[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 167 (Wednesday, August 29, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49695-49696]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-17040]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Information Collection; Federal and Non-Federal Financial 
Assistance Instruments

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice, request for comment.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals and 
organizations on the new information collection, Federal and Non-
Federal Financial Assistance Instruments.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before October 29, 
2007 to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date 
will be considered to the extent practicable.

ADDRESSES: Comments concerning this notice should be addressed to 
Director, Acquisition Management, Forest Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, Attention: Chris Coppenbarger, 1400 Independence Ave., 
SW., Mailstop 1138, Washington, DC 20250-1138.
    Comments also may be submitted via facsimile to 703-605-5100 or by 
e-mail to: [email protected].
    The public may inspect comments received at Forest Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, 1621 N. Kent Street, RPE 707, Arlington, VA 
during normal business hours. Visitors are encouraged to call ahead to 
703-605-4719 to facilitate entry to the building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chris Coppenbarger, Acquisition 
Management, 703-605-4719. Individuals who use TDD may call the Federal 
Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339, 24 hours a day, every day of the 
year, including holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Federal and Non-Federal Financial Assistance Instruments.
    OMB Number: 0596-New.
    Type of Request: New.
    Abstract: In order to carry out specific Forest Service activities, 
Congress created several authorities to assist the Agency in carrying 
out its mission. The Forest Service issues Federal Financial Assistance 
(FFA) awards (i.e., grants and cooperative agreements), as authorized 
by the Federal Grants and Cooperative Agreements Act (FGCAA), as well 
as agreements expressly exempted from FGCAA. In addition, Congress 
created specific authorizations for acts outside the scope of the 
FGCAA; as well as appropriations language conveying authority for the 
Forest Service to enter into relationships that are outside the scope 
of the FGCAA. The Forest Service implements these authorizations using 
instruments such as collection agreements; FGCAA exempted agreements; 
memorandums of understanding; and other agreements (which contain 
mutual benefits for participating parties). These instruments fall 
outside the scope of the Federal Acquisition Regulations and often 
require financial plans and statements of work. To create, develop, and 
administer these funded and non-funded agreements, Forest Service 
employees collect information from cooperating parties from the pre-
award to the closeout stage via telephone calls, e-mails, postal mail, 
and person-to-person meetings. Respondents usually have multiple 
options for responding, including forms, non-forms, electronically, 
face-to-face, over the telephone, and over the Internet. The scope of 
information collected varies, but typically includes project type, 
project scope, financial plan, statement of work, and cooperator 
contact/business information.
    The information is collected from non-profit and for-profit 
institutions; institutions of higher education; state, local, and 
Native American tribal governments; individuals; foreign governments; 
and organizations.
    Without the collected information, the Forest Service would not be 
able to create, develop, and administer these funded and non-funded 
agreements. The Agency would be unable to develop/monitor projects, 
make or receive payments, or identify financial and accounting errors.
    The following forms are associated with this information 
collection:
    FS-1500-NEW1: Cooperative Fire Protection Agreement.
    FS-1500-NEW2: Cooperative Law Enforcement Agreement.
    FS-1500-NEW3: Cooperative Forest Road Agreement.
    FS-1500-NEW4: Challenge Cost Share Agreement.
    FS-1500-NEW5: Collection Agreement.
    FS-1500-NEW6: Cost-Reimbursable Agreement.
    FS-1500-NEW7: Cooperative Research and Development Agreement.
    FS-1500-NEW8: Joint Venture Agreement.
    FS-1500-NEW9: Memorandum of Understanding.
    FS-1500-NEW10: Participating Agreement.
    FS-1500-NEW11: FSH 1509.11, Chapter 60--Other Agreements.
    FS-1500-NEW12: Cooperative Law Enforcement Annual Operating & 
Financial Plan.
    FS-1500-NEW13: Collection Agreement Financial Plan.
    FS-1500-NEW14: Modification Form.
    FS-1500-NEW15: Agreement Cover Page.
    SF-424: Application for Federal Assistance.
    AD-1047: Certification Regarding Department Suspension.
    AD-1048: Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, 
Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion--Lower Tier Covered Transactions.
    AD-1049: Certificate Regarding Drug Free Workplace Requirements 
Alternative 1.
    AD-1050: Certificate Regarding Drug Free Workplace Requirements 
Alternative 2.
    AD-1052: Certificate Regarding Drug Free Workplace Requirements--
State and State Agencies.
    SF-269: Financial Status Report (Long Form).
    SF-269a: Financial Status Report.
    SF-270: Request for Advance or Reimbursement.
    SF-272: Federal Cash Transaction Report.
    SF-272a: Federal Cash Transaction Report (continuation).
    SF-424a: Budget Information Non-Construction Programs.

[[Page 49696]]

    SF-424b: Assurance--Non-Construction Programs.
    SF-25a: Payment Bonds.
    Estimate of Annual Burden: .25 to 4 hours annually per response.
    Type of Respondents: Non-profit and for-profit institutions; 
institutions of higher education; state, local, and Native American 
tribal governments; individuals; foreign governments; and 
organizations.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 14,489.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1-4.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 30,855 hours.
    Comment is invited on: (1) Whether this collection of information 
is necessary for the stated purposes and the proper performance of the 
functions of the Agency, including whether the information will have 
practical or scientific utility; (2) the accuracy of the Agency's 
estimate of the burden of the collection of information, including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance 
the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; 
and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
respondents, including the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or 
other technological collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    All comments received in response to this notice, including names 
and addresses when provided, will be a matter of public record. 
Comments will be summarized and included in the request for Office of 
Management and Budget approval.

    Dated: August 22, 2007.
Hank Kashdan,
Deputy Chief, Business Operations.
 [FR Doc. E7-17040 Filed 8-28-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P