03-14526. Proposed Collection; Comment Request

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a preclearance 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 Employment Standards Administration is soliciting comments concerning the proposed collection: Secretary of Labors Opportunity Award, Exemplary Voluntary Effort (EVE), and Exemplary Public Interest Contribution (EPIC) Awards. 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 August 11, 2003.

ADDRESSES:

Ms. Hazel M. Bell, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., NW., Room S-3201, Washington, DC 20210, telephone [phone], fax [phone], Email [e-mail]. Please use only one method of transmission for comments (mail, fax, or Email).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background: The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) is responsible for the administration of the Secretary of Labors Opportunity Award, Exemplary Voluntary Effort (EVE), and Exemplary Public Interest Contribution (EPIC) Awards. These awards are presented annually to Federal contractors and non-profit organizations whose activities support the mission of the OFCCP. The recognition of Federal contractors who are in compliance with the OFCCP regulations and who work with community and public interest organizations sends a positive message throughout the U.S. Labor Force and business community.

The Secretary of Labor's Opportunity and EVE award recipients must be Federal contractors covered by Executive Order 11246, as amended; Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act, as amended, and the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act, as amended.

The Secretary of Labor's Opportunity Award is presented to one contractor each year that has established and instituted comprehensive workforce strategies to ensure equal employment opportunity. The EVE Award is given to those contractors who have demonstrated through programs or activities, exemplary and innovative efforts to create an inclusive American Workforce. The EPIC Award is presented to public interest organizations that have supported equal employment opportunity and linked their efforts with those of the Federal contractors to enhance employment opportunities for those with the least opportunity to join the workforce. Guidelines for the nomination process can be found in Administrative Notice Number 261 dated January 21, 2003.

II. Review Focus: The Department of Labor 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.

III. Current Actions: The Department of Labor seeks approval to collect this information to recognize outstanding Federal contractors and non-profit public interest organizations with exceptional equal opportunity and nondiscrimination programs that support the OFCCP mission.

Type of Review: New Collection.

Agency: Employment Standards Administration.

Title: Secretary of Labors Opportunity Award, Exemplary Voluntary Effort (EVE), and Exemplary Public Interest Contribution (EPIC) Awards.

OMB Number: 1215-.

Agency Number:

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

Total Respondents/Responses: 80.

Total Annual responses: 80.

Frequency: Annually.

Estimated Total Burden Hours: 95,760.

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

Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $0.

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: June 4, 2003.

Bruce Bohanon,

Chief, Branch of Management Review and Internal Control, Division of Financial Management, Office of Management, Administration and Planning, Employment Standards Administration.