Department of the Interior Regional Climate Science Centers

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Supporting Statement A
for paperwork reduction act submission

Department of Interior Regional Climate Adaptation Science Centers
OMB Control Number 1028-0096

Terms of Clearance:  None.  

Justification

1.	Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary.  Identify any legal or administrative requirements that necessitate the collection.

Pursuant to 42 U.S.C 5121, Disaster Relief Act, the USGS’s Climate Adaptation Science Center (CASC) network was established in 2008, when Congress put forth funding in P.L. 110-161, The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2008, to provide research and technical support for natural and cultural resource managers as they anticipate and respond to the effects of climate variability and change. In 2009, SO3289 created the mandate to provide science on a wide array of climate related impacts extending beyond wildlife and terrestrial and aquatic habitats.

The CASCs provide rigorous science and transparent communication (EO14303/SO3441) that advances administration and departmental priorities on wildfire science (EO14308/SO3443), hazard and risk assessments that enhance local preparedness (EO14239), the development of Alaska’s resource potential (EO14153/SO3422), American energy potential (EO14154/SO3418/SO3417/SO3438), the strategic use of Artificial Intelligence (SO3444), and natural resource stewardship that balances the needs of ecosystems, communities, and the economy  (EO14313, EO14225). CASC science directly addresses on-the-ground management needs, informing cost-effective, science-informed natural resource management decisions that advance all four goals outlined in the DOI FY26-30 Draft Strategic Plan.

The National CASC (NCASC) has the responsibility of managing the nine regional CASCs, which have been established as partnerships with one or more non-federal entities (generally cooperating universities) selected through a competitive process. The cooperative agreements to host CASCs were established with 5-year terms and are recompeted for renewal at the end of those terms. The CASCs include USGS staff that report to the NCASC office and may include other co-located DOI and Federal staff. For example, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) worked with tribes and tribal organizations to hire BIA-funded tribal resilience liaisons that work directly with the regional CASCs. The CASCs work in close partnership with the climate adaptation 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 produce strategies for responding to changing conditions. This program provides funding for researchers through cooperative agreements that involve climate adaptation science as a major component. 

This information collection request addresses the invitation to parties to propose to host Climate Adaptation Science Centers during the recompete periods and includes required annual and final performance and financial reports.  This information collection request also includes required annual and final performance and financial reports associated with Host cooperators when they enter into cooperative agreements or accept grants that facilitate CASC-related research. Finally, this information collection request includes updated and improved information on the number of reports required or expected of cooperators/grantees and the burden associated with meeting these requirements.


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.

Program Announcement Information Collection. Leading up to the 2010-2012 cooperator selection for hosting Climate Adaptation Science Centers, information was collected to identify the preferred locations / institutional partners for Climate Adaptation Science Centers. This was a full and open competition announced on Grants.gov (as noted above, with the exception of the Alaska CASC, which was awarded non-competitively to the University of Alaska-Fairbanks).   Cooperative agreements resulting from this process are referred to as Hosting Agreements. 

USGS has re-competed these awards twice, with release of program announcements (request for proposals) in 2016 and 2022 for three CASCs established in 2010, 2017 and 2023 for two CASCs established in 2011, and 2018 and 2024 for three CASCs established in 2012. An off-cycle competition was held in 2021 when Congress appropriated funds for a new ninth regional center. USGS anticipates that regional CASCs will be re-competed in 2027 (one region), 2028 (three regions), 2029 (two regions), and 2030 (three regions).

The program announcement will again request information from proposed hosts concerning proposed:
    • Faculty and staff to work on the project, both at the main host institution and any “consortium” members
    • Space to be allocated for the CASC
    • Funding for and education / training proposed for graduate and undergraduate students
    • Employment of post-doctoral researchers and the topics they are proposed to research
    • Administrative support for the CASC and its research awards
    • Communications, information technology, program management and related capabilities 
    • In-kind and financial commitments from the proposed hosts.

These proposals will be retrieved from Grants.gov, reviewed by administrative staff to prepare summaries, and distributed (electronically, via a proposal management system) to reviewers. Reviewers will review and provide preliminary rankings, followed by a virtual meeting to discuss rankings and develop a consensus recommendation.  USGS will the enter negotiations with selected candidate awardees.

The Hosting Agreement process is completed for each CASC approximately every five years but may be extended or terminated early.  Therefore, the USGS may release program announcements in three of every five years. 

Successful proposers (i.e. those with whom USGS enters a Hosting Agreement) are eligible for research funding, which may be provided as cooperative agreements or grants. Each of these is awarded after a separate process, including solicitation and review. Both Hosting Agreements and Research Agreements include requirements for financial and progress reporting. 

Ongoing Reporting Information Collection.  Currently, with existing awardees, and when new agreements are established under the process described above, cooperators are required to submit annual financial and performance reports. These are used by USGS staff to assess the performance of the cooperator against substantive goals and financial plans. 

Information is collected in two ways. 

(1) All cooperators are required to file biannual or annual financial statements (Standard Form 425) and an end-of project SF 425 within 90 days of project completion. These provide management with updates on spending rates and available balances/carryover. This oversight is a basic part of CASC and NCASC management and administration and is required to ensure that financial activities match 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 CASC activities, including those of funded researchers, graduate students, and post-doctoral researchers funded by or affiliated with the CASC. 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 CASC 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 NCASC 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, and the basis for the decision to adopt this means of collection.  Also describe any consideration of using information technology to reduce burden and specifically how this collection meets GPEA requirements.

Proposals to host CASCs are submitted electronically via the standard Grants.gov portal. Annual financial and progress reports are provided by email to the relevant offices. USGS instituted a direct submittal process in FY16 for financial progress reports, which will enable respondents to file directly from their own information system. The USGS provides templates to all respondents to help aid in their reporting.  

Explain the basis for adopting this means of collection.  Also describe any consideration you have given or are giving to the use of improved information technology to reduce the burden on the public.  You must address the following:

    • Is the electronic submission of responses possible?
    • What percentage of respondents are expected to respond electronically?
    • If a form is involved, is it available on the Internet for public printing?
    • Will the results of the information collection be made available to the public over the Internet?

If the answer to any of these questions is “no”, are there plans to do so?  If not, why not? 


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.

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 Adaptation Science Center, as well as sufficient to make a competitive funding decision.


6.	Describe the consequences 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 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.


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;
	*	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.

The 60-day FRN was published July 17, 2026, (91 FR 44868).  Three public comments were received in response to this notice. A summary of each comment and USGS's response follow, with the full verbatim text of each comment and response provided below the summary.

Comment
Topic
Summary of Comment
USGS Response Summary
0002
Support for current burden estimates
Commenter expressed support for the reporting structure, describing the burden allocation (200 hours for host proposals; 2.5–5 hours for annual reports) as a "lean, balanced approach to federal grants management."
USGS thanked the commenter and agreed that the approach reflects a balanced approach to federal grants management.
0003
Frequency of collection / broader climate policy concerns
Commenter recommended biannual collection and posting of information, and raised broader concerns about climate change and the need for evidence-based policy action (e.g., phasing out fossil fuels).
USGS clarified that these reports are tied to CASC hosting opportunities, research funding, and federal grant reporting requirements — not to monitoring climate change impacts directly. USGS noted that increasing reporting frequency would create undue additional burden without added benefit, and that USGS is not a regulatory agency with authority over climate change contributing factors.
0004
Burden hour estimates and recommendations for automation
Commenter suggested burden estimates for research and host performance reports (2.5–5 hours) may be understated and recommended increasing them to 3.5–4 hours. Commenter also recommended standardized outcome metrics, public repository integration, a unified online reporting portal, system interoperability (XML/CSV uploads), and harmonized submission timelines.
USGS thanked the commenter and noted it has already worked with applicants and recipients to streamline reporting (e.g., via grants.gov and standardized templates) to reduce burden while preserving reporting integrity and legal mandates. USGS stated that, due to the complexity and variability of these reports, a one-size-fits-all unified system as suggested is not feasible at this time.

Full Verbatim Comments and Responses:

Comment 0002
"The National and Regional CASCs serve as a cornerstone of the nation's climate adaptation strategy, bridging federal science capabilities with state, local, and tribal natural resource managers. Annual performance and financial reports provide transparent accountability, enabling the USGS National CASC to track milestone delivery, ensure fiscal compliance, and adapt regional research agendas to pressing on-the-ground management needs.
USGS has reasonably scoped the reporting burden, distributing an estimated 2,590 total annual burden hours across 307 structured responses. The allocation of 200 hours for a comprehensive 5-year host institution proposal appropriately reflects the depth required for institutional grant bidding, while the modest 2.5 to 5-hour estimates for annual reports prevent administrative burnout among partner organizations. This represents a lean, balanced approach to federal grants management."

Response to Comment 0002
"We thank you for your comment and agree that it's a balanced approach to federal grants management."


Comment 0003
"I recommend we collect the and post the information biannually, as the climate crisis is second to nonem except maybe the AI wiping out humanity crisis in ten years scenario. The information is needed so that when we have a competent and ethical government we can actually take action like phasing out fossil fuels based on evidence"

Response to Comment 0003
"We thank you for your comment. These reports are not in response to how climate change is affecting the environment, but are in response to opportunities to host CASCS, obtain funding for climate adaptation research, and reporting requirements associated with accepting federal grants. It would cause an undue and additional burden on those reporting to require more reporting and not result in any added benefit to these types of reports. Furthermore, USGS is not a regulatory agency and has no role in regulating factors contributing to climate change."

Comment 0004
"The periodic collection of information for host institution re-competitions and routine performance/financial reporting is essential for maintaining governance and scientific integrity across the National and nine Regional Climate Adaptation Science Centers (CASCs). Standardized reporting ensures that federal research funds yield actionable climate adaptation tools, upholds stewardship of public funds, and provides clear benchmarks across university-hosted partnerships.2. Evaluation of Estimated Burden Hours
The proposed annual burden of 2,590 total hours across 307 responses provides a baseline, though specific reporting categories warrant administrative re-evaluation:Host Recompete Applications (200 hours/response): This estimate accurately captures the heavy multi-departmental coordination, budgetary modeling, and institutional commitments required of university applicants during competitive cycles.Host & Research Performance Reports (2.5 – 5 hours/response): The 2.5-hour allocation per research report and 5-hour allocation per host report may underestimate real-world effort. Principal investigators (PIs) and institutional staff often spend additional time aggregating interdisciplinary metrics, partner outreach data, and publication tracking. Adjusting research performance estimates to 3.5–4 hours would more accurately reflect operational compliance demands.3. Enhancing Data Quality, Utility, and Clarity
To maximize the value of collected data for federal agency officials, researchers, and public land managers:Standardize Outcome Metrics: Utilize structured drop-down taxonomies for key performance indicators, such as actionable management decisions, coproduced science deliverables, and student/trainee engagement.Public Repository Integration: Automatically link completed non-proprietary performance outputs to public USGS science portals so research findings reach natural resource managers without redundant dissemination workflows.4. Minimizing Respondent Burden Through Automation
USGS can streamline administrative requirements for academic and state host institutions through targeted technological enhancements:Unified Online Portal: Transition all host and research reporting into a single web-based portal that pre-populates recurring grant metadata, institutional details, and historical award numbers.System Interoperability: Support direct XML or CSV financial data batch uploads from standard university research administration software to eliminate duplicate manual entry on financial reports.Harmonized Submission Timelines: Align annual host performance/financial reporting deadlines with individual research award schedules to permit single-window institutional review and submission."
Response to Comment 0004
"We thank you for your comments. We have worked closely with applicants and receivers of CASC associated funds to streamline reporting including through the use of grants.gov, templates, etc. These are all done in an attempt to streamline the reporting process and minimize burden while also maintaining the integrity of the reporting and our legal mandates. Because of the complexity of these reports, a one size fits all type of approach is not feasible and therefore we cannot setup a system as suggested in this comment."

Part 2 of question 8 — external review consultation and site-visit consultation content

The competition of the awards for hosting climate science centers is a major activity of the National Climate Adaptation Science Center (NCASC). We have undertaken external reviews of the performance of each CASC during each award cycle. The Cycle 1 external reviews were led by American Fisheries Society. The Cycle 2 external reviews were led by Donna Silverberg Consulting. Reviews were conducted for all the CASCs, starting with the first to be recompeted (i.e. the reviews were completed prior to release of the solicitation), and review reports are made externally available. In addition, we (NCASC) undertake annual internal reviews of the operational and programmatic aspects of the relationship with current awardees (e.g. provision of space, management of office responsibilities, etc.). These activities provide substantive input for the revised program announcement.

The format of the program announcement is standard and straightforward, covering the substantive objectives, eligibility, timelines, submission requirements, review process and criteria, financial information needs and format, etc. and will be embedded within the Grants.gov application system, which has its own standard (and non-modifiable) requirements. 

Annual progress reports follow formats provided by the relevant Climate Adaptation Science Center. 

Regarding consultation with representatives of those from whom information is to be obtained or those who must compile records: While conducting in person site visits to two of the nine current CASC host institutions, USGS staff consulted with university representatives responsible for proposals, grant management, and financial reporting. At each of the two institutions, a representative from whom information is to be obtained, or those who must compile records, was asked the following questions and provided the following responses:


	(1)	Whether or not the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether or not the information will have practical utility; 

		Representative 1: Yes
		Representative 2: Yes 

		Program response: No action needed.
		
	(2)	The accuracy of our estimate of the burden for this collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; 
Representative 1: Yes
		Representative 2: Yes

Program response: No action needed.

	(3)	Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected

Representative 1: No comment
		Representative 2: No comment

		Program response: No action needed.

	(4)	How might the agency minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of response. 
  
Representative 1: Current automation is sufficient
		Representative 2: Current automation is sufficient

		Program response: No action needed.


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 assurance of confidentiality. Information provided may be disclosed pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) or the Privacy Act of 1974, Proposals submitted to USGS, either for Hosting Agreements or research agreements, are treated as the intellectual property of the proposer and are not released without approval of the proposer. 

Periodic financial and progress reports submitted under these agreements are public information.

Information generated under these agreements – research findings, data, and the like – are intended for use in public and private decision making and are released publicly via the USGS website and other means. 


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.
*	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.


RESPONSE TO PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT (REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS TO ENTER “HOSTING AGREEMENTS”) 
CASC Program Announcements to solicit Hosting Agreement proposals are issued approximately three out of five years by USGS, because Hosting Agreements are approximately five years long, and there are three groups of CASCs, which are competed in different years.  In any given year, in which two or three CASCs are re-competed, USGS expects up to 9 proposals.  Each proposal is expected to consume 200 hours of staff time for development, negotiation, and submittal of all required documents. 





Participant / Activity
Number of Responses
Minutes per response
Burden Hours
Burden 
Value
Committed State, local, tribal proposer.                       
 Prepare and submit proposal* 
9
12,000
1,800
 $     118,224 
TOTAL 
 
 
1,800
 $     118,224 
* Proposal preparation is a large complex and often multi-institutional operation. We have assumed 200 hours total per proposal.
Used average hourly compensation for State and Local Government, ECEC https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/ecec.pdf, released 3/20/26
Rate used was: 
 $       65.68 













ANNUAL PROGRESS AND FINANCIAL REPORTS -- HOSTING AGREEMENTS
Hosting Agreements include requirements for an annual progress and financial report. There are nine CASCs, resulting in 18 total reports per year. 


Participant / Activity
Number of Responses
Minutes per response
Burden Hours
Burden Value
Cooperator State, local, tribal government.                                                        Prepare program reports* 
18
300
90
 $         5,912

TOTAL 
 
 
 
 $         5,912
* Each annual report is expected to require 5 burden hours. 

Used average hourly compensation for State and Local Government, ECEC https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/ecec.pdf, released 3/20/26
Rate used was: 
 $       65.68 













ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORTS -- RESEARCH AGREEMENTS
Entities with Hosting Agreements are also eligible to receive funding for research activities. These are covered in separate cooperative agreements or grants, each of which requires quarterly financial statements (not reported here) and annual progress reports. We estimate that there are 140 active research projects at any time across the nine CASCs. 


Participant / Activity
Number of Responses
Minutes per response
Burden Hours
Burden Value
Cooperator State, local, tribal government.                                                       Prepare progress reports 
280
150
700
$        45,976
TOTAL 
 
 
 
$        45,976 
Each annual report is expected to require 2.5 burden hours per progress report. 

Used average hourly compensation for State and Local Government, ECEC https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/ecec.pdf, released 3/20/26
Rate used was: 
 $       65.68



Assume tribal rates were similar. 









SUMMARY OF STATE, LOCAL, TRIBAL GOVERNMENTAL BURDEN
Collection of Information
Number of Responses
Hours per response
Burden Hours
Burden Value
Response to Program Announcement – for years in which hosting agreement is competed. 
9
200
1,800
$118,224
Annual Progress Reports – Hosting Agreements – every year
18
5
90
$5,912
Annual Progress Reports – Research Agreements – every year
280
2.5
700
$45,976
TOTAL - Hosting Agreement Competition Years (Response to “RFP” plus Annual Progress Reports)
307
207.5
2,590
$170,112

Used average hourly compensation for State and Local Government, ECEC https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/ecec.pdf, released 3/20/26
Rate used was: 
 $       65.68



Assume tribal rates were similar. 






  
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 start-up cost component (annualized over its expected useful life) and (b) a total operation, 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.

We have not identified any non-hour cost burden associated with this collection.


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 Cost to Federal Government is $20,372. This cost is based upon past Federal salary expenditures necessary to review proposals and required reports. Details below. 

REVIEW OF PROPOSALS 





 
Grade /
Hourly 
Total Hours
Fully Loaded
Total  
Position
Step
Rate
Federal 
Hr Rate
Labor Value 
NCASC Senior Administrator 
15/10
$    78.73 
20
$ 125.97 
$      2,520 
NCASC Deputy SA
14/10
$    66.93
20
$ 107.09 
$      2,142 
NCASC Science Coordinator 
15/10
$    78.73 
20
$ 125.97 
$      2,520 
NCASC Information Coordinator
14/10
$    66.93 
20
$ 107.09 
$      2,142 
Biologist 
GS 11/5
$    34.64 
20
$   55.43
$      1,109 
Agency Reviewer (6) 
GS 15/1
$    60.59
60
$   96.95 
$      5,817 
 
 
 
 
 
­­ 
Federal Govt cost   

 
160 
 
$    16,250 

Source for base Hourly Rate salary information: 2026 OPM Salary Tables (hourly basic). The Fully Loaded rates are reported at Hourly Rate x 1.6.


Proposals for hosting Climate Adaptation Science Centers are among the largest / most consequential decisions of the organization. There are three labor groups represented in the table above. 
    • “Agency Reviewers” are senior members from other bureaus and departments who are members of the Technical Review Committee for this selection. Each member has lead review responsibility for one or more proposal but reviews and ranks all proposals
    • Biologist is the administrative staff member who manages intake, oversees the review software, and identifies specific cost proposal items
    • NCASC senior staff (Senior Administrator, etc.) are the senior decision making team, often conduct site visits to candidate universities, and prepare all final documentation. 

 
Grade /
Hourly 
Total Hours
Fully Loaded
Total  
Position
Step
Rate
Federal 
Hr Rate
Labor Value 
CASC Regional Administrator(s) 
15/1
$   60.56 
8
$   96.90 
$            776 
Research Coordinator 
GS 12/1
$   36.64 
20
$   58.63 
$         1,173 
Administrative Officer
GS 12/1
$   36.64 
20
$   58.63 
$         1,173 
Federal Govt cost   

 
48 
 
$         3,122 
Source for base Hourly Rate salary information: 2026 OPM Salary Tables (hourly basic). The Fully Loaded rates are reported at Hourly Rate x 1.6.

Review of annual progress reports requires review by the Regional Administrator of the relevant Climate Adaptation Science Center. 

     Other Federal Government Expenses
Journal publication costs
$1,000


15.	Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments in hour or cost burden.

This application reflects a higher number of burden hours than the previous application, driven by program growth (from an estimated 100 to 135 active projects per year), better accounting of reporting requirements—including that each project requires a separate performance and financial report annually—and an increase in the GS level of review staff since the prior application. At the same time, while the overall number of reports has increased, the total burden hours are actually reduced relative to what this growth alone might suggest, because there are fewer responses to the "Request for Proposals to Enter Host Agreements." Since these responses are time-intensive and account for the bulk of the reporting burden, the decrease in that category substantially offsets the increases from program growth and expanded reporting requirements.


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.

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.