[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 66 (Tuesday, April 6, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18159-18160]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-7728]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[OMB Control No. 2900-0585]


Proposed Information Collection Activity: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

AGENCY: Office of Acquisition and Material Management, Department of 
Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Office of Acquisition and Material 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 extension of a currently approved collection and allow 60 days 
for public comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits 
comments on the information needed to allow firms to offer items that 
are equal to the brand name item stated in the bid.

DATES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection 
of information should be received on or before June 7, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the collection of information to 
Donald E. Kaliher, Office of Acquisition and Material Management 
(049A5A), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., 
Washington, DC 20420 or e-mail [email protected]. Please refer 
to ``OMB Control No. 2900-0585'' in any correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Donald E. Kaliher at (202) 273-8819.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the PRA of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13; 44 
U.S.C. 3501-3521), Federal agencies must

[[Page 18160]]

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) Clause 
852.211-77, Brand Name or Equal (was 852.210-77).
    OMB Control Number: 2900-0585.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: VAAR clause 852.211-77, Brand Name or Equal, advises 
bidders or offerors who are proposing to offer an item that is alleged 
to be equal to the brand name item stated in the bid, that it is the 
bidder's or offeror's responsibility to show that the item offered is 
in fact, equal to the brand name item. This evidence may be in the form 
of descriptive literature or material, such as cuts, illustrations, 
drawings, or other information. While submission of the information is 
voluntary, failure to provide the information may result in rejection 
of the firm's bid or offer if the Government cannot otherwise determine 
that the item offered is equal. The contracting officer will use the 
information to evaluate whether or not the item offered meets the 
specification requirements.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit; Individuals and 
households; and Not-for-profit institutions.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 833 hours.
    Estimated Average Burden Per Respondent: 5 minutes.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 10,000.

    Dated: March 25, 2004.
    By direction of the Secretary.
Loise Russell,
Director, Records Management Service.
[FR Doc. 04-7728 Filed 4-5-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P