[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 59 (Monday, March 29, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Page 15403]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-6820]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Commodity Credit Corporation


Information Collection, Procurement of Agricultural Commodities 
for Foreign Donation

AGENCY: Commodity Credit Corporation, USDA

ACTION: Notice; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) is requesting comments from all 
interested individuals and organizations on an extension of a currently 
approved information collection associated with procurement of 
agricultural commodities for foreign donation. The Kansas City 
Commodity Office (KCCO) issues a public invitation soliciting bids for 
the sale of commodities and requests ocean carrier provide indications 
of available freight rates to KCCO using the Freight Bid Entry System 
(FBES). Use of this system enhances bidding opportunities for potential 
vendors while allowing CCC to efficiently acquire commodities.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received on or before May 28, 
2010 to be assured consideration.

ADDRESSES: We invite you to submit comments on this notice. In your 
comments, include date, volume and page number of this issue of the 
Federal Register. You may submit comments by any of the following 
methods:
    Mail: Sharon Hadder, Farm Service Agency, Commodity Operations, 
Stop 0550, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20250.
    E-mail: Send comment to: [email protected].
    Fax: (202) 690-1809.
    Comments also should be sent to the Desk Officer for Agriculture, 
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and 
Budget, Washington, DC 20503. Copies of the information collection may 
be obtained from Sharon Hadder at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sharon Hadder, Agricultural Marketing 
Specialist, telephone (202) 720-3816.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Procurement of Agricultural Commodities for Foreign 
Donation.
    OMB Number: 0560-0258.
    Expiration Date: May 31, 2010.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The United States donates agricultural commodities 
overseas to meet famine or other relief requirements, to combat 
malnutrition, and sells or donates commodities to promote economic 
development.
    To accommodate these donations, CCC issues invitations to purchase 
agricultural commodities and services, such as transportation, for use 
in international programs. Ocean transportation contracting is done by 
the Cooperating Sponsors or Private Volunteer Organizations (PVOs) 
(grantee organizations or foreign governments receiving the 
commodities) or the United States Agency for International Development 
(USAID) in the case of some Title II, Public Law 480 shipments. KCCO 
evaluates commodity bids together with the freight rate indications to 
identify the combination which most likely results in the lowest-landed 
cost, i.e., the lowest combined cost of commodities and freight to 
destination.
    Vendors bid for ocean freight by making offers using FBES to place 
bids electronically. Vendors can access FBES on-line to see the date/
time the system shows for receipt of bid, bid modification, or bid 
cancellation. At bid opening date/time, the bids submitted through FBES 
are system evaluated. KCCO then awards commodity bids on the basis of 
lowest landed cost by a comparison with offered freight rates and 
notifies the Cooperating Sponsor or PVO of the bid accepted. Awarded 
contracts are posted on our Web site.
    The KCCO is currently using the FBES. Use of this system enhances 
bidding opportunities for potential vendors while allowing CCC to more 
efficiently acquire commodities. The Web-Based Supply Chain System 
(WBSCM) is a new procurement system in development to eliminate the 
need for FBES and to replace the other current systems for several USDA 
agencies, and the USAID. The OMB approval will expire on May 31, 2010, 
and WBSCM will be released on June 30, 2010. Upon release of WBSCM, 
this information collection request (ICR) will be discontinued but it 
will be covered in the Federal Acquisition Regulation as specified in 
the OMB control number 9000-0034 (SF-33, SF-26, SF-1447) to cover the 
bid-related information in the system. CCC is requesting to extend 
approval until August 31, 2010, and it may merge with OMB Control 
Number 0560-0177, WBSCM.
    Estimate of Average time to Respond: 16 minutes.
    Respondents: Steamship lines and/or their agents.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 15.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 8.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 120.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 24.
    We are requesting comments on all aspects of this information 
collection and to help us to:
    (1) Evaluate 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;
    (2) Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden 
including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
    (3) Enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to 
be collected; and
    (4) 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.
    All comments to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of 
public record.

    Signed at Washington, DC on March 18, 2010.
Jonathon W. Coppess,
Executive Vice President, Commodity Credit Corporation.
[FR Doc. 2010-6820 Filed 3-26-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P