[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 123 (Friday, June 26, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34849-34850]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-17044]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Minority Business Development Agency


Phoenix (Formerly Automated Business Enterprise Locator System 
(ABELS)) and Opportunity Databases

ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.

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

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before August 25, 1998.

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to Juanita Berry, Minority Business Development Agency 
(MBDA), Room 5084, Washington, D.C. 20230, or call (202) 482-0404.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Phoenix database constitutes the Minority Business Development 
Agency's (MBDA) listing of ethnic minority-owned businesses doing 
business in the United States. Phoenix information is gathered on-line 
via the Internet's World Wide Web (WWW). The information entered in the 
Phoenix database will be used to assist minority enterprises with 
marketing of goods and services. The Opportunity database is a listing 
of contract and other business opportunities posted on the MBDA Website 
(www.mbda.gov) by public and private entities. Using a database engine 
and special software, the system will match contract opportunities with 
eligible minority companies listed in the Phoenix database. The purpose 
for collecting this information will be to enable entities with an 
interest in contracting with a minority firm to identify and qualify 
potential minority contractors according to various criteria. MBDA will 
use the Phoenix database in conjunction with the Opportunity database 
to refer listed minority companies contract and other business 
opportunities via email and fax. Specific information on the 
Opportunity form, such as ``key words'' and NAICS (North American 
Industrial Code Standards) codes, will be compared with like 
information contained in the Phoenix database of minority companies. 
When a match is made, the eligible minority companies will be notified 
of any contract opportunity and the offeror of the opportunity will be 
notified of any eligible minority companies.

II. Method of Collection

    The system resides on Y2K (year 2000) compliant platform connected 
to the service-provider network via the Internet and virtual private 
network.

[[Page 34850]]

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0640-0002.
    Type of Review: Regular.
    Burden: 5,000.
    Affected Public: Individuals, State or local government, Federal 
agencies, and profit and non-profit institutions.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 20,000.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 15 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 5,000.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost Per Respondent: $0--no capital 
expenditures are necessary to respond.

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.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: June 22, 1998.
Wilson D. Haigler,
Chief, Management Control Division, Office of Management and 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 98-17044 Filed 6-25-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-21-P