[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 184 (Monday, September 22, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54554-54555]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-22018]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

September 16, 2008.
    The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following 
information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments 
regarding (a) Whether the collection of information is necessary for 
the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including 
whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy 
of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) ways to 
minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are 
to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology should be addressed to: Desk 
Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB), [email protected] or 
fax (202) 395-5806 and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, 
Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-7602. Comments regarding these 
information collections are best assured of having their full effect if 
received within 30 days of this notification. Copies of the 
submission(s) may be obtained by calling (202) 720-8681.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information 
unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB 
control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to 
respond to the collection of information that such persons are not 
required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays 
a currently valid OMB control number.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: 7 CFR Part 1724 and Part 1738 Electric Engineering, 
Architectural Services and Design Policies and Procedures; and Rural 
Broadband Access Loans and Loan Guarantees.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0118.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Electrification Act of 1936, 7 
U.S.C. 901 et seq., as amended authorizes Rural Utilities Service (RUS) 
to make loans in several States and Territories of the United States 
for broadband access and rural electrification and the furnishing and 
improving of electric energy to persons in rural areas. Title 7 CFR 
1724 requires each borrower to select a qualified architect to perform 
certain architectural services and to use the designated form that 
provides for these services. The agency has developed standardized 
contractual forms used by borrowers to contract for services.
    Need and Use of the Information: The information collected 
stipulates the parties to the agreement, contains certain information 
relating to the approved loan or loan guarantee, and provides detailed 
contractual obligations and services to be provided and performed 
relating to construction, project design, construction management, 
compensation, and related information. The contractual forms provide 
standardized contract agreements between the electric or broadband 
borrower and the engineering or architectural firm providing services 
to the borrower. This has resulted in substantial savings to borrowers 
by reducing preparation of the documentation and the costly review by 
the government.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Not-for-
profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 99.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.

[[Page 54555]]

    Total Burden Hours: 104.

Charlene Parker,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. E8-22018 Filed 9-19-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P