NIST PML Nuclear & Radiological Security Metrology Needs - Supporting Statement

OMB Control #0693-0033

Expiration Date: 07/31/2022

NIST Generic Clearance for Program Evaluation Data Collections

NIST, PML, Nuclear and Radiological Security: Metrology Needs Information Collection

FOUR STANDARD SURVEY QUESTIONS

1. Explain who will be surveyed and why the group is appropriate to survey.

The Radioactivity Group within the Radiation Physics Division of the Physical Measurement Laboratory (PML) of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is proposing an information collection focused on measurements and metrology needs for security and consequence management associated with events involving nuclear or radiological materials. As such, the primary customers will be Federal, State, and municipal government entities and associated laboratories that have responsibilities in these specific areas. A proposed distribution list has been uploaded into ROCIS.

2. Explain how the survey was developed including consultation with interested parties, pre-testing, and responses to suggestions for improvement.

This collection instrument was primarily developed internally within the Radiation Physics Division of PML. Edits and recommendation based on internal reviews were incorporated but due to the highly specific nature of the survey and a limited distribution list, no pre-testing was performed.

3. Explain how the survey will be conducted, how customers will be sampled if fewer than all customers will be surveyed, expected response rate, and actions your agency plans to take to improve the response rate.

The survey will be distributed by direct e-mail to personnel at the appropriate state, federal, and municipal agencies and government laboratories. It is anticipated that the distribution list will include the bulk of potential customer organizations (approximately 95) for the targeted area of interest. It is anticipated that the response rate will be below 50% but reminder e-mails and even direct contact with recipients will be utilized to increase participation.

4. Describe how the results of the survey will be analyzed and used to generalize the results to the entire customer population.

The primary goal of the survey is to assess areas where NIST can better serve the nation in the area of nuclear and radiological security. As constructed, the survey will provide NIST with documentation about needed reference materials, nuclear information, or calibration services that have been expressed anecdotally by our customers. The data from the survey will be compiled in two primary ways. The frequency of use or interest in existing SRMs and calibration services will be determined and the level of interest in new services or materials will be assessed based on frequency in responses. This data will be used to assign priorities to new or existing SRMs and services.