If you use Xenbase and other online resources respond to this RFI to ensure continued funding

Dear Xenopus Community,

Please be aware of the following request for information (RFI) from the NIH:

https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-21-182.html

Responding to this RFI provides input to the NIH about the utility and value of model organism databases (MODs). A lack of response from the research community emphasizing the utility and high value of MODs tailored for and responsive to the specific needs to the research commnity such as ours may be used to justify consolidations or elimination of investigator-run MODs like Xenbase.

Details for this RFI are below:

Request for Information (RFI) on User Experience with Scientific Data Sources and Tools

Notice Number:
NOT-OD-21-182

Key Dates
Release Date:
September 1, 2021

Response Date:October 15, 2021

Related Announcements
None

Issued by
Office of Portfolio Analysis (OPA)

Purpose
The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to seek input from the scientific community to advance the fundamental understanding of experiences in using scientific data sources and tools.

Background
The Office of Portfolio Analysis (OPA) was established in 2011 and is part of the Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives (DPCPSI) within the Office of the NIH Director (OD). OPA supports the NIH mission by expanding its analytic capabilities through development and dissemination of new methods, data sources, computational tools, and best practices for data-driven decision making. The following website provides an overview of previous and current OPA activities: https://dpcpsi.nih.gov/opa.

Information Requested
Information is being sought on the experience using scientific data sources and tools that may include, but are not limited to the following:

iCite
PubMed
NIH RePORTER
Google Scholar
Grants.gov
ClinicalTrials.gov
USAspending.gov
FDA Orange Book
USPTO.gov
Web of Science
SCOPUS
Flybase
Dimensions
OPA seeks the following information:

Tell us about your experience with the way you access information about Biomedical topics. This could include reading articles, attending lectures, or watching related videos.
Tell us about your experience and frequency of use of existing web tools or research databases (e.g., PubMed - every day, Google Scholar - every week, USAspending.gov - once a month, etc.).

Please provide input on your intended purpose in using these tools (focused searches on a particular topic, explore content more broadly, or both?)
Tell us about your experience with the functionalities, including unique functionalities, that you find to be most effective or useful, as well as functionalities that would improve one or more of the tools you use.

Tell us about your experience with the tools you use to access productivity metrics (e.g., those used to measure productivity of individuals and/or groups), including ways these assessments and tools are limited, as well as potential opportunities or enhancements for these tools to facilitate measurement of productivity.

How to Submit a Response

To respond to this RFI, please go to the submission website: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5NGLNNJ.

Respondents are not required to provide their name with the response.

Responses to this RFI are voluntary. This RFI is for planning purposes only and should not be construed as a solicitation or an obligation on the part of the Federal Government, the National Institutes of Health, or individual NIH Institutes or Centers. The NIH does not intend to make any type of award based on responses to this RFI or to pay for either the preparation of information submitted or the Government’s use of such information.

The NIH will use the information submitted in response to this RFI at its discretion and will not provide comments to any responder's submission. However, responses to the RFI may be reflected in future funding opportunity announcements. The information provided will be analyzed and may be shared publicly or appear in reports. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s).

Inquiries
Please direct all inquiries to:

George Santangelo, Ph.D.
Office of Portfolio Analysis
Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives
Office of the Director
Telephone: 301-496-5006
Email: opainformation@nih.gov