[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 58 (Tuesday, March 25, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 15743]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-5924]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

[OMB Control No. 9000-0113]


Federal Acquisition Regulation; Submission for OMB Review; 
Acquisition of Helium

AGENCIES: Department of Defense (DOD), General Services Administration 
(GSA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

ACTION: Notice of request for comments regarding an extension to an 
existing OMB clearance (9000-0113).

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SUMMARY: Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 
(44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 
Secretariat will be submitting to the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) a request to review and approve an extension of a currently 
approved information collection requirement concerning acquisition of 
helium. A request for public comments was published in the Federal 
Register at 72 FR 67919 on December 3, 2007. No comments were received. 
This OMB clearance currently expires on May 31, 2008.
    Public comments are particularly invited on: Whether this 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
functions of the FAR, and whether it will have practical utility; 
whether our estimate of the public burden of this collection of 
information is accurate, and based on valid assumptions and 
methodology; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and ways in which we can minimize the 
burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, 
through the use of appropriate technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology.

DATES: Submit comments on or before April 24, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments regarding this burden estimate or any other 
aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for 
reducing this burden to: FAR Desk Officer, OMB, Room 10102, NEOB, 
Washington, DC 20503, and a copy to the General Services 
Administration, FAR Secretariat (VPR), 1800 F Street, NW, Room 4035, 
Washington, DC 20405. Please cite OMB Control No. 9000-0113, 
Acquisition of Helium, in all correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT Mr. William Clark, Contract Policy 
Division, GSA (202) 219-1813.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Purpose

    The Helium Act (Pub. L. 86-777) (50 U.S.C. 167, et seq.) and the 
Department of the Interior's regulations (43 CFR part 3195) on purchase 
of helium are implemented in the FAR at Subpart 8.5.
    The FAR requires contractors to purchase major helium requirements 
from Federal helium suppliers, to the extent that supplies are 
available. In addition, the Contractor is required to provide the 
Contracting Officer the following data within 10 days after the 
Contractor or subcontractor receives a delivery of helium from a 
Federal helium supplier: (1) The name of the supplier; (2) The amount 
of helium purchased; (3) The delivery date(s); and (4) The location 
where the helium was used. The information is used in administration of 
certain Federal contracts to ensure contractor compliance with contract 
clauses. The contracting officer must forward the information to the 
Department of Interior's Bureau of Land Management (BLM) within 45 days 
of the close of each fiscal quarter. The quarterly reports will help 
BLM verify refined helium sales made to Federal agencies by Federal 
helium suppliers. Without the information, the required use of Federal 
helium suppliers cannot be monitored and enforced effectively.

B. Annual Reporting Burden

    Respondents: 26.
    Responses Per Respondent: 1.
    Total Responses: 26.
    Hours Per Response: 1.
    Total Burden Hours: 26.
    Obtaining Copies of Proposals: Requesters may obtain a copy of the 
information collection documents from the General Services 
Administration, FAR Secretariat (VPR), Room 4035, 1800 F Street, 
Washington, DC 20405, telephone (202) 501-4755. Please cite OMB Control 
No. 9000-0113, Acquisition of Helium, in all correspondence.

    Dated: March 17, 2008.
Al Matera,
Director, Office of Acquisition Policy.
[FR Doc. E8-5924 Filed 3-24-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-EP-S