[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 246 (Thursday, December 22, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 93904-93905]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-30865]


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CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE


Information Collection; Submission for OMB Review, Comment 
Request

AGENCY: Corporation for National and Community Service.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) has 
submitted a public information collection request (ICR) entitled 
AmeriCorps State and National Grantee Progress Report for review and 
approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. Copies 
of this ICR, with applicable supporting documentation, may be obtained 
by calling the Corporation for National and Community Service, Carla 
Ganiel, at 202-606-6773 or email to [email protected]. Individuals who 
use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TTY-TDD) may call 1-800-
833-3722 between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through 
Friday.

DATES: Comments may be submitted, identified by the title of the 
information collection activity, within January 23, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted, identified by the title of the 
information collection activity, to the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs, Attn: Ms. Sharon Mar, OMB Desk Officer for the 
Corporation for National and Community Service, by any of the following 
two methods within 30 days from the date of publication in the Federal 
Register:
    (1) By fax to: 202-395-6974, Attention: Ms. Sharon Mar, OMB Desk 
Officer for the Corporation for National and Community Service; or
    (2) By email to: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The OMB is particularly interested in 
comments which:
     Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of CNCS, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
     Evaluate 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;
     Propose ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity 
of the information to be collected; and
     Propose ways to minimize the burden of the collection of 
information 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.

Comments

    A 60-day Notice requesting public comment was published pursuant to 
the PRS, Public Law 104-13, (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), in the Federal 
Register on September 16, 2016, at 81 FR 63746. This comment period 
ended November 15, 2016. Five public comments were received from this 
Notice.
    Summary of comments by Category and CNCS response:
    Category 1: Statements of Support for a GPR Update. A total of four 
comments expressed support for updates to the GPR instructions. One 
commenter noted that the revised instructions eliminated duplication. 
Two commenters expressed support for changes made to narrative 
questions. One commenter expressed appreciation for CNCS's electronic 
reporting system.
    Response: CNCS agrees with these comments.
    Category 2: Time Estimate. Two comments addressed the time 
estimate. One commenter stated that the time estimate of 8 hours per 
GPR was accurate. One commenter stated that the time estimate should be 
set at 10 hours per GPR.
    Response: CNCS believes that the time required varies depending on 
the type of GPR and has adjusted time to reflect this variation. CNCS 
estimates ten hours for end-of-year GPRs, eight hours for mid-year GPRs 
and four hours for final GPRs and planning grants.
    Category 3: Demographic Indicators. Three comments addressed 
demographic indicators. Two commenters suggested removal of outdated 
demographic indicators in the Volunteer Generation Fund demographics. 
One commenter stated that new monitoring demographics in the Commission 
Support Grant GPR would increase burden, and two commenters questioned 
the utility and clarity of proposed demographic indicators related to 
monitoring activities.
    Response: CNCS has removed the indicators specified in the public 
comments from the Volunteer Generation Fund and Commission Support 
Grant GPRs.
    Category 4: Instructions. Two comments stated that the Commission-
specific GPR guidance was difficult to understand.
    Response: This comment is outside the scope of the information 
request, which does not include Commission-specific GPR guidance.
    Category 5: Midyear GPR. Two comments recommended removing the 
requirement to explain unmet performance measure targets in the mid-
year GPR.
    Response: CNCS agrees and has removed the requirement to explain 
unmet targets in the mid-year GPR.
    Category 6: Narratives. Four comments addressed GPR narrative 
questions. One commenter recommended an additional narrative question 
requiring national direct grantees to describe how they collaborate 
with State Commissions. Two commenters did not support removing 
narrative questions from the Volunteer Generation Fund GPR. Two 
commenters stated that the ``other explanations'' narrative should only 
be used to collect information specified in the GPR instructions.
    Response: The recommended question for national direct grantees 
would not provide enough useful information to justify its inclusion in 
the GPR. While some narratives have been removed from the Volunteer 
Generation Fund instructions to reduce burden and duplication, CNCS has 
revised one of the remaining narratives to collect additional 
information about VGF activity. CNCS intends that the

[[Page 93905]]

``other explanations'' narrative will only be used to collect 
information specified in the GPR instructions, primarily narrative 
responses that exceed character limits in other narrative fields in the 
electronic reporting system.
    Category 7: Previous GPR Instructions. CNCS received one comment on 
the previous version of the GPR instructions.
    Response: The current information collection replaces the previous 
version of the GPR instructions. This comment is therefore outside the 
scope of the information request.
    Category 8: GPR Processes. Four comments addressed GPR-related 
processes that are not part of the information collection itself. Two 
commenters stated that the GPR duplicates information collected in past 
performance and recommendation summaries required as part of the grant 
application process. Three commenters suggested that CNCS provide a 
list of GPR reporting requirements in the grant Terms & Conditions. One 
commenter recommended that there be one GPR for multiple prime grants 
in a state. One commenter recommended that CNCS make changes to its 
electronic reporting system so that grant amendments do not interfere 
with completion and submission of the GPR.
    Response: These comments are outside the scope of the information 
request. CNCS has attempted to address incomplete GPR data by 
requesting additional data during the application process. Data 
collection will remain in the GPR; however, comments will be shared 
with the application planning team. CNCS will add a list of GPR 
reporting requirements to the grant Terms & Conditions. In the current 
electronic reporting system it is not possible to aggregate data from 
multiple prime grants awarded in one state, but this is a goal for the 
reporting system currently under development. CNCS is currently 
pursuing changes to the existing electronic reporting system to address 
the issue of grant amendments that interfere with completion and 
submission of the GPR.
    Category 9: Timing. One comment was received concerning the timing 
of off-cycle performance measure data. Some programs may collect 
performance measure data after the GPR reporting period has ended, and 
one commenter recommended that CNCS develop a more useful way to 
collect off-cycle performance measure data.
    Response: CNCS will revise guidance about how to report off-cycle 
performance measure data in subsequent GPRs or the final GPR.
    Description: CNCS requires grantees of AmeriCorps State and 
National, School Turnaround AmeriCorps, Commission Support Grant, 
Commission Investment Funds, and the Volunteer Generation Fund to 
submit Grantee Progress Reports (GPRs). This information collection 
comprises the questions that grantees of these grant programs will 
answer to report progress to CNCS.
    Type of Review: Renewal.
    Agency: Corporation for National and Community Service.
    Title: AmeriCorps State and National Grantee Progress Report
    OMB Number: TBD.
    Agency Number: None.
    Affected Public: Grantees of AmeriCorps State and National, School 
Turnaround AmeriCorps, Commission Support Grant, Commission Investment 
Funds, and Volunteer Generation Fund.
    Total Respondents: 300 total respondents for AmeriCorps State and 
National and School Turnaround AmeriCorps. 52 respondents each for 
Commission Support Grants and Commission Investment Funds. 20 
respondents for Volunteer Generation Fund.
    Frequency: Semiannual for AmeriCorps State and National and School 
Turnaround AmeriCorps operational grants with an additional final GPR 
at the end of the award period. Annual for Volunteer Generation Fund, 
Commission Support Grant and Commission Investment Funds. Average Time 
Per Response: 11 hours for AmeriCorps GPRs. 10 hours for all other 
GPRs.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 7,040.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): None.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): None.

    Dated: December 16, 2016.
Bill Basl,
Director, AmeriCorps State and National.
[FR Doc. 2016-30865 Filed 12-21-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6050-28-P