2023-20133. Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review: Pre-Award, Post Delivery Audit Requirements Under Buy America

AGENCY:

Federal Transit Administration, Department of Transportation.

ACTION:

Notice of request for comments.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve the extension of a currently approved information collection: Pre-Award, Post Delivery Audit Requirements Under Buy America.

DATES:

Comments must be submitted before November 17, 2023.

ADDRESSES:

To ensure that your comments are not entered more than once into the docket, submit comments identified by the docket number by only one of the following methods:

1. Website: www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments on the U.S. Government electronic docket site. (Note: The U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT's) electronic docket is no longer accepting electronic comments.) All electronic submissions must be made to the U.S. Government electronic docket site at www.regulations.gov. Commenters should follow the directions below for mailed and hand-delivered comments.

2. Fax: [phone].

3. Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Docket Operations, M–30, West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12–140, Washington, DC 20590–0001.

4. Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Docket Operations, M–30, West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12–140, Washington, DC 20590–0001 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

Instructions: You must include the agency name and docket number for this notice at the beginning of your comments. Submit two copies of your comments if you submit them by mail. For confirmation that FTA has received your comments, include a self-addressed stamped postcard. Note that all comments received, including any personal information, will be posted and will be available to internet users, without change, to www.regulations.gov. You may review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published April 11, 2000, (65 FR 19477), or you may visit www.regulations.gov.

Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents and comments received, go to www.regulations.gov at any time. Background documents and comments received may also be viewed at the U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Docket Operations, M–30, West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12–140, Washington, DC 20590–0001 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Jason Luebbers at (202) 366–8864 or email [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Interested parties are invited to send comments regarding any aspect of this information collection, including: (1) the necessity and utility of the information collection for the proper performance of the functions of the FTA; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burden; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the collected information; and (4) ways to minimize the collection burden without reducing the quality of the collected information. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information collection.

Title: Pre-Award, Post Delivery Audit Requirements Under Buy America.

OMB Number: 2132–0544.

Background: Federal Transit Laws, 49 U.S.C. 5323(j) and (m), require that recipients of Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funding comply with certain requirements, including Buy America, maintain on file certifications of compliance by the bidder or offeror, and certify compliance at the pre-award and post-delivery stages of the procurement process for rolling stock purchases under 49 CFR part 663.

Bidders or offerors must submit certificates to assure compliance with Buy America, the purchaser's contract specifications (for rolling stock only), and Federal motor vehicle safety requirements (for rolling stock only). The information collected on the certification forms is necessary for FTA recipients to meet the requirements of 49 U.S.C. 5323(j) and (m). In addition, FTA recipients are required to certify, as part of their annual Certifications and Assurances, that they will comply with pre-award and post-delivery audit requirements for rolling stock under 49 CFR part 663.

Respondents: FTA recipients, including State and local government, and businesses or other for-profit organizations.

Estimated Annual Burden on Respondents: (1) approximately 2.16 hours for each of the estimated 700 procurements by FTA recipients and businesses or other for-profit organizations to certify compliance (or 1,512 hours), (2) approximately .16 hours for each of the estimated 700 procurements for recordkeeping by FTA recipients (or 112 hours), and (3) 1.66 hours for each of the estimated 700 procurements for review by FTA recipients (or 1,162 hours).

Estimated Total Annual Burden: 2,786 hours.

Frequency: Annual.

Emily Anderson,

Director, Office of Management Planning.