[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 188 (Friday, September 29, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67420-67421]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-21309]


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

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice: 12193]


60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: PEPFAR Program 
Expenditures

ACTION: Notice of request for public comment.

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

SUMMARY: The Department of State is seeking Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) approval for the information collection described below. 
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we are 
requesting comments 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: The Department will accept comments from the public up to 
November 28, 2023.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
     Web: Persons with access to the internet may comment on 
this notice by going to www.Regulations.gov. You can search for the 
document by entering ``Docket Number: DOS-2023-0031'' in the Search 
field. Then click the ``Comment Now'' button and complete the comment 
form.
     Email: [email protected].
     Regular Mail: Send written comments to: Bureau of Global 
Health Security & Diplomacy (S/GHSD), U.S. Department of State, SA-22, 
1800 G Street NW, Suite 10300, Washington, DC 20006.
     Fax: 202-663-2979.
    You must include the DS form number (if applicable), information 
collection title, and the OMB control number in any correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Direct requests for additional 
information regarding the collection listed in this notice, including 
requests for copies of the proposed collection instrument and 
supporting documents, to Irum Zaidi, 1800 G St. NW, Suite 10300, SA-22, 
Washington, DC 20006, who may be reached on 202-663-2588 or at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
     Title of Information Collection: PEPFAR Program 
Expenditures.
     OMB Control Number: 1405-0208.
     Type of Request: Extension of a Currently Approved 
Collection.
     Originating Office: Office of the U.S. Global AIDS 
Coordinator and Health Diplomacy (S/GAC).
     Form Number: DS-4213.

[[Page 67421]]

     Respondents: Recipients of U.S. government funds 
appropriated to carry out the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS 
Relief (PEPFAR).
     Estimated Number of Respondents: 3,480.
     Estimated Number of Responses: 3,480.
     Average Time per Response: 20 hours per response.
     Total Estimated Burden Time: 68,750 hours.
     Frequency: Annually.
     Obligation to Respond: Mandatory.
    We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department to:
     Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is 
necessary for the proper functions of the Department.
     Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the time and cost 
burden for this proposed collection, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used.
     Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected.
     Minimize the reporting burden on those who are to respond, 
including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of 
information technology.
    Please note that comments submitted in response to this Notice are 
public record. Before including any detailed personal information, you 
should be aware that your comments as submitted, including your 
personal information, will be available for public review.

Abstract of Proposed Collection

    The U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) was 
established through enactment of the United States Leadership Against 
HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Act (Pub. L. 108-25), as amended by 
the Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde United States Global Leadership 
Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Reauthorization Act (Pub. 
L. 110-293) (HIV/AIDS Leadership Act), as amended by the PEPFAR 
Stewardship and Oversight Act (Pub. L. 113-56), and as amended and 
reauthorized for a third time by the PEPFAR Extension Act (Pub. L. 115-
305) to support the global response to HIV/AIDS. In order to improve 
program monitoring, PEPFAR added reporting of expenditures by program 
area to the current routine reporting of program results for the annual 
report. Data are collected from implementing partners in countries with 
PEPFAR programs using a standard tool (DS-4213) via an electronic web-
based interface into which users upload data. These expenditures are 
analyzed by partner for all PEPFAR program areas. These analyses then 
feed into partner and program reviews at the country level for 
monitoring and evaluation on an ongoing basis. Summaries of these data 
provide key information about program costs under PEPFAR on a global 
level. Applying expenditure results will improve strategic budgeting, 
identification of efficient means of delivering services, and accuracy 
in defining program targets; and will inform allocation of resources to 
ensure the program is accountable and using public funds for maximum 
impact.

Methodology

    Data will continue to be collected in a web-based interface 
available to all partners receiving funds under PEPFAR. After 
implementing Expenditure Reporting since 2012, we learned that 
implementing partners (IPs) prefer the Microsoft Excel template based 
data collection process. The requirements in the Excel template have 
been reduced with IP input to only request critical information. By 
being able to download a template, prime IPs responsible to complete 
the submission are more effectively able to collaborate quickly with 
other key personnel and coordinate with their subrecipients to enter 
the data for the full amount of PEPFAR funding expended during the 
prior fiscal year. This approach also proves helpful where internet 
connectivity is not strong. After completing the Excel template, IPs 
upload the data to an automated system that further checks the data 
entered for quality and completeness. Automated checks reduce the time 
needed by IPs to complete the data cleaning process. Aggregate data is 
available in a central system for analysis.

Brendan Garvin,
Director of Management and Budget, Bureau of Global Health Diplomacy 
and Security, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2023-21309 Filed 9-28-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-10-P