2021-06539. Agency Information Collection Activity: VAAR 832.202-04, Security For Government Financing

AGENCY:

Office of Acquisition and Logistics, Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

Office of Acquisition and Logistics (OAL), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension of a currently approved collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice.

DATES:

Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection of information should be received on or before June 1, 2021.

ADDRESSES:

Submit written comments on the collection of information through Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) at www.Regulations.gov or to Rafael Taylor, Office of Acquisition & Logistics, Procurement Policy & Warrant Management Services (003A2A), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20420 or email to [e-mail]. Please refer to “OMB Control No. 2900-0688” in any correspondence. During the comment period, comments may be viewed online through FDMS.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Maribel Aponte, Office of Enterprise and Integration, Data Governance Analytics (008), 1717 H Street NW, Washington, DC 20006, [phone] or email [e-mail]. Please refer to “OMB Control No. 2900-0688” in any correspondence.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Under the PRA of 1995, 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, OAL invites comments on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of OAL's functions, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of OAL'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.

Authority: Public Law 104-13; 44 U.S.C. 3501-3521.

Title: Department of Veterans Affairs Acquisition Regulation (VAAR) 832.202-4, Security for Government Financing.

OMB Control Number: 2900-0688.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Abstract: The information that is gathered under VAAR 832.202-4 will be used by the VA contracting officer to assess whether or not the contractor's overall financial condition represents adequate security to warrant paying the contractor in advance. FAR subpart 32.2 authorizes the use of certain types of Government financing on commercial item purchases. 41 United States Code (U.S.C.) 255(f) requires the Government to obtain adequate security for Government financing. However, FAR 32.202-4(a)(2) provides that, subject to agency regulations, the contracting officer may determine that an offeror's financial condition is adequate security. VAAR 832.202-4 Security for Government Financing specifies the type of information that the contracting officer may obtain to determine whether or not the offeror's financial condition constitutes adequate security.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.

Estimated Annual Burden: 63 hours.

Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 60 minutes.

Frequency of Response: On occasion.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 21.

By direction of the Secretary.

Maribel Aponte,

VA PRA Clearance Officer, Office of Enterprise and Integration/Data Governance Analytics, Department of Veterans Affairs.