[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 36 (Monday, February 24, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8216-8217]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-4414]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Commodity Credit Corporation


Notice and Request for Comment for an Approval of a New 
Information Collection

AGENCY: Commodity Credit Corporation, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) is seeking approval 
from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to revise procedures for 
accepting vendor bids to supply commodities for use under export 
donation programs. An Electronic Bid Entry System (EBES) will provide 
for electronic submission of bids via the Internet. This will replace 
the current system, which requires hard-copy bids and manual entry into 
CCC's system. The new procedure will be more reliable and more 
efficient than the current procedure.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received on or before April 25, 
1997 to be assured consideration.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Comments regarding this information 
collection requirement may be directed to the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs of OMB, Attention: Desk Officer for USDA, 
Washington, DC 20503 and to Donna Ryles, Chief Planning and Analysis 
Division, Kansas City Commodity Office, 9200 Ward Parkway, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64114, telephone (816) 926-1505, fax (816) 926-6767.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Title: Electronic Bid Entry System (EBES)--7 CFR 1496.
    OMB Number: New submission.
    Expiration Date: Not yet determined.
    Type of Request: Approval of a new information collection.
    Abstract: The United States donates agricultural commodities 
overseas under Title II of the Agricultural Trade Development and 
Assistance Act of 1954 (P.L. 480) to meet famine or other relief 
requirements to combat malnutrition and to promote economic 
development.
    CCC issues invitations to purchase or process commodities for food 
donation programs monthly. Vendors respond by making offers using the 
CCC Commodity Bid Form (form PBI170). CCC verifies that the PBI170 is 
responsive and manually enters the information on the form into the bid 
evaluation program to determine the lowest landed cost and award data 
for the creation of contracts.
    The current keypunching process requires entering hand-written data 
and then verifying the results. The sensitivity of the data and the 
high value of the contracts at stake requires a reliable and efficient 
system for capturing the bid data.
    Regulations governing paperwork burdens on the public require that 
before an agency collects information from the public, the agency must 
receive approval from OMB. In accordance with those regulations, CCC is 
seeking approval for EBES to provide for the submission of bids through 
the Internet.
    Under OMB regulations, comments concerning EBES must be submitted 
to OMB within 30 days of this notice's publication in the Federal 
Register. Within 60 days ``after receipt of the proposed collection of 
information or publication of the notice'' in the Federal Register, 
whichever is later, OMB shall notify CCC of its decision to approve, 
require modifications to, or disapprove EBES.

Bid Process Modifications

    In August 1996, the Export Operations Division, Kansas City 
Commodity Office (KCCO), issued a survey to all active vendors 
requesting specifics about their computer capabilities. Based on the 
response to that survey, it was determined that a majority of vendors 
have IBM-compatible Personal Computers (PC's), and are currently 
involved in some form of electronic commerce. Therefore, this project 
will require IBM-compatible PC's. We anticipate having the final PC 
configuration requirements for this project by March 1997. In addition 
to meeting the PC specifications, each vendor will be required to 
obtain an Internet Service Provider to participate in the EBES.
    KCCO will provide vendor training and offer hotline assistance for 
EBES. It is anticipated EBES will be put into operation in the summer 
of 1997. Vendor participation in the EBES shall be required to submit 
bids to CCC for the purchase of agricultural commodities intended for 
food donation programs for export distribution. The EBES will capture 
commodity vendor bid data for the regular monthly purchases of 
agricultural commodities for food donation programs for export 
distribution in a more reliable and efficient way than the current 
system. EBES provides the data in an electronic and linear format.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for collecting 
information under this notice is estimated to average 30 minutes per 
response, including the time for reviewing instructions,

[[Page 8217]]

searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data 
needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information.
    Respondents: Business and other for profit.
    Respondents: 60.
    Estimated Number of Annual Responses per Respondent: 24.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 720 hours.
    Proposed topics for comment include: (a) whether the collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information will have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including 
the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; ways to enhance 
the quality, utility and clarity of the information collected; or (d) 
ways to minimize the burden of the collection of the information on 
those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate 
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments regarding 
this information collection requirement may be directed to the Office 
of Information and Regulatory Affairs of OMB, Attention: Desk Officer 
for USDA, Washington, DC 20503, and to Donna Ryles, Chief Planning and 
Analysis Division, Kansas City Commodity Office, 9200 Ward Parkway, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64114, telephone (816) 926-1505, fax (816) 926-
6767.

    Signed at Washington, D.C., on February 13, 1997.
Alan King,
Acting Executive Vice President, Commodity Credit Corporation.
[FR Doc. 97-4414 Filed 2-21-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P