2024-27728. Agency Information Collection Activity: Nonprofit Research and Education Corporations (NPCs)-Annual Report, Remediation Plans & Assessment Questionnaires

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Department of Veterans Affairs

1. [OMB Control No. 2900-0783]

AGENCY:

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension of a currently approved collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 27, 2025.

ADDRESSES:

Comments must be submitted through www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Program-Specific information: Rebecca Mimnall, 202-695-9434, [e-mail]. ( print page 93907)

VA PRA information: VA PRA Clearance Office, 202-461-8900, [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Under the PRA of 1995, Federal agencies must obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of information they conduct or sponsor. This request for comment is being made pursuant to section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA.

With respect to the following collection of information, VHA invites comments on: (1) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of VHA's functions, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of VHA's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (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 or the use of other forms of information technology.

Title: Nonprofit Research and Education Corporations (NPCs)—Annual Report, Remediation Plans & Assessment Questionnaires (VA Forms 10-10073, 10-10073A, 10-10073B, and 10-10073C).

OMB Control Number: 2900-0783. https://www.reginfo.gov/​public/​do/​PRASearch (Once at this link, you can enter the OMB Control Number to find the historical versions of this Information Collection).

Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.

Abstract: Federal law at 38 U.S.C. 7366, Accountability and Oversight, states “(b) each such corporation (NPC) shall submit to the Secretary (Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA)) an annual report providing a detailed statement of its operations, activities, and accomplishments during that year.” The individual NPC annual reports are combined into one NPC Annual Report to Congress. VA oversight of NPCs includes reviews, audits, self-assessments, and remediation plans. This information collection is used for oversight of NPCs and includes the following:

a. NPC Annual Report Template, VA Form 10-10073

b. NPC Audit Actions Items Remediation Plans, VA Form 10-10073A

c. NPPO Internal Control Questionnaire, VA Form 10-10073B

d. NPPO Operations Oversight Questionnaire, VA Form 10-10073C

NPC Annual Report Template, VA Form 10-10073

Since 1988, when the enabling legislation for the NPCs was passed, annual reports have been obtained from each NPC and combined into an NPC Annual Report to Congress. Congress uses the combined NPC Annual Report to Congress to monitor the progress of the overall NPC program it created. The NPC Annual Report to Congress is also used by top-level VA executives to evaluate the program and to recommend changes where needed. VHA's Nonprofit Oversight Board and the Nonprofit Program Office (NPPO) use both the combined NPC Annual Report to Congress and the individual NPC Annual Report Templates to monitor and oversee the NPCs. Trend analyses and other financial information are analyzed for each NPC and judgments made about each NPC's progress, financial viability, stewardship of assets, and accomplishments.

NPC Audit Actions Items Remediation Plans, VA Form 10-10073A

The NPC Audit Action Items Remediation Plans information collection is used to review the NPCs' remedies for audit deficiencies and recommendations. The major objective of the information collection is to help ensure proper corrective action. If any of the remediation plans submitted are inadequate, then the NPPO will make recommendations for sound, workable remedies.

NPPO Internal Control Questionnaire, VA Form 10-10073B

The NPPO Internal Control Questionnaire, or portions of it, will be used in conducting reviews, audits, and investigations of the NPCs. The major objective of the questionnaire is to uncover weaknesses and lapses in internal controls. The NPPO will then make recommendations for improved internal controls wherever there are weaknesses or lapses. The questionnaire also may be used as a voluntary self-assessment by the NPCs.

NPPO Operations Oversight Questionnaire, VA Form 10-10073C

The NPPO Operations Oversight Questionnaire, or portions of it, will be used in conducting operational reviews of the NPCs. The major objective of the questionnaire is to uncover operating problems and areas that need improvement. The NPPO will then make recommendations for operations improvements wherever problems or opportunities for improvement are found. The questionnaire also may be used as a voluntary self-assessment by the NPCs.

VHA does not anticipate any changes to the annual number of responses or burden hours. However, there are some minor updates to the forms for clarification and to comply with current guidance on standard PRA language.

Total Annual Burden: 858 hours.

Total Annual Responses: 300.

Affected Public: Individuals or Households.

Estimated Annual Burden:

a. NPC Annual Report Template—301 hours.

b. NPC Audit Actions Items Remediation Plans—84 hours.

c. NPPO Internal Control Questionnaire—344 hours.

d. NPPO Operations Oversight Questionnaire—129 hours.

Estimated Average Burden Per Respondent:

a. NPC Annual Report Template—210 minutes.

b. NPC Audit Actions Items Remediation Plans—120 minutes.

c. NPPO Internal Control Questionnaire—240 minutes.

d. NPPO Operations Oversight Questionnaire—90 minutes.

Frequency of Response: Once annually.

Estimated Number of Respondents:

a. NPC Annual Report Template—86.

b. NPC Audit Actions Items Remediation Plans—42.

c. NPPO Internal Control Questionnaire—86.

d. NPPO Operations Oversight Questionnaire—86.

Authority:44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.

Maribel Aponte,

VA PRA Clearance Officer, Office of Enterprise and Integration/Data Governance Analytics, Department of Veterans Affairs.