[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 112 (Monday, June 14, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 31464-31468]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-12385]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Chapter 1

[WC Docket No. 18-89; DA 21-607; FR ID 31200]


Wireline Competition Bureau Seeks Comment on Secure and Trusted 
Communications Networks Reimbursement Program Application Filings and 
Process

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In this document, the Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) 
seeks comment on the proposed application filing process for the $1.9 
billion Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement 
Program (Reimbursement Program). The Bureau also seeks comment on 
proposed information fields to be collected on forms eligible providers 
of advanced communications services will be required to submit to 
request funding allocations and disbursements from the Reimbursement 
Program.

DATES: Comments due by June 23, 2021.

ADDRESSES: Pursuant to Sec. Sec.  1.415 and 1.419 of the Commission's 
rules, interested parties may submit comments, identified by WC Docket 
No. 20-89, and must be addressed to the Commission's Secretary, Office 
of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission by any of the 
following methods:
    <bullet> Electronic Filers: Comments may be filed electronically 
using the internet by accessing the ECFS: https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/.
    <bullet> Paper Filers: Parties who choose to file by paper must 
file an original and one copy of each filing.
    <bullet> Filings can be sent by commercial overnight courier or by 
first-class or overnight U.S. Postal Service mail. All filings must be 
addressed to the Commission's Secretary, Office of the Secretary, 
Federal Communications Commission.
    <bullet> Commercial overnight mail (other than U.S. Postal Service 
Express Mail and Priority Mail) must be sent to 9050 Junction Drive, 
Annapolis Junction, MD 20701.
    <bullet> U.S. Postal Service first-class, Express, and Priority 
mail must be addressed to 45 L Street NE, Washington, DC 20554.
    <bullet> Effective March 19, 2020, and until further notice, the 
Commission no longer accepts any hand or messenger delivered filings at 
its headquarters. This is a temporary measure taken to help protect the 
health and safety of individuals, and to mitigate the transmission of 
COVID-19. See FCC Announces Closure of FCC Headquarters Open Window and 
Change in Hand-Delivery Policy, Public Notice, DA 20-304 (March 19, 
2020), https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-closes-headquarters-open-window-and-changes-hand-delivery-policy.
    <bullet> People with Disabilities: To request materials in 
accessible formats for people with disabilities (Braille, large print, 
electronic files, audio format), send an email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#9ef8fdfdabaeaadef8fdfdb0f9f1e8"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3d5b5e5e080d097d5b5e5e135a524b">[email protected]</span></a>.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher Koves, Wireline 
Competition Bureau, 202-418-7400 or by emailing <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c9babcb9b9a5b0aaa1a8a0a789afaaaae7aea6bf"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b8cbcdc8c8d4c1dbd0d9d1d6f8dedbdb96dfd7ce">[email protected]</span></a>. 
The Commission ask that requests for accommodations be made as soon as 
possible in order to allow the agency to satisfy such requests whenever 
possible. Send an email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#fa9c9999cfcaceba9c9999d49d958c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="bfd9dcdc8a8f8bffd9dcdc91d8d0c9">[email protected]</span></a> or call the Consumer and 
Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202) 418-0530. For additional 
information on this matter, please email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#780b0d080814011b10191116381e1b1b561f170e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="99eaece9e9f5e0faf1f8f0f7d9fffafab7fef6ef">[email protected]</span></a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a synopsis of the Commission's 
document (Public Notice), in WC Docket No. 18-89; DA 21-607, released 
May 24, 2021. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Commission's 
headquarters will be closed to the general public until further notice. 
The full text of this document is available at the following internet 
address: https://www.fcc.gov/document/wcb-seeks-comment-supply-chain-reimbursement-program-procedures.

I. Introduction

    1. By the Public Notice, the Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) 
provides additional details and seeks comments on the proposed 
application filing process for the Reimbursement Program. The Bureau 
also seeks comments on proposed information fields to be collected on 
forms eligible providers of advanced communications services will be 
required to submit to request funding allocations and disbursements 
from the Reimbursement Program.

II. Discussion

    2. FCC Form 5640--Application Request for Funding Allocation and 
Reimbursement Claim Requests. The Commission describes the proposed 
approach to process and review application requests for funding 
allocations submitted by applicants and reimbursement claim requests 
submitted by participants. The Commission proposes to issue

[[Page 31465]]

Reimbursement Program funding allocations to eligible providers based 
on the estimated costs identified in their application for the removal, 
replacement, and disposal of eligible covered communications equipment 
and services. The Commission also proposes to periodically release 
public notices announcing grants of funding allocations. As provided by 
the Commission's rules, once an allocation is granted recipients can 
then request and receive funding disbursements by filing a 
Reimbursement Claim Request showing actual expenses incurred. Further, 
per the Commission's rules, Reimbursement Program recipients must file 
an initial Reimbursement Claim Request within one year after the grant 
of a funding allocation. Recipients also have one year from the first 
disbursement of funds to complete the permanent removal, replacement, 
and disposal of covered communications equipment or services. While 
there are additional filings associated with the Reimbursement Program, 
for example, status updates, spending reports, extension requests, and 
a final certification of project completion, the Public Notice focuses 
on the Application Request for Funding Allocation and the Reimbursement 
Claim Request. After reviewing the comments received in response to the 
Public Notice, the Commission will release a final public notice 
announcing the filing requirements and the information to be reported 
in these filings.
    3. Application Request for Funding Allocation. The Bureau is 
developing an online portal through which applicants and recipients 
would electronically submit all filings related to the Reimbursement 
Program, including the Application Request for Funding Allocation. The 
Bureau also proposes to utilize a version of the previously developed 
Reimbursement Fund Administration System (RFAS) to process requests and 
coordinate interactions between program participants, the Fund 
Administrator (Ernst & Young LLP), and the Bureau. Attached to the 
Public Notice as Appendix A are the information fields the Bureau 
proposes to collect from providers seeking a funding allocation from 
the Reimbursement Program through an Application Request for Funding 
Allocation including identifying information, program eligibility 
information, allocation information, and program analysis information. 
The Commission seeks comments on these information fields and ask 
whether any of this information should not be required. Are there 
additional information fields applicants should be required to provide?
    4. As required by the Secure Networks Act and the Commission's 
rules, the Application Request for Funding Allocation requires 
applicants to submit an initial estimate of costs reasonably incurred 
for the permanent removal, replacement, and disposal of covered 
communications equipment or services. While the Commission prefers that 
applicants submit estimates based on detailed engineering analysis and 
vendor quotes, applicants may, per the Commission's rules, rely upon 
the predetermined estimated costs identified in the final Catalog made 
available by the Bureau. The Bureau plans to subsequently announce the 
adoption of the final Catalog in a forthcoming public notice. The final 
Catalog will contain a list of many, but not necessarily all, of the 
relevant expenses.
    5. For purposes of reviewing initial estimated costs, the 
Commission proposes to base its evaluation on the average between the 
minimum and maximum costs listed in the cost estimate range for a 
particular itemized expense listed in the Catalog, rather than allowing 
applicants to choose any amount within the cost estimate range. The 
Commission believes allowing applicants to select a cost within the 
range would inevitably lead to the selection of the maximum amount in 
the range and could result in a substantial overestimation of costs 
upon which allocations are based, to the detriment of the Reimbursement 
Program and other participants. By using the average cost estimate, the 
Commission can mitigate this concern as well as reduce the 
administrative burden on applicants. However, if an applicant finds a 
Catalog cost estimate average does not fully account for its costs or a 
cost category is not identified in the Catalog, the applicant, in 
accordance with the Commission's rules, can instead provide its own 
individualized cost estimate. Applicants providing individualized cost 
estimates would be required to submit additional supporting 
documentation (e.g., vendor quotes) and certify the cost estimate is 
made in good faith, as required by the Commission's rules. The 
Commission proposed approach to use the average cost estimate from the 
Catalog balances the Commission's goals of protecting against waste, 
fraud, and abuse while facilitating the production of estimates of 
costs reasonably incurred by applicants. The Commission seeks comments 
on these proposals.
    6. The Commission further proposes requiring applicants to identify 
in their application for each location site: (1) Where covered 
communications equipment or services are located (e.g., address, 
longitude and latitude, etc.) and documentation supporting the 
acquisition/existence of such covered equipment or services; and (2) 
the itemized cost estimates, taken from the Catalog where applicable, 
that are associated with the removal, replacement, and disposal of 
covered equipment or services at each site. The Commission also 
proposes allowing applicants to report in their applications non-site 
specific cost estimates, that is, network-wide costs that apply to 
several site locations such as disposal costs or software upgrades. To 
facilitate application preparation and ease the filing burden on 
applicants, the Commission will evaluate the use of batch uploads to 
allow applicants to provide and generate site-specific information in 
the application. The Commission seeks comments on these proposals.
    7. Applicants are required to provide certifications pursuant to 
section 4(d)(4) of the Secure Networks Act and Sec.  1.50004(c) of the 
Commission's rules, 47 CFR 1.50004(c), and a plan and specific timeline 
for the removal, replacement, and disposal of the covered 
communications equipment or services. Applicants are also required by 
the Commission's rules to certify in good faith that: ``(A) it will 
reasonably incur the estimated costs claimed as eligible for 
reimbursement; (B) it will use all money received from the 
Reimbursement Program only for expenses eligible for reimbursement; (C) 
it will comply with all policies and procedures relating to 
allocations, draw downs, payments, obligations, and expenditures of 
money from the Reimbursement Program; (D) it will maintain detailed 
records, including receipts, of all costs eligible for reimbursement 
actually incurred for a period of 10 years; and (E) it will file all 
required documentation for its expenses.''
    8. The Commission proposes to require applicants to obtain or 
utilize an FCC Registration Number (FRN) issued by the Commission 
Registration System (CORES) to access the online filing portal to file 
a Reimbursement Program application. An FRN is an identifying number 
that is assigned to entities doing business with the Commission. The 
Commission also proposes to require applicants to register with the 
System for Award Management (SAM) and provide the SAM Commercial and 
Government Entity (CAGE) Code in

[[Page 31466]]

their applications. SAM is a government-wide application that collects, 
validates, stores, and disseminates business information about the 
federal government's contracting partners in support of federal awards, 
grants, and electronic payment processes. Registration in the SAM 
provides the Commission with an authoritative source for information 
necessary to provide funding to applicants and to ensure accurate 
reporting pursuant to the Digital Accountability and Transparency 
(DATA) Act. The Commission also proposes to require applicants to 
provide in their application a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) 
number or where applicable, the DUNS+4 number, which provides banking 
information to assist the Commission in the electronic payment of funds 
to program recipients. The Commission seeks comment on these proposals.
    9. Filing Window. Per Sec.  1.50004(b) of the Commission's rules, 
47 CFR 1.50004(b), the Bureau ``shall announce the opening of an 
initial application filing window for eligible providers seeking to 
participate in the Reimbursement Program.'' The Bureau is required to 
``treat all eligible providers filing an application within any filing 
window as if their applications were simultaneously received'' and 
``[f]unding requests submitted outside of a filing window will not be 
accepted.'' Thus, applications submitted after the filing window closes 
are considered untimely and will not be accepted. Once the filing 
window opens, the Commission proposes to allow applicants consisting of 
multiple subsidiaries or affiliates to choose to file at either the 
holding company-level or by individual subsidiary or affiliate. While 
the filing window remains open, applicants will be able to initiate, 
save, submit, and make changes to submitted applications until the 
filing window closes. The Commission seeks comments on these proposals.
    10. Reviewing Applications Post-Filing Window Closure. Consistent 
with the Secure Networks Act the Commission's rules require the Bureau 
to approve or deny ``applications to receive a funding allocation . . . 
within 90 days after the close of the applicable filing window.'' The 
Commission proposes that during this 90-day period, the Fund 
Administrator will review each application to assess whether the 
application is complete, the applicant is eligible for the 
Reimbursement Program, and the reasonableness of the cost estimates 
provided by the applicant. The Commission proposes requiring the Fund 
Administrator to identify potentially duplicate and otherwise 
erroneously filed applications and to advise the Bureau on its 
findings. After considering the Fund Administrator's initial findings, 
the Commission proposes having the Bureau next issue a public notice 
announcing those applications initially found eligible and accepted for 
filing, and those deemed materially deficient. Initial findings that an 
application is eligible and accepted for filing would provide no 
guarantee that the applicant will ultimately be determined eligible by 
the Bureau or will receive a funding allocation or disbursement. 
Pursuant to the Commission's rules, applicants that submitted 
applications initially deemed materially deficient would then have 15 
days to cure their defects before their application is denied. The 
Commission proposes beginning the 15-day cure period the day after the 
Bureau releases a public notice announcing applications as acceptable 
for filing. The Commission seeks comments on these proposals.
    11. The Commission also proposes having the Fund Administrator 
evaluate the gross cost estimate demand contained in all applications 
found acceptable for filing to assist the Bureau in determining whether 
estimated demand exceeds available funding. If estimated demand exceeds 
available funding, the Commission directed the Bureau to prioritize 
funding and application processing in accordance with the Commission's 
rules. The Commission anticipates that the Fund Administrator's initial 
application evaluation will not involve an in-depth review of the 
reported cost estimates in order to more quickly determine the gross 
demand figure. The Commission comments on this approach.
    12. Per the Commission's rules, the 90-day application review 
period commences after the close of the applicable filing window. The 
Commission will also have the Fund Administrator advise the Bureau on 
whether, based on the number of applications filed during the filing 
window, to extend the 90-day deadline for granting or denying 
applications, and seek comment on this approach.
    13. Funding Allocation. The Bureau proposes to periodically release 
public notices announcing recipients selected for funding allocations 
and the amount of their funding allocation. The Commission proposes 
treating this public notice as official Bureau approval of a 
Reimbursement Program application. The Commission also proposes to 
notify recipients directly of their funding allocations by email. The 
Commission seeks comments on these proposals.
    14. As directed by the Commission in the Second Report and Order, 
86 FR 2904 (Jan. 13, 2021), ``the funding amount allocated represents 
the maximum amount eligible for draw down by an eligible provider 
unless a subsequent funding allocation is made.'' Accordingly, once the 
Bureau makes a funding allocation determination, the Bureau will not 
adjust the funding allocation amount even if there is a change in the 
participant's plans or if actual costs exceed estimated costs. To the 
extent a participant requires additional funding in excess of its 
allocated amount, the participant would need to file a new application 
if an additional filing window is announced.
    15. Reimbursement Claim Request. The Commission outlines its 
proposed approach to process recipients' requests for reimbursement. 
Following the approval and issuance of a funding allocation, a 
recipient may, as provided by the Commission's rules, file a 
Reimbursement Claim Request for the draw down disbursement of funds 
from the recipient's funding allocation. Pursuant to the Commission's 
rules, a recipient must file an initial Reimbursement Claim Request 
within one year following the approval by the Bureau of a funding 
allocation. The Bureau proposes to collect the information reflected in 
Appendix B of the Public Notice from recipients filing a Reimbursement 
Claim Request including identifying information, program eligibility 
information, allocation information, and program analysis information. 
The Commission seeks comments on the information fields included in the 
proposed Reimbursement Claim Request. Is this sufficient information 
for applicants to provide? Are there additional information fields the 
Commission should include?
    16. Pursuant to the Commission's rules, the recipient must show in 
the Reimbursement Claim Request ``actual expenses reasonably incurred 
for the removal, replacement, and disposal of covered communications 
equipment or service.'' Consistent with the Second Report and Order, 86 
FR 2904 (Jan. 13, 2021), the Commission proposes requiring recipients' 
Reimbursement Claim Requests to include supporting documentation 
including invoices and other cost documentation to obtain reimbursement 
funds from their allocation. The Commission proposes allowing 
recipients to submit multiple Reimbursement Claim Requests as they 
incur expenses throughout the reimbursement period. The Commission

[[Page 31467]]

directed the Bureau to ``review reimbursement claims to ensure that 
disbursements are made only for costs reasonably incurred.'' The 
Commission proposes having the Bureau, with the assistance of the Fund 
Administrator, review and grant or deny Reimbursement Claim Requests 
for actual costs reasonably incurred and seeks comments on this 
approach.
    17. The Commission proposes to have the online filing system carry 
forward the itemized initial cost estimates identified by the applicant 
in its Application Request for Funding Allocation, and that recipients 
be required to link actual costs incurred and the supporting invoice 
documentation to these itemized initial cost estimates. Recipients will 
be required to submit invoices through the online portal as attachments 
to a recipient's Reimbursement Claim Request. With each invoice 
uploaded, the Commission proposes requiring the recipient to provide 
specific details related to the invoice (vendor name, date issued, 
description of contents, etc.) to assist reviewers in linking invoices 
to specific itemized cost estimates. Also, while not required at the 
funding allocation stage for those relying on the Catalog, the 
Commission proposes requiring recipients seeking disbursements to 
provide vendor and supplier quotes with the Reimbursement Claim 
Request. The Fund Administrator will review the quote and the 
associated invoice to evaluate the reasonableness of the reimbursement 
claim. The Commission anticipates that this will ensure Reimbursement 
Program funding is spent as intended and avoid reimbursement for 
duplicative costs. The Commission seeks comments on these proposals.
    18. Pursuant to the Commission's rules, recipients are required to 
file all Reimbursement Claim Requests no later than 120 days following 
the expiration of the one-year removal, replacement, and disposal term. 
Prior to the expiration of the 120-day deadline, recipients are 
permitted to request and will receive an automatic 120-day extension. 
Further, as required by the Commission's rules, after the expiration of 
the deadline, any allocated but unclaimed funds will revert 
automatically to the Reimbursement Program for reallocation to other 
participants pursuant to a future filing window. If a petition for an 
extension of the removal, replacement, and disposal term is pending 
when the term expires, then the Commission proposes staying the 
automatic reversion of the unallocated funds until the Commission acts 
on the extension request. The Commission seeks comments on this 
approach.
    19. Amendments, Modifications, and Administrative Updates. Because 
a provider's circumstances and plans may change over the course of the 
program, the Commission proposes to allow participants to amend, 
modify, and/or file administrative updates. The Commission proposes to 
subject amendment and modification requests to review by the Fund 
Administrator and action by the Bureau. The Commission proposes to 
deny, as a general matter, amendment requests to an Application Request 
for Funding Allocation that would result in an increase to the total 
cost estimate. Denying amendment requests that would increase the total 
cost estimate would ensure that fluctuating cost estimates during the 
funding allocation review process do not negatively impact the 
Commission's ability to assess overall demand versus available funding. 
The Commission seeks comments on these proposals.
    20. Following the grant of an Application Request for Funding 
Allocation, the Commission proposes to allow recipients to submit 
modification filings to change itemized expenses and locations 
identified on their filings. While such modifications may in fact 
change the cost of the project, as directed by the Commission in the 
Second Report and Order, 86 FR 2904 (Jan. 13, 2021), the Commission 
will not alter the funding allocation issued. The Commission also 
proposes allowing participants to file administrative updates for 
routine, non-material changes to filings such as changes to the 
applicant's contact information (e.g., address, phone number, and 
contact name). The Commission proposes enabling the online filing 
system to automatically grant administrative updates once filed. The 
Commission seeks comments on these proposals.
    21. Notification of Changes in Ownership. Because the Reimbursement 
Program will be administered over multiple years, the Commission 
proposes adapting the online filing system to account for the 
possibility that changes in ownership due to mergers and acquisitions 
may change the identity of a recipient for which an allocation was 
issued and for which disbursement claims are needed and seek comment on 
this approach. The Commission does not propose requiring a prior 
approval process for such ownership changes for purposes of the 
Reimbursement Program. Instead, the Commission will institute a 
streamlined process whereby, post-consummation, a notification would be 
filed by the recipient of record, that is signed by both parties to the 
transaction, and that includes an attachment explaining the ownership 
changes. The Bureau, with the assistance of the Fund Administrator, 
could then determine how best to reflect these changes in the filing 
system to avoid problems associated with determining what allocation 
remains unclaimed and how to handle transactions involving the 
acquisition of discreet network components. The Commission seeks 
comments on these proposals.
    22. Public Search Portal and Confidentiality. Consistent with its 
rules, the Commission will make publicly available, through an online 
search portal, general and summary information submitted by 
Reimbursement Program participants. As contemplated by the Second 
Report and Order, 86 FR 2904 (Jan. 13, 2021), however, the Commission 
will consider presumptively confidential all detailed accounting 
information about the covered communications equipment or services 
removed, replaced, and disposed, and the replacement equipment or 
services purchased, rented, leased, or otherwise obtained using 
Reimbursement Program funds, and the Commission plans to withhold such 
disaggregated information from routine public inspection. The 
Commission will also treat as presumptively confidential and withhold 
from public inspection information such as ``location of the equipment 
and services; removal or replacement plans that include sensitive 
information; the specific type of equipment and service; and any other 
provider specific information.'' The Commission found that ``this 
information would likely qualify as trade secrets under the [Freedom of 
Information Act].''
    23. The Commission likewise proposes to treat as presumptively 
confidential and withhold from public inspection vendor price quotes 
submitted with the Application Request for Funding Allocation and 
invoices submitted with the Reimbursement Claim Requests, including 
itemized information on expenses actually incurred. The Commission also 
proposes to treat as presumptively confidential and withhold from 
public inspection the specific timeline for the permanent removal, 
replacement, and disposal of covered communications equipment and 
services. The Commission proposes allowing filers to upload attachments 
to the online portal and categorize whether the attachment is 
confidential or public. The

[[Page 31468]]

Commission proposes to withhold from routine public inspection, subject 
to the Commission's rules, attachments designated as ``confidential.'' 
The Commission seeks comments on these proposals.
    24. In addition to the approach proposed above, the Commission 
seeks comments on the extent to which the Bureau should treat 
additional information fields on the Application Request for Funding 
Allocation in Appendix A and the Reimbursement Claim Request in 
Appendix B as presumptively confidential and not subject to public 
disclosure. If so, the Commission invites parties to specify which 
information fields should be deemed presumptively confidential and the 
legal basis for the presumption.
    25. Treasury Offset. The U.S. Department of the Treasury (Treasury) 
has a number of collection tools, including the Treasury Offset Program 
(TOP), whereby it collects delinquent debts owed to federal agencies 
and states by individuals and entities, by offsetting those debts 
against federal monies owed to the debtors. Reimbursement Program 
participants owing past-due debt to a federal agency or a state may 
have all or part of their disbursement payments offset by Treasury to 
satisfy such debt. Prior to referral of its debt to Treasury, an entity 
is notified of the debt owed, including repayment instructions. If the 
referred debt of a Reimbursement Program participant remains 
outstanding at the time of a disbursement payment from the 
Reimbursement Program to that participant, the participant will be 
notified by Treasury that some or all of its payment has been offset to 
satisfy an outstanding federal or state debt. Program participants that 
owe past due federal or state debts that have been referred to Treasury 
are encouraged to resolve such debts prior to submitting their 
Application Request for Funding Allocation. The Bureau lacks discretion 
to deviate from the requirements of the TOP.
    26. Red Light Rule. The Commission proposes to waive the 
Commission's ``red light'' rule with respect to applications filed in 
the Reimbursement Program and seek comment on this approach. As part of 
the collection and disbursement rules associated with the Debt 
Collection Improvement Act of 1996, the Commission may withhold action 
on applications and requests made by any entity found to be delinquent 
in its debt to the Commission until full payment or resolution of such 
debt. This is commonly referred to as the Commission's ``red light'' 
rule. Given the importance of removing communications equipment and 
service that poses a national security risk from the Commission 
Nation's networks as soon as possible, the Commission finds extremely 
unusual circumstances exist to justify waiving the red light rule to 
allow Reimbursement Program recipients to receive funding allocations 
and disbursements notwithstanding an outstanding delinquency with the 
Commission. Any waiver would not affect the Commissions' right or 
obligation to collect any debt owed by an applicant by any other means 
available to the Commission, including by referral to the Treasury for 
collection.
    27. Do Not Pay. Before releasing any Reimbursement Program funds to 
participants, the Commission proposes the Bureau and/or Fund 
Administrator, in coordination with the Commission's Office of Managing 
Director (OMD), conduct a thorough review of the federal Do Not Pay 
system Database to verify an applicant's eligibility for payments and 
awards. Pursuant to the Payment Integrity Information Act of 2019 
(PIIA), the Commission is required to review applicable federal 
databases to determine eligibility for federal funds to prevent 
improper payments. The Treasury's Bureau of the Fiscal Service 
administers the Do Not Pay system database. If an applicant is 
prohibited from receiving payment of federal funds pursuant to the Do 
Not Pay system, the Bureau and/or Fund Administrator will withhold 
funding allocations and disbursements from the Reimbursement Program. 
The Commission proposes having the Bureau and/or Fund Administrator 
offer the participant an opportunity to cure any Do Not Pay issues if 
the recipient can produce evidence that its listing in the Do Not Pay 
system should be removed. However, the Commission proposes requiring 
the participant to be responsible for working with the relevant agency 
to correct its information before a Reimbursement Program payment will 
be issued by Treasury.

III. Procedural Matters

    28. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 Analysis. This document 
contains proposed new information collection requirements. The 
Commission has, pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), 
Public Law 104-13, published a notice in the Federal Register seeking 
comment on the new information collection requirements contained in 
this Public Notice. See 86 FR 22050, Apr. 26, 2021. The Commission, as 
part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, invites the 
general public and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to comment 
on the information collection requirements contained in this document, 
as required by the PRA. In addition, pursuant to the Small Business 
Paperwork Relief Act of 2002, Public Law 107-198, see 44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(4), we seek specific comment on how we might further reduce the 
information collection burden for small business concerns with fewer 
than 25 employees.

Federal Communications Commission.
Cheryl Callahan,
Assistant Chief, Telecommunications Access Policy Division Wireline 
Competition Bureau.
[FR Doc. 2021-12385 Filed 6-11-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P


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