Information Collection; Federal and Non-Federal Financial Assistant Instruments, 59958 [E9-27831]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• Forest Service

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 222 (Thursday, November 19, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 59958]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-27831]


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                                                Federal Register
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 222 / Thursday, November 19, 2009 / 
Notices

[[Page 59958]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Information Collection; Federal and Non-Federal Financial 
Assistant Instruments

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; request for comment.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals and 
organizations on the new information collection, Federal and Non-
Federal Financial Assistant Instruments.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before January 19, 
2010 to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date 
will be considered to the extent practicable.

ADDRESSES: Comments concerning this notice should be addressed to Chris 
Coppenbarger, Director of Acquisitions Management, USDA Forest Service, 
1400 Independence Ave. SW., Mailstop 1138, Washington, DC 20250.
    Comments also may be submitted via facsimile to 720-605-5100 or by 
e-mail to: ccoppenbarger@fs.fed.us.
    The public may inspect comments received at Forest Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, 1621 N. Kent Street, RPE 707, Arlington, VA 
during normal business hours. Visitors are encouraged to call ahead to 
703-605-4719 to facilitate entry to the building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chris Coppenbarger, Acquisitions 
Management at USDA Forest Service, 703-605-4719. Individuals who use 
telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay 
Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339 twenty-four hours a day, every day of 
the year, including holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Federal and Non-Federal Financial Assistant Instruments.
    OMB Number: 0596-NEW.
    Type of Request: New.
    Abstract: In order to carry out specific Forest Service activities, 
Congress created several authorities to assist the Agency in carrying 
out its mission. The Forest Service issues Federal Financial Assistance 
(FFA) awards (which are grants and cooperative agreements), as 
authorized by the Federal Grants and Cooperative Agreements Act 
(FGCAA), as well as agreements expressly exempted from FGCAA. In 
addition, Congress created specific authorizations for acts outside the 
scope of the FGCAA; as well as appropriations language conveying 
authority for the Forest Service to enter into relationships that are 
outside the scope of the FGCAA.
    The Forest Service implements these authorizations using 
instruments such as collection agreements, FGCAA exempted agreements, 
memorandums of understanding, and other agreements (which contain 
mutual benefits for participating parties). These instruments fall 
outside the scope of the Federal Acquisition Regulations and often 
require financial plans and statements of work. To create, develop, and 
administer these funded and non-funded agreements, Forest Service 
employees collect information from cooperating parties from the pre-
award to the closeout stage via telephone calls, e-mails, postal mail, 
and person-to-person meetings. Respondents usually have multiple 
options for responding, including forms, non-forms, electronically, 
face-to-face, over the telephone, and over the Internet. The scope of 
information collected varies, but typically includes project type, 
project scope, financial plan, statement of work, and cooperator's 
business information.
    The information is collected from non-profit and for-profit 
institutions; institutions of higher education; State, local, and 
Native American tribal governments; individuals; foreign governments; 
and organizations. Without the collected information, the Forest 
Service would not be able to create, develop, and administer these 
funded and non-funded agreements. The Agency would be unable to develop 
or monitor projects, make or receive payments, or identify financial 
and accounting errors.
    Estimate of Annual Burden: .1 to 4 hours annually per person.
    Type of Respondents: Non-profit and for profit institutions; 
institutions of higher education; State, local, and Native American 
tribal governments, individuals; foreign governments; and 
organizations.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 29,000.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1 to 4.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 23,101.9 hours.
    Comment is invited on: (1) Whether this collection of information 
is necessary for the stated purposes and the proper performance of the 
functions of the Agency, including whether the information will have 
practical or scientific utility; (2) the accuracy of the Agency's 
estimate of the burden of the collection of information, including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (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 the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or 
other technological collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    All comments received in response to this notice, including names 
and addresses when provided, will be a matter of public record. 
Comments will be summarized and included in the submission request 
toward Office of Management and Budget approval.

    Dated: November 13, 2009.
Charles L. Myers,
Deputy Chief.
[FR Doc. E9-27831 Filed 11-18-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P