Letter to OMB re Expedited Review Request

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Chief Information Officer
Washington, D.C. 20230

APR 0 7 2009
Mr. Kevin Neyland
Acting Administrator
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs
Office of Management and Budget
Washington, D.C. 20503
Dear Mr. Neyland:
This is a request for an expedited review of an information collection under the National Institute
of Standards and Technology's (NIST) Construction Grant Program.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of2009 (Recovery Act) (Public Law 111-5)
appropriated $180 million to NIST "for a competitive construction grant program for research
science buildings." Consistent with the Conference Report language, NIST intends to issue grant
awards for approximately $60 million to unfunded meritorious 2008 proposals submitted under
the fiscal year 2008 competition and issue grant awards for approximately $120 million under a
new fiscal year 2009 competition. The goals and objectives of the program are to provide
competitively awarded grant funds for research science buildings through the construction of
new buildings or expansion of existing buildings. For purposes of this program, "research
science building" means a building or facility whose purpose is to conduct scientific research,
including laboratories, test facilities, measurement facilities, research computing facilities, and
observatories. In addition, "expansion of existing buildings" means that space to conduct
scientific research is being expanded from what is currently available for the supported research
activities.
These NIST Recovery Act projects will result in the preservation of jobs and the promotion of
economic recovery; the provision of investments needed to increase economic efficiency by
spurring technological advances; and the investment in infrastructure that will provide long-term
economic benefits. Activities will be commenced as quickly as possible while ensuring prudent
management.
To receive funding, applicants must submit proposals in response to NIST competition notices
announcing the availability of funds and request for proposals (RFPs), which are published in the
Federal Register and Grants.gov Web site. This request is for the information collection
requirements associated with applying for funding. The intent of the collection is to meet

programmatic requirements, as well as compliance with 15 C.F.R. Part 14. In order to meet the
intent of the Recovery Act, expedited review needs to be completed as soon as possible, but no
later than April 10,2009. Once NIST receives OMB approval, NIST will announce a
competition on April 15,2009.
Thank you for your timely consideration of this matter.
Sincerely,

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