[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 172 (Thursday, September 9, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50596-50597]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-19441]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[OMB Control No. 2900-0783]


Agency Information Collection Activity: Nonprofit Research and 
Education Corporations (NPCs)--Annual Report, Remediation Plans & 
Assessment Questionnaires

AGENCY: Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Department of Veterans 
Affairs (VA), is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the 
proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under the 
Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Federal agencies are required to 
publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed 
collection of information, including each proposed extension of a 
currently approved collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in 
response to the notice.

DATES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection 
of information should be received on or before November 8, 2021.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the collection of information 
through Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) at www.Regulations.gov 
or to Janel Keyes, Office of Regulations, Appeals, and Policy (10BRAP), 
Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, DC 
20420 or email to [email protected]. Please refer to ``OMB Control No. 
2900-0783'' in any correspondence. During the comment period, comments 
may be viewed online through FDMS.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Maribel Aponte, Office of Enterprise 
and Integration, Data Governance Analytics (008), 1717 H Street NW, 
Washington, DC 20006, (202) 266-4688 or email [email protected]. 
Please refer to ``OMB Control No. 2900-0783'' in any correspondence.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the PRA of 1995, Federal agencies must 
obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each 
collection of information they conduct or sponsor. This request for 
comment is being made pursuant to Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA.
    With respect to the following collection of information, VHA 
invites comments on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information 
is necessary for the proper performance of VHA's functions, including 
whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy 
of VHA's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of 
information; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of 
the collection of information on respondents, including through the use 
of automated collection techniques or the use of other forms of 
information technology.
    Authority: Public Law 104-13; 44 U.S.C. 3501-3521.
    Title: Nonprofit Research and Education Corporations (NPCs)--Annual 
Report, Remediation Plans & Assessment Questionnaires, VA Forms 10-
10073, 10-10073A, 10-10073B, and 10-10073C.
    OMB Control Number: 2900-0783.
    Type of Review: Reinstatement of a previously approved collection.
    Abstract: Title 38 U.S.C. Section 7366, Accountability and 
Oversight, states ``(b) each such corporation (NPC) shall submit to the 
Secretary (Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA)) an annual report 
providing a detailed statement of its operations, activities, and 
accomplishments during that year.'' The individual NPC annual reports 
are combined into one NPC Annual Report to Congress. VA oversight of 
NPCs includes reviews, audits, self-assessments, and remediation plans. 
This information collection is used for oversight of NPCs and includes 
the following:
    a. NPC Annual Report Template, VA Form 10-10073.
    b. NPC Audit Actions Items Remediation Plans, VA Form 10-10073A.
    c. NPPO Internal Control Questionnaire, VA Form 10-10073B.
    d. NPPO Operations Oversight Questionnaire, VA Form 10-10073C.

NPC Annual Report Template, VA Form 10-10073

    Since 1988, when the enabling legislation for the NPCs was passed, 
annual reports have been obtained from each NPC and combined into an 
NPC Annual Report to Congress. Congress uses the combined NPC Annual 
Report to Congress to monitor the progress of

[[Page 50597]]

the overall NPC program it created. The NPC Annual Report to Congress 
is also used by top-level VA executives to evaluate the program and to 
recommend changes where needed. VHA's Nonprofit Oversight Board and the 
Nonprofit Program Office (NPPO) use both the combined NPC Annual Report 
to Congress and the individual NPC Annual Report Templates to monitor 
and oversee the NPCs. Trend analyses and other financial information 
are analyzed for each NPC and judgments made about each NPC's progress, 
financial viability, stewardship of assets, and accomplishments.

NPC Audit Actions Items Remediation Plans, VA Form 10-10073A

    The NPC Audit Action Items Remediation Plans information collection 
is used to review the NPCs' remedies for audit deficiencies and 
recommendations. The major objective of the information collection is 
to help ensure proper corrective action. If any of the remediation 
plans submitted are inadequate, then the NPPO will make recommendations 
for sound, workable remedies.

NPPO Internal Control Questionnaire, VA Form 10-10073B

    The NPPO Internal Control Questionnaire, or portions of it, will be 
used in conducting reviews, audits, and investigations of the NPCs. The 
major objective of the questionnaire is to uncover weaknesses and 
lapses in internal controls. The NPPO will then make recommendations 
for improved internal controls wherever there are weaknesses or lapses. 
The questionnaire also may be used as a voluntary self-assessment by 
the NPCs.

NPPO Operations Oversight Questionnaire, VA Form 10-10073C

    The NPPO Operations Oversight Questionnaire, or portions of it, 
will be used in conducting operational reviews of the NPCs. The major 
objective of the questionnaire is to uncover operating problems and 
areas that need improvement. The NPPO will then make recommendations 
for operations improvements wherever problems or opportunities for 
improvement are found. The questionnaire also may be used as a 
voluntary self-assessment by the NPCs.
    Affected Public: Individuals and households.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 858 total hours.
    a. NPC Annual Report Template--301 hours.
    b. NPC Audit Actions Items Remediation Plans--84 hours.
    c. NPPO Internal Control Questionnaire--344 hours.
    d. NPPO Operations Oversight Questionnaire--129 hours.
    Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 660 total minutes.
    a. NPC Annual Report Template--210 minutes.
    b. NPC Audit Actions Items Remediation Plans--120 minutes.
    c. NPPO Internal Control Questionnaire--240 minutes.
    d. NPPO Operations Oversight Questionnaire--90 minutes.
    Frequency of Response: Once annually.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 300 total.
    a. NPC Annual Report Template--86.
    b. NPC Audit Actions Items Remediation Plans--42.
    c. NPPO Internal Control Questionnaire--86.
    d. NPPO Operations Oversight Questionnaire--86.

    By direction of the Secretary.
Maribel Aponte,
VA PRA Clearance Officer, Office of Enterprise and Integration/Data 
Governance Analytics, Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2021-19441 Filed 9-8-21; 8:45 am]
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