Document
60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Information Collection Request (ICR) for the Drone Infrastructure Inspection Grant (DIIG) Program
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, and its implementing regulations, the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology (OST-R) invites the g...
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The PRA, 
44 U.S.C. 3501-3520, and its implementing regulations, 
5 CFR part 1320, require Federal agencies to provide 60-days' notice to the public to allow comment on information collection activities before seeking OMB approval of the activities. See 44 U.S.C. 3506, 3507; 5 CFR 1320.8 through 1320.12. Specifically, OST-R invites interested parties to comment on the following ICR regarding:
(1) whether the information collection activities are necessary for OST-R to properly execute its functions, including whether the activities will have practical utility.
(2) the accuracy of OST-R's estimates of the burden of the information collection activities, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used to determine the estimates.
(3) ways for OST-R to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information being collected.
(4) ways for OST-R to minimize the burden of information collection activities on the public, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. (See 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A); 5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1).)
OST-R believes that soliciting public comment may reduce the administrative and paperwork burdens associated with the collection of information that Federal regulations mandate. In summary, OST-R reasons that comments received will advance three objectives:
(1) reduce reporting burdens.
(2) organize information collection requirements in a “user-friendly” format to improve the use of such information.
(3) accurately assess the resources expended to retrieve and produce information requested. (See 44 U.S.C. 3501.)
The summary below describes the ICR that OST-R will submit for OMB clearance as the PRA requires:
Program Title:
Drone Infrastructure Inspection Grant (DIIG) Program Application and Reporting Requirements.
Forms:
SF-424, SF-424A, SF-424B, and DIIG Specific Project Narrative and Budget Templates.
Type of Review:
New Information Collection Request (ICR).
Background:
The DIIG Program provides competitive federal funding up to $9,000,000 to state, local, tribal, and territorial government entities to safely integrate drone technologies into workflow processes for evaluating bridges, dams, roads, and other essential physical infrastructures. Collected information will enable the HASS COE technical evaluation panel to verify applicant eligibility, evaluate merit according to multi-jurisdictional complexity criteria, and ensure compliant fiscal oversight throughout the post-award grant lifecycle.
Respondents:
State, local, tribal, and territorial government authorities requesting federal matching grants for drone system expansion, training, and deployment.
Estimated Burden
| Collection instrument/activity |
Respondents |
Frequency |
Annual
responses |
Hours/
response |
Total annual
burden hours |
| DIIG application narrative package |
60 |
1 per competition |
60 |
40 |
2,400 |
| Optional Federal-share waiver request under section 912(g) |
12 |
1 if requested |
12 |
4 |
48 |
| Periodic performance report |
5 active recipients |
Quarterly |
20 |
8 |
160 |
| Program evaluation/data submission |
5 active recipients |
Annual |
10 |
8 |
80 |
| Final performance report |
5 recipients |
Once at closeout |
5 |
20 |
100 |
| Total |
|
|
107 |
80 |
2,788 |
Annualized Respondent Labor Cost
| Annual burden hours |
Loaded hourly rate |
Calculation |
Estimated annual
labor cost |
| 2,738 |
$66.41 |
2,788 × $66.41 |
$185,151.08 |
Note:
Total anticipated program awards will be limited to approximately 5 distinct government recipients ranging from $500,000 to $9,000,000 per award, resulting in a significantly lower overall post-award compliance burden compared to the initial application field.
Request for Public Comments
Comments are specifically invited on:
1. Whether the planned information collection is vital for the proper execution of HASS COE infrastructure validation goals.
2. The accuracy of the agency's technical calculation of the estimated time and cost burden.
3. Specific avenues to leverage modern technical tools (
e.g.,
cloud data platform templates) to streamline workflow burden for local jurisdictions.
Under 44 U.S.C. 3507(a) and 5 CFR 1320.5(b) and 1320.8(b)(3)(vi), OST-R informs all interested parties that a respondent is not required to respond to, conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.
(Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520.)
Issued in Washington, DC, on Aug 27th, 2026.
Thy H. Nguyen,
SMART Grants Agreements Officer.