[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 66 (Thursday, April 4, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23592-23593]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-07166]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

[Docket No.: ED-2024-SCC-0015]


Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the 
Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Comment 
Request; U.S. Department of Education Build America, Buy America Act 
(BABAA) Data Collection

AGENCY: Office of Finance and Operations (OFO), Department of Education 
(ED).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, 
the Department is proposing a new information collection request (ICR).

DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before 
May 6, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations for proposed 
information collection requests should be submitted within 30 days of 
publication of this notice. Click on this link www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain to access the site. Find this information collection request 
(ICR) by selecting ``Department of Education'' under ``Currently Under 
Review,'' then check the ``Only Show ICR for Public Comment'' checkbox. 
Reginfo.gov provides two links to view documents related to this 
information collection request. Information collection forms and 
instructions may be found by clicking on the ``View Information 
Collection (IC) List'' link. Supporting statements and other supporting 
documentation may be found by clicking on the ``View Supporting 
Statement and Other Documents'' link.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For specific questions related to 
collection activities, please contact Cleveland Knight, 202-987-0064.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department is especially interested in 
public comment addressing the following issues: (1) is this collection 
necessary to the proper functions of the Department; (2) will this 
information be processed and used in a timely manner; (3) is the 
estimate of burden accurate; (4) how might the Department enhance the 
quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and 
(5) how might the Department minimize the burden of this collection on 
the respondents, including through the use of information technology. 
Please note that written comments received in response to this notice 
will be considered public records.
    Title of Collection: U.S. Department of Education Build America, 
Buy America Act (BABAA) Data Collection.
    OMB Control Number: 1894-NEW.
    Type of Review: A new ICR.
    Respondents/Affected Public: State, Local, and Tribal Governments, 
Private Sector--Not-for-Profit Institutions.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 470.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 4,700.
    Abstract: In accordance with section 70914 of the Build America Buy 
America Act (Pub. L. 117-58 70901-70953) (BABAA), grantees funded under 
Department of Education (the Department) programs that allow funds to 
be used for infrastructure projects (infrastructure programs), i.e., 
construction and broadband infrastructure, may not use their grant 
funds for these infrastructure projects or activities unless they 
comply with the following BABAA sourcing requirements:
    1. All iron and steel used in the infrastructure project or 
activity are produced in the United States.
    2. All manufactured products used in the infrastructure project or 
activity are produced in the United States.
    3. All construction materials are manufactured in the United 
States.
    The Department may, in accordance with sections 70914(b) and (d), 
70921(b), 70935, and 70937 of BABAA, and the Office of Management and 
Budget Memorandum M 24-02, Implementation Guidance on

[[Page 23593]]

Application of Buy America Preference in Federal Financial Assistance 
Programs for Infrastructure, approve waivers to BABAA sourcing 
requirements under programs it has identified as infrastructure 
programs when it determines that exceptions to these requirements 
apply. The Department may approve these waivers, subject to notice and 
comment requirements and the Office of Management and Budget Made in 
America Office (MIAO) review.
    The information submitted by grantees using the BABAA Data 
Collection Form will be used by the Department to track the type of 
waivers (i.e., agency level waivers or approved grantee waivers) 
implemented by grantees. The data may also be used for reporting 
purposes.

    Dated: April 1, 2024.
Stephanie Valentine,
PRA Coordinator, Strategic Collections and Clearance Governance and 
Strategy Division, Office of Chief Data Officer, Office of Planning, 
Evaluation and Policy Development.
[FR Doc. 2024-07166 Filed 4-3-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P