[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 39 (Wednesday, February 27, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13319-13320]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-04670]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

National Institute of Food and Agriculture


Notice of Intent To Request an Extension of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCY: National Institute of Food and Agriculture, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations (5 CFR part 1320) 
which implement the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 
35), this notice announces the intention of the National Institute of 
Food and Agriculture (NIFA) to request an extension for a currently 
approved information collection (OMB No. 0524-0026) for Form NIFA-666, 
``Organizational Information.''

DATES: Submit comments on or before April 29, 2013.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by NIFA-2013-0008, by 
any of the following methods:
    Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 
instructions for submitting comments.
    Email: [email protected]. Include NIFA-2013-0008 in the subject 
line of the message.
    Fax: 202-720-0857.
    Mail: Written comments concerning this notice and requests for 
copies of the information collection may be submitted to Robert Martin, 
Records Officer, Information Policy, Planning and Training; Mail: NIFA/
USDA; Mail Stop 2216; 1400 Independence Avenue SW.; Washington, DC 
20250-2299; Hand Delivery/Courier: 800 9th Street

[[Page 13320]]

SW., Waterfront Centre, Room 4206, Washington, DC 20024.
    Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency name 
and NIFA-2013-0008. All comments received will be posted without change 
to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information 
provided.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Martin, Records Officer, 
Information Policy, Planning and Training; Office of Information 
Technology; NIFA; USDA; Email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Organizational Information.
    OMB Number: 0524-0026.
    Expiration Date of Current Approval: April 30, 2013.
    Type of Request: Intent to extend a currently approved information 
collection for three years.
    Abstract: NIFA has primary responsibility for providing linkages 
between the Federal and State components of a broad-based, national 
agricultural research, extension, and education system. Focused on 
national issues, its purpose is to represent the Secretary of 
Agriculture and carry out the intent of Congress by administering 
formula and grant funds appropriated for agricultural research, 
extension, and education. Before awards can be made, certain 
information is required from applicants to effectively assess the 
potential recipient's capacity to manage Federal funds.
    Need for the Information: Form NIFA-666 ``Organizational 
Information'': Enables NIFA to determine that applicants recommended 
for awards will be responsible recipients of Federal funds. The 
information pertains to organizational management and financial matters 
of the potential grantee. This form and the documents which the 
applicant attaches to it provide NIFA with information such as the 
legal name of grantee, certification that the organization has the 
legal authority to accept Federal funding, identification and 
signatures of the key officials of the organization, the organization's 
practices in regard to compensation rates and benefits of employees, 
insurance for equipment, subcontracting with other organizations, etc., 
as well as the financial condition of the organization and 
certification that the organization is not delinquent on Federal taxes. 
All of this information is considered by NIFA prior to award to 
determine whether the grantee is both managerially and fiscally 
responsible. This information is submitted to NIFA on a one-time basis 
and updated accordingly. If sufficient changes occur within the 
organization, the grantee submits revised information.
    Estimate of the Burden: NIFA estimates the number of responses for 
the Form NIFA-666 will be 150 with an estimated response time of 6.3 
hours per form, representing a total annual burden of 945 hours for 
this form. These estimates are based on a survey of grantees that were 
approved for grant awards.
    They were asked to give an estimate of the time it took them to 
complete each form. This estimate was to include such things as: (1) 
Reviewing the instructions; (2) searching existing data sources; (3) 
gathering and maintaining the data needed; and (4) actual completion of 
the forms. The average time it took each respondent was calculated from 
their responses.
    Comments: Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
the functions of the Agency, including whether the information will 
have a practical utility; (b) 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; (c) ways to enhance 
the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; 
and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the information collection 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.

    Done at Washington, DC, this 22nd day of February 2013.
Catherine E. Woteki,
Under Secretary, REE, Chief Scientist, USDA.
[FR Doc. 2013-04670 Filed 2-26-13; 8:45 am]
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