2018-09535. Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Request To Amend an Investment Award and Project Service Maps

AGENCY:

Economic Development Administration, Department of Commerce.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Economic Development Administration (EDA or the Agency), Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on a proposed extension of an information collection request approved through September 30, 2018, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA).

DATES:

Written comments must be submitted on or before July 3, 2018.

ADDRESSES:

Direct all written comments to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th and Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230 (or via email at [e-mail]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should be directed to Mitchell E. Harrison, Program Analyst, U.S. Economic Development Administration, Performance and National Programs, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Room 71030, Washington, DC 20230 (or via email at [e-mail]).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

The mission of EDA is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness, preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. EDA accomplishes this mission by helping states, regions, and communities through capacity building, planning, infrastructure, research grants, and strategic initiatives. Further information on EDA's program and grant opportunities can be found at www.eda.gov.

In order to effectively administer and monitor its economic development assistance programs, EDA collects certain information from applicants for, and recipients of, EDA investment assistance. The purpose of this notice is to seek comments from the public and other Federal agencies on a request for an extension of this information collection where a recipient must submit a written request to EDA to amend an investment award and provide such information and documentation as EDA deems necessary to determine the merit of altering the terms of an award (see 13 CFR 302.7(a) of EDA's regulations). EDA may require a recipient to submit a project service map and information from which to determine whether services are provided to all segments of the region being assisted (see 13 CFR 302.16(c) of EDA's regulations). This information collection is scheduled to expire on September 30, 2018.

II. Method of Collection

Amendments and project service maps are collected via both paper or electronic submissions, including email. A recipient must submit a written request to EDA to amend an investment award and provide such information and documentation as EDA deems necessary to determine the merit of altering the terms of an award (see 13 CFR 302.7(a) of EDA's regulations). EDA may require a recipient to submit a project service map and information from which to determine whether services are provided to all segments of the region being assisted (see CFR 302.16(c) of EDA's regulations). EDA is not proposing any changes to the current information collection request.

III. Data

OMB Control Number: 0610-0102.

Form Number(s): None.

Type of Review: Regular submission; Revision of a currently approved collection.

Affected Public: Current recipients of EDA construction (Public Works or Economic Adjustment Assistance) awards, to include (1) cities or other political subdivisions of a state, including a special purpose unit of state or local government engaged in economic or infrastructure development activities, or a consortium of political subdivisions; (2) states; (3) institutions of higher education or a consortium of institutions of higher education; (4) public or private non-profit organizations or associations; (5) District Organizations; and (6) Indian Tribes or a consortia of Indian Tribes and (7) (for training, research, and technical assistance awards only) individuals and for-profit businesses.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 632 (600 requests for amendments to construction awards, 30 requests for amendments to non-construction awards, 2 project service maps).

Estimated Time Per Response: 2 hours for an amendment to a construction award, 1 hour for an amendment to a non-construction award, 6 hours for a project service map.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,242 hours.

Type of request	Number of requests	Estimated hours per request	Estimated burden hours
Requests for amendments to construction awards	600	2 hours/request preparation	1200
Requests for amendment to non-construction awards	30	1 hour/request	30
Project service maps	2	6 hours/map	12
Total			1,242

Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0.

IV. Request for Comments

Pursuant to section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), 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 may be included in the request for Office of Management and Budget approval of this information collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

Sheleen Dumas,

Departmental Lead PRA Officer, Office of the Chief Information Officer.