[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 72 (Wednesday, April 14, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 19813]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-8447]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Farm Service Agency


Request for Approval of a New Information Collection; 
Qualification Requirement

AGENCY: Farm Service Agency, Agriculture.

ACTION: Notice and request for comment.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), 
the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Farm Service Agency 
(FSA), Kansas City Commodity Office (KCCO) is seeking comments from all 
interested individuals and organizations regarding an information 
collection needed by KCCO to qualify potential new vendors prior to 
allowing a vendor to submit an offer for Invitations for Bids. The 
qualification is a one-time collection for each new potential vendor. 
The qualification requirement is a reexamination and revalidation of 
established qualifications as required by the Federal Acquisition 
Regulation (FAR), and is necessary for KCCO to carry out its 
procurement mission. This information is needed by KCCO for compliance 
with FAR Responsible Prospective Contractors and Qualification 
Requirement.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received on or before June 14, 
2004, to be assured consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Comments regarding this information 
collection requirement may be directed to Donna Ryles, Chief, Planning 
and Analysis Division, Kansas City Commodity Office (KCCO), 6501 Beacon 
Drive, Kansas City, Missouri 64133-4676, telephone (816) 926-6509 or 
fax (816) 926-1648; e-mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Qualification Requirement.
    OMB Control Number: 0560-NEW.
    Type of Request: Approval of a New Information Collection.
    Abstract: KCCO issues Invitations for Bids for the purchase of 
various commodities on a daily, monthly, multi-month, quarterly and 
yearly basis. Vendors respond by making offers. In order for KCCO to 
carry out its procurement mission, all new prospective bidders that 
want to submit a bid on contracts procured under USDA or CCC 
authorities, must be qualified prior to submitting any offers for 
Invitations for Bid. This collection of qualification information is 
mandatory from all interested potential vendors. New vendors must fully 
complete and provide all of the required qualification information. 
Qualification of vendors allows for more timely awards, since bid 
acceptance periods are very short and food safety issues are addressed 
in advance of bidding. The qualification package includes a review of 
the vendor's financial statements, credit report, and past activity and 
experience with the commodity that they are proposing to offer.
    KCCO contracting officers will review the information and make a 
determination if the vendor is a qualified bidder. After a vendor has 
been qualified by KCCO, they will be included on the Qualified Bidders 
List. No bid will be accepted from a potential vendor that has failed 
to comply with the requirements. New potential vendors who submit a 
complete qualification package will be notified in writing of their 
status along with any necessary explanation or action that is deemed 
necessary.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection is 
estimated to average 40 minutes per response.
    Respondents: New Potential Vendors.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 45.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 2.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 78.
    Proposed topics for comment include: (a) Whether the continued 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
the functions of the agency, including whether the information will 
have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of FSA's estimate of burden 
including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) 
enhancing the quality, utility, and clarity of the information 
collected; or (d) minimizing the burden of the collection of the 
information on those who are to respond, including through the use of 
appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology. 
Comments should be directed to the Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs of OMB, Attention: Desk Officer for USDA, Washington, DC 20503, 
and to Donna Ryles, Chief, Planning and Analysis Division, Kansas City 
Commodity Office, 6501 Beacon Drive, Kansas City, Missouri 64133-4676. 
All comments will become a matter of public record.
    OMB is required to make a decision concerning the collection(s) of 
information contained in these proposed regulations between 30 and 60 
days after publication of this document in the Federal Register. 
Therefore, a comment to OMB is best assured of having its full effect 
if OMB receives it within 30 days of publication.

    Signed at Washington, DC, on April 5, 2004.
Verle E. Lanier,
Acting Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
[FR Doc. 04-8447 Filed 4-13-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P