2017-15697. Agency Information Collection Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs Acquisition Regulation (VAAR) Clause 852.236-89, Buy American Act

AGENCY:

The Office of Management (OM), 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 proposed extension of a currently approved collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice.

DATES:

Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection of information should be received on or before September 25, 2017.

ADDRESSES:

Submit written comments on the collection of information through Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) at www.Regulations.gov or to Ricky Clark, Office Of Acquisition and Logistics (003A2A), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20420 or email to [e-mail]. Please refer to “OMB Control No. “2900-0622” in any correspondence. During the comment period, comments may be viewed online through FDMS.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Cynthia Harvey-Pryor at [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Under the PRA of 1995, 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.

With respect to the following collection of information, OM invites comments on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of OM functions, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of OM estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or the use of other forms of information technology.

Authority: Under the PRA of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13; 44 U.S.C. 3501-3521).

Title: Department of Veterans Affairs Acquisition Regulation (VAAR) Clause 852.236-89, Buy American Act.

OMB Control Number: 2900-0622.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Abstract: The Buy American Act requires that only domestic construction material shall be used to perform domestic Federal contracts for construction, with certain exceptions. VA policy is to not accept foreign construction material. However, if a bidder chooses to submit a bid that includes foreign material, VA will consider such bids if the material is specifically identified and the price of the material is provided. VAAR clause 852.236-89, Buy American Act, advises bidders of these provisions and requires bidders who want to offer foreign construction material to list the material and its price. Bidders who do not intend to offer foreign material do not need to submit any information under this clause. The information is required to allow VA to make an informed decision as to whether or not to accept a bid that includes foreign construction material. In actual practice, very few bidders ever offer foreign materials and, when they do, very few of those offers are accepted.

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

Estimated Annual Burden:

a. VAAR clause 852.236-89, Buy American Act—22 hours.

Estimated Average Burden per Respondent:

a. VAAR clause 852.236-89—30 minutes.

Frequency of Response: On occasion.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 43.

By direction of the Secretary.

Cynthia Harvey-Pryor,

Department Clearance Officer, Enterprise Records Service, Office of Quality and Compliance, Department of Veterans Affairs.