FR 2021-01926

The document from the Federal Register announces a notice from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). It signifies that NASA seeks to renew its approved request for information collection under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act. This information collection specifically relates to the NASA New Technology Reporting System, which requires contractors engaged in research and development to report their inventions, patents, and related data in compliance with federal regulations.

General Summary

NASA is currently managing an information collection process that mandates contractors working under its funding agreements to disclose any new technology developments. This process is intended to ensure that inventions and patents resulting from research and development activities are properly reported, facilitating further innovation and development. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) reviews this request as part of routine oversight to ensure federal programs are efficient and not unduly burdensome. The public has been invited to share their thoughts on this system by March 30, 2021.

Significant Issues and Concerns

There are several notable concerns associated with this document:

• Lack of Cost Transparency: The document mentions a total estimated annual cost of $518,191.45 associated with the information collection process. However, it does not provide details on how this figure was calculated, which could lead to concerns about transparency and the potential for mismanagement of funds.

• Technical Jargon: Reference is made to an OMB number (2700-0052), but the document fails to explain its significance in layman's terms. This oversight could alienate those not versed in federal administrative procedures.

• Time Estimate Explanation: The estimated time required to respond—3 hours per activity—is mentioned without a breakdown of activities. This lack of detail makes it difficult for stakeholders to evaluate whether the time commitment is reasonable or potentially exaggerated.

• Purpose Elaboration: While the abstract mentions the necessity of the information collection, it does not provide a thorough explanation of its practical utility, leaving some readers uncertain of its importance.

• Suggestions for Minimizing Burden: Although the document invites public feedback on minimizing the information collection burden, it lacks specific suggestions or insights into potential automated solutions or technological innovations that could streamline the process.

Impact on the Public

The public might find the information collection burdensome, especially for smaller enterprises or educational institutions involved in these contracts. The lack of transparency in cost calculation and unexplained bureaucratic language might increase skepticism about the necessity and efficiency of this process. Inviting public comments provides an opportunity for concerned individuals and organizations to voice their opinions, which could lead to more efficient federal processes.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

For contractors, businesses, and educational institutions engaged in NASA-related R&D, this information reporting requirement represents additional workload and possible costs. Positively, it creates avenues for collaboration and potential licensing opportunities. However, the process might negatively impact smaller organizations with limited resources, as they might struggle with the administrative demands involved. By enhancing transparency and suggesting concrete ways to mitigate these burdens, NASA could affirm stakeholders’ trust and promote a more efficient innovation pipeline.

Ultimately, while the intent behind this document is to manage and streamline the reporting of technological developments, various stakeholders might see both challenges and opportunities in this initiative. User feedback could play a crucial role in refining the approach.

The Federal Register document outlines a financial reference to the estimated total annual cost of a NASA information collection initiative, amounting to $518,191.45. This figure is associated with the reporting activities required under the NASA New Technology Reporting System, which relates to the tracking of inventions, patents, and other technological advancements by contractors engaged in research and development.

One of the key issues identified is the lack of transparency in how this $518,191.45 is calculated. The document does not provide a breakdown or detailed explanation of the costs involved in reaching this estimation. This absence of detailed financial accounting could lead to questions about potential inefficiencies, especially if stakeholders are unaware of what specific activities or resources contribute to the cost.

Additionally, there is an estimated time per response of 3 hours for the reporting process, which, multiplied by the 3,372 annual responses, contributes to the overall cost estimation. However, without a clear understanding of what these 3 hours encompass, it is challenging to determine if this time estimate is over-optimistic or unnecessarily padded. It directly impacts the calculation of the financial burden on the involved parties.

Moreover, the document solicits feedback on minimizing the burden of information collection through potential automated techniques or other forms of information technology. While this invitation for comments is valuable, the absence of specific suggestions or examples of technological solutions leaves a gap in addressing the financial implications. The lack of direction could stall progress toward more cost-effective and efficient methods that might reduce this $518,191.45 financial burden.

In summary, while the document provides a total annual cost estimate for the NASA information collection system, the absence of detailed financial justifications and considerations of more efficient methods raises several concerns. Addressing these could improve transparency, foster stakeholder confidence, and eventually lead to cost optimizations benefiting all parties involved.