[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 193 (Thursday, October 3, 1996)] [Notices] [Pages 51673-51674] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-25365] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Extension of Currently Approved Information Collection for Bid Form for National Forest System Timber for Sale AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of intent; request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Forest Service announces its intent to request an extension of a currently approved information collection. The information is necessary to determine if a bidder, submitting a bid to the National Forest System timber sale program, meets the requirements for the program. DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before December 2, 1996. ADDRESSES: All comments should be addressed to: Director, Timber Management (2430), Forest Service, USDA, P.O. Box 96090, Washington, D.C. 20090-6090. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Naylor, Timber Management Staff, at (202) 205-0858. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Description of Information Collection The following describes the information collection to be extended: Title: FS-2400-42a--Bid Form for Advertised National Forest System Timber. OMB Number: 0596-0066. Expiration Date of Approval: February 28, 1997. Type of Request: Extension of a previously approved information collection. Abstract: The data collected are used by the agency to ensure that National Forest System timber is sold at not less than appraised value, that bidders meet specific criteria when submitting a bid, and that anti-trust violations do not occur during the bidding process. Respondents are bidders on National Forest System timber sales. Forest Service Sale Officers mail bid forms to potential bidders, and bidders return the completed forms, dated and signed, to the Forest Service Sale Officer. Each bidder must include the following: the price bid for the timber, an address, and a tax identification number. The tax identification number of each bidder is entered into an automated bid monitoring system, which is used to determine if speculative bidding or bid collusion is occurring. The tax identification number is also used to facilitate electronic payments to the purchaser. Data gathered in this information collection is not available from other sources. Estimate of Burden: 10 minutes. Type of Respondents: Individuals, large and small businesses, and corporations bidding on National Forest timber sales. [[Page 51674]] Estimated Number of Respondents: 5,000. Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.5. Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,250 hours. The agency invites comments on the following: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Use of Comments All comments received in response to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of public record. Dated: September 26, 1996. David G. Unger, Associate Chief. [FR Doc. 96-25365 Filed 10-2-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-11-P