2021-09690. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

May 4, 2021.

The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments are requested regarding: Whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; the accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways to 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 and other forms of information technology.

Comments regarding this information collection received by June 7, 2021 will be considered. Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be submitted within 30 days of the publication of this notice on the following website www.reginfo.gov/​public/​do/​PRAMain. Find this particular information collection by selecting “Currently under 30-day Review—Open for Public Comments” or by using the search function.

An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to respond to the collection of information that such persons are not required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

Forest Service

Title: Federal and Non-Federal Financial Assistance Instruments.

OMB Control Number: 0596-0217.

Summary of Collection: In order to carry out specific Forest Service (FS) activities, Congress created several authorities to assist the Agency in carrying out its mission. Authorized by the Federal Grants and Cooperative Agreements Act (FGCAA), the FS issues Federal Financial Assistance awards, (i.e., grants and cooperative agreements). Agency specific authorities and appropriations also support use of Federal Financial Assistance awards. In addition to FFA, Congress created specific authorizations for acts outside the scope of the FGCAA. Appropriations language was developed to convey authority for the Forest Service to enter into relationships that are outside the scope of the FGCAA. Information in this request is collected from individuals; non-profit and for-profit institutions; institutions of higher education and state, local, and Native American tribal governments etc. Multiple options are available for respondents to respond including forms, non-forms, electronically, face-to-face, by telephone and over the internet.

Need and Use of the Information: In addition to Federal Financial Assistance (FFA), Congress created specific authorizations for acts outside the scope of the FGCAA. Appropriations language was developed to convey authority for the Forest Service to enter relationships that are outside the scope of the FGCAA. The Forest Service implements these authorizations using instruments such as collection agreements, FGCAA exempted agreements, memorandums of understanding, and other agreements which mutually benefit participating parties. These instruments fall outside the scope of the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and often require financial plans and statements of work. Forest Service employees collect information from cooperating parties from the pre-award to the closeout stage via telephone calls, emails, postal mail, and person-to-person meetings to create, develop, and administer these funded and non-funded agreements. The multiple means for respondents to communicate their responses include forms, non-forms, electronic documents, face-to-face, telephone, and internet. The scope of information collected varies; however, it typically includes the project type, project scope, financial plan, statement of work, and cooperator's business information.

The Forest Service would not be able to create, develop, and administer these funded and non-funded agreements without the collected information. The Agency would also be unable to develop or monitor projects, make or receive payments, or identify financial and accounting errors.

Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Not-for-profit Institutions; State, Local or Tribal Government; Individuals.

Number of Respondents: 4,890.

Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: Quarterly; On occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 42,445.

Levi S. Harrell,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.