Change Request Memo

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH

February 5, 2020
To:

Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare
6700B Rockledge Drive
Suite 2500, MSC 6910
Bethesda, Maryland 20892
For express mail only use Zip 20817
https://olaw.nih.gov

Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

Through: Mikia P. Currie, Project Clearance Chief, NIH
From:

Eileen M. Morgan, Director, Division of Assurances
NIH OD/OER/OLAW

Subject:

Non-Substantive Change Request for 0925-0765
Title: Assurance (Interinstitutional, Foreign, and Domestic) and Annual Report.
Expiration Date: November 30, 2022

The NIH Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) requests OMB approval of non-substantive
changes to two forms from our current OMB Clearance 0925-0765, the Domestic Assurance form and
the Annual Report to OLAW form. These forms were recently approved for use by OLAW to collect
information from institutions conducting research, testing, and training involving animals with Public
Health Service (PHS) funds. These forms enable collection of required information necessary for
OLAW to provide institutional oversight according to the PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of
Laboratory Animals and the Health Research Extension Act (HREA) of 1985.
https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAViewICR?ref_nbr=201909-0925-002.
There are three changes on the Domestic Assurance form. The first change adjusts numbering (A, B, C
to A.1., A.2., B) to emphasize the distinction between the information to be provided by the respondent.
The change results in grouping the first two responses so entities that are part of the institution are listed
under part A and only other institutions are listed in B. There is no change to the information requested
and no additional burden on the respondent as a result of this proposed change.
The second change implements recommendations of the 21st Century Cures Act Sec. 2034(d) Working
Group as outlined in the final report, Reducing Administrative Burden to Researchers for Animal Care
and Use in Research https://olaw.nih.gov/sites/default/files/21CCA_final_report.pdf. To harmonize with
the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reporting period and annual report deadline, specified in
the Animal Welfare Act and Animal Welfare Regulations, the change adjusts the NIH OLAW reporting
period from the calendar year to the federal fiscal year and adjusts the annual report deadline to OLAW
from January 31 to December 1. Syncing the reporting period and due date for USDA and NIH OLAW
reports will minimize time devoted to the collection of reporting data. Institutional Animal Care and Use
Committees and investigators will be less burdened with administrative actions and able to attend to
their animal welfare and research responsibilities. There is no change to the information requested and
no increase in burden on the respondent as a result of this proposed change.
The third change on the Domestic Assurance form provides additional detail to clarify the criteria for the
nonaffiliated committee member. The change assists respondents in assessing fulfillment of membership
requirements and provides consistent guidance with information that is currently provided in the

previously issued NIH Guide Notice NOT-OD-15-109 and on the OLAW Frequently Asked Questions
website. There is no change to the information requested and no increase in burden on the respondent as
a result of this proposed change.
There are two changes on the Annual Report to OLAW form. The first change updates the hyperlink for
the accrediting body, AAALAC, because the original link is no longer functional. The second change is
the same as the third change described for the Domestic Assurance form since the committee roster and
criteria for membership requirements is provided for institutions to submit any membership updates in
the Annual Report to OLAW. There is no change to the information requested for either change and no
increase in burden on the respondent as a result of this proposed change.
Enclosed is a copy of the Domestic Assurance with proposed changes, Domestic Assurance with
proposed changes in red font, Annual Report to OLAW with proposed changes, and Annual Report to
OLAW with proposed changes in red font.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Eileen M.
Morgan -S

Digitally signed by Eileen M.
Morgan -S
Date: 2020.02.05 16:33:32
-05'00'

Eileen M. Morgan
Director, Division of Assurances
Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare
National Institutes of Health
301-451-0384
[email protected]