[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 98 (Monday, May 24, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27835-27836]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-10891]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XB118]


Adjustment of Fees for Seafood Inspection Services

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of a revised fee schedule for seafood inspection 
services.

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SUMMARY: The NMFS Seafood Inspection Program is notifying program 
participants of a revised fee schedule.

DATES: The revised fee schedule applies to services rendered as of June 
1, 2021, until notified otherwise.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven Wilson, Office of International 
Affairs and Seafood Inspection, 301-427-8350 or at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) 
operates a voluntary fee-for-service seafood inspection program 
(Program) under the authorities of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 
1946, as amended, the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956, and the 
Reorganization Plan No. 4 of 1970. The regulations implementing the 
Program are contained in 50 CFR part 260. The program offers inspection 
grading and certification services, including the use of official 
quality grade marks which indicate that specific products have been 
federally inspected. Those wishing to participate in the program must 
request the services and submit specific compliance information. In 
July 1992, NMFS announced new inspection services, which were fully 
based on guidelines recommended by the National Academy of Sciences, 
known as Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP).
    Under the implementing regulations for the Program, fees are 
reviewed annually to ascertain that the hourly fees charged are 
adequate to recover the costs of the services rendered. Any necessary 
adjustments to fees are made in accordance with the requirements of 50 
CFR 260.81 and notice is provided to program participants. This Federal 
Register notice serves to inform program participants of an adjusted 
fee schedule, effective June 1, 2021.
    The Program will increase its fees as outlined in this notice, 
which will apply until notified otherwise. Fees will be charged to 
contract and non-contract customers requesting services as listed 
below. The cost of other applicable services rendered will be recovered 
through fee collection using the base rate of $143 per hour.

Revised Fees and Charges for the USDC Seafood Inspection Program

    Effective June 1, 2021, per hour fees and charges for fishery 
products inspection services will be as follows, which represent an 
increase of 10% from prior levels and will apply until notified 
otherwise.

Contract Rates

    Regular time: Services provided during any 8-hour shift.
    Overtime: Services provided outside the inspector's normal work 
schedule.
    In addition to any hourly service charge, a night differential fee 
equal to 10 percent of the employee's hourly salary will be charged for 
each hour of service provided after 6 p.m. and before 6 a.m. A 
guarantee of payment is required for all contracts equal to 3 months of 
service or $10,000, whichever is greater.

Non-Contract Rates

    Regular time: Services provided within the inspector's normal work 
schedule, Monday through Friday.
    Overtime: Services provided outside the inspector's normal work 
schedule.
    Any services under contract in excess of the contracted hours will 
be charged at the non-contract rate.

Contract Rates

Non-HACCP Contracts

    Regular Time: $143.00.
    Overtime: $215.00.
    Sunday & Holidays: $286.00.

HACCP/QMP Contracts

    HACCP Regular: $308.00.
    HACCP Overtime: $462.00.
    HACCP Sunday & Holidays: $616.00.

All Non-Contract Work Rates

    Regular Time: $215.00.

[[Page 27836]]

    Overtime: $323.00.
    Sunday & Holidays: $430.00.

Certificates

    All certificate requests, whether or not a product inspection was 
conducted, will be billed at a set flat rate of $99 per request.
    Additional information about, and applications for, Program 
services and fees may be obtained from NMFS (see FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT).

    Dated: May 19, 2021.
Alexa Cole,
Director, Office of International Affairs and Seafood Inspection, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-10891 Filed 5-21-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P