[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 69 (Tuesday, April 11, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18269-18270]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-5227]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service


Notice of Intent To Request an Extension of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCY: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, 
USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations (5 CFR part 1320) 
which implement the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 
35), this notice announces the Cooperative State Research, Education, 
and Extension Service's (CSREES) intention to request an extension for 
a currently approved information collection (OMB No. 0524-0026) for 
Form CSREES-665, ``Assurance of Compliance with the Department of 
Agriculture Regulations Assuring Civil Rights Compliance,'' and Form 
CSREES-666, ``Organizational Information.''

DATES: Submit comments on or before June 12, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Written comments concerning this notice and requests for 
copies of the information collection may be submitted by any of the 
following methods to Joanna Moore, Policy Specialist, Office of 
Extramural Programs, Policy, Oversight, and Funds Management Branch; 
Mail: CSREES/USDA; Mail Stop 2299; 1400 Independence Avenue, SW.; 
Washington, DC 20250-2299; Hand Delivery/Courier: 800 9th Street, SW., 
Waterfront Centre, Room 2249,Washington, DC 20024; Fax: 202-401-7752; 
or e-mail: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ellen Danus, Branch Chief, Policy, 
Oversight, and Funds Management Branch; Office of Extramural Programs; 
CSREES/USDA; (202) 401-4325; E-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Assurance of Compliance with the Department of Agriculture 
Regulations Assuring Civil Rights Compliance and Organizational 
Information.
    OMB Number: 0524-0026.
    Expiration Date of Current Approval: August 31, 2006.
    Type of Request: Intent to extend a currently approved information 
collection for three years.
    Abstract: CSREES has primary responsibility for providing linkages 
between the Federal and State components of a broad-based, national 
agricultural research, extension, and education system. Focused on 
national issues, its purpose is to represent the Secretary of 
Agriculture and carry out the intent of Congress by administering 
formula and grant funds appropriated for agricultural research, 
extension, and education. Before awards can be made, certain 
information is required from applicants to assure compliance with the 
applicable civil rights laws and to effectively assess the potential 
recipient's capacity to manage Federal funds.
    Need for the Information: Form CSREES-665 ``Assurance of Compliance 
with the Department of Agriculture Regulations Assuring Civil Rights 
Compliance'': By signing this form, the organization certifies that it 
complies with the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended. The applicant 
agrees that it will offer its programs to all eligible persons without 
regard to race, color, national origin, gender, disability, age, 
political beliefs, religion, marital status, or familial status and 
that people will not be excluded from participation in, be denied the 
benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any 
program or activity for which the applicant receives the Federal 
financial assistance from the Department of Agriculture. This 
information is submitted to CSREES on a one-time basis.
    Form CSREES-666 ``Organizational Information'': Enables CSREES to 
determine that applicants recommended for awards will be responsible 
recipients of Federal funds. The information pertains to organizational 
management and financial matters of the potential grantee. This form 
and the documents which the applicant attaches to it provide CSREES 
with information such as the legal name of grantee, certification that 
the organization has the legal authority to accept Federal funding, 
identification and signatures of the key officials of the organization, 
the organization's practices in regard to compensation rates and 
benefits of employees, insurance for equipment,

[[Page 18270]]

subcontracting with other organizations, etc., as well as the financial 
condition of the organization. All of this information is considered by 
CSREES prior to award to determine the grantee is both managerially and 
fiscally responsible. This information is submitted to CSREES on a one-
time basis. If sufficient changes occur within the organization, the 
grantee submits revised information.
    With regards to compliance with the Government Paperwork 
Elimination Act (44 U.S.C. 3504 note), CSREES is proposing to postpone 
making an electronic option available for this information collection 
until the Federal government-wide electronic process is developed for 
collecting organizational information and statutory certifications from 
new grantees. Under the Federal Financial Assistance Management 
Improvement Act of 1999 (Pub.L. No. 106-107), Federal agencies and OMB 
have been working together to streamline and simplify the award and 
administration of Federal grants. As a result of these activities, 
Federal agencies and OMB are proposing various regulations, policies, 
and business processes that will decrease the overall information 
collection burden to grant recipients by having a central location 
where this information is collected for use by all Federal grantmaking 
agencies.
    Estimate of the Burden: CSREES estimates the number of responses 
for the Form CSREES-665 will be 150 with an estimated response time of 
.5 hour per form, representing a total annual burden of 75 hours for 
this form. CSREES estimates the number of responses for the Form 
CSREES-666 will be 150 with an estimated response time of 6.3 hours per 
form, representing a total annual burden of 945 hours for this form. 
These estimates are based on a survey of grantees who had recently been 
approved for grant awards. They were asked to give an estimate of time 
it took them to complete each form. This estimate was to include such 
things as: (1) Reviewing the instructions; (2) searching existing data 
sources; (3) gathering and maintaining the data needed; and (4) actual 
completion of the forms. The average time it took each respondent was 
calculated from their responses.
    Comments: 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 will 
have a 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 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 information collection 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.

    Done at Washington, DC, this 4th day of March 2006.
Joseph Jen,
Under Secretary, Research, Education, and Economics.
 [FR Doc. E6-5227 Filed 4-10-06; 8:45 am]
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