2018-22995. Information Collection Requirement; Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS); Contract Financing

AGENCY:

Defense Acquisition Regulations System, Department of Defense (DoD).

ACTION:

Notice and request for comments regarding a proposed extension of an approved information collection requirement.

SUMMARY:

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, DoD announces the proposed extension of a public information collection requirement and seeks public comment on the provisions thereof. DoD invites comments on: Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of DoD, including whether the information will have practical utility; the accuracy of the estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways to minimize the burden of the information collection on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved this information collection for use through January 31, 2019. DoD proposes that OMB extend its approval for use for three additional years beyond the current expiration date.

DATES:

DoD will consider all comments received by December 21, 2018.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments, identified by OMB Control Number 0704-0321, using any of the following methods:

○ Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.

○ Email: [e-mail]. Include OMB Control Number 0704-0321 in the subject line of the message.

○ Fax: [phone].

○ Mail: Defense Acquisition Regulations System, Attn: Mr. Mark Gomersall, OUSD(A&S)DPC(DARS), 3060 Defense Pentagon, Room 3B941, Washington, DC 20301-3060.

Comments received generally will be posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov,, including any personal information provided.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mr. Mark Gomersall, at 571-372-6099.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title, Associated Form, and OMB Number: Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) Part 232, Contract Financing, and the Clause at 252.232-7002, Progress Payments for Foreign Military Sales Acquisitions; OMB Control Number 0704-0321.

Needs and Uses: Section 22 of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2762) requires the U.S. Government to use foreign funds, rather than U.S. appropriated funds, to purchase military equipment for foreign governments. To comply with this requirement, the Government needs to know how much to charge each country. The clause at 252.232-7002, Progress Payments for Foreign Military Sales Acquisitions, requires each contractor whose contract includes foreign military sales (FMS) requirements to submit a separate progress payment request for each progress payment rate, and to submit a supporting schedule that clearly distinguishes the contract's FMS requirements from U.S. requirements. The Government uses this information to determine how much of each country's funds to disburse to the contractor.

Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profit and not-for-profit institutions.

Respondent's Obligation: Required to obtain or retain benefits.

Number of Respondents: 144.

Responses per Respondent: Approximately 30.

Annual Responses: 4,320.

Average Burden per Response: 1.5 hours.

Annual Burden Hours: 6,480 (includes 2,160 response hours plus 4,320 recordkeeping hours).

Frequency: On occasion.

Summary of Information Collection

This information collection includes requirements relating to DFARS part 232, Contract Financing, and the related clause at DFARS 252.232-7002, Progress Payments for Foreign Military Sales Acquisitions. DFARS 232.502-4-70(a) prescribes use of the clause at DFARS 252.232-7002 in any contract that provides for progress payments and contains FMS requirements. The clause at 252.232-7002 requires each contractor whose contract includes FMS requirements to submit a separate progress payment request for each progress payment rate and to submit a supporting schedule that distinguishes the contract's FMS requirements from U.S. requirements.

Jennifer Lee Hawes,

Regulatory Control Officer, Defense Acquisition Regulations System.