04-7720. Proposed Information Collection Activity: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

AGENCY:

Office of Acquisition and Materiel Management, Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Office of Acquisition and Materiel Management (OA&MM), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension of a currently approved collection and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits comments on the information needed to identify bid envelopes from other mail parcels.

DATES:

Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection of information should be received on or before June 7, 2004.

ADDRESSES:

Submit written comments on the collection of information to Donald E. Kaliher, Office of Acquisition and Materiel Management (95A), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420 or e-mail [e-mail]. Please refer to “OMB Control No. 2900-0593” in any correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Donald E. Kaliher at [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Under the PRA of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13; 44 U.S.C. 3501-3521), Federal agencies must obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of information they conduct or sponsor. This request for comment is being made pursuant to section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA.

With respect to the following collection of information, OA&MM invites comments on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of OA&MM's functions, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of OA&MM's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or the use of other forms of information technology.

Title: Veterans Affairs Acquisition Regulation (VAAR) Provision 852.214-70, Caution to Bidders—Bid Envelopes.

OMB Control Number: 2900-0593.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Abstract: VAAR provision 852.214-70, Caution to Bidders—Bid Envelopes, advises bidders that it is their responsibility to ensure that their bid price cannot be ascertained by anyone prior to bid opening. It also advises bidders to identify their bids by showing the invitation number and bid opening date on the outside of the bid envelope. The Government often furnishes a blank bid envelope or a label for use by bidders/offers to identify their bids. The bidder is advised to fill in the required information. This information requested from bidders is needed by the Government to identify bid envelopes from other mail or packages received without having to open the envelopes or packages and possibly exposing bid prices before bid opening. The information will be used to identify which parcels or envelopes are bids and which are other routine mail. The information is also needed to help ensure that bids are delivered to the proper bid opening room on time and prior to bid opening.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit; Individuals and households; and Not-for-profit institutions.

Estimated Annual Burden: 960 hours.

Estimated Average Burden Per Respondent: 10 seconds.

Frequency of Response: On occasion.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 346,000.

Dated: March 23, 2004.

By direction of the Secretary.

Loise Russell,

Director, Records Management Service.