[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 218 (Monday, November 14, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69133-69134]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-22555]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

November 7, 2005.
    The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following 
information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments 
regarding (a) Whether the collection of information is necessary for 
the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including 
whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy 
of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) ways to 
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 should be addressed to: Desk 
Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB), [email protected] or 
fax (202) 395-5806 and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, 
Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-7602. Comments regarding these 
information collections are best assured of having their full effect if 
received within 30 days of this notification. Copies of the 
submission(s) may be obtained by calling (202) 720-8958.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information 
unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB 
control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to 
respond to the collection of information that such persons are not 
required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays 
a currently valid OMB control number.

Food and Nutrition Service

    Title: The Integrity Program (TIP) Data Collection.
    OMB Control Number: 0584-0401.
    Summary of Collection: The basis for this data collection and 
reporting system is Part 246.5 of the Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) 
Program regulations, which requires State agencies to report annually 
on their vendor monitoring efforts. The data collected from the States 
serves as a management tool to provide Congress, Office of the 
Inspector General, senior program managers, as well as the general 
public, assurances that program funds are being spent appropriately and 
that every reasonable effort is being made to prevent, detect and 
eliminate fraud, waste and abuse.
    Need and Use of the Information: The Food and Nutrition Service 
will collect information using form FNS 698, Profile of Integrity 
Practices and Procedures; FNS 699, the Integrity Profile Report Form; 
and FNS 700, TIP Data Entry Form. The collected information from the 
forms will be analyzed and a report is prepared by FNS annually that 
(1) Assesses State agency progress in eliminating abusive vendors, (2) 
assesses the level of activity that is being directed to ensuring 
program integrity, and (3) analyzes trends over a 5-year period. The 
information is used at the national level in formulating program policy 
and regulations. At the FNS regional office level, the data is

[[Page 69134]]

reviewed to identify possible vendor management deficiencies so that 
technical assistance can be provided to States, as needed. At the State 
level, the information is used to provide assurances to the Governor's 
office, and other interested parties, that WIC issues are being 
addressed.
    Description of Respondents: State, local or tribal government.
    Number of Respondents: 89.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 4,144.

Ruth Brown,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 05-22555 Filed 11-10-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-P