[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 147 (Thursday, July 31, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 44975]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-19511]


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OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET


Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Review; Comments Requested

AGENCY: Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

ACTION: Notice of the OMB review of information collection and 
solicitation of public comment.

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SUMMARY: The Office of Federal Financial Management, Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) has recently submitted to OMB for review 
the following proposal for collection of information under the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35).

DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before 
September 2, 2003.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Written comments should be submitted 
to the Office of Information and Management Affairs, Attention: Lauren 
Wittenberg via fax at (202) 395-6974 or by email at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

    In a Federal Register notice published April 8, 2003 [68 FR 17091-
17105], OMB proposed consolidating several existing financial reporting 
forms (the SF-269, 269A, 272 and 272A) into a single financial report 
to be used by the Federal agencies and grant recipients. The purpose of 
the consolidated Federal Financial Report (FFR) is to provide grant 
recipients with a standard format and consistent requirements across 
agencies in reporting financial information for grants and cooperative 
agreements. The Federal grant-making agencies, after public 
consultation with the grantee community, jointly developed this form as 
part of the implementation of the Federal Financial Assistance 
Management Improvement Act of 1999 (Pub. L. 106-107).
    Based on the nearly 200 comments received, OMB has determined there 
is a need for further evaluation of the issues involved in implementing 
the new form. Therefore, OMB has requested that the SF-269, 269A, 272 
and 272A be extended while these comments are being considered and 
addressed. We also recognize that a transition period will be necessary 
to provide agencies and grantees with time to adapt their processes to 
the new form and phase out the use of old ones. When the FFR is 
complete, the SF-269, 269A, 272 and 272A will continue to be accepted 
for a period of time after the FFR has been approved. OMB will publish 
a new 60-day notice to solicit comments on the updated FFR and 
instructions when it is closer to being finalized.

B. Comments and Responses

    During the public comment period 198 comments were received. 
Federal agencies submitted 70 comments. State, local, tribal and 
nonprofit organizations submitted 115 comments, and universities 
provided 13 comments. Responses to general concerns expressed in the 
comments are provided.
    Comments received from a number of Federal agencies require further 
analysis. In many instances, Federal agencies were concerned with the 
process of automating the form. More analysis needs to be done to 
understand what changes are needed to Federal payment systems so that 
they can accept the new form electronically. Sufficient time is needed 
to ensure the FFR is fully automated before the existing forms are 
phased out.
    Many comments indicated there is a need for further evaluation of 
the information required and the proposed instructions. Further 
consideration of these comments is needed to ensure that the form is 
streamlined and the instructions are simplified in the manner intended 
by Pub. L. 106-107. OMB will continue to work with the Federal agencies 
in addressing these concerns.

Sheila O. Conley,
Deputy Controller.
[FR Doc. 03-19511 Filed 7-30-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3110-01-P