2023-24211. Proposed Information Collection Activity; Advance Planning Document (APD) Process (Office of Management and Budget #0970-0417)

AGENCY:

Office of Child Support Services, Administration for Children and Families, United States Department of Health and Human Services.

ACTION:

Request for public comments.

SUMMARY:

The Administration for Children and Families' (ACF) Office of Child Support Services (OCSS) is requesting a 3-year extension for the Advance Planning Document (APD) process (OMB #0970–0417). No changes are proposed.

DATES:

Comments due within 60 days of publication. In compliance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, ACF is soliciting public comment on the specific aspects of the information collection described above.

ADDRESSES:

You can obtain copies of the proposed collection of information and submit comments by emailing [e-mail]. Identify all requests by the title of the information collection.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Description: State child support agencies are required to establish and operate a federally approved statewide Automated Data Processing (ADP) and information retrieval system to assist in child support services. The APD process, established at 45 CFR part 95, subpart F, is the procedure by which states request and obtain approval for Federal Financial Participation (FFP) in their cost of acquiring ADP equipment and services. The ACF OCSS Division of State and Tribal Systems (DSTS) oversees this process.

States are required to submit an initial APD, containing information to assist the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in determining if the state computerized support enforcement project planning and implementation meets Federal certification requirements needed for the approval of FFP. States are then required to submit annual APD updates to HHS to report project status and request ongoing FFP for systems development, enhancements, operations, and maintenance. As-needed APDs are also submitted to acquire FFP when major milestones are missed or significant changes to project schedules occur. Based on an assessment of the information provided in the APD, states that do not meet the Federal requirements necessary for approval are required to conduct periodic independent verification and validation services for high-risk project oversight.

In addition to the APDs providing HHS/ACF/OCSS with the information necessary to determine the allowable level of Federal funding for state systems projects, states also submit associated procurement and data security documents, such as requests for proposals (RFPs), contracts, contract amendments, and the biennial security review reports.

Respondents: State child support agencies.

Annual Burden Estimates

Instrument	Total number of respondents	Total number of responses per respondent	Average burden hours per response	Total burden hours	Annual burden hours
RFP and Contract	50	4.5	4	900	300
Emergency Funding Request	21	1	2	42	14
Biennial Reports	54	1.5	1.5	121.5	40.5
Advance Planning Document	44	3.6	120	19,008	6,336
Operational Advance Planning Document	10	3	30	900	300
Independent Verification and Validation (ongoing)	3	12	10	360	120
Independent Verification and Validation (semiannually)	4	6	16	384	128
Independent Verification and Validation (quarterly)	10	12	30	3,600	1,200
System Certification	3	3	240	2,160	720

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 9,158.50.

Comments: The Department specifically requests comments on (a) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Consideration will be given to comments and suggestions submitted within 60 days of this publication.

Authority:45 CFR part 95, subpart F.

Mary B. Jones,

ACF/OPRE Certifying Officer.