[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 70 (Thursday, April 11, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21711-21712]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-08510]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[OMB Control No. 2900-0585]


Proposed Information Collection (Brand Name or Equal) Activity: 
Comment Request

AGENCY: Office of Acquisition and Logistics, Department of Veterans 
Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Office of Acquisition and Logistics (OA&L), Department of 
Veterans Affairs (VA), is announcing an opportunity for public comment 
on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under 
the

[[Page 21712]]

Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Federal agencies are required to 
publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed 
collection of information including each proposed extension of a 
currently approved collection and allow 60 days for public comment in 
response to the notice. This notice solicits comments on the 
information needed to allow firms to offer items that are equal to the 
brand name item stated in the bid.

DATES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection 
of information should be received on or before June 10, 2013.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the collection of information 
through Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) at www.Regulations.gov; 
or to Sylvester Rainey, Office of Acquisition and Logistics (003A2A), 
Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW., Washington, DC 
20420; or email: [email protected]. Please refer to ``OMB Control 
No. 2900-0585'' in any correspondence. During the comment period, 
comments may be viewed online through FDMS.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sylvester Rainey at (202) 632-5339 or 
Fax at (202) 343-1434.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the PRA of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13; 44 
U.S.C. 3501-3521), Federal agencies must obtain approval from the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of 
information they conduct or sponsor. This request for comment is being 
made pursuant to Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA.
    With respect to the following collection of information, OA&L 
invites comments on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information 
is necessary for the proper performance of OA&L's functions, including 
whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy 
of OA&L's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of 
information; (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 information on respondents, including through the use 
of automated collection techniques or the use of other forms of 
information technology.
    Title: Veterans Affairs Acquisition Regulation (VAAR) Clause 
852.211-77, Brand Name or Equal (was 852.210-77).
    OMB Control Number: 2900-0585.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: VAAR clause 852.211-77 advises bidders or offerors who 
are proposing to offer an item that is alleged to be equal to the brand 
name item stated in the bid, that it is the bidder's or offeror's 
responsibility to show that the item offered is in fact, equal to the 
brand name item. This evidence may be in the form of descriptive 
literature or material, such as cuts, illustrations, drawings, or other 
information. While submission of the information is voluntary, failure 
to provide the information may result in rejection of the firm's bid or 
offer if the Government cannot otherwise determine that the item 
offered is equal. The contracting officer will use the information to 
evaluate whether or not the item offered meets the specification 
requirements.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit and Not-for-profit 
institutions.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 1,666 hours.
    Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 10 minutes.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 10,000.

    Dated: April 8, 2013.

    By direction of the Secretary.
William F. Russo,
Deputy Director, Office of Regulations Policy and Management, Office of 
General Counsel, Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2013-08510 Filed 4-10-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P