[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 162 (Wednesday, August 20, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49159-49160]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-19269]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food and Nutrition Service


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request: Uniform Grant Application Package for Discretionary 
Grant Programs

AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment 
on proposed information collections. The proposed collection is a 
revision and extension of a currently approved collection.
    The purpose of the Uniform Grant Application Package for 
Discretionary Grant Programs is to provide a standardized format for 
the development of all Requests for Applications released by the Food 
and Nutrition Service (FNS) Agency and to allow for a more expeditious 
OMB clearance process.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before October 20, 
2008.

ADDRESSES: 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 has 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 that were 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 collection of information on those who 
are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, 
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms 
of information technology.
    Comments may be sent to Lael J. Lubing, Grants Management Division, 
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, 3101 Park 
Center Drive, Room 732, Alexandria, VA 22302. Comments may also be 
submitted via fax to the attention of Lael J. Lubing at 703-605-0363 or 
via e-mail to [email protected].
    All written comments will be open for public inspection at the 
office of the Food and Nutrition Service during regular business hours 
(8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday) at 3101 Park Center Drive, 
Alexandria, Virginia 22302, Room 732.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will also be a matter of public 
record.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection form and instruction should be 
directed to Lael J. Lubing on (703) 305-2048.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Uniform Grant Application Package for Discretionary Grant 
Programs.
    OMB Number: 0584-0512.
    Expiration Date: November 30, 2008.
    Type of Request: Revision of the previously approved collection of 
information.
    Abstract: FNS has a number of discretionary grant programs. 
(Consistent with the definition in 7 CFR Part 3016, the term ``grant'' 
as used in this notice includes cooperative agreements.) The 
authorities for these grants vary and will be cited as part of each 
grant application solicitation. The purpose of the revision to the 
currently approved collection for the Uniform Grant Application Package 
for Discretionary Grant Programs is to continue the authority for the 
established uniform grant application package and to update the number 
of collection hours. The uniform collection package is useable for all 
of FNS' discretionary grant programs to collect information from grant 
applicants that is needed to evaluate and rank applicants and protect 
the integrity of the grantee

[[Page 49160]]

selection process. All FNS discretionary grant programs will be 
eligible, but not required, to use the uniform grant application 
package. Before soliciting applications for a discretionary grant 
program, FNS will decide whether the uniform grant application package 
will meet the needs of that grant program. If FNS decides to use the 
uniform grant application package, FNS will note in the grant 
solicitation that applicants must use the uniform grant application 
package and that the information collection has already been approved 
by OMB. If FNS decides not to use the uniform grant application package 
or determines that it needs grant applicants to provide additional 
information not contained in the uniform package, then FNS will publish 
a notice soliciting comments on its proposal to collect different or 
additional information before making the grant solicitation.
    The uniform grant application package will include general 
information and instructions; a checklist; a requirement for the 
program narrative statement describing how the grant objectives will be 
reached; the Standard Form (SF) 424 series that requests basic 
information, budget information, a lobbying certification and an 
optional survey form to ensure equal opportunity for applicants. The 
proposed information collection covered by this notice is related to 
the requirements for the program narrative statement. The requirements 
for the program narrative statement are based on the requirements for 
program narrative statements described in section 1c(5) of the OMB 
Circular A-102, and will apply to all types of grantees--State and 
local governments, Indian Tribal Organizations, Non-Profit 
Organizations, Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals and For-
Profit Organizations. The information collection burden related to the 
SF-424 series, lobbying certification and the optional survey form for 
all applicants have been separately approved by OMB.
    Affected Public: State and local governments, Indian Tribal 
Organizations, Non-Profit Organizations, Institutions of Higher 
Education, Hospitals, and For-Profit Organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 315.
    Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.5.
    Estimated Total Annual Responses: 472.5.
    Hours per Response: 66.
    Number of Record Keepers: 315.
    Estimated Annual Hours per Record Keepers: 66.
    Total Record Keeping Hours: 31,185.
    Total Annual Reporting Hours: 31,185.

    Dated: August 12, 2008.
Roberto Salazar,
Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.
[FR Doc. E8-19269 Filed 8-19-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-P