[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 59 (Thursday, March 27, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14664-14666]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-7806]


========================================================================
Notices
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, 
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
appearing in this section.

========================================================================


Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 59 / Thursday, March 27, 1997 / 
Notices

[[Page 14664]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

March 21, 1997.
    The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following 
information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments 
regarding (a) whether the 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 burden including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) ways to 
minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are 
to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology should be addressed to: Desk 
Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affiars, 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Washington, D.C. 20503 and to 
Department clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, 
D.C. 20250-7602. Comments regarding these information collections are 
best assured of having their full effect if received within 30 days of 
this notification. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by 
calling (202) 720-6204 or (202) 720-6746.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information 
unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB 
control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to 
respond to the collection of information that such persons are not 
required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays 
a currently valid OMB control number.

<bullet> Agricultural Marketing Service

    Title: Specified Commodities Imported into the United States Exempt 
from Import Requirements, 7 CFR 944, 980, and 999.
    OMB Control Number: 0581-0167.
    Summary: Importers and receivers provide specific information on 
agricultural commodities, such as product, variety, place of 
inspection, quantity and intended use.
    Need and Use of the Information: The information is collected to 
make sure that agricultural products exempt from established grade, 
size, quality and maturity requirements are used for specified exempt 
purposes.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; not-for-
profit institutions..
    Number of Respondents: 714.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 303.

<bullet> Procurement and Property Management

    Title: Procurement: Key Personnel Clause.
    OMB Control Number: 0505-0015.
    Summary: The contributions of certain contractor employees may be 
critical to the success of work contracted for by USDA.
    Need and Use of the Information: Contracting officers need to 
collect information about changes in contractor personnel to ensure 
satisfactory performance. The contracting officer needs this 
information to determine whether the departure of a key person from the 
contractor's staff could make a deleterious effect upon contact 
performance, and to determine what accommodation or remedies may be 
taken.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; not-for-
profit institutions; Federal Government; State, Local or Tribal 
Government.
    Number of Respondents: 200.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 200.

<bullet> Procurement and Property Management

    Title: Procurement: Progress Reporting Clause.
    OMB Control Number: 0505-0016.
    Summary: In order to administer contacts for research and 
development or for advisory and assistance services, contracting 
officers need information about contractor progress in performing the 
contracts.
    Need and Use of the Information: If contracting officers could not 
obtain progress report information, they would have to physically 
monitor the contractor's operations on a day to day basis throughout 
the performance period. The information is used to compare actual 
progress and expenditures to anticipated performance and contractors 
representation on which the award was based.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; not-for-
profit institutions; Federal Government; State, Local or Tribal 
Government.
    Number of Respondents: 200.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Monthly, Quarterly.
    Total Burden Hours: 3,600.

<bullet> Procurement and Property Management

    Title: Procurement: Maximum Workweek--Construction Schedule.
    OMB Control Number: 0505-0011.
    Summary: When USDA contracts for construction services, both the 
contacting office and the contractor need to establish a work schedule. 
Contracting officers put the Maximum Workweek--Construction Schedule 
clause in solicitations and contracts for construction when the 
contractor's access to the work site may be restricted.
    Need and Use of the Information: Schedule information allows the 
office to assign inspectors or representatives to the site when the 
contractor is actually working on the site.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Federal 
Government.
    Number of Respondents: 600.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting; on occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 150.

<bullet> Procurement and Property Management

    Title: Procurement: Brand Name or Equal Provision and Clause.
    OMB Control Number: 0505-0014.
    Summary: When it issues a formal solicitation to acquire products, 
the contracting office includes a specification or purchase description 
in the solicitation which describes the

[[Page 14665]]

product sought and desired characteristics of the product.
    Need and Use of the Information: The contracting officer needs 
information about the salient characteristics of an offeror's product 
to evaluate whether the offered product is equal to the benchmark 
product.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Federal 
Government.
    Number of Respondents: 74,838.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 7,484.

<bullet> Procurement and Property Management

    Title: Procurement: Instruction for the Preparation of Business and 
Technical Proposals.
    OMB Control Number: 0505-0013.
    Summary: Contracting officers insert this clause in solicitation 
for products or services which will be awarded by negotiation.
    Need and Use of the Information: The contracting officer needs 
business information from the offeror to evaluate the offeror's 
capability and responsibility. The technical proposal together with the 
offeror's pricing is needed to select the offeror who will be awarded a 
contract.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Not-for-
profit institutions; Federal Government; State, Local or Tribal 
Government.
    Number of Respondents: 3,200.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 112,000.

<bullet> Farm Service Agency

    Title: Request for Direct Loan Assistance.
    OMB Control Number: 0560-0167.
    Summary: Form FSA 410-1, ``Request for Direct Loan Assistance,'' is 
needed to collect information for making eligibility and financial 
feasibility determinations on respondents request for direct new loans 
and for currently indebted borrowers, loan servicing/assistance 
authorizes under the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, and 
amended.
    Need and Use of the Information: The collected information is used 
to make eligibility and financial feasibility determinations.
    Description of Respondents: Farms; Individuals or households; 
Business or other for-profit; Federal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 44,200.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 45,760.

<bullet> Rural Housing Service

    Title: 7 CFR 1944-E, Rural Rental and Cooperative Housing Loan 
Policies, Procedures, and Authorizations.
    OMB Control Number: 0575-0047.
    Summary: Information collected includes an application, plans for 
community development and compliance with fair housing laws, 
specifications for proposed housing units and costs associated with the 
project.
    Need and Use of the Information: The information is used to 
evaluate the cost benefits, feasibility, and financial performance of 
the proposed project, as well as the eligibility of the applicant.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; 
Individuals or households; Not-for-profit institutions; State, Local or 
Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 1,000.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 56,434.

<bullet> Agricultural Marketing Service

    Title: Nectarines Grown in California--Marketing Order No. 916.
    OMB Control Number: 0581-0072.
    Summary: Information is collected from growers and handlers to 
nominate committee members, conduct referenda, and specific information 
related to product shipped.
    Need and Use of the Information: The information is used to 
regulate the provisions of Marketing Order No. 916.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Farms.
    Number of Respondents: 1,131.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 1,085.

<bullet> Farm Service Agency

    Title: Peanut Quota Regulations for the 1996 through 2002 crops, 7 
CFR 729--Addendum.
    OMB Control Number: 0560-0006.
    Summary: The information relative to reports and recordkeeping for 
Form FSA-377 as authorized by the Secretary is used by FSA to obtain a 
list of producers requesting an out-of-county transfer and when a 
letter, is required to use the register to obtain the names of 
producers for inclusion in the lottery.
    Need and Use of the Information: Without the collection of 
information, the affected county FSA offices would have to monitor the 
approved transfers and terminate such approvals when the transfer limit 
was reached. This result would cause producers requesting transfers to 
be approved on a first-come, first-serve basis. USDA has determined 
that such process would be unfair and difficult to administer at the 
county level and by regulation has established a selection by lot as 
the method for limiting out-of-county transfers.
    Description of Respondents: Farms; Federal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 1,000.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 352,900.
    Emergency processing of this submission has been requested by April 
15, 1997.

<bullet> Rural Housing Service

    Title: 7 CFR 3570-B ``Community Facilities Grant Program.''
    OMB Control Number: 0575-None.
    Summary: The information collection includes an agreement for 
administrative requirements and a statement of inability to obtain 
credit from other sources.
    Need and Use of the Information: The information is used to fulfill 
the requirements for the community facilities grant program.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; State, 
Local or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 200.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 438.
    Emergency Processing of This Submission Has Been Requested By March 
28, 1997.

<bullet> Rural Utilities Service

    Title: Certification of Authority.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0074.
    Summary: Form RUS 675 provides names of individuals in cooperatives 
who are authorized to sign RUS forms in connection with requisitioning 
and accounting for construction loan funds.
    Need and Use of the Information: The information is used to keep 
RUS up-to-date on any changes in signature authority and controls the 
release of funds only to authorized borrowers representatives.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 490.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 49.

<bullet> Rural Housing Service

    Title: 7 CFR 1924-A, ``Planning and Performing Construction and 
Other Development.''
    OMB Control Number: 0575-0042.
    Summary: Information is collected to describe the planned 
construction and development work, to describe materials used in 
construction or repair, to certify payments made, to provide drawings 
and specifications, and cost estimates.

[[Page 14666]]

    Need and Use of the Information: The information is used by RHS to 
determine whether a loan/grant can be approved, to ensure that RHS had 
adequate security for the loans financed and to provide for sound 
construction and development work.
    Description of Respondents: Individuals and households; business or 
other for-profit; not-for-profit institutions; farms.
    Number of Respondents: 23,223.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 111,882.

<bullet> Food and Consumer Service

    Title: School Nutrition Study.
    OMB Control Number: 0584-New.
    Summary: This proposed study is designed to examine meals offered 
by and characteristics of school nutrition programs. Data will be 
collected from a nationally representative sample of public elementary, 
middle and high schools during the fall of the 1997-98 school year.
    Need and Use of the Information: The data collection and analysis 
will provide USDA with an up-to-date assessment of the progress of the 
nation's schools implementing the Dietary Guidelines and Recommended 
Daily Allowances in school meats.
    Description of Respondents: State, Local, or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 1,581.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: One-time only.
    Total Burden Hours: 9,482.
Donald Hulcher,
Deputy Departmental Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 97-7806 Filed 3-26-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-01-M