[Federal Register: September 13, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 177)]
[Notices]
[Page 54019-54020]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13se06-32]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
DOC will submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for
clearance the following proposal for collection of information under
the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. chapter 35).
Agency: U.S. Census Bureau.
Title: Survey of State Research & Development.
Form Number(s): State R&D Coordinator Web Collection; State R&D
Agency Web Collection.
Agency Approval Number: None.
Type of Request: New collection.
Burden: 1,378 hours.
Number of Respondents: 832.
Avg. Hours per Response: Coordinator collection--4 hours; Agency
collection--1.5 hours.
Needs and Uses: The U.S. Census Bureau is requesting a new
collection of state government research and development (R&D)
expenditures that will be planned and supported jointly by the Census
Bureau and the National Science Foundation (NSF).
[[Page 54020]]
This collection is authorized under Title 13, Sections 161 and 182
of the United States Code, which allow the Secretary of Commerce to
collect and disseminate ``data on * * * governmental receipts,
expenditures * * * of states, counties, cities, and other governmental
units.'' Title 15, Section 1525 of the United States Code also
authorizes the Secretary of Commerce ``upon the request of any person,
firm, organization, or others, public or private, to make special
studies on matters within the authority of the Department of
Commerce.''
The NSF Act of 1950 includes a statutory charge to ``provide a
central clearinghouse for the collection, interpretation, and analysis
of data on scientific and engineering resources and to provide a source
of information for policy formulation by other agencies in the Federal
Government.'' Under the aegis of this legislative mandate, NSF and its
predecessors have sponsored surveys of R&D since 1953. This new survey
will expand the scope of R&D collections to include state governments,
for which there are no established collection efforts.
NSF currently sponsors surveys of R&D activities of Federal
agencies, higher education institutions, and private industries. The
results of these existing surveys provide a consistent information base
for government officials, industry professionals, and researchers to
use in formulating public policy and planning in science and
technology. These surveys allow for the analysis of current and
historical trends in research and development in the U.S., as well as
comparisons with other countries.
The existing NSF surveys, however, do not canvass R&D activities at
the state government department or agency level. Collection of data
from state government units via this new survey instrument will fill
the void that currently exists about our Nation's R&D expenditures.
The Census Bureau, serving as collection agent, will employ a
methodology similar to the one used to collect information from state
and local governments on established censuses and surveys. This
methodology involves identifying a central coordinator in each state
who will assist Census Bureau staff in identifying appropriate state
departments/agencies to survey. These state contacts will also be able
to verify data responses and assist with nonresponse follow-up. The
collection approach using a central state contact is used successfully
at the Census Bureau in surveys of local school districts, municipal
and county governments, and state government finances.
Items on the survey form will include expenditures by performer,
source of funding, and type of R&D (e.g., basic research). The scope of
the collection includes amounts for all science and engineering
outlays, including social science research. R&D capital expenditures,
such as research lab construction and the purchase of buildings, will
also be collected.
Legislators, policy officials, and researchers rely on statistics
to make informed decisions about R&D investment at the Federal, State,
and local level. These statistics are derived from the existing NSF
sponsored surveys of Federal agencies, higher education institutions,
and private industry. The total picture of R&D expenditures, however,
is incomplete due to the lack of relevant and timely data from state
governments. This survey will fill this void that currently exists.
State government officials and policy makers are likely to garner
the most benefit from the results of this survey. Governors and
legislatures need a reliable, comprehensive source of data to help in
evaluating how best to attract the high-tech, R&D industries to their
state. Officials will be able to evaluate their investment in R&D based
on comparisons with other states. These comparisons will include the
sources of funding, the type of R&D being conducted, and the actual
performer of the work.
The information collected from the Survey of State R&D will be used
at the Federal level to assess and direct investment in technology and
economic issues. Congressional committees and the Congressional
Research Service use results of the current R&D surveys extensively.
Inquiries made to NSF by congressional staff concerning industry and
academic data are well documented. In addition, officials from several
Federal agencies make use of the existing data.
NSF will also use data from this survey in various publications
produced about the state of R&D in the U.S. The Science and Engineering
Indicators series, for example, is a biennial report mandated by
Congress and describes quantitatively the condition of the country's
R&D efforts. Results will also likely be included in the National
Patterns of Research and Development Resources tabulations and in the
Science and Engineering Indicators report.
Private industry, either individually or through trade
associations, will also find these data useful, particularly statistics
concerning funds transferred from state agencies to businesses. The
current R&D surveys often receive prominent mention in industry
publications such as Research and Development magazine, which recently
released its ``State of Global R&D'' report.
The availability of state R&D data on the Internet will make this
survey visible to several other users, as well. Media, university
researchers, nonprofit organizations, and foreign government officials
are also likely consumers of state R&D statistics. All users will
utilize this information in an attempt to better understand the
nation's R&D resources.
Affected Public: State, local or tribal government.
Frequency: Annually.
Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
Legal Authority: Title 13 U.S.C., Sections 161 and 182; Title 15
U.S.C., Section 1525; NSF Act of 1950.
OMB Desk Officer: Susan Schechter, (202) 395-5103.
Copies of the above information collection proposal can be obtained
by calling or writing Diana Hynek, Departmental Paperwork Clearance
Officer, (202) 482-0266, Department of Commerce, room 6625, 14th and
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at
dhynek@doc.gov).
Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information
collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice
to Susan Schechter, OMB Desk Officer either by fax (202-395-7245) or e-
mail (susan_schechter@omb.eop.gov).
Dated: September 7, 2006.
Madeleine Clayton,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. E6-15122 Filed 9-12-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P