05-21935. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

October 31, 2005.

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 regarding (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 to be collected; (d) 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 should be addressed to: Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), [e-mail] or fax [phone] and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-7602. Comments regarding these information collections are best assured of having their full effect if received within 30 days of this notification. 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.

Office of the Chief Information Officer

Title: USDA eAuthentication Service Customer Registration.

OMB Control Number: 0503-0014.

Summary Of Collection: The USDA Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) developed the eAuthentication system as a management and technical process that addresses user authentication and authorization prerequisites for providing services electronically. The eAuthentication Service provides an electronic alternative to traditional ink signatures. The process requires a voluntary one-time electronic self-registration to obtain an eAuthentication account for each USDA Agency customer desiring access to USDA online services and applications protected by eAuthentication. The information collected through the electronic self-registration process is necessary to enable the electronic authentication of users and grant them access to only those resources for which they are authorized.

Need And Use of the Information: The voluntary self-registration process applies to USDA customers and employees who request access to online USDA services and applications that are protected by eAuthentication. Users can register directly from the eAuthentication Web site located at www.eauth.egov.usda.gov. The information collected through the online self-registration process will be used to provide an eAuthentication account that will enable the electronic authentication of users. The user will then have access to authorized resources without needing to reauthenticate within the context of a single Internet session.

Description of Respondents: Farms; individuals or households; business or other for-profit; not-for-profit institutions; federal government; State, Local or Tribal Government.

Number of Respondents: 38,604.

Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 25,453.

Ruth Brown,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.