[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 209 (Friday, October 29, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58375-58376]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-28378]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Commodity Credit Corporation
Notice of Request for Approval of a New Information Collection
AGENCY: Commodity Credit Corporation, USDA.
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
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SUMMARY: Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) is seeking approval from
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for use of the forms
necessary to implement the Total Quality Systems Audit (TQSA) program.
This information collection will allow CCC to determine compliance
with TQSA standards. This program is being implemented to ensure that
CCC purchases meet customer requirements and needs. Vendors offering
processed commodities covered by TQSA for sale to CCC will have to meet
quality control standards to assure the quality of the end product to
be purchased by CCC.
DATES: Comments on this notice must be received on or before December
28, 1999 to be assured consideration.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Mehl, Chief, Warehouse License and
Examination Division, Kansas City Commodity Office, 9200 Ward Parkway,
Kansas City, Missouri 64114, telephone (816) 926-6843, fax (816) 926-
1774.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: Total Quality Systems Audit Program.
OMB Control Number: 0560-NEW.
Type of Request: Approval of a new information collection.
Abstract: TQSA is a fee for service program open to food processors
and other food related manufacturers of certain products purchased by
CCC. Participation in the TQSA program may be required by CCC. Such
requirement will be included in the applicable CCC commodity purchase
announcement or invitation. A TQSA team has been organized in the Farm
Service Agency (FSA) from personnel in FSA's Commodity Operations
Division and the Department's Kansas City Commodity Office (KCCO).
During a TQSA audit, the participating vendor must make available
to the audit team records pertaining to organization, production, work
procedures, quality testing, shipping, sub-supplier certifications,
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proof of U.S. origin, and all USDA contract documents. The vendor will
make available key personnel and production workers for interview.
The TQSA team coordinates the audit with the vendor's management.
The team makes detailed assessments of the vendor's production
facilities, equipment, and procedures. Quality procedures and
documentation are reviewed and assessed for compliance to TQSA
standards. Records pertaining to purchasing, production, shipping, and
safety are appraised. A review of CCC contracted products is made.
Four types of TQSA audits are performed:
1. Baseline audits are done for new or potential TQSA participants.
The audit provides the company with guidelines to meet the TQSA
standards.
2. Full audits are mandatory for those vendors that have previously
met the TQSA standards and wish to remain in compliance with the TQSA
program.
3. Surveillance audits are limited in scope to confirm corrective
actions, found during full audits, are complete and successfully
implemented.
4. Destination reviews are conducted at a point in the commodity
distribution chain to verify the product conforms to standards. The
review is usually conducted as part of an audit program to check
product quality, but may be conducted in response to a customer
complaint.
To be compliant with TQSA standards the vendor must completely
conform to Good Manufacturing Practices (21 CFR Part 110), Applicable
Federal or State food safety requirements, and current commodity
announcement/invitations, if applicable. Vendors must also demonstrate
an acceptable level of conformance with ISO/ANSI/ASQ 9001-1994 Quality
Systems Model for Quality Assurance in Design, Development, Production,
Installation, and Servicing Standards.
All observations and findings of non-conformance will be recorded
on the Audit Summary (KC-1TQ). Evidence of major non-conformance or
system failures will be reported on the Corrective Actions Request (KC-
3TQ).
At the conclusion of the audit a score is determined according to
established procedures. This score is also used to determine the
frequency of future audits. The score, the audit results on the KC-1TQ,
the KC-3TQ, and the billable hours are discussed with the vendor's
representative at an exit meeting. Any disputes will be settled during
this meeting and the results and the score revised if necessary. The
score finalized during this meeting cannot be disputed at a later date.
The Audit Summary (KC-1TQ) and the Corrective Action Request (KC-
3TQ) require the signature of the vendor's representative. The
signature constitutes agreement with the results and score of the
audit. The signed forms are provided to KCCO. This information may be
used to determine the eligibility for and awarding of contracts.
Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for collecting
information under this notice is estimated to average 30 minutes per
response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching
existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and
completing and reviewing the collection of information.
Respondents: Food vendors participating in the TQSA Program.
Respondents: 250.
Estimated Number of Annual Responses per Respondent: 2.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Per Respondent: 1 hour.
Total Annual Responses: 500.
Total Annual Burden Hours: 250.
Proposed topics for comment include: (a) Whether the collection of
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of
the agency, including whether the information will have practical
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including
the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to
enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information collected;
or (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of the information
on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection
techniques or other forms of information technology.
Comments regarding this information collection requirement may be
directed to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of
Management and Budget, Attention: Desk Officer for USDA, Washington, DC
20503, and to Timothy P. Mehl, Chief, Warehouse Licensing and
Examination Division, Kansas City Commodity Office, 9200 Ward Parkway,
Kansas City, Missouri 64114, telephone (816) 926-6843, fax (816) 926-
1774.
All comments will become a matter of public record.
Signed at Washington, DC, on October 25, 1999.
Keith Kelly,
Executive Vice President, Commodity Credit Corporation.
[FR Doc. 99-28378 Filed 10-28-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P
