E6-17325. Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection; Program Announcement and Grant Application Instructions Template for the Older Americans Act Title IV ...

AGENCY:

Administration on Aging, HHS.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Administration on Aging (AoA) is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (the PRA), Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of Information, including each proposed extension of an existing collection of information, and to allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits comments on the information collection requirements relating to the standard Program Announcement and Grant Application Instructions template for Older Americans Act Title IV Discretionary Grant Program.

DATES:

Submit written or electronic comments on the collection of information by December 18, 2006.

ADDRESSES:

Submit electronic comments on the collection of information to: [e-mail].

Submit written comments on the collection of information to Greg Case, Administration on Aging, Washington, DC 20201 or by fax to [phone].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Greg Case at [phone] or [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Under the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), Federal agencies must obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of information they conduct or sponsor. “Collection of information” is defined in 44 U.S.C. 3502(3) and 5 CFR 1320.3(c) and includes agency request or requirements that members of the public submit reports, keep records, or provide information to a third party. Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)) requires Federal agencies to provide a 60-day notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension of an existing collection of information, before submitting the collection to OMB for approval. To comply with this requirement, AoA is publishing notice of the proposed collection of information set forth in this document. With respect to the following collection of information, AoA invites comments on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of AoA's functions, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of AoA's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques when appropriate, and other forms of information technology. AoA plans to submit to the Office of Management and Budget for approval Program Announcement and Grant Application Instructions Template for the Older Americans Act Title IV Discretionary Grants Program. The Program Announcement and Application Instructions provide the requirements and instructions for the submission of an application for funding opportunities of the Administration on Aging under Title IV of the Older Americans Act. Through its Title IV Program, the Administration on Aging (AoA) supports projects for the purpose of developing and testing new knowledge and program innovations with the potential for contributing to the well-being of older Americans. The Program Announcement template may be found on the AoA Web site at http://www.aoa.gov/​doingbus/​doingbus.asp. AoA estimates the burden of this collection of information as follows:

Frequency: The number of program announcements published is dependent upon the budget authorization for each Fiscal Year. AoA publishes an average of 10 to 15 program announcements per year.

Respondents: States, public agencies, private nonprofit agencies, institutions of higher education, and organizations including tribal organizations.

Estimated Number of Responses: 300 annually.

Total Estimated Burden Hours: 14,400.

Dated: October 12, 2006.

Josefina G. Carbonell,

Assistant Secretary for Aging.