Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) Quarterly and Annual Performance Progress Reports, 14340-14341 [2012-5724]

Download as PDF srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 14340 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 47 / Friday, March 9, 2012 / Notices 0857; Mail: Office of Information Technology (OIT), NIFA, USDA, STOP 2216, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250–2216. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gidel Mendez, eGovernment Program Leader; Email: gmendez@nifa.usda.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Division of Community and Education Project Output Tracking Questionnaires. OMB Number: 0524–XXXX. Type of Request: Intent to request approval to establish a new information collection system for three years. Abstract: The Division of Community and Education (DOCE) at the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) houses grant programs that are responsible for awarding funds to secondary and postsecondary institutions to support a variety of activities including curriculum development, faculty development, experiential learning activities, and scientific instrumentation, among others. In order to improve federal program effectiveness and public accountability, DOCE will create questionnaires that will ask project directors to quantitatively report on the activities they use for their project and the outputs that are produced from the money. Need and Use of the Information: Per the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993, agencies are expected to provide adequate oversight and eliminate waste and inefficiency in federal programs. These questionnaires will help to do this in two ways: 1. They will provide transparency in the way in which federal money is spent; and 2. They will help to inform and guide programmatic priorities. The information collected by these questionnaires will be able to be aggregated across the division, creating a clear picture of how the money was spent and the outputs that resulted without identifying specific project directors or institutions. This aggregated information can be summarized, and presented to stakeholders, as well as be used to respond to congressional inquiries. In addition, trends and patterns in the way in which money was spent will be evident. National Program Leaders will be able to determine how much grant money went toward specific grant activities in a given year. They may be able to use this information to adjust programmatic priorities for the following fiscal year if projects addressing particular grant activities are disproportionately funded. The information collected from the questionnaire will provide a more VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:21 Mar 08, 2012 Jkt 226001 comprehensive and accurate assessment of national program outputs. Currently, project directors are required to complete Current Research Information System (CRIS) reports annually, as well as a final report. There are no specific guidelines for the CRIS reports, and as a result, the reports often do not contain quantitative information relevant to project and program goals. CRIS reports do, however, provide important descriptive information, but standardized information at the division level is needed to augment these reports. Estimate of Burden: DOCE estimates that an average of 20 minutes is required to complete the questionnaire and supplemental questionnaire with respect to each award. DOCE estimates that it makes approximately 300 awards each year, which means that there are 300 Project Directors that must complete these questionnaires annually. Therefore, the total annual burden on Project Directors is 100 hours. 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. Done in Washington, DC, March 1, 2012. Catherine E. Woteki, Under Secretary, Research, Education, and Economics. [FR Doc. 2012–5796 Filed 3–8–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Telecommunications and Information Administration Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) Quarterly and Annual Performance Progress Reports National Telecommunications and Information Administration. AGENCY: PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 ACTION: Notice. 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. DATES: Written Comments must be submitted on or before May 8, 2012. ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via email to JJessup@doc.gov). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instruments and instructions should be sent to Anthony G. Wilhelm, Director, BTOP, Office of Telecommunications and Information Applications, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, via email at btop@ntia. doc.gov, or by telephone at (202) 482– 2048. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: I. Abstract The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) appropriated funds for BTOP, which included competitive grants to expand public computer center capacity and innovative programs to encourage sustainable adoption of broadband service. Section 6001 of the Recovery Act establishes five core purposes to be advanced by projects funded under BTOP: (1) To provide access to broadband service to consumers residing in unserved areas of the country; (2) To provide improved access to broadband service to underserved areas of the country; (3) To provide broadband access, education, and support to community anchor institutions (e.g., schools, libraries, and medical facilities), or organizations and agencies serving vulnerable populations (e.g., lowincome, unemployed, and aged), or jobcreating strategic facilities located in State- or Federally-designated economic development areas; (4) To improve access to, and use of, broadband service by public safety agencies; and (5) To stimulate the demand for broadband, economic growth, and job creation. OMB also requires agencies administering grant programs to E:\FR\FM\09MRN1.SGM 09MRN1 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 47 / Friday, March 9, 2012 / Notices implement post-award financial and performance reporting for those programs. Finally, the Department of Commerce’s implementation of OMB’s Uniform Administrative Requirements authorizes NTIA to require performance reports from BTOP grant recipients. To date, NTIA has utilized OMBapproved Performance Progress Reports (PPRs) to capture quarterly and annual reports for each project type (Infrastructure, Public Computer Center, and Sustainable Broadband Adoption). Each PPR provides updates on fundamental project milestones and key performance indicators that allow NTIA to measure project progress and ensure proper monitoring and compliance with program rules. After reviewing recent PPRs, NTIA identified a need to collect additional information from Infrastructure grant recipients to assess more accurately the progress of BTOP grants in relation to intended program benefits. Specifically, NTIA modified its existing annual performance report for Infrastructure awards by adding questions that require Infrastructure grantees to provide supplemental information regarding project deployment. NTIA requires this additional project implementation information to better monitor and assess the effect BTOP grant awards are having meeting program goals, including increasing broadband availability and adoption and achieving economic and social benefits in communities served by the grantees. NTIA intends to use the information collected to: (1) Identify more accurately BTOP grant beneficiaries; (2) track better a project’s progress against programspecific objectives; (3) facilitate further monitoring and oversight efforts of existing grants; and (4) ensure that grant projects will have the intended sustained impacts. srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES II. Method of Collection The reports will be submitted electronically. 16:21 Mar 08, 2012 Jkt 226001 IV. Request for Comments Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the 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, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this proposed revision of a currently approved collection of information. They will also become a matter of public record. Dated: March 5, 2012. Gwellnar Banks, Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. 2012–5724 Filed 3–8–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–06–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Bureau of the Census Establishment of the National Advisory Committee on Racial, Ethnic, and Other Populations Bureau of the Census, Department of Commerce. ACTION: Notice of Committee Establishment. AGENCY: The Bureau of the Census (Census Bureau) is hereby giving notice that the Secretary of Commerce has determined that the establishment of the National Advisory Committee of Race, Ethnic, and Other Populations is necessary and in the public interest. The Committee will function solely as an advisory body and in compliance with provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act. Copies of the charter will be filed with the appropriate Committees of the Congress and with the Library of Congress. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeri Green, Chief, Office of External Engagement, U.S. Census Bureau, Washington, DC 20233, telephone 301– 763–2075 or Jeri.Green@Census.gov. PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 The Census Bureau’s National Advisory Committee on Racial, Ethnic, and Other Populations will advise the Director of the Census Bureau on the full range of Census Bureau programs and activities. The Advisory Committee will provide race, ethnic, and other population expertise from the following disciplines: economic, housing, demographic, socioeconomic, linguistic, technological, methodological, geographic, behavioral and operational variables affecting the cost, accuracy, and implementation of Census Bureau programs and surveys, including the decennial census. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Dated: March 2, 2012. Robert M. Groves, Director, Bureau of the Census. [FR Doc. 2012–5752 Filed 3–8–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–07–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration [A–583–835] Certain Hot-Rolled Carbon Steel Flat Products From Taiwan: Notice of Rescission of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review Import Administration, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce. SUMMARY: In response to separate requests from United States Steel Corporation and Nucor Corporation, interested parties, the Department of Commerce (the Department) initiated an administrative review of the antidumping duty order on certain hotrolled carbon steel flat products from Taiwan. The period of review is November 1, 2010, through October 31, 2011. Based on the withdrawal of requests for review submitted by United States Steel Corporation and Nucor Corporation, we are now rescinding this administrative review. DATES: Effective Date: March 9, 2012. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Bezirganian or Robert James, AD/ CVD Operations, Office 7, Import Administration, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482–1131 or (202) 482– 0649, respectively. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: AGENCY: SUMMARY: III. Data OMB Control Number: 0660–0037. Form Number(s): None. Type of Review: Regular submission (revision of a currently approved information collection). Affected Public: Business or other forprofit organizations; not-for-profit institutions; and State, Local, or Tribal government organizations. Number of Respondents: 121. Average Burden Hours per Response for the Annual Report: 3.94. Average Burden Hours for the Additional Responses in the Annual Report: 2.0. VerDate Mar<15>2010 Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours on Respondents: 719. 14341 Sfmt 4703 Background On December 30, 2011, the Department published in the Federal Register a notice of initiation of an E:\FR\FM\09MRN1.SGM 09MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 47 (Friday, March 9, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14340-14341]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-5724]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Telecommunications and Information Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Broadband 
Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) Quarterly and Annual 
Performance Progress Reports

AGENCY: National Telecommunications and Information Administration.

ACTION: Notice.

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

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.

DATES: Written Comments must be submitted on or before May 8, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 
14th and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via email to 
JJessup@doc.gov).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Requests for additional information 
or copies of the information collection instruments and instructions 
should be sent to Anthony G. Wilhelm, Director, BTOP, Office of 
Telecommunications and Information Applications, National 
Telecommunications and Information Administration, via email at 
btop@ntia.doc.gov, or by telephone at (202) 482-2048.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) 
appropriated funds for BTOP, which included competitive grants to 
expand public computer center capacity and innovative programs to 
encourage sustainable adoption of broadband service. Section 6001 of 
the Recovery Act establishes five core purposes to be advanced by 
projects funded under BTOP:
    (1) To provide access to broadband service to consumers residing in 
unserved areas of the country;
    (2) To provide improved access to broadband service to underserved 
areas of the country;
    (3) To provide broadband access, education, and support to 
community anchor institutions (e.g., schools, libraries, and medical 
facilities), or organizations and agencies serving vulnerable 
populations (e.g., low-income, unemployed, and aged), or job-creating 
strategic facilities located in State- or Federally-designated economic 
development areas;
    (4) To improve access to, and use of, broadband service by public 
safety agencies; and
    (5) To stimulate the demand for broadband, economic growth, and job 
creation.
    OMB also requires agencies administering grant programs to

[[Page 14341]]

implement post-award financial and performance reporting for those 
programs. Finally, the Department of Commerce's implementation of OMB's 
Uniform Administrative Requirements authorizes NTIA to require 
performance reports from BTOP grant recipients.
    To date, NTIA has utilized OMB-approved Performance Progress 
Reports (PPRs) to capture quarterly and annual reports for each project 
type (Infrastructure, Public Computer Center, and Sustainable Broadband 
Adoption). Each PPR provides updates on fundamental project milestones 
and key performance indicators that allow NTIA to measure project 
progress and ensure proper monitoring and compliance with program 
rules.
    After reviewing recent PPRs, NTIA identified a need to collect 
additional information from Infrastructure grant recipients to assess 
more accurately the progress of BTOP grants in relation to intended 
program benefits. Specifically, NTIA modified its existing annual 
performance report for Infrastructure awards by adding questions that 
require Infrastructure grantees to provide supplemental information 
regarding project deployment. NTIA requires this additional project 
implementation information to better monitor and assess the effect BTOP 
grant awards are having meeting program goals, including increasing 
broadband availability and adoption and achieving economic and social 
benefits in communities served by the grantees.
    NTIA intends to use the information collected to: (1) Identify more 
accurately BTOP grant beneficiaries; (2) track better a project's 
progress against program-specific objectives; (3) facilitate further 
monitoring and oversight efforts of existing grants; and (4) ensure 
that grant projects will have the intended sustained impacts.

II. Method of Collection

     The reports will be submitted electronically.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0660-0037.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (revision of a currently 
approved information collection).
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations; not-
for-profit institutions; and State, Local, or Tribal government 
organizations.
    Number of Respondents: 121.
     Average Burden Hours per Response for the Annual Report: 3.94.
     Average Burden Hours for the Additional Responses in the Annual 
Report: 2.0.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours on Respondents: 719.

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the 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, including through the use of automated collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this proposed 
revision of a currently approved collection of information. They will 
also become a matter of public record.

    Dated: March 5, 2012.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2012-5724 Filed 3-8-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-06-P

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