[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 59 (Tuesday, March 27, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16704-16705]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-7491]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[OMB Control No. 2900-0593]


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 identify bid envelopes from other mail parcels.

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. 2900-0593'' 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

[[Page 16705]]

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) Provision 
852.214-70, Caution to Bidders--Bid Envelopes.
    OMB Control Number: 2900-0593.
    Type of Review: Reinstatement, without change, of a previously 
approved collection for which approval has expired.
    Abstract: VAAR provision 852.214-70, Caution to Bidders--Bid 
Envelopes, advises bidders that it is their responsibility to ensure 
that their bid price cannot be ascertained by anyone prior to bid 
opening. It also advises bidders to identify their bids by showing the 
invitation number and bid opening date on the outside of the bid 
envelope. The Government often furnishes a blank bid envelope or a 
label for use by bidders/offers to identify their bids. The bidder is 
advised to fill in the required information. This information requested 
from bidders is needed by the Government to identify bid envelopes from 
other mail or packages received without having to open the envelopes or 
packages and possibly exposing bid prices before bid opening. The 
information will be used to identify which parcels or envelopes are 
bids and which are other routine mail. The information is also needed 
to help ensure that bids are delivered to the proper bid opening room 
on time and prior to bid opening.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit; Individuals and 
households; and Not-for-profit institutions.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 960 hours.
    Estimated Average Burden Per Respondent: 10 seconds.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 346,000.

    Dated: March 8, 2001.
    By direction of the Secretary:
Donald L. Neilson,
Director, Information Management Service.
[FR Doc. 01-7491 Filed 3-26-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-M