[Federal Register: July 1, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 126)]
[Notices]
[Page 38124]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr01jy05-74]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Proposed Agency Information Collection
AGENCY: Department of Energy.
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Energy (DOE) invites public comment on a
proposed collection of information that DOE is developing for
submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) pursuant to the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The Office of Science reports annually
in the President's Budget Request the numbers of researchers, post
docs, graduate students and technicians supported through Research
Grants and Field Work Proposals (FWPs). However, these data are based
on forecasts by the principal investigator (i.e., PIs) at the time the
grants and FWPs were initially funded. These estimates are unreliable
because they are based on the best guess of the PIs at the time of
funding. While the PI's initial estimate could be accurate at the time
of the request, the reliability of the initial estimate decreases as
the project matures. Further, the forecasts by the PIs are subjective.
Therefore, it is not possible to quantify the inaccuracies with any
confidence. To better plan for future investments, the Office of
Science must better understand the actual impact of its budget on the
technical manpower supported. A short (approximately 17 minutes) web-
based survey has been developed to collect actual workforce data from a
small sample of researchers currently supported by the Office of
Science. The result will be compared to proposal data to estimate the
average and range of variation and to derive a statistically valid
methodology for approximating budgetary impacts on the technical
manpower supported. 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, including the
validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (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 information collection; they also will
become a matter of public record.
DATES: Comments regarding this proposed information collection must be
received on or before August 30, 2005. If you anticipate difficulty in
submitting comments within that period, contact the person listed below
as soon as possible.
ADDRESSES: Written comments may be sent to:
Christine Chalk, Office of Science, SC-1.22, U.S. Department of Energy,
1000 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20585.
or by fax at 202-586-7203, or by e-mail at
christine.chalk@science.doe.gov
and to:
Sharon A. Evelin, Director, IM-11, U.S. Department of Energy, 19901
Germantown Road, Germantown, Maryland 20874
or by fax, 301-903-9061 or by e-mail at sharon.evelin@hq.doe.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should
be directed to Christine Chalk at the address listed above in
ADDRESSES.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This package contains: (1) OMB No. {enter
``New''{time} ; (2) Package Title: DOE 2005 Technical Manpower Online
Survey; (3) Type of Review: {New{time} ; (4) Purpose: To improve
planning efforts by improving the quality of data regarding the numbers
and types of personnel supported through research grants; (5)
Respondents: 366; (6) Estimated Number of Burden Hours: approximately
17 minutes per respondent times 366 respondents is 103.7 hours.
Statutory Authority: Department of Energy Organization Act (Pub. L. 95-
91, as amended) Sec. 209 defines the duty and the responsibilities of
the Director of Office of Science to include: Advising the Secretary
with respect to education and training activities required for
effective short- and long-term basic and applied research activities of
the Department; and Advising the Secretary with respect to grants and
other forms of financial assistance required for effective short- and
long-term basic and applied research activities of the Department.
Issued in Washington, DC, on June 23, 2005.
Sharon A. Evelin,
Director, Records Management Division, Office of the Chief Information
Officer.
[FR Doc. 05-13008 Filed 6-30-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P