Agency Information Collection: Proposed Collection; Comments Request Study of Third Party Processor Services, Fees, and Business Practices, 22966-22969 [2017-10112]

Download as PDF 22966 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 96 / Friday, May 19, 2017 / Notices reimbursement by the program, and there are limits on other categories of expenses. CCC also will not reimburse unreasonable expenditures or expenditures made prior to approval. Full details are available in the MAP regulations in § 1485.17. E. Application Review Information 1. Criteria and Review Process: A description of the FAS process for reviewing applications and the criteria for allocating available MAP funds is as follows: asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES (1) Phase 1—Sufficiency Review and FAS Divisional Review Applications received by the closing date will be reviewed by FAS to determine the eligibility of the applicants and the completeness of the applications. These requirements appear in §§ 1485.12 and 1485.13 of the MAP regulations. Applications that meet the requirements will then be further evaluated by the appropriate Commodity Branch office of FAS’ Cooperator Programs Division. The Commodity Branches will review each application against the criteria listed in § 1485.14(b) and (c) of the MAP regulations as well as in this Notice. The purpose of this review is to identify meritorious proposals and to recommend an appropriate funding level for each application based upon these criteria. (2) Phase 2—Competitive Review Meritorious applications then will be passed on to the Office of the Deputy Administrator, Office of Trade Programs, for the purpose of allocating available funds among the applicants. Applicants will compete for funds on the basis of the following allocation criteria as applicable (the number in parentheses represents the percentage weight factor): (a) Applicant’s Contribution Level (40): The applicant’s 4-year average share (2015–2018) of all contributions under the MAP compared to the applicant’s 4-year average share (2015– 2018) of the funding level for all MAP Participants. (b) Past U.S. Export Performance (30): The 3-year average share (2014–2016) of the value of U.S. exports promoted by the applicant compared to the applicant’s 2-year average share (2016– 2017) of the funding level for all MAP Participants plus, for those groups participating in the Cooperator program, the 2-year average share (2016–2017) of all Cooperator program budgets. (c) Projected U.S. Export Goals (15): The total dollar value of projected U.S. exports of the commodities being VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:15 May 18, 2017 Jkt 241001 promoted by the applicant for the year 2018 compared to the applicant’s requested funding level. (d) Accuracy of Past U.S. Export Projections (15): The actual dollar value share of U.S. exports of the commodities being promoted by the applicant for the year 2016 as reported in the 2018 MAP application compared to the projection of U.S. exports for 2016 as specified in the 2016 MAP application. The Commodity Branches’ recommended funding levels for each applicant are adjusted by each weight factor as described above to determine the amount of funds allocated to each applicant. In addition, FAS, prior to making a Federal award with a total amount of Federal share greater than the simplified acquisition threshold, is required to review and consider any information about the applicant that is in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM (currently FAPIIS) (see 41 U.S.C. 2313). An applicant, at its option, may review information in the designated integrity and performance systems accessible through SAM and comment on any information about itself that a Federal awarding agency previously entered and is currently in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM. FAS will consider any comments by the applicant, in addition to the other information in the designated integrity and performance system, in making a judgment about the applicant’s integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under Federal awards when completing the review of risk posed by applicants as described in 2 CFR 200.205 ‘‘Federal awarding agency review of risk posed by applicants.’’ 2. Anticipated Announcement Date: Announcements of funding decisions for the MAP are anticipated during October 2017. F. Award Administration Information 1. Award Notices: FAS will notify each applicant in writing of the final disposition of its application. FAS will send an approval letter and program agreement to each approved applicant. The approval letter and program agreement will specify the terms and conditions applicable to the project, including the levels of MAP funding and cost-share contribution requirements. 2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: Interested parties should review the MAP regulations, which are available at the following URL address: https://www.fas.usda.gov/programs/ market-access-program-map. PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 3. Reporting: FAS requires various reports and evaluations from MAP Participants. Reporting requirements are detailed in §§ 1485.22 and 1485.23 of the MAP regulations. G. Agency Contact(s) For additional information and assistance, contact the Program Operations Division, Office of Trade Programs, Foreign Agricultural Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture by courier: Room 6512, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20250, or by phone: (202) 720–4327, or by fax: (202) 720–9361, or by email: uesadmin@ fas.usda.gov. Signed at Washington, DC, on the 12th of May, 2017. Holly Higgins, Acting Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service, and Acting Vice President, Commodity Credit Corporation. [FR Doc. 2017–10107 Filed 5–18–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–10–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Food and Nutrition Service Agency Information Collection: Proposed Collection; Comments Request Study of Third Party Processor Services, Fees, and Business Practices Food and Nutrition Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. AGENCY: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) invites public comment on a proposed collection of information that the USDA is developing for submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The goal of the study is to understand the business practices of Third Party Processors (TPPs) and independent sales organizations (ISOs) that provide Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) processing services and equipment to authorized retailers participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). DATES: Comments regarding this proposed information collection must be received on or before July 18, 2017. ADDRESSES: Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\19MYN1.SGM 19MYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 96 / Friday, May 19, 2017 / Notices asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Written comments may be sent to Rosemarie Downer, Food and Nutrition Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 1014, Alexandria, VA 22302. Comments may also be submitted via email to Rosemarie Downer at rosemarie.downer@fns.usda.gov or by fax to the attention of Rosemarie Downer at (703) 305–2576. Alternatively, comments will be accepted through the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Go to https:// www.regulations.gov and follow the online instructions for submitting comments electronically. All written comments will be open for public inspection at the Office of Food and Nutrition Service during regular business hours (8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday) at 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 1014, Alexandria, Virginia 22302. All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for Office of Management and Budget approval. All comments will be a matter of public record. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or copies of information collection instruments and instructions should be directed to Rosemarie Downer at (703) 305–2129 or rosemarie.downer@ fns.usda.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Study of Third Party Processor Services, Fees, and Business Practices. OMB Number: 0584—NEW. Expiration Date: Not yet determined. Type of Request: New collection. Abstract: This study seeks to understand the business practices of VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:15 May 18, 2017 Jkt 241001 TPPs and ISOs that provide EBT processing services and equipment to SNAP retailers to (1) assess retailers’ satisfaction with EBT products and services needed to participate in the SNAP program; and (2) develop a set of best practices to inform FNS’s guidance for retailers on what to consider when selecting, contracting with, and working with EBT vendors (TPPs and ISOs). The study results will also provide FNS with the information needed to inform future FNS policies regarding requirements for vendors providing EBT equipment and services to authorized retailers and TPP services-related guidance for retailers. The study relies on two data sources: (1) A survey of SNAP retailers regarding their business relations with EBT vendors as well as satisfaction with the equipment and services acquired, and (2) interviews with TPPs and ISOs about their business practices with SNAP retailers, products and services, including costs and recommendations for retailers seeking to acquire EBT products and services. SNAP Retailer Satisfaction Survey: The survey will use a nationally representative sample of SNAP retailers, stratified by retail sales levels and urban/rural locations. The survey sample will include non-exempt retailers 1 that must pay 100% of the cost for EBT equipment and services. The retailer survey sample will exclude retailers that operate in Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. An invitation to participate in the national survey will be mailed to sampled retailers. The target audience for this survey will be store managers or operations managers. Participants will have the option to respond either online 1 Retailers that are not exempt from the 2014 Farm Bill mandate and must pay 100% for EBT equipment and services includes Convenience Stores, Combination Grocery/Other, Super Store, Supermarket, Smaller Grocery Store, Medium Grocery Store, Large Grocery Store, Meat/Poultry Specialty, Bakery Specialty, Seafood Specialty, and Fruits/Vegetables Specialty. Retailers that are exempt from the 2014 Farm Bill mandate may continue to qualify for free EBT equipment and services until further notice. PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 22967 or through an interactive voice response system. Participants who do not start the survey after 10 business days, will receive a mail reminder. The study will follow up with non-respondents via telephone 10 business days after the reminder mail drop. Telephone followups will include five attempts to each number in the sample at different times of the day and days of the week. TPP and ISO Telephone Interviews: Telephone interviews with TPPs and ISOs will follow a telephone interview protocol. Participants will receive an interview guide and an invitation letter describing the purpose of the study and how the data will be used. As the number and identity of TPPs and ISOs is not known, the study will use a snowball sampling approach to identify interviewees. Snowball sampling operates as a participant recruitment method in which research participants are asked to assist in identifying other potential respondents. Preliminary research estimates that there are 5 to 10 TPPs and 50 to 55 ISOs supporting the EBT market. Affected Public: The study will include three respondent groups: Nonexempt SNAP retailers, TPPs and ISOs in the EBT products and services market. Estimated number of respondents: 1,500 SNAP retailers and up to 55 TPPs and ISOs. Estimated Frequency of Response per Respondent: This is a one-time data collection for each respondent. Estimated Time per Response: The completed SNAP Retailer Survey response burden is estimated at 15 minutes per respondent. Each TPP or ISO interview is estimated to take a total of 1 hour and 30 minutes. Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: The total public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated at 415 hours and approximately 1,565 responses. Table 1 below details the estimated burden for each type of respondent. E:\FR\FM\19MYN1.SGM 19MYN1 VerDate Sep<11>2014 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 96 / Friday, May 19, 2017 / Notices 19:15 May 18, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\19MYN1.SGM 19MYN1 EN19MY17.008</GPH> asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 22968 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 96 / Friday, May 19, 2017 / Notices Dated: April 24, 2017. Jessica Shahin, Acting Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service. [FR Doc. 2017–10112 Filed 5–18–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–30–P COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS Notice of Public Meeting of the Minnesota Advisory Committee To Review and Discuss Testimony Regarding Civil Rights and Policing Practices in Minnesota U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. ACTION: Announcement of meeting. AGENCY: Notice is hereby given, pursuant to the provisions of the rules and regulations of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (Commission) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act that the Minnesota Advisory Committee (Committee) will hold a meeting on Monday, June 05, 2017, at 12:00 p.m. CST for the purpose of reviewing and discussing public testimony regarding civil rights and policing practices in Minnesota. SUMMARY: The meeting will be held on Monday, June 05, 2017, at 12:00 p.m. CST. DATES: Public call information: Dial: 888–339–3466, Conference ID: 9169652. ADDRESSES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Melissa Wojnaroski, DFO, at mwojnaroski@usccr.gov or 312–353– 8311. Members of the public can listen to the discussion. This meeting is available to the public through the following tollfree call-in number: 888–339–3466, conference ID: 9169652. Any interested member of the public may call this number and listen to the meeting. An open comment period will be provided to allow members of the public to make a statement as time allows. The conference call operator will ask callers to identify themselves, the organization they are affiliated with (if any), and an email address prior to placing callers into the conference room. Callers can expect to incur regular charges for calls they initiate over wireless lines, according to their wireless plan. The Commission will not refund any incurred charges. Callers will incur no charge for calls they initiate over landline connections to the toll-free telephone number. Persons with hearing impairments may also follow the asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:15 May 18, 2017 Jkt 241001 proceedings by first calling the Federal Relay Service at 1–800–977–8339 and providing the Service with the conference call number and conference ID number. Members of the public are also entitled to submit written comments; the comments must be received in the regional office within 30 days following the meeting. Written comments may be mailed to the Regional Programs Unit Office, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, 55 W. Monroe St., Suite 410, Chicago, IL 60615. They may also be faxed to the Commission at (312) 353–8324, or emailed to Carolyn Allen at callen@usccr.gov. Persons who desire additional information may contact the Regional Programs Unit at (312) 353– 8311. Records generated from this meeting may be inspected and reproduced at the Regional Programs Unit Office, as they become available, both before and after the meeting. Records of the meeting will be available via www.facadatabase.gov under the Commission on Civil Rights, Minnesota Advisory Committee link (https://www.facadatabase.gov/ committee/meetings.aspx?cid=256). Click on ‘‘meeting details’’ and then ‘‘documents’’ to download. Persons interested in the work of this Committee are directed to the Commission’s Web site, https://www.usccr.gov, or may contact the Regional Programs Unit at the above email or street address. Agenda Welcome and Roll Call Discussion of Testimony: Civil Rights and Policing Practices in Minnesota Public Comment Future Plans and Actions Adjournment Dated: May 15, 2017. David Mussatt, Supervisory Chief, Regional Programs Unit. [FR Doc. 2017–10114 Filed 5–18–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration United States Travel and Tourism Advisory Board: Meeting of the United States Travel and Tourism Advisory Board International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. ACTION: Notice of an open meeting. AGENCY: The United States Travel and Tourism Advisory Board (Board or TTAB) will hold a meeting on Monday, SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 22969 June 5, 2017. The Board advises the Secretary of Commerce on matters relating to the U.S. travel and tourism industry. The purpose of the meeting is for Board members to discuss and deliberate on recommendations being developed by the four TTAB Working Groups related to the importance of international travel and tourism to the United States. The final agenda will be posted on the Department of Commerce Web site for the Board at https:// trade.gov/ttab at least one week in advance of the meeting. DATES: Monday, June 5, 2017, 10:30 a.m.–12 p.m. EDT. The deadline for members of the public to register, including requests to make comments during the meeting and for auxiliary aids, or to submit written comments for dissemination prior to the meeting, is 5 p.m. EDT on Monday, May 29, 2017. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in Washington, DC. The exact location will be provided by email to registrants. Requests to register (including to speak or for auxiliary aids) and any written comments should be submitted to: National Travel and Tourism Office, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Ave. NW., Room 10003, Washington, DC 20230 or by email to TTAB@trade.gov. Members of the public are encouraged to submit registration requests and written comments via email to ensure timely receipt. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian Beall, the United States Travel and Tourism Advisory Board, National Travel and Tourism Office, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Ave. NW., Room 10003, Washington, DC 20230; telephone: 202– 482–5634; email: TTAB@trade.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background: The Board advises the Secretary of Commerce on matters relating to the U.S. travel and tourism industry. Public Participation: The meeting will be open to the public and will be accessible to people with disabilities. Any member of the public requesting to join the meeting is asked to register in advance by the deadline identified under the DATES caption. Requests for auxiliary aids must be submitted by the registration deadline. Last minute requests will be accepted, but may not be possible to fill. There will be fifteen (15) minutes allotted for oral comments from members of the public joining the meeting. To accommodate as many speakers as possible, the time for public comments may be limited to three (3) minutes per person. Members of the public wishing to reserve speaking time during the meeting must submit a E:\FR\FM\19MYN1.SGM 19MYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 96 (Friday, May 19, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22966-22969]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-10112]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food and Nutrition Service


Agency Information Collection: Proposed Collection; Comments 
Request Study of Third Party Processor Services, Fees, and Business 
Practices

AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) invites public 
comment on a proposed collection of information that the USDA is 
developing for submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The goal of the 
study is to understand the business practices of Third Party Processors 
(TPPs) and independent sales organizations (ISOs) that provide 
Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) processing services and equipment to 
authorized retailers participating in the Supplemental Nutrition 
Assistance Program (SNAP).

DATES: Comments regarding this proposed information collection must be 
received on or before July 18, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection 
of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions 
of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate

[[Page 22967]]

of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance 
the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; 
and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
respondents, including through the use of automated collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology.
    Written comments may be sent to Rosemarie Downer, Food and 
Nutrition Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 3101 Park Center 
Drive, Room 1014, Alexandria, VA 22302. Comments may also be submitted 
via email to Rosemarie Downer at rosemarie.downer@fns.usda.gov or by 
fax to the attention of Rosemarie Downer at (703) 305-2576. 
Alternatively, comments will be accepted through the Federal 
eRulemaking Portal. Go to https://www.regulations.gov and follow the 
online instructions for submitting comments electronically.
    All written comments will be open for public inspection at the 
Office of Food and Nutrition Service during regular business hours 
(8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday) at 3101 Park Center 
Drive, Room 1014, Alexandria, Virginia 22302.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for Office of Management and Budget approval. All comments will 
be a matter of public record.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of information collection instruments and instructions should be 
directed to Rosemarie Downer at (703) 305-2129 or 
rosemarie.downer@fns.usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Study of Third Party Processor Services, Fees, and Business 
Practices.
    OMB Number: 0584--NEW.
    Expiration Date: Not yet determined.
    Type of Request: New collection.
    Abstract: This study seeks to understand the business practices of 
TPPs and ISOs that provide EBT processing services and equipment to 
SNAP retailers to (1) assess retailers' satisfaction with EBT products 
and services needed to participate in the SNAP program; and (2) develop 
a set of best practices to inform FNS's guidance for retailers on what 
to consider when selecting, contracting with, and working with EBT 
vendors (TPPs and ISOs). The study results will also provide FNS with 
the information needed to inform future FNS policies regarding 
requirements for vendors providing EBT equipment and services to 
authorized retailers and TPP services-related guidance for retailers.
    The study relies on two data sources: (1) A survey of SNAP 
retailers regarding their business relations with EBT vendors as well 
as satisfaction with the equipment and services acquired, and (2) 
interviews with TPPs and ISOs about their business practices with SNAP 
retailers, products and services, including costs and recommendations 
for retailers seeking to acquire EBT products and services.
    SNAP Retailer Satisfaction Survey: The survey will use a nationally 
representative sample of SNAP retailers, stratified by retail sales 
levels and urban/rural locations. The survey sample will include non-
exempt retailers \1\ that must pay 100% of the cost for EBT equipment 
and services. The retailer survey sample will exclude retailers that 
operate in Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Retailers that are not exempt from the 2014 Farm Bill 
mandate and must pay 100% for EBT equipment and services includes 
Convenience Stores, Combination Grocery/Other, Super Store, 
Supermarket, Smaller Grocery Store, Medium Grocery Store, Large 
Grocery Store, Meat/Poultry Specialty, Bakery Specialty, Seafood 
Specialty, and Fruits/Vegetables Specialty. Retailers that are 
exempt from the 2014 Farm Bill mandate may continue to qualify for 
free EBT equipment and services until further notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    An invitation to participate in the national survey will be mailed 
to sampled retailers. The target audience for this survey will be store 
managers or operations managers. Participants will have the option to 
respond either online or through an interactive voice response system. 
Participants who do not start the survey after 10 business days, will 
receive a mail reminder. The study will follow up with non-respondents 
via telephone 10 business days after the reminder mail drop. Telephone 
follow-ups will include five attempts to each number in the sample at 
different times of the day and days of the week.
    TPP and ISO Telephone Interviews: Telephone interviews with TPPs 
and ISOs will follow a telephone interview protocol. Participants will 
receive an interview guide and an invitation letter describing the 
purpose of the study and how the data will be used. As the number and 
identity of TPPs and ISOs is not known, the study will use a snowball 
sampling approach to identify interviewees. Snowball sampling operates 
as a participant recruitment method in which research participants are 
asked to assist in identifying other potential respondents. Preliminary 
research estimates that there are 5 to 10 TPPs and 50 to 55 ISOs 
supporting the EBT market.
    Affected Public: The study will include three respondent groups: 
Non-exempt SNAP retailers, TPPs and ISOs in the EBT products and 
services market.
    Estimated number of respondents: 1,500 SNAP retailers and up to 55 
TPPs and ISOs.
    Estimated Frequency of Response per Respondent: This is a one-time 
data collection for each respondent.
    Estimated Time per Response: The completed SNAP Retailer Survey 
response burden is estimated at 15 minutes per respondent. Each TPP or 
ISO interview is estimated to take a total of 1 hour and 30 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: The total public 
reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated at 415 
hours and approximately 1,565 responses. Table 1 below details the 
estimated burden for each type of respondent.

[[Page 22968]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN19MY17.008



[[Page 22969]]


    Dated: April 24, 2017.
Jessica Shahin,
Acting Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-10112 Filed 5-18-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-P

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