GPRA 2000

COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE, ENGINEERING, AND PUBLIC POLICY

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

As requested by Congress and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), the Committee on Science, Engineering, and Public Policy (COSEPUP) study on Accountability of Federally-Funded Research would assist federal agencies in crafting plans and reports that are responsive to the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA), OMB Guidance, and agency missions. The study would undertake independent assessments via case studies of the strategic and performance plans federal agencies have developed and of the responsiveness of their performance reports (which are due in March 2000) to GPRA.

PLAN OF ACTION

Statement of Task
As requested by Congress and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), this study would assist federal agencies in crafting plans and reports that are responsive to the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA), OMB Guidance, and agency missions. The study would undertake independent assessments via case studies of the strategic and performance plans federal agencies have developed and of the responsiveness of their performance reports (which are due in March 2000) to the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA). The assessment would take into account the agencies' missions and how science and technology programs and human resource needs are factored into agency GPRA plans. In addition, the study would suggest specific applications of recommendations from COSEPUP's earlier report entitled "Evaluating Federal Research Programs: Research and the Government Performance and Results Act." In addition, workshops would be conducted where the agencies could share best practices regarding their performance reports and stakeholders’ views could be heard.

Preliminary Work Plan
The evaluation will be conducted via a case study approach. The strategic and performance plans as well as performance reports for 5 agency programs will be evaluated by 5 panels consisting of 5 individuals each. Members of the panel would include researchers and policy analysts who are familiar with that agency. Their evaluations would then feed into an overall assessment that would be conducted by a synthesis panel consisting of COSEPUP members, the case study panel chairs, and others as deemed necessary.

Each panel would meet twice. In addition, workshops would be held so that members of the research community and the oversight entities would have an opportunity to comment on the plans and performance report.

PRODUCT AND PRELIMINARY DISSEMINATION PLAN

Product
The anticipated product would be a brief report providing guidance to Federal agencies, Congress, OMB, and OSTP. The report will be available to the public and widely disseminated including posting on the World Wide Web.

Report Audience
Congressional staff; Agency official(s); Congressional committee(s); Policy leaders; Professional societies; Research community

Elements of a Dissemination Plan
Testimony; Briefings; Editorial; Press conference; Press announcement; Public release meeting; Special events for release (e.g., leadership dinner); Conference sessions (e.g., at professional society meeting); Targeted workshops; Outreach publication; Web site