2011-11570. Proposed Extension of the Approval of Information Collection Requirements; Comment Request

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA95). 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A). This program helps to ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. Currently, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs is soliciting comments concerning its proposal to extend the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval of the Non-construction Supply and Service Information Collection. A copy of the proposed information collection request can be obtained by contacting the office listed below in the addresses section of this Notice.

DATES:

Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the addresses section below on or before July 11, 2011.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments, identified by Control Number 1250-0003, by either one of the following methods:

Electronic comments: through the Federal eRulemaking portal at http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.

Mail, Hand Delivery, Courier: Debra A. Carr, Director, Division of Policy, Planning and Program Development, Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Room C-3325, Washington, DC 20210. Telephone: [phone] (voice) or [phone] (TTY).

Instructions: Please submit one copy of your comments by only one method. All submissions received must include the agency name and Control Number identified above for this information collection. Because we continue to experience delays in receiving mail in the Washington, DC area, commenters are strongly encouraged to transmit their comments electronically via the regulations.gov Web site or to submit them by mail early. Comments, including any personal information provided, become a matter of public record and will be posted to the regulations.gov Web site. They will also be summarized and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget approval of the information collection request.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Debra A. Carr, Director, Division of Policy, Planning and Program Development, Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, Room C-3325, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210. Telephone: [phone] (voice) or [phone] (TTY) (these are not toll-free numbers). Copies of this notice may be obtained in alternative formats (Large Print, Braille, Audio Tape or Disc), upon request, by calling [phone] (not a toll-free number). TTY/TDD callers may call [phone] (not a toll-free number) to obtain information or request materials in alternative formats.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background: The Office of Federal Contractor Compliance Programs (OFCCP) administers three nondiscrimination and equal employment opportunity laws. These authorities prohibit employment discrimination but also require affirmative action to ensure that equal employment opportunities are available regardless of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, or status as a qualified individual with a disability or protected veteran by Federal contractors.

• Executive Order 11246, as amended (EO 11246);
• Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, 29 U.S.C. 793; and
• The affirmative action provisions of the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, as amended, 38 U.S.C. 4212.

For purposes of this clearance, OFCCP is dividing its responsibilities under these authorities into categories: (1) Construction and (2) non-construction (supply and service). This clearance request covers the EO 11246 non-construction supply and service aspects of our program. To view the current supply and service Information Collection, go to http://www.reginfo.gov/​public/​do/​PRAViewICR?​ref_​nbr=​200804-1215-003. A separate Information Collection Request (ICR), approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under OMB No. 1250-0001 (formerly 1215-0163), covers the construction aspects of these programs.

E.O. 11246 prohibits Federal contractors from discriminating against applicants and employees on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. The E.O. 11246 applies to Federal contractors and subcontractors and to federally assisted construction contractors holding a Government contract of $10,000 or more, or Government contracts which have, or can reasonably be expected to have, an aggregate total value exceeding $10,000 in a 12-month period. The E.O. 11246 also applies to government bills of lading, depositories of Federal funds in any amount, and to financial institutions that are issuing and paying agents for U.S. Savings Bonds.

The ICR discussed below will address EO 11246, non-construction Supply and Service program, that is subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA).

II. Review Focus: The Department of Labor is particularly interested in comments which:

• Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the compliance and enforcement functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility;
• Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
• Enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and
• Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submissions of responses.

III. Current Actions: The DOL seeks the approval of the revision of this information in order to carry out its responsibility to enforce the anti-discrimination and affirmative action provisions of the three legal authorities it administers.

Type of Review: Revision.

Agency: Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs.

Title: Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements, Supply and Service.

OMB Number: 1250-0003.

Agency Number: None.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit, not-for-profit institutions.

Total Respondents: 108,288.

Total Annual responses: 108,288.

Average Time per Response (approximation due to rounding): 103.19 hours.

Estimated Total Burden Hours (approximation due to rounding): 11,174,641.

Frequency: On occasion.

Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.

Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $135,272.

Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget approval of the information collection request; they will also become a matter of public record.

Dated: May 4, 2011.

Debra A. Carr,

Director, Division of Policy, Planning and Program Development, Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs.