[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 132 (Wednesday, July 10, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45783-45784]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-17312]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration

[Docket No. FHWA-2002-12566]


Notice of Request for Clearance of a New Information Collection: 
Effectiveness of Design-Build Contracting Procedures

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the requirements of section 3506(c)(2)(A) 
of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the 
intention of the FHWA to request the Office of Management and Budget's 
(OMB) approval for a new information collection involving responses to 
a questionnaire concerning design-build projects. The information to be 
collected will be used to analyze the effectiveness of design-build 
contracting procedures.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before September 9, 2002.

ADDRESSES: All signed, written comments should refer to the docket 
number that appears in the heading of this document and must be 
submitted to the Docket Clerk, U.S. DOT Dockets, Room PL-401, 400 
Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001. All comments received 
will be available for examination at the above address between 10 a.m. 
and 5 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Those 
desiring notification of receipt of comments must include a self-
addressed stamped envelope or postcard.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Gerald Yakowenko, (202) 366-1562, 
Office of Program Administration, Federal Highway Administration, 
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, S.W., Washington, DC 
20590. Office hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., e.t., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Effectiveness of Design-Build Contracting Procedures.
    Background: Section 1307 of the Transportation Equity Act for the 
21st Century (TEA-21, Public Law 105-178, 112 Stat. 107 (1998)) amends 
23 U.S.C. 112 to allow the design-build contracting method after the 
FHWA promulgates a regulation prescribing the Secretary's approval 
criteria and procedures on qualified projects. Section 1307(f) of the 
TEA-21 also requires the FHWA to report to Congress on the 
effectiveness of design-build

[[Page 45784]]

contracting by June 9, 2003. The report must address:
    (a) An assessment of the effect of design-build contracting on 
project quality, project cost, and timeliness of project delivery;
    (b) Recommendations on the appropriate level of design for design-
build procurements;
    (c) An assessment of the impact of design-build contracting on 
small businesses;
    (d) Assessment of the subjectivity used in design-build 
contracting; and
    (e) Such recommendations concerning design-build contracting 
procedures as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.
    Respondents: The FHWA will survey and interview an appropriate 
sample of contracting agencies and industry representatives who have 
experience with the design-build project delivery method. The 
respondents to the survey will be approximately 25 State Departments of 
Transportation, several local public agencies and a limited number of 
industry representatives who have experience with the design-build 
project delivery method.
    Estimated Average Burden Per Response: The estimated average burden 
per response is two hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: The estimated total annual burden 
for all respondents is 200 hours.
    Frequency: This is a one-time survey.
    Public Comments Invited: Interested parties are invited to send 
comments regarding any aspect of this information collection, 
including, but not limited to: (1) The necessity and utility of the 
information collection for the proper performance of the functions of 
the FHWA; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burden; (3) ways to enhance 
the quality, utility, and clarity of the collected information; and (4) 
ways to minimize the collection burden without reducing the quality of 
the collected information. Comments submitted in response to this 
notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB's 
clearance of this information collection.
    Electronic Access: Internet users can access all comments received 
by the U.S. DOT Dockets, Room PL-401, by using the universal resource 
locator (URL): http://dms.dot.gov. It is available 24 hours each day, 
365 days each year. Please follow the instructions online for more 
information and help. An electronic copy of this document may be 
downloaded using a modem and suitable communications software from the 
Government Printing Office Electronic Bulletin Board Service at 
telephone number 202-512-1661. Internet users may reach the Federal 
Register's home page at http://www.nara.gov/fedreg and the Government 
Printing Office's database at http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara.

    Authority: The Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, 
(Public Law 105-178), section 1307 and 49 CFR 1.48.

    Issued on: June 26, 2002.
James R. Kabel,
Chief, Management Programs and Analysis Division.
[FR Doc. 02-17312 Filed 7-9-02; 8:45 am]
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