Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request, 64818 [2022-23305]

Agencies

• NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 206 (Wednesday, October 26, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Page 64818]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-23305]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request.

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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. This is the second 
notice for public comment; the first was published in the Federal 
Register, and no comments were received. NSF is forwarding the proposed 
submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance 
simultaneously with the publication of this second notice.

DATES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed 
information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of 
this notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAmain. Find this particular 
information collection by selecting ``Currently under 30-day Review--
Open for Public Comments'' or by using the search function.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance 
Officer, National Science Foundation, 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, 
Alexandria, VA 22314, 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).
    Copies of the submission may be obtained by calling 703-292-7556.
    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: ``National Science Foundation Proposal/Award 
Information--NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide.''
    OMB Approval Number: 3145-0080.
    Expiration Date of Approval: Not applicable.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to reinstate with 
revisions an information collection for three years. The primary 
purpose of this reinstatement is outlined below.
    Proposed Project: The National Science Foundation Act of 1950 at 42 
U.S.C. 1862(a)(1) allows the National Science Foundation to issue 
``other arrangements'' to '' . . . support scientific, engineering, and 
educational activities and to appraise the impact of research upon 
industrial development and upon the general welfare.'' Issuing other 
arrangements necessarily includes preparing and issuing requests for 
other arrangement proposals. Because these are unique to NSF's mission, 
we are seeking to reinstate this information collection.
    Use of the Information: Requests for Other Arrangement Proposals 
(RFOAPs) are used to competitively solicit proposals in response to NSF 
science and engineering needs. Impact will be on those individuals or 
organizations who elect to submit proposals in response to an RFOAP. 
Information gathered will be evaluated in light of NSF other 
arrangement requirements to determine who will be awarded an ``other 
arrangement.''
    The NSF Act of 1950, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 1870, Sec. II, states 
that NSF has the authority to:
    ``(c) enter into contracts or other arrangements, or modifications 
thereof, for the carrying on, by organizations or individuals in the 
United States and foreign countries, including other government 
agencies of the United States and of foreign countries, of such 
scientific or engineering activities as the Foundation deems necessary 
to carry out the purposes of this Act, and, at the request of the 
Secretary of Defense, specific scientific or engineering activities in 
connection with matter relating to international cooperation or 
national security, and, when deemed appropriate by the Foundation, such 
contracts or other arrangements or modifications thereof, may be 
entered into without legal consideration, without performance or other 
bonds and without regard to section 5 of title 41, U.S.C.''
    Where NSF chooses to issue an ``other arrangement,'' NSF must 
receive and evaluate proposals to support NSF's program requirements.
    Burden on the Public: The Foundation estimates that an average of 
250 hours will be expended for each proposal submitted. An estimated 70 
respondents are expected to answer a request for ``other arrangements'' 
during the course of one year for a total of 17,500 burden hours 
annually.
    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 of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to 
enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information on 
respondents, including through the use of automated collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology; 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.

    Dated: October 17, 2022.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2022-23305 Filed 10-25-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P