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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 237 (Tuesday, December 10, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 99325-99327]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-28921]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket No. FRA-2024-0007]

Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment 
Request

AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment.

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SUMMARY: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) and its 
implementing regulations, this notice announces that FRA is forwarding 
the Information Collection Request (ICR) summarized below to the Office 
of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR 
describes the information collection and its expected burden. On 
October 4, 2024, FRA published a notice providing a 60-day period for 
public comment on the ICR. FRA received no comments in response to the 
notice.

DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before 
January 9, 2025.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed ICR 
should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to 
www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find the particular ICR by selecting 
``Currently under Review--Open for Public Comments'' or by using the 
search function.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Arlette Mussington, Information 
Collection Clearance Officer, at email: [email protected] or 
telephone: (571) 609-1285 or Ms. Joanne Swafford, Information 
Collection Clearance Officer, at email: [email protected] or 
telephone: (757) 897-9908.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The PRA, 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520, and its 
implementing regulations, 5 CFR part 1320, require Federal agencies to 
issue two notices seeking public comment on information collection 
activities before OMB may approve paperwork packages. See 44 U.S.C. 
3506, 3507; 5 CFR 1320.8 through 1320.12. On October 4, 2024, FRA 
published a 60-day notice in the Federal Register soliciting public 
comment on the ICR for which it is now seeking OMB approval. See 89 FR 
80983. FRA has received no comments related to the proposed collection 
of information.
    Before OMB decides whether to approve this proposed collection of 
information, it must provide 30 days' notice for public comment. 
Federal law requires OMB to approve or disapprove paperwork packages 
between 30 and 60 days after the 30-day notice is published. 44 U.S.C. 
3507(b)-(c); 5 CFR 1320.12(d); see also 60 FR 44978, 44983, Aug. 29, 
1995. The 30-day notice informs the regulated community of its 
opportunity to file relevant comments and affords the agency adequate 
time to consider public comments before it renders a decision. 60 FR 
44983, Aug. 29, 1995. Therefore, each respondent should submit their 
comments to OMB within 30 days of publication to best ensure having 
their full effect.
    Comments are invited on the following ICR regarding: (1) whether 
the information collection activities are necessary for FRA to properly 
execute its functions, including whether the information will have 
practical utility; (2) the accuracy of FRA's estimates of the burden of 
the information collection activities, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used to determine the estimates; (3) ways 
for FRA to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information 
being collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of information 
collection activities on the public, including the use of automated 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
    The summary below describes the ICR that FRA will submit for OMB 
clearance as the PRA requires:
    Title: Grants Management Requirements for Federal Railroad 
Administration. Grant Awards and Cooperative Agreements.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0615.
    Abstract: FRA solicits grant applications through a multitude of 
grant programs for projects including, but not limited to, 
preconstruction planning activities, safety improvements, congestion 
relief, improvement of grade crossings, rail line relocation, as well 
as projects that encourage development, expansion, and upgrades to 
passenger and freight rail infrastructure and services. FRA funds 
projects that meet FRA and government-wide evaluation standards and 
align with the DOT Strategic Plan.
    FRA requires systematic and uniform collection and submission of 
information, as approved by OMB, to ensure accountability of Federal 
assistance provided by FRA. Through this information collection, FRA 
will measure Federal award recipients' performance and results, 
including expenditures in support of agreed-upon activities and 
allowable costs outlined in the standard FRA Notice of Grant Award sent 
to the recipients.
    This information collection includes OMB-required reports and 
documentation, as well as additional forms and submissions to compile 
data relevant to addressing FRA's important policy challenges, 
promoting cost-effectiveness in FRA programs, and providing effective 
oversight of programmatic and financial performance. FRA issues and 
manages awards in compliance with 2 CFR part 200; Uniform 
Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements 
for Federal Awards.
    In this 30-day notice, after a thorough review, FRA has adjusted 
the previously

[[Page 99326]]

reported number of burden hours and responses that were published in 
the 60-day notice on October 4, 2024.\1\ As a result, the adjustments 
have decreased the requested burden hours from 28,869 to 21,173, and 
responses from 11,001 to 4,762. Details of the adjustments are outlined 
in the following statements below:
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    \1\ 89 FR 80983.
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     In previously reported submissions, FRA determined that 
burden hours associated with Standard Forms SF 270; SF 424; SF 424A; SF 
424B; SF 424C; SF 424D; SF 425; and SF LLL were included as part of the 
total estimated burden hours, which added additional hours to the ICR. 
However, FRA determined that it was more appropriate for the burden 
hours for the SF forms to accounted for only once under the host OMB 
control number. Accordingly, FRA has removed the previously reported 
burden hours of the Standard Forms from this ICR renewal submission.
     Discontinuance of FRA F 6180.229 NIST Manufacturing 
Extension partnership Supplier Scouting. As part of the implementation 
of the Build America, Buy America (BABA), federal agencies are required 
to coordinate with the National Institute of Standards and Technology--
Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NIST-MEP) to conduct supplier 
scouting efforts when federal agencies anticipate the need to waiver 
either BABA or Buy America requirements for federally funded projects. 
The NIST-MEP has requested that federal agencies direct project 
sponsors and the manufacturers of non-compliant components to engage 
directly with them to conduct this supplier scouting effort. As such, 
FRA no longer plans to collect information on the FRA F 6180.229 at 
this time and thus, proposes to remove the burden hours associated with 
the form, as this burden will be captured by the NIST-MEP.
    Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Form(s): FRA F 6180.30; FRA F 6180.31 (revised); FRA F 6180.32; FRA 
F 6180.33; FRA F 6180.34 (revised); FRA F 6180.217; FRA F 6180.251; FRA 
F 6180.252; Plus, one new form FRA F 6180.288 (new).
    Affected Public: Generally, includes States, local governments, and 
railroads.
    Frequency of Submission: Varied; on occasion/monthly.
    Reporting Burden: For transparency FRA is republishing the burden 
table to show the corrected burden table.

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                                                                                                        Average time                       Total cost
              Form name                       Form No.             Grant activity/       Respondent     per response    Total annual     equivalent in
                                                                       process            universe       (in hours)     burden hours      U.S. dollar
                                                                                                  (A)             (B)     (C = A * B)      (D = C * wage
                                                                                                                                              rates) \2\
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Applicant Financial Capability        FRA F 6180.251.........  Application...........           1,000               2           2,000           $123,700
 Questionnaire.
FRA Assurances and Certifications     FRA F 6180.30..........  Application...........           1,000            0.25             250          15,462.50
 Regarding Lobbying; Debarment,
 Suspension and Other Responsibility
 Matters and Drug-Free Workplace
 Requirements.
Pre-Award Authority Request--Project  FRA F 6180.288.........  Pre-Award.............             100               3             300          18,555.00
 Sponsors that wish to incur pre-
 award expenses can apply for pre-
 award authority. (New Form).
Payment Summary Spreadsheet.........  FRA F 6180.252.........  Awards & Maintenance..             860            0.50             430          26,595.50
Quarterly Progress Report \3\ (FRA F  FRA F 6180.34..........  Awards & Maintenance..             500               2           1,000          61,850.00
 6180.34; new awards) Revised form.
Quarterly Progress Report \4\ (FRA F  FRA F 6180.34..........  Awards & Maintenance..             864               2           1,728         106,876.80
 6180.34; existing recipients)
 Revised form.
Grant Adjustment Request Form (GARF)  FRA F 6180.31..........  Awards & Maintenance..             212               1             212          13,112.20
 Revised form.
Service Outcome Agreement (SOA)       FRA F 6180.32..........  Awards & Maintenance..              24               1              24           1,484.40
 Annual Reporting.
Certification of Compliance or Non-   Narrative Request......  Buy America Component.              15               4              60           3,711.00
 Compliance with Buy America
 Requirements for Steel, Iron,
 Construction Materials, and
 Manufactured Products being
 produced by Awardee (narrative
 request).
Certification of Compliance with Buy  Narrative Request......  Buy America Component.               1              62              62           3,834.79
 America for Rolling Stock
 (narrative request).
Waivers--Requests/Applications for    Narrative Request......  Buy America Component.              15              80           1,200          74,220.00
 Waivers, excluding FRA Form 229
 (narrative request).
Awardee Investigations (including     Narrative Request......  Buy America Component.               3             333             999          61,788.15
 FRA initiated investigations).
Awardee direct reply to FRA after     Narrative Request......  Buy America Component.               2               1               2             123.70
 request to conduct investigation of
 bidder/offeror (narrative request).
Additional Documents to FRA from      Narrative Request......  Buy America Component.               1               4               4             247.40
 Awardee/Investigated Party
 (narrative request).
Transmission of Awardee/Bidder/       Narrative Request......  Buy America Component.               1               4               4             247.40
 Offeror Reply to Petitioner
 (narrative request).
Awardee/Investigated Bidder/Offeror   Narrative Request......  Buy America Component.               1               8               8             494.80
 response to Petitioner Comment
 (narrative request).
Written request to FRA for            Narrative Request......  Buy America Component.               1               4               4             247.40
 information bearing on substance of
 investigation which has been
 submitted by petitioner, interested
 parties, or awardees (narrative
 request).
Detailed Statement to FRA Regarding   Narrative Request......  Buy America Component.               1               8               8             494.80
 Confidentiality of Previously
 Submitted Information to Agency
 (narrative request).

[[Page 99327]]

 
Awardee Determination to make award   Narrative Request......  Buy America Component.               1              40              40           2,474.00
 before resolution of investigation
 one of these sections specified
 reasons (narrative request).
Notification to FRA by Awardee to     Narrative Request......  Buy America Component.               1               1               1              61.85
 make award during pendency of
 investigation (narrative request).
Request to FRA for Reconsideration    Narrative Request......  Buy America Component.               1              80              80           4,948.00
 of Initial Decision by Party
 Involved in Investigations
 (narrative request).
Pre-Award Audit (narrative request).  Narrative Request......  Buy America Component.               1              33              33           2,041.05
Final Contract between Awardee and    Narrative Request......  Buy America Component.               1              16              16             989.60
 Bidder/Offeror (narrative request).
Post Award Audit (narrative request)  Narrative Request......  Buy America Component.               1             256             256          15,833.60
Rolling Stock Domestic Content        Narrative Request......  Buy America Component.               1             120             120           7,422.00
 Improvement Plans (narrative
 request).
Categorical Exclusion (Worksheet)...  FRA F 6180.217.........  Awards & Maintenance..              75             156          11,700         723,645.00
Final Performance Report............  FRA F 33...............  Closeout..............              79               8             632          39,089.20
                                                                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total \5\.......................  .......................  ......................           4,762  ..............          21,173          1,309,550
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    Total Estimated Annual Responses: 4,762.
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    \2\ The dollar equivalent cost is derived from the May 2023 
Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), using the 
median hourly wage rate for a Management Analyst 13-1111 of 47.80, 
plus an overhead rate of 29.4% (Employer Costs for Employee 
Compensation--June 2023) for a fully burdened wage rate of 47.80 + 
14.05 = 61.85.
    \3\ 125 new awardees submit each quarter--125 x 4 = 500 
respondents.
    \4\ 216 existing awardees submit each quarter--216 x 4 = 864 
respondents.
    \5\ Total may not add up due to rounding.
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    Total Estimated Annual Burden: 21,173 hours.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden Hour Dollar Cost Equivalent: 
$1,309,550.
    FRA informs all interested parties that it may not conduct or 
sponsor, and a respondent is not required to respond to, a collection 
of information that does not display a currently valid OMB control 
number.
    Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520.

Christopher S. Van Nostrand,
Deputy Chief Counsel.
[FR Doc. 2024-28921 Filed 12-9-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P
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