E8-3238. Agency Information Collection (VAAR Sections 809.106-1, 809.504(d), and Clause 852.209-70) Under OMB Review

AGENCY:

Office of Management, Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3521), this notice announces that the Office of Management (OM), Department of Veterans Affairs, will submit the collection of information abstracted below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The PRA submission describes the nature of the information collection and its expected cost and burden; it includes the actual data collection instrument.

DATES:

Comments must be submitted on or before March 24, 2008.

ADDRESSES:

Submit written comments on the collection of information through www.Regulations.gov;​; or to VA's OMB Desk Officer, OMB Human Resources and Housing Branch, New Executive Office Building, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503, [phone]. Please refer to “OMB Control No. 2900-0418” in any correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR A COPY OF THE SUBMISSION CONTACT:

Denise McLamb, Records Management Service (005R1B), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420, [phone], FAX [phone] or e-mail: [e-mail]. Please refer to “OMB Control No. 2900-0418.”

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Under the PRA of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13; 44 U.S.C. 3501-3521), Federal agencies must obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of information they conduct or sponsor. This request for comment is being made pursuant to Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA.

With respect to the following collection of information, OM invites comments on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of OM's functions, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of OM's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or the use of other forms of information technology.

Title: Department of Veterans Affairs Acquisition Regulation (VAAR) Sections 809.106-1, 809.504(d), and Clause 852.209-70.

OMB Control Number: 2900-0418.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Abstract:

a. VAAR section 809.106-1 requires VA to contact a firm being considered for a contract award for bakery, dairy, or ice cream products or for laundry or dry cleaning services whether or not the firm's facility has recently been inspected by another Federal agency and, if so, which agency. The information is used to determine whether a separate inspection of the facility should be conducted by VA prior to award contract.

b. VAAR section 809.504(d) and Clause 852.209-70 requires VA to determine whether or not to award a contract to a firm that might involve or result in a conflict of interest. VA uses the information to determine whether additional contract terms and conditions are necessary to mitigate the conflict.

An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on this collection of information was published on December 6, 2007, at page 68961.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit; individuals and households; and not-for-profit institutions.

Estimated Annual Burden:

a. VAAR section 809.106-1—30 hours.

b. VAAR section 809.504(d) and VAAR clause 852.209-7—500 hours.

Estimated Average Burden per Respondent:

a. VAAR section 809.106-1—3 minutes.

b. VAAR section 809.504(d) and Clause 852.209-7—30 minutes.

Frequency of Response: On occasion.

Estimated Number of Respondents:

a. VAAR section 809.106-1—600.

b. VAAR section 809.504(d) and Clause 852.209-7—1,000.

Dated: February 12, 2008.

By direction of the Secretary.

Denise McLamb,

Program Analyst, Records Management Service.