[Federal Register: October 22, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 204)] [Notices] [Page 56664] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr22oc98-104] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request; Submission for OMB Review; Survey of Industrial Research and Development (OMB Control No. 3145-0027) AGENCY: National Science Foundation. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Pub. L. 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), and as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, the National Science Foundation (NSF) is inviting the general public or other Federal agencies to comment on this proposed continuing information collection. This is the second notice for public comment; the first was published in the Federal Register on page 43960 in the Monday, August 17, 1998 issue [Vol. 63, No. 158] and two comments were received. NSF is forwarding the proposed renewal submission to OMB for clearance simultaneously with the publication of this second notice. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information or for a copy of the collection instrument and instructions contact Ms. Mary Lou Higgs, Acting Clearance Officer, via surface mail: National Science Foundation, ATTN: NSF Reports Clearance Officer, Suite 295, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22230; telephone (703) 306-2063; e-mail mlhiggs@nsf.gov; or FAX (703) 306-0201. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 1. Abstract: The proposed continuing information collection involves the estimation of the expenditures on research and development performed within the United States by industrial firms. A mail survey, the Survey of Industrial Research and Development, has been conducted annually since 1953. Industry accounts for over 70 percent of total U.S. R&D each year and since its inception, the survey has provided continuity of statistics on R&D expenditures by major industry groups and by source of funds. The survey is the industrial component of the NSF statistical program that seeks to ``provide a central clearinghouse for the collection, interpretation, and analysis of data on the availability of, and the current and projected need for, scientific and technical resources in the United States, and to provide a source of information for policy formulation by other agencies of the Federal government'' as mandated in the National Science Foundation Act of 1950. Statistics from the survey are published in NSF's annual publication series Research and Development in Industry. The proposed collection will continue the survey for three years. 2. Expected Respondents: The survey will be mailed to a statistical sample of approximately 24,000 companies to collect information on the amount and sources of funds for and character of R&D performed and contracted out by industrial firms, and information on sales and employment of the firms themselves. 3. Burden on the Public: To minimize burden, over 90-percent of the companies selected for the Survey of Industrial Research and Development are asked to respond to the Form RD-1A, the abbreviated version of the basic survey questionnaire, Form RD-1. Further, only companies with five paid employees or more are asked to participate in the survey and extensive use is made of the descriptive codes and information on the establishment list that is the source of the survey sample to avoid sampling firms in industries that traditionally do not perform R&D. NSF, with input from the Bureau of the Census, the collection and compiling agent for the survey, estimates that the average annual reporting and record keeping burden on each Form RD-1A respondent will be 1 hour and on Form RD-1 respondents will be 15 hours. The total annual burden is estimated at 43,000 hours, calculated as follows: RD-1A respondents: 22,000 respondents x 1 response x 1 burden hour = 22,000 hours/year RD-1 respondents: 1,400 respondents x 1 response x 15 burden hours = 21,000 hours/year All respondents: 22,000 + 21,000 = 43,000 burden hours/year during 1999, 2000, and 2001. Comments Requested DATES: The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) should receive written comments on or before November 23, 1998. ADDRESSES: Submit written comments to: Office of Management and Budget, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, ATTN: National Science Foundation Desk Officer, OMB, Room 10235, 725 17th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20503. Special Areas for Review NSF especially requests comments on: (a) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Foundation, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Foundation'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, e.g., permitting submission of responses through the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques. Dated: October 16, 1998. Mary Lou Higgs, Acting NSF Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. 98-28273 Filed 10-21-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7555-01-M