[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 76 (Tuesday, April 20, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21081-21082]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-8846]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Farm Service Agency


Request for Revision and Extension of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection; Total Quality Systems Audit Program

AGENCY: Farm Service Agency, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the intention of the Farm Service Agency (FSA) to 
request a revision and extension of an information collection currently 
in effect with respect to the Total Quality Systems Audit (TQSA) 
program. This information collection allows FSA to determine compliance 
with the TQSA standards. The TQSA program was implemented to ensure 
that FSA commodity purchases meet customer requirements and needs. 
Suppliers of commodities covered by the TQSA program have had to meet 
quality control and food safety standards to assure the quality of the 
end product being purchased by FSA.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received on or before June 21, 
2004, to be assured consideration.

Additional Information or Comments: Contact Howard Froehlich, Chief, 
USDA, Farm Service Agency, Warehouse and Inventory Division, Program 
Development Branch, STOP

[[Page 21082]]

0553, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-0553, (202) 
720-7398; e-mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Total Quality Systems Audit Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0560-0214.
    Expiration Date: October 31, 2004.
    Type of Request: Revision and extension of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: The information collected under OMB Control Number 0560-
0214, as identified above, allows FSA to administer the TQSA program. 
The forms approved by this information collection are used by TQSA 
auditors, employed by FSA, or supplier representatives to secure and 
record information about the supplier's facility, audit information, 
and to submit corrective action plans to nonconformances previously 
found. The information collected is necessary to provide those charged 
with purchasing FSA commodities a basis to determine whether the 
supplier's quality management system meets applicable TQSA standards 
for contract bidding eligibility and to monitor the capability of the 
quality management system once approved supplier status is achieved. 
The information collected allows FSA to bill suppliers for the amount 
of hours TQSA auditors spent auditing supplier's quality management 
system.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this information 
collection is estimated to average 30 minutes per response.
    Respondents: Commodity suppliers participating in the TQSA program.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 200.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 2.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 400 hours.
    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 sent to the Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 
Washington, DC 20503, and to Howard Froehlich at the address listed 
above. All comments will become a matter of public record.

    Signed at Washington, DC, on April 12, 2004.
Verle E. Lanier,
Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
[FR Doc. 04-8846 Filed 4-19-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P