2016-17340. Proposed Information Collection (Acquisition Regulation (VAAR) Clause 852.211-73, Brand Name or Equal) Activity: Comment Request

AGENCY:

Office of Management, Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Office of Management (OM), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each extension of a currently approved collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice describes the nature of the information collection and its expected cost and burden and includes the actual data collection instrument.

DATES:

Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection of information should be received on or before September 20, 2016.

ADDRESSES:

Submit written comments on the collection of information through the Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) at www.Regulations.gov;​; or to Ricky L. Clark, Office of Acquisition and Logistics (003A2A), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20420; or email: [e-mail]. Please refer to “OMB Control No. 2900-0585” in any correspondence. During the comment period, comments may be viewed online through FDMS.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ricky Clark at [phone], Fax [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Under the PRA of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13; 44 U.S.C. 3501-3521), Federal agencies must obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of information they conduct or sponsor. This request for comment is being made pursuant to Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA.

Titles: Veterans Affairs Acquisition Regulation (VAAR) Clause 852.211-73, Brand Name or Equal.

OMB Control Number: 2900-0585.

Type of Review: Extension without change of a previously approved collection.

Abstract: VAAR clause 852.211-73 advises bidders or offerors who are proposing to offer an item that is alleged to be equal to the brand name item stated in the bid, that it is the bidder's or offeror's responsibility to show that the item offered is in fact, equal to the brand name item. This evidence may be in the form of descriptive literature or material, such as cuts, illustrations, drawings, or other information. While submission of the information is voluntary, failure to provide the information may result in rejection of the firm's bid or offer if the Government cannot otherwise determine that the item offered is equal. The contracting officer will use the information to evaluate whether or not the item offered meets the specification requirements.

An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit and not-for-profit institutions.

Estimated Annual Burden: 1,125 hours.

Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 10 minutes.

Frequency of Response: On occasion.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 6,750.

By direction of the Secretary.

Cynthia Harvey-Pryor,

Program Specialist, Enterprise Records Management Service, Office of Privacy and Records Management, Department of Veterans Affairs.