[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 146 (Monday, July 30, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 44641]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-18546]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

[Docket No. DHS-2012-0001]


Critical Infrastructure Private Sector Clearance Program Request

AGENCY: National Protection and Programs Directorate, DHS.

ACTION: 30-day notice and request for comments;

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    Reinstatement, with change, of a previously approved collection.

SUMMARY: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), National Protection 
and Programs Directorate (NPPD), Office of Infrastructure Protection 
(IP) will submit the following Information Collection Request (ICR) to 
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance in 
accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 
U.S.C. Chapter 35). NPPD is soliciting comments concerning 
Reinstatement, with change, of a previously approved ICR for the 
Critical Infrastructure Private Sector Clearance Program (PSCP). DHS 
previously published this ICR in the Federal Register on April 12, 
2012, for a 60-day public comment period. DHS received no comments. The 
purpose of this notice is to allow an additional 30 days for public 
comments.

DATES: Comments are encouraged and will be accepted until August 29, 
2012. This process is conducted in accordance with 5 CFR 1320.10.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments on 
the proposed information collection to the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs, OMB. Comments should be addressed to OMB Desk 
Officer, DHS, Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties. Comments must 
be identified by DHS-2012-0001 and may be submitted by one of the 
following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
     Email: [email protected]. Include the docket 
number in the subject line of the message.
     Fax: (202) 395-5806.
    Instructions: All submissions received must include the words 
``Department of Homeland Security'' and the docket number for this 
action. Comments received will be posted without alteration at http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided.
    OMB is particularly interested in comments that:
    1. Evaluate 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. Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of 
the proposed collection of information, 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, e.g., permitting electronic 
submissions of responses.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Monika Junker, DHS/NPPD/IP, 
[email protected], (703) 235-8229.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PSCP sponsors clearances for private sector 
partners who are responsible for critical infrastructure protection but 
would not otherwise be eligible for a clearance under Executive Order 
12829. These partners are subject matter experts within specific 
industries and sectors. The PSCP requires individuals to complete a 
clearance request form that initiates the clearance process. DHS Sector 
Specialists or Protective Security Advisors email the form to the 
individual who then emails back the completed form, minus their date 
and place of birth and social security number. The clearance request 
form is signed by both the Federal official who nominated the applicant 
and the Assistant Secretary for Infrastructure Protection. Upon 
approval to process, the PSCP Administrator contacts the nominee to 
obtain the social security number, date and place of birth, and will 
then enter this data into e-QIP--Office of Personnel Management's 
secure portal for investigation processing. Once the data is entered in 
e-QIP, the applicant can complete the online security questionnaire. 
The PSCP maintains all applicants' information in the Master Roster, 
which contains all the information found on the clearance request form 
in addition to their clearance information (date granted, level of 
clearance, date non-disclosure agreements signed, and type/date of 
investigation). The Administrator of the Master Roster maintains the 
information to track clearance processing and investigation information 
and to have the most current contact information for the participants 
from each sector.

Analysis

    Agency: Department of Homeland Security, National Protection and 
Programs Directorate, Office of Infrastructure Protection.
    Title: Critical Infrastructure Private Sector Clearance Program.
    OMB Number: 1670-0013.
    Frequency: Once.
    Affected Public: Designated private sector employees of critical 
infrastructure entities or organizations.
    Number of Respondents: 450 (estimate).
    Estimated Time Per Respondent: 10 minutes.
    Total Burden Hours: 75.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Recordkeeping Burden: $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $0.

    Dated: July 24, 2012.
Scott Libby,
Acting Chief Information Officer, National Protection and Programs 
Directorate, Department of Homeland Security.
[FR Doc. 2012-18546 Filed 7-27-12; 8:45 am]
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