[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 70 (Wednesday, April 11, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 18853]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-8958]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[OMB Control No. 2900-0586]


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 ensure that the items being purchased meet 
minimum safety standards and to protect VA employees, VA beneficiaries 
and the public.

DATES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection 
of information should be received on or before June 11, 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. 2900-0586'' 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) Provision 
852.211-75, Technical Industry Standards.
    OMB Control Number: 2900-0586.
    Type of Review: Reinstatement, without change, of a previously 
approved collection for which approval has expired.
    Abstract: VAAR provision 852.211-75, Technical Industry Standards, 
requires that items offered for sale to VA under the solicitation 
conform to certain technical industry standards, such as Underwriters 
Laboratory (UL) or the National Fire Protection Association, and that 
the contractor furnish evidence to VA that the items meet that 
requirement. The evidence is normally in the form of a tag or seal 
affixed to the item, such as the UL tag on an electrical cord or a tag 
on a fire-rated door. This requires no additional effort on the part of 
the contractor, as the items come from the factory with the tags 
already in place, as part of the manufacturer's standard manufacturing 
operation. Occasionally, for items not already meeting standards or for 
items not previously tested, a contractor will have to furnish a 
certificate from an acceptable laboratory certifying that the items 
furnished have been tested in accordance with, and conform to, the 
specified standards. Only firms whose products have not previously been 
tested to ensure the products meet the industry standards required 
under the solicitation will be required to submit a separate 
certificate. The information will be used to ensure that the items 
being purchased meet minimum safety standards and to protect VA 
employees, VA beneficiaries, and the public.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit; Individuals and 
households; and Not-for-profit institutions.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 50 hours.
    Estimated Average Burden Per Respondent: 30 minutes.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 100.

    Dated: March 19, 2001.

By direction of the Secretary.
Donald L. Neilson,
Director, Information Management Service.
[FR Doc. 01-8958 Filed 4-10-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P