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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 229 (Wednesday, November 27, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 93572-93573]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-27731]

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OMS-2024-0127; FRL-12438-01-OMS]

Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the 
Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Background 
Checks for Contractor Employees (Renewal)

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

[[Page 93573]]

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has submitted an 
information collection request (ICR), Background Checks for Contractor 
Employees (EPA ICR Number 2159.09, OMB Control Number 2030-0043) to the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in 
accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act. This is a proposed 
extension of the ICR, which is currently approved through November 30, 
2024. Public comments were previously requested via the Federal 
Register on May 29, 2024, during a 60-day comment period. This notice 
allows for 30 days for public comments.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before December 27, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, referencing Docket ID Number EPA-HQ-
OMS-2024-0127, to EPA online using www.regulations.gov (our preferred 
method), by email [email protected], or by mail to: EPA Docket Center, 
Environmental Protection Agency, Mail Code 28221T, 1200 Pennsylvania 
Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460.
    EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included in the 
public docket without change including any personal information 
provided, unless the comment includes profanity, threats, information 
claimed to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other 
information whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
    Submit written comments and recommendations to OMB for the proposed 
information collection within 30 days of publication of this notice to 
www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular information 
collection by selecting ``Currently under 30-day Review--Open for 
Public Comments'' or by using the search function.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brandon R. Hawkins, Policy and 
Oversite Branch, Office of Acquisition Solutions (3802R), Environmental 
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460; 
telephone number: 202-250-8897; email address: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a request for approval of a proposed 
extension of the ICR, which is currently approved through November 30, 
2024. An agency may not conduct, or sponsor and a person is not 
required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a 
currently valid OMB control number.
    Public comments were previously requested via the Federal Register 
on May 29, 2024 during a 60-day comment period. This notice allows for 
an additional 30 days for public comments. Supporting documents, which 
explain in detail the information that the EPA will be collecting, are 
available in the public docket for this ICR. The docket can be viewed 
online at www.regulations.gov or in person at the EPA Docket Center, 
WJC West, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC. The 
telephone number for the Docket Center is 202-566-1744. For additional 
information about EPA's public docket, visit https://www.epa.gov/dockets.
    Abstract: The EPA uses contractors to perform services throughout 
the nation with regard to environmental emergencies involving the 
release, or threatened release, of oil, radioactive materials, or 
hazardous chemicals that may potentially affect communities and the 
surrounding environment. The Agency may request contractors responding 
to any of these types of incidents to conduct background checks and 
apply Government-established suitability criteria in 5 CFR 731.104, 
Appointments Subject to Investigation; 5 CFR 732.201, Sensitivity Level 
Designations and Investigative Requirements; and 5 CFR 736.102, Notice 
to Investigative Sources when determining whether employees are 
acceptable to perform on given sites or on specific projects. In 
addition to emergency response contractors, EPA may require background 
checks for contractor personnel working in sensitive sites or sensitive 
projects. The background checks and application of the Government's 
suitability criteria must be completed prior to contract employee 
performance. The contractor shall maintain records associated with all 
background checks. Background checks cover citizenship or valid visa 
status, criminal convictions, weapons offenses, felony convictions, and 
parties prohibited from receiving Federal contracts.
    Form Numbers: None.
    Respondents/affected entities: Private Contractors.
    Respondent's obligation to respond: Required to obtain a benefit 
per 5 CFR 731.104, 732.201, and 736.102.
    Estimated number of respondents: 1,000 (total).
    Frequency of response: Triennial.
    Total estimated burden: 1,000 hours (per year). Burden is defined 
at 5 CFR 1320.03(b). Total estimated cost: $208,720 (per year), which 
includes $0 annualized capital or operation & maintenance costs.
    Changes in the Estimates: There is no change in the hours in the 
total estimated respondent burden compared with the ICR currently 
approved by OMB.

Courtney Kerwin,
Director, Information Engagement Division.
[FR Doc. 2024-27731 Filed 11-26-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
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