[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 93 (Thursday, May 14, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 26772]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-12891]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Office of the Secretary


Department of Commerce Partners in Quality Contracts (PQC) 
Program

ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on 
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before July 13, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier, 
Departmental Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 5327, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to Ms. Deborah O'Neill, Department of Commerce, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue, NW, Room 6422,
Washington, DC, 20230. Her telephone number is (202) 482-0202.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The National Performance Review (NPR) conducted by Vice President 
Gore outlined several objectives, including improving the Federal 
acquisition process. Along with the NPR objectives are associated 
Administration initiatives, such as greater emphasis on contractor's 
past performance; expanding the use of alternative disputes' resolution 
procedures; and improving communications overall between industry and 
government. The Department of Commerce (DOC) has developed a program 
that is philosophically consistent with NPR, known as the Partners in 
Quality Contracting (PQC) Program. PQC is a creative nonmonetary 
recognition program that showcases the importance of quality in the 
government acquisition process. It is intended as an effective yet 
inexpensive means of recognizing quality performance from both DOC 
contractors and acquisition personnel. The information collected is 
used to determine qualifications of applicants by DOC for purposes of 
recognizing DOC contractors and acquisition personnel who have promoted 
excellence in contracting through quality performance. The DOC PQC 
Evaluation Committee will be an independent committee, comprised of DOC 
employees from key functional areas. The universe of applicants 
includes all DOC contractors that have performed a DOC contract valued 
during the previous fiscal year at or above $100,000, if a large 
business, $50,000 or above, if a small one. A small business is defined 
as ``a business, including an affiliate, that is independently owned 
and operated, is not dominant in producing or performing the supplies 
or services being purchased, and has no more than 500 employees.'' 
Eligible contractors would ``self nominate'' through the submission of 
a company profile than an application that would be independently 
evaluated against pre-established criteria. Finalists would be site 
visited, as appropriate, by a government team before the final 
selections are made. Award recipients will be selected by consensus of 
the Committee. Award recipients will be invited to send representatives 
to attend an award reception.

II. Method of Collection

    Written submission.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0690-0012.
    Form Number: N/A.
    Type of Review: Regular submission for extension of a currently 
approved collection.
    Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 50.
    Estimated Time per Response: 38.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,900.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: $0 (no capital expenditures are 
required).

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (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 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(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 through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be 
summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this 
information collection; they will also become a matter of public 
record.

    Dated: May 7, 1998.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 98-12891 Filed 5-13-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-EC-P