[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 155 (Tuesday, August 12, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 47913]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-20443]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

[OMB Control No. 9000-0034]


Federal Acquisition Regulation; Information Collection; 
Examination of Records by Comptroller General and Contract Audit

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

ACTION: Notice of request for public comments regarding an extension to 
an existing OMB clearance (9000-0034).

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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 will be submitting to the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) a request to review and approve an extension of a currently 
approved information collection requirement concerning examination of 
records by comptroller general/audit-negotiation now retitled 
examination of records by comptroller general and contract audit. The 
clearance currently expires on November 30, 2003.
    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 October 14, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments, including suggestions for reducing this 
burden, to the General Services Administration, FAR Secretariat (MVA), 
1800 F Street, NW, Room 4035, Washington, DC 20405.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Edward Loeb, Policy Advisor, Office of 
Acquisition Policy, GSA, (202) 501-0650.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Purpose

    The Audit and Records-Negotiation clause, 52.215-2; Contract Terms 
and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-
Commercial Items clause, 52.212-5(d); and Audit and Records-Sealed 
Bidding clause, 52.214-26, implement the requirements of 10 U.S.C. 
2313, 41 U.S.C. 254, and 10 U.S.C. 2306. The statutory requirements are 
that the Comptroller General and/or agency shall have access to, and 
the right to, examine certain books, documents and records of the 
contractor for a period of 3 years after final payment. The record 
retention periods required of the contractor in the clauses are for 
compliance with the aforementioned statutory requirements. The 
information must be retained so that audits necessary for contract 
surveillance, verification of contract pricing, and reimbursement of 
contractor costs can be performed.

B. Annual Reporting Burden

    Respondents: 19,142.
    Responses Per Respondent: 20.
    Total Responses: 382,840.
    Hours Per Response: 0.167.
    Total Burden Hours: 63,934.
    Obtaining Copies of Proposals: Requesters may obtain a copy of the 
information collection documents from the General Services 
Administration, FAR Secretariat (MVA), 1800 F Street, NW, Room 4035, 
Washington, DC 20405, telephone (202) 501-4755. Please cite OMB Control 
No. 9000-0034, Examination of Records by Comptroller General and 
Contract Audit in all correspondence.

    Dated: August 6, 2003.
Laura G. Auletta,
Director, Acquisition Policy Division.
[FR Doc. 03-20443 Filed 8-11-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-EP-P