2018-14409. Submission for OMB Review; U.S.-Flag Air Carriers Statement

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, the Regulatory Secretariat Division will be submitting to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request to review and approve a previously approved information collection requirement concerning U.S.-Flag Air Carriers Statement.

DATES:

Submit comments on or before August 6, 2018.

ADDRESSES:

Submit comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden to: Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs of OMB, Attention: Desk Officer for GSA, Room 10236, NEOB, Washington, DC 20503. Additionally submit a copy to GSA by any of the following methods:

• Regulations.gov: http://www.regulations.gov. Submit comments via the Federal eRulemaking portal by searching the OMB control number 9000-0054. Select the link “Comment Now” that corresponds with “Information Collection “Information Collection 9000-0054, U.S. Flag Air Carriers Statement”. Follow the instructions provided on the screen. Please include your name, company name (if any), and “Information Collection 9000-0054, U.S.-Flag Air Carriers Statement” on your attached document.
• Mail: General Services Administration, Regulatory Secretariat Division (MVCB), 1800 F Street, NW, Washington, DC 20405. ATTN: Ms. Mandell/IC 9000-0054, U.S.-Flag Air Carriers Statement.

Instructions: Please submit comments only and cite Information Collection 9000-0054, U.S.-Flag Air Carriers Statement, in all correspondence related to this collection. Comments received generally will be posted without change to regulations.gov, including any personal and/or business confidential information provided. To confirm receipt of your comment(s), please check regulations.gov, approximately two-to-three business days after submission to verify posting (except allow 30 days for posting of comments submitted by mail).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mr. Curtis E. Glover, Sr. Procurement Analyst, Contract Policy Division, GSA, 202-501-1448, or via email at [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Purpose

Section 5 of the International Air Transportation Fair Competitive Practices Act of 1974 (49 U.S.C. 1517) (Fly America Act) requires that all Federal agencies and Government contractors and subcontractors at FAR 47.402, use U.S.-flag air carriers for U.S. Government-financed international air transportation of personnel (and their personal effects) or property, to the extent that service by those carriers is available. It requires the Comptroller General of the United States, in the absence of satisfactory proof of the necessity for foreign-flag air transportation, to disallow expenditures from funds, appropriated or otherwise established for the account of the United States, for international air transportation secured aboard a foreign-flag air carrier if a U.S.-flag air carrier is available to provide such services.

In the event that the contractor selects a carrier other than a U.S.-flag air carrier for international air transportation during performance of the contract, the contractor shall include per FAR clause 52.247-64 a statement on vouchers involving such transportation. The contracting officer uses the information furnished in the statement to determine whether adequate justification exists for the contractor's use of other than a U.S.-flag air carrier.

B. Annual Reporting Burden

Respondents: 150.

Responses Per Respondent: 2.

Annual Responses: 300.

Hours per Response: .25.

Total Burden Hours: 75.

C. Public Comments

A notice was published in the Federal Register at 83 FR 12949 on March 26, 2018. 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.

Obtaining Copies of Proposals: Requesters may obtain a copy of the information collection documents from the General Services Administration, Regulatory Secretariat Division (MVCB), 1800 F Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20405, telephone [phone]. Please cite OMB Control No. 9000-0054, U.S.-Flag Air Carriers Statement, in all correspondence.

Dated: June 29, 2018.

William F. Clark,

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