[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 174 (Thursday, September 10, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 46558]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-21799]


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 Notices
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  Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 174 / Thursday, September 10, 2009 / 
Notices  

[[Page 46558]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Office of the Chief Information Officer; Notice of Request for 
Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection

AGENCY: Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO), USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. Chapter 35), this notice announces the intention of the Office 
of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) to request approval for the 
continuation of information collection necessary to allow USDA 
customers to securely and confidently share data and receive services 
electronically. Authority for obtaining information from customers is 
included in the Freedom to E-File Act, the Electronic Signatures in 
Global and National Commerce Act (E-SIGN), and the E-Government Act of 
2002. Customer information is collected through the USDA 
eAuthentication Service (eAuth), located at http://www.eauth.egov.usda.gov. The USDA eAuth provides the public and 
government businesses with a single sign-on capability for USDA 
applications, management of user credentials, and verification of 
identity, authorization, and electronic signatures. USDA's eAuth 
obtains customer information through an electronic self registration 
process provided through the eAuth Web site. This voluntary online self 
registration process enables USDA customers, as well as employees, to 
obtain accounts as authorized users that will provide single sign-on 
capability to access USDA Web applications and services via the 
Internet. The USDA eAuthentication system stems from the Web-based 
Centralized Authentication and Authorization Facility (WebCAAF), the 
former USDA authentication system.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by November 9, 2009 to 
be assured of consideration.
    Additional Information or Comments: Shari Erickson, Program 
Manager, Office of the Chief Information Officer, United States 
Department of Agriculture, 301 S. Howes St., Suite 309, Fort Collins, 
CO 80521 or via e-mail at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Office of the Chief Information Officer eAuthentication 
Service.
    OMB Number: 0503-0014.
    Expiration Date of Approval: February 28, 2010.
    Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: The USDA OCIO has developed eAuth as a management and 
technical process that addresses user authentication and authorization 
prerequisites for providing services electronically. The process 
requires a one-time electronic self registration to obtain an eAuth 
account for each USDA customer desiring access to online services or 
applications that require user authentication. USDA customers can self 
register for a Level 1 or Level 2 Access account. A Level 1 Access 
account provides users with limited access to USDA Web site portals and 
applications that have minimal security requirements. A Level 2 Access 
account enables users to conduct official electronic business 
transactions via the Internet, enter into a contract with the USDA, and 
submit forms electronically via the Internet to USDA agencies. Due to 
the increased customer access associated with a Level 2 Access account, 
customers must be authenticated in person at a USDA Service Center by a 
local registration authority, in addition to an electronic self 
registration. Once an account is activated, customers may use the 
associated user ID and password that they created to access USDA 
resources that are protected by eAuth. It is estimated to take 8 
minutes to complete the self registration process for a Level 1 Access 
account. A Level 2 Access account registration is estimated to be 
completed in 1 hour 40 minutes due to the travel time to the USDA 
Service Center.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 8 minutes per Level 1 account and 1 
hour and 40 minutes per Level 2 account.
    Respondents: Individual USDA Customers.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 44,088 Level 1 and 18,096 Level 2.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 35,952 hours.
    Comments are invited on (1) 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) the accuracy of the agencies' estimate of burden of the 
proposed collection of information including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways 
to minimize the burden of the collection of the information on those 
who respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, 
mechanical, or techniques or other forms of information technology. 
Comments should be sent to the Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 
[email protected] or Fax (202) 395-5806, and to Shari 
Erickson, Program Manager, Office of the Chief Information Officer, 
United States Department of Agriculture, 301 S. Howes St., Suite 309, 
Fort Collins, CO 80521, e-mail [email protected]. All 
comments received will be available for public inspection during 
regular business hours at the same address. Copies of the information 
collection may be obtained from Ms. Erickson at the address above. All 
responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request 
for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of public record.

Christopher L. Smith,
Chief Information Officer, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. E9-21799 Filed 9-9-09; 8:45 am]
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