Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request, 9617-9618 [05-3826]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 38 / Monday, February 28, 2005 / Notices including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; • Propose ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and • Propose ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submissions of responses. Comments A 60-day public comment Notice was published in the Federal Register on December 5, 2004. The summary of comments received is as follows: A total of 17 written responses were received that represented a total of 39 individuals. One letter was written on behalf of an Association including the collective comments of 23 individuals. Each written response contained numerous separate comments or statements. In summary: (a) Two comments were received about adding the DUNS number to Part I—Application Facesheet. The Corporation agrees and will do so. (b) Two comments requested that the questions contained in both the Part III—Narrative and Part IV—Work Plans be clarified and contain more detail. The revised application includes these changes. (c) Five comments were received about Part II—Budget, of which 3 were incorporated. The three reflected in the revised information collection are to clarify the types of items to enter on each budget line item; to provide clearer instruction; and to more thoroughly define the category on the budget form called ‘‘xcess.’’ Two comments were not included: A request to update formulas in a spreadsheet template, because the spreadsheet is no longer used; and a request to list the types of required documentation needed to respond to an audit. This last request is beyond the scope of the grant application’s purpose. The information requested by the respondent can be found in Program Regulations. (d) Two commenters thought the estimated burden was too low. The Corporation believes that burden estimate is adequate, particularly with upcoming improvements to the eGrants system, and has retained the original annualized time estimates. (e) There was one comment each about the Volunteer Station Roster, requesting a standard user-friendly format; and one comment about sorting the list of Service Categories in the grant VerDate jul<14>2003 16:34 Feb 25, 2005 Jkt 205001 application in the same order as is used in the Progress Report. Both suggestions were incorporated. (f) From a total of 9 general comments, 7 were beyond the scope of this information collection. Comments included two pleas to provide more federal funds to grantees; a request to change the method used to capture outcomes and outcome-based programming; a request to standardize at least one programmatic outcome for all RSVP grantees nationwide; one request to restrict the number of new data elements as much as possible. One general comment addressed the Corporation’s ongoing system of ‘‘grading’’ its grantees on outcomes, which is factually incorrect, as the Corporation does not grade its grantees in this manner. Another comment asked the Corporation to lower the age and income eligibility for its Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion Programs, which was established and can only be changed through a legislative change. Two general comments asked for copies of the revised application package, which were provided. (g) The 43 remaining comments, comprising the majority of all comments, requested changes to the Corporation’s electronic grants management system, eGrants. While beyond the scope of this information collection, Senior Corps will share these comments with the Corporation’s eGrants team. Also, Senior Corps will prepare an update for its grantees about the soon-to-debut version of eGrants Phase II, including the problems reported by the public that it will solve. Description: The Corporation is seeking approval of the Senior Corps Grant Application which is used by current and prospective grantees to apply for sponsorship of projects under the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP); the Foster Grandparent Program (FGP); the Senior Companion Program (SCP); the Senior Demonstration Program (SDP); and the Special Volunteer Program—Homeland Security (SVP). Completion of the Grant Application is required to be considered for sponsorship and the receipt of associated federal funds and benefits. Changes proposed include: • Additional instructions to clarify budget, narrative, work plan, and performance measures sections; • Updated the list of Service Categories used by applicants to identify the types of needs the national service participants meet; • Use of a standard format for the supplemental Station Roster that is both PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 9617 user-friendly and that collects consistent information. • New fields adopted by the eGovernment Initiative, including the required DUNS number; and • Accurate correlation to the flow and references contained in the Corporation’s electronic grants management system, eGrants, that is used by its grantees. Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection. Agency: Corporation for National and Community Service. Title: Senior Corps Grant Application. OMB Number: 3045–0035. Agency Number: CNCS Form 424– NSSC. Affected Public: Sponsors of National Senior Service Corps (Senior Corps) grants. Total Respondents: 1,317. Frequency: Annual. Average Time Per Respondent: 13.5 for current grantees, and 16.5 for first time applicants. Estimated Total Burden Hours: 17,121. Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): None. Total Burden Cost (operating/ maintenance): $4,600. Dated: February 22, 2005. Tess Scannell, Director, Senior Corps. [FR Doc. 05–3716 Filed 2–25–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6050–$$–P CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request Corporation for National and Community Service. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Corporation for National and Community Service (hereinafter the ‘‘Corporation’’), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a preclearance consultation program to provide the general public and federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA95) (44 U.S.C. section 3506(c)(2)(A)). This program helps to ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirement on respondents can be properly assessed. E:\FR\FM\28FEN1.SGM 28FEN1 9618 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 38 / Monday, February 28, 2005 / Notices Currently, the Corporation is soliciting comments concerning its proposed use of a modified version of the OMB-approved Standard Form 269A, ‘‘Financial Status Report (Short Form).’’ This modified form is and would be exclusively used for financial reporting on grants awarded for the AmeriCorps program. This modified financial status report is currently in use by AmeriCorps grantees in the same format for which comments are being now being solicited. Grantees in the AmeriCorps program use the modified Standard Form 269A to report cumulative financial status and activity, typically over a semi-annual period specified by the grant award provisions. The modified Standard Form 269A for AmeriCorps grantees differs from the regular Standard Form 269A in only one respect. On lines 10b and 10c where total ‘‘Recipient share of outlays’’ and ‘‘Federal share of outlays’’ are normally reported, respectively, the modified form requires two sub-total amounts to be recorded. Lines 10b and 10c are each split into (1) ‘‘Member Support’’ and (2) ‘‘Operational Expense’’ categories of outlays. It is necessary to collect subtotals rather than totals to maintain adequate federal financial management integrity since member support and operational expense categories of grantee spending require different rates at which the grantee must provide matching funds (recipient share). Copies of the information collection requests can be obtained by contacting the office listed in the address section of this notice. DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the individual and office listed in the ADDRESSES section by April 29, 2005. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by the title of the information collection activity, by any of the following methods: (1) By mail sent to: Corporation for National and Community Service, Attention: Ms. Margaret Rosenberry, Director, Office of Grants Management, Room 9805, 1201 New York Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20525. (2) By hand delivery or by courier to the Corporation’s mailroom at Room 6010 at the mail address given in paragraph (1) above, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. (3) By fax to: (202) 565–2850, Attention Ms. Margaret Rosenberry, Associate Director. (4) Electronically through the Corporation’s e-mail address system: prosenbe@cns.gov with the subject line of the message indicating, ‘‘Public VerDate jul<14>2003 16:34 Feb 25, 2005 Jkt 205001 Comment on AmeriCorps Modified SF– 269A Form.’’ FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Margaret Rosenberry, (202) 606–5000, ext. 124, or by e-mail at prosenbe@cns.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Corporation is particularly interested in comments that: • Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Corporation, including whether the information will have practical utility; • Evaluate the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; • Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and • Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are expected to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology (e.g., permitting electronic submissions of responses). Background AmeriCorps program regulations set the matching funds (recipient share) requirements for participant benefits (also known as member support) and other AmeriCorps program costs (also known as operational expense) at different matching rates. These rates are currently set at 15% and 33%, respectively, with the member support component requiring cash match only. Current Action The Corporation seeks to extend a currently approved collection using a modified Standard Form 269A. Other than re-labeling the form with a more descriptive title to differentiate its use from the unmodified Standard Form 269A, and re-labeling the types of outlays to also be more descriptive, the modified form is unchanged from existing use. The Corporation requires 100% electronic reporting. The current modified form is due to expire on March 31, 2005. Type of Review: Renewal. Agency: Corporation for National and Community Service. Title: AmeriCorps Financial Status Report; Standard Form 269A (Modified) OMB Number: 3045–0103. Agency Number: SF 424–NSSC. Affected Public: Current and prospective recipients of AmeriCorps program grants. PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Total Respondents: 732. Frequency: Semi-annually, with few exceptions. Average Time Per Response: Estimated at 2.0 hours. Grantees using electronic financial reporting tools provided by the Corporation may reduce the average time per response by up to 75%. Estimated Total Burden Hours: 2,928 hours. Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): None. Total Burden Cost (operating/ maintenance): None. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget approval of the information collection request; they will also become a matter of public record. Dated: February 22, 2005. Margaret Rosenberry, Director, Office of Grants Management. [FR Doc. 05–3826 Filed 2–25–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6050–$$–P CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request Corporation for National and Community Service. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Corporation for National and Community Service (hereinafter the ‘‘Corporation’’), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a preclearance consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA95) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). This program helps to ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirement on respondents can be properly assessed. Currently, the Corporation is soliciting comments concerning a new information collection for an examination of the Points of Light Foundation Strengthen Communities AmeriCorps*VISTA Initiative (POLF– VISTA Initiative). The Corporation proposes to conduct data collection request around volunteer recruitment and management activities from volunteer centers participating in the E:\FR\FM\28FEN1.SGM 28FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 38 (Monday, February 28, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9617-9618]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-3826]


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CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request

AGENCY: Corporation for National and Community Service.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: The Corporation for National and Community Service 
(hereinafter the ``Corporation''), as part of its continuing effort to 
reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance 
consultation program to provide the general public and federal agencies 
with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing 
collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995 (PRA95) (44 U.S.C. section 3506(c)(2)(A)). This program 
helps to ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired 
format, reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, 
collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of 
collection requirement on respondents can be properly assessed.

[[Page 9618]]

    Currently, the Corporation is soliciting comments concerning its 
proposed use of a modified version of the OMB-approved Standard Form 
269A, ``Financial Status Report (Short Form).'' This modified form is 
and would be exclusively used for financial reporting on grants awarded 
for the AmeriCorps program. This modified financial status report is 
currently in use by AmeriCorps grantees in the same format for which 
comments are being now being solicited. Grantees in the AmeriCorps 
program use the modified Standard Form 269A to report cumulative 
financial status and activity, typically over a semi-annual period 
specified by the grant award provisions.
    The modified Standard Form 269A for AmeriCorps grantees differs 
from the regular Standard Form 269A in only one respect. On lines 10b 
and 10c where total ``Recipient share of outlays'' and ``Federal share 
of outlays'' are normally reported, respectively, the modified form 
requires two sub-total amounts to be recorded. Lines 10b and 10c are 
each split into (1) ``Member Support'' and (2) ``Operational Expense'' 
categories of outlays. It is necessary to collect sub-totals rather 
than totals to maintain adequate federal financial management integrity 
since member support and operational expense categories of grantee 
spending require different rates at which the grantee must provide 
matching funds (recipient share).
    Copies of the information collection requests can be obtained by 
contacting the office listed in the address section of this notice.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the individual and office 
listed in the ADDRESSES section by April 29, 2005.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by the title of the 
information collection activity, by any of the following methods:
    (1) By mail sent to: Corporation for National and Community 
Service, Attention: Ms. Margaret Rosenberry, Director, Office of Grants 
Management, Room 9805, 1201 New York Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20525.
    (2) By hand delivery or by courier to the Corporation's mailroom at 
Room 6010 at the mail address given in paragraph (1) above, between 9 
a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    (3) By fax to: (202) 565-2850, Attention Ms. Margaret Rosenberry, 
Associate Director.
    (4) Electronically through the Corporation's e-mail address system: 
prosenbe@cns.gov with the subject line of the message indicating, 
``Public Comment on AmeriCorps Modified SF-269A Form.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Margaret Rosenberry, (202) 606-5000, 
ext. 124, or by e-mail at prosenbe@cns.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Corporation is particularly interested 
in comments that:
     Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the 
Corporation, including whether the information will have practical 
utility;
     Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the 
burden of the proposed collection of information, including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
     Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
     Minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
those who are expected to respond, including the use of appropriate 
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology (e.g., permitting 
electronic submissions of responses).

Background

    AmeriCorps program regulations set the matching funds (recipient 
share) requirements for participant benefits (also known as member 
support) and other AmeriCorps program costs (also known as operational 
expense) at different matching rates. These rates are currently set at 
15% and 33%, respectively, with the member support component requiring 
cash match only.

Current Action

    The Corporation seeks to extend a currently approved collection 
using a modified Standard Form 269A. Other than re-labeling the form 
with a more descriptive title to differentiate its use from the 
unmodified Standard Form 269A, and re-labeling the types of outlays to 
also be more descriptive, the modified form is unchanged from existing 
use. The Corporation requires 100% electronic reporting. The current 
modified form is due to expire on March 31, 2005.
    Type of Review: Renewal.
    Agency: Corporation for National and Community Service.
    Title: AmeriCorps Financial Status Report; Standard Form 269A 
(Modified)
    OMB Number: 3045-0103.
    Agency Number: SF 424-NSSC.
    Affected Public: Current and prospective recipients of AmeriCorps 
program grants.
    Total Respondents: 732.
    Frequency: Semi-annually, with few exceptions.
    Average Time Per Response: Estimated at 2.0 hours. Grantees using 
electronic financial reporting tools provided by the Corporation may 
reduce the average time per response by up to 75%.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 2,928 hours.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): None.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): None.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget 
approval of the information collection request; they will also become a 
matter of public record.

    Dated: February 22, 2005.
Margaret Rosenberry,
Director, Office of Grants Management.
[FR Doc. 05-3826 Filed 2-25-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6050-$$-P
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