06-1640. Information Collection Requirement; Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement; Contract Financing

AGENCY:

Defense Acquisition Regulations System, Department of Defense (DoD).

ACTION:

Notice and request for comments regarding a proposed extension of an approved information collection requirement.

SUMMARY:

In compliance with Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), DoD announces the proposed extension of a public information collection requirement and seeks public comment on the provisions thereof. DoD invites comments on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of DoD, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the information collection on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved this information collection for use through June 30, 2006. DoD proposes that OMB extend its approval for use for 3 additional years.

DATES:

DoD will consider all comments received by April 24, 2006.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments, identified by OMB Control Number 0704-0321, using any of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
• E-mail: [e-mail]. Include OMB Control Number 0704-0321 in the subject line of the message.
• Fax: [phone].
• Mail: Defense Acquisition Regulations System, Attn: Mr. Bill Sain, OUSD (AT&L) DPAP (DARS), IMD 3C132, 3062 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-3062.
• Hand Delivery/Courier: Defense Acquisition Regulations System, Crystal Square 4, Suite 200A, 241 18th Street, Arlington, VA 22202-3402.

Comments received generally will be posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mr. Bill Sain, at [phone]. The information collection requirements addressed in this notice are available via the Internet at: http://www.acq.osd.mil/​dpap/​dars/​dfars/​index.htm. Paper copies are available from Mr. Bill Sain, OUSD (AT&L) DPAP (DARS), IMD 3C132, 3062 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-2062.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title, Associated Form, and OMB Number: Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) Part 232, Contract Financing, and the clause at 252.232-7002, Progress Payments for Foreign Military Sales Acquisitions; OMB Control Number 0704-0321.

Needs and Uses: Section 22 of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2762) requires the U.S. Government to use foreign funds, rather than U.S. appropriated funds, to purchase military equipment for foreign governments. To comply with this requirement, the Government needs to know how much to charge each country. The clause at 252.232-7002, Progress Payments for Foreign Military Sales Acquisitions, requires each contractor whose contract includes foreign military sales (FMS) requirements to submit a separate progress payment request for each progress payment rate, and to submit a supporting schedule that clearly distinguishes the contract's FMS requirements from U.S. requirements. The Government uses this information to determine how much of each country's funds to disburse to the contractor.

Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profit and not-for-profit institutions.

Annual Burden Hours: 5,508 (includes 1,836 response hours plus 3,672 recordkeeping hours).

Number of Respondents: 306.

Responses per Respondent: Approximately 12.

Annual Responses: 3,672.

Average Burden per Response: .5 hours.

Frequency: On occasion.

Summary of Information Collection

This information collection includes requirements relating to DFARS Part 232, Contract Financing, and the related clause at DFARS 252.232-7002, Progress Payments for Foreign Military Sales Acquisitions.

a. DFARS 232.502-4-70(a) prescribes use of the clause at DFARS 252.232-7002 in any contract that provides for progress payments and contains FMS requirements.

b. DFARS 252.232-7002 requires each contractor whose contract includes FMS requirements to submit a separate progress payment request for each progress payment rate, and to submit a supporting schedule that distinguishes the contract's FMS requirements from U.S. requirements.

Michele P. Peterson,

Editor, Defense Acquisition Regulations System.