[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 111 (Thursday, June 9, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37199-37200]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-13679]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Indian Health Service


Request for Public Comment: 30 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 with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Indian Health Service (IHS) is submitting to the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) a request for an extension of a previously approved 
collection of information titled, ``Indian Self-Determination and 
Education Assistance Act Contracts,'' 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: July 11, 2016. Your comments regarding this 
information collection are best assured of having full effect if 
received within 30 days of the date of this publication.

ADDRESSES: Send your written comments and suggestions regarding the 
information collection contained in this notice, especially regarding 
the estimated public burden and associated response time to: Office of 
Management and Budget, Office of Regulatory Affairs, New Executive 
Office Building, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503, Attention: Desk 
Officer for IHS.
    To request more information on the collection, or to obtain a copy 
of the data collection instrument and instruction(s), contact 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 (81 FR 
24108), on April 25, 2016 and allowed 60 days for public comment. No 
public comment was received in response to the notice. The purpose of 
this notice is to allow 30 days for public comment to be submitted 
directly to OMB. A copy of the supporting statement is available at 
www.regulations.gov (see Docket ID IHS-2016-0003).

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 Department 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.

[[Page 37200]]

    It is IHS 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: 1,510.
    Estimated Time per Response: Varies from 1 to 1,040 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: June 1, 2016.
Elizabeth A. Fowler,
Deputy Director for Management Operation, Indian Health Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-13679 Filed 6-8-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4165-16-P