FTEs) are necessary for each facility project in development or construction (Total Project Cost of $200- $500M) to respond to NSF routine reporting and project management documentation requirements on an annual basis; or 6240 hours per year. The Foundation estimates an average of one (1) FTE for a facility in operations; or 2080 hours per year. Assuming an average of eight (8) facilities in construction and the balance in operations, this equates to roughly 80,000 public burden hours annually. Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation. [FR Doc. 2015-05875 Filed 3-13-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7555-01-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 50 / Monday, March 16, 2015 / Notices 13635
2. NCUA’s Rules and Regulations, appropriate automated, electronic, • 25 suggested changes to the NSF-
Ownership of Fixed Assets. mechanical, or other technological proposed Policy/Procedures; and
RECESS: 10:45 a.m. collection techniques or other forms of • 16 provided general observations
information technology should be The full comments and NSF’s
TIME AND DATE: 11:00 a.m., Thursday,
addressed to: Office of Information and response may be found via: http://
March 19, 2015.
Regulatory Affairs of OMB, Attention: www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain
PLACE: Board Room, 7th Floor, Room
Desk Officer for National Science SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
7047, 1775 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA Foundation, 725—17th Street NW., Title of Collection: ‘‘Large Facilities
22314–3428. Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503, Manual’’.
STATUS: Closed. and to Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports OMB Approval Number: 3145–NEW.
MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED: Clearance Officer, National Science Expiration Date of Approval: Not
1. Personnel Action. Closed pursuant Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, applicable.
to Exemptions (2) and (6). Suite 1265, Arlington, Virginia 22230 or Type of Request: Intent to seek
2. Personnel Action. Closed pursuant send email to splimpto@nsf.gov. approval to establish an information
to Exemptions (2) and (6). Individuals who use a collection for three years.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: telecommunications device for the deaf
Proposed Project
Gerard Poliquin, Secretary of the Board, (TDD) may call the Federal Information
Telephone: 703–518–6304. Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877– The National Science Foundation Act
8339, which is accessible 24 hours a of 1950 (Pub. L. 81–507) set forth NSF’s
Gerard Poliquin, day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year mission and purpose:
Secretary of the Board. (including federal holidays). ‘‘To promote the progress of science;
[FR Doc. 2015–06055 Filed 3–12–15; 04:15 pm] Comments regarding these to advance the national health,
BILLING CODE 7535–01–P information collections are best assured prosperity, and welfare; to secure the
of having their full effect if received national defense. . . .’’
within 30 days of this notification. The Act authorized and directed NSF
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION Copies of the submission(s) may be to initiate and support:
obtained by calling 703–292–7556. • Basic scientific research and
Agency Information Collection NSF may not conduct or sponsor a research fundamental to the engineering
Activities: Comment Request collection of information unless the process;
collection of information displays a • Programs to strengthen scientific
National Science Foundation.
AGENCY: currently valid OMB control number and engineering research potential;
Submission for OMB Review;
ACTION: and the agency informs potential • Science and engineering education
Comment Request. persons who are to respond to the programs at all levels and in all the
collection of information that such various fields of science and
SUMMARY: The National Science persons are not required to respond to engineering;
Foundation (NSF) has submitted the the collection of information unless it • Programs that provide a source of
following information collection displays a currently valid OMB control information for policy formulation; and
requirement to OMB for review and number. • Other activities to promote these
clearance under the Paperwork SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: ends.
Reduction Act of 1995, Pub. L. 104–13. Among Federal agencies, NSF is a
This is the second notice for public Summary of Comments on the National leader in providing the academic
comment; the first was published in the Science Foundation Proposal and community with advanced
Federal Register at 79 FR 66419, with Award Policies and Procedures Guide instrumentation needed to conduct
a corrected notice published at 79 FR and NSF’s Responses state-of-the-art research and to educate
68728, along with a notice published at The draft Large Facilities Manual was the next generation of scientists,
79 FR 78497 requesting comments on made available for review by the public engineers and technical workers. The
management fees for large facilities, and on the NSF Web site at http:// knowledge generated by these tools
48 comments were received. NSF is www.nsf.gov/bfa/lfo/NSF_Large_ sustains U.S. leadership in science and
forwarding the proposed submission to Facilities_Manual_110414_1700–WM_ engineering (S&E) to drive the U.S.
the Office of Management and Budget (for_OMB).pdf. In response to the economy and secure the future. NSF’s
(OMB) for clearance simultaneously Federal Register notice published responsibility is to ensure that the
with the publication of this second December 30, 2014, at 79 FR 78497, NSF research and education communities
notice. The full submission may be received 48 comments from 6 different have access to these resources, and to
found at: http://www.reginfo.gov/public/ institutions/individuals. This notice provide the support needed to utilize
do/PRAMain. was published to receive comments for them optimally, and implement timely
Comments regarding (a) whether the a revised subsection of the Large upgrades.
collection of information is necessary Facilities Manual, 4.2.2.2, ‘‘Management The scale of advanced
for the proper performance of the Fee.’’ This management fee subsection instrumentation ranges from small
functions of the agency, including will be incorporated into the revised research instruments to shared
whether the information will have NSF Large Facility Manual, which will resources or facilities that can be used
practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the be released following OMB approval of by entire communities. The demand for
agency’s estimate of burden including this information collection request. A such instrumentation is very high, and
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the validity of the methodology and summary of the comments is as follows: is growing rapidly, along with the pace
assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance 48 responses were received from six of discovery. For large facilities and
the quality, utility and clarity of the different institutions/individuals, shared infrastructure, the need is
information to be collected; (d) ways to broken down by the following: particularly high. This trend is expected
minimize the burden of the collection of • 7 responses questioned alignment to accelerate in the future as increasing
information on those who are to with an existing Federal Regulation/ numbers of researchers and educators
respond, including through the use of Policy/Guideline rely on such large facilities,
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![13636 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 50 / Monday, March 16, 2015 / Notices
instruments, and databases to provide supports. However, NSF retains this responsibility in supporting merit-
the reach to make the next intellectual responsibility for overseeing their based research and education projects in
leaps. development, management and all the scientific and engineering
NSF currently provides support for successful performance. The Large disciplines. The Foundation also has a
facility construction from two accounts: Facilities Manual is intended to: continuing commitment to provide
the Major Research Equipment and • Provide step-by-step guidance for oversight on facilities development and
Facility Construction (MREFC) account, NSF staff and awardees to carry out construction which must be balanced
and the Research and Related Activities effective project planning, management against monitoring its information
(R&RA) account. The MREFC account, and oversight of large facilities while collection so as to identify and address
established in FY 1995, is a separate considering the varying requirements of any excessive reporting burdens.
budget line item that provides an a diverse portfolio; NSF has approximately twenty-two
agency-wide mechanism, permitting • Clearly state the policies, processes (22) Large Facilities in various stages of
directorates to undertake large facility and procedures pertinent at each stage development, construction, operations
projects that exceed 10% of the of a facility’s life cycle from and termination. One to two (1 to 2)
Directorate’s annual budget; or roughly development through construction, new awards are made approximately
$100M or greater. Smaller projects operations, and termination; and every five (5) years based on science
continue to be supported from the • Document and disseminate ‘‘best community infrastructure needs and
R&RA Account. practices’’ identified over time so that availability of funding. Of the twenty-
Facilities are defined as shared-use NSF and awardees can carry out their two large facilities, there are
infrastructure, instrumentation and responsibilities more effectively. approximately eight (8) facilities
equipment that are accessible to a broad This version of the Large Facilities annually that are either in development
community of researchers and/or Manual reflects recent changes in or construction. These stages require the
educators. Facilities may be centralized organization and formatting to improve highest level of reporting and
or may consist of distributed readability and facilitate period management documentation per the
installations. They may incorporate revision. It also up-dates sections Large Facilities Manual.
large-scale networking or computational related to contingency and cost Burden to the Public: The Foundation
infrastructure, multi-user instruments or estimating requirements. The Manual estimates that an average of three (3)
networks of such instruments, or other does not replace existing formal Full Time Equivalents (FTEs) are
infrastructure, instrumentation and procedures required for all NSF awards, necessary for each facility project in
equipment having a major impact on a which are described in the Grant development or construction (Total
broad segment of a scientific or Proposal Guide and The Award and Project Cost of $200–$500M) to respond
engineering discipline. Historically, Administration Guide. Instead, it draws to NSF routine reporting and project
awards have been made for such diverse upon and supplements them for the management documentation
projects as accelerators, telescopes, purpose of providing detailed guidance
requirements on an annual basis; or
research vessels and aircraft, and regarding NSF management and
6240 hours per year. The Foundation
geographically distributed but oversight of facilities projects. All
estimates an average of one (1) FTE for
networked sensors and instrumentation. facilities projects require merit and
a facility in operations; or 2080 hours
The growth and diversification of technical review, as well as approval of
per year. Assuming an average of eight
large facility projects require that NSF certain deliverables. The level of review
(8) facilities in construction and the
remain attentive to the ever-changing and approval varies substantially from
balance in operations, this equates to
issues and challenges inherent in their standard grants, as does the level of
roughly 80,000 public burden hours
planning, construction, operation, oversight needed to ensure appropriate
annually.
management and oversight. Most and proper accountability for federal
importantly, dedicated, competent NSF funds. The requirements, recommended Suzanne H. Plimpton,
and awardee staff are needed to manage procedures and best practices presented Reports Clearance Officer, National Science
and oversee these projects; giving the in the Manual apply to any facility Foundation.
attention and oversight that good significant enough to require close and [FR Doc. 2015–05875 Filed 3–13–15; 8:45 am]
practice dictates and that proper substantial interaction with the BILLING CODE 7555–01–P
accountability to taxpayers and Foundation and the National Science
Congress demands. To this end, there is Board.
also a need for consistent, documented This Manual will be updated NUCLEAR REGULATORY
requirements and procedures to be periodically to reflect changes in COMMISSION
understood and used by NSF program requirements, policies and/or
managers and awardees for all such procedures. Award Recipients are [Docket No. 50–483; NRC–2012–0001]
large projects. expected to monitor and adopt the
Use of the Information: Facilities are requirements and best practices License Renewal for Callaway Plant,
an essential part of the science and included in the Manual which are Unit 1
engineering enterprise, and supporting aimed at improving management and AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory
them is one major responsibility of the oversight of large facilities projects and Commission.
National Science Foundation (NSF). at enabling the most efficient and cost- ACTION: License renewal and record of
NSF makes awards to external entities— effective delivery of tools to the research decision; issuance.
primarily universities, consortia of and education communities.
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universities or non-profit The submission of proposals and SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
organizations—to undertake subsequent project documentation to Commission (NRC) has issued renewed
construction, management and the Foundation related to the facility operating license No. NPF–30 to
operation of facilities. Such awards development, construction and Union Electric Company (dba Ameren
frequently take the form of cooperative operations of Large Facilities is part of Missouri or the licensee), the operator of
agreements. NSF does not directly the collection of information. This the Callaway Plant, Unit 1 (Callaway).
construct or operate the facilities it information is used to help NSF fulfill Renewed facility operating license No.
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Document Created: 2018-02-21 09:38:03
Document Modified: 2018-02-21 09:38:03
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request. | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 13635 |
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