2015-03144. Proposed Information Collection Activity; Comment Request

Title: Uniform Project Description (UPD) Program Narrative Format for Discretionary Grant Application Forms.

OMB No.: 0970-0139.

Description: The proposed information collection would renew the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Uniform Project Description (UPD). The UPD provides a uniform grant application format for applicants to submit project information in response to ACF discretionary funding opportunity announcements. ACF uses this information, along with other OMB-approved information collections (Standard Forms), to evaluate and rank applications. Use of the UPD helps to protect the integrity of ACF's award selection process. All ACF discretionary grant programs are required to use this application format. An ACF application consists of general information and instructions; the Standard Form 424 series, which requests basic information, budget information, and assurances; the Project Description that requests the applicant to describe how program objectives will be achieved; a rationale for the project's budgeted costs; and other assurances and certifications. Guidance for the content of information requested in the Project Description is based in OMB Circular 45 CFR 75.203.

Respondents: Applicants to ACF Discretionary Funding Opportunity Announcements.

Annual Burden Estimates

Instrument	Number of respondents	Number of responses per respondent	Average burden hours per response	Total burden hours
ACF Uniform Project Description	4,850	1	60	291,000

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 291,000.

In compliance with the requirements of Section 506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Administration for Children and Families is soliciting public comment on the specific aspects of the information collection described above. Copies of the proposed collection of information can be obtained and comments may be forwarded by writing to the Administration for Children and Families, Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation, 370 L'Enfant Promenade SW., Washington, DC 20447, Attn: ACF Reports Clearance Officer. Email address: [e-mail]. All requests should be identified by the title of the information collection.

ACF 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 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.

Robert Sargis,

Reports Clearance Officer.