[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 93 (Thursday, May 14, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26772-26773]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-12892]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Office of the Secretary


Women-Owned Small Business Sources

ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce a paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on 
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506 
(c)(2) (A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before July 13, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier, 
Departmental Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 5327, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to Ms. Deborah O'Neill, Department of Commerce, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue, NW, Room 6422,

[[Page 26773]]

Washington, DC 20230. Her telephone number is (202) 482-0202.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    This information is collected in order to respond to the Executive 
Order 12138 to promote women-owned business enterprises. Additionally, 
it is the intent of Congress to promote federal contracting 
opportunities for women-owned businesses as expressed in the proposed 
legislation in H.R. 3517, ``The Women's Business Procurement Assistance 
Act.'' The Department of Commerce through its use of the clause 
entitled ``Women-Owned Small Business Sources'' in certain Commerce 
contracts, implements this policy and encourages the use of women-owned 
small businesses in its acquisition programs. The Department currently 
provides opportunities to women-owned businesses on their mailing lists 
to receive solicitations for contracts. By allowing these firms to 
compete for, and receive, a fair proportion of the Department's 
contracts, it reduces a significant economic impact on a substantial 
number of small entities. This clause is used by the Federal 
Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Clause 52.219-9, entitled ``Small, Small 
Disadvantaged and Women-Owned Small Business Subcontracting Plan'' for 
all negotiated contracts with large businesses which exceed $500,000. 
The FAR clause requires the successful offeror to negotiate a small 
business and small disadvantaged subcontracting plan which provides 
subcontracting goals for utilization of both small businesses and small 
disadvantaged concerns. The Department of Commerce clause adds the 
requirement to include subcontracting goals for women-owned businesses 
in these subcontracting plans. The clause also requires the contractors 
to maintain lists of qualified potential women-owned firms. The 
Commerce Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) 
provides assistance to the contractors in complying with the required 
list of potential subcontractors. They also submit the Department's 
proposal goals for award of contracts and subcontracts for women-owned 
businesses to the Small Business Administration (SBA).

II. Method of Collection

    Written submission.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0605-0019.
    Form Number: N/A.
    Type of Review: Regular submission for extension of a currently 
approved collection.
    Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profit and not-for-profit 
institutions.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 20.
    Estimated Time per Response: 12.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 240.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: $0 (no capital expenditures are 
required).

IV. Request for 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 shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be 
summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this 
information collection; they will also become a matter of public 
record.

    Dated: May 7, 1998.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 98-12892 Filed 5-13-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-EC-U