[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 100 (Thursday, May 23, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30843-30844]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-12237]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket No. AMS-TM-13-0015; TM-13-01]


Notice of Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently 
Approved Information Collection

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. Chapter 35), this notice announces the Agricultural Marketing 
Service's (AMS) intention to request approval, from the Office of 
Management and Budget, for an extension of and revision to the 
currently approved information collection, Federal-State Marketing 
Improvement Program (FSMIP).

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by July 22, 2013 to be 
assured of consideration.
    Additional Information or Comments: Contact Janise Zygmont, Staff 
Officer, Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program, Transportation 
and Marketing Program, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department 
of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Room 4549-S, Washington, 
DC 20250, telephone: 202-720-5024; fax: 202-690-1144.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FSMIP is authorized under Section 204(b) of 
the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621 et seq.). FSMIP 
provides matching grants on a competitive basis to enable States to 
explore new market opportunities for U.S. food and agricultural 
products and to encourage research and innovation aimed at improving 
the efficiency and performance of the U.S. marketing system.
    Title: Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program (FSMIP)
    OMB Number: 0581-0240.
    Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Expiration Date of Approval: December 31, 2013.
    Abstract: The primary objective of FSMIP is to enable States to 
explore new market opportunities for U.S. food and agricultural 
products and to encourage research and innovation aimed at improving 
the efficiency and performance of the U.S. marketing system. Eligible 
entities under this program include State departments of agriculture, 
State agricultural experiment stations, and other appropriate State 
Agencies.
    AMS has established Application Guidelines that contain full 
details about FSMIP and the application process. The guidelines are 
available from the FSMIP Staff Officer by calling 202/720-5024, faxing-
202/690-1144, or emailing to [email protected]. This 
information is also available at the FSMIP Web site: www.ams.usda.gov/FSMIP. FSMIP applicants must complete Form SF-424, ``Application for 
Federal Assistance,'' (approved under OMB 4040-0004), and Form 
SF-424B, ``Assurances Non-Construction Program,'' (approved under OMB 
0348-0040) for each application. The Project Narrative and 
Other Required Elements are also required for each application. Form 
SF-424A, ``Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs,'' (approved 
under OMB 4040-0006) was previously required for each 
application, but starting in fiscal year 2013, this form is no longer 
required.
    AMS needs to receive the information contained in this collection 
of information to select the projects that will best meet and fulfill 
FSMIP program objectives. The selection process is competitive and AMS 
must ensure that limited funds are used for the intended purpose.
    Estimate of Burden: The public reporting burden for FSMIP 
applicants to apply for a grant, and for FSMIP grantees to complete all 
requirements in the post-award period is estimated to average 10.50 
hours per response. This public reporting burden also includes an 
estimate of the burden for non-federal proposal reviewers to complete a 
Conflict of Interest/Confidentiality Statement and to complete 
evaluations of assigned proposals using a Proposal Score Sheet for 
Reviewers.
    Respondents: State departments of agriculture, State agricultural 
experiment stations, and other appropriate State Agencies.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 80.
    Estimated Total Annual Responses: 520.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 6.5.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 5,462 hours.
    After applications have been reviewed and final awards announced, 
grantees must read the Grant Terms and Conditions and sign the AMS-33 
Agreement Face Sheet to certify compliance with applicable Federal 
regulations. The Grant Terms and Conditions outline responsibilities of 
both parties with regard to the grant. The Grant Terms and Conditions 
replace the following forms that were approved under the previous 
collection: AD-1047, Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, and 
Other Responsibility Matters--Primary Covered Transactions; AD-1048, 
Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and 
Voluntary Exclusion--Lower Tier Covered Transactions; and AD-1049,

[[Page 30844]]

Certification Regarding Drug-Free Workplace Requirements (Grants) 
Alternative 1-for Grantees Other Than Individuals.
    The AMS-33 Agreement Face Sheet replaces the Grant Agreement that 
was approved under the previous collection. The information will be 
used to affirm the award amount, time frame, objectives and work plan 
agreed upon by the grantee and USDA/AMS.
    Standard Form 270, Request for Advance or Reimbursement (approved 
under OMB 0348-0004), is completed whenever the grantee 
requests an advance or reimbursement of grant funds. The information 
will be used to keep track of grant disbursements and the level of 
matching funds expended by the grantee during the grant period. We 
expect that grantees will submit a total of three SF-270 forms 
annually.
    Progress Reports are required at the midpoint of projects approved 
for one year and at six-month intervals for projects of longer 
duration. Progress Reports should (1) briefly summarize activities 
performed and milestones achieved for each objective or sub-element of 
the narrative; (2) note unexpected delays or impediments as well as 
favorable or unusual developments; (3) outline work to be performed 
during the succeeding period; and (4) indicate the amount of grant and 
matching funds expended to date. We expect that grantees will submit a 
total of two Progress Reports during the grant period.
    Not later than 90 days following the ending date of the grant the 
grantee must submit Standard Form 425, Federal Financial Report 
(approved under OMB 0348-0061), to document the final 
financial status of the grant project and to indicate that the one-to-
one matching requirement has been met. The grantee must also submit a 
Final Report of results and accomplishments within 90 days following 
the grant ending date. The Final Report will include:
     An outline of the issue or problem.
     A description of how the issue or problem was approached 
via the project.
     A description of the contribution of public or private 
agency cooperators.
     A description of results, conclusions and lessons learned.
     A summary of current or future benefits to be derived from 
the project.
     Additional information available (publications, Web 
sites).
     Recommendations for future research needed, if applicable.
     A description of the project beneficiaries.
     The contact person for the project with telephone number 
and email address.
    This collection adds two items relating to the grant review 
process: A Conflict of Interest/Confidentiality Statement and a 
Proposal Score Sheet for Reviewers. Upon receipt of an application, the 
FSMIP Staff Officer ensures that all components of the application are 
present. The FSMIP Staff Officer also ensures that the $1 for $1 
required match is met. Each proposal is then assigned to several 
subject matter specialists from AMS and elsewhere in USDA to evaluate 
and score. Reviewers from other Federal agencies and the university 
community may be sought depending on the subject matter and scope of 
the proposals. All reviewers sign a Conflict of Interest/
Confidentiality Statement before beginning their proposal reviews.
    Proposals are numerically scored on several criteria by individual 
reviewers. These scores are used to make recommendations for funding. 
Reviewers use the Proposal Score Sheet for Reviewers to report their 
scores and comments about the strengths and weaknesses of each proposal 
they have been assigned to review.
    Estimate of Burden: The public reporting burden for reading and 
signing the Conflict of Interest/Confidentiality Statement, for 
reviewing six proposals, and for completing the Proposal Score Sheet 
for Reviewers is estimated to average 1.93 hours per response.
    Respondents: Non-federal proposal reviewers.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 20.
    Estimated Total Annual Responses: 140.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 7.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 270 hours.
    Comments are invited on: (1) 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) 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) 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 those who 
are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, 
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms 
of information technology. Comments may be sent to Janise Zygmont, 
FSMIP Staff Officer, USDA, AMS, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Room 
4549-S, Washington, DC 20250, telephone: 202-720-5024; fax: 202-690-
1144. All comments received will be available for public inspection 
during regular business hours at the same address.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of public 
record.

    Dated: May 17, 2013.
Rex A. Barnes,
Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-12237 Filed 5-22-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P