1028-0096 Supporting Statement A Final

Supporting Statement A for
Paperwork Reduction Act Submission
Department of the Interior Regional Climate Science Centers
Terms of Clearance: None
OMB Control Number 1028-0096
General Instructions
A completed Supporting Statement A must accompany each request for approval of a collection
of information. The Supporting Statement must be prepared in the format described below, and
must contain the information specified below. If an item is not applicable, provide a brief
explanation. When the question “Does this ICR contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical
methods?” is checked "Yes," then a Supporting Statement B must be completed. OMB reserves
the right to require the submission of additional information with respect to any request for
approval.
Specific Instructions
Justification
1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary. Identify
any legal or administrative requirements that necessitate the collection.
In September 2009, Secretary of the Interior Salazar issued Secretarial Order 3289
(http://www.doi.gov/climatechange/index.html). Among other provisions, the Order broadened
the mandate of the National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center (NCCWSC) to include
providing science on climate change-related impacts on the full array of resources, not limited to
wildlife, fish, and aquatic and terrestrial habitats. The establishment of the DOI Climate Science
Centers (CSCs) provided an excellent opportunity to take a broad and integrated approach to
developing research, models, and tools for natural and cultural resource adaptation strategies.
Pursuant to P.L. 110-161, and according to its mission, the USGS developed DOI CSCs to
provide climate change impact data and analysis geared to the needs of fish and wildlife
managers as they develop adaptation strategies in response to climate change. These DOI CSCs
were developed in close collaboration with Interior agencies and other federal, state, university,
and non-governmental partners. The NCCWSC and DOI CSCs provide scientific research, data
and information needed to explore the impacts from climate change and variability. The DOI
CSCs perform climate model downscaling, integrate ecological and habitat models, and forecast
future changes to natural and cultural resources. Finally, the DOI CSCs coordinate with other
DOI land managers to provide forecasting, decision support and information products for
adaptive management strategies, options and mitigation.
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The NCCWSC has the responsibility to manage DOI CSCs that are co-located at cooperating
organizations at non-USGS facilities. The DOI CSCs include USGS staff that report to a
national USGS office. The NCCWSC works in close partnership with the climate change
science and natural and cultural resource management communities to understand high priority
science needs and to develop science information tools that can help resource managers develop
strategies for responding to climate change. This program provides funding for researchers
through cooperative agreements that involve climate change science as a major component.
Eight DOI CSCs have been established, with the last three started up in Fiscal Year 2012. The
DOI CSCs and Host partnerships have been established on a 5-year renewable basis.
2. Indicate how, by whom, and for what purpose the information is to be used. Except for
a new collection, indicate the actual use the agency has made of the information
received from the current collection. Be specific. If this collection is a form or a
questionnaire, every question needs to be justified.
The initial information collection activity was performed to identify the preferred locations /
institutional partners for Climate Science Centers. This was a full and open competition
announced on Grants.gov. Based on this information, CSC host institutions have been identified
and have entered cooperative agreements with USGS. At present, information collection
activities focus on annual performance and financial reports, required under the cooperative
agreements. This information is used to conduct an annual performance evaluation of each
CSC’s progress in meeting the goals of the agreement.
Information is collected in two ways.
(1) All cooperators are required to file quarterly financial statements (Standard Form 425). These
provide management with updates on spending rates and available balances, and an end-ofproject SF 425 within 90 days of project completion. This oversight is a basic part of CSC and
NCCWSC management and administration, and is required to ensure that financial activities are
matching project progress (i.e. drawdowns are proceeding as expected).
(2) All cooperators are required to provide annual progress reports. Such reports provide
managers with a summary of CSC activities, including those of funded researchers and graduate
students and post-doctoral researchers funded by or affiliated with the CSC. Annual reports
describe research activities underway, students accepted into the program, other activities
undertaken (e.g. summer training classes), and related implementation details. This information
is required to ensure that CSC actions are being implemented as planned / expected, progress is
satisfactory toward key objectives identified by USGS, products are being developed in a timely
fashion, and data managed according to NCCWSC requirements.
3. Describe whether, and to what extent, the collection of information involves the use of
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other
forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses,
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and the basis for the decision for adopting this means of collection. Also describe any
consideration of using information technology to reduce burden and specifically how
this collection meets GPEA requirements.
Annual reporting is conducted in in two ways. One is a financial report (SF 425) that is delivered
to the USGS Office of Acquisition and Grants (OAG). The second is a substantive progress
report, prepared by the CSC host institution, and provided to the USGS National Climate
Change and Wildlife Science Center. Each report is due 90 days after the end of the
performance year.
4. Describe efforts to identify duplication. Show specifically why any similar information
already available cannot be used or modified for use for the purposes described in Item
2 above.
Due to the unique nature of this program and authorizing legislation, no other Federal agency
collects this information. No duplication will occur.
5. If the collection of information impacts small businesses or other small entities, describe
any methods used to minimize burden.
While this collection of information does not specifically impact small businesses, we have made
efforts to keep the amount of information requested to a minimum. The information has to be
sufficient to fulfill the requirements of the National Climate Change and Wildlife Science
Center, as well as sufficient to make a competitive funding decision.
6. Describe the consequence to Federal program or policy activities if the collection is not
conducted or is conducted less frequently, as well as any technical or legal obstacles to
reducing burden.
Under the Stafford Act (P.L. 93–288; Sec. 202), the Department of the Interior has the
responsibility to provide timely and high quality scientific information and products, in this case
relating to climate change and impacts on DOI lands and throughout the United States, in
general. Failure to collect this information would result in a deficiency to comply with the
congressional mandate to establish these centers and the inability to inform decision makers,
develop adaptive management strategies, and mitigate the risks to natural resources associated
with climate change.
7. Explain any special circumstances that would cause an information collection to be
conducted in a manner:
* requiring respondents to report information to the agency more often than
quarterly;
* requiring respondents to prepare a written response to a collection of information in
fewer than 30 days after receipt of it;
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requiring respondents to submit more than an original and two copies of any
document;
requiring respondents to retain records, other than health, medical, government
contract, grant-in-aid, or tax records, for more than three years;
in connection with a statistical survey that is not designed to produce valid and
reliable results that can be generalized to the universe of study;
requiring the use of a statistical data classification that has not been reviewed and
approved by OMB;
that includes a pledge of confidentiality that is not supported by authority
established in statute or regulation, that is not supported by disclosure and data
security policies that are consistent with the pledge, or which unnecessarily impedes
sharing of data with other agencies for compatible confidential use; or
requiring respondents to submit proprietary trade secrets, or other confidential
information, unless the agency can demonstrate that it has instituted procedures to
protect the information's confidentiality to the extent permitted by law.

There are no circumstances that require us to collect the information in a manner inconsistent
with OMB guidelines.
8. If applicable, provide a copy and identify the date and page number of publication in
the Federal Register of the agency's notice, required by 5 CFR 1320.8(d), soliciting
comments on the information collection prior to submission to OMB. Summarize
public comments received in response to that notice and in response to the PRA
statement associated with the collection over the past three years, and describe actions
taken by the agency in response to these comments. Specifically address comments
received on cost and hour burden.
Describe efforts to consult with persons outside the agency to obtain their views on the
availability of data, frequency of collection, the clarity of instructions and
recordkeeping, disclosure, or reporting format (if any), and on the data elements to be
recorded, disclosed, or reported.
Consultation with representatives of those from whom information is to be obtained or
those who must compile records should occur at least once every three years — even if
the collection of information activity is the same as in prior periods. There may be
circumstances that may preclude consultation in a specific situation. These
circumstances should be explained.
On January 11, 2013, we published a Federal Register notice (78 FR 2422) announcing that we would
submit this information collection to OMB for approval. The notice provided a 60-day public comment
period ending on March 12, 2013. We received two comments that were general invectives about the
Federal Government and were not applicable to this information collection activity.
In addition to our Federal Register Notice, we solicited comments from former applicants about the
clarity of instructions, our burden estimates and the utility of the information sought.
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The individuals listed below provided editorial suggestions and feedback concerning the
information collection and its clarity, based on their previous experiences with cooperative
agreement applications. We incorporated their suggested edits to improve the grammatical clarity
of the final announcement.
Individuals Contacted Outside the Agency:
1. Dr. Richard Palmer, Lead PI for NE CSC, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA
2. Alison Meadow, SW CSC, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
3 Damian Shea, Lead PI for SE CSC, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
9. Explain any decision to provide any payment or gift to respondents, other than
remuneration of contractors or grantees.
We do not provide gifts or payments other than the remuneration of awards
10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for the
assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy.
We do not provide any assurance of confidentiality to respondents.
11. Provide additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature, such as sexual
behavior and attitudes, religious beliefs, and other matters that are commonly
considered private. This justification should include the reasons why the agency
considers the questions necessary, the specific uses to be made of the information, the
explanation to be given to persons from whom the information is requested, and any
steps to be taken to obtain their consent.
We do not ask questions of a sensitive nature.
12. Provide estimates of the hour burden of the collection of information. The statement
should:
* Indicate the number of respondents, frequency of response, annual hour burden,
and an explanation of how the burden was estimated. Unless directed to do so,
agencies should not conduct special surveys to obtain information on which to base
hour burden estimates. Consultation with a sample (fewer than 10) of potential
respondents is desirable. If the hour burden on respondents is expected to vary
widely because of differences in activity, size, or complexity, show the range of
estimated hour burden, and explain the reasons for the variance. Generally,
estimates should not include burden hours for customary and usual business
practices.
* If this request for approval covers more than one form, provide separate hour
burden estimates for each form and aggregate the hour burdens.
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Provide estimates of annualized cost to respondents for the hour burdens for
collections of information, identifying and using appropriate wage rate categories.
The cost of contracting out or paying outside parties for information collection
activities should not be included here.

We estimate each report will take an average of 20 hours to complete.
Our estimates are based on our own knowledge plus the outreach described in item 8. We expect
to receive approximately 40 responses from a combination of state/local and tribal governments
as well as from individuals representing the private sector. This amount is reduced from
previous estimates to better match the actual number of projects and reports expected. (Initial
estimates were higher than actual experience has proven.) We expect that it will take each
applicant approximately 20 hours to complete the reporting process, totaling 800 burden hours.
We estimate the dollar value of the annual burden hours to be $35,656 (see Table 1). The hour
cost is based on BLS news release USDL USDL-13-0421
(http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/ecec.pdf)of March 12, 2013, for average full compensation
per hour including benefits for private industry and state, local, tribal governments. The
particular values utilized are:
States/tribal/local governments. Average hourly wage is $35.76 multiplied by 1.4 to account for
benefits ($50.10). To obtain the rate for State/local/tribal government, we used data from
http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics4_999200.htm#00-0000, Physical Scientist mean hourly
income.
Private sector. Average hourly wage is $45.06 multiplied by 1.4 to account for benefits ($63.08).
To obtain the rate for Physical Scientist in the private sector we used data from
http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/ocwage.pdf, Table 1.
Table 1. Estimated Dollar Value of Annual Burden Hours
Annual
Number of
Responses

Estimated
Completion
Time per
Respondent

Reports
State/Local/Tribal
Private

30
10

20 hours
20 hours

TOTAL

40

Activity

Total
Annual
Burden
Hours

600
200
800

Dollar Value of
Burden Hour
[Including
Benefits]

Total Dollar
Value of
Annual
Burden Hours

$50.10
$63.08

$30,060
$12,616
$30,676

13. Provide an estimate of the total annual non-hour cost burden to respondents or
recordkeepers resulting from the collection of information. (Do not include the cost of
any hour burden already reflected in item 12.)
* The cost estimate should be split into two components: (a) a total capital and start6

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up cost component (annualized over its expected useful life) and (b) a total operation
and maintenance and purchase of services component. The estimates should take
into account costs associated with generating, maintaining, and disclosing or
providing the information (including filing fees paid for form processing). Include
descriptions of methods used to estimate major cost factors including system and
technology acquisition, expected useful life of capital equipment, the discount
rate(s), and the time period over which costs will be incurred. Capital and start-up
costs include, among other items, preparations for collecting information such as
purchasing computers and software; monitoring, sampling, drilling and testing
equipment; and record storage facilities.
If cost estimates are expected to vary widely, agencies should present ranges of cost
burdens and explain the reasons for the variance. The cost of purchasing or
contracting out information collection services should be a part of this cost burden
estimate. In developing cost burden estimates, agencies may consult with a sample
of respondents (fewer than 10), utilize the 60-day pre-OMB submission public
comment process and use existing economic or regulatory impact analysis associated
with the rulemaking containing the information collection, as appropriate.
Generally, estimates should not include purchases of equipment or services, or
portions thereof, made: (1) prior to October 1, 1995, (2) to achieve regulatory
compliance with requirements not associated with the information collection, (3) for
reasons other than to provide information or keep records for the government, or
(4) as part of customary and usual business or private practices.

There is no non-hour cost burden to applicants resulting from this collection. There are no fees
associated with application process or requirements.
14. Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal government. Also, provide a
description of the method used to estimate cost, which should include quantification of
hours, operational expenses (such as equipment, overhead, printing, and support staff),
and any other expense that would not have been incurred without this collection of
information.
The total estimated cost to the Federal Government for processing and reviewing proposals as a
result of this collection of information is $28,328. This includes Federal employees’ hourly
wages and benefits. Table 2 below shows Federal staff and grade levels performing various
tasks associated with this information collection.
We used the Office of Personnel Management Salary Table 2012-DCB
(http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2012/generalschedule/washington-baltimore-northern-virginia-dc-md-va-wv-pa-annual-rates-by-grade-andstep/) to determine the hourly wages for the Federal employees associated with this collection.
We multiplied the hourly wage by 1.5 to account for benefits (as implied by the previously
referenced BLS news release).

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Table 2. Annual Cost to the Federal Government
Estimated
time spent
by Federal
Employees
(hours)

Cost per federal
staff (Hourly Pay
Rate incl. Benefits
x Number of
Hours)

Position

Grade/
Step

Hourly
Rate

Hourly Rate
incl. benefits
(1.5 x hourly
pay rate)

NCCWSC Director

GS-15/5

$67.13

$100.70

24

$2,417

NCCWSC Policy & Partnership
Coordinator

GS-15/10

$74.47

$111.71

24

$2,681

NCCWSC Program Analyst

GS-13/5

$48.33

$72.50

40

$2,900

NCCWSC Executive Assistant

GS-8/8

$27.60

$ 41.41

24

$ 994

CSC Director

GS-15/5

$67.13

$100.70

24

$2,417

CSC Director

GS-15/5

$67.13

$100.70

24

$2,417

CSC Director

GS-15/5

$67.13

$100.70

24

$2,417

CSC Director

GS-15/5

$67.13

$100.70

24

$2,417

CSC Director

GS-15/5

$67.13

$100.70

24

$2,417

CSC Director

GS-15/5

$67.13

$100.70

24

$2,417

CSC Director

GS-15/5

$67.13

$100.70

24

$2,417

CSC Director

GS-15/5

$67.13

$100.70

24

$2,417

TOTAL

$28,328

15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments in hour or cost burden.
There were no program changes. The reduction in burden hours reflects the removal of
respondents submitting applications. Because the CSCs have been established, applications will
not be necessary until it is time to renew the partnerships in approximately three years.
16. For collections of information whose results will be published, outline plans for
tabulation and publication. Address any complex analytical techniques that will be
used. Provide the time schedule for the entire project, including beginning and ending
dates of the collection of information, completion of report, publication dates, and other
actions.
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The information collected will not be tabulated or published for statistical use.
17. If seeking approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of the
information collection, explain the reasons that display would be inappropriate.
We will display the OMB control number and expiration date.
18. Explain each exception to the topics of the certification statement identified in
"Certification for Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions."
There are no exceptions to the certification statement.

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