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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 231 (Monday, December 2, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 95247-95248]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-28137]

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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Establish an Information 
Collection

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

[[Page 95248]]

agencies to comment on this proposed continuing information collection.

DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by January 31, 
2025 to be assured consideration. Comments received after that date 
will be considered to the extent practicable. Send comments to address 
below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance 
Officer, National Science Foundation, 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Suite 
E6300, Alexandria, Virginia 22314; telephone (703) 292-7556; or send 
email to [email protected]. 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: 
    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.
    Title of Collection: 2026 U.S. NSF Integrated Data and Evidence 
Maturity and Capacity (IDEMC) Assessment.
    OMB Number: 3145-NEW.
    Expiration Date of Approval: Not applicable.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to establish an 
information collection.
    Abstract: The ``2026 NSF Integrated Data and Evidence Maturity and 
Capacity (IDEMC) Assessment'' encompasses planning, execution, and 
reporting to evaluate NSF's data and evidence capabilities. Conducted 
periodically, this assessment supports compliance with the Foundations 
for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act (Evidence Act) and promotes 
continuous improvement in evidence-based decision-making. Building on 
the 2022 baseline assessment, the 2026 IDEMC Assessment will refine the 
evaluation framework to align with updated Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) guidance.
    The project will assess strengths, gaps, and opportunities across 
NSF's evidence and data capabilities by:
    1. Conducting a review of agency artifacts;
    2. Administering a survey to all NSF staff;
    3. Organizing focus groups and individual interviews; and
    4. Deploying interactive, real-time dashboards for decision-making.
    The findings will be summarized in detailed reports and data 
briefs, offering actionable insights to enhance evidence capacity, 
maturity of foundational capabilities, and a culture of continuous 
learning and innovation. Additionally, the project will deliver a 
repeatable methodology, tools, and templates to support NSF in 
independently conducting the IDEMC Assessment in future years, if 
desired.
    Expected Respondents: A census survey will be distributed to all 
1,600 NSF staff, with a response burden of 30 minutes per respondent. 
Focus groups and interviews will be conducted with representative 
subsets of the population. Based on NSF's workforce size, approximately 
10 focus groups (each with 6-8 participants, totaling ~70 participants) 
and 30 interviews will be conducted to ensure a range of perspectives 
and sufficient qualitative data.
    Estimate of Burden: The overall annualized cost to the respondents 
is estimated to be $46,750. The following table shows the estimated 
burden and costs to respondents:

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                                   Total number    Burden hours     Total hour    Average hourly     Estimated
        Collection title          of respondents  per respondent      burden           rate         annual cost
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Census Survey...................           1,600             0.5             800             $50         $40,000
Focus Groups....................              70             1.5             105              50           5,250
Interviews......................              30               1              30              50           1,500
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    Total.......................           1,700  ..............             935  ..............          46,750
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    Justification for $50/hour Average Rate: The estimated average 
hourly rate of $50 reflects data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics 
(BLS) and Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Comparable Federal 
roles, such as ``Management Analysts,'' have an average hourly rate of 
approximately $50 (BLS, May 2022 National Occupational Employment and 
Wage Estimates). Additionally, General Schedule (GS) rates for GS-12 
and GS-13 employees, typical of NSF staff roles, average around $50/
hour when factoring in locality adjustments for the Washington, DC 
area.
    Use of the Information: Aggregate findings will inform NSF's 
strategic planning, management, and evaluation efforts. Reports 
summarizing the results will support compliance with Evidence Act 
requirements and enhance NSF's capacity for evidence-based decision-
making.

    Dated: November 25, 2024.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2024-28137 Filed 11-29-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P
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