[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 70 (Wednesday, April 13, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19412-19413]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-7453]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food and Nutrition Service


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request: Uniform Grant Application Package for Discretionary 
Grant Programs (Form FNS 728)

AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment 
on proposed information collections. The proposed collection is a 
revision of a currently approved collection.
    The purpose of the Uniform Grant Application Package for 
Discretionary Grant Programs is to provide a standardized format for 
the development of all Requests for Applications released by the Food 
and Nutrition Service (FNS) Agency and to allow for a more expeditious 
OMB clearance process.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before June 13, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Comments are invited on (a) whether the proposed collection 
of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions 
of the agency, including whether the information has practical utility; 
(b) the accuracy of the agency?s estimate of the burden of the proposed 
collection of information, including the validity of the methodology 
and assumptions that were used: (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) 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. Comments may be sent to Lael J. Lubing, 
Director, Grants Management Division, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
Food and Nutrition Service, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 732, 
Alexandria, VA 22302.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will also be a matter of public 
record.

[[Page 19413]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection form and instruction should be 
directed to Lael J. Lubing on 703-305-2048.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Uniform Grant Application Package for Discretionary Grant 
Programs.
    OMB Number: 0584-0512.
    Expiration Date: May 31, 2005.
    Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved collection of 
information.
    Abstract: FNS has a number of discretionary grant programs which 
have increased over the last several years, resulting in an increase in 
the number of respondents. (Consistent with the definition in 7 CFR 
part 3016, the term ``grant'' as used in this notice includes 
cooperative agreements.) The authorities for these grants vary and will 
be cited as part of each grant application solicitation. The purpose of 
the revision to the currently approved collection for the Uniform Grant 
Application Package for Discretionary Grant Programs is to continue the 
authority for the established uniform grant application package and to 
update the number of collection hours. The uniform collection package 
is usable for all of FNS' discretionary grant programs to collect 
information from grant applicants that are needed to evaluate and rank 
applicants and protect the integrity of the grantee selection process. 
All FNS discretionary grant programs will be eligible, but not 
required, to use the uniform grant application package. Before 
soliciting applications for a discretionary grant program, FNS will 
decide whether the uniform grant application package will meet the 
needs of that grant program. If FNS decides to use the uniform grant 
application package, FNS will note in the grant solicitation that 
applicants must use the uniform grant application package and that the 
information collection has already been approved by OMB. If FNS decides 
not to use the uniform grant application package or determines that it 
needs grant applicants to provide additional information not contained 
in the uniform package, then FNS will publish a notice soliciting 
comments on its proposal to collect different/additional information 
before making the grant solicitation.
    The uniform grant application package will include general 
information and instructions; a checklist; a requirement for the 
program narrative statement describing how the grant objectives will be 
reached; the Standard Form (SF) 424 series that requests basic 
information, budget information, assurances regarding Nonprocurement 
Debarment and Suspension, the Drug-Free Workplace rule, general 
assurances, a lobbying certification, and an optional survey form to 
ensure equal opportunity for applicants. The proposed information 
collection covered by this notice is related to the requirements for 
the program narrative statement. The requirements for the program 
narrative statement are based on the requirements for program narrative 
statements described in section 1.c(5) of the OMB Circular A-102, and 
will apply to all types of grantees--State and local governments, non-
profit organizations, institutions of higher education, hospitals, and 
for-profit organizations. The information collection burden related to 
the SF-424 series, assurances, certification, and optional survey form 
for all applicants, has been separately approved by OMB. (For 
availability of the OMB Circular mentioned in this paragraph, please 
refer to 5 CFR 1310.3.)
    Affected Public: State and local governments, non-profit 
organizations, institutions of higher education, hospitals, and for-
profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 353.
    Number of responses per respondent: 1.47.
    Estimated Total annual responses: 520.
    Hours per response: 62.27.
    Number of record keepers: 353.
    Estimated Annual hours per record keepers: 62.27.
    Total record keeping hours: 32,380.
    Total annual reporting hours: 32,380.

    Dated: April 7, 2005.
Roberto Salazar,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 05-7453 Filed 4-12-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-P