[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 104 (Wednesday, May 29, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 46394]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-11775]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OMS-2024-0127; FRL-11966-01-OMS]


Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Information 
Collection Request; Comment Request; Background Checks for Contractor 
Employees (Renewal)

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is planning to 
submit an information collection request (ICR), Background Checks for 
Contractor Employees (Renewal) (EPA ICR Number 2159.09, OMB Control 
Number 2030-0043) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for 
review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act. 
Before doing so, EPA is soliciting public comments on specific aspects 
of the proposed information collection as described below. This is a 
proposed extension of the ICR, which is currently approved through 
November 30, 2024. This notice allows for 60 days for public comments.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before July 29, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, referencing Docket ID Number EPA-HQ-
OMS-2024-0127, to EPA online using www.regulations.gov (our preferred 
method), by email [email protected], or by mail to: EPA Docket Center, 
Environmental Protection Agency, Mail Code 28221T, 1200 Pennsylvania 
Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460. EPA's policy is that all comments 
received will be included in the public docket without change including 
any personal information provided, unless the comment includes 
profanity, threats, information claimed to be Confidential Business 
Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted 
by statute.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brandon R. Hawkins, Policy and 
Oversite Branch, Office of Acquisition Solutions (3802R), Environmental 
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460; 
telephone number: 202-250-8897; email address: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a request for approval of a proposed 
extension of the ICR, which is currently approved through November 30, 
2024. An agency may not conduct, or sponsor and a person is not 
required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a 
currently valid OMB control number.
    This notice allows 60 days for public comments. Supporting 
documents, which explain in detail the information that the EPA will be 
collecting, are available in the public docket for this ICR. The docket 
can be viewed online at www.regulations.gov or in person at the EPA 
Docket Center, WJC West, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave. NW, 
Washington, DC. The telephone number for the Docket Center is 202-566-
1744. For additional information about EPA's public docket, visit 
http://www.epa.gov/dockets.
    Pursuant to section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA, EPA is soliciting 
comments and information to enable it to: (i) evaluate 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; (ii) evaluate the accuracy of 
the Agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of 
information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions 
used; (iii) enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (iv) minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on those who are to respond, including 
through the use of appropriate forms of information technology. EPA 
will consider the comments received and amend the ICR as appropriate. 
The final ICR package will then be submitted to OMB for review and 
approval. At that time, EPA will issue another Federal Register notice 
to announce the submission of the ICR to OMB and the opportunity to 
submit additional comments to OMB.
    Abstract: The EPA uses contractors to perform services throughout 
the nation with regard to environmental emergencies involving the 
release, or threatened release, of oil, radioactive materials, or 
hazardous chemicals that may potentially affect communities and the 
surrounding environment. The Agency may request contractors responding 
to any of these types of incidents to conduct background checks and 
apply Government-established suitability criteria in title 5 CFR 
Administrative Personnel 731.104 Appointments Subject to Investigation, 
732.201 Sensitivity Level Designations and Investigative Requirements, 
and 736.102 Notice to Investigative Sources when determining whether 
employees are acceptable to perform on given sites or on specific 
projects. In addition to emergency response contractors, EPA may 
require background checks for contractor personnel working in sensitive 
sites or sensitive projects. The background checks and application of 
the Government's suitability criteria must be completed prior to 
contract employee performance. The contractor shall maintain records 
associated with all background checks. Background checks cover 
citizenship or valid visa status, criminal convictions, weapons 
offenses, felony convictions, and parties prohibited from receiving 
federal contracts.
    Form Numbers: None.
    Respondents/affected entities: Private Contractors.
    Respondent's obligation to respond: Required to obtain a benefit 
per Title 5 CFR Administrative Personnel 731.104 Appointments Subject 
to Investigation, 732.201 Sensitivity Level Designations and 
Investigative Requirements, and 736.102 Notice to Investigative 
Sources.
    Estimated number of respondents: 1,000 (total).
    Frequency of response: Triennial.
    Total estimated burden: 1,000 hours (per year). Burden is defined 
at 5 CFR 1320.03(b).
    Total estimated cost: $208,720 (per year), which includes $0 
annualized capital or operation & maintenance costs.
    Changes in the Estimates: There is no change in the hours in the 
total estimated respondent burden compared with the ICR currently 
approved by OMB.

Pamela D. Legare,
Director, Office of Acquisition Solutions.
[FR Doc. 2024-11775 Filed 5-28-24; 8:45 am]
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