[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 169 (Wednesday, September 1, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 53459]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-19794]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Federal Emergency Management Agency


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

AGENCY: Federal Emergency Management Agency, Emergency Preparedness and 
Response Directorate, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Emergency Management Agency, as part of its 
continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites 
the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity 
to comment on proposed continuing information collections. In 
accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)), this notice seeks comments concerning FEMA contractors 
who plan meetings, conferences and seminars, submit a plan or report to 
FEMA detailing how the minimum accessibility standards for the disabled 
are being met.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 
1973, as amended, prohibits Federal agencies from discriminating 
against qualified persons on the grounds of disability. The law not 
only applies to internal employment practices but also extends to 
agency interaction with members of the public who participate in FEMA 
programs. (FEMA's implementation of Section 504 of this Act is codified 
in 44 CFR Part 16.) Contractors who plan meetings, conferences, or 
seminars for FEMA must develop a plan to ensure that minimum 
accessibility standards for the disabled as set forth in the contract 
clause will be met. The plan must be approved by a FEMA Contracting 
Officer.
    Collection of Information:
    Title: FEMA Contract Clause--Accessibility of Meetings, Conferences 
and Seminars to Persons with Disabilities.
    Type of Information Collection: Extension of a currently approved 
collection.
    OMB Number: 1660-0028.
    Abstract: Contractors who plan meetings, conferences or seminars 
for FEMA must submit a plan to the Contracting Officer detailing how 
the minimum accessibility standards for the disabled set forth in the 
contract clause will be met.
    Affected Public: Business and other for-profit.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 30 hours. FEMA estimates that 
a maximum of 10 FEMA contracts will be awarded per year, which may 
require compliance with this clause. Hour burden response is estimated 
at 3 hours per respondent. There would be one response per year per 
contract, using a consolidated plan for multiple meetings under the 
contract.
    Estimated Cost: The annual cost to respondents is estimated to be 
$1,033 ($34.44 per hour x 3 hours per respondent x 10 responses.) 
Annual costs to the Federal Government is estimated at $689.00, which 
includes the cost for reviewing each plan by one Contracting Officer 
and one Equal Rights Manager ($34.44 per hour x 1 hour per review x 10 
plans) x 2).
    Comments: Written comments are solicited to (a) Evaluate whether 
the proposed data collection is necessary for the proper performance of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) 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; (c) enhance the 
quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and 
(d) 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 
submission of responses. Comments should be received within 60 days of 
the date of this notice.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons should submit written comments to Muriel 
B. Anderson, Chief, Records Management Section, Information Resources 
Management Branch, Information Technology Services Division, Federal 
Emergency Management Agency, Emergency Preparedness and Response 
Directorate, Department of Homeland Security, 500 C Street, SW., Room 
316, Washington, DC 20472.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Nancy Costello, Contract 
Specialist, Financial and Acquisitions Management Division, (202) 646-
4347 for additional information. You may contact Ms. Anderson for 
copies of the proposed collection of information at facsimile number 
(202) 646-3347 or e-mail address: [email protected].

    Dated: August 23, 2004.
Edward W. Kernan,
Branch Chief, Information Resources Management Branch, Information 
Technology Services Division.
[FR Doc. 04-19794 Filed 8-31-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-07-P