02-29467. Information Collection Requirement; Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement; Contract Financing

AGENCY:

Department of Defense (DoD).

ACTION:

Notice and request for comments regarding a proposed extension of an approved information collection requirement.

SUMMARY:

In compliance with Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), DoD announces the proposed extension of a public information collection requirement and seeks public comment on its provisions. DoD invites comments on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of DoD, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the information collection on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved this information collection for use through May 31, 2003, under OMB Control Number 0704-0321. DoD proposes that OMB extend its approval for use through May 31, 2006.

DATES:

DoD will consider all comments received by January 21, 2003.

ADDRESSES:

Respondents may submit comments directly on the World Wide Web at http://emissary.acq.osd.mil/​dar/​dfars.nsf/​pubcomm. As an alternative, respondents may e-mail comments to: [e-mail]. Please cite OMB Control Number 0704-0321 in the subject line of e-mailed comments.

Respondents that cannot submit comments using either of the above methods may submit comments to: Defense Acquisition Regulations Council, Attn: Mr. Euclides Barrera, OUSD(AT&L)DPAP(DAR), IMD 3C132, 3062 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-3062; facsimile [phone]. Please cite OMB Control Number 0704-0321.

At the end of the comment period, interested parties may view public comments on the World Wide Web at http://emissary.acq.osd.mil/​dar/​dfars.nsf.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mr. Euclides Barrera, at [phone]. The information collection requirements addressed in this notice are available electronically on the World Wide Web at http://www.acq.osd.mil/​dp/​dars/​dfars.html. Paper copies are available from Mr. Euclides Barrera, OUSD(A&T)DPAP(DAR), IMD 3C132, 3062 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-3062.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title and OMB Number: Contract Financing, Progress Payments for Foreign Military Sales Acquisitions—Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) Part 232 and the clause at 252.232-7002; OMB Control Number 0704-0321.

Needs and Uses: Section 22 of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2762) requires the U.S. Government to use foreign funds, rather than U.S. appropriated funds, to purchase military equipment for foreign governments. To comply with this requirement, the Government needs to know how much to charge each country. The clause at 252.232-7002, Progress Payments for Foreign Military Sales Acquisitions, requires each contractor whose contract includes foreign military sales (FMS) requirements to submit a separate progress payment request for each progress payment rate, and to submit a supporting schedule that clearly distinguishes the contract's FMS requirements from U.S. requirements. The Government uses this information to determine how much of each country's funds to disburse to the contractor.

Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profit and not-for-profit institutions.

Annual Burden Hours: 5,508 (includes 1,836 response hours plus 3,672 recordkeeping hours).

Number of Respondents: 306.

Responses Per Respondents: 12.

Annual Responses: 3,672.

Average Burden Per Response: .5 hours.

Frequency: On occasion.

Summary of Information Collection

This information collection includes requirements relating to DFARS Part 232, Contract Financing, and the related clause at DFARS 252.232-7002, Progress Payments for Foreign Military Sales Acquisitions.

a. DFARS 232.502-4-70(a) prescribes use of the clause at DFARS 252.232-7002 in any contract that provides for progress payments and contains FMS requirements.

b. DFARS 252.232-7002 requires each contractor whose contract includes FMS requirements to submit a separate progress payment request for each progress payment rate, and to submit a supporting schedule that distinguishes the contract's FMS requirements from U.S. requirements.

Michele P. Peterson,

Executive Editor, Defense Acquisition Regulations Council.