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###### Department of State

          - [Public Notice: 6216]

# ACTION:

Notice of request for public comment and submission to OMB of proposed collection of information.

# SUMMARY:

The Department of State has submitted the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
      -  Title of Information Collection:                          NEA/PI Online Performance Reporting System (PRS).                    
      -  OMB Control Number:                          none.                    
      -  Type of Request:                          New collection.                    
      -  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:                          5600 hours per year.                    
      -  Frequency:                          Quarterly.                    
      -  Obligation to Respond:                          Required to Obtain or Retain a Benefit.                    

# DATE(S):

Submit comments to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for up to 30 days from May 7, 2008.

# ADDRESSES:

Direct comments and questions to Katherine Astrich, the Department of State Desk Officer in the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), who may be reached at 202-395-4718.  You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
      - E-mail: kastrich@omb.eop.gov.                          You must include the DS form number, information collection title, and OMB control number in the subject line of your message.                    
      - Mail (paper, disk, or CD-ROM submissions): Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 725 17th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20503.
      - Fax: 202-395-6974.

# 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 George Wilson, 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 202-776-8641 or at                         *wilsongr@state.gov.*

# SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department to:
    - Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is necessary to properly perform 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.

## Abstract of Proposed Collection

Since 2002, MEPI has obligated more than $430 million to over 250 organizations, who carry out more than 370 projects in support of the empowerment of women and political, economic, and education reform in 20 countries of the Middle East and North Africa.  As a 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 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 is entered into PRS electronically by respondents.  Non-respondents submit their quarterly reports on paper.

      ( print page 25822)    
Dated:  April 16, 2008.

Barbara Hibben, 

Deputy Director, Office of the Middle East Partnership Initiative, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, U.S. Department of State.

 [FR Doc. E8-10115 Filed 5-6-08; 8:45 am]

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