[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 128 (Thursday, July 3, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38033-38034]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-15603]


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

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[Document Identifier: CMS-10169]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB 
Review; Comment Request

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is 
announcing an opportunity for the public to comment on CMS' intention 
to collect information from the public. Under the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995 (PRA), federal agencies are required to publish notice in 
the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of 
information, including each proposed extension or reinstatement of an 
existing collection of information, and to allow a second opportunity 
for public comment on the notice. Interested persons are invited to 
send comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of this 
collection of information, including any of the following subjects: (1) 
The necessity and utility of the proposed information collection for 
the proper performance of the agency's functions; (2) the accuracy of 
the estimated burden; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and 
clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology to minimize the information collection burden.

DATES: Comments on the collection(s) of information must be received by 
the OMB desk officer by August 4, 2014.

ADDRESSES: When commenting on the proposed information collections, 
please reference the document identifier or OMB control number. To be 
assured consideration, comments and recommendations must be received by 
the OMB desk officer via one of the following transmissions:
    OMB, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attention: CMS 
Desk Officer, Fax Number: (202) 395-5806, OR, E-Mail: [email protected].
    To obtain copies of a supporting statement and any related forms 
for the

[[Page 38034]]

proposed collection(s) summarized in this notice, you may make your 
request using one of following:
    1. Access CMS' Web site address at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/PaperworkReductionActof1995.
    2. Email your request, including your address, phone number, OMB 
number, and CMS document identifier, to [email protected].
    3. Call the Reports Clearance Office at (410) 786-1326.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Reports Clearance Office at (410) 786-
1326.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 
(PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), federal agencies must obtain approval from 
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of 
information they conduct or sponsor. The term ``collection of 
information'' is defined in 44 U.S.C. 3502(3) and 5 CFR 1320.3(c) and 
includes agency requests or requirements that members of the public 
submit reports, keep records, or provide information to a third party. 
Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)) requires 
federal agencies to publish a 30-day notice in the Federal Register 
concerning each proposed collection of information, including each 
proposed extension or reinstatement of an existing collection of 
information, before submitting the collection to OMB for approval. To 
comply with this requirement, CMS is publishing this notice that 
summarizes the following proposed collection(s) of information for 
public comment:
    1. Type of Information Collection Request: Revision of a currently 
approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Durable Medical 
Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive 
Bidding Program; Use: Section 302 of the MMA amended section 1847 of 
the Social Security Act (the Act) to require the implementation of the 
DMEPOS competitive bidding program. The Act provided the program 
requirements for the submission of bids in establishing payment rates 
and the awarding of contracts; provided the requirements for mergers 
and acquisitions; and a requirement for the Secretary to re-compete 
contracts not less often than once every 3 years. The MMA also requires 
the Secretary to re-compete contracts not less often than once every 3 
years. The Round 1 Rebid contract period for all product categories 
except mail-order diabetic supplies expired on December 31, 2013. 
(Round 1 Rebid contracts for mail-order diabetic testing supplies ended 
on December 31, 2012.) The competition for the Round 1 Re-compete began 
in August of 2012. The Round 1 Re-compete contracts and prices became 
effective on January 1, 2014 and will expire on December 31, 2016. 
Round 2 and National Mail-Order contracts and prices will expire on 
June 30, 2016.
    The most recent approval for this information collection request 
(ICR) was issued by OMB on June 10, 2013. That ICR included the 
estimated burden to collect the information in bidding Forms A and B 
for the Round 1 Re-compete. We are now seeking approval to collect the 
information in Forms A and B for competitions that will occur before 
2017. For these upcoming competitions CMS will publish a slightly 
modified version of the RFB instructions and accompanying Forms A and B 
so that suppliers will be better able to identify and understand the 
requirements of the program. We decided to modify the Request for Bids 
(RFB) instructions and forms based on our experience from the last 
round of competition. The end result is expected to produce more 
complete and accurate information to evaluate suppliers. No new 
collection requirements have been added to the modified RFB 
instructions or Form A or B. Finally, we are retaining without change 
the Change of Ownership (CHOW) Purchaser Form and the CHOW Contract 
Supplier Notification Form, the Subcontracting Disclosure Form, and 
Forms C and D and their associated burden under this ICR. We intend to 
continue use of these forms on an ongoing basis.
    Form Number: CMS-10169 (OMB control number: 0938-1016); Frequency: 
Occasionally; Affected Public: Private Sector--Business or other for-
profits and Individuals or Households; Number of Respondents: 49,625; 
Total Annual Responses: 39,380; Total Annual Hours: 235,024. (For 
policy questions regarding this collection contact Michael Keane at 
410-786-4495.)

    Dated: June 27, 2014.
Martique Jones,
Deputy Director, Regulations Development Group, Office of Strategic 
Operations and Regulatory Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2014-15603 Filed 7-2-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P