[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 169 (Wednesday, September 1, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 53422]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-19890]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

[OMB Control No. 9000-0045]


Federal Acquisition Regulation; Information Collection; Bid 
Guarantees, Performance and Payment Bonds, and Alternative Payment 
Protections

AGENCIES: Department of Defense (DOD), General Services Administration 
(GSA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

ACTION: Notice of request for comments regarding an extension to an 
existing OMB clearance (9000-0045).

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SUMMARY: Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 
(44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 
Secretariat will be submitting to the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) a request to review and approve an extension of a currently 
approved information collection requirement concerning bid guarantees, 
performance and payment bonds, and alternative payment protections. The 
clearance currently expires on October 31, 2004.
    Public comments are particularly invited on: Whether this 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
functions of the FAR, and whether it will have practical utility; 
whether our estimate of the public burden of this collection of 
information is accurate, and based on valid assumptions and 
methodology; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and ways in which we can minimize the 
burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, 
through the use of appropriate technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology.

DATES: Submit comments on or before November 1, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments regarding this burden estimate or any other 
aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for 
reducing this burden to the General Services Administration, FAR 
Secretariat (VR), 1800 F Street, NW,Room 4035, Washington, DC 20405. 
Please cite OMB Control No. 9000-0045, Bid, Performance, and Payment 
Bonds, in all correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT Cecelia Davis, Contract Policy 
Division, GSA (202) 219-0202.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Purpose

    These regulations implement the statutory requirements of he Miller 
Act (40 U.S.C. 270a-270e), which requires performance and payment bonds 
for any construction contract exceeding $100,000, unless it is 
impracticable to require bonds for work performed in a foreign country, 
or it is otherwise authorized by law. In addition, the regulations 
implement the note to 40 U.S.C. 270a, entitled ``Alternatives to 
Payment Bonds Provided by the Federal Acquisition Regulation,'' which 
requires alternative payment protection for construction contracts that 
exceed $25,000 but do not exceed $100,000. Although not required by 
statute, under certain circumstances the FAR permits the Government to 
require bonds on other than construction contracts.

B. Annual Reporting Burden

    Respondents: 11,304.
    Responses Per Respondent: 5.
    Total Responses: 56,520.
    Hours Per Response: .42.
    Total Burden Hours: 23,738.
    Obtaining Copies of Proposals: Requesters may obtain a copy of the 
information collection documents from the General Services 
Administration, FAR Secretariat (VR), 1800 F Street, NW, Room 4035, 
Washington, DC 20405, telephone (202) 501-4755. Please cite OMB Control 
No. 9000-0045, Bid, Performance, and Payment Bonds, in all 
correspondence.

    Dated: August 26, 2004.
Ralph J. De Stefano,
Acting Director, Contract Policy Division.
[FR Doc. 04-19890 Filed 8-31-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-EP-S