[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 157 (Tuesday, August 14, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 42637]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-20303]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

[OMB Control No. 9000-0045]


Federal Acquisition Regulation; Submission for OMB Review; Bid 
Guarantees, Performance and Payment Bonds, and Alternative Payment 
Protections

AGENCIES: Department of Defense (DOD), General Services Administration 
(GSA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

ACTION: Notice of request for comments regarding an extension to an 
existing OMB clearance (9000-0045).

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SUMMARY: Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 
(44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 
Secretariat has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
a request to review and approve an extension of a currently approved 
information collection requirement concerning bid guarantees, 
performance and payment bonds, and alternative payment protections. A 
request for public comments was published at 66 FR 32605, June 15, 
2001. No comments were received.
    Public comments are particularly invited on: Whether this 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
functions of the FAR, and whether it will have practical utility; 
whether our estimate of the public burden of this collection of 
information is accurate, and based on valid assumptions and 
methodology; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and ways in which we can minimize the 
burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, 
through the use of appropriate technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology.

DATES: Submit comments on or before September 13, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments regarding this burden estimate or any other 
aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for 
reducing this burden to: FAR Desk Officer, OMB, Room 10102, NEOB, 
Washington, DC 20503, and a copy to the General Services 
Administration, FAR Secretariat (MVP), 1800 F Street, NW., Room 4035, 
Washington, DC 20405.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Beverly Cromer, Acquisition Policy 
Division, GSA (202) 208-6750.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Purpose

    These regulations implement the statutory requirements of the 
Miller Act (40 U.S.C. 270a-270e), which requires performance and 
payment bonds for any construction contract exceeding $100,000, unless 
it is impracticable to require bonds for work performed in a foreign 
country, or it is otherwise authorized by law. In addition, the 
regulations implement the note to 40 U.S.C. 270a, entitled 
``Alternatives to Payment Bonds Provided by the Federal Acquisition 
Regulation,'' which requires alternative payment protection for 
construction contracts that exceed $25,000 but do not exceed $100,000. 
Although not required by statute, under certain circumstances the FAR 
permits the Government to require bonds on other than construction 
contracts.

B. Annual Reporting Burden

    The annual reporting burden is estimated as follows:
    Respondents: 11,304.
    Responses Per Respondent: 5.
    Total Responses: 56,520.
    Hours Per Response: .42.
    Total Burden Hours: 23,738.
    Obtaining Copies of Proposals: Requester may obtain a copy of the 
proposal from the General Services Administration, FAR Secretariat 
(MVP), 1800 F Street, NW., Room 4035, Washington, DC 20405, telephone 
(202) 501-4755. Please cite OMB Control No. 9000-0045, Bid, 
Performance, and Payment Bonds, in all correspondence.

    Dated: August 8, 2001.
Al Matera,
Director, Acquisition Policy Division.
[FR Doc. 01-20303 Filed 8-13-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-EP-P