E9-9744. Federal Acquisition Regulation; Submission for OMB Review; U.S.-Flag Air Carriers Certification

AGENCIES:

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 of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Regulatory Secretariat (VPR) will be submitting to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request to review and approve an extension of a currently approved information collection requirement concerning U.S.-Flag Air Carriers Certification. A request for public comments was published in the Federal Register at 73 FR 76004, December 15, 2008. No comments were received.

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.

DATES:

Submit comments on or before May 29, 2009.

ADDRESSES:

Submit comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden to: General Services Administration (GSA) Desk Officer, OMB, Room 10236, NEOB, Washington, DC 20503, and send a copy to the Regulatory Secretariat (VPR), 1800 F Street, NW., Room 4041, Washington, DC 20405. Please cite OMB Control No. 9000-0054, U.S.-Flag Air Carriers Certification in all correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ms. Jeritta Parnell, Procurement Analyst, Contract Policy Division, GSA [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Purpose

Section 5 of the International Air Transportation Fair Competitive Practices Act of 1974 (49 U.S.C. 1517) (Fly America Act) requires that all Federal agencies and Government contractors and subcontractors use U.S.-flag air carriers for U.S. Government-financed international air transportation of personnel (and their personal effects) or property, to the extent that service by those carriers is available. It requires the Comptroller General of the United States, in the absence of satisfactory proof of the necessity for foreign-flag air transportation, to disallow expenditures from funds, appropriated or otherwise established for the account of the United States, for international air transportation secured aboard a foreign-flag air carrier if a U.S.-flag carrier is available to provide such services. In the event that the contractor selects a carrier other than a U.S.-flag air carrier for international air transportation, the contractor shall include a certification on vouchers involving such transportation. The contracting officer uses the information furnished in the certification to determine whether adequate justification exists for the contractor's use of other than a U.S.-flag air carrier.

B. Annual Reporting Burden

Respondents: 150.

Responses Per Respondent: 2.

Annual Responses: 300.

Hours Per Response: 25.

Total Burden Hours: 75.

Obtaining Copies of Proposals: Requesters may obtain a copy of the information collection documents from the General Services Administration, Regulatory Secretariat (VPR), 1800 F Street, NW., Room 4041, Washington, DC 20405, telephone [phone]. Please cite OMB Control No. 9000-0054, U.S.-Flag Air Carriers Certification in all correspondence.

Dated: April 22, 2009.

Al Matera,

Director, Office of Acquisition Policy.