[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 117 (Friday, June 17, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Page 36547]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-13110]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request; 
National Science Foundation Request for Proposals

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans to 
reinstate, with changes, this collection. In accordance with the 
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we are providing 
opportunity for public comment on this action. After obtaining and 
considering public comment, NSF will prepare the submission requesting 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) clearance of this collection for 
no longer than 3 years.

DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by August 16, 
2022 to be assured consideration. Comments received after that date 
will be considered to the extent practicable. Send comments to the 
address below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, OR SEND COMMENTS, CONTACT: Suzanne H. 
Plimpton, Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation, 2415 
Eisenhower Avenue, Suite E7400, Alexandria, Virginia 22314; telephone 
(703) 292-7556; 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).

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 to.
    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: June 14, 2022.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2022-13110 Filed 6-16-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P