Notice2022-04466
Request for Information To Support the Development of a Federal Scientific Integrity Policy Framework
Primary source
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Published
March 3, 2022
Issuing agencies
Executive Office of the President
Abstract
The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) seeks information to assist in developing a framework for regular assessment and iterative improvement of agency scientific integrity policies and practices. This effort builds on the Scientific Integrity Task Force's review of existing scientific integrity policies and practices, released in the January 11, 2022 report, Protecting the Integrity of Government Science.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 42 (Thursday, March 3, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 42 (Thursday, March 3, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12165-12167]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-04466]
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EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
Request for Information To Support the Development of a Federal
Scientific Integrity Policy Framework
AGENCY: White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP).
ACTION: Notice of request for information (RFI).
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SUMMARY: The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP)
seeks information to assist in developing a framework for regular
assessment and iterative improvement of agency scientific integrity
policies and practices. This effort builds on the Scientific Integrity
Task Force's review of existing scientific integrity policies and
practices, released in the January 11, 2022 report, Protecting the
Integrity of Government Science.
DATES: Interested persons and organizations are invited to submit
comments on or before 5:00 p.m. ET on April 4, 2022.
ADDRESSES: Interested individuals and organizations should submit
comments electronically to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b4e7d7ddd1dac0ddd2ddd7fddac0d1d3c6ddc0cde6f2fdf4dbc7c0c49ad1dbc49ad3dbc2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3f6c5c565a514b5659565c76514b5a584d564b466d79767f504c4b4f115a504f11585049">[email protected]</span></a> and
include ``SI RFI'' in the subject line of the email. Due to time
constraints, mailed paper submissions will not be accepted, and
electronic submissions received after the deadline cannot be ensured to
be incorporated or taken into consideration.
Instructions: Response to this RFI is voluntary. Each responding
entity (individual or organization) is requested to submit only one
response. OSTP welcomes any responses to inform and guide the work of
OSTP. Please feel free to respond to one or as many prompts as you
choose. Submission must not exceed 10 pages in 12 point or larger font,
with a page number provided on each page. Responses should include the
name of the person(s) or organization(s) filing the comment, as well as
the respondent type (e.g., academic, advocacy, professional society,
community-based organization, industry, trainee/student, member of the
public, government, other). Respondent's role in the organization may
also be provided (e.g., researcher, faculty, student, program manager,
journalist) on a voluntary basis. Comments containing references,
studies, research, and other empirical data that are not widely
published should include copies or electronic links of the referenced
materials. No business proprietary information, copyrighted
information, or personally identifiable information should be submitted
in response to this RFI. If you submit scientific or technical studies
or other results of scientific research, OSTP requests (but is not
requiring) that you also provide the following information where it is
available: (1) Identification of the funding source(s) and sponsoring
organization(s) of the research; (2) the extent to which the research
findings were reviewed by a potentially affected party prior to
publication or submission to the docket, and identification of any such
parties; and (3) the nature of any financial relationships (e.g.,
consulting agreements, expert witness support, or research funding)
between investigators who conducted the research and any
organization(s) or entities having a financial interest in Federal
scientific integrity. Disclosure of such information is intended to
promote transparency and scientific integrity of data and technical
information submitted to the record. Please be aware that comments
submitted in response to this RFI may be posted on OSTP's website or
otherwise released publicly.
In accordance with FAR 15.202(3), responses to this notice are not
offers and cannot be accepted by the Federal Government to form a
binding contract. Additionally, those submitting responses are solely
responsible for all expenses associated with response preparation.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information, please
direct questions to Dr. Ryan Donohue at 202-456-4444 or
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#5704343e3239233e313e341e39233230253e232e17382423277932382779303821"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7c2f1f15191208151a151f351208191b0e1508053c130f080c5219130c521b130a">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The framework will include assessment
criteria that OSTP and agencies can use to inform, review, and improve
the content and implementation of agency scientific-integrity policies.
To support this framework, OSTP seeks information on: (1) How
scientific integrity policies can address important and emergent issues
of our time, including diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility;
new technologies; emerging modes of science; and coordination with
related policy domains; (2) The criteria to evaluate scientific
integrity policy
[[Page 12166]]
content, implementation, outcomes and impacts in the Executive Branch;
(3) How to ensure that scientific integrity evaluation findings lead to
effective iterative improvement of Federal scientific integrity policy
and practices; and (4) How to ensure the long-term viability and
implementation of Federal scientific integrity policies, practices, and
culture through future Administrations.
Please note the purpose of this RFI is not to receive reports on
alleged offenses that are in violation of Federal scientific integrity
policies. If you have witnessed or experienced any harmful acts that
may undermine scientific integrity and you would like to report these
allegations, please contact the scientific integrity office or the
Office of Inspector General at the relevant Federal agency.
Background: On January 27, 2021, President Biden issued the
Presidential Memorandum on Restoring Trust in Government Through
Scientific Integrity and Evidence-Based Policymaking (2021 Presidential
Memorandum). The 2021 Presidential Memorandum asserts the
Administration's goal to make evidence-based policy decisions guided by
the best available science and data, recognizing that scientific and
technological information, data, and evidence are central to the
development and iterative improvement of sound policies and to the
delivery of equitable programs across every area of government. The
2021 Presidential Memorandum emphasizes that political interference in
the work of Federal scientists and other scientists who support the
work of the Federal government and in the communication of scientific
facts undermines the welfare of the Nation, contributes to systemic
inequities and injustices, and violates the trust that the public
places in government to best serve its collective interests. The 2021
Presidential Memorandum reaffirms and builds on the Presidential
Memorandum of March 9, 2009 (Scientific Integrity) and the Director of
the Office of Science and Technology Policy's Memorandum of December
17, 2010 (Scientific Integrity), which together specify elements that
scientific integrity policies of Federal departments and agencies are
to address.
On January 11, 2022, OSTP issued a report of its Scientific
Integrity Task Force titled, Protecting the Integrity of Government
Science, that included an assessment of Federal scientific integrity
policies and practices. Among other remarks on scientific integrity
policies, the report stated that agencies need to strengthen scientific
integrity policies to deter undue influence in the conduct, management,
communication, and use of science; that violations involving high-level
officials are the most problematic and difficult to address; and that
further action is required to establish and maintain a culture of
scientific integrity across all individuals and agencies that conduct,
manage, communicate, and make use of science. The Task Force report
also notes that a strong organizational culture of scientific integrity
is a necessary foundation to reduce the potential for wrongdoing,
protect against inappropriate influence, reinforce agency missions and
goals, and ensure equitable delivery of Federal Government programs.
The report made several recommendations. All Federal agencies--not just
those that fund and conduct scientific research--need to develop,
implement, and periodically review and update scientific integrity
policies and that agencies need to apply scientific integrity policies
to all those in Federal agencies who conduct, manage, communicate, or
use science. Further, the report identified numerous good practices
that Federal agencies can readily adopt and adapt for use as
appropriate to their different missions and needs, including: (1)
Fostering a culture of scientific integrity, which involves effective
agency leadership and modeling of appropriate behaviors; (2) protecting
the integrity of the research process; (3) communicating science with
integrity, which entails effective and transparent communication of
scientific information to decision-makers, the media, and the American
people; and (4) Safeguarding scientific integrity, which requires
clear, visible procedures for reporting concerns, robust assessment and
adjudication, and consistent enforcement of consequences when
violations are found. Finally, the report recommended that scientific
integrity policies be updated to address important and emergent issues
of our time, including diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility;
new technologies, including artificial intelligence and machine
learning; emerging modes of science, such as citizen science and
community-engaged research; and coordination with related policy
domains, such as open data and promotion of safe, equitable workplaces.
The 2021 Presidential Memorandum directs the development of a
framework to inform and support the regular assessment and iterative
improvement of agency scientific integrity policies and practices, to
support the Director and OSTP in ensuring that agencies adhere to the
principles of scientific integrity. This framework shall be completed
120 days after the release of the Task Force report and include
assessment criteria that OSTP and agencies can use to inform, review,
and improve the design and implementation of agency scientific-
integrity policies. The Director shall publish this framework on the
OSTP website.
This request for information aims to support OSTP's and the Task
Force's work to develop the framework for regular assessment and
iterative improvement of agency scientific integrity policies and
practices. This RFI is motivated by the Presidential Memorandum's
direction that the Task Force gather input from stakeholders and the
public regarding the scientific integrity policies and practices and
the Scientific Integrity Task Force's previous listening sessions,
which underscored the need for ongoing public engagement on scientific
integrity and policymaking processes.
Information Requested
Respondents may provide information on one or as many topics below
as they choose. Input is welcome from stakeholders and members of the
public representing all backgrounds and perspectives. Through this RFI,
OSTP seeks information on assessment and improvement of scientific
integrity policies and practices in the Federal government, including
on the following topics:
1. Information is requested on how scientific integrity policies at
Federal agencies and other components of the Executive Branch can be
developed or updated to address important and emergent issues of our
time, including: (1) Diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility,
which are essential to advancing the conduct, communication, and use of
science, ensuring the equitable delivery of government programs, and
improving equitable participation in science by diverse communities
across the Nation; (2) New technologies, such as artificial
intelligence, machine learning, and the lack of transparency and
potential for bias in computer algorithms and associated data; (3)
Emerging modes of science, such as citizen science and community-
engaged research; and (4) Coordination with related policy domains,
such as open science and data; quality guidelines for data and
information that agencies release; promotion of safe, equitable
workplaces free from harassment and discrimination; and protection of
research security and responding to research misconduct.
[[Page 12167]]
2. Information is requested on the criteria that should be used to
evaluate scientific integrity policies: Content, implementation,
outcomes, and impacts in Federal agencies and other components of the
Executive Branch. Consider methods and metrics for evaluating elements
such as, but not limited to: Policy provisions, practices, capacity,
and actions so that determinations can be made on their efficacy to
achieve desired outcomes and impacts.
3. Information is requested on how to ensure that scientific
integrity evaluation findings, and other findings that evolve over
time, such as findings on the emergent issues identified above, lead to
iterative improvement of Federal scientific integrity policy and
practices. Consider information covering, but not limited to: Types and
frequency of evaluation of agency scientific integrity policies and
practices; steps that OSTP, Federal agencies, and other components of
the Executive Branch should take to ensure regular comprehensive
evaluation and continuous improvement of scientific integrity policies
and practices; and other mechanisms or process elements that should be
included in the framework to ensure effective iterative improvement of
Federal scientific integrity policy and practices.
4. Information is requested on how to ensure the long-term
viability and implementation of Federal scientific integrity policies,
practices, and culture through future Administrations. Consider
information on, but not limited to: Ways to ensure Federal scientific
integrity is robust through changes in government leadership, funding,
and cultural shifts; how to institutionalize policies and practices
that ensure the integrity of science, build and sustain a culture of
scientific integrity, and encourage transparency; and how to provide
accountability, such as through procedures to identify, address, and
provide appropriate and meaningful consequences for instances when
scientific integrity policies have been violated.
Dated: February 28, 2022.
Stacy Murphy,
Operations Manager.
[FR Doc. 2022-04466 Filed 3-2-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3270-F1-P
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