00-3280. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request Entitled Use of Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) as Primary Contractor Identification

AGENCIES:

Department of Defense (DOD), General Services Administration (GSA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

ACTION:

Notice of request for an extension to an existing OMB clearance.

SUMMARY:

Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Secretariat has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request to review and approve an extension of a currently approved information collection requirement concerning Use of Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) as Primary Contractor Identification. A request for public comments was published at 64 FR 68338, December 7, 1999. No comments were received.

DATES:

Comments may be submitted on or before March 13, 2000.

ADDRESSES:

Comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, should be submitted to: FAR Desk Officer, OMB, Room 10102, NEOB, Washington, DC 20503, and a copy to the General Services Administration, FAR Secretariat (MVRS), 1800 F Street, NW, Room 4035, Washington, DC 20405.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Victoria Moss, Federal Acquisition Policy Division, GSA, [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Purpose

The Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number is the number the Government uses to identify contractors in reporting to the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS). The FPDS provides a comprehensive mechanism for assembling, organizing, and presenting contract placement data for the Federal Government. Federal agencies report data to the Federal Procurement Data Center that collects, processes, and disseminates official statistical data on Federal contracting. Contracting officers shall report a Contractor Identification Number for each successful offeror. A DUNS number, which is a nine-digit number assigned by Dun and Bradstreet Information Services to an establishment, is the Contractor Identification Number for Federal contractors.The DUNS number reported must identify the successful offeror's name and address exactly as stated in the offer and resultant contract.

B. Annual Reporting Burden

Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information.

The annual reporting burden is estimated as follows:Respondents, 50,400; responses per respondent (rounded), 4.01; total annual responses, 201,600; preparation hours per response, .0205 (averaged); and total response burden hours, 4,147.

Obtaining Copies of proposals:

Requester may obtain a copy of the justification from the General Services Administration, FAR Secretariat (MVRS), Room 4035, Washington, DC 20405, telephone [phone]. Please cite OMB Control No. 9000-0145, Use of Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) as Primary Contractor Identification, in all correspondence.

Dated: February 8, 2000.

Edward C. Loeb,

Director, Federal Acquisition Policy Division.