2014-15603. Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is announcing an opportunity for the public to comment on CMS' intention to collect information from the public. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension or reinstatement of an existing collection of information, and to allow a second opportunity for public comment on the notice. Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including any of the following subjects: (1) The necessity and utility of the proposed information collection for the proper performance of the agency's functions; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burden; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology to minimize the information collection burden.

DATES:

Comments on the collection(s) of information must be received by the OMB desk officer by August 4, 2014.

ADDRESSES:

When commenting on the proposed information collections, please reference the document identifier or OMB control number. To be assured consideration, comments and recommendations must be received by the OMB desk officer via one of the following transmissions:

OMB, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attention: CMS Desk Officer, Fax Number: [phone], OR, E-Mail: [e-mail].

To obtain copies of a supporting statement and any related forms for the proposed collection(s) summarized in this notice, you may make your request using one of following:

1. Access CMS' Web site address at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/​PaperworkReductionActof1995.

2. Email your request, including your address, phone number, OMB number, and CMS document identifier, to [e-mail].

3. Call the Reports Clearance Office at [phone].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Reports Clearance Office at [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), federal agencies must obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of information they conduct or sponsor. The term “collection of information” is defined in 44 U.S.C. 3502(3) and 5 CFR 1320.3(c) and includes agency requests or requirements that members of the public submit reports, keep records, or provide information to a third party. Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)) requires federal agencies to publish a 30-day notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension or reinstatement of an existing collection of information, before submitting the collection to OMB for approval. To comply with this requirement, CMS is publishing this notice that summarizes the following proposed collection(s) of information for public comment:

1. Type of Information Collection Request: Revision of a currently approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program; Use: Section 302 of the MMA amended section 1847 of the Social Security Act (the Act) to require the implementation of the DMEPOS competitive bidding program. The Act provided the program requirements for the submission of bids in establishing payment rates and the awarding of contracts; provided the requirements for mergers and acquisitions; and a requirement for the Secretary to re-compete contracts not less often than once every 3 years. The MMA also requires the Secretary to re-compete contracts not less often than once every 3 years. The Round 1 Rebid contract period for all product categories except mail-order diabetic supplies expired on December 31, 2013. (Round 1 Rebid contracts for mail-order diabetic testing supplies ended on December 31, 2012.) The competition for the Round 1 Re-compete began in August of 2012. The Round 1 Re-compete contracts and prices became effective on January 1, 2014 and will expire on December 31, 2016. Round 2 and National Mail-Order contracts and prices will expire on June 30, 2016.

The most recent approval for this information collection request (ICR) was issued by OMB on June 10, 2013. That ICR included the estimated burden to collect the information in bidding Forms A and B for the Round 1 Re-compete. We are now seeking approval to collect the information in Forms A and B for competitions that will occur before 2017. For these upcoming competitions CMS will publish a slightly modified version of the RFB instructions and accompanying Forms A and B so that suppliers will be better able to identify and understand the requirements of the program. We decided to modify the Request for Bids (RFB) instructions and forms based on our experience from the last round of competition. The end result is expected to produce more complete and accurate information to evaluate suppliers. No new collection requirements have been added to the modified RFB instructions or Form A or B. Finally, we are retaining without change the Change of Ownership (CHOW) Purchaser Form and the CHOW Contract Supplier Notification Form, the Subcontracting Disclosure Form, and Forms C and D and their associated burden under this ICR. We intend to continue use of these forms on an ongoing basis.

Form Number: CMS-10169 (OMB control number: 0938-1016); Frequency: Occasionally; Affected Public: Private Sector—Business or other for-profits and Individuals or Households; Number of Respondents: 49,625; Total Annual Responses: 39,380; Total Annual Hours: 235,024. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Michael Keane at 410-786-4495.)

Dated: June 27, 2014.

Martique Jones,

Deputy Director, Regulations Development Group, Office of Strategic Operations and Regulatory Affairs.