[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 147 (Tuesday, July 31, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39484-39487]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-18978]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food and Nutrition Service


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request; Uniform Grant Application Package for Discretionary 
Grant Programs

AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is publishing for public comment a 
summary of a proposed information collection. The proposed collection 
is for a uniform grant application package for FNS discretionary grant 
programs. All FNS discretionary grant programs will be eligible, but 
not required, to use this uniform grant application package.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by October 1, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Send comments and requests for copies of this proposed 
information collection to Cato L. Watson, Jr., Food and Nutrition 
Service, USDA, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 322, Alexandria, VA 22302.
    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information

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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 the use of appropriate automated, electronic, 
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms 
of information technology.
    All comments will be summarized and included in the request for 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval of the information 
collection. All comments will become matter of public record.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cato Watson, (703) 305-2242.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Uniform Grant Application Package for 
FNS Discretionary Grant Programs.
    Type of request: New collection of information.
    Abstract: FNS has a number of discretionary grant programs. 
(Consistent with the definition in 7 CFR part 3016, the term ``grant'' 
as used in this notice includes cooperative agreements.) The 
authorities for these grants vary and will be cited as part of each 
grant application solicitation.
    The proposed information collection is for a uniform grant 
application package usable for all of these grant programs to collect 
the information from grant applicants needed to evaluate and rank 
applicants and protect the integrity of the grantee selection process. 
All FNS discretionary grant programs will be eligible, but not 
required, to use the uniform grant application package. Before 
soliciting applications for a discretionary grant program, FNS will 
decide whether the uniform grant application package will meet the 
needs for that grant program. If FNS decides to use the uniform grant 
application package, FNS will note in the grant solicitation that 
applicants must use the uniform grant application package and that the 
information collection has already been approved by OMB. If FNS decides 
not to use the uniform grant application package or determines that it 
needs grant applicants to provide additional information not contained 
in the uniform package, then FNS will publish a notice soliciting 
comments on its proposal to collect different/additional information 
before making the grant solicitation.
    The uniform grant application package will include general 
information and instructions; a checklist; requirement for the program 
narrative statement describing how the grant objectives will be 
reached; the Standard Form (SF) 424 series that requests basic 
information, budget information and assurances; and certifications. The 
proposed information collection covered by this notice is that related 
to the requirements for the program narrative statement. The 
requirements for the program narrative statement are based on the 
requirements for program narrative statements described in section 
1.c(5) of OMB Circular A-102, and will apply to all types of grantees--
State and local governments, non-profit organizations, and for-profit 
organizations. The information collection burdens related to the SF 424 
series and the certifications have been separately approved by OMB.
    Respondents: Applicants for FNS discretionary grant programs.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 455.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to range from 4 hours to 80 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 23000 hours.

    Dated: July 23, 2001.
George A. Bradley,
Acting Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.
BILLING CODE 3410-30-M

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[FR Doc. 01-18978 Filed 7-30-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-C