2011-6684. Agency Information Collection (VAAR Clause 852.236.89, Buy American Act) Under OMB Review

AGENCY:

Office of Management, Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3521), this notice announces that the Office of Management (OM), Department of Veterans Affairs, will submit the collection of information abstracted below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The PRA submission describes the nature of the information collection and its expected cost and burden; it includes the actual data collection instrument.

DATES:

Comments must be submitted on or before April 21, 2011.

ADDRESSES:

Submit written comments on the collection of information through http://www.Regulations.gov; or to VA's OMB Desk Officer, OMB Human Resources and Housing Branch, New Executive Office Building, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503 [phone]. Please refer to “OMB Control No. 2900-0622” in any correspondence

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Denise McLamb, Enterprise Records Service (005R1B), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420, [phone], FAX [phone] or e-mail: [e-mail]. Please refer to “OMB Control No. 2900-0622.”

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Under the PRA of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13; 44 U.S.C. 3501—3521), Federal agencies must obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of information they conduct or sponsor. This request for comment is being made pursuant to Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA.

With respect to the following collection of information, OM invites comments on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of OM's functions, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of OM's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or the use of other forms of information technology.

Title: Department of Veterans Affairs Acquisition Regulation (VAAR) Clause 852.236-89, Buy American Act.

OMB Control Number: 2900-0622.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Abstract: The Buy American Act requires that only domestic construction material shall be used to perform domestic Federal contracts for construction, with certain exceptions. Despite the allowable exceptions, it is VA policy not to accept foreign construction material. VAAR clause 852.236-89 advises bidders of these provisions and requires bidders who choose to submit a bid that includes foreign construction material to identify and list the price of such material. VA uses the information to determine whether to accept or not accept a bid that includes foreign construction material.

An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on this collection of information was published on January 14, 2011, at pages 2762-2763.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit, and Not-for-profit institutions.

Estimated Annual Burden: 20 hours.

Estimated Average Burden Per Respondent: 30 min.

Frequency of Response: On occasion.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 40.

Dated: March 17, 2011.

By direction of the Secretary.

Denise McLamb,

Program Analyst, Enterprise Records Service.