[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 232 (Friday, December 2, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Page 75520]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-31038]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

November 29, 2011.
    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) 720-8958.
    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.

Office of Procurement and Property Management

    Title: Guidelines for Designating Biobased Products for Federal 
Procurement.
    OMB Control Number: 0503-0011.
    Summary of Collection: Section 9002 of the Farm Security and Rural 
Investment Act (FSRIA) of 2002, as amended by the Food, Conservation, 
and Energy Act (FCEA) of 2008, provides for a preferred procurement 
program under which Federal agencies are required to purchase biobased 
products, with certain exceptions. Items (which are generic groupings 
of products) are designated by rulemaking for preferred procurement. To 
qualify items for procurement under this program, the statute requires 
that the Secretary of Agriculture consider information on the 
availability of items, the economic and technological feasibility of 
using such items and the life cycle costs of using such items. In 
addition, the Secretary is required to provide information on 
designated items to Federal agencies about the availability, relative 
price, performance, and environmental and public health benefits of 
such items and where appropriate shall recommend the level of biobased 
material to be contained in the procured product.
    Need and Use of the Information: The Office of Procurement and 
Property Management (OPPM) and the Center for Industrial Research and 
Service at Iowa State University will interact with manufacturers and 
venders to gather such information and material for testing, as may be 
required for designation of items for preferred procurement by Federal 
agencies. The information collected will be gathered using a variety of 
methods, including face to face visits with a manufacturer or vendor, 
submission by manufacturers and vendors of information electronically 
to OPPM, and survey instruments filled out by manufacturers and vendors 
and submitted to OPPM.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 75.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Other (once).
    Total Burden Hours: 7,800.

Ruth Brown,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2011-31038 Filed 12-1-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-TX-P