2015-05929. Proposed Collection; 60-Day Comment Request; Post-Award Reporting Requirements Including Research Performance Progress Report Collection (OD)

SUMMARY:

In compliance with the requirement of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, for opportunity for public comment on proposed data collection projects, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will publish periodic summaries of proposed projects to be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval.

Written comments and/or suggestions from the public and affected agencies are invited on one or more of the following points: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the function of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) The accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) Ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

To Submit Comments and for Further Information: To obtain a copy of the data collection plans and instruments, submit comments in writing, or request more information on the proposed project, contact: Ms. Mikia P. Currie, Program Analyst, Office of Policy for Extramural Research Administration, 6705 Rockledge Drive, Suite 350, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, or call a non-toll-free number 301-435-0941 or Email your request, including your address to [e-mail]. Formal requests for additional plans and instruments must be requested in writing.

Comment Due Date: Comments regarding this information collection are best assured of having their full effect if received within 60-days of the date of this publication.

Proposed Collection: Public Health Service (PHS) Post-award Reporting Requirements. Revision, OMB 0925-0002, Expiration Date 8/31/2015. Form numbers: PHS 2590, PHS 416-7, PHS 2271, PHS 3734, PHS 6031-1, and HHS 568. This collection represents a consolidation of post-award reporting requirements under the PRA, including the Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR).

Need and Use of Information Collection: The RPPR is now required to be used by all NIH, Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) grantees. Interim progress reports are required to continue support of a PHS grant for each budget year within a competitive segment. The phased transition to the RPPR required the maintenance of dual reporting processes for a period of time. Continued use of the PHS Non-competing Continuation Progress Report (PHS 2590), exists for a small group of grantees. This collection also includes other PHS post-award reporting requirements: PHS 416-7 NRSA Termination Notice, PHS 2271 Statement of Appointment, 6031-1 NRSA Annual Payback Activities Certification, HHS 568 Final Invention Statement and Certification, Final Progress Report instructions, iEdison, and PHS 3734 Statement Relinquishing Interests and Rights in a PHS Research Grant. The PHS 416-7, 2271, and 6031-1 are used by NRSA recipients to activate, terminate, and provide for payback of a NRSA. Closeout of an award requires a Final Invention Statement (HHS 568) and Final Progress Report. iEdison allows grantees and Federal agencies to meet statutory requirements for reporting inventions and patents. The PHS 3734 serves as the official record of grantee relinquishment of a PHS award when an award is transferred from one grantee institution to another. Pre-award reporting requirements are simultaneously consolidated under 0925-0001. Frequency of response: Applicants may submit applications for published receipt dates. For NRSA awards, fellowships are activated and trainees appointed. Affected Public: Universities and other research institutions; Business or other for-profit; Not-for-profit institutions; Federal Government; and State, Local or Tribal Government. Type of Respondents: University administrators and principal professionals. The annual reporting burden is as follows: Total Estimated Number of Respondents: 112,986. Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1. Average Burden Hours per Response: 5.6. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours Requested: 640,677. The annualized cost to respondents is estimated to be $22,423,709. There are no Capital Costs to report. There are no Operating or Maintenance Costs to report.

OMB approval is requested for 3 years. There are no costs to respondents other than their time. The total estimated annualized burden hours are 640,677.

Estimates of Hour Burden

Information collection No. or title	Number of respondents	Frequency of response	Average time (hrs) per response	Annual burden hours
RPPR (or 2590 or 416-9)	40,569	1	15	608,535
PHS 416-7	3,371	1	30/60	1,686
PHS 2271	15,500	1	15/60	3,875
PHS 6031-1	1,600	1	20/60	528
HHS 568	22,681	1	5/60	1,814
Final Progress Report	22,681	1	1	22,681
iEdison	6,000	1	15/60	1,500
PHS 3734	584	1	6/60	58
Totals	112,986		5.6	640,677

Dated: March 9, 2015.

Lawrence A. Tabak,

Deputy Director, National Institutes of Health.