```

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 60 (Friday, March 28, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17636-17637]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-06964]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 8674]

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

ACTION: Notice of request for public comment.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Department of State is seeking Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) approval for the information collection described below. 
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we are 
requesting comments on this collection from all interested individuals 
and organizations. The purpose of this notice is to allow 60 days for 
public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.

DATES: The Department will accept comments from the public up to May 
27, 2014.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
     Web: Persons with access to the Internet may use the 
Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) to comment on this notice by 
going to www.Regulations.gov. You can search for the document by 
entering ``Public Notice '' in the 
Search bar. If necessary, use the Narrow by Agency filter option on the 
Results page.
     Email: mepidatabasecomments@state.gov.
     Mail (paper, disk, or CD-ROM submissions): Catherine 
Bourgeois, Deputy Director, 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.
     Fax: 202-647-8445.
     Hand Delivery or Courier: 2430 E St. NW., (23rd and D St. 
NW.), Navy Hill--SA-4--Central, Second Floor, Washington, DC 20037.
    You must include the DS form number (if applicable), information 
collection title, and the OMB control number in any correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Direct requests for additional 
information regarding the collection listed in this notice, including 
requests for copies of the proposed collection instrument and 
supporting documents, to Markita Cooke, 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 202-776-8309 or at 
CookeMA@state.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
 Title of Information Collection: NEA/PI Online Performance 
Reporting System (PRS).
 OMB Control Number: 1405-0183.
 Type of Request: Extension.
 Originating Office: NEA/PI.
 Form Number: DS-4127.
 Respondents: Recipients of NEA/PI grants.
 Estimated Number of Respondents: 75 respondents annually.
 Estimated Number of Responses: 300 per year.
 Average Time per Response: 20 hours.
 Total Estimated Burden Time: 6000 hours.
 Frequency: quarterly.
 Obligation To Respond: Required to Obtain or Retain a Benefit.
    We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department to:
     Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is 
necessary for the proper functions of the Department.
     Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the time and cost 
burden for this 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 
information technology.
    Please note that comments submitted in response to this Notice are 
public record. Before including any detailed personal information, you 
should be aware that your comments as submitted, including your 
personal information, will be available for public review.

Abstract of Proposed Collection

    Since 2002, MEPI has obligated more than $800 million to over 725 
organizations, which carry out more than 1,000 projects in support of 
political, economic, education and women's rights reform in 20 
countries of the Middle East and North Africa. As a normal course of 
business and in compliance with 22 U.S.C. 2395(b) and 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.
    Additional Information:

[[Page 17637]]

    Dated: March 21, 2014.
Catherine Bourgeois,
Deputy Director, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, NEA/PI, Department of 
State.
[FR Doc. 2014-06964 Filed 3-27-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-31-P
```