[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 47 (Friday, March 10, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14970-14971]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-04977]


 ========================================================================
 Notices
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
 and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, 
 delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
 statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
 appearing in this section.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 47 / Friday, March 10, 2023 / 
Notices  

[[Page 14970]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

[Docket Number: USDA-2023-0004]


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

AGENCY: Office of the Chief Information Officer, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces and requests comments on the intention of the Office 
of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) to request approval for the 
continuation of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Registration 
Form to Request Electronic Access Code information collection to allow 
USDA customers to securely and confidently share data and receive 
services electronically. Authority for obtaining information from 
customers is included in the Freedom to E-File Act, the Electronic 
Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (E-SIGN), the E-
Government Act of 2002, and the GRAMM-LEACH-BLILEY ACT. Customer 
information is collected through the USDA eAuthentication Service 
(eAuth), located at https://www.eauth.usda.gov. The USDA eAuth service 
provides both public citizens as well as Federal Government employees 
with a secure single sign-on capability for USDA applications, 
management of user credentials, and verification of identity, 
authorization, and electronic signatures. USDA's eAuth Service obtains 
customer information through an electronic self-registration process 
provided through the eAuth website. This voluntary online self-
registration process and identity proofing process (either in-person at 
a USDA Service Center or online with national credit bureaus) enables 
USDA customers to obtain accounts as authorized users that will provide 
single sign-on capability, self-registration, and account management to 
access USDA Web applications and services via the internet.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received on or May 9, 2023 to be 
assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: 
    [ssquf] Federal eRulemaking Portal: This website provides the 
ability to type short comments directly into the comment field on this 
web page or attach a file for lengthier comments. Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line instructions at that site for 
submitting comments.
    [ssquf] Interested persons are invited to submit comments 
concerning this information collection to Adam Zeimet, 2150 Centre 
Avenue, Building A-Suite 350, Fort Collins, Colorado 80526. Fax 
comments should be sent to the attention of Adam Zeimet at fax number 
(970) 295-5238.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Adam Zeimet by telephone at (970) 295-
5678, or via email at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. chapter 35), this notice announces the intention 
of USDA-OCIO-Customer Experience Center-Identity and Access Services 
Branch (Identity, Credential, and Access Management Program) to request 
approval for an existing collection.
    Title: USDA Registration Form to Request Electronic Access Code.
    OMB Number: 0503-0014.
    Expiration Date of Approval: 6/30/2023.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The USDA-OCIO developed the eAuthentication Service as a 
management and technical process that addresses user authentication and 
authorization prerequisites for providing services electronically. The 
process requires a one-time electronic self-registration to obtain an 
eAuthentication account for each USDA customer desiring access to on-
line services or applications that require user authentication. USDA 
customers may self-register for an account in accordance with OMB 
Memorandum M-19-17 and National Institute of Standards and Technology 
Special Publication 800-63-3 (or superseding publications). An 
eAuthentication account, without identity verification, provides users 
with limited access to USDA website portals and applications that have 
minimal security requirements. A customer with an eAuthentication 
account, with identity verification, is permitted to conduct official 
electronic business transactions via the internet, enter into a 
contract with the USDA, and submit forms electronically via the 
internet to USDA agencies. Due to the increased risk associated with 
these types of transactions, the identity of customers must be verified 
through a process called ``identity proofing''. Identity proofing can 
be accomplished for USDA customers in two ways: (1) By visiting a Local 
Registration Authority (LRA) at a USDA Service Center; or (2) Through 
an integrated online identity proofing service with a National Credit 
Bureau. The on-line identity proofing service provides registrants with 
a more efficient mechanism for identity verification. On-line identity 
proofing requires responses to at least four randomly selected identity 
questions that are verified by a national credit bureau identity 
proofing service in an automated interface. Once the user's identity if 
verified, they may use the associated credential to access USDA 
resources that utilize eAuthentication services.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to take three (3) minutes to complete the 
self-registration process for an eAuthentication account, without 
identity verification. With an estimated 235,092 respondents, the 
annual public burden time is 11,754.60 hours (235,092 * (3/60)). 
Customers needing a higher form of access are required to provide 
additional information for identity proofing purposes. The data entry 
for identity verification is estimated to take three (3) minutes. With 
an estimated 72,912 respondents, the annual public burden time is 
3,645.60 hours (72,912 * (3/60)). For identity verification through a 
LRA, the time is estimated to take one (1) hour to travel to a USDA 
Service Center to visit a Local Registration Authority (expected to be 
approximately 9% of the registrants). With an estimated 6,562 
respondents, the annual public burden time is 6,562 hours (6,562

[[Page 14971]]

* (60/60)). For online identity verification, the time is estimated to 
take five (5) minutes (expected to be approximately 91% of the 
registrants). With an estimated 66,350 respondents, the annual public 
burden time is 5,308 hours (66,350 * (5/60)). The total estimated 
annual public burden rate is 27,270.20 hours (11,754.60 + 3,645.60 + 
6,562 + 5,308) = 27,270.20).
    Respondents: Individual USDA customers.
    Estimated Number of Respondents per account type:
     eAuthentication account, without identity proofing: 
235,092.
     eAuthentication account, with identity proofing: 72,912.
    [cir] In Person ID Proofing (9%): 6,562.
    [cir] Online\Remote ID Proofing (91%): 66,350.
    Estimated Total Number of Respondents: 308,004.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 27,270.2 hours.
    Comments are invited on (1) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information will have practical 
utility; (2) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden of the 
proposed collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (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 the information on those 
who respond, through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, 
mechanical, technological or other forms of information technology 
collection methods. Copies of the information collection may be 
obtained from Mr. Zeimet by calling or emailing your request to the 
contact information above in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT 
section. All responses to this notice will be summarized and included 
in the request for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of 
public record.

Gary Washington,
Chief Information Officer, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2023-04977 Filed 3-9-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-KR-P