[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 79 (Monday, April 25, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24108-24109]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-09501]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Indian Health Service


Request for Public Comment: 60-Day Information Collection: Indian 
Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act Contracts

AGENCY: Indian Health Service, HHS.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments. Request for extension of 
approval.

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SUMMARY: In compliance the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Indian 
Health Service (IHS) invites the general public to comment on the 
information collection titled, ``Indian Self-Determination and 
Education Assistance Act Contracts,'' Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) Control Number 0917-0037. IHS is requesting OMB to approve an 
extension for this collection, which expires on July 31, 2016.

DATES: Comment Due Date: June 24, 2016. Your comments regarding this 
information collection are best assured of having full effect if 
received within 60 days of the date of this publication.

ADDRESSES: Send your written comments, requests for more information on 
the collection, or requests to obtain a copy of the data collection 
instrument and instructions to Mr. Chris Buchanan by one of the 
following methods:
     Mail: Mr. Chris Buchanan, Director, IHS Office of Direct 
Services and Contracting Tribes (ODSCT), Indian Health Service, 5600 
Fishers Lane, Mail Stop O8E17C, Rockville, MD 20857.
     Phone: 301-443-1104.
     Email: [email protected].
     Fax: 301-480-3192.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This previously approved information 
collection project was last published in the Federal Register (78 FR 
32405), as a joint submission with the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), 
under OMB Control Number 1076-0136, on May 30, 2013 and allowed 30 days 
for public comment. No public comment was received in response to the 
notice. On July 31, 2013, the IHS obtained its own OMB Control Number, 
0917-0037, for this information collection and is now publishing a 
separate notice from the BIA in the Federal Register. The purpose of 
this notice is to allow 60 days for public comment. A copy of the 
supporting statement is available at www.regulations.gov (see Docket ID 
IHS-2016-0003).

[[Page 24109]]

I. Abstract

    Representatives of the IHS seek renewal of the approval for 
information collections conducted under 25 CFR part 900, implementing 
the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA), as 
amended (25 U.S.C. 450 et seq.), which describes how contracts are 
awarded to Indian Tribes. The rule at 25 CFR part 900 was developed 
through negotiated rulemaking with Tribes in 1996 and governs, among 
other things, what must be included in a Tribe's initial ISDEAA 
contract proposal to IHS. A response is required to obtain and retain a 
benefit.
    The information requirements for this rule represent significant 
differences from other agencies in several respects. Under the Act, the 
Secretary of Health and Human Services is directed to enter into self-
determination contracts with Tribes upon request, unless specific 
declination criteria apply, and, generally, Tribes may renew these 
contracts annually, whereas other agencies provide grants on a 
discretionary or competitive basis. Additionally, IHS awards contracts 
for multiple programs whereas other agencies usually award single 
grants to Tribes.
    The IHS uses the information collected to determine applicant 
eligibility, evaluate applicant capabilities, protect the service 
population, safeguard Federal funds and other resources, and permit the 
Federal agency to administer and evaluate contract programs. Tribal 
governments or Tribal organizations provide the information by 
submitting contract proposals, and related information, to the IHS, as 
required under Public Law 93-638. No third party notification or public 
disclosure burden is associated with this collection.

II. Request for Comments

    The IHS requests your comments on this collection concerning: (a) 
The necessity of this information collection 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 
the burden (hours and cost) of the collection of information, including 
the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways we could 
enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be 
collected; and (d) ways we could minimize the burden of the collection 
of the information on the respondents.
    Please note that an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and an 
individual need not respond to, a collection of information unless it 
displays a valid OMB Control Number.
    It is our policy to make all comments available to the public for 
review at the location listed in the ADDRESSES section. Before 
including your address, phone number, email address or other personally 
identifiable information in your comment, you should be aware that your 
entire comment--including your personal identifying information--may be 
made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your 
comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public 
review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0917-0037.
    Title: Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act 
Contracts, 25 CFR part 900.
    Brief Description of Collection: An Indian Tribe or Tribal 
organization is required to submit this information each time that it 
proposes to contract with the IHS under the ISDEAA. Each response may 
vary in its length. In addition, each subpart of 25 CFR part 900 
concerns different parts of the contracting process. For example, 
subpart C relates to provisions of the contents for the initial 
contract proposal. The respondents do not incur the burden associated 
with subpart C when contracts are renewed. Subpart F describes minimum 
standards for management systems used by Indian Tribes or Tribal 
organizations under these contracts. Subpart G addresses the 
negotiability of all reporting and data requirements in the contracts. 
Responses are required to obtain or retain a benefit.
    Type of Review: Revision of currently approved collection.
    Respondents: Federally recognized Indian Tribes and Tribal 
organizations.
    Number of Respondents: 566.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 1510.
    Estimated Time per Response: Varies from 1 to 1040 hours, with an 
average of 15.968 hours per response.
    Frequency of Response: Each time programs, functions, services or 
activities are contracted from the IHS under the ISDEAA.
    Estimated Total Annual Hour Burden: 24,112.

    Dated: April 18, 2016.
Elizabeth A. Fowler,
Deputy Director For Management Operations, Indian Health Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-09501 Filed 4-22-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4165-16-P