[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 38 (Monday, February 28, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9616-9617]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-3716]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE


Information Collection; Submission for OMB Review; Comment 
Request

AGENCY: Corporation for National and Community Service.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: The Corporation for National and Community Service 
(hereinafter the ``Corporation'') has submitted a public information 
collection request (ICR) entitled Senior Corps Grant Application, 
formerly National Senior Service Corps Grant Application to the Office 
of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance 
with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Pub. L. 104-13, (44 U.S.C. 
Chapter 35). Copies of this ICR, with applicable supporting 
documentation, may be obtained by calling the Corporation for National 
and Community Service, Ms. Angela Roberts, at (202) 606-5000, extension 
111. Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TTY/
TDD) may call (202) 606-5256 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. 
eastern time, Monday through Friday.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted, identified by the title of the 
information collection activity, to the Office of information and 
Regulatory Affairs, Attn: Ms. Katherine Astrich, OMB Desk Officer for 
the Corporation for National and Community Service, by any of the 
following two methods listed in the address section, within 30 days 
from the date of publication in this Federal Register.
    (1) By fax to: (202) 395-6974, Attention: Ms. Katherine Astrich, 
OMB Desk Officer for the Corporation for National and Community 
Service; and
    (2) Electronically by e-mail to: [email protected].
    Supplementary Information: The OMB is particularly interested in 
comments which:
     Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the 
Corporation, including whether the information will have practical 
utility;
     Evaluate the accuracy of the Corporation's estimate of the 
burden of the proposed collection of information,

[[Page 9617]]

including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
     Propose ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity 
of the information to be collected; and
     Propose ways to minimize the burden of the collection of 
information on those who are to respond, including 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.

Comments

    A 60-day public comment Notice was published in the Federal 
Register on December 5, 2004. The summary of comments received is as 
follows: A total of 17 written responses were received that represented 
a total of 39 individuals. One letter was written on behalf of an 
Association including the collective comments of 23 individuals. Each 
written response contained numerous separate comments or statements. In 
summary:
    (a) Two comments were received about adding the DUNS number to Part 
I--Application Facesheet. The Corporation agrees and will do so.
    (b) Two comments requested that the questions contained in both the 
Part III--Narrative and Part IV--Work Plans be clarified and contain 
more detail. The revised application includes these changes.
    (c) Five comments were received about Part II--Budget, of which 3 
were incorporated. The three reflected in the revised information 
collection are to clarify the types of items to enter on each budget 
line item; to provide clearer instruction; and to more thoroughly 
define the category on the budget form called ``xcess.'' Two comments 
were not included: A request to update formulas in a spreadsheet 
template, because the spreadsheet is no longer used; and a request to 
list the types of required documentation needed to respond to an audit. 
This last request is beyond the scope of the grant application's 
purpose. The information requested by the respondent can be found in 
Program Regulations.
    (d) Two commenters thought the estimated burden was too low. The 
Corporation believes that burden estimate is adequate, particularly 
with upcoming improvements to the eGrants system, and has retained the 
original annualized time estimates.
    (e) There was one comment each about the Volunteer Station Roster, 
requesting a standard user-friendly format; and one comment about 
sorting the list of Service Categories in the grant application in the 
same order as is used in the Progress Report. Both suggestions were 
incorporated.
    (f) From a total of 9 general comments, 7 were beyond the scope of 
this information collection. Comments included two pleas to provide 
more federal funds to grantees; a request to change the method used to 
capture outcomes and outcome-based programming; a request to 
standardize at least one programmatic outcome for all RSVP grantees 
nationwide; one request to restrict the number of new data elements as 
much as possible. One general comment addressed the Corporation's 
ongoing system of ``grading'' its grantees on outcomes, which is 
factually incorrect, as the Corporation does not grade its grantees in 
this manner. Another comment asked the Corporation to lower the age and 
income eligibility for its Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion 
Programs, which was established and can only be changed through a 
legislative change. Two general comments asked for copies of the 
revised application package, which were provided.
    (g) The 43 remaining comments, comprising the majority of all 
comments, requested changes to the Corporation's electronic grants 
management system, eGrants. While beyond the scope of this information 
collection, Senior Corps will share these comments with the 
Corporation's eGrants team. Also, Senior Corps will prepare an update 
for its grantees about the soon-to-debut version of eGrants Phase II, 
including the problems reported by the public that it will solve.
    Description: The Corporation is seeking approval of the Senior 
Corps Grant Application which is used by current and prospective 
grantees to apply for sponsorship of projects under the Retired and 
Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP); the Foster Grandparent Program (FGP); 
the Senior Companion Program (SCP); the Senior Demonstration Program 
(SDP); and the Special Volunteer Program--Homeland Security (SVP). 
Completion of the Grant Application is required to be considered for 
sponsorship and the receipt of associated federal funds and benefits. 
Changes proposed include:
     Additional instructions to clarify budget, narrative, work 
plan, and performance measures sections;
     Updated the list of Service Categories used by applicants 
to identify the types of needs the national service participants meet;
     Use of a standard format for the supplemental Station 
Roster that is both user-friendly and that collects consistent 
information.
     New fields adopted by the eGovernment Initiative, 
including the required DUNS number; and
     Accurate correlation to the flow and references contained 
in the Corporation's electronic grants management system, eGrants, that 
is used by its grantees.
    Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Agency: Corporation for National and Community Service.
    Title: Senior Corps Grant Application.
    OMB Number: 3045-0035.
    Agency Number: CNCS Form 424-NSSC.
    Affected Public: Sponsors of National Senior Service Corps (Senior 
Corps) grants.
    Total Respondents: 1,317.
    Frequency: Annual.
    Average Time Per Respondent: 13.5 for current grantees, and 16.5 
for first time applicants.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 17,121.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): None.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $4,600.

    Dated: February 22, 2005.
Tess Scannell,
Director, Senior Corps.
[FR Doc. 05-3716 Filed 2-25-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6050-$$-P