[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 140 (Monday, July 23, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40145-40146]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-14155]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OARM-2007-0341; FRL-8443-3]


Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to OMB for 
Review and Approval; Comment Request; Conflict of Interest Rule 
1 (Renewal), EPA ICR No. 1550.07, OMB Control No. 2030-0023

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this document announces that an Information 
Collection Request (ICR) has been forwarded to the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. This is a request to renew an 
existing approved collection. The ICR, which is abstracted below, 
describes the nature of the information collection and its estimated 
burden and cost.

DATES: Additional comments may be submitted on or before August 22, 
2007.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, referencing Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OARM-
2007-0341, to (1) EPA online using www.regulations.gov (our preferred 
method), by e-mail to [email protected], or by mail to: OEI Docket, 
EPA Docket Center, Environmental Protection Agency, Mailcode 28221T, 
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460, and (2) OMB by mail 
to: Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB), Attention: Desk Officer for EPA, 725 17th Street, 
NW., Washington, DC 20503. EPA Docket Center, Environmental Protection 
Agency.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marilyn E. Chambers, Office of 
Acquisition Management, 3802R, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 
Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: (202) 
564-4398; fax number: (202) 565-2474; e-mail address: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EPA has submitted the following ICR to OMB 
for review and approval according to the procedures prescribed in 5 CFR 
1320.12. On April 25, 2007 (72 FR 20532), EPA sought comments on this 
ICR pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.8(d). EPA received one comment during the 
comment period, which is addressed in the ICR. Any additional comments 
on this ICR should be submitted to EPA and OMB within 30 days of this 
notice.
    EPA has established a public docket for this ICR under Docket ID 
No. EPA-HQ-OARM-2007-0341, which is available for online viewing at 
www.regulations.gov, or in person viewing at the Office of 
Environmental Information Docket in the EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), EPA 
West, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. The EPA/
DC Public Reading Room is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Reading 
Room is 202-566-1744, and the telephone number for the Office of 
Environmental Information Docket is 202-566-1752.
    Use EPA's electronic docket and comment system at 
www.regulations.gov, to submit or view public comments, access the 
index listing of the contents of the docket, and to access those 
documents in the docket that are available electronically. Once in the 
system, select ``docket search,'' then key in the docket ID number 
identified above. Please note that EPA's policy is that public 
comments, whether submitted electronically or in paper, will be made 
available for public viewing at www.regulations.gov as EPA receives 
them and without change, unless the comment contains copyrighted 
material, CBI, or other information whose public disclosure is 
restricted by statute. For further information about the electronic 
docket, go to www.regulations.gov.
    Title: Conflict of Interest Rule 1 (Renewal).
    ICR Numbers: EPA ICR No. 1550.07, OMB Control No. 2030-0023.
    ICR Status: This ICR is scheduled to expire on July 31, 2007. Under 
OMB regulations, the Agency may continue to conduct or sponsor the 
collection of information while this submission is pending at OMB. An 
Agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to 
respond to, a collection of information, unless it displays a currently 
valid OMB control number. The OMB control numbers for EPA's regulations 
in title 40 of the CFR, after appearing in the Federal Register when 
approved, are listed in 40 CFR part 9, are displayed either by 
publication in the Federal Register or by other appropriate means, such 
as on the related collection instrument or form, if

[[Page 40146]]

applicable. The display of OMB control numbers in certain EPA 
regulations is consolidated in 40 CFR part 9.
    Abstract: EPA contractors will be required to keep a database of 
business relationships. EPA contractors will be required to certify 
annually, or when work is ordered under a contract, that they have no 
actual or potential conflicts of interest involving the work to be 
performed under the contract. If an actual or potential conflict of 
interest is identified, then the contractor must disclose the relevant 
information to EPA. Under certain contracts, the contractor will be 
restricted in its future contracting in certain areas. To enter 
contracts in the restricted area, the contractor must submit a request 
to EPA with the relevant facts. This information is used by EPA to 
ensure contractors' work products are objective and unbiased, that 
contractors render impartial assistance or advice to EPA, and that 
contractors do not have an unfair competitive advantage. Responses are 
required to obtain a benefit. 5 U.S.C. 301; Sec. 205(c), 63 Stat. 390, 
as amended, 40 U.S.C. 486(c); and 41 U.S.C. 418b. Information received 
is treated as confidential in accordance with 40 CFR part 2, subpart B.
    Burden Statement: The annual public reporting and recordkeeping 
burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1,138 
hours per response. Burden means the total time, effort, or financial 
resources expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, or 
disclose or provide information to or for a Federal agency. This 
includes the time needed to review instructions; develop, acquire, 
install, and utilize technology and systems for the purposes of 
collecting, validating, and verifying information, processing and 
maintaining information, and disclosing and providing information; 
adjust the existing ways to comply with any previously applicable 
instructions and requirements which have subsequently changed; train 
personnel to be able to respond to a collection of information; search 
data sources; complete and review the collection of information; and 
transmit or otherwise disclose the information.
    Respondents/Affected Entities: 135.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 135 .
    Frequency of Response: On occasion.
    Estimated Total Annual Hour Burden: 153,626.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: $9,561,000, which includes $0 
annualized capital or O&M costs and $9,561,000 labor costs.
    Changes in the Estimates: There is an increase of 7,986 hours in 
the total estimated burden currently identified in the OMB Inventory of 
Approved ICR Burdens. This increase is due to an increase in the number 
of EPA contracts containing conflict of interest requirements.

    Dated: July 10, 2007.
Robert L. Gunter,
Acting Director, Collection Strategies Division.
 [FR Doc. E7-14155 Filed 7-20-07; 8:45 am]
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