[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 83 (Friday, April 28, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24909-24910]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-10568]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 83 / Friday, April 28, 2000 / 
Notices  

[[Page 24909]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service


Notice of Intent To Revise and Request an Extension of a 
Currently Approved Information Collection

AGENCY: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, 
USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) implementing regulations this 
notice announces the Cooperative State Research, Education, and 
Extension Service's (CSREES) intention to revise and extend a currently 
approved information collection, Form CSREES-665 ``Assurance of 
Compliance with the Department of Agriculture Regulations Assuring 
Civil Rights Compliance,'' and Form CSREES-666, ``Organizational 
Information.''

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received no later than July 3, 
2000, to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Address all comments concerning this notice to Dr. Sally J. 
Rockey, Deputy Administrator; Competitive Research Grants and Awards 
Management; Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension 
Service; U.S. Department of Agriculture; STOP 2240; 1400 Independence 
Avenue, S.W.; Washington, D.C. 20250-2240. E-mail: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sally J. Rockey, (202) 401-1761.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Titles: Assurance of Compliance with the Department of Agriculture 
Regulations Assuring Civil Rights Compliance and Organizational 
Information.
    OMB Number: 0524-0026.
    Expiration Date of Approval: April 30, 2000.
    Type of Request: Revise and extend currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: CSREES has primary responsibility for providing linkages 
between the Federal and State components of a broad-based, national 
agricultural research, extension, and education system. Focused on 
national issues, its purpose is to represent the Secretary of 
Agriculture and carry out the intent of Congress by administering 
formula and grant funds appropriated for agricultural research, 
extension, and education. Before awards can be made, certain 
information is required from applicants to assure compliance with the 
applicable civil rights laws and to effectively assess the potential 
recipient's capacity to manage Federal funds.
    The following information will continue to be collected:
    Form CSREES-665--Assurance of Compliance with the Department of 
Agriculture Regulations Assuring Civil Rights Compliance: By signing 
this form the organization certifies that it complies with the Civil 
Rights Act of 1964, as amended. The applicant agrees that it will offer 
its programs to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, 
national origin, gender, disability, age, political beliefs, religion, 
marital status, or familial status and that people will not be excluded 
from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise 
subjected to discrimination under any program or activity for which the 
Applicant receives Federal financial assistance from the Department of 
Agriculture. This information is submitted to CSREES on a one-time 
basis.
    Form CSREES-666--Organizational Information: Enables CSREES to 
determine that applicants recommended for awards will be responsible 
recipients of Federal funds. The information pertains to organizational 
management and financial matters of the potential grantee. This form 
and the documents which the applicant attaches to it provide CSREES 
with information such as the legal name of the grantee, certification 
that the organization has the legal authority to accept Federal 
funding, identification and signatures of the key officials of the 
organization, the organization's practices in regard to compensation 
rates and benefits of employees, insurance for equipment, 
subcontracting with other organizations, etc., as well as the financial 
condition of the organization. All of this information is considered by 
CSREES prior to award to determine that grantees are both managerially 
and fiscally responsible. This information is submitted to CSREES on a 
one-time basis. If sufficient changes occur within the organization, 
the grantee submits revised information.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average .5 hours for Form CSREES-665 and 
3.5 hours for Form CSREES-666. These averages were based on a survey of 
grantees who had recently been approved for awards. They were asked to 
give an estimate of time it took them to complete each form. This 
estimate was to include such things as: 1) Reviewing the instructions; 
2) Searching existing data sources; 3) Gathering and maintaining the 
data needed; and 4) Actual completion of the forms. The average time it 
took each respondent was calculated from their responses.
    Respondents: Individuals or households, business or other for 
profit, non-profit institutions and small businesses or organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 150.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondent: 600 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Dr. 
Sally Rockey, Deputy Administrator, at (202) 401-1761.
    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, will 
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 
those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate 
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection

[[Page 24910]]

techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments should be 
sent to the address stated in the preamble.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of public 
record.

    Done at Washington, DC, this 20th day of April, 2000.
Charles W. Laughlin,
Administrator, Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-10568 Filed 4-27-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P