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[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 112 (Friday, June 10, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34122-34123]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-14450]

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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 7499]

30-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: NEA/PI Online 
Performance Reporting System (PRS)

ACTION: Notice of request for public comments.

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SUMMARY: The Department of State is seeking Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) approval for the information collection described below. 
The purpose of this notice is to allow 30 days for public comment in 
the Federal Register preceding submission to OMB. We are conducting 
this process in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
     Title of Information Collection: NEA/PI Online Performance 
Reporting System (PRS).
     OMB Control Number: 1405-0183.
     Type of Request: Renewal.
     Originating Office: NEA/PI.
     Form Number: DS-4127.
     Respondents: Recipients of NEA/PI grants.
     Estimated Number of Respondents: 70 respondents annually.
     Estimated Number of Responses: 280 per year.
     Average Hours per Response: 20.
     Total Estimated Burden: 5,600 hours per year.
     Frequency: Quarterly.
     Obligation to Respond: Required to Obtain or Retain a 
Benefit.

DATES: The Department will accept comments from the public up to 30 
days from June 10, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Direct comments to the Department of State Desk Officer in 
the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs at the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB). You may submit comments by any of the 
following methods:
     E-mail: oira_submission@omb.eop.gov. You must include the 
DS form number, information collection title, and OMB control number in 
the subject line of your message.
     Fax: 202-395-5806. Attention: Desk Officer for Department 
of State.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Please direct requests for additional 
information regarding the collection listed in this notice, including 
requests for copies of the proposed information collection and 
supporting documents, to Neil Stormer, U.S. Department of State, Office 
of the Middle East Partnership Initiative (NEA/PI), Bureau of Near 
Eastern Affairs, NEA Mail Room--Room 6258, 2201 C St., NW., Washington, 
DC 20520, who may be reached on 202-776-8595 or at stormernc@state.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We are soliciting public comments to permit 
the Department to:
     Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is 
necessary for the proper performance of our functions.
     Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the burden of the 
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 
technology.

Abstract of Proposed Collection

    Since 2002, MEPI has obligated more than $600 million to over 550 
organizations, which carry out more than 850 projects in support of 
political, economic, education and women's rights reform in 20 
countries of the Middle East and North Africa. As a

[[Page 34123]]

normal course of business and in compliance with OMB Guidelines 
contained in Circular A-110, recipient organizations are required to 
provide, and the U.S. State Department is required to collect, periodic 
program and financial performance reports. The responsibility of the 
State Department to track and monitor the programmatic and financial 
performance necessitates a database that can help facilitate this in a 
consistent and standardized manner. The MEPI Performance Reporting 
System (PRS) enables enhanced monitoring and evaluation of grants 
through standardized collection and storage of relevant award elements, 
such as quarterly progress reports, workplans, results monitoring 
plans, grant agreements, financial reports, and other business 
information related to MEPI implementers. The PRS streamlines 
communication with implementers and allows for rapid identification of 
information gaps for specific projects.

Methodology

    Information will be entered into PRS electronically by respondents. 
Non-respondents will submit their quarterly reports on paper.

Additional Information

    Dated: June 3, 2011.
Catherine Bourgeois,
Deputy Director, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs NEA/PI, Department of 
State.
[FR Doc. 2011-14450 Filed 6-9-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-31-P
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