05-16255. Federal Acquisition Regulation; Submission for OMB Review; Payment by Electronic Fund Transfer

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 (9000-0144).

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 payment by electronic fund transfer. A request for public comments was published in the Federal Register at 70 FR 34104, June 13, 2005. 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 16, 2005.

ADDRESSES:

Submit comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden to the General Services Administration, FAR Secretariat (VIR), 1800 F Street, NW, Room 4035, Washington, DC 20405. Please cite OMB Control No. 9000-0144, Payment by Electronic Fund Transfer, in all correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT

Jeremy F. Olson, Contract Policy Division, GSA, [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Purpose

The FAR requires certain information to be provided by contractors which would enable the Government to make payments under the contract by electronic fund transfer (EFT). The information necessary to make the EFT transaction is specified in clause 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer—Central Contractor Registration, which the contractor is required to provide prior to award, and clause 52.232-34, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer—Other than Central Contractor Registration, which requires EFT information to be provided as specified by the agency to enable payment by EFT.

B. Annual Reporting Burden

Respondents: 14,000.

Responses Per Respondent: 10.

Annual Responses: 140,000.

Hours Per Response: .5.

Total Burden Hours: 70,000.

Obtaining Copies of Proposals: Requesters may obtain a copy of the information collection documents from the General Services Administration, FAR Secretariat (VIR), Room 4035, 1800 F Street, NW, Washington, DC 20405, telephone [phone]. Please cite OMB Control No.9000-0144, Payment by Electronic Fund Transfer, in all correspondence.

Dated: July 19, 2005.

Julia B. Wise,

Director, Contract Policy Division.