2014-06398. 60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Technology Security/Clearance Plans, Screening Records, and Non-Disclosure Agreements

ACTION:

Notice of request for public comments.

SUMMARY:

The Department of State is seeking Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval for the information collection described below. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we are requesting comments on this collection from all interested individuals and organizations. The purpose of this notice is to allow 60 days for public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.

DATES:

The Department will accept comments from the public up to 60 days from March 24, 2014.

ADDRESSES:

Comments and questions should be directed to Mr. Robert Hart, Office of Defense Trade Controls Policy, U.S. Department of State, who may be reached via the following methods:

• Internet: Persons with access to the Internet may use the Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) to comment on this notice by going to www.regulations.gov. You may search for the document by entering “Public Notice 8668” in the search bar. If necessary, use the “narrow by agency” filter option on the results page.
• Email: [e-mail].
• Mail: Mr. Robert Hart, SA-1, 12th Floor, Directorate of Defense Trade Controls, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, U.S. Department of State, Washington, DC 20522-0112.

You must include the information collection title and the OMB control number in any correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Direct requests for additional information to Mr. Robert Hart, PM/DDTC, SA-1, 12th Floor, Directorate of Defense Trade Controls, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, U.S. Department of State, Washington, DC 20522-0112, who may be reached via phone at [phone], or via email at [e-mail].

• Title of Information Collection: Technology Security/Clearance Plans, Screening Records, and Non-Disclosure Agreements Pursuant to 22 CFR 126.18
• OMB Control Number: 1405-0195.
• Type of Request: Extension of Currently Approved Collection.
• Originating Office: Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, Directorate of Defense Trade Controls, PM/DDTC.
• Form Number: None.
• Respondents: Business and Nonprofit Organizations.
• Estimated Number of Respondents: 100,000.
• Estimated Number of Responses: 100,000.
• Average Hours per Response: 10 hours.
• Total Estimated Burden: 1,000,000 hours.
• Frequency: On Occasion.
• Obligation to Respond: Mandatory.

We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department to:

• Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is necessary for the proper functions of the Department.
• Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the time and cost burden for this proposed collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used.
• Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected.
• Minimize the reporting burden on those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Please note that comments submitted in response to this Notice are public record. Before including any detailed personal information, you should be aware that your comments as submitted, including your personal information, will be available for public review.

Abstract of proposed collection: The export, temporary import, and brokering of defense articles, defense services, and related technical data are licensed by the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) in accordance with the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (“ITAR,” 22 CFR Parts 120-130) and Section 38 of the Arms Export Control Act (AECA). Those who manufacture or export defense articles, defense services, and related technical data, or the brokering thereof, must register with the Department of State. Persons desiring to engage in export, temporary import, and brokering activities must submit an application or written request to conduct the transaction to the Department to obtain a decision whether it is in the interests of U.S. foreign policy and national security to approve the transaction. Also, registered brokers must submit annual reports regarding all brokering activity that was transacted, and registered manufacturers and exporter must maintain records of defense trade activities for five years.

ITAR § 126.18 eliminates, subject to certain conditions, the requirement for an approval by DDTC of the transfer of unclassified defense articles, which includes technical data, within a foreign business entity, foreign governmental entity, or international organization, that is an approved or otherwise authorized end-user or consignee (including transfers to approved sub-licensees) for those defense articles, including the transfer to dual nationals or third-country nationals who are bona fide regular employees, directly employed by the foreign consignee or end-user. The conditions are that effective procedures must be in place to prevent diversion to any destination, entity, or for purposes other than those authorized by the applicable export license or other authorization. Those conditions can be met by requiring a security clearance approved by the host nation government for its employees, or the end-user or consignee have in place a process to screen all its employees and to have executed a Non-Disclosure Agreement that provides assurances that the employee will not transfer any defense articles to persons or entities unless specifically authorized by the consignee or end-user. ITAR § 126.18 also provides that the technology security/clearance plan, screening records, and Non-Disclosure Agreements will be made available to DDTC or its agents for law enforcement purposes upon request.

Methodology: This information collection may be sent to the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls via the following methods: electronically or mail.

Dated: March 10, 2014.

C. Edward Peartree,

Office of Defense Trade Controls Policy, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, U.S. Department of State.