[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 93 (Thursday, May 14, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 26772]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-12891]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Office of the Secretary
Department of Commerce Partners in Quality Contracts (PQC)
Program
ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C.
3506(c)(2)(A)).
DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before July 13, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 5327, 14th
and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions
should be directed to Ms. Deborah O'Neill, Department of Commerce, 14th
and Constitution Avenue, NW, Room 6422,
Washington, DC, 20230. Her telephone number is (202) 482-0202.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
The National Performance Review (NPR) conducted by Vice President
Gore outlined several objectives, including improving the Federal
acquisition process. Along with the NPR objectives are associated
Administration initiatives, such as greater emphasis on contractor's
past performance; expanding the use of alternative disputes' resolution
procedures; and improving communications overall between industry and
government. The Department of Commerce (DOC) has developed a program
that is philosophically consistent with NPR, known as the Partners in
Quality Contracting (PQC) Program. PQC is a creative nonmonetary
recognition program that showcases the importance of quality in the
government acquisition process. It is intended as an effective yet
inexpensive means of recognizing quality performance from both DOC
contractors and acquisition personnel. The information collected is
used to determine qualifications of applicants by DOC for purposes of
recognizing DOC contractors and acquisition personnel who have promoted
excellence in contracting through quality performance. The DOC PQC
Evaluation Committee will be an independent committee, comprised of DOC
employees from key functional areas. The universe of applicants
includes all DOC contractors that have performed a DOC contract valued
during the previous fiscal year at or above $100,000, if a large
business, $50,000 or above, if a small one. A small business is defined
as ``a business, including an affiliate, that is independently owned
and operated, is not dominant in producing or performing the supplies
or services being purchased, and has no more than 500 employees.''
Eligible contractors would ``self nominate'' through the submission of
a company profile than an application that would be independently
evaluated against pre-established criteria. Finalists would be site
visited, as appropriate, by a government team before the final
selections are made. Award recipients will be selected by consensus of
the Committee. Award recipients will be invited to send representatives
to attend an award reception.
II. Method of Collection
Written submission.
III. Data
OMB Number: 0690-0012.
Form Number: N/A.
Type of Review: Regular submission for extension of a currently
approved collection.
Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profit organizations.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 50.
Estimated Time per Response: 38.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,900.
Estimated Total Annual Cost: $0 (no capital expenditures are
required).
IV. Request for Comments
Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information;
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of
automated collection techniques or other forms of information
technology. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be
summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this
information collection; they will also become a matter of public
record.
Dated: May 7, 1998.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and
Organization.
[FR Doc. 98-12891 Filed 5-13-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-EC-P
