03-20792. Federal Acquisition Regulation; Submission for OMB Review; Patents

AGENCIES:

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

ACTION:

Notice of request for comments regarding an extension to an existing OMB clearance (9000-0096).

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 patents. A request for public comments was published in the Federal Register at 68 FR 35633 on June 16, 2003. 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 September 15, 2003.

ADDRESSES:

Submit comments including suggestions for reducing this burden to: FAR Desk Officer, OMB, Room 10102, NEOB, Washington, DC 20503, and a copy to the General Services Administration, FAR Secretariat (MVA), Room 4035 1800 F Street, NW., Washington, DC 20405.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Craig Goral, Acquisition Policy Division, GSA [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Purpose

The patent coverage in FAR subpart 27.2 requires the contractor to report each notice of a claim of patent or copyright infringement that came to the contractor's attention in connection with performing a Government contract above a dollar value of $25,000 (sections 27.202-1 and 52.227-2). The contractor is also required to report all royalties anticipated or paid in excess of $250 for the use of patented inventions by furnishing the name and address of licensor, date of license agreement, patent number, brief description of item or component, percentage or dollar rate of royalty per unit, unit price of contract item, and number of units (sections 27.204-1, 52.227-6, and 52.227-9). The information collected is to protect the rights of the patent holder and the interest of the Government.

B. Annual Reporting Burden

Number of Respondents: 30.

Responses Per Respondent: 1.

Total Responses: 30.

Average Burden Hours Per Response: .5.

Total Burden Hours: 15.

Obtaining copies of proposals: Requesters may obtain a copy of the information collection documents from the General Services Administration, FAR Secretariat (MVA), Room 4035, 1800 F Street, NW., Washington, DC 20405, telephone [phone]. Please cite OMB Control No. 9000-0096, Patents, in all correspondence.

Dated: August 7, 2003.

Laura G. Auletta,

Director, Acquisition Policy Division.