2021-00449. Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Application for NATO International Bidding

AGENCY:

Bureau of Industry and Security, Commerce.

ACTION:

Notice of information collection, request for comment.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.

DATES:

To ensure consideration, comments regarding this proposed information collection must be received on or before March 15, 2021.

ADDRESSES:

Interested persons are invited to submit comments by email to Mark Crace, IC Liaison, Bureau of Industry and Security, at [e-mail] or to [e-mail]). Do not submit Confidential Business Information or otherwise sensitive or protected information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional information or specific questions related to collection activities should be directed to Mark Crace, IC Liaison, Bureau of Industry and Security, phone [phone] or by email at [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

This new proposed information collection replaces previously approved generic collection 0694-0128. All U.S. firms desiring to participate in the NATO International Competitive Bidding (ICB) process under the NATO Security Investment Program (NSIP) must be certified as technically, financially and professionally competent. The U.S. Department of Commerce provides the Declaration of Eligibility that certifies these firms. Any such firm seeking certification is required to submit a completed Form BIS-4023P along with a current annual financial report and a resume of past projects in order to become certified and placed on the Consolidated List of Eligible Bidders.

II. Method of Collection

Applications are submitted to the U.S. Department of Commerce's Office of Strategic Industries and Economic Security, Defense Programs Division where the contents are reviewed for completeness and accuracy by the NATO Program Specialist. The application is a one-time effort. The information provided on the BIS-4023P form is used to certify the U.S. firm and place it in the bidders list database. BIS has developed a form-fillable .PDF version of the BIS-4023P to enable electronic submission of this form. The form is available at the following URL: http://www.bis.doc.gov/​index.php/​other-areas/​strategic-industries-and-economic-security-sies/​nato-related-business-opportunities.

Completed applications and supporting documentation may be submitted electronically via email.

III. Data

OMB Control Number: 0694-XXXX.

Form Number(s): BIS-4023P.

Type of Review: New; Regular submission.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 50.

Estimated Time per Response: 1 hour.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 50.

Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: 0.

Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.

Legal Authority: Section 401 (10) of Executive order 12656 (November 18, 1988), 15 U.S.C. 1512.

IV. Request for Comments

We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department/Bureau to: (a) Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is necessary for the proper functions of the Department, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the time and cost burden for this proposed collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) Evaluate ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) Minimize the reporting burden on those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of public record. We will include or summarize each comment in our request to OMB to approve this ICR. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment—including your personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you may ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.

Sheleen Dumas,

Department PRA Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief Information Officer, Commerce Department.