[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 110 (Thursday, June 7, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26496-26497]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-12286]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY


Agency Information Collection Activities: Homeland Security 
Acquisition Regulation (HSAR) Regulation on Agency Protests

AGENCY: Office of the Chief Procurement Officer, Department of Homeland 
Security (DHS).

ACTION: 30-Day Notice and request for comments; Extension of a 
Currently Approved Collection, 1600-0004.

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SUMMARY: The DHS Office of the Chief Procurement Officer will submit 
the following Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance in accordance with 
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The information being collected 
will be obtained from contractors as part of their submissions whenever 
they file a bid protest with DHS. The information will be used by DHS 
officials in deciding how the protest should be resolved. Failure to 
collect this information would result in delayed resolution of 
protests. DHS previously published this ICR in the Federal Register on 
Wednesday, February 28, 2018 for a 60-day public comment period. Seven 
unrelated comments were received by DHS. The purpose of this notice is 
to allow an additional 30 days for public comments.

DATES: Comments are encouraged and will be accepted until July 9, 2018. 
This process is conducted in accordance with 5 CFR 1320.1.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments on 
the proposed information collection to the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget. Comments should be 
addressed to OMB Desk Officer, Department of Homeland Security and sent 
via electronic mail to [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and 
48 CFR Chapter 1 provide general procedures on handling protests 
submitted by contractors to Federal agencies. FAR Part 33.103, Protests 
to the agency, prescribes policies and procedures for filing protests 
and for processing contract disputes and appeals. While the FAR 
prescribes the procedures to be followed for protests to the agency, it 
allows agencies to determine the method of receipt. DHS will utilize 
electronic mediums (email or facsimile) for collection of information 
and will not prescribe a format or require more information than what 
is already required in the FAR. If DHS determines there is a need to 
collect additional information outside of what is required in the FAR, 
DHS will submit a request to OMB for approval.
    The information being collected will be obtained from contractors 
as part of their submissions whenever they file a bid protest with DHS. 
The information will be used by DHS officials in deciding how the 
protest should be resolved. Failure to collect this information would 
result in delayed resolution of protests.
    Agency protest information is contained in each individual 
solicitation document, and provides the specified contracting officer's 
name, email, and mailing address that the contractors would use to 
submit its response. The FAR does not specify the format in which the 
contractor should submit protest information. However, most contractors 
use computers to prepare protest materials and submit time sensitive 
responses electronically (email or facsimile) to the specified 
Government point of contact. Since the responses must meet specific 
timeframes, a centralized mailbox or website would not be a practical 
method of submission. Submission of protest information through 
contracting officers' email or through facsimile are the best methods 
to use to document receipt of protest information, and are the methods 
most commonly used in the Government protest process.
    DHS/ALL/PIA-006 General Contact Lists covers the basic contact 
information that must be collected for DHS to address these protests. 
The other information collected will typically pertain to the contract 
itself, and not individuals. However, all information for this 
information collection is submitted voluntarily. Technically, because 
this information is not retrieved by personal identifier, no SORN is 
required. However, DHS/ALL-021 DHS Contractors and Consultants provides 
coverage for the collection of records on DHS contractors and 
consultants, to include resume and qualifying employment information. 
There is no assurance of confidentiality provided to the respondents.
    The burden estimates are based upon reports of protest activities 
submitted to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) or the Court of 
Federal Claims in Fiscal Year 2016. No program changes occurred, 
however, the burden was adjusted to reflect an agency adjustment 
increase of 4 respondents within DHS for Fiscal Year 2016, as well as 
an increase in the average hourly wage rate.
    This is an Extension of a Currently Approved Collection, 1600-0004. 
DHS previously published this ICR in the Federal Register on Wednesday, 
February 28, 2018 at 83 FR 8687 for a 60-day public comment period, and 
is soliciting public comment for another 30 days. OMB is particularly 
interested in comments which:
    1. Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
    2. 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;
    3. Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected; and
    4. 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, e.g., permitting electronic 
submissions of responses.

[[Page 26497]]

Analysis

    Agency: Office of the Chief Procurement Officer, DHS.
    Title: Agency Information Collection Activities: Homeland Security 
Acquisition Regulation (HSAR) Regulation on Agency Protests.
    OMB Number: 1600-0004.
    Frequency: On Occasion.
    Affected Public: Individuals or Households.
    Number of Respondents: 99.
    Estimated Time per Respondent: 2 hours.
    Total Burden Hours: 198.

    Dated: May 31, 2018.
Melissa Bruce,
Executive Director, Enterprise Business Management Office.
[FR Doc. 2018-12286 Filed 6-6-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-9B-P