We are requesting approval of an
extension to the Reviewer Recruitment Module (RRM) form. The
electronic form is a simplified, centralized online data collection
web page using fewer menus, fewer user-entered fields, and a search
function on the reviewer uploaded Curriculum Vitae (CV) or resume
data. The reviewer selection is based on professional
qualifications using data they enter, answers to menu questions,
and a scan of the CV or resume data using key words germane to the
specific needs of the peer review. To streamline the registration,
selection and assignment of expert grant reviewers for objective
review committees, HRSA has used a web-based, centralized data
collection Reviewer Recruitment Module (RRM) since 2008 to record
critical reviewer information. The RRM standardized reviewer
information such as areas of expertise, occupations, work settings,
education, and experience. DIR uses the online database to select
appropriate reviewers for objective review committees, which
evaluate the merits of competitive and discretionary grant
applications, and cooperative agreements for funding. Use of a
standardized, centralized database has played an important role in
the process of composing objective review committees, and enhanced
the diversity of the HRSA reviewer pool as required by the
(previously described) legislation and policy. Expedited accurate
reviewer selection contributes to the reduction in HRSA's time
between application receipt and grant award issuance. Professional
qualifications, not demographic data, are used as selection
criteria.
An increase in respondents has
increased the burden amount. Program contacted the contractor
regarding adding the public burden statement to “the top of the
first page of the instrument” as requested and the response was
that since we are not proprietors to the RRM system, and HRSA is
not the only agency using RRM, it’s not possible to do that at this
time.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.