[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 210 (Wednesday, October 31, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61662-61663]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-21361]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

[Docket No. DHS-2007-0072]


Science and Technology Directorate; Submission for Review; DHS 
S&T BAA Web Site Registration Form; DHS S&T BAA Registration Form; DHS 
S&T BAA White Paper and Proposal Submission Form; DHS S&T RFI Response 
Form

AGENCY: Science and Technology Directorate, DHS.

ACTION: 30-day Notice and request for comment.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) invites the general 
public to comment on new data collection forms for collecting Request 
for Information (RFI) responses and unclassified white papers and 
proposals through the Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) Web site. The 
forms will standardize the collection of information that is both 
necessary and sufficient for the DHS S&T Directorate to record and 
track the receipt of RFI responses, unclassified white papers, and 
proposals. As explained herein, these forms are intended to eliminate 
cost and delay associated with the submission and review of documents 
received via non-electronic means and to improve tracking and records 
keeping. The Department is committed to improving its BAA processes and 
invites interested persons to comment on the following forms and 
instructions (hereinafter ``Forms Package'') for the

[[Page 61663]]

(BAA) program: (1) DHS Science and Technology (S&T) BAA Web Site 
Registration (DHS FORM 10025), (2) DHS S&T BAA Registration (DHS FORM 
10027), (3) DHS S&T BAA White Paper and Proposal Submission (DHS FORM 
10026), and (4) DHS S&T RFI Response (DHS FORM 10028). This notice and 
request for comments is required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 
(Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. chapter 35).

DATES: Comments are encouraged and will be accepted until November 30, 
2007. This process is conducted in accordance with 5 CFR 1320.10.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by docket number [DHS-
2007-0072], by one of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     E-mail: [email protected]. Include docket number [DHS-
2007-0072] in the subject line of the message.
     Mail: Science and Technology Directorate, ATTN: OCIO/
Kenneth D. Rogers, 245 Murray Drive, Bldg 410, Washington, DC 20528.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kenneth D. Rogers (202) 254-6185 (this 
is not a toll free number).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This request for comment was previously 
published in the Federal Register on August 17, 2007, for a 60-day 
public comment period ending October 16, 2007. No comments were 
received by DHS during the 60-day comment period. The purpose of this 
notice is to allow an additional 30 days for public comments. This 
notice and request for comments is required by the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. chapter 35).
    DHS invites the general public to comment on the new information 
collection forms, as described below.
    Interested parties can obtain copies of the Forms Package by 
calling or writing the point of contact listed above.
    The DHS S&T Directorate issues RFIs in accordance with Federal 
Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 15.201(e) and accepts responses to those 
RFIs from the public. DHS S&T also issues BAAs in accordance with FAR 
6.102(d)(2)(i) and FAR 35.016 and accepts white papers and proposals 
from the public in response to those BAAs. DHS S&T evaluates white 
papers and proposals received from the public in response to a DHS S&T 
BAA using the evaluation criteria specified in the BAA through a peer 
or scientific review process in accordance with FAR 35.016(d). White 
paper evaluation determines those research ideas that merit submission 
of a full proposal and proposal evaluation determines those proposals 
that merit selection for contract award.
    Unclassified white papers and proposals are typically collected via 
the DHS S&T BAA secure Web site, while classified white papers and 
proposals must be submitted via proper classified courier or classified 
mailing procedures as described in the National Security Program 
Operating Manual (NISPOM).
    DHS is particularly interested in comments that:
    (1) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
    (2) Evaluate 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;
    (3) Suggest ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information to be collected; and
    (4) Suggest ways to minimize the burden of the data collection on 
those who respond, including the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic 
submissions of responses.
    Overview of this Information Collection:
    (1) Type of Information Collection: New information collection.
    (2) Title of the Form/Collection: DHS S&T BAA Web Site Registration 
Form; DHS S&T BAA Registration Form; DHS S&T BAA White Paper and 
Proposal Submission Form; DHS S&T RFI Response Form.
    (3) Agency Form Number, if any, and the applicable component of the 
Department of Homeland Security sponsoring the collection: DHS Science 
and Technology (S&T) BAA Web Site Registration Form (DHS FORM 10025), 
DHS S&T BAA Registration Form (DHS FORM 10027), DHS S&T BAA White Paper 
and Proposal Submission Form (DHS FORM 10026), and DHS S&T RFI Response 
Form (DHS FORM 10028).
    (4) Affected public who will be asked or required to respond, as 
well as a brief abstract: Individuals or households, Business or other 
for-profit, Not-for-profit institutions, Federal government, and State, 
local, or tribal government; the data gathered through the BAA Forms 
Package will be used to collect RFI responses and unclassified white 
papers and proposals through the BAA Web site.
    (5) An estimate of the total number of respondents and the amount 
of time estimated for an average respondent to respond: a. An estimate 
of the total number of respondents: 4865 Respondents. b. Amount of time 
estimated for an average respondent to respond: 1.25 burden hours.
    (6) An estimate of the total public burden (in hours) associated 
with the collection: 1,548.75 burden hours.

    Dated: October 18, 2007.
Kenneth D. Rogers,
Chief Information Officer, Science and Technology Directorate.
[FR Doc. E7-21361 Filed 10-30-07; 8:45 am]
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