Circular No. 06/2012/TT-BTTTT on the management of scientific and technological tasks at the Ministry level in the field of information and communication.

CIRCULAR

Regulations on the management of Ministry-level scientific and technological tasks in the field of information and communications.

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Based on the Law on Science and Technology dated June 9, 2000;

Pursuant to Decree No. 81/2002/NĐ-CP dated October 17, 2002 of the Government detailing the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Science and Technology;

Based on Decree No. 187/2007/NĐ-CP dated December 25, 2007 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Information and Communications; and Decree No. 50/2011/NĐ-CP dated June 24, 2011 of the Government amending and supplementing Decree No. 187/2007/NĐ-CP dated December 25, 2007;

Considering the proposal of the Director of the Department of Science and Technology,

of the Minister of Information and Communication Regulations on the management of Ministry-level scientific and technological tasks in the field of information and communications.

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

These Circulars regulate the management and organization of implementation of Ministry-level scientific and technological tasks of the Ministry of Information and Communications including determining the list, assigning/selecting to implement scientific and technological tasks; organizing the implementation of scientific and technological tasks; rewarding and handling violations.

Article 2. Applicability

These Circulars apply to organizations and individuals related to the implementation of Ministry-level scientific and technological tasks in the field of information and communications.

Article 3. Explanation of Terms

1. Ministry-level scientific and technological tasks are scientific and technological issues in the field of information and communications that need to be resolved, organized and determined by the Ministry of Information and Communications based on priority scientific and technological directions, main scientific and technological tasks of the State, and based on the needs for economic and social development, implemented in the form of research topics, projects, programs of scientific and technological activities; or other tasks supporting the implementation of the aforementioned tasks.

2. Scientific and technological research topics are contents of research on a scientific and technological subject, research and development and application of technology. Research topics can be independent or part of scientific and technological projects or programs.

3. Scientific and technological projects are contents of conducting scientific research activities, developing technology, applying technology; applying and testing solutions, methods, models of economic and social management. Projects can be independent or part of scientific and technological programs.

4. Scientific and technological programs include a group of scientific and technological research topics and projects, compiled with a specific purpose to achieve specific goals of scientific and technological development or application in practice.

5. Scientific and technological tasks at the grassroots level are research contents at the grassroots level, consistent with the management orientation of the Ministry, having practical value to solve scientific and technological issues serving the direct activities of organizations and promoting the development of the information and communication sector.

Article 4. Methods of implementing scientific and technological tasks

1. Ministry-level scientific and technological tasks are implemented through two methods: direct assignment or selection.

2. Scientific and technological tasks with multiple organizations and individuals registering and meeting the conditions for implementation shall be selected to achieve the highest efficiency.

Article 5. Requirements for scientific and technological tasks

1. Having scientific value, solving scientific and technological issues to promote the development of the information and communication sector.

2. Having practical value, research results capable of practical application.

3. Being feasible.

Article 6. Requirements for organizations and individuals in charge of scientific and technological tasks

1. Organizations in charge of scientific and technological tasks must have functions suitable to the field of science and technology of the task, and must have sufficient conditions regarding human resources, equipment, and necessary infrastructure to effectively carry out the task.

2. Individuals in charge of tasks must have adequate capacity and experience in the relevant field. In each planning year, each individual may only be allowed to lead a maximum of two scientific and technological tasks. The number of individuals participating in the implementation of the task depends on the nature of the task.

Article 7. Funding for scientific and technological tasks at the Ministry level

1. Funding for scientific and technological tasks at the Ministry level includes:

a) State budget funds;

b) Other sources of funding as prescribed.

2. Encouragement is given to organizations and individuals implementing scientific and technological tasks with funding outside the state budget.

Chapter II

MANAGEMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF MINISTRY-LEVEL SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL TASKS AND MINISTERIAL TECHNOLOGY

Article 8. Specialized scientific and technological orientation

Based on the national strategy for the development of science and technology, the needs for the development of the information and communication industry, the Department of Science and Technology has the responsibility to develop plans and orientations for the specialized development of science and technology in the information and communication sector for each phase, to be submitted to the Minister for approval.

Article 9. Proposing and registering scientific and technological tasks

1. Annually, based on the announcement of the Ministry of Information and Communications, organizations and individuals submit registration forms for scientific and technological tasks to the Ministry of Information and Communications (Department of Science and Technology) before June 1st of the year prior to the planning year for consolidation.

2. Organizations and individuals conducting research and proposing scientific and technological tasks for study shall do so in the forms prescribed in Article 3 of this Circular.

3. Scientific and technological tasks proposed and registered must clearly specify the following contents:

a) Name of the scientific and technological task;

b) Name of the individual in charge;

c) Necessity and feasibility;

d) Clear objectives;

e) Good practical effectiveness;

f) Main content to be studied and time frame for implementation;

g) Expected results and anticipated applicability, address, and time;

h) Estimated necessary funding for implementation.

(Registration form according to model B1-PĐK-BTTTT in Appendix 1)

Article 10. Determining scientific and technological tasks

1. The Department of Science and Technology studies and proposes to the Minister of Information and Communications to establish a Council to determine the list of scientific and technological tasks according to current regulations.

2. Based on the advisory results of the Council, the Department of Science and Technology compiles the list of scientific and technological tasks, reports to the Minister for consideration and decision to include in the next year's scientific and technological plan (planning year).

3. The Department of Science and Technology studies and publicly announces the list of Ministry-level scientific and technological tasks approved by the Minister for organizations and individuals to participate in selection.

Article 11. Direct assignment to implement scientific and technological tasks

1. For scientific and technological tasks with special characteristics that can only be carried out by one organization or individual with the necessary conditions, the Department of Science and Technology studies, selects, and proposes to the Minister of Information and Communications to directly assign the implementation to organizations or individuals with the necessary conditions.

2. Organizations and individuals assigned scientific and technological tasks must prepare a project outline (Project Outline and Detailed Budget according to models B2-ĐCKHCN-BTTTT and B3-DTKHCN-BTTTT in Appendix 1) and defend it before the Science and Technology Council established by the Ministry of Information and Communications, if necessary.

Article 12. Selection of organizations and individuals to lead the implementation of scientific and technological tasks

1. Organizations and individuals submit letters requesting participation in the selection process along with the Application Form for Selection including eight detailed project outlines and budgets (Detailed Project Outlines and Budgets according to Model B2-ĐCKHCN-BTTTT and B3-DTKHCN-BTTTT in Appendix 1) to the Ministry of Information and Communications (Science and Technology Department).

2. The Science and Technology Department examines and submits to the Minister for the establishment of a Selection Committee for organizations and individuals leading the implementation of scientific and technological tasks in accordance with current regulations.

3. The selection period is from July to October of the year preceding the planning year.

Article 13. Approval of Scientific and Technological Tasks

1. Based on the proposed assignment of tasks and/or the results of the selection, the Science and Technology Department compiles a list of tasks and submits it to the Minister for consideration and decision on the scientific and technological tasks to be implemented in the planning year.

2. The decision approving scientific and technological tasks for the planning year will be approved before December 31 of the year preceding the planning year.

3. The Science and Technology Department is responsible for notifying the number of tasks and corresponding funds to organizations and individuals implementing the tasks after receiving the Minister's approval decision.

Article 14. Approval of Detailed Outlines and Signing of Scientific and Technological Contracts

1. Based on the Minister's decision approving scientific and technological tasks for the planning year, the Minister authorizes the Director of the Science and Technology Department or the Head of the Office to sign the scientific and technological contracts as Party A. Accompanying the contract is the approved detailed outline and budget table (Contract according to Model B4-HĐKHCN-BTTTT in Appendix 1).

2. The rights and obligations of the parties participating in the contract are carried out in accordance with current state regulations.

3. Organizations and individuals leading the tasks have the right to sign contracts with other organizations or individuals capable of implementing part of the work that they do not have sufficient conditions to carry out.

4. The heads of organizations leading the tasks are responsible to the Minister for the implementation of the approved tasks.

Article 15. Reporting and Inspection of the Implementation of Scientific and Technological Tasks

1. Every six months from the date of assignment of the task (with the decision approving scientific and technological tasks), the task leaders must report to the Ministry of Information and Communications (Science and Technology Department) on the implementation of projects, programs (according to the Implementation Status Report Model B5-BCKHCN-BTTTT in Appendix 1).

2. When necessary, the Science and Technology Department has the right to request ad hoc reports; or take the lead, coordinate with the Planning and Finance Department, the Office, and related units to organize inspections of the implementation of scientific and technological tasks.

3. Based on the inspection/report results, the Science and Technology Department issues a confirmation document as the basis for supplementing the implementation funds.

4. During the implementation process, due to objective reasons requiring changes to the research contents already approved, the leading organization must report to the Ministry of Information and Communications (Science and Technology Department) for submission to the Minister for review and approval.

Article 16. Acceptance of Scientific and Technological Tasks

1. When scientific and technological tasks are completed, they must be accepted and evaluated for results at a specialized Science and Technology Council in accordance with current regulations.

2. Research topics and projects are accepted in two steps: Basic-level acceptance and Ministry-level acceptance.

3. Research topics and projects to establish technical standards and specifications will be conducted according to the general process and requirements for establishing national technical regulations and standards as stipulated in Circular No. 03/2011/TT-BTTTT dated January 4, 2011, concerning activities to establish national technical regulations and standards under the Ministry of Information and Communications.

Article 17. Basic-level Acceptance

1. Basic-level acceptance is organized by the entity responsible for the task through a Science Council established by the head of the responsible entity (hereinafter referred to as the Basic-level Acceptance Council). The Basic-level Acceptance Council consists of five or seven members who are experts in the relevant research field corresponding to the task and must include members from outside the responsible entity. Individuals implementing the task may not participate in the Council.

2. For tasks led by independent individuals, the Department of Science and Technology will organize basic-level acceptance within ten days from the date of receiving complete files including the research result report, summary of research results, scientific and technological contract, and product samples (if available).

3. The Basic-level Acceptance Council is responsible for evaluating acceptance according to the objectives, contents, results, and progress recorded in the approved scientific and technological outline and bears responsibility for evaluating the acceptance of the scientific and technological task results.

Article 18. Ministry-level Acceptance

1. After completing the task content based on the conclusion of the basic-level acceptance council, the entity responsible for the task sends a letter requesting ministry-level acceptance to the Ministry of Information and Communications (Department of Science and Technology) along with eight sets of files for ministry-level acceptance including:

a) Decision to establish the Basic-level Acceptance Council accompanied by the minutes of the Basic-level Acceptance Council meeting;

b) Comments of the reviewing members during basic-level acceptance;

c) Research result report (as specified in Appendix 2);

d) Summary of research results (as specified in Appendix 2);

đ) Scientific and technological contract (with the outline and budget estimate attached);

e) Product samples and comments of the applying organization (if applicable).

2. The letter and acceptance files must be sent to the Ministry of Information and Communications thirty days before the completion deadline stated in the contract. Based on this, the Department of Science and Technology issues a confirmation document to serve as the basis for additional funding allocation.

3. Within ten days from the date of receiving all valid files, the Department of Science and Technology submits a decision to establish the Ministry-level Acceptance Council to the Minister for approval. The Council includes seven members comprising the chairman, secretary, reviewing members (at least two reviewing members), and members who are experts in the relevant research field.

4. The evaluation contents of the Ministry-level Acceptance include:

a) Degree of compliance with the objectives, contents, and results compared to the approved outline;

b) Scientific and practical value of the research results;

c) Quality of the research result report regarding content, textual structure, and presentation method of research results...

5. The Ministry-level Acceptance Council organizes an acceptance meeting within twenty days from the date of establishment decision. The Council will convene when more than two-thirds of the members are present and have sufficient comments from the reviewing members.

6. The Ministry-level Acceptance Council operates based on the principle of centralization and evaluates the task according to the requirements in the Task Evaluation Form (model B6-PĐGNVKHCN-BTTTT in Appendix 1). Accordingly, the task will be classified into Excellent, Good, Fair, Pass, and Fail levels.

7. After the Ministry-level Acceptance Council convenes and has the acceptance minutes (model B7-BBNTNVKHCN-BTTTT in Appendix 1), the task leader completes the files according to the evaluation opinions.

Article 19. Submission of Reports on Research Project Results After Acceptance

1. Within no more than ten days after acceptance at the Ministry level, the organization or individual in charge must submit two sets of research project results after acceptance to the Ministry of Information and Communications (Science and Technology Department) (including a CD containing the electronic version of the result report).

2. The set of research project results after acceptance includes:

a) The completed research result report and summary report based on the conclusions of the Ministry-level Acceptance Board;

b) Documentation of feedback and detailed explanations for revisions made by the project leader;

c) Completed product samples based on the conclusions of the Ministry-level Acceptance Board (if applicable).

3. After completing the dossier, within a maximum period of five days, the Science and Technology Department will review and assess the completeness of the dossier and confirm it as the basis for settlement of the project.

4. The research results of the project will be stored at the Science and Technology Department and will be reviewed and published in the Journal of Information Technology and Telecommunications and on the website of the Ministry of Information and Communications.

Article 20. Management and Settlement of Scientific and Technological Task Funds

1. Based on the Decision on the Plan for Scientific and Technological Tasks, the Ministry of Information and Communications will allocate funds to units to carry out scientific and technological tasks. Unit heads are responsible for managing funds in accordance with regulations. For each scientific and technological task, the leader may temporarily advance and settle as follows:

- First advance up to 50% of the contract amount after the scientific and technological outline, budget estimate, and contract have been approved;

- Second advance up to 30% of the contract amount after progress has been checked (with confirmation from the Science and Technology Department) or after preliminary acceptance (with an acceptance record).

2. Within no more than ten days from the date of Ministry-level acceptance, the organization or individual in charge must complete and submit the final settlement report of the task to the Ministry of Information and Communications (Planning and Finance Department) for approval, including:

- Confirmation of submission of post-acceptance results;

- Ministry-level acceptance record;

- Relevant settlement documents.

3. The Planning and Finance Department will organize verification and approve the settlement within no more than ten days from receipt of the complete settlement dossier.

4. After the settlement is approved (with a settlement approval form from the Planning and Finance Department), the remaining funds will be paid.

Article 21. Dissemination and Implementation of Scientific and Technological Research Results in Practical Management and Production

1. The Science and Technology Department will coordinate with relevant units, organizations, individuals in charge of implementing scientific and technological tasks, and related agencies to disseminate and apply research results in practice.

2. Organizations and individuals in charge of tasks are responsible for transferring research results to practical application according to regulations.

3. Encouragement is given to organizations and individuals to consider and prioritize the application of scientific and technological research results to improve management innovation, technology innovation, enhance product competitiveness, and enjoy preferential treatment as prescribed.

Article 22. Rewards and Handling Violations in the Implementation of Scientific and Technological Tasks

1. Organizations and individuals who implement Pursuant to Decree No. 111/2021/NĐ-CP dated December 9, 2021 of the Government amending and supplementing certain articles of Decree No. 14/2017/NĐ-CP dated April 14, 2017 of the Government on product labeling; achieve outstanding results, applied in production and daily life, bringing high economic and social benefits, shall be considered for rewards by the Minister of Article 7. The content of the "Citizen Reception Rules" shall be implemented in accordance with the Appendix attached to this Circular. . The source and level of rewards shall be implemented in accordance with current regulations.

2. The evaluation results of the implementation of scientific and technological tasks are one of the criteria for annual competition and reward assessment (by the Ministry of Information and Communications). Individuals in charge of scientific and technological tasks that do not meet the requirements (as stipulated in Clause 6, Article 18 of this Circular) shall not be considered for professional rewards. Organizations with individuals who violate regulations, depending on the severity, may be proposed to reduce their rewards.

3. Handling violations in the implementation of scientific and technological tasks is as follows:

a) Tasks that are delayed compared to the approved outline or deemed to be of poor quality or unable to be completed (based on inspections and reports under Article 15 of this Circular) will be handled as follows:

- Written reminders to the heads of organizations and individuals in charge. If not resolved, the Science and Technology Department will propose the formation of a working group (comprising members from the Science and Technology Department, Planning and Finance Department, and Office) to work directly with the organizations and individuals in charge of the task. The results of the meeting will be recorded in a minutes document and filed in the scientific and technological task dossier.

- If necessary, the Science and Technology Department will report to the Minister to stop the task, request the Planning and Finance Department or Office to process the recovery of allocated funds (if any) in accordance with regulations; and report to the Minister to reallocate or undertake another task.

b) Tasks that do not meet the requirements (as stipulated in Clause 6, Article 18 This circular) will have their allocated funds recovered according to regulations. Individuals who fail to meet the requirements will not be assigned to lead tasks for at least two years.

c) In cases of serious violations, they will be handled according to current laws.

4. Annually, based on summarizing and evaluating the situation of scientific and technological task implementation in the year, the Science and Technology Department will report the results of scientific and technological task implementation to the Standing Committee for Competition and Reward of the Ministry of Information and Communications before December 25.

Chapter III

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 23. Responsibility for Implementation

1. The Science and Technology Department will guide, inspect, urge, and supervise the implementation of this Circular; every five years, organize an evaluation of specialized scientific and technological research results and develop directions for the next phase to be submitted to the Minister for approval.

2. The Planning and Finance Department and the Office will provide financial guidance to organizations and individuals implementing scientific and technological tasks in accordance with state regulations.

3. To avoid duplication of research contents to ensure efficient use of scientific and technological resources, units under the Ministry of Information and Communications shall annually be responsible for compiling anticipated basic-level scientific and technological tasks, submit them to the Ministry of Information and Communications for comments before approval, and report on the implementation results.

4. The Director of the Office, Heads of the Science and Technology Department, Heads of the Planning and Finance Department, Heads of agencies and units under the Ministry, and individuals and organizations participating in scientific and technological tasks shall be responsible for implementing this Circular. During the implementation process, if there are any developments, individuals and organizations shall report to the Ministry of Information and Communications (through the Science and Technology Department) for consolidation, and submission to the Minister for supplementation and amendment.

Article 24. Effective Date

This Circular takes effect from August 1, 2012./.