[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 74 (Tuesday, April 16, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26862-26863]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-08069]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment 
Request; SABIT Participant Application, Participant Surveys, Alumni 
Survey

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of information collection, request for comment.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other 
Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information 
collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information 
collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The 
purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment 
preceding submission of the collection to OMB.

DATES: To ensure consideration, comments regarding this proposed 
information collection must be received on or before June 17, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments by 
mail to Tracy Rollins, POC, Director SABIT Program, International Trade 
Administration, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, HCHB 12030, Washington, DC 
20230, or by email to [email protected] or [email protected]. Please 
reference OMB Control Number 0625-0225 in the subject line of your 
comments. Do not submit Confidential Business Information or otherwise 
sensitive or protected information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
specific questions related to collection activities should be directed 
to Tracy Rollins, POC, Director SABIT Program, International Trade 
Administration, address: 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, HCHB 12030, 
Washington, DC 20230, telephone: (202) 482-0392, or by email: 
[email protected] .

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The SABIT Program of the Department of Commerce's International 
Trade Administration (ITA), is a key element in the U.S. Government's 
efforts to support the economic transition of Eurasia (the former 
Soviet Union) and to support economic growth in other regions of the 
world, including countries in Europe, South Asia, and the Middle East, 
et al. SABIT develops and implements two-week training programs in the 
United States for groups of up to 20 business and government 
professionals from Eurasia and other regions. These professionals meet 
with U.S. government agencies, non-governmental organizations and 
private sector companies in order to learn about various business 
practices and principles. This unique private sector-U.S. Government 
partnership was created in order to tap into the U.S. private sector's 
expertise and to assist developing regions in their transition to 
market-based economies while simultaneously boosting trade between the 
United States and other countries. SABIT also develops and implements 
virtual events for its alumni and other participants that provide 
industry-specific training on best practices for business and 
management and fosters contacts with U.S. organizations. Participant 
applications are needed to enable SABIT to find the most qualified 
participants for the training programs. Participant pre-program surveys 
and post- program surveys provide insight as to what the participants 
have learned, and they are used to improve the content and 
administration of future programs. Such monitoring and evaluations is 
required by law (Foreign Aid and Transparency and Accountability Act of 
2016). Alumni success story reports/surveys track the success of the 
program as regards to business ties between the U.S. and the countries 
SABIT covers. These alumni surveys also serve to provide evaluation 
information as required under the Foreign Aid and Transparency and 
Accountability Act of 2016).
    The closing date for participant applications is based upon the 
starting date of the program and is published with the application and 
on the program's website at www.trade.gov/sabit-program. Pursuant to 
section 632(a) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended, 
funding for the programs will be provided through the Agency for 
International Development (AID).
    The SABIT Program has revised the collection instruments. The 
instruments are very similar to those used by SABIT in past years. 
However, some wording has been changed to reflect the changing needs of 
SABIT over time. The changes are relatively minor and most of them are 
rephrasing of wording. Instructions for filling out the form, methods 
of submission, and the order of questions have been revised on the 
Participant Application. These revisions are not expected to increase 
the response time to complete the instruments. SABIT

[[Page 26863]]

only accepts Participant Applications, Pre- and Post-Program surveys, 
and Alumni Surveys electronically. This is a change from the last 
collection request.

II. Method of Collection

    Participant applications are electronic and are found on 
sabit.smapply.us when available. Pre-program and Post-program surveys 
are provided electronically with a link to a Survey Monkey site. Alumni 
Surveys are also gathered via Survey Monkey electronic, web-based 
forms.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0625-0225.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (revision of a currently 
approved information collection).
    Affected Public: Individuals or households; Business or other for-
profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 3,500.
    Estimated Time per Response: Participant application, 3 hours; 
participant pre-program survey, 1 hour; participant post-program 
survey, 1 hour; alumni survey, 1 hour.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 8,500.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $14,500.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    Legal Authority: Section 632(a) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 
1961, as amended (the ``FAA''), and pursuant to the Department of 
State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 
2018 (Div. K, P.L. 115-141); Foreign Aid and Transparency and 
Accountability Act of 2016.

IV. Request for Comments

    We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department/Bureau 
to: (a) Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is 
necessary for the proper functions of the Department, including whether 
the information will have practical utility; (b) 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; (c) Evaluate ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information to be collected; and (d) Minimize the reporting burden 
on those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology.
    Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of 
public record. We will include or summarize each comment in our request 
to OMB to approve this ICR. Before including your address, phone 
number, email address, or other personal identifying information in 
your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment--including 
your personal identifying information--may be made publicly available 
at any time. While you may ask us in your comment to withhold your 
personal identifying information from public review, we cannot 
guarantee that we will be able to do so.

Sheleen Dumas,
Department PRA Clearance Officer, Office of the Under Secretary for 
Economic Affairs, Commerce Department.
[FR Doc. 2024-08069 Filed 4-15-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-HE-P