[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 145 (Friday, July 29, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45856-45857]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-16292]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[OMB Control No. 2900-0586]


Agency Information Collection Activity: VA Acquisition Regulation 
(VAAR) Clause 852.211-72, Technical Industry Standards

AGENCY: Office of Acquisition and Logistics, Department of Veterans 
Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Office of Acquisition and Logistics (OAL), 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 September 27, 2022.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the collection of information 
through Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) at www.Regulations.gov 
or to Bogdan Vaga, Office of Acquisition & Logistics, Procurement 
Policy & Warrant Management Services (003A2A), Department of Veterans 
Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20420 or email to 
[email protected]. Please refer to ``OMB Control No. 2900-0586'' 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), 810 Vermont Ave. NW, 
Washington, DC 20006, (202) 266-4688 or email [email protected]. 
Please refer to ``OMB Control No. 2900-0586'' 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, OAL invites 
comments on: (1) whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of OAL's functions, including 
whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy 
of OAL'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: VA Acquisition Regulation (VAAR) Construction Provisions and 
Clauses.
    OMB Control Number: 2900-0586.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: This Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) submission seeks an 
extension of Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval No. 2900-
0586 for collection of information for both commercial and non-
commercial item, service, and construction solicitations and contracts 
using VAAR Clause 852.211-72, Technical Industry Standards, as 
prescribed in CFR Title 48, Federal Acquisition Regulations System, 
VAAR 811.204-70, Contract clause. VAAR clause 852.211-72, Technical 
Industry Standards, requires that items offered for sale to VA under 
the solicitation conform to certain technical industry standards, such 
as United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) or the USDA 
Institutional Meat Purchase Specifications (IMPS) and that the 
contractor furnish evidence to VA

[[Page 45857]]

that the items meet that requirement. The evidence is normally in the 
form of a tag or seal affixed to the item, such as a label on beef 
product. In most cases, this requires no additional effort on the part 
of the contractor, as the items come from the factory with the tags 
already in place, as part of the manufacturer's standard manufacturing 
operation. Occasionally, for items not already meeting standards or for 
items not previously tested, a contractor will have to furnish a 
certificate from an acceptable laboratory certifying that the items 
furnished have been tested in accordance with, and conform to, the 
specified standards. Only firms whose products have not previously been 
tested to ensure the products meet the industry standards required 
under the solicitation and contract will be required to submit a 
separate certificate. The information will be used to ensure that the 
items being purchased meet minimum safety standards and to protect VA 
employees, VA beneficiaries, and the public.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 559 hours.
    Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 30 minutes.
    Frequency of Response: One per contract.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,118.

    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. 2022-16292 Filed 7-28-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P