[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 59 (Tuesday, March 27, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16703-16704]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-7489]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS


Proposed Information Collection Activity: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

AGENCY: Office of Acquisition and Materiel Management, Department of 
Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Office of Acquisition and Materiel Management (OA&MM), 
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), is announcing an opportunity for 
public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the 
agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Federal 
agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register 
concerning each proposed collection of information, including each 
proposed reinstatement, without change, of a previously approved 
collection for which approval has expired, and allow 60 days for public 
comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits comments on the 
information needed to allow firms to offer items that are equal to the 
brand name item stated in the bid.

DATES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection 
of information should be received on or before May 29, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the collection of information to 
Donald E. Kaliher, Office of Acquisition and Materiel Management (95A), 
Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 
20420 or e-mail [email protected]. Please refer to ``OMB 
Control No. 2900-0585'' in any correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Donald E. Kaliher at (202) 273-8819.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the PRA of 1995 (Public Law 104-13; 44 
U.S.C. 3501-3520), Federal agencies must obtain approval from the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of 
information they conduct or sponsor. This request for comment is being 
made pursuant to Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA.
    With respect to the following collection of information, OA&MM 
invites comments on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information 
is necessary for the proper performance of OA&MM's functions, including 
whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy 
of OA&MM's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of 
information; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of 
the collection of information on respondents, including through the use 
of automated collection techniques or the use of other forms of 
information technology.
    Title: Veterans Affairs Acquisition Regulation (VAAR) Clause 
852.211-77, Brand Name or Equal (was 852.210-77).
    OMB Control Number: 2900-0585.
    Type of Review: Reinstatement, without change, of a previously 
approved collection for which approval has expired.
    Abstract: VAAR clause 852.211-77, Brand Name or Equal, advises 
bidders or offerors who are proposing to offer an item that is alleged 
to be equal to the brand name item stated in the bid, that it is the 
bidder's or offeror's responsibility to show that the item offered is 
in fact, equal to the brand name item. This evidence may be in the form 
of descriptive literature or material, such as cuts, illustrations, 
drawings, or other information. While submission of the information is 
voluntary, failure to provide the information may result in rejection 
of the firm's bid or offer if the Government cannot otherwise determine 
that the item offered is equal. The contracting officer will use the 
information to evaluate whether or not the item offered meets the 
specification requirements.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit; Individuals and 
households; and Not-for-profit institutions.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 833 hours.
    Estimated Average Burden Per Respondent: 5 minutes.

[[Page 16704]]

    Frequency of Response: On occasion.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 10,000.

    Dated: March 8, 2001.

By direction of the Secretary:
Donald L. Neilson,
Director, Information Management Service.
[FR Doc. 01-7489 Filed 3-26-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-M