[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]
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