[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 217 (Friday, November 8, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67130-67131]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-26782]


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CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE


Information Collection; Submission for OMB Review, Comment 
Request

AGENCY: Corporation for National and Community Service.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) has 
submitted a public information collection request (ICR) entitled 
AmeriCorps Application Instructions for review and approval in 
accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13, 
(44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). Copies of this ICR, with applicable supporting 
documentation, may be obtained by calling the Corporation for National 
and Community Service, Jennifer Bastress Tahmasebi, at 202-606-6667 or 
email to [email protected]. Individuals who use a 
telecommunications device for the deaf (TTY-TDD) may call 1-800-833-
3722 between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through 
Friday.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted, identified by the title of the 
information collection activity, to the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs, Attn: Ms. Jasmeet Seehra, OMB Desk Officer for the 
Corporation for National and Community Service, by any of the following 
two methods within 30 days from the date of publication in the Federal 
Register:
    (1) By fax to: 202-395-6974, Attention: Ms. Jasmeet Seehra, OMB 
Desk Officer for the Corporation for National and Community Service; or
    (2) By email to: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The OMB is particularly interested in 
comments which:
     Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of CNCS, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
     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;
     Propose ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity 
of the information to be collected; and
     Propose 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.

Comments

    A 60-day Notice requesting public comment was published in the 
Federal Register on 8/19/2013. This comment period ended 10/18/2013. 
Six entities provided comments. Many of the comments addressed the 
content of the FY2013 AmeriCorps State and National Notice of Funding 
Opportunity. CNCS will address these comments through a

[[Page 67131]]

different forum. The comments related to the Application Instructions 
are addressed below.
    Two commenters asked that if CNCS releases multiple versions of the 
Application Instructions that they be dated. CNCS will date all 
versions of the Applications Instructions moving forward.
    Three commenters asked that CNCS raise the applicant burden to 80 
hours to account for both the initial application preparation as well 
as the reworking of the application based on State Commission review 
and feedback. In response to the comments, CNCS will raise the 
applicant burden to 80 hours to ensure that the burden estimate 
provides the public, especially new applicants, with adequate notice of 
the time required to prepare an application. We expect that many 
applicants will be able to complete the application in less than 80 
hours, but support providing notice to applicants that will allow them 
to budget time effectively.
    Two commenters asked if the fields ``Total Private Match'' and 
``Total Local, State, and Federal Government Match'' will be populated 
by the ``Total Match'' amount captured in the budget. No. The ``Total 
Match'' amount captured in the budget is a combination of private and 
government match. CNCS is interested in breaking out the match into two 
categories.
    Two commenters asked the purpose of requesting ``Leveraged funds,'' 
if there was a requirement to track those funds, and what repercussions 
would there be if an applicant raised leverage funds that were either 
above or below the expected amount. The collection of ``Leveraged 
funds'' enables CNCS to better understand the total cost of running an 
AmeriCorps program. For cost reimbursement applicants, funding in 
addition to the CNCS share and the required match may be required to 
run an AmeriCorps program. For fixed amount applicants, funding in 
addition to the CNCS share is required to run an AmeriCorps program. 
There is no requirement to track leveraged funds as long as successful 
applicants have adequate resources to sustain program operations. If 
there are sufficient funds to operate successfully, there are no 
repercussions should the applicant raise more or less of the 
anticipated ``Leveraged Funds'' amount.
    One commenter asked for definitions for ``episodic'' and 
``ongoing'' volunteers. CNCS has provided those definitions in the 
FY2013 AmeriCorps State and National Notice of Funding Opportunity.
    One commenter asked if the operating sites chart will be provided 
to State Commissions as part of the consultative process that takes 
place between National Direct applicants and State Commissions. CNCS 
plans to incorporate the operating site data into the state profiles, 
which are updated annually and available for Commission use. At this 
time, CNCS does not have plans to share this information with state 
commissions to facilitate the National Direct--State Commission 
consultative process, largely due to egrants system limitations.
    Description: CNCS is seeking approval of AmeriCorps Application 
Instructions, which is used by Nonprofit organizations and State, 
Local, and Tribal Governments to apply for AmeriCorps funding.
    Type of Review: Renewal.
    Agency: Corporation for National and Community Service.
    Title: AmeriCorps Application Instructions: State Commissions; 
State and National Competitive; Professional Corps, Indian Tribes; 
State and Territories without Commissions; and State and National 
Planning.
    OMB Number: 3045-0047.
    Agency Number: None.
    Affected Public: Nonprofit organization, State, Local and Tribal.
    Total Respondents: 2,000.
    Frequency: Annually or as grant solicitations require.
    Average Time per Response: 80 hours.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 160,000 hours.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): None.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): None.

    Dated: November 4, 2013.
Bill Basl,
Director, AmeriCorps.
[FR Doc. 2013-26782 Filed 11-7-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6050-28-P