[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 132 (Monday, July 12, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41850-41851]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-15695]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of the Secretary


Office of Small Business Programs Proposed Collection; Comment 
Request

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to 
reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance 
consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies 
an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing collections of 
information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 
(PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. This program helps to ensure that 
requested data can be provided in the desired format, reporting burden 
(time and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are 
clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirements on 
respondents can be properly assessed. Currently, the Office of Small 
Business Programs (OSBP) is soliciting comments concerning the proposed 
continuation of the information collections contained in the Small 
Business Programs Information Management System. A copy of the proposed 
information collection request (ICR) can be obtained by contacting the 
employee listed below in the ADDRESSES section of this notice.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
addresses section below on or before September 10, 2004.

ADDRESSEES: Send comments to Elaine B. Murrell, Small Business Advisor, 
U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Small Business Programs, Room C-

[[Page 41851]]

2318, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210; E-Mail: 
[email protected]; Telephone: 202-693-6467; Fax: 202-693-6485 
(these are not a toll free numbers).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The employee listed above in the 
ADDRESSES section of this notice.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    Federal agencies are required to promote procurement opportunities 
for small, small disadvantaged, and 8(a) businesses by the Small 
Business Act, as amended, (Pub. L. 95-507, Sections 8 and 15) and Pub. 
L. 100-656 (Sections 502 and 503). The Federal Acquisition Streamlining 
Act of 1994 (Pub. L. 103-355) mandates similar efforts for small women-
owned businesses. Pub. L. 106-50 created the program for service-
disabled veteran-owned small businesses. Pub. L. 105-135 established 
the HubZone program. The Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness 
Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121) requires Federal agencies to make 
available to small businesses compliance guides and assistance on the 
implementation of regulations and directives of enforcement laws they 
administer. Executive Orders 12876, 12900, and 13021 direct Federal 
agencies to implement programs, respectively, regarding Historically 
Black Colleges and Universities, Educational Excellence for Hispanic 
Americans, and Tribal Colleges and Universities that are administered 
by the respective White House Initiative offices (in the U.S. 
Department of Education). Executive Order 13125 directs Federal 
agencies to ensure that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are 
afforded opportunity to fully participate in Federal Programs. Further, 
Executive Order 13170 requires that Departments take a number of 
actions to increase outreach and maximize participation of small 
disadvantaged businesses in their procurements. Executive Order 13157 
strengthens the executive branch's commitment to increased 
opportunities for women-owned small businesses. Accordingly, the Small 
Business Programs Information Management System is needed to gather, 
document, and manage identifying information for four Office of Small 
Business Programs constituency groups: Small Businesses; Trade 
Associations; Minority Colleges and Universities; and Tribal 
Governments. Via this system, the constituent groups will have the 
opportunity to voluntarily provide to OSBP information about their 
organizations. The information will be used by OSBP and DOL agencies to 
maximize communication with the respective constituency groups 
regarding relevant OSBP and DOL programs, initiatives, and procurement 
opportunities; to track and solicit feedback on customer service to 
group members; and to facilitate registration of group members for 
OSBP-sponsored activities.

II. Review Focus

    The Office of Small Business Programs is particularly interested in 
comments which:
     Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
     Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the 
burden of the proposed collection of information, including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
     Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
     Minimize the burden of the collection of 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, e.g., permitting 
electronic submissions of responses.

III. Current Actions

    Currently, the Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP) is 
soliciting comments concerning the proposed continuation of the 
information collections contained in the Small Business Programs 
Information Management System. The estimated public burden associated 
with this collection of information is summarized below:
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Agency: Office of Small Business Programs.
    Title: Small Business Program Information Management System.
    OMB Number: 1290-0002.
    Agency Form Number: None.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit; Not-for-profit 
institutions; and State, local, or tribal governments.
    Total Respondents: 4,000.
    Total Responses: 6,000.
    Frequency: On Occasion.
    Average Time Per Response: 7 minutes.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 700 hours.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $0.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget 
approval of the information collection request; they also will become a 
matter of public record.

    Signed at Washington, DC, this 6th day of July, 2004.
Fredrick H. Trakowski,
Small Business Procurement Program Officer.
[FR Doc. 04-15695 Filed 7-9-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-23-P