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[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 136 (Wednesday, July 16, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Page 41622]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-16769]

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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice: 8796]

30-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: NEA/AC 
Performance Reporting System (PRS)

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

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SUMMARY: The Department of State has submitted the information 
collection described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
for approval. 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 
30 days for public comment.

DATES: Submit comments directly to the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) up to August 15, 2014.

ADDRESSES: Direct comments to the Department of State Desk Officer in 
the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs at the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB). You may submit comments by the following 
methods:
     Email: oira_submission@omb.eop.gov. You must include the 
DS form number, information collection title, and the OMB control 
number in the subject line of your message.
     Fax: 202-395-5806. Attention: Desk Officer for Department 
of State.

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, 
Assistance Coordination Office, 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/AC Performance 
Reporting System (PRS).
     OMB Control Number: 1405-0183.
     Type of Request: Extension.
     Originating Office: NEA/AC.
     Form Number: DS-4127.
     Respondents: Recipients of NEA/AC grants.
     Estimated Number of Respondents: 125 respondents annually.
     Estimated Number of Responses: 500 per year.
     Average Time per Response: 20 hours.
     Total Estimated Burden Time: 10,000 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

    The Assistance Coordination (AC) Office, established in June 2014, 
coordinates United States government foreign assistance in the Middle 
East and North Africa region for the Department of State, and manages 
the implementation of all the assistance functions within the 
Department of State's Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs. In fiscal year 
2014, the AC office will obligate over $120 million 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. Department of State is required to collect, 
periodic program and financial performance reports. The responsibility 
of the 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 NEA/AC 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, and other business information related to AC 
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.

    Dated: July 8, 2014.
Catherine Bourgeois,
Chief of Staff, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, NEA/AC Department of 
State.
[FR Doc. 2014-16769 Filed 7-15-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-31-P
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