2015-09695. Information Collection Requirement; Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement; Administrative Matters

AGENCY:

Defense Acquisition Regulations System, 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 the provisions thereof. 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 under OMB Control Number 0704-0454 for use through August 31, 2015. DoD is proposing that OMB extend its approval for use for three additional years.

DATES:

DoD will consider all comments received by June 26, 2015.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments, identified by OMB Control Number 0704-0454, using any of the following methods:

○ Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.

○ Email: [e-mail]. Include OMB Control Number 0704-0454 in the subject line of the message.

○ Fax: [phone].

○ Mail: Defense Acquisition Regulations System, Attn: Ms. Jennifer Johnson, OUSD(AT&L)DPAP/DARS, Rm. 3B941, 3060 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-3060.

Comments received generally will be posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov,, including any personal information provided.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ms. Jennifer Johnson, at [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title and OMB Number: Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS): U.S.-International Atomic Energy Agency Additional Protocol; OMB Control Number 0704-0454.

Needs and Uses: This requirement is necessary to provide for protection of information or activities with national security significance. As such, this information collection requires contractors to comply with the notification process at DFARS 252.204-7010, Requirement for Contractor to Notify DoD if the Contractor's Activities are Subject to Reporting Under the U.S.-International Atomic Energy Agency Additional Protocol.

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

Number of Respondents: 300.

Responses per Respondent: 1.

Annual Responses: 300.

Average Burden per Response: 1 hour.

Annual Response Burden Hours: 300.

Reporting Frequency: On occasion.

Summary of Information Collection

Under the U.S.-International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Additional Protocol, the United States is required to declare a wide range of public and private nuclear-related activities to the IAEA and potentially provide access to IAEA inspectors for verification purposes. The U.S.-IAEA Additional Protocol permits the United States unilaterally to declare exclusions from inspection requirements for activities with direct national security significance.

The clause at 252.204-7010 is included in contracts for research and development or major defense acquisition programs involving fissionable materials (e.g., uranium, plutonium, neptunium, thorium, americium); other radiological source materials; or technologies directly related to nuclear power production, including nuclear or radiological waste materials.

The clause requires a contractor to provide written notification to the applicable DoD program manager and a copy of the notification to the contracting officer if the contractor is required to report its activities under the U.S.-IAEA Additional Protocol. Upon such notification, DoD will determine if access may be granted to IAEA inspectors, or if a national security exclusion should be applied.

Manuel Quinones,

Editor, Defense Acquisition Regulations System.