Proposed Information Collection Activity: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

AGENCY:

Office of Management, Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Office Management (OM), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including extension of a currently approved collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits comments on the information needed to determine whether or not a firm's plant being considered for an award has been inspected by another Federal agency and whether or not an award of a contract to the firm involves a conflict of interest.

DATES:

Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection of information should be received on or before February 22, 2005.

ADDRESSES:

Submit written comments on the collection of information to Donald E. Kaliher, Office of Acquisition Resources Service (049A5), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420 or e-mail donald.kaliher@mail.va.gov. Please refer to “OMB Control No. 2900-0418” in any correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Donald E. Kaliher at (202) 273-8819.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Under the PRA of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13; 44 U.S.C. 3501-3521), Federal agencies must obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of information they conduct or sponsor. This request for comment is being made pursuant to Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA.

With respect to the following collection of information, OM invites comments on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of OM's functions, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of OM's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or the use of other forms of information technology.

Title: Department of Veterans Affairs Acquisition Regulation (VAAR) Sections 809.106-1, 809.504(d), and Clause 852.209-70.

OMB Control Number: 2900-0418.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved.

Abstract:

a. VAAR section 809.106-1 requires VA to contact a firm being considered for a contract award for bakery, dairy, or ice cream products or for laundry or dry cleaning services whether or not the firm's facility has recently been inspected by another Federal agency and, if so, which agency. The information is used to determine whether a separate inspection of the facility should be conducted by VA prior to award contract.

b. VAAR section 809.504(d) and Clause 852.209-70 requires VA to determine whether or not to award a contract to a firm that might involve or result in a conflict of interest. VA uses the information to determine whether additional contract terms and conditions are necessary to mitigate the conflict.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit; individuals and households; and not-for-profit institutions.

Estimated Annual Burden:

a. VAAR section 809.106-1—30 hours.

b. VAAR section 809.504(d) and VAAR clause 852.209-7—500 hours.

Estimated Average Burden Per Respondent:

a. VAAR section 809.106-1—3 minutes.

b. VAAR section 809.504(d) and Clause 852.209-7—30 minutes.

Frequency of Response: On occasion.

Estimated Number of Respondents:

a. VAAR section 809.106-1—600.

b. VAAR section 809.504(d) and Clause 852.209-7—1,000.