Notice2024-05270
Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Renew an Information Collection System; Grantee Reporting Requirements for the NSF Small Business Innovation Research and the Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) Programs
Primary source
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Published
March 13, 2024
Issuing agencies
National Science Foundation
Abstract
Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 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 information collection reinstatement.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 50 (Wednesday, March 13, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 50 (Wednesday, March 13, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18442-18443]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-05270]
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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Renew an Information
Collection System; Grantee Reporting Requirements for the NSF Small
Business Innovation Research and the Small Business Technology Transfer
(SBIR/STTR) Programs
AGENCY: National Science Foundation.
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
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SUMMARY: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 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 information
collection reinstatement.
DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by May 13,
2024, 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 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 <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#abd8dbc7c2c6dbdfc4ebc5d8cd85ccc4dd"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1665667a7f7b6662795678657038717960">[email protected]</span></a>. 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).
Comments: Comments are invited 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, including through the use of
automated collection techniques or other forms of information
technology.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title of Collection: Grantee Reporting Requirements for the NSF
Small Business Innovation Research and the Small Business Technology
Transfer (SBIR/STTR) Programs.
OMB Number: 3145-0252.
Expiration Date of Approval: July 31, 2023.
Type of Request: Reinstatement and request for Office of Management
and Budget (OMB) approval of an information collection.
Abstract:
Proposed Project: This request is for reinstating interim reporting
requirements for the NSF Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)/
Small Business Technology Transfer Research (STTR) programs.
The NSF SBIR/STTR programs focus on transforming scientific
discovery into products and services with commercial potential and/or
societal benefit. Unlike fundamental or basic research activities that
focus on scientific and engineering discoveries, the NSF SBIR/STTR
programs support the creation of opportunities to move fundamental
science and engineering out of the lab and into the market at scale,
through startups and small businesses representing deep technology
ventures.
The NSF SBIR/STTR programs have two phases: Phase I and Phase II
(with an optional Phase IIB as matching supplements). SBIR/STTR Phase I
is a 6-12 month experimental or theoretical investigation that allows
the awardees to determine the scientific and technical feasibility, as
well as the commercial merit of the idea or concept. Phase II further
develops the proposed concept, building on the feasibility project
undertaken in Phase I, and accelerate the Phase I project to the
commercialization stage and enhance the overall strength of the
commercial potential. As such, Phase II SBIR/STTR awards have a longer
expected period of performance of 24 months.
The NSF SBIR/STTR programs request approval from OMB on the
reinstatement of the NSF SBIR/STTR Phase II interim/progress report
data collection.
The interim/progress report will be required every six months for
the life of the Phase II award. The report collects information on the
technical progress of the funded NSF work, which allows managing
Program Directors to monitor the project and ensure that the award is
in good standing.
The report is divided into 6 sections: (1) Basic Reporting Data,
(2) Level of Effort, (3) SBIR-wide Certifications, (4) Cooperative
Agreement (NSF-specific Certifications), (5) Technical Narratives, and
(6) Project Milestones.
The kinds of data collected from the report include name of the
startup company, information on the principal investigator (PI) (name,
email address, and phone number), the number of full-time equivalent
(FTE) employees working at the startup, amount of funding received
during the award period. In addition, information pertaining to company
officers and key personnel, their corresponding ownership status, and
their levels of efforts provided to the startups are also requested.
Collectively, these data will enable the managing Program Directors to
(1) evaluate a given company's business structure, (2) ascertain the
level of commitment of the PI(s), co-PI(s), and key personnel to the
startup venture, and (3) identify conflicts of interests (if any), as
part of the due diligence process that the programs undertake to verify
that there are no
[[Page 18443]]
fraudulent or inappropriate business practices.
The report also asks about: inputs (i.e., project expenditures,
efforts exerted by key personnel), outputs (i.e., R&D activities,
technical progresses), outcomes (i.e., research milestones, fundraising
activities), and impacts (i.e., technical and/or commercial successes).
Finally, the report also requests: (1) a discussion of progresses
highlighting key technical and commercial activity/results during the
reporting period, (2) compliance requirements checklists from the Small
Business Administration (SBA) and NSF, and (3) a Gantt chart describing
the project status, as well as task assignments to key personnel in the
project.
Use of the Information: The data collected will be used primarily
for award monitoring. The data could also be used for congressional
requests, inquiries from the NSF's Office of the Inspector General,
supporting evidence of litigations, auditing, and other legal
investigations, NSF internal reports, and program evaluations, if
necessary.
Estimate of Burden: The estimated number of respondents is: 410.
Average time to complete the interim report: 18 hours. The estimated
total burden hours: 7,380 hours per year.
Respondents: The respondents are either PIs or Co-PIs listed on the
NSF SBIR/STTR Proposals, Founders, and/or Co-founders of the startups
funded by the NSF SBIR/STTR programs.
Dated: March 7, 2024.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2024-05270 Filed 3-12-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P
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