The Technology Innovation Program
(TIP) of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST),
was established for the purpose of assisting U.S. businesses and
institutions of higher education or other organizations, such as
national laboratories and nonprofit research institutes, to
support, promote, and accelerate innovation in the United States
through high-risk, high-reward research in areas of critical
national need.
NIST/TIP intends to
conduct its first competition this year, to meet the statutory
requirements for TIP, as well as compliance with 15 C.F.R. Part 14.
In order to accomplish this, the competition announcement should be
published in the Federal Register and Grants.gov by June 30, 2008.
Therefore, the information collection review would need to be
completed as soon as possible but no later than June 20, 2008. TIP
will then be able to announce a competition in a timely manner
having completed the information collection process earlier. This
will allow sufficient time for potential proposers to prepare their
proposals in accordance with the newly established TIP criteria,
and for NIST to complete its proposal review and award process this
year.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.