Federal Acquisition Regulation; Submission for OMB Review; Preaward Survey Forms (Standard Forms 1403, 1404, 1405, 1406, 1407, and 1408), 69086-69088 [2013-27450]

Download as PDF 69086 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 222 / Monday, November 18, 2013 / Notices staff to make a determination of the eligibility of the applicant and transaction for Ex-Im Bank assistance under its programs. Affected Public: This form affects entities involved in the export of U.S. goods and services. Annual Number of Respondents: 11. Estimated Time per Respondent: 1 hr. Annual Burden Hours: 11. Frequency of Reporting of Use: On occasion. Government Reviewing Time per Year: 11 hours. Average Wages per Hour: $42.50. Average Cost per Year: $468 (time*wages). Benefits and Overhead: 20%. Total Government Cost: $598. Kalesha Malloy, Agency Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. 2013–27521 Filed 11–15–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6690–01–P FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Radio Broadcasting Services; AM or FM Proposals To Change the Community of License Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Federal Communications Commission. James D. Bradshaw, Deputy Chief, Audio Division, Media Bureau. The following applicants filed AM or FM proposals to change the community of license: CBS RADIO ANNAPOLIS LLC, Station WLZL, Facility ID 20983, BMPH– 20131022ALD, From ANNAPOLIS, MD, To COLLEGE PARK, MD; FAMILY LIFE MINISTRIES, INC., Station WCIK, Facility ID 20631, BPH–20130924AJT, From BATH, NY, To AVOCA, NY; PRITCHARD BROADCASTING CORPORATION, Station WQKQ, Facility ID 7635, BPH–20130930BFH, From CARTHAGE, IL, To DALLAS CITY, IL; SMILE FM, Station WKKM, Facility ID 93344, BPED– 20130814ADM, From SPEAKER TOWNSHIP, MI, To GRANT TOWNSHIP, MI; SOUTHERN ELECTRONICS COMPANY, INC., Station WONA–FM, Facility ID 61281, BPH–20130620AAY, From WINONA, MS, To SHERMAN, MS; SOUTHERN WABASH COMMUNICATIONS OF MIDDLE TENNESSEE, INC., Station WBGB, Facility ID 172966, BPED– 20130909AAI, From SCOTTSVILLE, KY, To PORTLAND, TN; SSR COMMUNICATIONS, INC., Station KIMW, Facility ID 191575, BMPH– 20130913ACG, From HAYNESVILLE, LA, To HEFLIN, LA; THE MONTANA SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:33 Nov 15, 2013 Jkt 232001 RADIO COMPANY, LLC, Station KKRK, Facility ID 189560, BPH–20130918ADF, From WHITEHALL, MT, To HELENA VALLEY SE., MT; THE MONTANA RADIO COMPANY, LLC, Station KIMO, Facility ID 83110, BPH–20130918ADH, From HELENA VALLEY SE., MT, To TOWNSEND, MT. DATES: The agency must receive comments on or before January 17, 2014. ADDRESSES: Federal Communications Commission, 445 Twelfth Street SW., Washington, DC 20554. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tung Bui, 202–418–2700. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The full text of these applications is available for inspection and copying during normal business hours in the Commission’s Reference Center, 445 12th Street SW., Washington, DC 20554 or electronically via the Media Bureau’s Consolidated Data Base System, https:// svartifoss2.fcc.gov/prod/cdbs/pubacc/ prod/cdbs_pa.htm.A copy of this application may also be purchased from the Commission’s duplicating contractor, Best Copy and Printing, Inc., 445 12th Street SW., Room CY–B402, Washington, DC, 20554, telephone 1– 800–378–3160 or www.BCPIWEB.com. [FR Doc. 2013–27576 Filed 11–15–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6712–01–P FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION Sunshine Act Meeting AGENCY: Federal Election Commission. FEDERAL REGISTER CITATION OF PREVIOUS ANNOUNCMENT: 78 FR 68444 (November 14, 2013) Tuesday, November 19, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. PLACE: 999 E Street NW., Washington, DC. STATUS: This meeting will be closed to the public. CHANGES IN THE MEETING: The meeting will begin at 11:00 a.m. ITEMS TO BE DISCUSSED: Compliance matters pursuant to 2 U.S.C. 437g. Matters concerning participation in civil actions or proceedings or arbitration. Information the premature disclosure of which would be likely to have a considerable adverse effect on the implementation of a proposed Commission action. * * * * * DATE AND TIME: PO 00000 Frm 00047 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 PERSON TO CONTACT FOR INFORMATION: Judith Ingram, Press Officer, Telephone: (202) 694–1220. Shelley E. Garr, Deputy Secretary of the Commission. [FR Doc. 2013–27673 Filed 11–14–13; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 6715–01–P DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION [OMB Control No. 9000–0011: Docket 2010– 0083; Sequence 22] Federal Acquisition Regulation; Submission for OMB Review; Preaward Survey Forms (Standard Forms 1403, 1404, 1405, 1406, 1407, and 1408) Department of Defense (DOD), General Services Administration (GSA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). ACTION: Notice of request for comments regarding an extension, with changes, to an existing OMB clearance. AGENCY: Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the Regulatory Secretariat will be submitting to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request to review and approve an extension of a previously approved information collection requirement concerning preaward survey forms (Standard Forms 1403, 1404, 1405, 1406, 1407, and 1408). A notice was published in the Federal Register at 78 FR 38341, on June 26, 2013. One comment was received. SUMMARY: Submit comments on or before December 18, 2013. ADDRESSES: Submit comments identified by Information Collection 9000–0011, Preaward Survey Forms, (Standard Forms 1403, 1404, 1405, 1406, 1407, and 1408) by any of the following methods: • Regulations.gov: https:// www.regulations.gov. Submit comments via the Federal eRulemaking portal by searching the OMB control number. Follow the instructions provided at the ‘‘Submit a Comment’’ screen. Please include your name, company name (if any), and ‘‘Information Collection 9000– 0011, Preaward Survey Forms, (Standard Forms 1403, 1404, 1405, 1406, 1407, and 1408)’’ on your attached document. DATES: E:\FR\FM\18NON1.SGM 18NON1 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 222 / Monday, November 18, 2013 / Notices mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES • Fax: 202–501–4067. • Mail: General Services Administration, Regulatory Secretariat (MVCB), 1800 F Street NW., Washington, DC 20405. ATTN: Hada Flowers/IC 9000–0011. Instructions: Please submit comments only and cite Information Collection 9000–0011, Preaward Survey Forms, (Standard Forms 1403, 1404, 1405, 1406, 1407, and 1408), 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. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Cecelia L. Davis, Procurement Analyst, Office of Governmentwide Acquisition Policy, GSA, 202–219–0202 or email Cecelia.davis@gsa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A. Purpose To protect the Government’s interests and to ensure timely delivery of items of the requisite quality, contracting officers, prior to award, must make an affirmative determination that the prospective contractor is responsible, i.e., capable of performing the contract. Before making such a determination, the contracting officer must have in his or her possession or must obtain information sufficient to be satisfied that the prospective contractor: (i) Has adequate financial resources, or the ability to obtain such resources; (ii) is able to comply with the required delivery schedule; (iii) has a satisfactory record of performance; (iv) has a satisfactory record of integrity; and (v) is otherwise qualified and eligible to receive an award under appropriate laws and regulations. If such information is not in the contracting officer’s possession, it is obtained through a preaward survey conducted by the contract administration office responsible for the plant and/or the geographic area in which the plant is located. The necessary data is collected by contract administration personnel from available data or through plant visits, phone calls, and correspondence. This data is entered on Standard Forms 1403, 1404, 1405, 1406, 1407, and 1408 in detail commensurate with the dollar value and complexity of the procurement. These standard forms are not cumulative. The surveying activity completes only the applicable standard form(s) necessary to determine contractor responsibility in each case. B. Discussion and Analysis The analysis of the public comments is summarized as follows: VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:33 Nov 15, 2013 Jkt 232001 1. Necessity of the information collection requirement. Comment: According to the respondent, agencies should be seeking to create savings by reducing or eliminating such information collection requirements. However, the respondent did not challenge the propriety of this underlying information collection requirement. Response: FAR 9.106–1 requires that preaward surveys be completed only when the information on hand or readily available to the contracting officer, including information from sources other than the offeror, is not sufficient to make a determination regarding responsibility. While not all of these requirements are necessary in all cases, some are required regularly, thus preventing their reduction or elimination without negatively impacting the ability of the Government to assess contractor responsibility and protect the Government’s interests in maintaining the integrity of the acquisition process. 2. OMB approval to extend the approval of this information collection requirement. Comment: The respondent commented that the extension of the information collection would violate the fundamental purposes of the Paperwork Reduction Act because the analysis significantly underestimates the paperwork burden imposed by this requirement and has therefore not provided sufficient justification for the requested extension. The respondent further stated that the agency and OMB should assess the need to extend this information collection requirement in the context of assessing the total information collection burden. The respondent further commented that the ‘‘collective burden of compliance’’ required of the Government acquisition community annually totals over 30 million hours. According to the respondent, the collective burden greatly exceeds the agency’s estimates and outweighs any potential utility of the extension. Response: The criteria for extension of an information collection requirement must be based primarily on the need and use for the required information. It is essential for contractors to report requirements, regardless the number of responses. If the agencies have determined that the information is essential to protect the interests of the Government, then the extension should be approved. 3. Accuracy of data estimates. Comment: The respondent questioned the estimated number of respondents (3,540), and how the estimated number PO 00000 Frm 00048 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 69087 of respondents was derived. In addition, the respondent apparently understood the renewal request to say that ‘‘preaward surveys are never justified under this information collection.’’ Further, the respondent asked that ‘‘OMB insist that the Agencies provide the actual number of responses received annually.’’ Response: The respondent’s comment that the information collection renewal request stated that preaward surveys are never justified fundamentally misunderstood the submission. While the conduct of a preaward survey is unnecessary unless other information sources are inadequate for a determination of the firm’s responsibility in accordance with the requirements of FAR subpart 9.1, when a preaward survey is conducted, it is the Government that bears the burden of the effort. The Government’s work in conducting a preaward survey is not the subject of this information collection, so it is not addressed in the supporting documents. That does not mean, however, that there is no such effort or that there are no preaward surveys. The information collection is focused solely on the time that a firm’s employees must take to complete one or more of the forms at issue. With regard to the estimate of 3,540 respondents, that number was clearly stated to be an estimate, not an actual number. We are unable to provide an actual number, because that information is not available through the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS), nor is it collected in any single location. However, the basis used for the estimate has been reconsidered due to the comment. Initially, we estimated that 30 percent of the contracts awarded in Fiscal Year 2012 (according to FPDS statistics) that were over the simplified acquisition threshold and that did not use FAR part 12 commercial acquisition procedures had a preaward survey conducted and therefore required the firm to complete at least one of the standard forms included in the information collection request. Upon reconsideration, it became obvious that a preaward survey would only be needed if the firm had not previously been a Government contractor. The revised estimate is that only 15 percent of such awards are first-time Government contract awards. This reduces the basis of the estimate from 3,540 contracts to 1,771 contracts. 4. Timing of request for extension. Comment: The respondent noted that this information collection is soliciting comments during an emergency extension period OMB granted in March 2013. The respondent reiterated OMB’s E:\FR\FM\18NON1.SGM 18NON1 69088 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 222 / Monday, November 18, 2013 / Notices comment that the agencies should have in place an internal planning process so that completion of the public notification and comment period required by 5 CFR 1320 occurs prior to an information collection’s expiration date. Regular order allows the agencies and the public to have a meaningful and on-the-record dialogue on information collection extensions. Response: Although ideally it is preferable to complete the renewal process prior to expiration, an emergency extension may be necessary in order to allow the public the opportunity for input into the process. 5. The collective burden of compliance. Comment: The respondent objects to the overall collective burden imposed by the Government on all respondents. Response: The Councils cannot effectively address the broad allegations with regard to the accuracy and utility of the entire collective burden imposed on all Federal acquisitions. The Councils can only effectively address each individual information collection requirement that is under consideration for OMB approval. The Councils constantly review information collection requirements imposed by FAR regulations for ways to reduce the burdens and still achieve the objectives of the regulations, whether based on policy or statute. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES C. Annual Reporting Burden A preaward survey would be needed only if the firm had not previously been a Government contractor and therefore had no record of past performance. The data from FPDS for FY 2012 showed a total of 11,805 contracts awarded Governmentwide that were over the $150,000 simplified acquisition threshold, and for which commercial acquisition procedures were not used. Initially, we estimated that preaward surveys were completed for 30 percent of the total or 3,540. After reconsideration, it became obvious that a preaward survey would only be needed if the firm had not previously been a Government contractor. The revised estimate is that only 15 percent of awards will potentially require a preaward survey. The estimate is reduced from 3,540 contracts to 1,771 contracts. Of the six Standard Forms (1403, 1404, 1405, 1406, 1407, and 1408), we estimated that Standard Form 1403 is used most frequently because it is a general form and accounts for 30 percent or 531 times, Standard Forms 1404 and 1407 account for 15 percent or 266 times, Standard Form 1408 accounts for 20 percent or 354 times, VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:33 Nov 15, 2013 Jkt 232001 and Standard Forms 1405 and 1406 account 10 percent or 177 times. Standard Form 1403—Preaward Survey of Prospective Contractor (General) Respondents: 531. Responses Annually: 1. Total Responses: 531. Hours per Response: 24. Total Burden Hours: 12,744. Standard Form 1404—Preaward Survey of Prospective Contractor Technical Respondents: 266. Responses Annually: 1. Total Responses: 266. Hours per Response: 24. Total Burden Hours: 6,384. Standard Form 1405—Preaward Survey of Prospective Contractor Production Respondents: 177. Responses Annually: 1. Total Responses: 177. Hours per Response: 24. Total Burden Hours: 4,248. BILLING CODE 6820–14–P Respondents: 177. Responses Annually: 1. Total Responses: 177. Hours per Response: 24. Total Burden Hours: 4,248. Respondents: 266. Responses Annually: 1. Total Responses: 266. Hours per Response: 24. Total Burden Hours: 6,384. Respondents: 354. Responses Annually: 1. Total Responses: 354. Hours per Response: 24. Total Burden Hours: 8,496. D. Public Comments Public comments are particularly invited on: Whether this collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of functions of the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), 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 Sfmt 4703 Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, HHS. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: This notice announces the intention of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to request that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approve the proposed information collection project: ‘‘Collection of Information for Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality’s (AHRQ) Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) Health Plan Survey Comparative Database.’’ In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501–3521, AHRQ invites the public to comment on this proposed information collection. This proposed information collection was previously published in the Federal Register on August 14th, 2013 and allowed 60 days for public comment. No substantive comments were received. The purpose of this notice is to allow an additional 30 days for public comment. DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by December 18, 2013. ADDRESSES: Written comments should be submitted to: AHRQ’s OMB Desk Officer by fax at (202) 395–6974 (attention: AHRQ’s desk officer) or by SUMMARY: Standard Form 1408—Preaward Survey of Prospective Contractor Accounting System Fmt 4703 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request Standard Form 1407—Preaward Survey of Prospective Contractor Financial Capability Frm 00049 Karlos Morgan, Acting Director, Federal Acquisition Policy Division, Office of Government-wide Acquisition Policy, Office of Acquisition Policy, Office of Government-wide Policy. [FR Doc. 2013–27450 Filed 11–15–13; 8:45 am] Standard Form 1406—Preaward Survey of Prospective Contractor Quality Assurance PO 00000 on those who are to respond, through the use of appropriate technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. 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., Washington, DC 20405, telephone 202–501–4755. Please cite OMB Control Number 9000–0011, Preaward Survey Forms (Standard Forms 1403, 1404, 1405, 1406, 1407, and 1408), in all correspondence. E:\FR\FM\18NON1.SGM 18NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 222 (Monday, November 18, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69086-69088]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-27450]


=======================================================================
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

[OMB Control No. 9000-0011: Docket 2010-0083; Sequence 22]


Federal Acquisition Regulation; Submission for OMB Review; 
Preaward Survey Forms (Standard Forms 1403, 1404, 1405, 1406, 1407, and 
1408)

AGENCY: Department of Defense (DOD), General Services Administration 
(GSA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

ACTION: Notice of request for comments regarding an extension, with 
changes, to an existing OMB clearance.

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

SUMMARY: Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the 
Regulatory Secretariat will be submitting to the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) a request to review and approve an extension of a 
previously approved information collection requirement concerning 
preaward survey forms (Standard Forms 1403, 1404, 1405, 1406, 1407, and 
1408). A notice was published in the Federal Register at 78 FR 38341, 
on June 26, 2013. One comment was received.

DATES: Submit comments on or before December 18, 2013.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments identified by Information Collection 9000-
0011, Preaward Survey Forms, (Standard Forms 1403, 1404, 1405, 1406, 
1407, and 1408) by any of the following methods:
     Regulations.gov: https://www.regulations.gov. Submit 
comments via the Federal eRulemaking portal by searching the OMB 
control number. Follow the instructions provided at the ``Submit a 
Comment'' screen. Please include your name, company name (if any), and 
``Information Collection 9000-0011, Preaward Survey Forms, (Standard 
Forms 1403, 1404, 1405, 1406, 1407, and 1408)'' on your attached 
document.

[[Page 69087]]

     Fax: 202-501-4067.
     Mail: General Services Administration, Regulatory 
Secretariat (MVCB), 1800 F Street NW., Washington, DC 20405. ATTN: Hada 
Flowers/IC 9000-0011.
    Instructions: Please submit comments only and cite Information 
Collection 9000-0011, Preaward Survey Forms, (Standard Forms 1403, 
1404, 1405, 1406, 1407, and 1408), 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Cecelia L. Davis, Procurement 
Analyst, Office of Governmentwide Acquisition Policy, GSA, 202-219-0202 
or email Cecelia.davis@gsa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

A. Purpose

    To protect the Government's interests and to ensure timely delivery 
of items of the requisite quality, contracting officers, prior to 
award, must make an affirmative determination that the prospective 
contractor is responsible, i.e., capable of performing the contract. 
Before making such a determination, the contracting officer must have 
in his or her possession or must obtain information sufficient to be 
satisfied that the prospective contractor: (i) Has adequate financial 
resources, or the ability to obtain such resources; (ii) is able to 
comply with the required delivery schedule; (iii) has a satisfactory 
record of performance; (iv) has a satisfactory record of integrity; and 
(v) is otherwise qualified and eligible to receive an award under 
appropriate laws and regulations. If such information is not in the 
contracting officer's possession, it is obtained through a preaward 
survey conducted by the contract administration office responsible for 
the plant and/or the geographic area in which the plant is located. The 
necessary data is collected by contract administration personnel from 
available data or through plant visits, phone calls, and 
correspondence. This data is entered on Standard Forms 1403, 1404, 
1405, 1406, 1407, and 1408 in detail commensurate with the dollar value 
and complexity of the procurement. These standard forms are not 
cumulative. The surveying activity completes only the applicable 
standard form(s) necessary to determine contractor responsibility in 
each case.

B. Discussion and Analysis

    The analysis of the public comments is summarized as follows:
    1. Necessity of the information collection requirement.
    Comment: According to the respondent, agencies should be seeking to 
create savings by reducing or eliminating such information collection 
requirements. However, the respondent did not challenge the propriety 
of this underlying information collection requirement.
    Response: FAR 9.106-1 requires that preaward surveys be completed 
only when the information on hand or readily available to the 
contracting officer, including information from sources other than the 
offeror, is not sufficient to make a determination regarding 
responsibility. While not all of these requirements are necessary in 
all cases, some are required regularly, thus preventing their reduction 
or elimination without negatively impacting the ability of the 
Government to assess contractor responsibility and protect the 
Government's interests in maintaining the integrity of the acquisition 
process.
    2. OMB approval to extend the approval of this information 
collection requirement.
    Comment: The respondent commented that the extension of the 
information collection would violate the fundamental purposes of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act because the analysis significantly 
underestimates the paperwork burden imposed by this requirement and has 
therefore not provided sufficient justification for the requested 
extension. The respondent further stated that the agency and OMB should 
assess the need to extend this information collection requirement in 
the context of assessing the total information collection burden. The 
respondent further commented that the ``collective burden of 
compliance'' required of the Government acquisition community annually 
totals over 30 million hours. According to the respondent, the 
collective burden greatly exceeds the agency's estimates and outweighs 
any potential utility of the extension.
    Response: The criteria for extension of an information collection 
requirement must be based primarily on the need and use for the 
required information. It is essential for contractors to report 
requirements, regardless the number of responses. If the agencies have 
determined that the information is essential to protect the interests 
of the Government, then the extension should be approved.
    3. Accuracy of data estimates.
    Comment: The respondent questioned the estimated number of 
respondents (3,540), and how the estimated number of respondents was 
derived. In addition, the respondent apparently understood the renewal 
request to say that ``preaward surveys are never justified under this 
information collection.'' Further, the respondent asked that ``OMB 
insist that the Agencies provide the actual number of responses 
received annually.''
    Response: The respondent's comment that the information collection 
renewal request stated that preaward surveys are never justified 
fundamentally misunderstood the submission. While the conduct of a 
preaward survey is unnecessary unless other information sources are 
inadequate for a determination of the firm's responsibility in 
accordance with the requirements of FAR subpart 9.1, when a preaward 
survey is conducted, it is the Government that bears the burden of the 
effort. The Government's work in conducting a preaward survey is not 
the subject of this information collection, so it is not addressed in 
the supporting documents. That does not mean, however, that there is no 
such effort or that there are no preaward surveys. The information 
collection is focused solely on the time that a firm's employees must 
take to complete one or more of the forms at issue.
    With regard to the estimate of 3,540 respondents, that number was 
clearly stated to be an estimate, not an actual number. We are unable 
to provide an actual number, because that information is not available 
through the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS), nor is it collected 
in any single location.
    However, the basis used for the estimate has been reconsidered due 
to the comment. Initially, we estimated that 30 percent of the 
contracts awarded in Fiscal Year 2012 (according to FPDS statistics) 
that were over the simplified acquisition threshold and that did not 
use FAR part 12 commercial acquisition procedures had a preaward survey 
conducted and therefore required the firm to complete at least one of 
the standard forms included in the information collection request. Upon 
reconsideration, it became obvious that a preaward survey would only be 
needed if the firm had not previously been a Government contractor. The 
revised estimate is that only 15 percent of such awards are first-time 
Government contract awards. This reduces the basis of the estimate from 
3,540 contracts to 1,771 contracts.
    4. Timing of request for extension.
    Comment: The respondent noted that this information collection is 
soliciting comments during an emergency extension period OMB granted in 
March 2013. The respondent reiterated OMB's

[[Page 69088]]

comment that the agencies should have in place an internal planning 
process so that completion of the public notification and comment 
period required by 5 CFR 1320 occurs prior to an information 
collection's expiration date. Regular order allows the agencies and the 
public to have a meaningful and on-the-record dialogue on information 
collection extensions.
    Response: Although ideally it is preferable to complete the renewal 
process prior to expiration, an emergency extension may be necessary in 
order to allow the public the opportunity for input into the process.
    5. The collective burden of compliance.
    Comment: The respondent objects to the overall collective burden 
imposed by the Government on all respondents.
    Response: The Councils cannot effectively address the broad 
allegations with regard to the accuracy and utility of the entire 
collective burden imposed on all Federal acquisitions. The Councils can 
only effectively address each individual information collection 
requirement that is under consideration for OMB approval. The Councils 
constantly review information collection requirements imposed by FAR 
regulations for ways to reduce the burdens and still achieve the 
objectives of the regulations, whether based on policy or statute.

C. Annual Reporting Burden

    A preaward survey would be needed only if the firm had not 
previously been a Government contractor and therefore had no record of 
past performance. The data from FPDS for FY 2012 showed a total of 
11,805 contracts awarded Governmentwide that were over the $150,000 
simplified acquisition threshold, and for which commercial acquisition 
procedures were not used. Initially, we estimated that preaward surveys 
were completed for 30 percent of the total or 3,540. After 
reconsideration, it became obvious that a preaward survey would only be 
needed if the firm had not previously been a Government contractor. The 
revised estimate is that only 15 percent of awards will potentially 
require a preaward survey. The estimate is reduced from 3,540 contracts 
to 1,771 contracts. Of the six Standard Forms (1403, 1404, 1405, 1406, 
1407, and 1408), we estimated that Standard Form 1403 is used most 
frequently because it is a general form and accounts for 30 percent or 
531 times, Standard Forms 1404 and 1407 account for 15 percent or 266 
times, Standard Form 1408 accounts for 20 percent or 354 times, and 
Standard Forms 1405 and 1406 account 10 percent or 177 times.

Standard Form 1403--Preaward Survey of Prospective Contractor (General)

    Respondents: 531.
    Responses Annually: 1.
    Total Responses: 531.
    Hours per Response: 24.
    Total Burden Hours: 12,744.

Standard Form 1404--Preaward Survey of Prospective Contractor Technical

    Respondents: 266.
    Responses Annually: 1.
    Total Responses: 266.
    Hours per Response: 24.
    Total Burden Hours: 6,384.

Standard Form 1405--Preaward Survey of Prospective Contractor 
Production

    Respondents: 177.
    Responses Annually: 1.
    Total Responses: 177.
    Hours per Response: 24.
    Total Burden Hours: 4,248.

Standard Form 1406--Preaward Survey of Prospective Contractor Quality 
Assurance

    Respondents: 177.
    Responses Annually: 1.
    Total Responses: 177.
    Hours per Response: 24.
    Total Burden Hours: 4,248.

Standard Form 1407--Preaward Survey of Prospective Contractor Financial 
Capability

    Respondents: 266.
    Responses Annually: 1.
    Total Responses: 266.
    Hours per Response: 24.
    Total Burden Hours: 6,384.

Standard Form 1408--Preaward Survey of Prospective Contractor 
Accounting System

    Respondents: 354.
    Responses Annually: 1.
    Total Responses: 354.
    Hours per Response: 24.
    Total Burden Hours: 8,496.

D. Public Comments

    Public comments are particularly invited on: Whether this 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
functions of the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), 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.
    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., 
Washington, DC 20405, telephone 202-501-4755.
    Please cite OMB Control Number 9000-0011, Preaward Survey Forms 
(Standard Forms 1403, 1404, 1405, 1406, 1407, and 1408), in all 
correspondence.

Karlos Morgan,
Acting Director, Federal Acquisition Policy Division, Office of 
Government-wide Acquisition Policy, Office of Acquisition Policy, 
Office of Government-wide Policy.
[FR Doc. 2013-27450 Filed 11-15-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-14-P
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