Federal Register: September 17, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 179)
DOCID: fr17se07-61 FR Doc 07-4577
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
NOTICE: NOTICES
DOCID: fr17se07-61
DOCUMENT ACTION: Notice.
SUBJECT CATEGORY:
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request
DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by November 16, 2007.
DOCUMENT SUMMARY:
This notice announces the intention of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to request that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) reauthorize the information collection project ``AHRQ Grants Reporting System (GRS).'' In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 10413 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)), AHRQ invites the public to comment on this proposed information collection.
SUMMARY:
Agency information collection activities; proposals, submissions, and approvals,
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Proposed Project
``AHRQ Grants Reporting System (GRS)''
AHRQ has identified the need to establish a systematic method for its grantees to report project progress and important preliminary findings for grants funded by the Agency. The proposed system will address the shortfalls in the current reporting process and establish a consistent and comprehensive grants reporting solution for AHRQ. Currently, AHRQ receives grants continuation applications on an annual basis from all grantees. The progress report, which represents a portion of the annual continuation application, is inadequate because it is too infrequent and does not necessarily capture the information that AHRQ requires to respond to internal and external inquiries.
The reporting system will also provide a centralized repository of grants research information that can be used to support initiatives within the Agency's research plans for the future and to support activities such as performance monitoring, budgeting, knowledge transfer as well as strategic planning.
AHRQ currently conduct quarterly conference calls with some grantees. The content, frequency, and focus of these calls vary. In some grant programs, the number of participants on these calls may be so large as to prohibit quarterly updates from all participants in order to avoid creating an extremely lengthy conference call and to allow the Agency to address other important issues during these calls.
The GRS will support the timely collection of important information
related to the life cycle of a grant. This information includes:
significant changes in project goals, methods, study design, sample or
subjects, interventions, evaluation, dissemination, training, key
personnel, key preliminary findings; significant problems and
resolutions; publications and presentations; tools and products; and
new collaborations/partnerships with AHRQ grantees or others conducting
related research. Collecting this information in a systematic manner will:
This project was previously approved by OMB on 11/10/2004. The OMB control number is 09350122 and will expire on 11/30/2007.
Data Confidentiality Provisions
Confidential commercial information will be protected in accordance with 18 U.S.C. 1905. Information about Principal Investigators will be maintained in accordance with the Privacy Act, 5 U.S.C. 552a. Also, individuals and organizations will be assured of the confidentiality of their data under Section 934(c) of the Healthcare Research and Quality Act of 1999. The submitted reports will be printed and included in the official file for each grant. All of these files will be retained according to existing agency policies and procedures and archived as required.
The data will be collected using a Web based reporting interface
developed specifically for the purpose of collecting information
quarterly. To reduce burden and to the extent possible, these forms
will be prepopulated with reoccurring information needed to
specifically identify the institution, project, principal investigator, and other similar information.
Estimated Annual Respondent Burden
Estimated time Estimated
Survey Number of per respondent total burden
respondents * in minutes hours
1st Quarter..................................................... 500 10 83.33 [[Page 52881]]
2nd Quarter..................................................... 500 10 83.33
3rd Quarter..................................................... 500 10 83.33
Annual Total................................................ 1500 .............. 250 * The estimate for number of respondents for the initial implementation is 100 per quarter. The estimate included in the table assumes wider implementation by the Agency. Estimated Annual Costs to the Federal Government
The annual cost to the government is $100,000 for licensing, support and maintenance.
Request for Comments
In accordance with the abovecited Paperwork Reduction Act legislation, comments on AHRQ's information collection are requested with regard to any of the following: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of AHRQ health care research and health care information dissemination functions, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of AHRQ's estimate of burden (including hours and costs) of the proposed collection(s) 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 upon the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized
and included in the Agency's subsequent request for OMB approval of the
proposed information collection. All comments will become a matter of public record.
Carolyn M. Clancy,
Director.
[FR Doc. 074577 Filed 91407; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 416090M
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Doris Lefkowitz, AHRQ, Reports Clearance Officer, (301) 4271477.