[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 57 (Wednesday, March 25, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15742-15743]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-06826]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

National Institute of Food and Agriculture Service


Notice of Intent for Renewal of a Currently Approved Information 
Collection

AGENCY: National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), United 
States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 
and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations (5 CFR part 1320) 
which implement the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 
35), this notice announces the National Institute of Food and 
Agriculture's (NIFA's) intention to request an extension for a 
currently approved information collection (OMB No. 0524-0026) for Form 
NIFA-666, ``Organizational Information.''

DATES: Submit comments on or before May 26, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Written comments concerning this notice and requests for 
copies of the information collection may be submitted by any of the 
following methods to Robert Martin, Records Officer, Information 
Policy, Planning and Training Mail: NIFA/USDA; Mail Stop 2216; 1400 
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-2299; Hand Delivery/
Courier: 800 9th Street SW., Waterfront Centre, Room 4206, Washington, 
DC 20024; or Email: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Martin; Records Officer, 
Information Policy, Planning and Training; Office of Information 
Technology; USDA/NIFA, Email: [email protected].

[[Page 15743]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Organizational Information.
    OMB Number: 0524-0026.
    Expiration Date of Current Approval: June 1, 2015.
    Type of Request: Intent to extend a currently approved information 
collection for three years.
    Abstract: NIFA has primary responsibility for providing linkages 
between the Federal and State components of a broad-based, national 
agricultural research, extension, and education system. Focused on 
national issues, its purpose is to represent the Secretary of 
Agriculture and carry out the intent of Congress by administering 
capacity and grant funds appropriated for agricultural research, 
extension, and education. Before awards can be made, certain 
information is required from applicants to effectively assess the 
potential recipient's ability to manage Federal funds.

Need for the Information

    Form NIFA-666 ``Organizational Information'': Enables NIFA to 
determine that applicants recommended for awards will be responsible 
recipients of Federal funds. The information pertains to organizational 
management and financial matters of the potential grantee. This form 
and the documents which the applicant attaches to it provide NIFA with 
information such as the legal name of grantee, certification that the 
organization has the legal authority to accept Federal funding, 
identification and signatures of the key officials of the organization, 
the organization's practices in regard to compensation rates and 
benefits of employees, insurance for equipment, subcontracting with 
other organizations, etc., as well as the financial condition of the 
organization and certification that the organization is not delinquent 
on Federal taxes. All of this information is considered by NIFA prior 
to award to determine the grantee is both managerially and fiscally 
responsible. This information is submitted to NIFA on a one-time basis 
and updated accordingly. If sufficient changes occur within the 
organization, the grantee submits revised information.
    Estimate of the Burden: NIFA estimates the number of responses for 
the Form NIFA-666 will be 150 with an estimated response time of 6.3 
hours per form, representing a total annual burden of 945 hours for 
this form. These estimates are based on a survey of grantees that were 
approved for grant awards. They were asked to give an estimate of time 
it took them to complete each form. This estimate was to include such 
things as: (1) Reviewing the instructions; (2) searching existing data 
sources; (3) gathering and maintaining the data needed; and (4) actual 
completion of the forms. The average time it took each respondent was 
calculated from their responses.
    Comments: Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
the functions of the Agency, including whether the information will 
have a practical utility; (b) 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; (c) ways to enhance 
the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; 
and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the information collection 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.

    Done at Washington, DC, this 16th day of 2015.
Catherine E. Woteki,
Under Secretary, Research, Education, and Economics.
[FR Doc. 2015-06826 Filed 3-24-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-22-P