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[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 37 (Thursday, February 24, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Page 10384]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-4132]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Agency Information Collection Activities: Regulation on Agency 
Protests

AGENCY: Office of Chief Procurement Officer, Acquisition Policy and 
Legislation Office, DHS.

ACTION: 30-Day Notice and request for comments; Extension without 
Change, 1600-0004.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Homeland Security, Office of Chief 
Procurement Officer, Acquisition Policy and Legislation Office, DHS 
will submit the following information collection request (ICR) to the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance in 
accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 
U.S.C. Chapter 35). DHS previously published this information 
collection request (ICR) in the Federal Register on November 15, 2010 
at 75 FR 219, for a 60-day public comment period. No comments were 
received by DHS. DHS would also like to correct the Total Burden Cost 
(capital/startup): $4,104.00 that was indicated in the 60-Day Federal 
Register Notice. The cost that was indicated is the estimated 
annualized cost to the respondents for the hour burden for collecting 
the information, using the appropriate wage categories. The purpose of 
this notice is to allow additional 30-days for public comments and to 
correct the cost from $4,104.00 to zero.

DATES: Comments are encouraged and will be accepted until March 28, 
2011. This process is conducted in accordance with 5 CFR 1320.10.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments on 
the proposed information collection to the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget. Comments should be 
addressed to OMB Desk Officer, Department of Homeland Security and sent 
via electronic mail to oira_submission@omb.eop.gov or faxed to 202-
395-5806.
    The Office of Management and Budget is particularly interested in 
comments which:
    1. 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;
    2. 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;
    3. Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected; and
    4. Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those 
who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic 
submissions of responses.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If additional information is required 
contact: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of Chief 
Procurement Officer, Acquisition Policy and Legislation Office, DHS 
Attn.: Camara Francis, Department of Homeland Security, Office of the 
Chief Procurement Officer, Room 3114, Washington, DC 20528, 
Camara.Francis@hq.dhs.gov, 202-447-5904.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR); 48 
CFR Chapter 1 provides general procedures on handling protests 
submitted by contractors to Federal agencies. This regulation provides 
detailed guidance for contractors doing business with acquisition 
offices within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to implement 
the FAR. FAR Part 33.103, Protests, Disputes, and Appeals prescribe 
policies and procedures for filing protests and for processing contract 
disputes and appeals. DHS will not be asking for anything outside of 
what is already required in the FAR. Should anything outside the FAR 
arise, DHS will submit a request for Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) approval. The information being collected will be obtained from 
contractors as part of their submissions whenever they file a bid 
protest with the Department's Components. The information will be used 
by DHS officials in deciding how the protest should be resolved. 
Failure to collect this information would result in delayed resolution 
of agency protests.
    According to FPDS, the number of protest has increased each year 
over the past two years in annual respondent and burden hours. This 
increase in current protest activity is not the result of a deliberate 
program change, but from a new estimate of actions that are not 
controllable by the Federal government. Although, the number of protest 
has increased, there has not been any change in the information being 
collected.

Analysis

    Agency: Office of Chief Procurement Officer, Acquisition Policy and 
Legislation Office, DHS.
    Title: Regulation on Agency Protests.
    OMB Number: 1600-0004.
    Frequency: Annually.
    Affected Public: Private Sector.
    Number of Respondents: 75.
    Estimated Time Per Respondent: 2 hours.
    Total Burden Hours: 150.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.00.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $0.00.

    Dated: February 14, 2011.
Richard Spires,
Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2011-4132 Filed 2-23-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-9B-P
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