05-13258. Federal Acquisition Regulation; Submission for OMB Review; Advance Payments

AGENCIES:

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

ACTION:

Notice of request for public comments regarding an extension to an existing OMB clearance.

SUMMARY:

Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Secretariat has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request to review and approve an extension of a currently approved information collection requirement concerning advance payments. A request for public comments was published in the Federal Register at 70 FR 28516 on May 18, 2005. No comments were received.

Public comments are particularly invited on: Whether this collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of functions of the FAR, and whether it will have practical utility; whether our estimate of the public burden of this collection of information is accurate, and based on valid assumptions and methodology; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways in which we can minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, through the use of appropriate technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

DATES:

Submit comments on or before August 18, 2005.

ADDRESSES:

Submit comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden to the General Services Administration, FAR Secretariat (VIR), 1800 F Street, NW, Room 4035, Washington, DC 20405.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Jeremy Olson, Contract Policy Division, GSA [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Purpose

Advance payments may be authorized under Federal contracts and subcontracts. Advance payments are the least preferred method of contract financing and require special determinations by the agency head or designee. Specific financial information about the contractor is required before determinations by the agency head or designee. Specific financial information about the contractor is required before such payments can be authorized (see FAR Subpart 32.4 and 52.232-12). The information is used to determine if advance payments should be provided to the contractor.

B. Annual Reporting Burden

Respondents: 500.

Responses Per Respondent: 1.

Annual Responses: 500.

Hours Per Response: 1.

Total Burden Hours: 500.

Obtaining Copies of Proposals: Requesters may obtain a copy of the information collection documents from the General Services Administration, FAR Secretariat (VIR), Room 4035, 1800 F Street, NW, Washington, DC 20405, telephone [phone]. Please cite OMB Control No. 9000-0073, Advance Payments, in all correspondence.

Dated: June 27, 2005

Julia B. Wise,

Director,Contract Policy Division.