2016-03087. Notice of Request for Approval of a New Information Collection

AGENCY:

Foreign Agricultural Service, USDA.

ACTION:

Notice and request for comments.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention of the Foreign Agricultural Service to request approval for a new information collection for the USDA's Local and Regional Food Aid Procurement Program.

DATES:

Comments on this notice must be received by April 18, 2016.

ADDRESSES:

FAS invites interested persons to submit comments on this notice. Comments may be submitted by one of the following methods:

Federal eRulemaking Portal: This Web site provides the ability to type short comments directly into the comment filed or attach a file for lengthier comments. Go to http://www/​regulations.gov. Follow the on-line instructions at the site for submitting comments.

Mail, including CD-ROMs, etc.: Send to Benjamin Muskovitz, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Room 4159, Mailstop 1034, Washington, DC 20250.

Hand or courier delivered submittals: Deliver to Benjamin Muskovitz, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Room 4159, Mailstop 1034, Washington, DC 20250.

Instructions: All items submitted by mail or electronic mail must include the agency name. Comments received in response to this docket will be made available for public inspection and posted without change, including any personal information, to http://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Benjamin Muskovitz, Director, Food Assistance Division, Foreign Agricultural Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 4159, Mailstop 1034, Washington, DC 20250-1034, telephone: [phone], email: [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: USDA Local and Regional Food Aid Procurement Program.

OMB Number: 0551—New.

Expiration Date of Approval: Three years from approval date.

Type of Request: New information collection.

Abstract: Under the USDA Local and Regional Food Aid Procurement Program, information will be gathered from applicants desiring to receive grants or enter into cooperative agreements under the program to determine the viability of requests for resources to implement activities in foreign countries. Recipients of grants or cooperative agreements under the program must submit performance and financial reports until funds provided by FAS and commodities purchased with such funds are utilized. Documents are used to develop effective grant or cooperative agreements and assure that statutory requirements and program objectives are met.

Estimate of Burden: The public reporting burden for each respondent resulting from information collection under the USDA Local and Regional Food Aid Procurement Program varies in direct relation to the number and type of agreements entered into by such respondent. The estimated average reporting burden for USDA Local and Regional Food Aid Procurement Program is 78 hours per response.

Type of Respondents: Private voluntary organizations, cooperatives, and intergovernmental organizations.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 22 per annum.

Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 17 per annum.

Estimated Total Annual Burden of Respondents: 29,172 hours.

Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Connie Ehrhart, the Agency Information Collection Coordinator, at [phone] or email at [e-mail].

Request for Comments: Send comments regarding (a) 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; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments may be sent to the Director, Food Assistance Division, FAS, USDA, Room 4159, Mailstop 1034, Washington, DC 20250, or to [e-mail]. Comments may also be sent to the Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Washington, DC 20503.

All comments received in response to this notice, including names and addresses when provided, will be a matter of public record. Comments will be summarized and included in the submission for Office of Management and Budget approval.

E-Government Act Compliance

FAS is committed to complying with the E-Government Act of 2002, to promote the use of the Internet and other information technologies to provide increased opportunities for citizen access to Government information and services, and for other purposes.

Persons with disabilities who require an alternative means for communication of information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's Target Center at [phone] (voice and TDD).

Signed at Washington, DC, on February 9, 2016.

Philip C. Karsting,

Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service.