[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 84 (Monday, May 1, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25323-25324]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-10768]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-6587-3]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request; Conflict of Interest

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): Conflict of Interest, EPA ICR No. 
1550.05 and OMB Control No. 2030-0023, expires 5/31/00. 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 30, 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 which are awarded contracts supporting the Superfund program.

[[Page 25324]]

    Title: Conflict of Interest OMB Control No. 2030-0023; EPA ICR No. 
1550.05 expiring 5/31/00.
    Abstract: Contractors performing at Superfund sites will be 
required to disclose business relationships and corporate affiliations 
to determine whether EPA's interests are jeopardized by such 
relationships. Because EPA has the dual responsibility of cleanup and 
enforcement and because its contractors are often involved in both 
activities, it is imperative that contractors are free from conflicts 
of interest so as not to prejudice response and enforcement actions. 
Contractors will be required to maintain a database of business 
relationships and report information to EPA on either an annual basis 
or when each work assignment is issued. Responses to the collection are 
required prior to award of a contract. Submissions will be protected 
from public release as Confidential Business Information in accordance 
with 40 CFR 2.201. 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 infor-mation technology, e.g., permitting electronic 
submission of responses.
    Burden Statement: Public burden is estimated to average 1969 hours 
per respondents. Total number of respondents covered by this collection 
is 165. Therefore, total burden hours are estimated at 324,885. No 
capital or start up costs are expected. 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, in-stall, and utilize technology and systems for the 
purposes of collecting, validating, and verifying information, 
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 24, 2000.
Thomas D. McEntegart,
Manager, Policy Service Center.
[FR Doc. 00-10768 Filed 4-28-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P