2012-22408. Federal Acquisition Regulation; Information Collection; Use of Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) as Primary Contractor Identification

AGENCY:

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 Regulatory Secretariat will be submitting to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request to review and approve an extension of a previously approved information collection requirement concerning use of the Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) as primary contractor identification. The DUNS number is the nine-digit identification number assigned by Dun and Bradstreet Information Services to an establishment.

Public comments are particularly invited on: Whether this collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of functions of the Federal Acquisition Regulations (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 November 13, 2012.

ADDRESSES:

Submit comments identified by Information Collection 9000-0145, Use of data universal Numbering System (DUNS) as Primary Contractor Identification, by any of the following methods:

• Regulations.gov: http://www.regulations.gov.

Submit comments via the Federal eRulemaking portal by inputting “Information Collection 9000-0145, Use of Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) as Primary Contractor Identification” under the heading “Enter Keyword or ID” and selecting “Search”. Select the link “Submit a Comment” that corresponds with “Information Collection 9000-0145, Use of Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) as Primary Contractor Identification”. Follow the instructions provided at the “Submit a Comment” screen. Please include your name, company name (if any), and “Information Collection 9000-0145, Use of Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) as Primary Contractor Identification” on your attached document.

• Fax: [phone].
• Mail: General Services Administration, Regulatory Secretariat (MVCB), 1275 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20417. ATTN: Hada Flowers/IC 9000-0145, Transportation Requirements.

Instructions: Please submit comments only and cite Information Collection 9000-0145, Use of Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) as Primary Contractor Identification, in all correspondence related to this collection. All comments received will be posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov,, including any personal and/or business confidential information provided.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mr. Curtis E. Glover, Sr., Procurement Analyst, Office of Governmentwide Acquisition Policy, GSA [phone] or via email at [e-mail].

SUPPMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Purpose

The Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number is the nine-digit identification number assigned by Dun and Bradstreet Information Services to an establishment. The Government uses the DUNS number to identify contractors in reporting to the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS). The FPDS provides a comprehensive mechanism for assembling, organizing, and presenting contract placement data for the Federal Government. Federal agencies report data on all contracts in excess of the micro-purchase threshold to the Federal Procurement Data Center which collects, processes, and disseminates official statistical data on Federal contracting. Contracting officers insert the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) provision at 52.204-6, Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number, in solicitations they expect will result in contracts in excess of the micro-purchase threshold and do not contain FAR 52.204-7, Central Contractor Registration. The majority of offerors submit their DUNS through CCR as required by FAR 52.204-7, and not under the FAR provision at 52.204-6.

B. Annual Reporting Burden

The estimated annual reporting burden has been adjusted since published in the Federal Register at 74 FR 37991, on July 30, 2009. The adjustment is based on use of Fiscal Year 2011 Federal Procurement Data System data, and consideration for the fact that the majority of vendors are required to report their DUNS number into the Central Contractor Registration per FAR 52.204-7, and not FAR.204-6, as required by this information collection.

Respondents: 38,679.

Responses per Respondent: 3.

Annual Responses: 116,037.

Hours per Response: .02416.

Total Burden Hours: 2,804.

Obtaining Copies of Proposals: Requesters may obtain a copy of the information collection documents from the General Services Administration, Regulatory Secretariat (MVCB), 1275 First Street NE., Washington, DC 20417, telephone [phone]. Please cite OMB Control Number 9000-0145, Use of Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) as Primary Contractor Identification, in all correspondence.

Dated: September 6, 2012.

William Clark,

Acting Director, Federal Acquisition Policy Division, Office of Acquisition Policy, Office of Governmentwide Policy.