Notice2025-22115
Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
December 5, 2025
Effective
January 5, 2026
Issuing agencies
National Science Foundation
Abstract
The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) is amending the routine uses for two existing systems of records: NSF-13, Fellowship Payroll, and NSF-65, NSF Electronic Payment File. NSF is amending a routine use to both systems of records to cover disclosure of information to the U.S. Department of Treasury's Do Not Pay system for the purposes of identifying improper payments. NSF is also making updates and clarifying edits, as well as non-substantive formatting changes to both systems of records.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 232 (Friday, December 5, 2025)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 232 (Friday, December 5, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56185-56189]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-22115]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
[Docket No. NSF-2025-OGC-0003]
Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records
AGENCY: U.S. National Science Foundation.
ACTION: Notice of Modified Systems of Records.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) is amending the
routine uses for two existing systems of records: NSF-13, Fellowship
Payroll, and NSF-65, NSF Electronic Payment
[[Page 56186]]
File. NSF is amending a routine use to both systems of records to cover
disclosure of information to the U.S. Department of Treasury's Do Not
Pay system for the purposes of identifying improper payments. NSF is
also making updates and clarifying edits, as well as non-substantive
formatting changes to both systems of records.
DATES: The routine uses described in this notice will take effect on
January 5, 2026, unless modified by a subsequent notice to incorporate
comments received from the public. Submit comments on or before January
5, 2026.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by docket number ``NSF-
2025-OGC-0003'' by any one of the following methods:
<bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
<bullet> Email: Tom Boger, Acting Senior Agency Official for
Privacy (SAOP), NSF, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7d0d0f140b1c1e043d130e1b531a120b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7f0f0d16091e1c063f110c1951181009">[email protected]</span></a>. Include ``NSF-2025-OGC-0003'' in
the subject line of the message.
Instructions: NSF will post all in-scope comments on the NSF's
website (<a href="https://www.nsf.gov">https://www.nsf.gov</a>). All comments submitted in response to
this Notice will become a matter of public record, including any
personally identifiable information (PII) provided. Therefore, you
should submit only information that you wish to make publicly
available.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance
Officer, National Science Foundation, 2415 Eisenhower Avenue,
Alexandria, Virginia 22314; telephone (703) 292-7556; or send email to
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e093908c898d90948fa08e9386ce878f96"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e59695898c8895918aa58b9683cb828a93">[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).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NSF-13, Fellowship Payroll, contains records
about fellows under certain NSF fellowship programs being paid directly
by the government. NSF-65, NSF Electronic Payment File, contains
records about individuals who receive electronic payment from NSF for
goods or services. NSF is proposing to amend a routine use applicable
to both of these systems to expressly provide for disclosure of
information to the U.S. Department of Treasury's Do Not Pay Working
System for the purposes of identifying, preventing, or recouping
improper payments of Federal funds. The Do Not Pay Initiative, 31
U.S.C. 3354, includes multiple resources to help the Federal
Government, and certain State agencies, review payment and award
eligibility for purposes of identifying and preventing improper
payments. NSF is proposing these amendments to ensure compliance with
Executive Order 14249 (Mar. 25, 2025), and in accordance with guidance
from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Memorandum M-25-32 (Aug.
20, 2025). The updated routine uses are compatible with the purpose of
the original collection of the information.
In NSF-13, NSF is modifying the Authorities section to remove
references to guidance documents and to add the following to the list
of authorities relevant to the system: the Debt Collection Improvement
Act of 1996 and the Payment Integrity Information Act of 2019.
In NSF-65, NSF is modifying the list of categories of individuals
covered by the system to include individual grantees or individuals who
receive payments from NSF pursuant to a grant. This change clarifies
that information about grantees needed to make payment is also
contained in this system of records. NSF is also modifying the
Authorities section of NSF-65 to include the Payment Integrity
Information Act of 2019, and 31 U.S.C. 7701, regarding Taxpayer
Identifying Numbers. NSF is also modifying the purpose statement in
NSF-65 to expressly state that the purpose includes making appropriate
electronic payments.
In addition, NSF is making non-substantive formatting changes to
the systems of records to align with the requirements of OMB Circular
A-108 and for consistency with other NSF SORNs.
Dated: December 3, 2025.
Thomas A. Boger,
Acting Senior Agency Official for Privacy, National Science Foundation.
NSF-13
SYSTEM NAME AND NUMBER:
Fellowship Payroll, NSF-13.
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION:
Unclassified.
SYSTEM LOCATION:
National Science Foundation (NSF) headquarters, Virginia.
SYSTEM MANAGER(S):
Director, Division of Financial Management, NSF headquarters,
Virginia.
AUTHORITY FOR MAINTENANCE OF THE SYSTEM:
42 U.S.C. 1861; the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996, Public
Law 104-134, and the Payment Integrity Information Act of 2019, Public
Law 116-117.
PURPOSE(S) OF THE SYSTEM:
This system enables the NSF to maintain data regarding the payment
of fellowship payroll in a single location and ensures that appropriate
payments are made.
CATEGORIES OF INDIVIDUALS COVERED BY THE SYSTEM:
Individuals participating in certain NSF Fellowship Programs being
paid directly by the federal government (Fellows).
CATEGORIES OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM:
Copies of the fellowship award letter, acceptance form, starting
certificates, and records of stipend payments.
RECORD SOURCE CATEGORIES:
Information is obtained from Fellows.
ROUTINE USES OF RECORDS MAINTAINED IN THE SYSTEM, INCLUDING CATEGORIES
OF USERS AND PURPOSES OF SUCH USES:
The following NSF standard routine uses apply:
1. Members of Congress. Information from a system may be disclosed
to congressional offices in response to inquiries from the
congressional offices made at the request of the individual to whom the
record pertains.
2. Freedom of Information Act/Privacy Act Compliance. Information
from a system may be disclosed to the Department of Justice or the
Office of Management and Budget in order to obtain advice regarding
NSF's obligations under the Freedom of Information Act and the Privacy
Act.
3. Counsel. Information from a system may be disclosed to NSF's
legal representatives, including the Department of Justice and other
outside counsel, where the agency is a party in litigation or has an
interest in litigation and the information is relevant and necessary to
such litigation, including when any of the following is a party to the
litigation or has an interest in such litigation: (a) NSF, or any
component thereof; (b) any NSF employee in his or her official
capacity; (c) any NSF employee in his or her individual capacity, where
the Department of Justice has agreed to, or is considering a request
to, represent the employee; or (d) the United States, where NSF
determines that litigation is likely to affect the agency or any of its
components.
4. National Archives, General Services Administration. Information
from a system may be disclosed to representatives of the General
Services
[[Page 56187]]
Administration and the National Archives and Records Administration
(NARA) during the course of records management inspections conducted
under the authority of 44 U.S.C. 2904 and 2906.
5. Response to an Actual or Suspected Compromise or Breach of
Personally Identifiable Information. NSF may disclose information from
the system to appropriate agencies, entities, and persons when: (1) NSF
suspects or has confirmed that there has been a breach of the system of
records; (2) NSF has determined that as a result of the suspected or
confirmed breach there is a risk of harm to individuals; NSF (including
its information systems, programs, and operations); the Federal
Government, or national security; and (3) the disclosure made to such
agencies, entities, and persons is reasonably necessary to assist in
connection with NSF efforts to respond to the suspected or confirmed
breach or to prevent, minimize, or remedy such harm. Furthermore, NSF
may disclose information from the system to another Federal agency or
Federal entity, when NSF determines that information from this system
of records is reasonably necessary to assist the recipient agency or
entity in: (1) Responding to a suspected or confirmed breach; or (2)
preventing, minimizing, or remedying the risk of harm to individuals,
the recipient agency or entity (including its information systems,
programs, and operations), the Federal Government, or national
security, resulting from a suspected or confirmed breach.
6. Courts. Information from a system may be disclosed to the
Department of Justice or other agencies in the event of a pending court
or formal administrative proceeding, when the information is relevant
and necessary to that proceeding, for the purpose of representing the
government, or in the course of presenting evidence, or the information
may be produced to parties or counsel involved in the proceeding in the
course of pre-trial discovery.
7. Contractors. Information from a system may be disclosed to
contractors, agents, experts, consultants, or others performing work on
a contract, service, cooperative agreement, job, or other activity for
NSF and who have a need to access the information in the performance of
their duties or activities for NSF.
8. Audit. Information from a system may be disclosed to government
agencies and other entities authorized to perform audits, including
financial and other audits, of the agency and its activities.
9. Law Enforcement. Information from a system may be disclosed,
where the information indicates a violation or potential violation of
civil or criminal law, including any rule, regulation or order issued
pursuant thereto, to appropriate Federal, State, or local agencies
responsible for investigating, prosecuting, enforcing, or implementing
such statute, rule, regulation, or order.
10. Disclosure When Requesting Information. Information from a
system may be disclosed to Federal, State, or local agencies which
maintain civil, criminal, or other relevant enforcement information or
other pertinent information, such as current licenses, if necessary, to
obtain information relevant to an agency decision concerning the hiring
or retention of an employee, the issuance of a security clearance, the
letting of a contract, or the issuance of a license, grant, or other
benefit.
11. To the news media and the public when: (1) A matter has become
public knowledge, (2) the NSF Office of the Director determines that
disclosure is necessary to preserve confidence in the integrity of NSF
or is necessary to demonstrate the accountability of NSF's officers,
employees, or individuals covered by this system, or (3) the Office of
the Director determines that there exists a legitimate public interest
in the disclosure of the information, except to the extent that the
Office of the Director determines in any of these situations that
disclosure of specific information in the context of a particular case
would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.
In addition, information may be disclosed:
12. To the U.S. Department of the Treasury for the purpose of
issuing the payment directly to the financial account of the payee.
13. To the U.S. Department of the Treasury when disclosure of the
information is relevant to review payment and award eligibility through
the Do Not Pay Working System for the purposes of identifying,
preventing, or recouping improper payments to an applicant for, or
recipient of, Federal funds, including funds disbursed by a state
(meaning a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, a
territory or possession of the United States, or a federally-recognized
Indian tribe) in a state-administered, federally-funded program.
14. To financial institutions for the purpose of direct deposit.
POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR STORAGE OF RECORDS:
Records are stored in paper and/or on electronic digital media.
POLICIES and PRACTICES FOR RETRIEVAL OF RECORDS:
Records are retrieved alphabetically by last name of Fellow,
supplier number, or award number.
POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR RETENTION AND DISPOSAL OF RECORDS:
Records are maintained and disposed of in accordance with National
Archives and Records Administration (NARA) approved records schedules.
ADMINISTRATIVE, TECHNICAL, AND PHYSICAL SAFEGUARDS:
Records are protected by administrative, technical, and physical
safeguards administered by NSF.
RECORD ACCESS PROCEDURES:
Follow the Requesting Access to Records procedures found at 45 CFR
part 613.
CONTESTING RECORD PROCEDURES:
Follow the procedures found at 45 CFR part 613.
NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES:
Follow the Requesting Access to Records procedures found at 45 CFR
part 613.
EXEMPTIONS PROMULGATED FOR THE SYSTEM:
None.
HISTORY:
81 FR 37645 (June 10, 2016); 72 FR 46520 (Aug. 20, 2007); 62 FR
59895 (Nov. 5, 1997).
NSF-65
SYSTEM NAME AND NUMBER:
NSF Electronic Payment File, NSF-65.
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION:
Unclassified.
SYSTEM LOCATION:
National Science Foundation (NSF) headquarters, Virginia.
SYSTEM MANAGER(S):
Director, Division of Financial Management, NSF headquarters,
Virginia.
AUTHORITY FOR MAINTENANCE OF THE SYSTEM:
The Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996, Public Law 104-134,
and the Payment Integrity Information Act of 2019, Public Law 116-117;
31 U.S.C. 7701.
PURPOSE(S) OF THE SYSTEM:
This system enables NSF to comply with the mandatory electronic
payment
[[Page 56188]]
provisions of the Debt Improvement Collection Act of 1996 and to ensure
appropriate electronic payments.
CATEGORIES OF INDIVIDUALS COVERED BY THE SYSTEM:
Employees of NSF, former employees, individual grantees or vendors,
or other individuals who will or do receive electronic payment from NSF
for goods and services or pursuant to grant funding.
CATEGORIES OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM:
Name, address, Social Security Number, and payee banking
information.
RECORD SOURCE CATEGORIES:
Information is obtained from individuals or payees.
ROUTINE USES OF RECORDS MAINTAINED IN THE SYSTEM, INCLUDING CATEGORIES
OF USERS AND THE PURPOSES OF SUCH USES:
The following NSF standard routine uses apply:
1. Members of Congress. Information from a system may be disclosed
to congressional offices in response to inquiries from the
congressional offices made at the request of the individual to whom the
record pertains.
2. Freedom of Information Act/Privacy Act Compliance. Information
from a system may be disclosed to the Department of Justice or the
Office of Management and Budget in order to obtain advice regarding
NSF's obligations under the Freedom of Information Act and the Privacy
Act.
3. Counsel. Information from a system may be disclosed to NSF's
legal representatives, including the Department of Justice and other
outside counsel, where the agency is a party in litigation or has an
interest in litigation and the information is relevant and necessary to
such litigation, including when any of the following is a party to the
litigation or has an interest in such litigation: (a) NSF, or any
component thereof; (b) any NSF employee in his or her official
capacity; (c) any NSF employee in his or her individual capacity, where
the Department of Justice has agreed to, or is considering a request
to, represent the employee; or (d) the United States, where NSF
determines that litigation is likely to affect the agency or any of its
components.
4. National Archives, General Services Administration. Information
from a system may be disclosed to representatives of the General
Services Administration and the National Archives and Records
Administration (NARA) during the course of records management
inspections conducted under the authority of 44 U.S.C. 2904 and 2906.
5. Response to an Actual or Suspected Compromise or Breach of
Personally Identifiable Information. NSF may disclose information from
the system to appropriate agencies, entities, and persons when: (1) NSF
suspects or has confirmed that there has been a breach of the system of
records; (2) NSF has determined that as a result of the suspected or
confirmed breach there is a risk of harm to individuals; NSF (including
its information systems, programs, and operations); the Federal
Government, or national security; and (3) the disclosure made to such
agencies, entities, and persons is reasonably necessary to assist in
connection with NSF efforts to respond to the suspected or confirmed
breach or to prevent, minimize, or remedy such harm. Furthermore, NSF
may disclose information from the system to another Federal agency or
Federal entity, when NSF determines that information from this system
of records is reasonably necessary to assist the recipient agency or
entity in: (1) Responding to a suspected or confirmed breach; or (2)
preventing, minimizing, or remedying the risk of harm to individuals,
the recipient agency or entity (including its information systems,
programs, and operations), the Federal Government, or national
security, resulting from a suspected or confirmed breach.
6. Courts. Information from a system may be disclosed to the
Department of Justice or other agencies in the event of a pending court
or formal administrative proceeding, when the information is relevant
and necessary to that proceeding, for the purpose of representing the
government, or in the course of presenting evidence, or the information
may be produced to parties or counsel involved in the proceeding in the
course of pre-trial discovery.
7. Contractors. Information from a system may be disclosed to
contractors, agents, experts, consultants, or others performing work on
a contract, service, cooperative agreement, job, or other activity for
NSF and who have a need to access the information in the performance of
their duties or activities for NSF.
8. Audit. Information from a system may be disclosed to government
agencies and other entities authorized to perform audits, including
financial and other audits, of the agency and its activities.
9. Law Enforcement. Information from a system may be disclosed,
where the information indicates a violation or potential violation of
civil or criminal law, including any rule, regulation or order issued
pursuant thereto, to appropriate Federal, State, or local agencies
responsible for investigating, prosecuting, enforcing, or implementing
such statute, rule, regulation, or order.
10. Disclosure When Requesting Information. Information from a
system may be disclosed to Federal, State, or local agencies which
maintain civil, criminal, or other relevant enforcement information or
other pertinent information, such as current licenses, if necessary, to
obtain information relevant to an agency decision concerning the hiring
or retention of an employee, the issuance of a security clearance, the
letting of a contract, or the issuance of a license, grant, or other
benefit.
11. To the news media and the public when: (1) A matter has become
public knowledge, (2) the NSF Office of the Director determines that
disclosure is necessary to preserve confidence in the integrity of NSF
or is necessary to demonstrate the accountability of NSF's officers,
employees, or individuals covered by this system, or (3) the Office of
the Director determines that there exists a legitimate public interest
in the disclosure of the information, except to the extent that the
Office of the Director determines in any of these situations that
disclosure of specific information in the context of a particular case
would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.
In addition, information may be disclosed:
12. To the U.S. Department of the Treasury for the purpose of
issuing the payment directly to the financial account of the payee, for
reporting income paid in accordance with reporting requirements.
13. To the U.S. Department of the Treasure when disclosure of the
information is relevant to review payment and award eligibility through
the Do Not Pay Working System for the purposes of identifying,
preventing, or recouping improper payments to an applicant for, or
recipient of, Federal funds, including funds disbursed by a state
(meaning a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, a
territory or possession of the United States, or a federally-recognized
Indian tribe) in a state-administered, federally-funded program.
14. To financial institutions for the purpose of direct deposit.
POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR STORAGE OF RECORDS:
Records are stored on electronic digital media.
[[Page 56189]]
POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR RETRIEVAL OF RECORDS:
Records are retrieved by the payment recipient's assigned
identification number in the system.
POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR RETENTION AND DISPOSAL OF RECORDS:
Records are maintained and disposed of in accordance with National
Archives and Records Administration (NARA) approved records schedules.
ADMINISTRATIVE, TECHNICAL, AND PHYSICAL SAFEGUARDS:
Records are protected by administrative, technical, and physical
safeguards administered by NSF.
RECORD ACCESS PROCEDURES:
Follow the Requesting Access to Records procedures found at 45 CFR
part 613.
CONTESTING RECORD PROCEDURES:
Follow the procedures found at 45 CFR part 613.
NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES:
Follow the Requesting Access to Records procedures found at 45 CFR
part 613.
EXEMPTIONS PROMULGATED FOR THE SYSTEM:
None.
HISTORY:
81 FR 37645 (June 10, 2016); 72 FR 46520 (Aug. 20, 2007); 63 FR
55901 (Oct. 19, 1998).
[FR Doc. 2025-22115 Filed 12-4-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on December 5, 2025.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.