[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 77 (Friday, April 20, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Page 17531]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-08270]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Minority Business Development Agency


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; National 
Minority Business Awards

AGENCY: Minority Business Development Agency, Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on 
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before April 27, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230 (or via the internet 
at [email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to Antavia Grimsley, Management Analyst, Minority Business 
Development Agency, U.S. Department of Commerce, Room 5063, 1401 
Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20230; telephone (202) 482-
7458, and email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) is the only federal 
agency created exclusively to foster the growth and global 
competitiveness of minority-owned businesses in the United States. For 
this purpose, a minority owned business must be owned or controlled by 
one of the following persons or group of persons: African American, 
American Indian, Alaska Native, Asian, Hispanic, Native Hawaiian, 
Pacific Islander, Asian Indian, and Hasidic Jew. MBDA provides 
management and technical assistance to large, medium, and small 
minority business enterprises through a network of business centers 
throughout the United States.
    Since 1983, every president has issued a Presidential Proclamation 
designating one week as National Minority Enterprise Development (MED) 
Week. MBDA recognizes the role that minority entrepreneurs play in 
building the Nation's economy by honoring businesses that are making a 
significant contribution through the creation of jobs, products and 
services, in addition to supporting their local communities. The 
National Minority Business Awards Program is a key element of MED Week 
and celebrates the outstanding achievements of minority entrepreneurs. 
MBDA may make awards in the following categories: Minority Construction 
Firm of the Year, Minority Export Firm of the Year, Minority 
Manufacturing Firm of the Year, Minority Health Products and Services 
Firm of the Year, Minority Innovative Technology Firm of the Year, 
Minority Marketing and Communications Firm of the Year, Minority 
Professional Services Firm of the Year, Minority Veteran-Owned Firm of 
the Year, Minority ``Under 30'' Firm of the Year, and MBDA Minority 
Business Enterprise of the Year. In addition, MBDA may recognize 
trailblazers and champions through the Access to Capital Award, 
Advocate of the Year Award, Distinguished Supplier Diversity Award, Abe 
Venable Legacy Award for Lifetime Achievement, and Ronald H. Brown 
Leadership Awards. All awards will be presented at a ceremony during 
National MED Week. Nominations for these awards are open to the public. 
MBDA must collect two types of information: (a) Information identifying 
the nominee and nominator, and (b) information explaining why the 
nominee should be given the award. The information will be used to 
determine those applicants best meeting the preannounced evaluation 
criterion. Use of a nomination form standardizes and limits the 
information collected as part of the nomination process. This makes the 
competition fair and eases the burden on applicants and reviewers. 
Participation in the National Minority Business Awards competition is 
voluntary and the awards are strictly honorary.

II. Method of Collection

    The form may be submitted electronically or paper format.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0640-0025.
    Form Number(s): Not applicable.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Businesses or other for profit organizations, not-
for-profit institutions, State, Local, or Tribal government, and 
Federal government.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 100.
    Estimated Time per Response: 2 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 200.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0.

IV. Request for 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 shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

Sheleen Dumas,
Departmental Lead PRA Officer, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2018-08270 Filed 4-19-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-21-P