Notice of Intent To Request Approval To Establish a New Information Collection and Record Keeping Requirement, 81276-81279 [2015-32747]
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81276
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 249 / Tuesday, December 29, 2015 / Notices
operating under the NRP, FSIS intends
to use the risk-based procedures
described in this document to efficiently
and effectively address public health
concerns associated with chemical
hazards that may be detected in
livestock and poultry carcasses. FSIS
requests comments on the approach
discussed in this document, and on how
FSIS can further improve its
management of environmental
contaminants and other chemical
hazards in meat and poultry products.
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deny the benefits of, or subject to
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asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
How to File a Complaint of
Discrimination
To file a complaint of discrimination,
complete the USDA Program
Discrimination Complaint Form, which
may be accessed online at: https://
www.ocio.usda.gov/sites/default/files/
docs/2012/Complain_combined_6_8_
12.pdf, or write a letter signed by you
or your authorized representative.
Send your completed complaint form
or letter to USDA by mail, fax, or email:
Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture,
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Fax: (202) 690–7442.
Email: program.intake@usda.gov.
Persons with disabilities who require
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(Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.),
should contact USDA’s TARGET Center
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rulemaking and policy development is
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FSIS also will make copies of this
publication available through the FSIS
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Federal Register notices, FSIS public
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that could affect or would be of interest
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19:17 Dec 28, 2015
Jkt 238001
The Update is available on the FSIS
Web page. Through the Web page, FSIS
is able to provide information to a much
broader, more diverse audience. In
addition, FSIS offers an email
subscription service which provides
automatic and customized access to
selected food safety news and
information. This service is available at:
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/subscribe.
Options range from recalls to export
information, regulations, directives, and
notices. Customers can add or delete
subscriptions themselves, and have the
option to password protect their
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Done in Washington, DC: December 18,
2015.
Alfred V. Almanza,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2015–32808 Filed 12–28–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–DM–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
National Institute of Food and
Agriculture
Notice of Intent To Request Approval
To Establish a New Information
Collection and Record Keeping
Requirement
National Institute of Food and
Agriculture, USDA.
ACTION: Notice and request for
comments.
AGENCY:
In accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and
Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) regulations that implement the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this
notice announces the National Institute
of Food and Agriculture’s (NIFA)
intention to request approval to
establish a new information collection
and record keeping requirement for the
Veterinary Medical Loan Repayment
Program (VMLRP).
DATES: Written comments on this notice
must be received by February 29, 2016,
to be assured of consideration.
Comments received after that date will
be considered to the extent practicable.
ADDRESSES: Written comments may be
submitted by any of the following
methods: Email: rmartin@nifa.usda.gov;
Mail: Office of Information Technology
(OIT), NIFA, USDA, STOP 2216, 1400
Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20250–2216.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Robert Martin, Records Officer; Email:
rmartin@nifa.usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: Veterinary Medical Loan
Repayment Program (VMLRP).
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
OMB Number: 0524–New.
Type of Request: Intent to request
approval to establish a new information
collection and record keeping
requirement for three years.
Abstract: In January 2003, the
National Veterinary Medical Service Act
(NVMSA) was passed into law adding
section 1415A to the National
Agricultural Research, Extension, and
Teaching Policy Act of 1997. This law
established a new Veterinary Medicine
Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP) (7
U.S.C. 3125a) authorizing the Secretary
of Agriculture to carry out a program of
entering into agreements with
veterinarians under which they agree to
provide veterinary services in
veterinarian shortage situations. The
purpose of the program is to assure an
adequate supply of trained food animal
veterinarians in shortage situations and
provide USDA with a pool of veterinary
specialists to assist in the control and
eradication of animal disease outbreaks.
The VMLRP Program Office proposes
a record keeping requirement for
VMLRP participants and to collect
additional information from current
participants, their employers and past
participants. The records to be
maintained and the information
collected will allow for better oversight
and assessment of the program.
Additionally, to streamline OMB
approval processes all currently
approved VMLRP information
collections (OMB Control Number
0524–0046 and 0524–0047) will be
combined into a single package along
with the new information proposed.
Each new requirement is described in
detail below.
(1) Service Log
Need and Use of the Records: Program
participants are required to verify on a
quarterly basis that the terms of the
VMLRP service agreement are being met
through the Service Verification Form
(NIFA–09–10, OMB No 0534–0047).
This form is an affidavit signed by the
program participant’s employer or, if
self-employed, by the participant. Upon
receipt by NIFA of a signed form
affirming service under the terms and
conditions of the service agreement,
funds are released to participant’s
lender(s). At this time the affidavit is
not validated by VMLRP program staff.
In order to validate service affidavits,
the VMLRP proposes a recording
keeping requirement for participants in
the form of service log that would be
subject to audit by program staff. During
a service audit VMLRP staff will
compare the service log to the shortage
area description and contact
participants with any questions.
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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 249 / Tuesday, December 29, 2015 / Notices
Discrepancies between the shortage
situation description and service log
may indicate a breach in the service
agreement and payments to lender(s)
will be put on hold until the
discrepancy is resolved.
Components of the Record: For those
participants serving in the private sector
(Type I and Type II shortage situations),
the service log would contain the
following for each service/appointment:
Date of service, duration of services/
appointment, windshield/drive time,
species or species type served, county
and zip of client/farm receiving
services, and services provided. For
those serving in the public sector (Type
III shortage situations), the service log
would contain the following: Date of
service/activity, duration of service/
activity and description of service/
activity conducted including the
specific role of the participant in that
service/activity.
Method of Collection: Participants
should maintain their service logs in
any data format e.g. csv, .xls, etc. A
template will be provided. The full
service log should be sent via email to
Estimated number
of responses per
respondent
Number of respondents
150 .............................................................................................................................
(2) Feedback Survey
Need for and Use of the Information:
The VMLRP Program Office does not
have a formal mechanism for program
participants to provide feedback to the
program or to State Animal Health
Officials (SAHOs) on the status of the
shortage situation they are serving.
Moreover, there is no formal mechanism
to obtain feedback on program
processes, program resources, or quality
of services and interactions with
program staff. Currently, any feedback
provided by participants is ad hoc on
their own volition. The VMLRP Program
Office is proposing to collect data on the
the VMLRP Program Office along with
the signed service verification form.
Frequency of Response: Random
audit. When the quarterly affidavit is
sent to participants for signature, each
participant will be notified if they have
been selected for audit. A VMLRP
participant should anticipate at least
one audit during their service agreement
period.
Affected Public: VMLRP participants
under service agreement.
Type of Respondents: Veterinarians.
Estimate of Burden:
Average burden
hours per
response
260
current and 5–10y projected status of a
shortage area, and program processes,
resources and customer service. Data
will be used by VMLRP to improve
internal processes and shortage area
information and will be shared with
SAHOs to aide them in future
nominations of veterinarian shortage
situations. Active solicitation by
VMLRP for feedback will occur after
participants complete year one of the
service agreement. This timing enables
VMLRP to respond to feedback as
appropriate and provide information to
SAHOs during a participant’s service
agreement period.
Annual burden
hours requested
.25
9750
Method of Collection: Feedback
questions will be solicited through a
survey sent by email to participants as
a pdf-fillable form or as a link to a webbased survey system. Completed
surveys will be emailed to the VMLRP
Program Office or stored on the webbased system. Completion of the survey
is voluntary.
Frequency of Response: Once during
the service agreement period.
Affected Public: VMLRP participants
under service agreement.
Type of Respondents: Veterinarians.
Estimate of Burden:
Number of
respondents
Estimated
number of
responses per
respondent
Average
burden hours
per response
Annual
burden hours
requested
50
1
.33
16.5
(3) Close-Out Report
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Need for and Use of the Information:
Close-out reports serve as
documentation for federal award
programs to assess whether the program
is meeting its intended outcomes.
VMLRP proposes to collect data from
participants on the services provided
during their service award, their impact
on the shortage situation, and their
professional plans post-service
agreement. The information collected
will be reported in aggregate as part of
the program’s annual report and used to
evaluate VMLRP processes, impacts and
projected outcomes.
Method of Collection: Information
will be solicited via email using a pdffillable form or as a link to a web-based
survey system. Completed surveys will
be emailed to the VMLRP Program
Office or stored on the web-based
system. Completion of the report is
mandatory and a condition of the
service agreement.
Frequency of Response: Once at the
end of the service agreement period.
Affected Public: VMLRP participants
under service agreement.
Type of Respondents: Veterinarians.
Estimate of Burden:
Number of respondents
Estimated number of responses
per respondent
Average burden hours per
response
Annual burden hours requested
50
1
.33
16.5
(4) Employer Feedback
Need for and Use of the Information.
The VMLRP Program Office does not
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19:17 Dec 28, 2015
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have a formal mechanism for program
participants’ employers to provide
feedback to the program or to State
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Animal Health Officials (SAHOs) on the
status of the shortage situation their
employee is serving. Currently, any
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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 249 / Tuesday, December 29, 2015 / Notices
feedback provided by employers is ad
hoc on their own volition. The VMLRP
Program Office is proposing to collect
data on the current and 5–10y projected
status of a shortage situation, as well as
feedback on the impact their employee
has had on the shortage situation. Data
will be used by VMLRP to assess
program impact and may be reported in
aggregate in the program’s annual
reports. Shortage area information will
emailed to the VMLRP Program Office
or stored on the web-based system.
Completion of the survey is voluntary.
Frequency of Response: Once at the
end of the service agreement period.
Affected Public: Employers of VMLRP
participants.
Type of Respondents: Veterinarians.
Estimate of Burden:
be shared with SAHOs to aide them in
future nominations of veterinarian
shortage situations. Active solicitation
by VMLRP for feedback will occur
during the last quarter of the VMLRP
participant’s agreement period.
Method of Collection: Feedback will
be solicited through a survey emailed to
participants’ employers as a pdf-fillable
form or as a link to a web-based survey
system. Completed surveys will be
Number of
respondents
Estimated
number of
responses per
respondent
Average
burden hours
per response
Annual
burden hours
requested
30
1
.25
7.5
(5) Post-Award Termination Survey
Need for and Use of the Information.
One of the goals of the VMLRP is longterm mitigation of designated
veterinarian shortage situations. At this
time, it is unknown whether program
participants continue providing services
for their shortage situation after their
service agreement ends. Data collected
will be reported in aggregate as part of
the program’s annual report, used to
assess factors associated with retention
(remaining in the same area and
providing the same services as
described by the shortage situation), and
help determine if shortage situations are
being mitigated in the long-term.
Method of Collection: Questions on
retention will be solicited through a
survey emailed to participants as a pdffillable form or as a link to a web-based
survey system. Completed surveys will
be emailed to the VMLRP Program
Office or stored on the web-based
system. Completion of the survey is
voluntary.
Frequency of Response: One, three
and five years after service agreement
end date.
Affected Public: Past VMLRP
participants.
Type of Respondents: Veterinarians.
Estimate of Burden:
Number of respondents
Estimated number of responses
per respondent
Average burden hours per
response
Annual burden hours requested
150
1
.25
37.5
Total Estimate of Burden: The
estimated annual reporting burden for
all VMLRP collection is as follows:
Number of
respondents
Type of respondents
Applicants:
Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program Application OMB0524–
0047 ......................................................................................................
Estimated
number of
responses per
respondent
Average
burden hours
per
response
Annual
burden hours
requested
1
2.25
1350
Current Participants subtotal .............................................................
State Animal Health Officials:
Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program Shortage Situation
Nomination OMB0524–0046 .................................................................
........................
........................
........................
1350
60
4
2
480
State Animal Health Official subtotal .................................................
Current Participants:
Service Log ...............................................................................................
Feedback Survey ......................................................................................
Close-out Report ......................................................................................
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602
........................
........................
........................
480
150
50
50
260
1
1
.25
.33
.33
9750
16.5
16.5
Current Participants subtotal .............................................................
Employers:
Employer Feedback ..................................................................................
........................
........................
........................
9783
30
1
.25
7.5
Employer subtotal ..............................................................................
Past Participants:
Post-Award Termination Survey ...............................................................
........................
........................
........................
7.5
150
1
.25
37.5
Past Participants subtotal ..................................................................
........................
........................
........................
37.5
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19:17 Dec 28, 2015
Jkt 238001
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
E:\FR\FM\29DEN1.SGM
29DEN1
81279
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 249 / Tuesday, December 29, 2015 / Notices
Type of respondents
Number of
respondents
Estimated
number of
responses per
respondent
Average
burden hours
per
response
GRAND TOTAL ...............................................................................................
........................
........................
........................
Comments: Comments are invited on:
(a) Whether the proposed record
keeping requirement and collection of
information are necessary for the proper
performance of the functions of the
Agency, including whether the
information will have practical utility;
(b) the accuracy of the Agency’s
estimate of the burden of the proposed
collection of information; (c) ways to
enhance the quality, utility, and clarity
of the information to be collected; and
(d) ways to minimize the burden of
collecting the information on
respondents, including through the use
of appropriate automated, electronic,
mechanical, or other technological
collection techniques or other forms of
information technology.
All responses to this notice will be
summarized and included in the request
to OMB for approval. All comments will
become a matter of public record.
Obtaining a Copy of the Information
Collection: A copy of the information
collection and related instructions may
be obtained free of charge by contacting
Robert Martin as directed above.
Done at Washington, DC, this 16 day of
December 2015.
Catherine E. Woteki,
Under Secretary, Research, Education, and
Economics.
[FR Doc. 2015–32747 Filed 12–28–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Natural Resources Conservation
Service
Submission for OMB Review;
Comment Request
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
December 22, 2015.
The Department of Agriculture has
submitted the following information
collection requirement(s) to OMB for
review and clearance under the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995,
Public Law 104–13. Comments
regarding (a) whether the collection of
information is necessary for the proper
performance of the functions of the
agency, including whether the
information will have practical utility;
(b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate
of burden including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used; (c)
ways to enhance the quality, utility and
VerDate Sep<11>2014
19:17 Dec 28, 2015
Jkt 238001
clarity of the information to be
collected; (d) ways to minimize the
burden of the collection of information
on those who are to respond, including
through the use of appropriate
automated, electronic, mechanical, or
other technological collection
techniques or other forms of information
technology should be addressed to: Desk
Officer for Agriculture, Office of
Information and Regulatory Affairs,
Office of Management and Budget
(OMB), OIRA_Submission@
OMB.EOP.GOV or fax (202) 395–5806
and to Departmental Clearance Office,
USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602,
Washington, DC 20250–7602.
Comments regarding these information
collections are best assured of having
their full effect if received within 30
days of this notification. Copies of the
submission(s) may be obtained by
calling (202) 720–8958.
An agency may not conduct or
sponsor a collection of information
unless the collection of information
displays a currently valid OMB control
number and the agency informs
potential persons who are to respond to
the collection of information that such
persons are not required to respond to
the collection of information unless it
displays a currently valid OMB control
number.
Natural Resources and Conservation
Service
Title: Volunteer Program—Earth
Team.
OMB Control Number: 0578–0024.
Summary of Collection: Volunteers
have been a valuable human resource to
the Natural Resources Conservation
Service (NRCS) since 1985. NRCS is
authorize by the Federal Personnel
Manual (FPM) Supplement 296–33,
Subchapter 33, to recruit, train and
accept, with regard to Civil Service
classification law, rules, or regulations,
the service of individuals to serve
without compensation. Volunteers may
assist in any agency program/project
and may perform any activities which
agency employees are allowed to do.
Volunteers must be 14 years of age.
NRCS will collect information using
NRCS forms.
Need and Use of the Information:
NRCS will collect information on the
type of skills and type of work the
volunteers are interested in doing. The
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Annual
burden hours
requested
11,658
collected information will be used to
evaluate potential international
volunteers and evaluate the
effectiveness of the volunteer program.
Without the information, NRCS would
not know which individuals are
interested in volunteering.
Description of Respondents:
Individuals or households; Business or
other for-profit; Not-for-profit
institutions; Farms; State, Local, or
Tribal Government.
Number of Respondents: 3,766.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting:
Biennially.
Total Burden Hours: 488.
Ruth Brown,
Departmental Information Collection
Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2015–32746 Filed 12–28–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–16–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Housing Service
Notice of Solicitation of Applications
for the Section 533 Housing
Preservation Grants for Fiscal Year
2016
ACTION:
Notice.
The Rural Housing Service
(RHS), an Agency within Rural
Development, announces that it is
soliciting competitive applications
under its Housing Preservation Grant
(HPG) program. This action is taken to
comply with Agency regulations found
in 7 CFR part 1944, subpart N, which
requires the Agency to announce the
opening and closing dates for receipt of
pre-applications for HPG funds from
eligible applicants.
DATES: The closing deadline for receipt
of all pre-applications in response to
this Notice is 5:00 p.m., local time for
each Rural Development State Office on
February 12, 2016. Rural Development
State Office locations can be found at:
https://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/
state-offices. The application should be
submitted to the Rural Development
State Office where the project will be
located. If submitting the preapplication in electronic format, the
closing deadline for receipt is 5:00 p.m.
Eastern Daylight Time on February 12,
2016. The application closing deadline
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\29DEN1.SGM
29DEN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 249 (Tuesday, December 29, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 81276-81279]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-32747]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Notice of Intent To Request Approval To Establish a New
Information Collection and Record Keeping Requirement
AGENCY: National Institute of Food and Agriculture, USDA.
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations that implement the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the National
Institute of Food and Agriculture's (NIFA) intention to request
approval to establish a new information collection and record keeping
requirement for the Veterinary Medical Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP).
DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by February 29,
2016, to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date
will be considered to the extent practicable.
ADDRESSES: Written comments may be submitted by any of the following
methods: Email: rmartin@nifa.usda.gov; Mail: Office of Information
Technology (OIT), NIFA, USDA, STOP 2216, 1400 Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20250-2216.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Martin, Records Officer; Email:
rmartin@nifa.usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: Veterinary Medical Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP).
OMB Number: 0524-New.
Type of Request: Intent to request approval to establish a new
information collection and record keeping requirement for three years.
Abstract: In January 2003, the National Veterinary Medical Service
Act (NVMSA) was passed into law adding section 1415A to the National
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1997. This
law established a new Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program
(VMLRP) (7 U.S.C. 3125a) authorizing the Secretary of Agriculture to
carry out a program of entering into agreements with veterinarians
under which they agree to provide veterinary services in veterinarian
shortage situations. The purpose of the program is to assure an
adequate supply of trained food animal veterinarians in shortage
situations and provide USDA with a pool of veterinary specialists to
assist in the control and eradication of animal disease outbreaks.
The VMLRP Program Office proposes a record keeping requirement for
VMLRP participants and to collect additional information from current
participants, their employers and past participants. The records to be
maintained and the information collected will allow for better
oversight and assessment of the program. Additionally, to streamline
OMB approval processes all currently approved VMLRP information
collections (OMB Control Number 0524-0046 and 0524-0047) will be
combined into a single package along with the new information proposed.
Each new requirement is described in detail below.
(1) Service Log
Need and Use of the Records: Program participants are required to
verify on a quarterly basis that the terms of the VMLRP service
agreement are being met through the Service Verification Form (NIFA-09-
10, OMB No 0534-0047). This form is an affidavit signed by the program
participant's employer or, if self-employed, by the participant. Upon
receipt by NIFA of a signed form affirming service under the terms and
conditions of the service agreement, funds are released to
participant's lender(s). At this time the affidavit is not validated by
VMLRP program staff. In order to validate service affidavits, the VMLRP
proposes a recording keeping requirement for participants in the form
of service log that would be subject to audit by program staff. During
a service audit VMLRP staff will compare the service log to the
shortage area description and contact participants with any questions.
[[Page 81277]]
Discrepancies between the shortage situation description and service
log may indicate a breach in the service agreement and payments to
lender(s) will be put on hold until the discrepancy is resolved.
Components of the Record: For those participants serving in the
private sector (Type I and Type II shortage situations), the service
log would contain the following for each service/appointment: Date of
service, duration of services/appointment, windshield/drive time,
species or species type served, county and zip of client/farm receiving
services, and services provided. For those serving in the public sector
(Type III shortage situations), the service log would contain the
following: Date of service/activity, duration of service/activity and
description of service/activity conducted including the specific role
of the participant in that service/activity.
Method of Collection: Participants should maintain their service
logs in any data format e.g. csv, .xls, etc. A template will be
provided. The full service log should be sent via email to the VMLRP
Program Office along with the signed service verification form.
Frequency of Response: Random audit. When the quarterly affidavit
is sent to participants for signature, each participant will be
notified if they have been selected for audit. A VMLRP participant
should anticipate at least one audit during their service agreement
period.
Affected Public: VMLRP participants under service agreement.
Type of Respondents: Veterinarians.
Estimate of Burden:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated number Average burden
Number of respondents of responses per hours per Annual burden
respondent response hours requested
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
150.................................................... 260 .25 9750
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Feedback Survey
Need for and Use of the Information: The VMLRP Program Office does
not have a formal mechanism for program participants to provide
feedback to the program or to State Animal Health Officials (SAHOs) on
the status of the shortage situation they are serving. Moreover, there
is no formal mechanism to obtain feedback on program processes, program
resources, or quality of services and interactions with program staff.
Currently, any feedback provided by participants is ad hoc on their own
volition. The VMLRP Program Office is proposing to collect data on the
current and 5-10y projected status of a shortage area, and program
processes, resources and customer service. Data will be used by VMLRP
to improve internal processes and shortage area information and will be
shared with SAHOs to aide them in future nominations of veterinarian
shortage situations. Active solicitation by VMLRP for feedback will
occur after participants complete year one of the service agreement.
This timing enables VMLRP to respond to feedback as appropriate and
provide information to SAHOs during a participant's service agreement
period.
Method of Collection: Feedback questions will be solicited through
a survey sent by email to participants as a pdf-fillable form or as a
link to a web-based survey system. Completed surveys will be emailed to
the VMLRP Program Office or stored on the web-based system. Completion
of the survey is voluntary.
Frequency of Response: Once during the service agreement period.
Affected Public: VMLRP participants under service agreement.
Type of Respondents: Veterinarians.
Estimate of Burden:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated number Average burden
Number of of responses per hours per Annual burden
respondents respondent response hours requested
------------------------------------------------------------------------
50 1 .33 16.5
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Close-Out Report
Need for and Use of the Information: Close-out reports serve as
documentation for federal award programs to assess whether the program
is meeting its intended outcomes. VMLRP proposes to collect data from
participants on the services provided during their service award, their
impact on the shortage situation, and their professional plans post-
service agreement. The information collected will be reported in
aggregate as part of the program's annual report and used to evaluate
VMLRP processes, impacts and projected outcomes.
Method of Collection: Information will be solicited via email using
a pdf-fillable form or as a link to a web-based survey system.
Completed surveys will be emailed to the VMLRP Program Office or stored
on the web-based system. Completion of the report is mandatory and a
condition of the service agreement.
Frequency of Response: Once at the end of the service agreement
period.
Affected Public: VMLRP participants under service agreement.
Type of Respondents: Veterinarians.
Estimate of Burden:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated number Average burden
Number of of responses per hours per Annual burden
respondents respondent response hours requested
------------------------------------------------------------------------
50 1 .33 16.5
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Employer Feedback
Need for and Use of the Information. The VMLRP Program Office does
not have a formal mechanism for program participants' employers to
provide feedback to the program or to State Animal Health Officials
(SAHOs) on the status of the shortage situation their employee is
serving. Currently, any
[[Page 81278]]
feedback provided by employers is ad hoc on their own volition. The
VMLRP Program Office is proposing to collect data on the current and 5-
10y projected status of a shortage situation, as well as feedback on
the impact their employee has had on the shortage situation. Data will
be used by VMLRP to assess program impact and may be reported in
aggregate in the program's annual reports. Shortage area information
will be shared with SAHOs to aide them in future nominations of
veterinarian shortage situations. Active solicitation by VMLRP for
feedback will occur during the last quarter of the VMLRP participant's
agreement period.
Method of Collection: Feedback will be solicited through a survey
emailed to participants' employers as a pdf-fillable form or as a link
to a web-based survey system. Completed surveys will be emailed to the
VMLRP Program Office or stored on the web-based system. Completion of
the survey is voluntary.
Frequency of Response: Once at the end of the service agreement
period.
Affected Public: Employers of VMLRP participants.
Type of Respondents: Veterinarians.
Estimate of Burden:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated number Average burden
Number of of responses per hours per Annual burden
respondents respondent response hours requested
------------------------------------------------------------------------
30 1 .25 7.5
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(5) Post-Award Termination Survey
Need for and Use of the Information. One of the goals of the VMLRP
is long-term mitigation of designated veterinarian shortage situations.
At this time, it is unknown whether program participants continue
providing services for their shortage situation after their service
agreement ends. Data collected will be reported in aggregate as part of
the program's annual report, used to assess factors associated with
retention (remaining in the same area and providing the same services
as described by the shortage situation), and help determine if shortage
situations are being mitigated in the long-term.
Method of Collection: Questions on retention will be solicited
through a survey emailed to participants as a pdf-fillable form or as a
link to a web-based survey system. Completed surveys will be emailed to
the VMLRP Program Office or stored on the web-based system. Completion
of the survey is voluntary.
Frequency of Response: One, three and five years after service
agreement end date.
Affected Public: Past VMLRP participants.
Type of Respondents: Veterinarians.
Estimate of Burden:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated number Average burden
Number of of responses per hours per Annual burden
respondents respondent response hours requested
------------------------------------------------------------------------
150 1 .25 37.5
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Estimate of Burden: The estimated annual reporting burden for
all VMLRP collection is as follows:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated
Number of number of Average Annual burden
Type of respondents respondents responses per burden hours hours
respondent per response requested
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Applicants:
Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program 602 1 2.25 1350
Application OMB0524-0047...................
---------------------------------------------------------------
Current Participants subtotal........... .............. .............. .............. 1350
State Animal Health Officials:
Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program 60 4 2 480
Shortage Situation Nomination OMB0524-0046.
---------------------------------------------------------------
State Animal Health Official subtotal... .............. .............. .............. 480
Current Participants:
Service Log................................. 150 260 .25 9750
Feedback Survey............................. 50 1 .33 16.5
Close-out Report............................ 50 1 .33 16.5
---------------------------------------------------------------
Current Participants subtotal........... .............. .............. .............. 9783
Employers:
Employer Feedback........................... 30 1 .25 7.5
---------------------------------------------------------------
Employer subtotal....................... .............. .............. .............. 7.5
Past Participants:
Post-Award Termination Survey............... 150 1 .25 37.5
---------------------------------------------------------------
Past Participants subtotal.............. .............. .............. .............. 37.5
---------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 81279]]
GRAND TOTAL..................................... .............. .............. .............. 11,658
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comments: Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed record
keeping requirement and collection of information are necessary for the
proper performance of the functions of the Agency, including whether
the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the
Agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of
information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of
the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of
collecting the information on respondents, including through the use of
appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological
collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the
request to OMB for approval. All comments will become a matter of
public record.
Obtaining a Copy of the Information Collection: A copy of the
information collection and related instructions may be obtained free of
charge by contacting Robert Martin as directed above.
Done at Washington, DC, this 16 day of December 2015.
Catherine E. Woteki,
Under Secretary, Research, Education, and Economics.
[FR Doc. 2015-32747 Filed 12-28-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-22-P