[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 244 (Thursday, December 23, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Page 72968]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-27803]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[OMB 3060-0856; FR ID 63574]


Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal 
Communications Commission

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, 
and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the 
Federal Communications Commission (FCC or the Commission) invites the 
general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to 
comment on the following information collection. Comments are requested 
concerning: Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary 
for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, 
including whether the information shall have practical utility; the 
accuracy of the Commission's burden estimate; ways to enhance the 
quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; ways to 
minimize the burden of the collection of information on the 
respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology; and ways to further reduce the 
information collection burden on small business concerns with fewer 
than 25 employees. The FCC may not conduct or sponsor a collection of 
information unless it displays a currently valid control number. No 
person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a 
collection of information subject to the PRA that does not display a 
valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number.

DATES: Written PRA comments should be submitted on or before February 
22, 2022. If you anticipate that you will be submitting comments, but 
find it difficult to do so within the period of time allowed by this 
notice, you should advise the contact listed below as soon as possible.

ADDRESSES: Direct all PRA comments to Nicole Ongele, FCC, via email 
[email protected] and to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information about the 
information collection, contact Nicole Ongele, (202) 418-2991.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    OMB Control Number: 3060-0856.
    Title: Universal Service--Schools and Libraries Universal Service 
Support Program Reimbursement Forms.
    Form Numbers: FCC Forms 472, 473, and 474.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Respondents: Businesses or other for-profit institutions, not-for-
profit institutions, and state, local or tribal government.
    Number of Respondents and Responses: 16,600 respondents; 96,500 
responses.
    Estimated Time per Response: 1.5 hours.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion and annual reporting 
requirements.
    Obligation to Respond: Required to obtain or retain benefits. 
Statutory authority for this information collection is contained in 
sections 1, 4(i), 4(j), 201-205, 214, 254, 312(d), 312(f), 403 and 
503(b) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended. 5 U.S.C. 
553(b)(3), 601-612; 15 U.S.C. 1, 632; 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(4); 47 U.S.C. 
1, 4(i), 4(j), 201-205, 214, 254, 312(d), 312(f), 403, 503(b).
    Total Annual Burden: 144,750 hours.
    Total Annual Cost: No cost.
    Privacy Act Impact Assessment: No impact(s).
    Nature and Extent of Confidentiality: If the Commission requests 
applicants or service providers to submit information that the 
respondents believe is confidential, respondents may request 
confidential treatment of such information under section 47 CFR 0.459 
of the Commission's rules.
    Needs and Uses: The Commission will submit this information 
collection to OMB, which is an extension of a currently approved 
collection, to obtain a full three-year clearance from OMB.
    The FCC Form 472 is used by an applicant (also known as the billed 
entity) to seek reimbursement for the discounts on services paid in 
full. After receiving an invoice from the service provider, together 
with an FCC Form 472, USAC is able to verify the eligible service and 
approved amounts that should be reimbursed and can make the appropriate 
payment to the applicant. The FCC Form 472 is also used to ensure that 
each service provider has provided discounted services within the 
current funding year and that invoices submitted from service providers 
for the costs of discounted eligible services do not exceed the amount 
that has been approved.
    The FCC Form 473 is used to verify that the service provider is 
eligible to participate in the schools and libraries universal service 
support program (E-Rate program) and to confirm that the invoice forms 
submitted by the service provider are in compliance with the Federal 
Communications Commission's E-Rate program rules. The FCC Form 473 is 
also used by USAC to assure that the dollars paid out by the universal 
service fund go to eligible providers.
    The FCC Form 474 is used by an eligible service provider to seek 
payment for the discounted costs of services it provided to applicants 
(or billed entities) for eligible services. After receiving an invoice 
from the service provider, together with an FCC Form 474, USAC is able 
to verify that the eligible and approved amounts can be paid. The FCC 
Form 474 is also used to ensure that each service provider has provided 
discounted services within the current funding year for which it 
submits an invoice to USAC and that invoices submitted from service 
providers for the costs of discounted eligible services do not exceed 
the amount that has been approved.
    All of the requirements contained in this information collection 
are necessary to implement the Congressional mandate for the E-Rate 
program and reimbursement process.

Federal Communications Commission.
Katura Jackson,
Federal Register Liaison, Office of the Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2021-27803 Filed 12-22-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P