[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 106 (Friday, June 1, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 29763]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-13781]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food and Nutrition Service


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request--Evaluation of the Prime Vendor Pilot Project

AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the Food and Nutrition Service's intention to request 
Office of Management and Budget approval of data collection instruments 
for the Evaluation of the Prime Vendor Pilot Project.

DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by July 31, 
2001.

ADDRESSES: 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 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 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.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval. All 
comments will also become a matter of public record.
    Comments may be sent to: Alberta C. Frost, Director, Office of 
Analysis, Nutrition and Evaluation, Food and Nutrition Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, 3101 Park Center Drive, Alexandria, VA 
22302.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the proposed information collection forms should be directed 
to Alberta C. Frost (703) 305-2117.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Evaluation of the Prime Vendor Pilot Project--Data 
Collection Instruments.
    OMB Number: Not yet assigned.
    Expiration Date: N/A
    Type of Request: New collection of information.
    Abstract: The Prime Vendor Project is a pilot of the Food 
Distribution Program in Indian Reservations (FDPIR) that is planned to 
last from July 1, 2001 to June 30, 2002. The FDPIR was authorized by 
Section 4(b) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 [7 U.S.C. 2013(b)] and 
Section 4(a) of the Food and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 [7 U.S.C. 
612(c) Note]. The Prime Vendor Pilot will establish a partnership 
between USDA and the Department of Defense (DoD) to pilot test food 
distribution operations through a Prime Vendor system. The 
participating recipients will be the 23 Indian Tribal Organizations 
(ITO's) in the Midwest Region, covering Minnesota, Wisconsin, and 
Michigan. Through the Prime Vendor Pilot agreement, USDA becomes a 
party to the existing DoD contract with commercial wholesalers/
distributors through which the Prime Vendor will accept food orders 
directly from the ITO's, and deliver food items in three days, rather 
than 60-90 days as currently practiced. ITO's can also order as 
frequently as needed, instead of once a month, as long as the USDA 
ordering/entitlement cap set for the ITO is not exceeded. Under this 
pilot, USDA buys food items directly from the wholesalers/distributors 
without any middleman. In short, the Prime Vendor will procure foods 
pre-approved by FNS, store and deliver them to the ITO, and bill USDA. 
The evaluation component will collect information from ITO's, USDA 
agencies, and regional offices using two questionnaires: one for the 
ITO respondents and the other for respondents from the Food and 
Nutrition Service (FNS), the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), the 
Farm Service Agency (FSA), the Midwest Regional Office (MWRO), and the 
Kansas City Commodity Office (KCCO). Respondent interviews will be 
self-administered at two data collection points: pre- and post-
intervention.
    Estimate of Burden: Public burden for respondents of ITO's is 
estimated at 1 hour per response for two responses each by 33 
respondents (33  x  2  x  1 hour = 66 hours).
    Respondents: The most knowledgeable FDPIR staff member in the ITO 
will be interviewed. Note: also as part of this effort, the most 
knowledgeable FDPIR staff member in FNS, AMS, FSA, MWRO, and KCCO will 
be interviewed as well.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: Twenty-three respondents will be 
interviewed from ITO's in the Midwest Region, 10 respondents from other 
ITO's. Note: as part of this effort, 5 respondents will be interviewed 
from USDA agencies and regional offices.
    Estimated Number of Responses Per Respondent: Two.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 66 hours (33  x  2 
interviews  x  1 hour each).

    Dated: May 25, 2001.
George A. Braley,
Acting Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.
[FR Doc. 01-13781 Filed 5-31-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-P