[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 77 (Thursday, April 20, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21177-21178]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-9923]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-6582-6]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request; Invitation for Bids and Request for Proposals (IFBs 
and RFPs)

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 
et seq.), this document announces that EPA is planning to submit the 
following continuing Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office 
of Management and Budget (OMB): Invitation for Bids and Request for 
Proposals (IFBs and RFPs), EPA ICR No. 1038.10, OMB Control No. 2030-
0006, expires 9/30/2000. Before submitting the ICR to OMB for review 
and approval, EPA is soliciting comments on specific aspects of the 
proposed information collection as described below.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before June 19, 2000.

ADDRESSES: 1200 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Ariel Rios Building, Attn 3802R, 
Washington, DC 20460.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Leigh Pomponio, (202) 564-4364, e-
mail: [email protected]. A hard copy of the ICR may be 
obtained by contacting the named individual.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Affected entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are 
those companies or organizations, large and small businesses, that want 
to supply the EPA with supplies or services.
    Title: Invitation for Bids and Request for Proposals (IFBs and 
RFPs), OMB Control No. 2030-0006, EPA ICR No., 1038.10, expiring 9/30/
2000.
    Abstract: EPA requires contractors to submit information in order 
to be considered for the award of a contract. Information requested 
includes: prices for the supplies/services requested, information on 
past performance, technical and cost information, and general financial 
and organizational information. Information provided by vendors in 
response to an RFP/IFB is used to evaluate which vendor will provide 
the best product in terms of quality, timeliness, and price. Responses 
to IFBs/RFPs are required to be considered for a contract award. The 
legal authority for this collection is 41 U.S.C. 253. Contractor 
confidential business information submitted in connection with an IFB 
or RFP response is protected from public release in accordance with 40 
CFR 2.201 et seq. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is 
not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it 
displays a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control numbers 
for EPA's regulations are listed in 40 CFR part 9 and 48 CFR Chapter 
15.
    The EPA would like to solicit comments to:
    (i) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
    (ii) Evaluate 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;
    (iii) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information 
to be collected; and
    (iv) Minimize the burden of the collection of 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, e.g., permitting electronic 
submission of responses.
    Burden Statement: Burden estimate for responding to IFBs is 8 hours 
per submission. Annual collection by the Agency is estimated to be 288 
bids. At an average cost of $461.30 for each submission, the annual 
cost to respondents is $132,854.40. Burden for responding to RFPs is 
estimated at 251 hours per submission. Annual receipt of proposals by 
the Agency is expected to be 973. At an average cost of $14,508.10 the 
annual cost for RFP information collection is estimated at $14,116,381. 
The total respondent burden for both IFBs and RFPs is 246,527 hours. 
Total annual cost for IFBs and RFPs is estimated at $14,249,235. Burden 
means the total time, effort, or financial resources expended by 
persons to generate, maintain, retain, or disclose or provide 
information to or for a Federal agency. This includes the time needed 
to review instructions; develop, acquire, install, and utilize 
technology and systems for the purposes of collecting, validating, and 
verifying information,

[[Page 21178]]

processing and maintaining information, and disclosing and providing 
information; adjust the existing ways to comply with any previously 
applicable instructions and requirements; train personnel to be able to 
respond to a collection of information; search data sources; complete 
and review the collection of information; and transmit or otherwise 
disclose the information.

    Dated: April 14, 2000.
Leigh Pomponio,
Acting Manager, Policy Service Center.
[FR Doc. 00-9923 Filed 4-19-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P