[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 211 (Thursday, November 2, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 75288-75289]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-24211]


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

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families


Proposed Information Collection Activity; Advance Planning 
Document (APD) Process (Office of Management and Budget #0970-0417)

AGENCY: Office of Child Support Services, Administration for Children 
and Families, United States Department of Health and Human Services.

ACTION: Request for public comments.

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

SUMMARY: The Administration for Children and Families' (ACF) Office of 
Child Support Services (OCSS) is requesting a 3-year extension for the 
Advance Planning Document (APD) process (OMB #0970-0417). No changes 
are proposed.

DATES: Comments due within 60 days of publication. In compliance with 
the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, ACF is 
soliciting public comment on the specific aspects of the information 
collection described above.

ADDRESSES: You can obtain copies of the proposed collection of 
information and submit comments by emailing [email protected]. 
Identify all requests by the title of the information collection.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Description: State child support agencies are required to establish 
and operate a federally approved statewide Automated Data Processing 
(ADP) and information retrieval system to assist in child support 
services. The APD process, established at 45 CFR part 95, subpart F, is 
the procedure by which states request and obtain approval for Federal 
Financial Participation (FFP) in their cost of acquiring ADP equipment 
and services. The ACF OCSS Division of State and Tribal Systems (DSTS) 
oversees this process.
    States are required to submit an initial APD, containing 
information to assist the Secretary of the Department of Health and 
Human Services (HHS) in determining if the state computerized support 
enforcement project planning and implementation meets Federal 
certification requirements needed for the approval of FFP. States are 
then required to submit annual APD updates to HHS to report project 
status and request ongoing FFP for systems development, enhancements, 
operations, and maintenance. As-needed APDs are also submitted to 
acquire FFP when major milestones are missed or significant changes to 
project schedules occur. Based on an assessment of the information 
provided in the APD, states that do not meet the Federal requirements 
necessary for approval are required to conduct periodic independent 
verification and validation services for high-risk project oversight.
    In addition to the APDs providing HHS/ACF/OCSS with the information 
necessary to determine the allowable level of Federal funding for state 
systems projects, states also submit associated procurement and data 
security documents, such as requests for proposals (RFPs), contracts, 
contract amendments, and the biennial security review reports.
    Respondents: State child support agencies.

[[Page 75289]]



                                             Annual Burden Estimates
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   Total number   Average burden
           Instrument              Total number    of responses      hours per     Total burden    Annual burden
                                  of respondents  per respondent     response          hours           hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RFP and Contract................              50             4.5               4             900             300
Emergency Funding Request.......              21               1               2              42              14
Biennial Reports................              54             1.5             1.5           121.5            40.5
Advance Planning Document.......              44             3.6             120          19,008           6,336
Operational Advance Planning                  10               3              30             900             300
 Document.......................
Independent Verification and                   3              12              10             360             120
 Validation (ongoing)...........
Independent Verification and                   4               6              16             384             128
 Validation (semiannually)......
Independent Verification and                  10              12              30           3,600           1,200
 Validation (quarterly).........
System Certification............               3               3             240           2,160             720
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 9,158.50.
    Comments: The Department specifically requests comments on (a) 
whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the 
proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether 
the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the 
agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of 
information; (c) the quality, utility, and clarity of the information 
to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection 
of information on respondents, including through the use of automated 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology. 
Consideration will be given to comments and suggestions submitted 
within 60 days of this publication.
    Authority: 45 CFR part 95, subpart F.

Mary B. Jones,
ACF/OPRE Certifying Officer.
[FR Doc. 2023-24211 Filed 11-1-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-41-P