[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 235 (Wednesday, December 7, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76388-76389]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-31356]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Patent and Trademark Office
National Medal of Technology and Innovation Nomination
Application
ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.
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SUMMARY: The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as part
of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden,
invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this
opportunity to comment on the extension of a continuing information
collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public
Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)).
DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before February 6,
2012.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
Email: [email protected]. Include ``0651-
0060 comment'' in the subject line of the message.
Mail: Susan K. Fawcett, Records Officer, Office of the
Chief Information Officer, United States Patent and Trademark Office,
P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450.
Federal Rulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information
should be directed to the attention of Steven Berk, Program Manager,
United States Patent and Trademark Office, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria,
VA 22313-1450, by telephone at (571) 272-8400, or by email to
[email protected]. with ``Paperwork'' in the subject line. Additional
information about this collection is also available at http://www.reginfo.gov under ``Information Collection Review.''
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
The National Medal of Technology and Innovation is the highest
honor for technological achievement bestowed by the President of the
United States on America's leading innovators. Established by an Act of
Congress in 1980, the Medal of Technology was first awarded in 1985.
The Medal is awarded annually to individuals, teams (up to four
individuals), companies or divisions of companies for their outstanding
contributions to the Nation's economic, environmental and social well-
being through the development and commercialization of technology
products, processes and concepts, technological innovation, and
development of the Nation's technological manpower.
The purpose of the National Medal of Technology and Innovation is
to recognize those who have made lasting contributions to America's
competitiveness, standard of living, and quality of life through
technological innovation, and to recognize those who have made
substantial contributions to strengthening the Nation's technological
workforce. By highlighting the national importance of technological
innovation, the Medal also seeks to inspire future generations of
Americans to prepare for and pursue technical careers to keep America
at the forefront of global technology and economic leadership.
The National Medal of Technology and Innovation Nomination
Evaluation Committee, a distinguished independent committee appointed
by the Secretary of Commerce, reviews and evaluates the merit of all
candidates nominated through an open, competitive solicitation process.
The committee makes its recommendations for Medal candidates to the
Secretary of Commerce who, in turn, makes recommendations to the
President for final selection. The National Medal of Technology and
Innovation Laureates are announced by the White House and the
Department of Commerce once the Medalists are notified of their
selection.
The public uses the National Medal of Technology and Innovation
Nomination Application to recognize through nomination an individual's,
team's or company's extraordinary leadership and innovation in
technological achievement. The application must be accompanied by six
letters of recommendation or support from individuals who have first-
hand knowledge of the cited achievement(s).
II. Method of Collection
The nomination application and instructions can be downloaded from
the USPTO Web site. Nomination files should be submitted by electronic
mail to [email protected]. Alternatively, letters of recommendation may be
sent by electronic mail, fax, or overnight delivery.
III. Data
OMB Number: 0651-0060.
Form Number(s): None.
Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
Affected Public: Primarily business or other for-profit
organizations; not-for-profit institutions; individuals or households.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 40 responses per year.
Estimated Time per Response: The USPTO estimates that it will take
approximately 40 hours to gather the necessary information, prepare the
nomination form, write the recommendations, and submit the request for
the nomination to the USPTO.
Estimated Total Annual Respondent Burden Hours: 1,600 hours.
Estimated Total Annual Respondent Cost Burden: $60,000. The USPTO
expects that private sector individuals of various occupations and
professions will complete this information. The hourly rate for these
individuals is estimated to be $37.50.
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Estimated time Estimated Estimated
Item for response annual annual burden
(hours) responses hours
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National Medal of Technology and Innovation Nomination Form..... 40 40 1,600
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TOTALS...................................................... .............. 40 1,600
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Estimated Total Annual (Non-Hour) Respondent Cost Burden: $0.
Although it is possible for the public to submit the nominations
through regular or express mail, to date no submissions have been
received in this manner. The majority of recent submissions have been
through electronic mail. The USPTO, therefore, is not calculating an
estimate of postage costs associated with this information collection.
[[Page 76389]]
IV. Request for Comments
Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden
(including hours and cost) 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 respondents, e.g., the use of automated
collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized or
included in the request for OMB approval of this information
collection; they will also become a matter of public record.
Dated: December 2, 2011.
Susan K. Fawcett,
Records Officer, USPTO, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2011-31356 Filed 12-6-11; 8:45 am]
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