[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 52 (Tuesday, March 18, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12789-12790]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-6731]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Research Service


Notice of Intent to Seek Approval to Collect Information

AGENCY: Agricultural Research Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. 
L. 104-13) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations at 5 
CFR part 1320 (60 FR 44978, August 29, 1995), this notice announces the

[[Page 12790]]

Agricultural Research Service's (ARS) intention to request approval for 
a new information collection from applicants for Federal financial 
assistance, in order to ensure compliance with civil rights laws and 
regulations.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by May 22, 1997 to be 
assured of consideration.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Gene P. Spory, Associate 
Deputy Administrator, Financial Management, Agricultural Research 
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 6303 Ivy Lane, Room 820, 
Greenbelt, Md. 20770-1433, (301) 344-8106.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

    Title: Application for ARS funding for grants and assistance-type 
cooperative agreements.
    Type of Request: Approval to collect information regarding 
applicants for Federally funded programs.
    Abstract: ARS's Federally assisted programs consist of the 
following types of extramural awards executed under the requirements of 
Public Law 95-224, Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreement Act of 1977:
    1. Grants and Assistance-Type Cooperative Agreements awarded in 
support of basic or applied research.
    2. Grants awarded in support of research conferences and 
symposiums, and other non-research activity.
    The U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, has 
determined that ARS has the responsibility to collect such data from 
entities that have applied or received Federal assistance in the form 
of grants or assistance-type cooperative agreements in order to ensure 
compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of 
the Education Amendments of 1972, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. 
Together, these acts prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, 
color, national origin, sex, or disability in any program receiving 
Federal financial assistance.
    ARS's data collection duties are pursuant to 28 CFR part 42 
Secs. 42.401-42.415), which the Department of Justice references as the 
legal basis regarding Title VI for all Federal agencies extending 
Federal assistance. The purpose of part 42 is ``to insure that Federal 
agencies which extend financial assistance properly enforce Title VI of 
the Civil Rights Act of 1964.'' Part 42 further states that Federal 
agencies which extend financial assistance have the responsibility to 
enforce Title VI, in accordance with the authority under Executive 
Order 12250. In addition, the Department of Agriculture's Title VI 
regulations at 7 CFR 15.5(a) require the ARS, as the administering 
agency to conduct compliance reviews of the practices of recipients of 
ARS grants and assistance-type cooperative agreements to determine 
compliance with requirements of Title VI.
    Furthermore, the Department of Agriculture is responsible for 
ensuring compliance with Title IX pursuant to Executive Order 12250, 45 
CFR 86.1 et seq., and 7 CFR 15a.1 et seq., and compliance with the 
Rehabilitation Act pursuant to Executive Order 12250, 28 CFR 41.1 et 
seq., and 7 CFR 15b.1 et seq.
    Data requested to assure compliance with these Civil Rights Acts 
and regulations include (1) race, ethnic, sex, and disability 
information on employees conducting the research, and membership of 
planning and advisory bodies, and (2) other information necessary to 
effectively enforce Title VI, Title IX, and the Rehabilitation Act.
    Information to be obtained from the public includes: Project 
Proposal; Application for Funding; Budget Information; Other Federal 
Financial Assistance Support; Research Assurance Statement; Civil 
Rights Assurance Certification; Certification Regarding Debarment and 
Suspension; Certification Regarding Drug-Free Workplace; Certification 
Requirements Related to Lobbying.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average four hours per set, including the 
time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, 
gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing 
the collection of information.
    Respondents: Universities, animal and plant research scientists and 
individuals who perform research relevant to the mission of ARS.
    Estimated Number of respondents: 200.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 800 hours.
    Copies of the information to be collected can be obtained from Gene 
P. Spory, Associate Deputy Administrator, Financial Management, at 
(301) 344-8106.
    Comments: Comments are invited on (a) whether the proposed 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
the functions of the agency, including whether the information will 
have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of 
the burden of the proposed collection of information including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance 
the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; 
and (d) ways to minimize the burden on those who are to respond, such 
as through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or 
other technological collection techniques. Comments may be sent to Gene 
P. Spory, Associate Deputy Administrator, Financial Management, ARS, 
U.S. Department of Agriculture, 6303 Ivy Lane, Room 820, Greenbelt, MD 
20770-1433. All responses to this notice will be summarized and 
included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will also become 
a matter of public record.

    Signed at Washington, D.C.
Gene P. Spory,
Associate Deputy Administrator, Financial Management.
[FR Doc. 97-6731 Filed 3-17-97; 8:45 am]
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