Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Performance Reporting System (PRS) for the Technology Opportunities Program (TOP), 2127-2128 [05-563]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Telecommunications and Information Administration

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 8 (Wednesday, January 12, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2127-2128]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-563]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Telecommunications and Information Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Performance 
Reporting System (PRS) for the Technology Opportunities Program (TOP)

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on 
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Pub. L. 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before March 14, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 1401 
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet 
dHynek@doc.gov).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to Clifton Beck, NTIA, Room H-4888, U.S. Department of 
Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via 
the Internet cbeck@ntia.doc.gov).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    The purpose of the Technology Opportunities Program (TOP), is to 
promote the use of advanced telecommunications and information 
technologies in the non-profit and public sectors. These projects 
encourage the deployment of broadband infrastructure, services, and 
applications throughout the Nation. TOP projects demonstrate how 
digital networks support lifelong learning for all Americans, help 
public safety officials protect the public, assist in the delivery of 
health care and public health services, and foster communication, 
resource-sharing, and economic development.
    Since 1994, the National Telecommunications and Information 
Administration (NTIA), in administering TOP, has awarded 610 grants, in 
all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. 
Virgin Islands totaling $233.5 million and leveraging $313.7 million in 
local

[[Page 2128]]

matching funds. TOP makes matching grants to state, local and tribal 
governments, non-profit health care providers, schools, libraries, 
public safety providers, and non-profit community-based, faith-based 
organizations, national organizations and associations, museums, 
colleges, universities, or other providers of social services.
    In order to ensure TOP's ability to assess the performance of its 
grants program and to comply with the Government Performance and 
Results Act, NTIA will collect and analyze quantitative and qualitative 
data relating to start-up documentation, quarterly and annual progress, 
and close-out documentation on TOP-funded projects.
    NTIA seeks a mechanism whereby it can evaluate the impacts of its 
projects on an ongoing basis, monitor grants more efficiently and 
effectively, and provide timely technical assistance to grant 
recipients. To enable the Program to monitor and to analyze the impacts 
of the funded projects, TOP seeks to incorporate standardized 
quantitative and qualitative data elements into an online structured 
reporting system. The reporting system will include a set of core data 
elements that apply to all projects.
    NTIA is interested in the effects that the funded projects are 
having at the local level and, over the long term, at the national 
level. It is NTIA's intention to understand the nature and degree of 
those effects on the organizations implementing the projects, other 
organizations that are involved with the projects, the individuals who 
are served by the projects, and the community as a whole.

II. Method of Collection

    Data will be collected through the use of automated collection 
techniques. The information collection instrument to be used for this 
study will include a web-based structured reporting system for both 
quantitative and qualitative project information.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0660-0015.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: State and local government, and non-profit 
institutions.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 50.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 20 hours for start-up documentation; 4 
hours for progress reports; 30 minutes for annual report; and 20 hours 
for final closeout report.
    Estimated Total Annual Respondent Burden Hours: 1,492.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to the Public: $0.

IV. Request for 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 shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
(including hours and cost) 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 respondents.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request of OMB approval of the information 
collection; they also become a matter of public record.

    Dated: January 6, 2005.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 05-563 Filed 1-11-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-60-P