Financial Management and Assurance; Government Auditing Standards, 57274-57275 [2010-23374]

Download as PDF 57274 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 181 / Monday, September 20, 2010 / Notices of the Consent Agreement are fully implemented by D&B. II. Respondent D&B D&B is a corporation organized, existing and doing business under the laws of the State of Delaware, with its principal place of business at 103 JFK Parkway, Short Hills, New Jersey 07078. D&B is the world’s leading supplier of commercial information on businesses. In 2008, D&B’s revenue exceeded $1.7 billion. MDR, a division of D&B, has its headquarters at 6 Armstrong Road, Suite 301, Shelton, Connecticut 06484. MDR also has offices in Chicago, Illinois, and San Francisco, California. III. The Commission’s Complaint The Complaint alleges that, prior to MDR’s acquisition of QED, MDR was the largest provider of K-12 data in the United States. K-12 data is sold or leased to customers, including book publishers and other suppliers of educational products and services, that use the information to market the various products and services that they offer to education institutions. The Complaint further alleges that MDR’s closest competitor in the K-12 data market was QED. After acquiring QED, MDR attained a near monopoly. Two firms, one of which was MCH, accounted for the remaining competition. The Complaint alleges that if allowed to stand, the acquisition would likely enable MDR unilaterally to exercise market power in various ways, including by increasing prices and reducing product quality and services. IV. Terms of the Order jdjones on DSK8KYBLC1PROD with NOTICES A. MCH is the Acquirer. MCH is a privately held company with offices located at 601 E. Marshall Street, Sweet Springs, Missouri 65351. The Commission believes that MCH is an appropriate acquirer of the assets to be divested, and that with those assets, it will be in a position to restore the competition that was lost when MDR acquired QED. MCH currently has a small share of the K-12 data market, but is a company with over 80 years of experience in the broader data market industry. B. The Assets to be Divested. The key asset that MCH will acquire is an updated K-12 database. As a result, MCH’s database not only will rival MDR’s, but will exceed the size and scope of the QED database when MDR acquired it. A second important asset that MCH will acquire is the QED name and its associated intellectual property. The VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:00 Sep 17, 2010 Jkt 220001 combination of the QED name and the updated database has the potential to enable MCH to compete for and offer customers K-12 data comparable to what QED had been offering when it was acquired by MDR. C. Other Requirements Imposed upon MDR. The Order also includes several provisions that will facilitate the ability of MCH to compete on a more even footing with MDR. The Order grants certain categories of MDR customers the option to terminate their contracts with MDR, without penalty, for a period of 21 months, upon 30 days notice to MDR that the customer intends to terminate its contract(s) for the purpose of considering alternative sources of K-12 data. The Order does not require that these customers actually make a purchase from an alternative source, nor does it require that the alternative source be limited to MCH. MDR will be required to notify customers with potentially terminable contracts, by certified mail, of their termination rights. To facilitate the ability of customers to switch away from MDR to MCH, the Order also requires that MDR grant such customers access to a data translation table containing both MDR’s and QED’s unique identification numbers assigned to educational institutions contained in their K-12 databases [PIN/PID numbers]. The table assists customers in converting their internal marketing data systems from MDR’s data reference numbering system [PIN] to QED’s data reference numbering system [PID]. Former QED employees and certain MDR employees also are released from any restrictions on their ability to join MCH. Another provision of the Order requires that for a period of 21 months, MDR offer all third parties placing orders for K-12 data with MDR a ‘‘net names’’ discount of up to 30% for names obtained from MCH (i.e., a discount for overlap names). The Order also requires that MDR, for up to one year, provide MCH with reasonably necessary technical assistance within five days of such a request and further requires MDR to facilitate the ability of MCH to enter into contracts with any vendor that had been doing business with QED. D. A Monitor Will Help Ensure Compliance. The Order provides for the appointment by the Commission of an independent monitor, with fiduciary responsibilities to the Commission, to help ensure that D&B carries out all of PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 its responsibilities and obligations under the Order. The Commission has appointed Mr. Richard Casabonne, a person with significant experience in the K-12 data market, as monitor. Mr. Casabonne is chief executive officer of Casabonne Associates, Inc., a consulting firm that focuses on educational activities. In the event D&B fails to comply with its divestiture obligations, the Order also provides that the Commission may also appoint a divestiture trustee to fulfill those requirements. V. Opportunity for Public Comment The Consent Agreement has been placed on the public record for 30 days to receive comments from interested persons. Comments received during this period will become part of the public record. After 30 days, the Commission will review the comments received and determine whether to take further action.2 The purpose of this analysis is to facilitate comment on the Order. This analysis does not constitute an official interpretation of the Consent Agreement or Order, nor does it modify their terms in any way. The Consent Agreement does not constitute an admission by D&B that it violated the law or that the facts as alleged in the Complaint, other than jurisdictional facts, are true. By direction of the Commission. Donald S. Clark Secretary. [FR Doc. 2010–23436 Filed 9–17–10: 8:45 am] BILLING CODE: 6750–01–S GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE Financial Management and Assurance; Government Auditing Standards AGENCY: Government Accountability Office. ACTION: Notice of document availability. On August 23, 2010, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued an exposure draft of SUMMARY: 2 The Commission normally will issue an order for public comment but not issue a final order until it considers all comments received during the comment period. Here, however, consistent with the provisions of Commission Rule 2.34(c)(2), 16 C.F.R. § 2.34(c)(2), the Commission has issued the final Order in advance of the comment period. The Commission took this step because it believed it was important to enable MCH expeditiously to acquire the divested assets and begin to compete during the upcoming back-to-school selling season. After the public comment period, the Commission will have the option to initiate a proceeding to reopen and modify the Decision and Order or commence a new administrative proceeding – if the public comments lead it to believe that such action is appropriate. E:\FR\FM\20SEN1.SGM 20SEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 181 / Monday, September 20, 2010 / Notices proposed revisions to Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS) (also known as the Yellow Book). To help ensure that the standards continue to meet the needs of the audit community and the public it serves, the Acting Comptroller General of the United States appointed the Advisory Council on Government Auditing Standards to review the standards and recommend necessary changes. The Advisory Council includes experts in financial and performance auditing drawn from all levels of government, private enterprise, public accounting, and academia. This exposure draft of the standards includes the Advisory Council’s suggestions for proposed changes. We are currently requesting public comments on the proposed revisions in the exposure draft. The proposed 2010 revision to GAGAS will be the sixth revision since the standards were first issued in 1972. The 2010 Yellow Book exposure draft seeks to emphasize the critical role of high quality government audits in achieving credibility and accountability in government. The proposed changes contained in the 2010 Exposure Draft update GAGAS to reflect major developments in the accountability and audit profession and emphasize specific considerations applicable to the government environment. In addition, this proposed revision modernizes GAGAS, with updates to reflect major developments in the accountability and audit environment, including a conceptual framework approach for independence. Clarifications have also been made throughout the standards. Comments will be accepted through November 22, 2010. DATES: A copy of the exposure draft (GAO–1O–853G) can be obtained on the GAO Internet page https://www.gao.gov/ govaud/vbkOl.htm. ADDRESSES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Hrapsky, Specialist, Auditing Standards at (202) 512–9535. To ensure that your comments are considered by GAO and the Advisory Council in their deliberations, please submit them by November 22, 2010. Please send your comments electronically to yeJlowbookgao.gov. Public Law 67–13, 42 Stat. 20. jdjones on DSK8KYBLC1PROD with NOTICES SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: James R. Dalkin, Director, Financial Management and Assurance. [FR Doc. 2010–23374 Filed 9–17–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 1610–02–M VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:00 Sep 17, 2010 Jkt 220001 GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION [OMB Control No. 3090–00XX; Docket No. 2010–0002; Sequence 22] Information Collection; Supplier Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory Pilot Federal Acquisition Service, General Services Administration (GSA). ACTION: Notice of request for public comments regarding a new emergency OMB information clearance. AGENCY: Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), GSA will be submitting to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request to review and approve a new information collection requirement regarding the agency’s Supplier Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Inventory pilot. Public comments are particularly invited on: Whether this collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of functions of the Supplier GHG Emissions Inventory pilot, and whether it will have practical utility; whether our estimate of the public burden of this collection of information is accurate, and based on valid assumptions and methodology; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways in which we can minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, through the use of appropriate technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. DATES: Submit comments on or before November 19, 2010. ADDRESSES: Submit comments identified by Information Collection 3090–00XX; Supplier Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory Pilot, by any of the following methods: • Regulations.gov: https:// www.regulations.gov. Submit comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking portal by inputting ‘‘Information Collection 3090– 00XX; Supplier GHG Emissions Inventory Pilot’’ under the heading ‘‘Enter Keyword or ID’’ and selecting ‘‘Search’’. Select the link ‘‘Submit a Comment’’ that corresponds with ‘‘Information Collection 3090–00XX; Supplier GHG Emissions Inventory Pilot’’. Follow the instructions provided at the ‘‘Submit a Comment’’ screen. Please include your name, company name (if any), and ‘‘Information Collection 3090–00XX; Supplier GHG Emissions Inventory Pilot’’ on your attached document. • Fax: 202–501–4067. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 57275 • Mail: General Services Administration, Regulatory Secretariat (MVCB), 1800 F Street, NW., Room 4041, Washington, DC 20405. ATTN: Hada Flowers/IC 3090–00XX. Instructions: Please submit comments only and cite Information Collection 3090–00XX; Supplier GHG Emissions Inventory Pilot, in all correspondence related to this collection. All comments received will be posted without change to https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal and/or business confidential information provided. Mrs. Maleka B. Greene, Procurement Analyst, Federal Acquisition Service, at telephone (703) 605–9452 or via e-mail to Maleka.Greene@gsa.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A. Purpose GSA is launching a pilot to ask questions and conduct focus groups with the top 200 Federal suppliers that voluntarily participated in the Carbon Disclosure Project’s 2010 annual questions of GHG emissions measurement practices. The pilot questions and focus groups will assist GSA in identifying the benefits and challenges associated with inventorying and disclosing GHG emissions data via a registry. They will also assist the agency in identifying the type of outreach, training, and other direct assistance and incentives that will encourage Federal contractors to inventory and disclose their GHG emissions data in the future. B. Annual Reporting Burden Respondents: 200. Responses Per Respondent: 2. Hours Per Response: 4 Hours. Total Burden Hours: 1,600 Hours. Obtaining Copies of Proposals: Requesters may obtain a copy of the information collection documents from the General Services Administration, Regulatory Secretariat (MVCB), 1800 F Street, NW., Room 4041, Washington, DC 20405, telephone (202) 501–4755. Please cite OMB Control No. 3090– 00XX; Supplier Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory Pilot, in all correspondence. Dated: September 14, 2010. Casey Coleman, Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. 2010–23391 Filed 9–17–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6820–89–P E:\FR\FM\20SEN1.SGM 20SEN1

Agencies

Government Accountability Office

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 181 (Monday, September 20, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57274-57275]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-23374]


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GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE


Financial Management and Assurance; Government Auditing Standards

AGENCY: Government Accountability Office.

ACTION: Notice of document availability.

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SUMMARY: On August 23, 2010, the U.S. Government Accountability Office 
(GAO) issued an exposure draft of

[[Page 57275]]

proposed revisions to Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS) (also known 
as the Yellow Book). To help ensure that the standards continue to meet 
the needs of the audit community and the public it serves, the Acting 
Comptroller General of the United States appointed the Advisory Council 
on Government Auditing Standards to review the standards and recommend 
necessary changes. The Advisory Council includes experts in financial 
and performance auditing drawn from all levels of government, private 
enterprise, public accounting, and academia. This exposure draft of the 
standards includes the Advisory Council's suggestions for proposed 
changes. We are currently requesting public comments on the proposed 
revisions in the exposure draft.
    The proposed 2010 revision to GAGAS will be the sixth revision 
since the standards were first issued in 1972. The 2010 Yellow Book 
exposure draft seeks to emphasize the critical role of high quality 
government audits in achieving credibility and accountability in 
government. The proposed changes contained in the 2010 Exposure Draft 
update GAGAS to reflect major developments in the accountability and 
audit profession and emphasize specific considerations applicable to 
the government environment. In addition, this proposed revision 
modernizes GAGAS, with updates to reflect major developments in the 
accountability and audit environment, including a conceptual framework 
approach for independence. Clarifications have also been made 
throughout the standards.

DATES: Comments will be accepted through November 22, 2010.

ADDRESSES: A copy of the exposure draft (GAO-1O-853G) can be obtained 
on the GAO Internet page https://www.gao.gov/govaud/vbkOl.htm.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Hrapsky, Specialist, Auditing 
Standards at (202) 512-9535.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: To ensure that your comments are considered 
by GAO and the Advisory Council in their deliberations, please submit 
them by November 22, 2010. Please send your comments electronically to 
yeJlowbookgao.gov.
    Public Law 67-13, 42 Stat. 20.

James R. Dalkin,
Director, Financial Management and Assurance.
[FR Doc. 2010-23374 Filed 9-17-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 1610-02-M

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