[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 157 (Tuesday, August 14, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42708-42709]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-20408]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[OMB Control No. 2900-0418]


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, with 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 determine whether or not a firm's plant being 
considered for an award has been inspected by another Federal agency 
and whether or not an award of a contract to the firm involves a 
conflict of interest.

DATES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection 
of information should be received on or before October 15, 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. 2900-0418'' 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) Sections 
809.106-1 and 809.504(d) and VAAR Clause 852.209-70.
    OMB Control Number: 2900-0418.
    Type of Review: Reinstatement, with change, of a previously 
approved collection for which approval has expired.
    Abstract: VAAR section 809.106-1 requires the contracting officer 
to ask a firm being considered for award of a contract for bakery, 
dairy, or ice cream products or for laundry or dry cleaning services 
whether or not the firm's plant has recently been inspected by another 
Federal agency and, if so, which agency. The information is used by the 
contracting officer to determine whether or not a separate inspection 
of the firm's plant must be conducted by VA prior to contract award. 
Paragraph (d) of VAAR section 809.504 and VAAR clause 852.209-70 
require offerors on solicitations for management support and consulting 
services to advise, as part of the firm's offer, whether or not award 
of the contract to the firm might involve a conflict of interest and, 
if so, to disclose all relevant facts regarding the conflict. The 
information is used by the contracting officer to determine whether or 
not to award a contract to the firm or, if a contract is to be awarded 
despite a potential conflict, whether or not additional contract terms 
and conditions are necessary to mitigate the conflict.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit; Individuals and 
households; and Not-for-profit institutions.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 
    a. VAAR section 809.106-1--30 hours.
    b. Paragraph (d) of VAAR section 809.504 and VAAR clause 852.209-
7--1,000 hours.
    Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 
    a. VAAR section 809.106-1--3 minutes.
    b. Paragraph (d) of VAAR section 809.504 and VAAR clause 852.209-
7--60 minutes.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 
    a. VAAR section 809.106-1--600.

[[Page 42709]]

    b. Paragraph (d) of VAAR section 809.504 and VAAR clause 852.209-
7--1,000.

    By direction of the Secretary.

    Dated: July 30, 2001.
Donald L. Neilson,
Director, Information Management Service.
[FR Doc. 01-20408 Filed 8-13-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P