2021-27837. Proposed Information Collection Activity; ACF Uniform Project Description

AGENCY:

Office of Administration, Office of Grants Policy, Administration for Children and Families, HHS.

ACTION:

Request for public comment.

SUMMARY:

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is requesting a 3-year extension of the ACF Uniform Project Description (UPD) (OMB #0970-0139, expiration 2/28/2022). There are no changes requested to the form.

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:

Copies of the proposed collection of information can be obtained and comments may be forwarded by emailing [e-mail]. Identify all requests by the title of the information collection.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Description: The proposed information collection would renew the ACF UPD. The UPD provides a uniform format for applicants to submit project information in response to ACF discretionary Notices of Funding Opportunities. The UPD requires applicants to describe how program objectives will be achieved and provide a rationale for the project's budgeted costs. All ACF discretionary grant programs are required to use the UPD.

ACF uses this information, along with other OMB-approved information collections (Standard Forms), to evaluate and rank applications. Use of the UPD protects the integrity of the ACF award selection process.

Respondents: Applicants responding to ACF Discretionary Notices of Funding Opportunities.

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
ACF Uniform Project Description	3,218	1	60	193,080	64,360

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 64,360.

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 75.203-75.204 and 45 CFR part 75, Appendix I.

Mary B. Jones,

ACF/OPRE Certifying Officer.