03-20443. Federal Acquisition Regulation; Information Collection; Examination of Records by Comptroller General and Contract Audit

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 (9000-0034).

SUMMARY:

Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Secretariat will be submitting to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request to review and approve an extension of a currently approved information collection requirement concerning examination of records by comptroller general/audit-negotiation now retitled examination of records by comptroller general and contract audit. The clearance currently expires on November 30, 2003.

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 October 14, 2003.

ADDRESSES:

Submit comments, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the General Services Administration, FAR Secretariat (MVA), 1800 F Street, NW, Room 4035, Washington, DC 20405.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Edward Loeb, Policy Advisor, Office of Acquisition Policy, GSA, [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Purpose

The Audit and Records-Negotiation clause, 52.215-2; Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial Items clause, 52.212-5(d); and Audit and Records-Sealed Bidding clause, 52.214-26, implement the requirements of 10 U.S.C. 2313, 41 U.S.C. 254, and 10 U.S.C. 2306. The statutory requirements are that the Comptroller General and/or agency shall have access to, and the right to, examine certain books, documents and records of the contractor for a period of 3 years after final payment. The record retention periods required of the contractor in the clauses are for compliance with the aforementioned statutory requirements. The information must be retained so that audits necessary for contract surveillance, verification of contract pricing, and reimbursement of contractor costs can be performed.

B. Annual Reporting Burden

Respondents: 19,142.

Responses Per Respondent: 20.

Total Responses: 382,840.

Hours Per Response: 0.167.

Total Burden Hours: 63,934.

Obtaining Copies of Proposals: Requesters may obtain a copy of the information collection documents from the General Services Administration, FAR Secretariat (MVA), 1800 F Street, NW, Room 4035, Washington, DC 20405, telephone [phone]. Please cite OMB Control No. 9000-0034, Examination of Records by Comptroller General and Contract Audit in all correspondence.

Dated: August 6, 2003.

Laura G. Auletta,

Director, Acquisition Policy Division.