0648-0567 Change Request Justification

0648-0567 Change Request Justification
NOAA’s Oceanic and Atmospheric Research has seven laboratories and is planning to
conduct approximately two Laboratory science peer reviews per year for the purpose of
ensuring that high quality science research is performed. These reviews fall under the
PART Section IV, Program Results/Accountability, most specifically under Section 4.5.
“Do independent evaluations of sufficient scope and quality indicate that the program is
effective and achieving results?”
NOAA will ask peer reviewers to sign a Conflict of Interest Disclosure, and OAR
proposes to use the approved form: Conflict of Interest Disclosure For General Scientific
and Technical Studies and Assistance (OMB Control No.: 0648-0567, expires:
10/31/2010). This form has been slightly modified to emphasize the intended purpose.
Each Laboratory will involve five to six reviewers for a total per year of 10 to 12
reviewers and responses. The added burden for this Conflict of Interest Disclosure will
be, at 30 minutes per disclosure, 5 to 6 hours per year. There will be no additional
recordkeeping/reporting costs.