Document ID: EPA-HQ-OPP-2021-0743-0009
Agency: epa
Document Type: Supporting & Related Material
Title: 
Posted Date: 2022-03-28T04:00Z

Supporting Statement for an Information Collection Request (ICR)
Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Identification of the Information Collection  -  Title and Numbers
Title:
Reporting in the FIFRA Grant Database 
EPA ICR No.:
2511.03
OMB Control No.:
2070-0198
Docket ID No.:
EPA-HQ-OPP-2021-0743
Abstract
This ICR describes the burden activities for the electronic collection of information for the pre-award burden activity for creating a work plan and the post-award and after-the-grant award activities related to reporting accomplishments to implement EPA's Federal Insecticide Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) State and Tribal Assistance Grant (STAG) program (7 U.S.C. 136u) (Attachment A).
This ICR augments the ICR entitled "EPA's General Regulation for Assistance Programs ICR" (OMB Control No. 2030-0020; EPA ICR No. 0938.18) which accounts for the current PRA burden for the minimum management requirements for all recipients of EPA grants or cooperative agreements (assistance agreements). This ICR provides the burden assessment for the FIFRA program specific activities associated with using a standardized online template for only the STAG program reporting.

Summary Total Burden and Costs

Number of Respondents
                          Annual Number of Responses
                              Annual Time Burden
                                    (Hours)
                         Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)
Total Respondent
                                      81
                                      162
                                    26,195
                                  $2,102,179
Total Agency 
                                       
                                       
                                    40,362
                                  $3,584,515

SUPPORTING STATEMENT
1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary.
This ICR documents the PRA burden for STAG program grantees (states, tribes and territories, hereafter referenced as "grantees") to use a standardized online template format to comply with work plan and reporting requirements which grantees complete and submit online via the FIFRA Grant Database.  
Under the STAG program (7 U.S.C. 136u) and in EPA regulations at 40 CFR Parts 30 and 31, grantees are required to provide reports on grant activities to the Office of Pesticide Programs. These regulations implement OMB Circulars A-21, A-87, A-102, A-110, A-122, and A-133. Specifically, the PRA burden related activities set forth for the pre-award, post-award and after-the-grant requirements associated with submitting a work plan, biannual reporting, reporting of enforcement violations of program specific activities (e.g., endangered species, worker protection and container containment) general record keeping, and grant closing requirements.    
The burden is accounted for in the EPA's General Regulation for Assistance Programs ICR (OMB Control No. 2030-0020; EPA ICR No. 0938.18) (Attachment B).  
This information is utilized by EPA project officers, grant specialists, and finance officials to manage/oversee recipient programmatic and financial performance under all EPA assistance agreements. Without the collection information, rational, fair grant awards would be extremely difficult to make, and financial and technical managerial information would not be available to judge the status of grant efforts.  
2. Indicate how, by whom, and for what purpose the information is to be used. Except for a new collection, indicate the actual use the Agency has made of the information received from the current collection.
The pre-award information (work plan) is used to negotiate with and ensure that the applicants are proposing work activities that align with both national and regional guidance documents and priorities. The post-award information (interim reporting on work activities and updates to work plan) is used to meet the statutory and regulatory requirements concerning monitoring recipient performance. The after-the-grant information is used to meet reporting and recordkeeping requirements and to close out awards. The information is necessary to ensure accountability of EPA funds and to deter waste, fraud, and abuse. 
The benefits of using the online template format and submission include a reduction of the administrative burden on grantees and EPA by streamlining the workplan and report development. In addition, the use of a standardized online template provides certainty of work expectations and aids EPA's oversight responsibility by aligning the grant guidance and the workplan. Lastly, the use of the online template standardizes the reporting information nationally thus increasing consistency in work plans and reports; and facilitating national compilation of data for analysis to identify trends, significant issues, or innovations. 
3. Describe whether, and to what extent, the collection of information involves the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses.
The Agency's burden activities and methodology for collecting the online template information include consultation with grantees with questions about the online template completion, developing mid-year and year-end reports, providing the online template submissions to Regional Management and Headquarters and working with Regional Grants offices.

The following describes the Respondent burden activities when using the online template to submit the status of the work plan and other reporting activities. Under 40 CFR part 35.107 grantees are required to submit a work plan. The FIFRA Grant Database contains a work plan tab for the grantee to insert the exact activities the grantee will be completing based upon the priorities as specified in the National FIFRA Cooperative Agreement Guidance that is revised on a four (4) year cycle, and as negotiated between the regions and grantees. These priorities fall broadly under the categories of programmatic work, compliance and enforcement, and certification and training of pesticide applicators. Under 40 CFR part 35.115 grantees are required to submit an end of year report. The online template in the FIFRA Grant Database contains specific reporting tabs for enforcement outputs, as well as space within the work plan tab to discuss accomplishments as measured against work plan commitments.    
Instructions for completing the online template are shown in Attachments E & F, and the FIFRA Grant Database itself is provided in Attachment G. Since the cooperative agreement priorities among the states, tribes and territories are not the same and the national priorities change depending on the Agency budget, the online template provides a flexible format to accommodate the variety of activities and program changes over time. Generally, the template is sectioned into a series of "tabs" or categories, including:  
Tab
Description
Start
Respondents provide responses to eight (8) basic questions: Name; Grantee; Agreement Type; Number of Years the Agreement Covers; Project Period; Which Budget Period the Work plan/Report Corresponds to; Work plan/Report Status; and Date.
Narrative
Respondents have the option to submit additional narratives that do not fit anywhere else in the Template, such as: authority to accept the cooperative agreement, legislative changes, Quality Assurance Project Plans (QAPPs), neutral administrative inspection schemes, case review results, etc.
Budget
Grantees can either enter budget information directly into the spaces provided in the Template or embed a separate document (Word, PPT, PDF files) into this tab.
Work plan
The required activities areas included in the national guidance from which the grantee must select priority work.
Outcomes
This chart includes all the program areas listed in the national FY18-21 cooperative agreement guidance, and links them to potential outcomes from work done in each program area, and to the appropriate goal in EPA's Strategic Plan.  The grantee adjusts the outcomes as necessary to match work contained in the grantee's Work Plan.
Enforcement (5700 Group reports)
This section of the Template allows the grantee to complete three 5700 forms related to projections and accomplishments related to inspections for enforcement, worker protection and container/containment concerns.
Endangered Species
Grantees complete projections and accomplishments sections related to inspections for Endangered Species Inspections.
Performance Measures
Grantees collect information to help determine the effectiveness of the program; provide data for management decisions and inform Congress and the public on the value of the program.

4. Describe efforts to identify duplication 
There is no other source for this information. Pursuant to the individual Cooperative Agreements, grantees must fulfill the work plan and reporting requirements by utilizing the excel web-based template (EPA Form 5700, Attachment I) and new pilot web-based template in the FIFRA Grant Database. Thus, grantees do not need to submit reports via paper copy.
5. If the collection of information impacts small businesses or other small entities, describe the methods used to minimize burden.
EPA believes the reporting requirements discussed in this ICR do not place an unreasonable burden on small entities; the estimated burdens cannot be further reduced for small entities. EPA needs the information requested to make award decisions, properly manage assistance agreements, maintain records, and monitor performance. This requested information may, in some cases, be dependent on the type of entity (e.g., state agency, territory, or tribe.) but is not dependent on an entity's relative size. EPA takes active steps to minimize the burden on small entities in the form of guidance materials and electronic forms. In most cases, the requirements do not impose a large burden on small entities because the information required is simple and straightforward. 
6. Describe the consequence to Federal program or policy activities if the collection is not conducted or is conducted less frequently, as well as any technical or legal obstacles to reducing burden. 
No less frequent collection is possible in accordance with OMB requirements. This information is utilized by EPA project officers, grant specialists, and finance officials to manage/oversee recipient programmatic and financial performance under all EPA assistance agreements. Without the collection information, rational, fair grant awards would be extremely difficult to make, and financial and technical managerial information would not be available to judge the status of grant efforts.
7. Explain any special circumstances that require the collection to be conducted in a manner inconsistent with OMB guidelines.
   a)  requiring respondents to report information to the agency more often than quarterly; 
   b)  requiring respondents to prepare a written response to a collection of information in fewer than 30 days after receipt of it; 
   c)  requiring respondents to submit more than an original and two copies of any document; 
   d)  requiring respondents to retain records, other than health, medical, government contract, grant-in-aid, or tax records, for more than three years; 
   e)  in connection with a statistical survey, that is not designed to produce valid and reliable results that can be generalized to the universe of study;
   f)   requiring the use of a statistical data classification that has not been reviewed and approved by OMB; 
   g)  that includes a pledge of confidentiality that is not supported by authority established in statute or regulation, that is not supported by disclosure and data security policies that are consistent with the pledge, or which unnecessarily impedes sharing of data with other agencies for compatible confidential use; or
   h)  requiring respondents to submit proprietary trade secrets, or other confidential information unless the agency can demonstrate that it has instituted procedures to protect the information's confidentiality to the extent permitted by law.  
Recipients keep their records for three (3) years after the date they submit the final SF 269, "Financial Status Report" unless otherwise directed by EPA. Therefore, the recordkeeping activities briefly described herein are in compliance with OMB's guideline that agencies do not require that records be retained for more than 3 years (5 CFR 1320.5(d)(2)(iv)).
8. If applicable, provide a copy and identify the date and page number of publication in the Federal Register of the agency's notice, required by 5 CFR 1320.8(d), soliciting comments on the information collection prior to submission to OMB. Summarize public comments received in response to that notice and describe actions taken in response to the comments. Specifically address comments received on cost and hour burden. 
Describe efforts to consult with persons outside EPA to obtain their views on the availability of data, frequency of collection, the clarity of instructions and recordkeeping, disclosure, or reporting format (if any), and on the data elements to be recorded, disclosed, or report. 
Pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.8(d), EPA will publish a notice in the Federal Register, announcing the planned renewal of this information collection activity, soliciting public comment on specific aspects of the ICR and providing a 60-day public comment period.
In addition to the public notice that EPA will publish in the Federal Register concerning the renewal of this ICR, EPA staff will contact appropriate stakeholders and ask them for their assessment of the regulatory burden estimates expressed by the Agency in this ICR. A summary of the full consultation will be provided in Attachment C.
9. Explain any decision to provide any payment or gift to respondents, other than remuneration of contractors or grantees. 
This question is not applicable to this ICR.
10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for the assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy.
No pledge of confidentiality is given for applicant responses.
11. Provide additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature, such as sexual behavior and attitudes, religious beliefs, and other matters that are commonly considered private.
No information of a sensitive or private nature is requested in conjunction with these information collection activities, and these information collection activities comply with the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and OMB Circular A-108, as amended, "Responsibilities for the Maintenance of Records about Individuals by Federal Agencies."
12. Provide estimates of the hour burden of the collection of information.
 Indicate the number of respondents, frequency of response, annual hour burden, and an explanation of how the burden was estimated. Unless directed to do so, agencies should not conduct special surveys to obtain information on which to base hour burden estimates. Consultation with a sample (fewer than 10) of potential respondents is desirable. If the hour burden on respondents is expected to vary widely because of differences in activity, size, or complexity, show the range of estimated hour burden, and explain the reasons for the variance. Generally, estimates should not include burden hours for customary and usual business practices.
 If this request for approval covers more than one form, provide separate hour burden estimates for each form and aggregate the hour burdens. 
 Provide estimates of annualized cost to respondents for the hour burdens for collections of information, identifying and using appropriate wage rate categories. The cost of contracting out or paying outside parties for information collection activities should not be included here. Instead, this cost should be included under `Annual Cost to Federal Government'
Whereas the information collection activities approved under OMB Control No. 2030-0020 (EPA ICR No. 0938.18) generally apply to grantees across multiple program areas; this ICR addresses only information collection activities that are undertaken by FIFRA grantees. Grantees complete a work plan at the beginning of the project period as part of the cooperative agreement application package. 
In 2019, a workgroup comprised of EPA, state and tribal representatives converted the FIFRA Work Plan and Report Template (FIFRA Template), which was in Excel, EPA Form 5700 (Attachment I), into a pilot program of a web-based system housed in the Central Data Exchange (CDX) platform, called the FIFRA Grant Database (FGD).  
The FGD incorporates the exact same information as the Excel web-based FIFRA Template, including proposed work activities from the FIFRA Cooperative Agreement Guidance; the grantee's workplan; the grantee's yearend report; as well as the EPA regional project officer's yearend report. The FGD has been available for use by the same stakeholders as the FIFRA Template in 2021 and provides a better customer experience. When the permanent use of the pilot program is approved by OMB, then the use of the FGD will become mandatory (replacing the excel web-based system entirely for Respondents/grantees to submit data to the FIFRA Grant Database online- via the internet and available to all grantees, states, territories, and tribes, participating in the STAG program.  The FIFRA Grant Database is free of charge.  The minimum requirement for use of the FGD is internet access which most states, territories and tribes currently use for business purposes. Semi-annually, states will fill out the online template information and notify the Agency via email. To assist the states, tribes, and territories a guidance document is provided to the grantees, Fiscal Year 2022-2025 FIFRA Cooperative Agreement Guidance | US EPA.  As necessary, the Agency may also provide webinar training periodically to assist states and tribes using the FIFRA Grant Database
OPP is using labor cost estimates generated by Agency economists with respect to wages, benefits and overhead for all labor categories for affected industries, state government, and EPA employees.  This approach uses a transparent and consistent methodology employing publicly available data to provide more accurate estimates and allow easy replication of the calculations (Attachment H).
Methodology: The methodology uses publicly available wage data for each sector and labor type for an Unloaded wage rate (hourly wage rate) and calculates the Loaded wage rate (unloaded wage rate + benefits) and the Fully loaded wage rate (loaded wage rate + overhead).  Fully loaded wage rates are used to calculate the Agency's staffing costs. Costs use 2020 base data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Unloaded Wage Rate:  Wages are estimated for labor types (management, technical, and clerical) within applicable sectors. The Agency uses average wage data for the relevant sectors available in the National Industry-Specific Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).  (See http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm).  
Sectors:  The specific North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code and website for each sector is included in that sector's wage rate table.  Within each sector, the wage data are provided by Standard Occupational Classification (SOC).  The SOC system is used by Federal statistical agencies to classify workers into occupational categories for the purpose of collecting, calculating, or disseminating data (see http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_stru.htm).
Loaded Wage Rate:  Unless stated otherwise, all benefits represent 44.9% of unloaded wage rates, based on benefits for all civilian non-farm workers, from https://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/ecec_09162021.pdf. However, if other sectors are listed for which 44.9% is not applicable, the applicable percentage will be stated..
Fully Loaded Wage Rate:  The fully loaded wages include benefits and overhead costs. The loaded wage rate is multiplied by 50% (EPA guidelines 20-70%) to get overhead costs.  
Using these data and methodology, the BLS (unloaded) wage rates used to calculate the respondent costs for this renewal are $46.19 and $31.60per hour for managerial and technical labor hour costs, respectively, which equates to $101.49 and $68.69, when calculated on a fully loaded basis as described above. There are no clerical costs estimated for respondents in this ICR. These wage rates reflect the average hourly wage rate estimate provided by BLS for the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for State Government (NAICS code 999200).   
      Estimating the Respondent Burden and Cost 
Currently we receive 162 annual responses from 81 states, tribes and territories are active FIFRA grantees under the current STAG program. To establish the burden hour estimate and costs for FIFRA grantees (states, tribes and territories, hereafter referenced as "grantees") to use the Template, EPA solicited burden data from 9 states, 7 of which (Oregon, New York, Massachusetts, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Vermont) provided a detailed breakdown by activity for the Template. The responses of these 7 FIFRA STAG grantees is the basis for estimating the burden hours and costs for completing all grant reporting using the Template. Table 1 displays the "per Template" (one complete annual reporting cycle using the Template) burden and cost of the specific FIFRA program grant reporting activities as reported on the Template. 
There are no capital costs related to completing EPA grant applications and the related reporting requirements in the FIFRA Template and there are no operating and maintenance costs associated with these activities. The previous section, 6 (a), describes how the labor costs are derived. The total estimated burden hours per Template is 323.40. The total estimated burden cost per Template is $28,082. Since there is only one Template per grantee, the total number of Templates is the same, 81. The total annual burden hours for all respondents is 26,195 (323.40 X 81 Templates/respondents). The total annual burden cost for all respondents is $2,274,664 ($28,082X 81 Templates/respondents). 
Table 1  -  Annual Average Burden Hour and Cost Estimate "per Template" for each FIFRA Grantee
                            Annual Burden Activity
                                 Burden hours
                              (by Labor category) 
                  Total Estimated Burden Hours (by activity)
                                 Burden Costs
                              (by Labor category)
                   Total Estimated Burden Cost (by activity)
                             T5(Each Template Tab)

Manager
Technical 

Manager
Technical

 

$101.4/hr
 $68.69/hr

Start[1] 
                                     11.25
                                       8
                                     19.25
$1,142 
$550 

Narrative
                                     14.25
                                      20
                                     34.25
$1,446
$1,374
$2,820
Budget
                                     21.25
                                       0
                                     21.25
$2,157
 $0  
$2,157
Work Plan  
                                      27
                                      32
                                      59
$2,740
$2,198
$4,938
Outcomes
                                     22.2
                                     28.5
                                     50.7
$2,253
$1,958
$4,211
5700 Main
                                      5.7
                                     11.5
                                     17.2
$578
$790
$1,368
5700 WPS
                                       2
                                       3
                                       5
$203
$206
$409
5700 Container Containment (CC)
                                      1.5
                                      7.5
                                       9
$152
$515
$667
Endangered Species
                                      12
                                       4
                                      16
$1,218
$275
$1,493
Performance Measures
                                      11
                                      10
                                      21
$1,116
$687
$1,803
Review Template for accuracy/errors
                                      28
                                     14.5
                                     42.5
$2,842
$996
$3,838
Management final review and submittal to EPA  
                                     21.5
                                       1
                                     22.5
$2,182
$69
$2,251
File Template report (record keeping)
                                     1.25
                                      4.5
                                     5.75
$127
$309
$436
                             Total (per Template)
                                    178.90
                                    144.50
                                    323.40
$18,157
$9,926
$28,082
Numbers may not add due to rounding. 
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, NAICS 999200  -  State Government, May 2020 data, http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics4_999200.htm, Last Modified Date: March 31, 2021 (Attachment H)
[1] Includes time spent in consultation with EPA to help the grantee with this process. 
For the FIFRA program specific ICR burden hour projections, the estimates and cost projected assume that all the grantees, 81 states, territories, and tribes, are using the online template for their work plan and reporting requirements and will continue to do so. Estimates of the burden are expressed as one complete annual reporting event using the FIFRA Grant Database, which includes a mid-year and year-end report (biannual reporting). The estimate assumes that all grantees will conduct all the activities in the FIFRA Grant Database. This is a conservative estimate since not all 81 FIFRA grantees will participate in all of the FIFRA grant program activities or have the same number of grant contract years (i.e., 3 years vs. 1 year).  
13. Provide an estimate for the total annual cost burden to respondents or recordkeepers resulting from the collection of information.
 The cost estimate should be split into two components: (a) a total capital and start-up cost component (annualized over its expected useful life) and (b) a total operation and maintenance and purchase of services component. The estimates should take into account costs associated with generating, maintaining, and disclosing or providing the information. Include descriptions of methods used to estimate major cost factors including system and technology acquisition, expected useful life of capital equipment, the discount rate(s), and the time period over which costs will be incurred. Capital and start-up costs include, among other items, preparations for collecting information such as purchasing computers and software; monitoring, sampling, drilling and testing equipment; and record storage facilities.
 If cost estimates are expected to vary widely, agencies should present ranges of cost burdens and explain the reasons for the variance. The cost of purchasing or contracting out information collections services should be a part of this cost burden estimate. In developing cost burden estimates, agencies may consult with a sample of respondents (fewer than 10), utilize the 60-day pre-OMB submission public comment process and use existing economic or regulatory impact analysis associated with the rulemaking containing the information collection, as appropriate.
 Generally, estimates should not include purchases of equipment or services, or portions thereof, made: (1) prior to October 1, 1995, (2) to achieve regulatory compliance with requirements not associated with the information collection, (3) for reasons other than to provide information or keep records for the government, or (4) as part of customary and usual business or private practices.

There are no operational and/or maintenance costs.
14. Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal government. Also, provide a description of the method used to estimate cost, which should include quantification of hours, operational expenses (such as equipment, overhead, printing, and support staff), and any other expense that would not have been incurred without this collection of information. Agencies may also aggregate cost estimates from Items 12, 13, and 14 in a single table.
The data collected online will be reviewed periodically to identify and eliminate duplication in reporting requirements. The Agency will conduct periodic on-site reviews to ensure recipients are compliant with applicable requirements.  The FIFRA Grant Database will be reviewed in accordance with the requirements of 40 CFR Parts 30 and 31, see Attachment D. A summary of the annual Agency burden hours and costs are summarized in Table 2.
To calculate the Agency burden, in 2014 EPA surveyed its Regional offices. The estimated average annual Agency burden hours is 498.3 to assist and process all the annual paperwork for STAG grantees. The program is implemented in 10 EPA regional offices. A regional office may oversee one or more STAG grants within the region. Wage rates reflect the average hourly wage rate estimate provide by the Bureau of Labor Statistics for the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for the federal government (NAICS code 999100). Similar to the respondent labor cost data, 2017 BLS base data is used. The unloaded wage rates from BLS are $63.67, $42.00, and $23.24 per hour for managerial, technical, and clerical labor hour costs, respectively. The fully loaded wage rates used to calculate the Agency labor costs for this renewal are $138.40, $91.30, and $50.52per hour for managerial, technical, and clerical labor hour costs, respectively. Please see section 6(a) for details on how fully loaded wages are calculated. 
The total estimated Agency burden hours (per grantee) per Template is 498.3. The total estimated Agency burden cost (per grantee) per Template is $47,239. Since there is only one Template per grantee, the total number of Templates is the same, 81. The total annual Agency burden hours is 40,362 (323.40 X 81 Grantees/ Templates). The total annual Agency burden cost is $3,826,372 ($47,239 X 81 Grantees/ Templates).

Table 2 - Agency Annual Average Burden Hour and Cost Estimate "per Template" 
                                  Activity  
                                    Manager
                                   Technical
                                   Clerical
                                    Totals 

                                     Hrs.
$138.40/hr
                                     Hrs.
                                   $91.30/hr
                                     Hrs.
                                   $50.52/hr
                                 Burden (hrs)
                                   Costs ($)
Consult with Grantee and respond to questions about Template completion
                                       2
                                     $277
                                      102
                                     $9,313
                                       0
                                       0
                                      104
                                     $9,589
Developing mid-year and year end reports (columns P-R)
                                      27
                                     $3,737
                                      212
                                    $19,356
                                      2.5
                                     $126
                                     241.5
                                    $23,219
Submit Template to regional management and HQ
                                      0.7
                                      $97
                                     20.1
                                     $,1835
                                       0
                                       0
                                     20.8
                                     $1,932
Working with the regional grants office (Region 1) 
                                       0
                                      $0
                                      12
                                     $1,096
                                       0
                                       0
                                      12
                                     $1,096
                                       
Region 6[1] 
                                      9.5
                                     $1,315
                                     110.5
                                    $10,089
                                       0
                                       0
                                      120
                                    $11,403
Total (per Template)
                                     39.2
                                     $5,425
                                     456.6
                                    $41,688
                                      2.5
                                     $126
                                     498.3
                                    $47,239
Numbers may not add due to rounding. 
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, NAICS 999200  -  State Government, May 2020 data, http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics4_999200.htm, Last Modified Date: March 31, 2021 (Attachment H)
[1]Region 6 did not provide a burden breakdown of activities so only a summary of the annual activities' estimates are provided. 
15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments reported in Items 13 (or 14) of OMB Form 83-I.
Table 3 represents the annual grantee per Template burden of the required grant reporting for the FIFRA program specific activities. The total annual burden hours for all respondents (i.e., 81 STAG grantees) is 26,195 (323.40 X 81 Templates/respondents). The total annual burden cost for all respondents is $2,274,664 ($28,082 X 81 Templates/respondents). The total annual Agency burden hours is 40,362 (498.3 X 81 respondents). The total annual Agency burden cost is $3,826,372 ($47,239 X 81 respondents).
Due to an error, the "per event" estimate was incorrectly estimated at 46.15 hours for to conduct STAG grant activities. The "per event" number should be 323.4 hours for conducting STAG activities. 
Table 3. Total Annual Burden Hour and Cost for Respondents and Agency
 
                              Annual Burden Hours
                              Annual Burden Costs
Respondents /Grantees (81 States, Tribes, territories  -  per event reporting in the FIFRA Template)
                                    26,195
                                  $2,102,179 

Agency processing burden for all 81 STAG grants annually 
                                    40,362
                                  $3,584,515 

For this renewal ICR, there is no increase over the currently approved ICR in terms of the per event annual paperwork burden hours for grantees to use the FIFRA grant Database. The FIFRA STAG Grant online template annual per respondent burden was corrected at 323.4 burden hours and the overall burden since the renewal ICR remains the same; all 81 recipients may use the reporting tool and instructions. The overall burden hours is therefore also the same at 26,195 hours. The burden cost in this ICR has increased relative to the previous ICR due to updating the wages (from 2017 to 2020). This change qualifies as an adjustment.
16. For collections whose results will be published, outline the plans for tabulation and publication. 
Specific schedules for the collection of the FIFRA Grant Database information are outlined in the Cooperative Agreement Guidance, 2022-2025 (Attachment F). See Fiscal Year 2022-2025 FIFRA Cooperative Agreement Guidance | US EPA  Biannual reporting is the average reporting period.  
17. If seeking approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of the information collection, explain the reasons why display would be inappropriate. 
This question not applicable to this ICR
18. Explain each exception to the certification statement identified in Item 19 of OMB Form 83-I. 
EPA does not request an exception to the certification of this information collection.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
 This collection of information is approved by OMB under the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. (OMB Control No. 2070-0198). Responses to this collection of information are mandatory for certain persons, as specified at 40 CFR Parts 30 and 31. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The public reporting and recordkeeping burden for this collection of information is estimated to be 87.55 hours per response. Send comments on the Agency's need for this information, the accuracy of the provided burden estimates and any suggested methods for minimizing respondent burden to the Regulatory Support Division Director, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (2821T), 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20460. Include the OMB control number in any correspondence. Do not send the completed form to this address."
LIST OF ATTACHMENTS
The attachments listed below can be found in the docket for this ICR or by using the hyperlink that is provided in the list below. The docket for this ICR is accessible electronically through https://www.regulations.gov using Docket ID Number: EPA-HQ-OPP-2021-0743.
Attachment
Description
                                       A
EPA's Federal Insecticide Fungicide and Rodenticide Act State and Tribal Assistance Grant (STAG) program (7 U.S.C. 136u).  
                                       B
"EPA's General Regulation for Assistance Programs ICR" (OMB Control No. 2030-0020; EPA ICR No. 0938.18).   
                                       C
(Reserved for Consultation)
                                       D
Uniform Administrative Requirements: All assistance awards are subject to the requirements of the Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements; Title 40 CFR, Part 30 for Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals and Other non-Profit Organizations or Part 31 for State and Local Governments. More information is available online at: EPA General terms and conditions applicable to 40 CFR part 30 and 31 recipients effective October 1, 2014 | US EPA
                                       E
Instructions for entering information into the FIFRA Grant Database
                                       F
Fiscal Year 2022-2025 FIFRA Cooperative Agreement Guidance | US EPA
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FIFRA Grant Database Screen Shots
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Work Sheets Used to Calculate Respondent Labor Costs and EPA and Federal Government Labor Costs for the State and Tribal Assistance Grant (STAG) program (OMB Control No. 2070-0198, EPA ICR No. 2511.03).
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FIFRA Work Plan and Report Template; EPA Form No. 5700 (2019 Excel-based Template)