2014-07421. Information Collection; Federal Acquisition Regulation; Duty-Free Entry

AGENCY:

Department of Defense (DOD), General Services Administration (GSA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

ACTION:

Notice of request for public comments regarding an extension to an existing OMB clearance.

SUMMARY:

Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. chapter 35), the Regulatory Secretariat Division (MVCB) will be submitting to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request to review and approve an extension of a previously approved information collection requirement concerning duty-free entry.

DATES:

Submit comments on or before June 2, 2014.

ADDRESSES:

Submit comments identified by Information Collection 9000-0022, Duty-Free Entry by any of the following methods:

• Regulations.gov: http://www.regulations.gov. Submit comments via the Federal eRulemaking portal by searching the OMB control number 9000-0022. Select the link “Comment Now” that corresponds with “Information Collection 9000-0022, Duty-Free Entry.” Follow the instructions provided on the screen. Please include your name, company name (if any), and “Information Collection 9000-0022, Duty-Free Entry”, on your attached document.
• Fax: [phone].
• Mail: General Services Administration, Regulatory Secretariat Division (MVCB) 1800 F Street NW., Washington, DC 20405. ATTN: Ms. Flowers/IC 9000-0022, Duty-Free Entry.

Instructions: Please submit comments only and cite Information Collection 9000-0022, Duty-Free Entry, in all correspondence related to this collection. All comments received will be posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov,, including any personal and/or business confidential information provided.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Cecelia L. Davis, Procurement Analyst, Acquisition Policy Division, GSA 202-219-0202 or email [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Purpose

United States laws impose duties on foreign supplies imported into the customs territory of the United States. Certain exemptions from these duties are available to Government agencies. These exemptions are used whenever the anticipated savings outweigh the administrative costs associated with processing required documentation. When a Government contractor purchases foreign supplies, it must notify the contracting officer to determine whether the supplies should be duty-free. In addition, all shipping documents and containers must specify certain information to assure the duty-free entry of the supplies.

The clause at FAR 52.225-8, Duty-Free Entry, is included in solicitations and contracts for supplies that may be imported into the United States and for which duty-free entry may be obtained in accordance with FAR 25.903(a), if the value of the acquisition (1) exceeds the simplified acquisition threshold; or (2) does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, but the savings from waiving the duty is anticipated to be more than the administrative cost of waiving the duty. The contracting officer analyzes the information submitted by the contractor to determine whether or not supplies should enter the country duty-free. The information, the contracting officer's determination, and the U.S. Customs forms are placed in the contract file.

B. Annual Reporting Burden

Respondents: 1,330.

Responses per Respondent: 10.

Total Responses: 13,300.

Hours per Response: .5.

Total Burden Hours: 6,650.

C. Public Comments

Public comments are particularly invited on: Whether this collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of functions of the FAR, and whether it will have practical utility; whether our estimate of the public burden of this collection of information is accurate, and based on valid assumptions and methodology; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways in which we can minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, through the use of appropriate technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Obtaining Copies of Proposals: Requesters may obtain a copy of the information collection documents from the General Services Administration, Regulatory Secretariat Division (MVCB), 1800 F Street NW., Washington, DC 20405, telephone [phone].

Please cite OMB Control No. 9000-0022, Duty-Free Entry, in all correspondence.

Dated: March 28, 2014.

Karlos Morgan,

Acting Director, Federal Acquisition Policy Division, Office of Government-wide Acquisition Policy, Office of Acquisition Policy, Office of Government-wide Policy.