[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 229 (Wednesday, November 27, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Page 70915]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-28446]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service


Information Collection Activity; Comment Request

AGENCY: Rural Utilities 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, as amended), the Rural Utilities Service invites 
comments on this information collection for which the Agency intends to 
request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by January 27, 2014.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michele L. Brooks, Director, Program 
Development & Regulatory Analysis, Rural Utilities Service, USDA, 1400 
Independence Ave. SW., STOP 1522, Room 5159 South Building, Washington, 
DC 20250-1522. Email: [email protected]. Telephone: (202) 
690-1078. FAX: (202) 720-4120.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: 7 CFR part 1753, Telecommunications System Construction 
Policies and Procedures.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0059.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection 
package.
    Abstract: In order to facilitate the programmatic interest of the 
RE Act, and, in order to assure that loans made or guaranteed by the 
Agency are adequately secured, the Agency, as a secured lender, has 
established certain forms for materials, equipment and construction of 
electric and telecommunications systems. The use of standard forms, 
construction contracts, and procurement procedures helps assure the 
Agency that appropriate standards and specifications are maintained, 
the Agency's loan security is not adversely affected; and the loan and 
loan guarantee funds are used effectively and for the intended 
purposes.
    Over the past six years, the Agency has undertaken a comprehensive 
review of its Telecommunications Program contracts. The purpose of this 
undertaking is to improve customer service to the Agency's rural 
borrowers with a more efficient and effective means to complete a 
contract transaction as well as improve the internal efficiency of 
processing contracts. The anticipated outcome when the contract 
revision process is completed is that the paperwork burden will not 
increase and may be reduced.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 2 hours per response.
    Respondents: Business or other for-profit and non-profit 
institutions.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 513.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 10.
    Estimate Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 10,592 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be requested from MaryPat 
Daskal, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, Rural Utilities 
Service by telephone at (202) 720-7853 or email: 
[email protected].
    Comments are invited on (a) Whether the collection of information 
is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the 
accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of 
the methodology and assumption 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 collection of information on those who are 
to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques on 
other forms of information technology.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of 
public record.

    Dated: November 18, 2013.
John Charles Padalino,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-28446 Filed 11-26-13; 8:45 am]
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