03-26019. Federal Acquisition Regulation; Submission for OMB Review; Preaward Survey Forms (Standard Forms 1403, 1404, 1405, 1406, 1407, and 1408)

AGENCIES:

Department of Defense (DOD), General Services Administration (GSA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

ACTION:

Notice of request for public comments regarding an extension to an existing OMB clearance (9000-0011).

SUMMARY:

Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Secretariat has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request to review and approve an extension of a currently approved information collection requirement concerning Preaward Survey forms (Standard Forms 1403, 1404, 1405, 1406, 1407, and 1408). A request for public comments was published in the Federal Register at 68 FR 41321 on July 11, 2003. No comments were received.

Public comments are particularly invited on: Whether this collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of functions of the FAR, and whether it will have practical utility; whether our estimate of the public burden of this collection of information is accurate, and based on valid assumptions and methodology; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways in which we can minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, through the use of appropriate technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

DATES:

Submit comments on or before November 14, 2003.

ADDRESSES:

Submit comments, including suggestions for reducing this burden to the General Services Administration, FAR Secretariat (MVA), 1800 F Street, NW., Room 4035, Washington, DC 20405.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Craig Goral, Acquisition Policy Division, GSA [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Purpose

To protect the Government's interest and to ensure timely delivery of items of the requisite quality, contracting officers, prior to award, must make an affirmative determination that the prospective contractor is responsible, i.e., capable of performing the contract. Before making such a determination, the contracting officer must have in his possession or must obtain information sufficient to satisfy himself that the prospective contractor (i) has adequate financial resources, or the ability to obtain such resources, (ii) is able to comply with required delivery schedule, (iii) has a satisfactory record of performance, (iv) has a satisfactory record of integrity, and (v) is otherwise qualified and eligible to receive an award under appropriate laws and regulations. If such information is not in the contracting officer's possession, it is obtained through a preaward survey conducted by the contract administration office responsible for the plant and/or the geographic area in which the plant is located. The necessary data is collected by contract administration personnel from available data or through plant visits, phone calls, and correspondence and entered on Standard Forms 1403, 1404, 1405, 1406, 1407, and 1408 in detail commensurate with the dollar value and complexity of the procurement. The information is used by Federal contracting officers to determine whether a prospective contractor is responsible.

B. Annual Reporting Burden

Respondents: 5,478.

Responses Per Respondent: 1.

Total Responses: 5,478.

Hours Per Response: 20.8.

Total Burden Hours: 113,942.

Obtaining Copies of Proposals: Requesters may obtain a copy of the information collection documents from the General Services Administration, FAR Secretariat (MVA), 1800 F Street, NW., Room 4035, Washington, DC 20405, telephone [phone]. Please cite OMB Control No. 9000-0011, Preaward Survey Forms, in all correspondence.

Dated: October 8, 2003.

Ralph J. Destefano,

Acting Director, Acquisition Policy Division.