2021-12135. Information Collection; Certain Federal Acquisition Regulation Part 36 Construction Contract Requirements

AGENCY:

Department of Defense (DOD), General Services Administration (GSA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

ACTION:

Notice and request for comments.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations, DoD, GSA, and NASA invite the public to comment on a revision and an extension concerning certain Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) part 36 construction contract requirements. DoD, GSA, and NASA invite comments on: Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of Federal Government acquisitions, including whether the information will have practical utility; the accuracy of the estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways to minimize the burden of the information collection on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. OMB has approved this information collection for use through September 30, 2021. DoD, GSA, and NASA propose that OMB extend its approval for use for three additional years beyond the current expiration date.

DATES:

DoD, GSA, and NASA will consider all comments received by August 9, 2021.

ADDRESSES:

DoD, GSA, and NASA invite interested persons to submit comments on this collection through https://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions on the site. This website provides the ability to type short comments directly into the comment field or attach a file for lengthier comments. If there are difficulties submitting comments, contact the GSA Regulatory Secretariat Division at 202-501-4755 or [e-mail].

Instructions: All items submitted must cite OMB Control No. 9000-0062, Certain Federal Acquisition Regulation Part 36 Construction Contract Requirements. Comments received generally will be posted without change to https://www.regulations.gov,, including any personal and/or business confidential information provided. To confirm receipt of your comment(s), please check https://www.regulations.gov,, approximately two-to-three days after submission to verify posting.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Jennifer Hawes, Procurement Analyst, at telephone [phone], or [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. OMB Control Number, Title, and any Associated Form(s)

9000-0062, Certain Federal Acquisition Regulation Part 36 Construction Contract Requirements.

B. Need and Uses

The Department of Defense, General Services Administration, and National Aeronautics and Space Administration are combining OMB Control Nos. for the FAR-by-FAR part. This consolidation is expected to improve industry's ability to easily and efficiently identify burdens associated with a given FAR part. The review of the information collections by FAR part allows improved oversight to ensure there is no redundant or unaccounted for burden placed on industry. Lastly, combining information collections in a given FAR part is also expected to reduce the administrative burden associated with processing multiple information collections.

This justification supports the revision and extension of OMB Control No. 9000-0062 and combines it with the previously approved information collections under OMB Control Nos. 9000-0058 and 9000-0060 with the new title “Certain Federal Acquisition Regulation Part 36 Construction Contract Requirements.” Upon approval of this consolidated information collection, OMB Control Nos. 9000-0058 and 9000-0060 will be discontinued. The burden requirements previously approved under the discontinued numbers will be covered under OMB Control No. 9000-0062.

This clearance covers the information that contractors must submit to comply with the following FAR part 36 requirements:

• FAR 52.236-5, Material and Workmanship. This clause requires the contractor to obtain contracting officer approval of the machinery, equipment, material, or articles to be incorporated into the work. The contractor's request must include: The manufacturer's name, the model number, and other information concerning the performance, capacity, nature, and rating of the machinery and mechanical and other equipment; and full information concerning the material or articles. When directed by the contracting officer, the contractor must submit sufficient information on and, in some cases, samples of the items requiring approval. The contracting officer uses this information to determine whether the machinery, equipment, material, or articles meet the standards of quality specified in the contract. A contracting officer may reject work if the contractor installs machinery, equipment, material, or articles in the work without obtaining the contracting officer's approval.
• FAR 52.236-13, Accident Prevention, Alternate I. This alternate to the basic clause requires the contractor to submit a written proposed plan to provide and maintain work environments and procedures that will safeguard the public and Government personnel, property, materials, supplies, and equipment exposed to contractor operations and activities; avoid interruptions of Government operations and delays in project completion dates; and control costs in the performance of this contract. The plan must include an analysis of the significant hazards to life, limb, and property inherent in contract work performance and a plan for controlling these hazards. The contracting officer and technical representatives analyze the Accident Prevention Plan to determine if the proposed plan will satisfy the safety requirements identified in the contract, to include certain provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Act and applicable standards issued by the Secretary of Labor at 29 CFR part 1926 and 29 CFR part 1910.
• FAR 52.236-15, Schedules for Construction Contracts. This clause requires the contractor to prepare and submit to the contracting officer for approval three copies of a practicable schedule showing the order in which the contractor proposes to perform the work, and the dates on which the contractor contemplates starting and completing the several salient features of the work (including acquiring materials, plant, and equipment). The contracting officer uses this information to monitor progress under a Federal construction contract when other management approaches for ensuring adequate progress are not used.

C. Annual Burden

Respondents: 4,412.

Total Annual Responses: 15,352.

Total Burden Hours: 12,034.

Obtaining Copies: Requesters may obtain a copy of the information collection documents from the GSA Regulatory Secretariat Division by calling 202-501-4755 or emailing [e-mail]. Please cite OMB Control No. 9000-0062, Certain Federal Acquisition Regulation Part 36 Construction Contracts Requirements.

Janet Fry,

Director, Federal Acquisition Policy Division, Office of Governmentwide Acquisition Policy, Office of Acquisition Policy, Office of Governmentwide Policy.