2012-27076. Proposed Extension of the Approval of Information Collection Requirements

AGENCY:

Wage and Hour Division, Labor.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a preclearance consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA95). 44 U.S.C. 3056(c)(2)(A). This program helps to ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. Currently, the Wage and Hour Division is soliciting comments concerning its proposal to extend Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval of the Information Collection: Requests to Approve Conformed Wage Classifications and Unconventional Fringe Benefit Plans Under the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts and Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act. A copy of the proposed information request can be obtained by contacting the office listed below in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this Notice.

DATES:

Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the ADDRESSES section below on or before January 7, 2013.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments identified by Control Number 1235-0023, by either one of the following methods: Email: [e-mail]; Mail, Hand Delivery, Courier: Division of Regulations, Legislation, and Interpretation, Wage and Hour, U.S. Department of Labor, Room S-3502, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20210. Instructions: Please submit one copy of your comments by only one method. All submissions received must include the agency name and Control Number identified above for this information collection. Because we continue to experience delays in receiving mail in the Washington, DC area, commenters are strongly encouraged to transmit their comments electronically via email or to submit them by mail early. Comments, including any personal information provided, become a matter of public record. They will also be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of the information collection request.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mary Ziegler, Director, Division of Regulations, Legislation, and Interpretation, Wage and Hour, U.S. Department of Labor, Room S-3502, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20210; telephone: [phone] (this is not a toll-free number). Copies of this notice must be obtained in alternative formats (Large Print, Braille, Audio Tape, or Disc), upon request, by calling [phone] (not a toll-free number). TTY/TTD callers may dial toll-free [phone] to obtain information or request materials in alternative formats.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

The Wage and Hour Division of the Department of Labor administers the Davis-Bacon Act and Davis-Bacon Related Acts, 40 U.S.C. 3141 et seq., and the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act, 40 U.S.C. 3701 et seq. Regulations 29 CFR part 5 prescribe labor standards for federally financed and assisted construction contracts subject to the Davis-Bacon Act, the Davis-Bacon Related Acts, and labor standards for all contracts subject to the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act. The Davis-Bacon Act and the Davis-Bacon Related Acts require payment of locally prevailing wages and fringe benefits, as determined by the Department of Labor, to laborers and mechanics on most federally financed or assisted construction projects. The Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act requires the payment of one and one-half times the basic rate of pay for hours worked over forty in a week on most federal contracts involving the employment of laborers or mechanics. The requirements of this information collection consist of: (1) Reports of conformed classifications and wage rates, and (2) requests for approval of unfunded fringe benefit plans.

II. Review Focus

The Department of Labor is particularly interested in comments which:

• Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility;
• Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected;
• Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
• 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, e.g., permitting electronic submissions of responses.

III. Current Actions

The Department of Labor seeks an approval for the extension of this information collection that requires the submission and approval of conformed wage classifications and unconventional fringe benefit plans under the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts and the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act in accordance with statutory and regulatory requirements.

Type of Review: Extension.

Agency: Wage and Hour Division.

Title: Requests to Approve Conformed Wage Classifications and Unconventional Fringe Benefit Plans Under the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts and Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act.

OMB Number: 1235-0023.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit, Not-for-profit institutions, Farms.

Total Respondents: Conformance Reports—8,500; Unfunded Fringe Benefit Plans—3.

Total Annual Responses: Conformance Reports—8,500; Unfunded Fringe Benefit Plans—3.

Estimated Total Burden Hours: 2,128.

Estimated Time per Response: 30-45 minutes.

Frequency: On occasion.

Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $3996.

Total Burden Costs (operation/maintenance): $54,732.

Dated: October 31, 2012.

Mary Ziegler,

Director, Division of Regulations, Legislation, and Interpretation.