[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 22 (Monday, February 3, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 5072]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-2516]
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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Agency Information Collection: Submission for OMB Review; Comment
Request
AGENCY: Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization,
Department of Veterans Affairs.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization
(OSDBU), Department of Veterans Affairs, has submitted to the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) the following proposal for the collection
of information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44
U.S.C. Chapter 35).
OMB Control Number: 2900-0444.
Title and Form Number: VAAR Subpart 819.70, Veteran-Owned and
Operated Small Business, (Exceptions to SF 18 and SF 129).
Type of Review: Reinstatement with change, of a previously approved
collection for which approval has expired.
Need and Uses: Public Law 93-237, amended the Small Business Act by
directing the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to give
``special consideration'' to veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces in all
SBA programs. The VA adopted the ``special consideration'' philosophy
and has directed all VA contracting activities to take affirmative
action to solicit and assist Vietnam Era and disabled veteran-owned
small businesses to participate in the VA acquisition process. This
action established the VA Vietnam Era and Disabled Veteran-Owned Small
Business Outreach Program. The VA did receive OMB approval to modify SF
18, Request for Quotations, and SF 129, Solicitation Mailing List
Application, to include Vietnam Era and disabled veteran-owned
information. The Secretary approved an initiative to expand the Vietnam
Era and Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Outreach Program to
include all veteran-owned small businesses. Title 38 U.S.C., vests the
Secretary with broad authority and responsibility to assist veterans.
Therefore, the VA requests that OMB approval be granted to include
veteran-owned businesses in addition to Vietnam Era and disabled
veteran-owned businesses information on SF 18 and SF 129. The
information requested will be a self certification that a firm is
veteran-owned. It allows the VA to ensure that eligible veteran-owned
firms are given an opportunity to participate in the VA acquisition
process and to monitor our success in implementing these regulatory
provisions. The information requested on the SF 18 and SF 129 will be
solicited from the respondents on a voluntary basis and will be used by
the VA to identify veteran-owned businesses to ensure eligible veteran-
owned firms are given an opportunity to participate in VA solicitations
for good and services. Without this information there would be no way
for the VA to properly monitor this program.
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
Estimated Annual Burden: 4,727 hours.
Estimated Average Burden Per Respondent: Additional burden imposed
on SF 18 and SF 129 is 5 seconds.
Frequency of Response: On occasion.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 3,403,500.
ADDRESSES: A copy of this submission may be obtained from Ron Taylor,
VA Clearance Officer (045A4), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810
Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420, (202) 273-8015.
Comments and recommendations concerning this submission should be
directed to VA's OMB Desk Officer, Allison Eydt, OMB Human Resources
and Housing Branch, New Executive Office Building, Room 10235,
Washington, DC 20503 (202) 395-4650. DO NOT send requests for benefits
to this address.
DATES: Comments on the information collection should be directed to the
OMB Desk Officer by March 5, 1997.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ron Taylor, VA Clearance Officer
(045A4), (202) 273-8015.
Dated: January 13, 1997.
By direction of the Secretary.
Donald L. Neilson,
Director, Information Management Service.
[FR Doc. 97-2516 Filed 1-31-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P
