[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 22 (Monday, February 3, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 5072]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-2516]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Agency Information Collection: Submission for OMB Review; Comment 
Request

AGENCY: Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, 
Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization 
(OSDBU), Department of Veterans Affairs, has submitted to the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) the following proposal for the collection 
of information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 
U.S.C. Chapter 35).
    OMB Control Number: 2900-0444.
    Title and Form Number: VAAR Subpart 819.70, Veteran-Owned and 
Operated Small Business, (Exceptions to SF 18 and SF 129).
    Type of Review: Reinstatement with change, of a previously approved 
collection for which approval has expired.
    Need and Uses: Public Law 93-237, amended the Small Business Act by 
directing the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to give 
``special consideration'' to veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces in all 
SBA programs. The VA adopted the ``special consideration'' philosophy 
and has directed all VA contracting activities to take affirmative 
action to solicit and assist Vietnam Era and disabled veteran-owned 
small businesses to participate in the VA acquisition process. This 
action established the VA Vietnam Era and Disabled Veteran-Owned Small 
Business Outreach Program. The VA did receive OMB approval to modify SF 
18, Request for Quotations, and SF 129, Solicitation Mailing List 
Application, to include Vietnam Era and disabled veteran-owned 
information. The Secretary approved an initiative to expand the Vietnam 
Era and Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Outreach Program to 
include all veteran-owned small businesses. Title 38 U.S.C., vests the 
Secretary with broad authority and responsibility to assist veterans. 
Therefore, the VA requests that OMB approval be granted to include 
veteran-owned businesses in addition to Vietnam Era and disabled 
veteran-owned businesses information on SF 18 and SF 129. The 
information requested will be a self certification that a firm is 
veteran-owned. It allows the VA to ensure that eligible veteran-owned 
firms are given an opportunity to participate in the VA acquisition 
process and to monitor our success in implementing these regulatory 
provisions. The information requested on the SF 18 and SF 129 will be 
solicited from the respondents on a voluntary basis and will be used by 
the VA to identify veteran-owned businesses to ensure eligible veteran-
owned firms are given an opportunity to participate in VA solicitations 
for good and services. Without this information there would be no way 
for the VA to properly monitor this program.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 4,727 hours.
    Estimated Average Burden Per Respondent: Additional burden imposed 
on SF 18 and SF 129 is 5 seconds.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 3,403,500.

ADDRESSES: A copy of this submission may be obtained from Ron Taylor, 
VA Clearance Officer (045A4), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 
Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420, (202) 273-8015.
    Comments and recommendations concerning this submission should be 
directed to VA's OMB Desk Officer, Allison Eydt, OMB Human Resources 
and Housing Branch, New Executive Office Building, Room 10235, 
Washington, DC 20503 (202) 395-4650. DO NOT send requests for benefits 
to this address.

DATES: Comments on the information collection should be directed to the 
OMB Desk Officer by March 5, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ron Taylor, VA Clearance Officer 
(045A4), (202) 273-8015.

    Dated: January 13, 1997.

    By direction of the Secretary.
Donald L. Neilson,
Director, Information Management Service.
[FR Doc. 97-2516 Filed 1-31-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P