00-13519. National Endowment for the Arts: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

May 30, 2000.

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has submitted the following public information collection request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 [Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. chapter 35]. Copies of this ICR, with applicable supporting documentation, may be obtained by calling the National Endowment for the Arts' Deputy for Guidelines, Panel, & Council Operations, A.B. Spellman 202/682-5421. Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TTY/TDD) may call 202/682-5496 between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday.

Comments should be sent to the Office of Information and Regulatory affairs, Attn: OMB Desk Officer for the National Endowment for the Arts, Office of Management and Budget, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503 202/395-7316, within 30 days from the date of this publication in the Federal Register.

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is particularly interested in comments which:

• Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the 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.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Endowment requests the review of all of its funding application guidelines and grantee reporting requirements. This entry is issued by the Endowment and contains the following information: (1) the title of the form; (2) how often the required information must be reported; (3) who will be required or asked to report; (4) what the form will be used for; (5) an estimate of the number of responses; (6) the average burden hours per response; (7) an estimate of the total number of hours needed to prepare the form. this entry is not subject to 44 U.S.C. 3504(h).

Agency: National Endowment for the Arts.

Title: Blanket Justification for NEA Funding Application Guidelines and Reporting Requirements FY 2001-FY 2004.

OMB Number: 3135-0112.

Frequency: Annually.

Affected Public: Nonprofit organizations, state & local arts agencies, and individuals.

Estimated Number of Repondents: 4,805.

Estimated Time Per Respondent: 22 hours (applications)/8 hours (reports).

Total Burden Hours: 120,407.

Total Annualized Capital/Startup Costs: 0.

Total Annual Costs (Operating/Maintaining Systems or Purchasing Services): 0.

Description: Guideline instructions and applications elicit relevant information from individuals, nonprofit organizations, and state and local arts agencies that apply for funding from the NEA. This information is necessary for the accurate, fair, and thorough consideration of competing proposals in the review process. According to OMB Circulars A-102 and A-110, recipients of federal funds are required to report on project activities and expenditures. Reporting requirements are necessary to ascertain that grant projects have been completed, and all terms and conditions fulfilled.

ADDRESSES:

A.B. Spellman, National Endowment for the Arts, 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Room 516, Washington, DC 20506-0001, telephone [phone] (this is not a toll-free number), fax [phone].

Murray Welsh,

Director, Administrative Services, National Endowment for the Arts.