[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 184 (Monday, September 27, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53264-53265]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-20900]


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AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT


Notice of Request for Public Comment

AGENCY: United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

SUMMARY: The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) 
seeks Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval for the 
information collection described below. In accordance with the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, USAID requests public comment on this 
collection from all interested individuals and organizations. The 
purpose of this notice is to allow 60 days for public comment preceding 
submission of the collection to OMB.

DATES: Send comments on or before November 26, 2021.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
    1. Email: [email protected].
    2. Web: Through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at 
www.regulations.gov by following the instructions for submitting 
comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kristen Rancourt, USAID Bureau for 
Management, Office of Management, Policy, Budget and Performance, 
Policy Division (M/MPBP/POL), telephone (202) 921-5119, or via email at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Exchange Visitor (EV) Visa Compliance program is a central 
management function that enables USAID to comply with statutory and 
regulatory requirements associated with sponsoring foreign nationals 
who enter the United States (U.S.) on a J-1 visa. This function aligns 
with the U.S. National Security Strategy, and the Foreign Assistance 
Act of 1961 authorizing the U.S. government to conduct educational and 
cultural exchanges for the purpose of strengthening the capacity and 
commitment of host-country nationals to address development challenges 
in their respective countries. These educational and cultural exchanges 
are defined by section 102 of the Mutual Educational and Cultural 
Exchange Act of 1961 (the ``Act''), 22 U.S.C. 2452. The regulations set 
forth in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 22, Part 62 
``Exchange Visitor Program'' implement the Act, and appoints USAID as a 
designated sponsoring organization. Program sponsors are responsible 
for selecting, supporting and monitoring participants during their 
entire program stay.

[[Page 53265]]

    Section 112 of the Act, as amended, codified the establishment of 
the Interagency Working Group (IAWG) on U.S. Government-Sponsored 
International Exchanges and Training, and mandated the IAWG with 
managing a ``coordinated strategy for all U.S. Government-sponsored 
international exchange and training programs,'' with a primary purpose 
and responsibility ``to collect, analyze, and report data provided by 
all U.S. Government departments and agencies conducting international 
exchanges and training programs.'' As a statutory member of the IAWG, 
USAID participates in the annual mandated request for data reporting on 
USAID international exchanges and training programs and participants.
    The Training and Exchanges Automated Management System (TEAMS) is 
USAID's official data management system and the entry point for data 
for U.S. exchange visitor programs. TEAMS incorporates processes to 
manage and support EV's who will come to the U.S. on a USAID J-1 visa. 
TEAMS manages data by interfacing with the Department of Homeland 
Security's (DHS) Student and Exchange Visitor Information System 
(SEVIS), the system that DHS uses to maintain and monitor participants 
in U.S. programs. All EV's must be registered in SEVIS. USAID utilizes 
SEVIS to report on EV programs, and to issue Certificates of 
Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status (Form DS-2019). The Automated 
Directive System (ADS) Chapter 252--Visa Compliance for Exchange 
Visitors, requires Agency operating units (OUs) or their Implementing 
Partners, in accordance with their awards, to enter data into TEAMS 
relevant to U.S. visits by sponsored foreign nationals who are 
recipients of USAID development assistance. TEAMS replaces the Training 
Results and Information Network (TraiNet) and Visa Compliance System 
(VCS). TEAMS combines the functionality of TraiNet and VCS into one 
system.
    The Bureau for Management, Office of Management Policy, Budget and 
Performance (M/MPBP) relies on TEAMS data for the following uses: (1) 
EV program management; (2) batching USAID data to SEVIS; and, (3) 
annual mandated reporting to IAWG. USAID OUs use TEAMS data of U.S.-
based EVs, and in-country and third-country based training 
participants, for internal reporting and portfolio management.

II. Method of Collection

    Electronic.

III. Data

    Title of Information Collection: Training and Exchanges Automated 
Management System (TEAMS).
    Type of Review: New Information Collection.
    OMB Number: Not assigned.
    Affected Public who will be asked or required to respond: Exchange 
Visitor's as defined in ADS Chapter 252--Visa Compliance for Exchange 
Visitors.
    Estimated Total Number of Respondents per Year: Approximately 
1,500-2,000 annually based on current year estimates.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 375-500 hours (1,500-2000 
participants x 15 minutes per participant).

IV. Request for Comments

    All comments must be in writing and submitted through the methods 
specified in the Addresses section above. All submissions must include 
the information collection title. Please include your name, title, 
organization, postal address telephone number, and email address in the 
text of the message. Please note that comments submitted in response to 
this Notice are public record. We recommend that you do not submit 
detailed personal information, confidential business Information, or 
any information that is otherwise protected from disclosure by statute.
    USAID will only address comments that explain why the proposed 
collection would be inappropriate, ineffective, or unacceptable without 
a change. Comments that are insubstantial or outside the scope of the 
notice of request for public comment may not be considered.

Susan C. Radford,
Management and Program Analyst, Bureau for Management, Office of 
Management Policy, Budget, and Performance, U.S. Agency for 
International Development.
[FR Doc. 2021-20900 Filed 9-24-21; 8:45 am]
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