[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 222 (Monday, November 22, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66270-66271]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-25409]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

November 17, 2021.
    The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following 
information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments 
are requested regarding: Whether the collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility; the 
accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of 
the methodology and assumptions used; ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways to 
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.
    Comments regarding this information collection received by December 
22, 2021 will be considered. Written comments and recommendations for 
the proposed information collection should be submitted within 30 days 
of the publication of this notice on the following website 
www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular information 
collection by selecting ``Currently under 30-day Review--Open for 
Public Comments'' or by using the search function.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information 
unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB 
control

[[Page 66271]]

number and the agency informs potential persons who are to respond to 
the collection of information that such persons are not required to 
respond to the collection of information unless it displays a currently 
valid OMB control number.

Rural Business-Cooperative Service

    Title: Rural Development Co-operative Agreements.
    OMB Control Number: 0570-0074.
    Summary of Collection: Pursuant to the Federal Agricultural 
Improvement Act of 1996 (Pub L. 104-127), the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture (USDA) received authorization from Congress under 7 U.S.C. 
2204b(b)(4) to enter into cooperative agreements for the purpose of 
improving the coordination and effectiveness of programs that benefit 
rural areas. This authority is referred to as the Rural Development 
Cooperative Agreement (RDCA) program. There are three agencies within 
USDA that administer programs that specifically target rural areas: The 
Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS), the Rural Housing Service 
(RHS), and the Rural Utilities Service (RUS).
    Each year, USDA receives proposals from the public that are not in 
response to a specific program announcement. These proposals are called 
unsolicited proposals. If a proposal is related to one or more programs 
administered by RD, it will be routed for review and possible 
consideration for a cooperative agreement using the RDCA authority. If 
the proposal is unique or innovative, then an agency has authority to 
enter into a cooperative agreement without competition (see 2 CFR 
415.1(d)(6)).
    USDA may, alternatively, issue an invitation to submit applications 
for a cooperative agreement using the RDCA authority. These proposals 
are called solicited proposals. Solicited proposals would typically be 
announced via a Federal Register Notice.
    Need and Use of the Information: The Agency provides forms and/or 
guidelines to assist in collection and submission of the information 
required. In some cases, use of Agency forms is optional and the 
applicant may submit the information required on other forms. The 
Agency will utilize standard and existing Rural Development forms to 
the greatest extent possible to continue to meet the needs of the 
program. The forms or related items completed by the applicant are 
submitted to and evaluated by the Agency. Failure to collect proper 
information from applicants could result in improper determinations of 
servicing assistance, hinder the government's recovery of such loans as 
well as encumber customer service.
    Description of Respondents: Individuals or Households.
    Number of Respondents: 100.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 1,650.

Levi S. Harrell,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2021-25409 Filed 11-19-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P