[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 178 (Monday, September 15, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54958-54960]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-21890]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Foreign Agricultural Service


Notice of Request for Approval of a New Information Collection

AGENCY: Foreign Agricultural 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 intention of the Foreign 
Agricultural Service to request approval for a new information 
collection for General Administrative Policy for Agreements to Conduct 
International Agricultural Research, Extension and Teaching Activities.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by November 14, 2014 to 
be assured of consideration.
    Additional Information or Comments: Contact: Chris Coppenbarger, 
Grants Management Officer, Office of the Chief Operating Officer, MS-
3118, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., 
Washington, DC 20250; Tel: (202) 720-2568, Fax: (202) 690-4029, Email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) of 
the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) intends to establish 
uniform guidelines for the use, award and administration of agreements 
entered into by FAS to conduct international agricultural research, 
development, extension and teaching activities awarded under the 
authority of 7 U.S.C. 3291(a), and subsequently to publish regulations 
on the use, award, and administration of such agreements. The intended 
effect is to issue agency regulations that reflect current statutory 
authority and long-held agency business practices.
    Title: General Administrative Policy for Agreements to Conduct 
International Agricultural Research, Extension and Teaching Activities.
    OMB Number: 0551--New.
    Expiration Date of Approval: Three years from approval date.
    Type of Request: New information collection.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 4.0 hours per response.
    Type of Respondents: Land-grant colleges and universities, 
Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges and universities, other colleges 
and universities, the Agency for International Development, 
international organizations (such as the United Nations, the World 
Bank, regional development banks, international agricultural research 
centers), transitional and more advanced countries, Departments and 
Ministries of Agriculture in other nations or other organizations, 
institutions, or individuals.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 105.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 315.

[[Page 54959]]

    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,260 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Connie 
Ehrhart, the Agency Information Collection Coordinator, at (202) 690-
1578 or email at [email protected].
    Abstract: This information collection is required to support the 
planned FAS guidelines and regulations regarding ``General 
Administrative Policy for Agreements to Conduct International 
Agricultural Research, Extension and Teaching Activities'' under 7 
U.S.C. 3291(a). These guidelines establish the requirements for 
participation in the following FAS programs listed in the Catalog of 
Federal Domestic Assistance: 10.613, Faculty Exchange Program; 10.614, 
Scientific Cooperation Exchange Program with China; 10.960, Technical 
Agricultural Assistance; 10.961, Scientific Cooperation and Research 
Program. This information collection is necessary for FAS to manage, 
plan, and evaluate these programs and to ensure the proper and 
judicious use of government resources. Without the information 
collection, FAS would not be able to conduct any of the activities 
falling under the authorities and instruments listed above (i.e., the 
agency would not be able to develop projects, make or receive payments, 
monitor projects, identify financial and accounting errors, report to 
www.usaspending.gov, etc.).
    FAS will determine the specific means of collection that will be 
used based on the availability of technology and, as applicable, (1) an 
informal agreement of FAS and the respondent, (2) the terms of a signed 
agreement between FAS and the respondent, or (3) the provision of 
written, procedural rules made publicly available by FAS to the 
respondent. The information will be collected via phone calls, emails, 
fax, postal mail, person-to-person meetings, as data entry into grant 
management system(s)), and/or any other commonly used means of 
communication available to both parties. FAS will encourage the 
respondent to use modern information technology to reduce the 
administrative burden whenever possible. Respondents that meet user 
criteria and choose to utilize the FAS's electronic grants management 
system will not be required to provide duplicate information for 
subsequent or current transactions. Any party may initiate a 
conversation at any time to discuss the possibility of entering into 
these agreements. FAS uses the following forms to obtain information 
from respondents (program applicants and awardees) regarding their 
eligibility for, and participation in, its programs:

1. Form FAS-2013-240-001, Grant Agreement Template for Foreign Entities 
and Attachment A Provisions
2. Form FAS-2013-240-002, Cooperative Agreement and Attach. A 
Provisions
3. Form FAS 2013-240-009, FAS Grants & Agreements Application Cover 
Sheet
4. Form FAS-2013-240-007, Modification Form
5. Form FAS 2013-240-010, Closeout (Modification) of Award
6. Form FAS 2013-240-011, FAS Detailed Budget Form
7. Form FAS 2013-240-012, FAS Project Description Form
8. Form FAS 2013-240-013, FAS Grants & Agreements Overseas Application 
Cover Sheet
9. Form FAS 2013-240-014, Fixed Amount Award Template
10. Form FAS 2013-240-015, Foreign Assistance Notice of Award
11. Form FAS-2013-240-016, Amendment to Foreign Assistance Notice of 
Award
12. Form FAS-2014-240-018, Cooperative Agreement Template for Foreign 
Entities
13. Form FAS-2014-240-019, Grants Agreement Template for PIO
14. Form FAS-2014-240-020, Cooperative Agreement Template for PIO
15. Form FAS-2014-240-017, Proposal Executive Summary Form
16. Form AD-1047, Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, & 
other Responsibility Matters--Primary Covered Transactions
17. Form AD-1048, Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, & 
other Responsibility Matters--Lower Tier Covered Transactions
18. Form AD-1049, Certificate Regarding Drug Free Workplace 
Requirements Alternative 1--Non-Individuals
19. Form AD-1050, Certificate Regarding Drug Free Workplace 
Requirements Alternative 2--Individuals
20. Form AD-1052, Certificate Regarding Drug Free Workplace 
Requirements--State and State Agencies
21. Form SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance (Approved under 
4040-0004)--Discretionary Common Form
22. Form SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance (Approved under 
4040-0005)--Individual Common Form
23. Form SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities
24. Form AD-3030, Representations Regarding Felony Conviction and Tax 
Delinquent Status, OMB Control Number 0505-0025
25. Form AD-3031, Assurance Regarding Felony Conviction or Tax 
Delinquent Status, OMB Control Number 0505-0025
26. Form SF-424A OR SF-424C, Budget Information--Non-Construction 
Programs (Approved under OMB 4040-0006) OR Budget Information--
Construction Programs (Approved under OMB 4040-0008
27. Form SF-424B OR SF-424D, Assurances--Non-Construction Programs 
(4040-0007) or Assurances--Construction Programs (4040-0009)
28. Form SF-270, Request for Advance or Reimbursement (Approved under 
OMB 4040-0012)
29. Form SF-425, Federal Financial Report (Approved under OMB 4040-
0014)
30. Form SF-425A, Federal Financial Report Attachment (Approved under 
OMB 4040-0014)
31. Form SF-424 (RR), Application for Federal Assistance (R&R) 
(Approved under OMB 4040-0001) (per response time includes time for 
other RR docs.)
32. Form SF-424 (RR), Research & Related Budget (Total Fed + Non-Fed 
Sheet) (Approved under OMB 4040-0001)
33. Form SF-424 (RR), R&R Subaward Budget (Fed/Non-Fed) Attachment(s) 
Form (Approved under OMB 4040-0001)
34. Form SF-424 (RR), Research and Related Senior/Key Person Profile 
(Approved under OMB 4040-0001)
35. Form SF-424 (RR), Project/Performance Site Location(s) Sheet 
(Approved under OMB 4040-0010)
36. Form SF-424 (RR), Research & Related Personal Data (Optional) 
(Approved under OMB 4040-0001)
37. Form SF-428, Tangible Personal Property Report (Approved under OMB 
3090-0289) (per response time covers a, b, c, & s attachments)
38. Form SF-428-s, Tangible Personal Property Report--Supplemental 
Sheet (Approved under OMB 3090-0289)
39. Form SF-428-a, Tangible Personal Property Report--Annual Report 
(Approved under OMB 3090-0289)
40. Form SF-428-b, Tangible Personal Property Report--Final Report 
(Approved under OMB 3090-0289)
41. Form SF-428-c, Tangible Personal Property Report--Disposition 
Request/Report (Approved under OMB 3090-0289)
42. Form SF-429, Real Property Status Report (Approved under OMB 3090-
0296)


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    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 Chris Coppenbarger, 
Grants Management Officer, Office of the Chief Operating Officer, MS-
3118, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., 
Washington, DC 20250, Email: [email protected]. 
Persons with disabilities who require an alternative means for 
communication of information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, 
etc.) should contact USDA's Target Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and 
TDD).
    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.

    Signed at Washington, DC, on August 19, 2014.
Philip C. Karsting
Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-21890 Filed 9-12-14; 8:45 am]
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