Information Collection Requirement; Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement; Administrative Matters

AGENCY:

Department of Defense (DoD).

ACTION:

Notice and request for comments regarding a proposed extension of an approved information collection requirement.

SUMMARY:

In compliance with Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), DoD announces the proposed extension of a public information collection requirement and seeks public comment on the provisions thereof. DoD invites comments on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of DoD, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the information collection on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved this information collection requirement for use through August 31, 2004. DoD proposes that OMB extend its approval for use through August 31, 2007.

DATES:

DoD will consider all comments received by June 22, 2004.

ADDRESSES:

Respondents may submit comments via the Internet at http://emissary.acq.osd.mil/dar/dfars.nsf/pubcomm. As an alternative, respondents may e-mail comments to: dfars@osd.mil. Please cite OMB Control Number 0704-0225 in the subject line of e-mailed comments.

Respondents that cannot submit comments using either of the above methods may submit comments to: Defense Acquisition Regulations Council, Attn: Mr. Euclides Barrera, OUSD(AT&L)DPAP(DAR), IMD 3C132, 3062 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-3062; facsimile (703) 602-0350. Please cite OMB Control Number 0704-0225.

At the end of the comment period, interested parties may view public comments on the Internet at http://emissary.acq.osd.mil/dar/dfars.nsf.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mr. Euclides Barrera, (703) 602-0296. The information collection requirements addressed in this notice are available electronically on the Internet at: http://www.acq.osd.mil/dpap/dfars/index.htm. Paper copies are available from Mr. Euclides Barrera, OUSD(AT&L)DPAP(DAR), IMD 3C132, 3062 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-3062.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title, Associated Forms, and OMB Number: Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) Part 204, Administrative Matters, and related clauses at DFARS 252.204; DD Form 2051, Request for Assignment of a Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code, and DD Form 2051-1, Request for Information/Verification of Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code; OMB Control Number 0704-0225.

Needs and Uses: DoD uses this information to control unclassified contract data that is sensitive and inappropriate for release to the public; and to facilitate data exchange among automated systems for contract award, contract administration, and contract payment by assigning a unique code to each DoD contractor.

Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profit and not-for-profit institutions.

Annual Burden Hours: 19,624.

Number of Respondents: 32,240.

Responses Per Respondent: 1.

Annual Responses: 32,240.

Average Burden Per Response: .61 hours.

Frequency: On occasion.

Summary of Information Collection

DFARS 204.404-70(a) prescribes use of the clause at DFARS 252.204-7000, Disclosure of Information, in contracts that require the contractor to access or generate unclassified information that may be sensitive and inappropriate for release to the public. The clause requires the contractor to obtain approval of the contracting officer before release of any unclassified contract-related information outside the contractor's organization, unless the information is already in the public domain. In requesting this approval, the contractor must identify the specific information to be released, the medium to be used, and the purpose for the release.

DFARS 204.7207 prescribes use of the provision at DFARS 252.204-7001, Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code Reporting, in solicitations when CAGE codes for potential offerors are not available to the contracting officer. The provision requires an offeror to enter its CAGE code on its offer. If an offeror does not have a CAGE code, the offeror may request one from the contracting officer, who will ask the offeror to complete Section B of DD Form 2051, Request for Assignment of a Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code.