2018-25154. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

November 14, 2018.

The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments are requested regarding (1) 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; (2) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden 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 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 received by December 19, 2018 will be considered. Written comments should be addressed to: Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), New Executive Office Building, 725 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20502. Commenters are encouraged to submit their comments to OMB via email to: [e-mail] or fax [phone] and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-7602. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling [phone].

An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to respond to the collection of information that such persons are not required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

Agricultural Research Service

Title: Information Collection for Document Delivery Services.

OMB Control Number: 0518-0027.

Summary of Collection: The National Agricultural Library (NAL) accepts requests from libraries and other organizations in accordance with the national and international interlibrary loan code and guidelines. In its national role, NAL collects and supplies copies or loans of agricultural materials not found elsewhere. 7 U.S.C. 3125a and 7 CFR 505 gives NAL the authority to collect this information. NAL provides photocopies and loans of materials directly to USDA staff, other Federal agencies, libraries and other institutions, and indirectly to the public through their libraries. The Library charges for some of these activities through a fee schedule. In order to fill a request for reproduction or loan of items the library must have the name, mailing address, phone number of the respondent initiating the request, and may require either a fax number, email address, or Ariel IP address. The collected information is used to deliver the material to the respondent, bill for and track payment of applicable fees, monitor the return to NAL of loaned material, identify and locate the requested material in NAL collections, and determine whether the respondent consents to the fees charged by NAL.

Need and Use of the Information: The NAL document delivery staff uses the information collected to identify the protocol for processing the request. The information collected determines whether the respondent is charged or exempt from any charges and what process the recipient uses to make payment if the request is chargeable. The staff also uses the information provided to process/package the reproduction or loan for delivery. Without the requested information NAL has no way to locate and deliver the loan or reproduction to the respondent, and thus cannot meet its mandate to supply agricultural material.

Description of Respondents: Federal Government; Not-for-profit institutions; State, Local or Tribal Government; Business or other for-profit.

Number of Respondents: 590.

Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 69.

Agricultural Research Service

Title: Web Forms for Research Data, Models, Materials, and Publications as well as Study and Event Registration.

OMB Control Number: 0518-0032.

Summary of Collection: OMB Circular 130 Management of Federal Information Resources, establishes that “agencies will use electronic media and formats . . . in order to make government information more easily accessible and useful to the public” In order to provide information and services related to its program responsibilities defined at 7 CFR 2.65, the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) needs to obtain certain basic information from the public. Online forms allow the public to request from ARS research data, models, materials, and publications as well as registration for scientific studies and events.

Need and Use of the Information: ARS will use the information to respond to requests for specific services. The information will be collected electronically. If this collection is not conducted, ARS will be hindered from reducing the burden on its customers by providing them the most timely and efficient way to request services.

Description of Respondents: Individuals or households.

Number of Respondents: 8,750.

Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 438.

Ruth Brown,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.