04-14901. Federal Acquisition Regulation; Information Collection; Contract Financing

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 (9000-0138).

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 to a currently approved information collection requirement concerning contract financing. The clearance currently expires on September 30, 2004.

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 August 30, 2004.

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, 1800 F Street, NW, Room 4035, Washington, DC 20405. Please cite OMB Control No. 9000-0138, Contract Financing, in all correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Richard C. Loeb, Office of Acquisition Policy, GSA [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Purpose

The Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act (FASA) of 1994, Pub. L. 103-355, provided authorities that streamlined the acquisition process and minimize burdensome Government-unique requirements. Sections 2001 and 2051 of FASA substantially changed the statutory authorities for Government financing of contracts. Sections 2001(f) and 2051(e) provide specific authority for Government financing of purchases of commercial items, and sections 2001(b) and 2051(b) substantially revised the authority for Government financing of purchases of non-commercial items.

Sections 2001(f) and 2051(e) provide specific authority for Government financing of purchases of commercial items. These paragraphs authorize the Government to provide contract financing with certain limitations.

Sections 2001(b) and 2051(b) also amended the authority for Government financing of non-commercial purchases by authorizing financing on the basis of certain classes of measures of performance.

To implement these changes, DOD, NASA, and GSA amended the FAR by revising Subparts 32.0, 32.1, and 32.5; by adding new Subparts 32.2 and 32.10; and by adding new clauses to 52.232.

The coverage enables the Government to provide financing to assist in the performance of contracts for commercial items and provide financing for non-commercial items based on contractor performance.

B. Annual Reporting Burden

Respondents: 1,000.

Responses Per Respondent: 5.

Total Responses: 5,000.

Hours Per Response: 2.

Total Burden Hours: 10,000.

The annual reporting burden for performance-based financing is estimated as follows:

Respondents: 500.

Responses Per Respondent: 12.

Total Responses: 6,000.

Hours Per Response: 2.

Total Burden Hours: 12,000.

0btaining 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. 9000-0138, Contract Financing, in all correspondence.

Dated: June 17, 2004.

Ralph J. De Stefano,

Acting Director,Acquisition Policy Division.