[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 247 (Thursday, December 26, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70982-70983]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-27819]


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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 with 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 February 29, 2020.

DATES: Comment Due Date: February 24, 2020. 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 Captain Kelly Battese by one of the 
following methods:
     Mail: Captain Kelly Battese, Acting Director, IHS Office 
of Direct Service 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). No public comment was received in response to the notice. 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).

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. 5301 et seq.), which describes how contracts are 
awarded to Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations. 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

[[Page 70983]]

proposal to IHS. In at least some instances, the information collected 
under 25 CFR part 900 is required to obtain and/or 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 or eligible Tribal Organizations 
upon request, unless specific declination criteria apply, and, 
generally, contractors 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 certain information when 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: Extension of currently approved collection.
    Respondents: Federally recognized Indian Tribes and Tribal 
Organizations.
    Number of Respondents: 275 Title I contractors.
    Estimated Number of Responses: On average, IHS receives 10 
proposals for new or expanded Title I agreements each fiscal year, plus 
there are 265 existing Title I contracts and associated annual funding 
agreements, which must be negotiated each year = 275 responses.
    Estimated Time per Response: Average of 70 hours for the new/
expanded; average of 35 hours for the existing.
    Frequency of Response: Each time programs, functions, services or 
activities are contracted from the IHS under the ISDEAA.
    Estimated Total Annual Hour Burden: 700 [70 x 10] for new/expanded 
+ 9,275 [35 x 265] for existing = 9,975.

Chris Buchanan,
Assistant Surgeon General, USPHS, Deputy Director, Indian Health 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-27819 Filed 12-23-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4165-16-P