80 FR 14414 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 53 (March 19, 2015)

Page Range		14414-14415
FR Document		2015-06301

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, Public Law 104-13. This is the second notice for public comment; the first was published in the Federal Register at 80 FR 1670, and no comments were received. NSF is forwarding the proposed renewal 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: 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; or (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 [email protected] 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.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 53 (Thursday, March 19, 2015)

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 53 (Thursday, March 19, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14414-14415]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-06301]


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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, Public Law 104-13. 
This is the second notice for public comment; the first was published 
in the Federal Register at 80 FR 1670, and no comments were received. 
NSF is forwarding the proposed renewal 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: 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; or (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. 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne H. Plimpton at (703) 292-7556 
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).
    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: 
    Title of Collection: Grantee Reporting Requirements for the 
Engineering Research Centers (ERCs).
    OMB Number: 3145-0220.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to establish an 
information collection.
    Abstract:
    Proposed Project: The Engineering Research Centers (ERC) program 
supports an integrated, interdisciplinary research environment to 
advance fundamental engineering knowledge and engineered systems; 
educate a globally competitive and diverse engineering workforce from 
K-12 on; and join academe and industry in partnership to achieve these 
goals. ERCs conduct world-class research through partnerships of 
academic institutions, national laboratories, industrial organizations, 
and/or other public/private entities. New knowledge thus created is 
meaningfully linked to society.
    ERCs conduct world-class research with an engineered systems 
perspective that integrates materials, devices, processes, components, 
control algorithms and/or other enabling elements to perform a well-
defined function. These systems provide a unique academic research and 
education experience that involves integrative complexity and 
technological realization. The complexity of the systems perspective 
includes the factors associated with its use in industry, society/
environment, or the human body.
    ERCs enable and foster excellent education, integrate research and 
education, speed knowledge/technology transfer through partnerships 
between academe and industry, and prepare a more competitive future 
workforce. ERCs capitalize on diversity through participation in center 
activities and demonstrate leadership in the involvement of groups 
underrepresented in science and engineering.
    Centers will be required to submit annual reports on progress and 
plans, which will be used as a basis for performance review and 
determining the level of continued funding. To support this review and 
the management of a Center, ERCs will also be required to submit 
management and performance indicators annually to NSF via a data 
collection Web site that is managed by a technical assistance 
contractor. These indicators are both quantitative and descriptive and 
may include, for example, the characteristics of center personnel and 
students; sources of cash and in-kind support; expenditures by 
operational component; characteristics of industrial and/or other 
sector participation; research activities; education activities; 
knowledge transfer activities; patents, licenses; publications; degrees 
granted to students involved in Center activities; descriptions of 
significant advances and other outcomes of the ERC effort. Such 
reporting requirements will be included in the cooperative agreement 
which is binding between the academic institution and the NSF.
    Each Center's annual report will address the following categories 
of activities: (1) Vision and impact, (2) strategic plan, (3) research 
program, (4) innovation ecosystem and industrial collaboration, (5) 
education, (6) infrastructure (leadership, management, facilities, 
diversity) and (7) budget issues.
    For each of the categories the report will describe overall 
objectives for the year, progress toward center goals, problems the 
Center has encountered in making progress towards goals and how they 
were overcome, plans for the future and anticipated research and other 
barriers to overcome in the following

[[Page 14415]]

year, and specific outputs and outcomes.
    Use of the Information: The data collected will be used for NSF 
internal reports, historical data, performance review by peer site 
visit teams, program level studies and evaluations, and for securing 
future funding for continued ERC program maintenance and growth.
    Estimate of Burden: 100 hours per center for 17 centers for a total 
of 1,700 hours.
    Respondents: Academic institutions.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Report: One from each of the 17 
ERCs.

    Dated: March 16, 2015.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2015-06301 Filed 3-18-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7555-01-P

14414 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 53 / Thursday, March 19, 2015 / Notices

teleconference meeting. The web link to addressed to: Office of Information and elements to perform a well-defined
access CART on May 4, 2015 is http:// Regulatory Affairs of OMB, Attention: function. These systems provide a
www.streamtext.net/text.aspx?event= Desk Officer for National Science unique academic research and
050415ncd0930am; and on May 5, 2015 Foundation, 725—17th Street NW. education experience that involves
is http://www.streamtext.net/ Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503, integrative complexity and
text.aspx?event=050515ncd0900am. and to Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports technological realization. The
Those who plan to attend the meeting Clearance Officer, National Science complexity of the systems perspective
in-person and require accommodations Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, includes the factors associated with its
should notify NCD as soon as possible Suite 1265, Arlington, Virginia 22230 or use in industry, society/environment, or
to allow time to make arrangements. To send email to splimpto@nsf.gov. the human body.
help reduce exposure to fragrances for Comments regarding these information ERCs enable and foster excellent
those with multiple chemical collections are best assured of having education, integrate research and
sensitivities, NCD requests that all those their full effect if received within 30 education, speed knowledge/technology
attending the meeting in person refrain days of this notification. Copies of the transfer through partnerships between
from wearing scented personal care submission(s) may be obtained by academe and industry, and prepare a
products such as perfumes, hairsprays, calling 703–292–7556. more competitive future workforce.
and deodorants. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: ERCs capitalize on diversity through
Dated: March 17, 2015. Suzanne H. Plimpton at (703) 292–7556 participation in center activities and
Rebecca Cokley, or send email to splimpto@nsf.gov. demonstrate leadership in the
Individuals who use a involvement of groups
Executive Director.
telecommunications device for the deaf underrepresented in science and
[FR Doc. 2015–06481 Filed 3–17–15; 4:15 pm]
(TDD) may call the Federal Information engineering.
BILLING CODE 8421–03–P
Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877– Centers will be required to submit
8339, which is accessible 24 hours a annual reports on progress and plans,
day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year which will be used as a basis for
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION (including federal holidays). performance review and determining
NSF may not conduct or sponsor a the level of continued funding. To
Agency Information Collection support this review and the
collection of information unless the
Activities: Comment Request management of a Center, ERCs will also
collection of information displays a
AGENCY:National Science Foundation. currently valid OMB control number be required to submit management and
Submission for OMB Review;
ACTION: and the agency informs potential performance indicators annually to NSF
comment request. persons who are to respond to the via a data collection Web site that is
collection of information that such managed by a technical assistance
SUMMARY: The National Science persons are not required to respond to contractor. These indicators are both
Foundation (NSF) has submitted the the collection of information unless it quantitative and descriptive and may
following information collection displays a currently valid OMB control include, for example, the characteristics
requirement to OMB for review and number. of center personnel and students;
clearance under the Paperwork SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: sources of cash and in-kind support;
Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104– Title of Collection: Grantee Reporting expenditures by operational component;
13. This is the second notice for public Requirements for the Engineering characteristics of industrial and/or other
comment; the first was published in the Research Centers (ERCs). sector participation; research activities;
Federal Register at 80 FR 1670, and no OMB Number: 3145–0220. education activities; knowledge transfer
comments were received. NSF is Type of Request: Intent to seek activities; patents, licenses;
forwarding the proposed renewal approval to establish an information publications; degrees granted to
submission to the Office of Management collection. students involved in Center activities;
and Budget (OMB) for clearance Abstract: descriptions of significant advances and
simultaneously with the publication of Proposed Project: The Engineering other outcomes of the ERC effort. Such
this second notice. The full submission Research Centers (ERC) program reporting requirements will be included
may be found at: http:// supports an integrated, interdisciplinary in the cooperative agreement which is
www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. research environment to advance binding between the academic
Comments: Comments regarding (a) fundamental engineering knowledge institution and the NSF.
whether the collection of information is and engineered systems; educate a Each Center’s annual report will
necessary for the proper performance of globally competitive and diverse address the following categories of
the functions of the agency, including engineering workforce from K–12 on; activities: (1) Vision and impact, (2)
whether the information will have and join academe and industry in strategic plan, (3) research program, (4)
practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the partnership to achieve these goals. ERCs innovation ecosystem and industrial
agency’s estimate of burden including conduct world-class research through collaboration, (5) education, (6)
the validity of the methodology and partnerships of academic institutions, infrastructure (leadership, management,
assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance national laboratories, industrial facilities, diversity) and (7) budget
the quality, utility and clarity of the organizations, and/or other public/ issues.
information to be collected; or (d) ways private entities. New knowledge thus For each of the categories the report
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to minimize the burden of the collection created is meaningfully linked to will describe overall objectives for the
of information on those who are to society. year, progress toward center goals,
respond, including through the use of ERCs conduct world-class research problems the Center has encountered in
appropriate automated, electronic, with an engineered systems perspective making progress towards goals and how
mechanical, or other technological that integrates materials, devices, they were overcome, plans for the future
collection techniques or other forms of processes, components, control and anticipated research and other
information technology should be algorithms and/or other enabling barriers to overcome in the following

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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 53 / Thursday, March 19, 2015 / Notices 14415

year, and specific outputs and Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance without regard to section 5 of title 41,
outcomes. Officer, National Science Foundation, U.S.C.
Use of the Information: The data 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1265, Use of the Information: Request for
collected will be used for NSF internal Arlington, Virginia 22230 or send email Proposals (RFP) is used to competitively
reports, historical data, performance to chines@nsf.gov. Comments regarding solicit proposals in response to NSF
review by peer site visit teams, program these information collections are best need for services. Impact will be on
level studies and evaluations, and for assured of having their full effect if those individuals or organizations who
securing future funding for continued received within 30 days of this elect to submit proposals in response to
ERC program maintenance and growth. notification. Copies of the submission(s) the RFP. Information gathered will be
Estimate of Burden: 100 hours per may be obtained by calling 703–292– evaluated in light of NSF procurement
center for 17 centers for a total of 1,700 7556. requirements to determine who will be
hours. awarded a contract.
Respondents: Academic institutions. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Estimate of Burden: The Foundation
Estimated Number of Responses per Suzanne H. Plimpton at (703) 292–7556
estimates that, on average, 558 hours per
Report: One from each of the 17 ERCs. or send email to splimpto@nsf.gov.
respondent will be required to complete
Dated: March 16, 2015.
Individuals who use a
the RFP.
telecommunications device for the deaf
Suzanne H. Plimpton, Respondents: Individuals; business or
(TDD) may call the Federal Information
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science other for-profit; not-for-profit
Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–
Foundation. institutions; Federal government; state,
8339, which is accessible 24 hours a
[FR Doc. 2015–06301 Filed 3–18–15; 8:45 am] local, or tribal governments.
day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year
BILLING CODE 7555–01–P (including federal holidays). Estimated Number of Responses: 75.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on
NSF may not conduct or sponsor a
Respondents: 41,850 hours.
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION collection of information unless the
collection of information displays a Dated: March 16, 2015.
Agency Information Collection currently valid OMB control number Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Activities: Comment Request and the agency informs potential Reports Clearance Officer, National Science
persons who are to respond to the Foundation.
AGENCY:National Science Foundation. collection of information that such [FR Doc. 2015–06300 Filed 3–18–15; 8:45 am]
Submission for OMB review;
ACTION: persons are not required to respond to BILLING CODE 7555–01–P
comment request. the collection of information unless it
displays a currently valid OMB control
SUMMARY: The National Science NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
number.
Foundation (NSF) has submitted the
following information collection Title: Request for Proposals.
Advisory Committee for Engineering;
requirement to OMB for review and OMB Control Number: 3145–0080. Notice of Meeting
clearance under the Paperwork Proposed Project: The Federal
Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104– Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Subpart In accordance with the Federal
13. This is the second notice for public 15.2—‘‘Solicitation and Receipt of Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92–
comment; the first was published in the Proposals and Information’’ prescribes 463, as amended), the National Science
Federal Register at 80 FR 1670, and no policies and procedures for preparing Foundation announces the following
comments were received. NSF is and issuing Requests for Proposals. The meeting:
forwarding the proposed renewal FAR System has been developed in Name: Advisory Committee for
submission to the Office of Management accordance with the requirement of the Engineering #1170.
and Budget (OMB) for clearance Office of Federal Procurement Policy Date/Time: April 15, 2015: 12:30 p.m.
simultaneously with the publication of Act of 1974, as amended. The NSF Act to 6:00 p.m.; April 16, 2015: 8:30 a.m.
this second notice. Comments regarding of 1950, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 1870, to 12:30 p.m.
(a) whether the collection of information Sec. II, states that NSF has the authority Place: National Science Foundation,
is necessary for the proper performance to: 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1235,
of the functions of the agency, including (c) Enter into contracts or other Arlington, Virginia 22230.
whether the information will have arrangements, or modifications thereof, Type of Meeting: open.
practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the for the carrying on, by organizations or Contact Person: Evette Rollins,
agency’s estimate of burden including individuals in the United States and National Science Foundation, 4201
the validity of the methodology and foreign countries, including other Wilson Boulevard, Suite 505, Arlington,
assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance government agencies of the United Virginia 22230; 703–292–8300.
the quality, utility and clarity of the States and of foreign countries, of such Purpose of Meeting: To provide
information to be collected; or (d) ways scientific or engineering activities as the advice, recommendations and counsel
to minimize the burden of the collection Foundation deems necessary to carry on major goals and policies pertaining
of information on those who are to out the purposes of this Act, and, at the to engineering programs and activities.
respond, including through the use of request of the Secretary of Defense, Agenda:
appropriate automated, electronic, specific scientific or engineering
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
mechanical, or other technological activities in connection with matters
Rmajette on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

collection techniques or other forms of relating to international cooperation or • Directorate for Engineering Report
information technology should be national security, and, when deemed • Electrical, Communications, and
addressed to: Office of Information and appropriate by the Foundation, such Cyber Systems (ECCS) Overview
Regulatory Affairs of OMB, Attention: contracts or other arrangements or • ECCS Committee of Visitors (COV)
Desk Officer for National Science modifications thereof, may be entered Report
Foundation, 725–17th Street NW., Room into without legal consideration, • Broadening Participation in
10235, Washington, DC 20503, and to without performance or other bonds and Engineering

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Document Created: 2018-02-21 09:42:25
Document Modified: 2018-02-21 09:42:25

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.
Contact		Suzanne H. Plimpton at (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).
FR Citation		80 FR 14414