80_FR_17086 80 FR 17025 - Notice of Intent To Request Approval To Establish a New Information Collection

80 FR 17025 - Notice of Intent To Request Approval To Establish a New Information Collection

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
National Institute of Food and Agriculture

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 61 (March 31, 2015)

Page Range17025-17026
FR Document2015-07373

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations, that implement the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the National Institute of Food and Agriculture's (NIFA) intention to request approval to establish a new information collection for the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 61 (Tuesday, March 31, 2015) 
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 61 (Tuesday, March 31, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17025-17026]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-07373]


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Notices
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, 
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
appearing in this section.

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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 61 / Tuesday, March 31, 2015 / 
Notices

[[Page 17025]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

National Institute of Food and Agriculture


Notice of Intent To Request Approval To Establish a New 
Information Collection

AGENCY: National Institute of Food and Agriculture, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations, that implement the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the National 
Institute of Food and Agriculture's (NIFA) intention to request 
approval to establish a new information collection for the Small 
Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program.

DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by June 4, 
2015, to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date 
will be considered to the extent practicable.

ADDRESSES: Written comments may be submitted by any of the following 
methods: Email: [email protected]; Fax: 202-720-0857; Mail: Office 
of Information Technology (OIT), NIFA, USDA, STOP 2216, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-2216.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Martin, Records Officer; Email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program.
    OMB Number: 0524--New.
    Type of Request: Intent to request approval to establish a new 
information collection for three years.
    Abstract: The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program at 
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) makes competitively 
awarded grants to qualified small businesses to support high quality, 
advanced concepts research related to important scientific problems and 
opportunities in agriculture that could lead to significant public 
benefit if successful.
    The USDA SBIR Program Office proposes to contact Phase II awardees 
to determine their success in achieving commercial application of a 
market ready technology that was funded under the USDA SBIR Program. 
The survey would collect information from Phase II companies that 
received funding during the years of 1994 to 2014.
    Data from the survey will be used to provide information that 
currently does not exist. The data will be used internally by the USDA 
SBIR Office to identify past and current activities of Phase II 
grantees in the areas of technology development, commercialization 
success, product development or services, and factors that may have 
prevented the technology from entering into the market place. Depending 
on the results of the survey, information from the survey will be used 
to highlight commercialization successes within the small business 
community; improve and refine program interactions with, and 
responsiveness to, the small business community; potentially refocus 
the strategies that are used to accomplish SBIR objectives for 
commercialization; and identify areas in need of improvement and 
enhancement. This survey will not be used to formulate or change 
policies. Rather, it will be used to enable the USDA SBIR Office to be 
responsive to its constituents and document successes within the USDA 
SBIR Program.
    The objectives of the SBIR Program are to: Stimulate technological 
innovations in the private sector; strengthen the role of small 
businesses in meeting Federal research and development needs; increase 
private sector commercialization of innovations derived from USDA-
supported research and development efforts; and foster and encourage 
participation by women-owned and socially and economically 
disadvantaged small business firms in technological innovations.
    The USDA SBIR program is carried out in three separate phases:
    1. Phase I awards to determine, insofar as possible, the scientific 
and technical merit and feasibility of ideas that appear to have 
commercial potential.
    2. Phase II awards to further develop work from Phase I that meets 
particular program needs and exhibits potential for commercial 
application.
    3. Phase III awards where commercial applications of SBIR-funded 
Research/Research and Development (R/R&D) are funded by non-Federal 
sources of capital; or where products, services or further research 
intended for use by the Federal Government are funded by follow-on non-
SBIR Federal Funding Agreements.
    The USDA SBIR Program is administered by NIFA of the USDA. NIFA 
exercises overall oversight for the policies and procedures governing 
SBIR grants awarded to the U.S. small business community, representing 
approximately 2.5% to 2.8% of the USDA extramural R/R&D budget. This 
represents approximately $201M in Phase II grants awarded to the U.S. 
small business community from 1994 to 2014.

Plan

    A total of 499 USDA SBIR Phase II grants were awarded to small 
businesses between 1994 and 2014, and the USDA SBIR Program plans to 
contact past Phase II awardees to determine their success in achieving 
commercial application of a market ready technology under Phase III.
    The survey will be administered through a USDA led contract where a 
contractor will perform an initial web based survey administered 
through a secure Internet link with a telephone interview and/or in 
person interview as a follow-up with SBIR Phase II grantees. Both the 
web based survey and telephone/in person interviews will consist of a 
series of questions that relate to the commercial status of the 
technology developed with USDA SBIR Phase II funding as well as general 
questions regarding the USDA SBIR Program. The USDA SBIR Program office 
will coordinate the initial contact with the Phase II companies in an 
effort to introduce the scope of the survey, provide straightforward 
instructions and facilitate the survey work that the contractor will 
initiate and complete. Phase II companies that do not respond within 
two weeks to the initial contact from the USDA SBIR Program Office will 
be sent a second request by email

[[Page 17026]]

or by phone to respond. It is envisioned that the contractor would then 
conduct the web based survey and interviews thereafter.
    Estimate of Burden: NIFA used burden estimates administered through 
contractor led web based survey to estimate the burden for SBIR, but 
anticipates the transactions for project initiation may be reduced 
because grant application information will be used to prepopulate many 
fields. The total annual burden for the SBIR Program collection is 2500 
hours.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                  Average time
            Types of respondents                 Number of       Frequency of     per response    Annual burden
                                                respondents        response          hours       hours requested
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
USDA SBIR Phase II Grantees.................             500                1                5             2500
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Comments: Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed 
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 
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 
appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request to OMB for approval. All comments will become a matter of 
public record.
    Obtaining a Copy of the Information Collection: A copy of the 
information collection and related instructions may be obtained free of 
charge by contacting Robert Martin as directed above.

    Done at Washington, DC, this 23rd day of March, 2015.
Catherine E. Woteki,
Under Secretary, Research, Education, and Economics.
[FR Doc. 2015-07373 Filed 3-30-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-22-P

17025 Notices Federal Register Vol. 80, No. 61 Tuesday, March 31, 2015 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER (USDA) makes competitively awarded technical merit and feasibility of ideas contains documents other than rules or grants to qualified small businesses to that appear to have commercial proposed rules that are applicable to the support high quality, advanced concepts potential. public. Notices of hearings and investigations, research related to important scientific 2. Phase II awards to further develop committee meetings, agency decisions and problems and opportunities in work from Phase I that meets particular rulings, delegations of authority, filing of program needs and exhibits potential for petitions and applications and agency agriculture that could lead to significant statements of organization and functions are public benefit if successful. commercial application. examples of documents appearing in this The USDA SBIR Program Office 3. Phase III awards where commercial section. proposes to contact Phase II awardees to applications of SBIR-funded Research/ determine their success in achieving Research and Development (R/R&D) are commercial application of a market funded by non-Federal sources of DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE ready technology that was funded under capital; or where products, services or the USDA SBIR Program. The survey further research intended for use by the National Institute of Food and would collect information from Phase II Federal Government are funded by Agriculture companies that received funding during follow-on non-SBIR Federal Funding the years of 1994 to 2014. Agreements. Notice of Intent To Request Approval Data from the survey will be used to The USDA SBIR Program is To Establish a New Information provide information that currently does administered by NIFA of the USDA. Collection not exist. The data will be used NIFA exercises overall oversight for the internally by the USDA SBIR Office to policies and procedures governing SBIR AGENCY: National Institute of Food and grants awarded to the U.S. small Agriculture, USDA. identify past and current activities of Phase II grantees in the areas of business community, representing ACTION: Notice and request for approximately 2.5% to 2.8% of the comments. technology development, commercialization success, product USDA extramural R/R&D budget. This represents approximately $201M in SUMMARY: In accordance with the development or services, and factors Phase II grants awarded to the U.S. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and that may have prevented the technology small business community from 1994 to Office of Management and Budget from entering into the market place. 2014. (OMB) regulations, that implement the Depending on the results of the survey, Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this information from the survey will be Plan notice announces the National Institute used to highlight commercialization A total of 499 USDA SBIR Phase II of Food and Agriculture’s (NIFA) successes within the small business grants were awarded to small businesses intention to request approval to community; improve and refine between 1994 and 2014, and the USDA establish a new information collection program interactions with, and SBIR Program plans to contact past for the Small Business Innovation responsiveness to, the small business Phase II awardees to determine their Research (SBIR) Program. community; potentially refocus the success in achieving commercial DATES: Written comments on this notice strategies that are used to accomplish application of a market ready must be received by June 4, 2015, to be SBIR objectives for commercialization; technology under Phase III. assured of consideration. Comments and identify areas in need of The survey will be administered received after that date will be improvement and enhancement. This through a USDA led contract where a considered to the extent practicable. survey will not be used to formulate or contractor will perform an initial web change policies. Rather, it will be used based survey administered through a ADDRESSES: Written comments may be to enable the USDA SBIR Office to be secure Internet link with a telephone submitted by any of the following responsive to its constituents and interview and/or in person interview as methods: Email: rmartin@nifa.usda.gov; document successes within the USDA a follow-up with SBIR Phase II grantees. Fax: 202–720–0857; Mail: Office of SBIR Program. Both the web based survey and Information Technology (OIT), NIFA, The objectives of the SBIR Program telephone/in person interviews will USDA, STOP 2216, 1400 Independence are to: Stimulate technological consist of a series of questions that Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250– innovations in the private sector; relate to the commercial status of the 2216. strengthen the role of small businesses technology developed with USDA SBIR FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: in meeting Federal research and Phase II funding as well as general Robert Martin, Records Officer; Email: development needs; increase private questions regarding the USDA SBIR rmartin@nifa.usda.gov. sector commercialization of innovations Program. The USDA SBIR Program SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: derived from USDA-supported research office will coordinate the initial contact Title: Small Business Innovation and development efforts; and foster and with the Phase II companies in an effort asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Research (SBIR) Program. encourage participation by women- to introduce the scope of the survey, OMB Number: 0524—New. owned and socially and economically provide straightforward instructions and Type of Request: Intent to request disadvantaged small business firms in facilitate the survey work that the approval to establish a new information technological innovations. contractor will initiate and complete. collection for three years. The USDA SBIR program is carried Phase II companies that do not respond Abstract: The Small Business out in three separate phases: within two weeks to the initial contact Innovation Research (SBIR) program at 1. Phase I awards to determine, from the USDA SBIR Program Office United States Department of Agriculture insofar as possible, the scientific and will be sent a second request by email VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:32 Mar 30, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\31MRN1.SGM 31MRN1

17026 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 61 / Tuesday, March 31, 2015 / Notices or by phone to respond. It is envisioned Estimate of Burden: NIFA used initiation may be reduced because grant that the contractor would then conduct burden estimates administered through application information will be used to the web based survey and interviews contractor led web based survey to prepopulate many fields. The total thereafter. estimate the burden for SBIR, but annual burden for the SBIR Program anticipates the transactions for project collection is 2500 hours. Average time Annual burden Number of Frequency of Types of respondents per response hours respondents response hours requested USDA SBIR Phase II Grantees ....................................................................... 500 1 5 2500 Comments: Comments are invited on: Program), School Breakfast Program, the Commodity School Program (7 CFR (a) Whether the proposed collection of Special Milk Program for Children, part 210), School Breakfast Program (7 information is necessary for the proper Child and Adult Care Food Program, CFR part 220), Summer Food Service performance of the functions of the and Summer Food Service Program. The Program (7 CFR part 225) and Child and Agency, including whether the annual adjustments are required by Adult Care Food Program (7 CFR part information will have practical utility; section 9 of the Richard B. Russell 226) and the guidelines for free milk in (b) the accuracy of the Agency’s National School Lunch Act. The the Special Milk Program for Children estimate of the burden of the proposed guidelines are intended to direct (7 CFR part 215). These eligibility collection of information; (c) ways to benefits to those children most in need guidelines are based on the Federal enhance the quality, utility, and clarity and are revised annually to account for income poverty guidelines and are of the information to be collected; and changes in the Consumer Price Index. stated by household size. The guidelines (d) ways to minimize the burden of the DATES: Effective Date: July 1, 2015. are used to determine eligibility for free collection of information on those who FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: and reduced price meals and free milk are to respond, including through the Vivian Lees, Branch Chief, Operational in accordance with applicable program use of appropriate automated, Support Branch, Child Nutrition rules. electronic, mechanical, or other Programs, Food and Nutrition Service technological collection techniques or Definition of Income (FNS), USDA, Alexandria, Virginia other forms of information technology. 22302, or by phone at (703) 305–2322. In accordance with the Department’s All responses to this notice will be policy as provided in the Food and SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This summarized and included in the request Nutrition Service publication Eligibility action is not a rule as defined by the to OMB for approval. All comments will Manual for School Meals, ‘‘income,’’ as Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. become a matter of public record. the term is used in this notice, means 601–612) and thus is exempt from the Obtaining a Copy of the Information income before any deductions such as provisions of that Act. Collection: A copy of the information income taxes, Social Security taxes, In accordance with the Paperwork collection and related instructions may Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3507), insurance premiums, charitable be obtained free of charge by contacting no recordkeeping or reporting contributions and bonds. It includes the Robert Martin as directed above. requirements have been included that following: (1) Monetary compensation Done at Washington, DC, this 23rd day of are subject to approval from the Office for services, including wages, salary, March, 2015. of Management and Budget. commissions or fees; (2) net income Catherine E. Woteki, This notice has been determined to be from nonfarm self-employment; (3) net Under Secretary, Research, Education, and not significant and was reviewed by the income from farm self-employment; (4) Economics. Office of Management and Budget in Social Security; (5) dividends or interest [FR Doc. 2015–07373 Filed 3–30–15; 8:45 am] conformance with Executive Order on savings or bonds or income from BILLING CODE 3410–22–P 12866. estates or trusts; (6) net rental income; The affected programs are listed in the (7) public assistance or welfare Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance payments; (8) unemployment DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE under No. 10.553, No. 10.555, No. compensation; (9) government civilian 10.556, No. 10.558 and No. 10.559 and employee or military retirement, or Food and Nutrition Service are subject to the provisions of pensions or veterans payments; (10) Executive Order 12372, which requires private pensions or annuities; (11) Child Nutrition Programs—Income alimony or child support payments; (12) intergovernmental consultation with Eligibility Guidelines regular contributions from persons not State and local officials. (See 2 CFR AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service, 415.3–415.6). living in the household; (13) net USDA. royalties; and (14) other cash income. Background Other cash income would include cash ACTION: Notice. Pursuant to sections 9(b)(1) and amounts received or withdrawn from SUMMARY: This notice announces the 17(c)(4) of the Richard B. Russell any source including savings, Department’s annual adjustments to the National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. investments, trust accounts and other asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Income Eligibility Guidelines to be used 1758(b)(1) and 42 U.S.C. 1766(c)(4)), resources that would be available to pay in determining eligibility for free and and sections 3(a)(6) and 4(e)(1)(A) of the the price of a child’s meal. reduced price meals and free milk for Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. ‘‘Income,’’ as the term is used in this the period from July 1, 2015 through 1772(a)(6) and 1773(e)(1)(A)), the notice, does not include any income or June 30, 2016. These guidelines are used Department annually issues the Income benefits received under any Federal by schools, institutions, and facilities Eligibility Guidelines for free and programs that are excluded from participating in the National School reduced price meals for the National consideration as income by any Lunch Program (and Commodity School School Lunch Program (7 CFR part 210), statutory prohibition. Furthermore, the VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:32 Mar 30, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\31MRN1.SGM 31MRN1


Document Created: 2015-12-18 11:47:53
Document Modified: 2015-12-18 11:47:53
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice and request for comments.
DatesWritten comments on this notice must be received by June 4, 2015, to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date will be considered to the extent practicable.
ContactRobert Martin, Records Officer; Email: [email protected]
FR Citation80 FR 17025 
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