2020 Rate Changes for the Basetime, Overtime, Holiday, and Laboratory Services Rates, 66871-66873 [2019-26326]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 235 / Friday, December 6, 2019 / Notices DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request December 3, 2019. lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with NOTICES 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 are requested regarding 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; the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and 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. Comments regarding this information collection received by January 6, 2020 will be considered. Written comments should be addressed to: Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), New Executive Office Building, 725 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20502. Commenters are encouraged to submit their comments to OMB via email to: OIRA_Submission@OMB.EOP.GOV or fax (202) 395–5806 and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250– 7602. 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. Food Safety and Inspection Service Title: Modernization of Swine Slaughter Inspection. OMB Control Number: 0583–0171. Summary of Collection: The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has been delegated the authority to exercise the functions of the Secretary (7 CFR 2.18, 2.53), as specified in the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA) (21 U.S.C. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:11 Dec 05, 2019 Jkt 250001 601, et seq.). This statute mandates that FSIS protect the public by verifying that meat products are safe, wholesome, unadulterated, and properly labeled and packaged. Need and Use of the Information: FSIS will collect information to ensure that all establishments operating under the New Swine Slaughter Inspection System (NSIS) monitor their systems through microbial testing and recordkeeping. Establishments operating under NSIS are required to (1) identify animals or carcasses that establishment personnel have sorted and removed for disposal before FSIS inspection with a unique tag, tattoo, or similar device, (2) maintain records to document the total number of animals and carcasses sorted and removed per day and the reasons for their removal, and (3) maintain records documenting that products resulting from their slaughter operations meet the new definition of RTC pork product. Furthermore, FSIS will collection information to ensure that each establishment operating under the NSIS submit on an annual basis an attestation to the management member of the local FSIS circuit safety committee stating that it maintains a program to monitor and document any work-related conditions of establishment workers. Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit. Number of Respondents: 84. Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion. Total Burden Hours: 4,348. Kimble Brown, Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer. The 2020 basetime, overtime, holiday, and laboratory services rates will be applied on January 5, 2020. DATES: FSIS will charge the rates announced in this notice beginning January 5, 2020. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information contact Michael Toner, Director, Budget Division, Office of the Chief Financial Officer, FSIS, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 2159, South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250– 3700; Telephone: (202) 690–8398, Fax: (202) 690–4155. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background On April 12, 2011, FSIS published a final rule amending its regulations to establish formulas for calculating the rates it charges meat and poultry establishments, egg products plants, and importers and exporters for providing voluntary, overtime, and holiday inspection and identification, certification, and laboratory services (76 FR 20220). In the final rule, FSIS stated that it would use the formulas to calculate the annual rates, publish the rates in Federal Register notices prior to the start of each calendar year, and apply the rates on the first FSIS pay period at the beginning of the calendar year. This notice provides the 2020 rates, which will be applied starting on January 5, 2020. 2020 Rates and Calculations The following table lists the 2020 Rates per hour, per employee, by type of service: [FR Doc. 2019–26322 Filed 12–5–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–DM–P Service DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Food Safety and Inspection Service [Docket Number FSIS–2019–0027] 2020 Rate Changes for the Basetime, Overtime, Holiday, and Laboratory Services Rates Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing the 2020 rates it will charge meat and poultry establishments, egg products plants, and importers and exporters for providing voluntary, overtime, and holiday inspection and identification, certification, and laboratory services. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 66871 Basetime ............................... Overtime ............................... Holiday .................................. Laboratory ............................. 2020 rate (estimates rounded to reflect billable quarters) $64.84 79.88 94.88 82.32 The regulations state that FSIS will calculate the rates using formulas that include the Office of Field Operations (OFO) inspection program personnel’s previous fiscal year’s regular direct pay and regular hours (9 CFR 391.2, 391.3, 391.4, 590.126, 590.128, 592.510, 592.520, and 592.530). In 2013, an Agency reorganization eliminated the Office of International Affairs program office and transferred all of its inspection program personnel to OFO. Therefore, inspection program personnel’s pay and hours are identified E:\FR\FM\06DEN1.SGM 06DEN1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with NOTICES 66872 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 235 / Friday, December 6, 2019 / Notices in the calculations as ‘‘OFO inspection program personnel’s’’ pay and hours. FSIS determined the 2020 rates using the following calculations: Basetime Rate = The quotient of dividing the OFO inspection program personnel’s previous fiscal year’s regular direct pay by the previous fiscal year’s regular hours, plus the quotient multiplied by the calendar year’s percentage of cost of living increase, plus the benefits rate, plus the travel and operating rate, plus the overhead rate, plus the allowance for bad debt rate. The calculation for the 2020 basetime rate per hour per program employee is: [FY 2019 OFO Regular Direct Pay divided by the previous fiscal year’s Regular Hours ($431,891,249/ 14,748,261)] = $29.28 + ($29.28 * 2.6% (calendar year 2020 Cost of Living Increase)) = $30.05 + $10.38 (benefits rate) + $2.49 (travel and operating rate) + $21.92 (overhead rate) + $0.02 (bad debt allowance rate) = $64.84, which is already divisible by 4. Overtime Rate = The quotient of dividing the OFO inspection program personnel’s previous fiscal year’s regular direct pay by the previous fiscal year’s regular hours, plus that quotient multiplied by the calendar year’s percentage of cost of living increase, multiplied by 1.5 (for overtime), plus the benefits rate, plus the travel and operating rate, plus the overhead rate, plus the allowance for bad debt rate. The calculation for the 2020 overtime rate per hour per program employee is: [FY 2019 OFO Regular Direct Pay divided by previous fiscal year’s Regular Hours ($431,891,249/14,748,261)] = $29.28 + ($29.28 * 2.6% (calendar year 2020 Cost of Living Increase)) = $30.05 * 1.5 = $45.07 + $10.38 (benefits rate) + $2.49 (travel and operating rate) + $21.92 (overhead rate) + $0.02 (bad debt allowance rate) = $79.86 rounded up to $79.88, so that it is divisible by 4. Holiday Rate = The quotient of dividing the OFO inspection program personnel’s previous fiscal year’s regular direct pay by the previous fiscal year’s regular hours, plus that quotient multiplied by the calendar year’s percentage of cost of living increase, multiplied by 2 (for holiday pay), plus the benefits rate, plus the travel and operating rate, plus the overhead rate, plus the allowance for bad debt rate. The calculation for the 2020 holiday rate per hour per program employee calculation is: [FY 2019 OFO Regular Direct Pay divided by Regular Hours ($431,891,249/14,748,261)] = $29.28 + ($29.28 * 2.6% (calendar year 2019 Cost of Living Increase)) = $30.05 * 2 = VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:11 Dec 05, 2019 Jkt 250001 $60.09 + $10.38 (benefits rate) + $2.49 (travel and operating rate) + $21.92 (overhead rate) + $0.02 (bad debt allowance rate) = $94.88, which is already divisible by 4. Laboratory Services Rate = The quotient of dividing the Office of Public Health Science’s (OPHS’s) previous fiscal year’s regular direct pay by the OPHS previous fiscal year’s regular hours, plus the quotient multiplied by the calendar year’s percentage cost of living increase, plus the benefits rate, plus the travel and operating rate, plus the overhead rate, plus the allowance for bad debt rate. The calculation for the 2020 laboratory services rate per hour per program employee is: [FY 2019 OPHS Regular Direct Pay/ OPHS Regular hours ($22,973,965/ 496,184)] = $46.30 + ($46.30 * 2.6% (calendar year 2020 Cost of Living Increase)) = $47.51 + $10.38 (benefits rate) + $2.49 (travel and operating rate) + $21.92 (overhead rate) + $0.02 (bad debt allowance rate) = $82.30, rounded up to 82.32, so that it is divisible by 4. Calculations for the Benefits, Travel and Operating, Overhead, and Allowance for Bad Debt Rates These rates are components of the basetime, overtime, holiday, and laboratory services rates formulas. Benefits Rate: The quotient of dividing the previous fiscal year’s direct benefits costs by the previous fiscal year’s total hours (regular, overtime, and holiday), plus that quotient multiplied by the calendar year’s percentage cost of living increase. Some examples of direct benefits are health insurance, retirement, life insurance, and Thrift Savings Plan basic and matching contributions. The calculation for the 2020 benefits rate per hour per program employee is: [FY 2019 Direct Benefits/(Total Regular hours + Total Overtime hours + Total Holiday hours) ($184,242,174/ 18,205,950)] = $10.12 + ($10.12 * 2.6% (calendar year 2019 Cost of Living Increase)) = $10.38. Travel and Operating Rate: The quotient of dividing the previous fiscal year’s total direct travel and operating costs by the previous fiscal year’s total hours (regular, overtime, and holiday), plus that quotient multiplied by the calendar year’s percentage of inflation. The calculation for the 2020 travel and operating rate per hour per program employee is: [FY 2019 Total Direct Travel and Operating Costs/(Total Regular hours + Total Overtime hours + Total Holiday hours) ($44,335,973/18,205,950)] = PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 $2.44 + ($2.44 * 2.3% (2020 Inflation) = $2.49. Overhead Rate: The quotient of dividing the previous fiscal year’s indirect costs plus the previous fiscal year’s information technology (IT) costs in the Public Health Data Communication Infrastructure System Fund plus the provision for the operating balance less any Greenbook costs (i.e., costs of USDA support services prorated to the service component for which fees are charged) that are not related to food inspection by the previous fiscal year’s total hours (regular, overtime, and holiday) worked across all funds, plus the quotient multiplied by the calendar year’s percentage of inflation. The calculation for the 2020 overhead rate per hour per program employee is: [FY 2019 Total Overhead/(Total Regular hours + Total Overtime hours + Total Holiday hours) ($ 390,080,911/ 18,205,950)] = $21.43 + ($21.43 * 2.3% (2019 Inflation) = $21.92. Allowance for Bad Debt Rate = Previous fiscal year’s total allowance for bad debt (for example, debt owed that is not paid in full by plants and establishments that declare bankruptcy) divided by previous fiscal year’s total hours (regular, overtime, and holiday) worked. The 2020 calculation for bad debt rate per hour per program employee is: [FY 2019 Total Bad Debt/(Total Regular hours + Total Overtime hours + Total Holiday hours) = ($317,344/ 18,205,950)] = $0.02. Additional Public Notification FSIS will make copies of this Federal Register publication available through the FSIS Constituent Update, which is used to provide information regarding FSIS policies, procedures, regulations, Federal Register notices, FSIS public meetings, and other types of information that could affect or would be of interest to our constituents and stakeholders. The Constituent Update is available on the FSIS web page. Through the web page, FSIS can 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 accounts. E:\FR\FM\06DEN1.SGM 06DEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 235 / Friday, December 6, 2019 / Notices USDA Non-Discrimination Statement No agency, officer, or employee of the USDA shall, on the grounds of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/ parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, or political beliefs, exclude from participation in, deny the benefits of, or subject to discrimination any person in the United States under any program or activity conducted by the USDA. 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, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250–9410, Fax: (202) 690–7442, Email: program.intake@usda.gov. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.), should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720–2600 (voice and TDD). Done at Washington, DC. Carmen Rottenberg, Administrator. [FR Doc. 2019–26326 Filed 12–5–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–DM–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Foreign-Trade Zones Board [B–74–2019] lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with NOTICES Foreign-Trade Zone 32—Miami, Florida; Application for Reorganization (Expansion of Service Area) Under Alternative Site Framework An application has been submitted to the Foreign-Trade Zones (FTZ) Board by the Greater Miami Foreign-Trade Zone, Inc., grantee of Foreign-Trade Zone 32, requesting authority to reorganize the zone to expand its service area under the alternative site framework (ASF) adopted by the FTZ Board (15 CFR Sec. 400.2(c)). The ASF is an option for grantees for the establishment or reorganization of zones and can permit significantly greater flexibility in the designation of new subzones or ‘‘usagedriven’’ FTZ sites for operators/users located within a grantee’s ‘‘service area’’ VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:11 Dec 05, 2019 Jkt 250001 in the context of the FTZ Board’s standard 2,000-acre activation limit for a zone. The application was submitted pursuant to the Foreign-Trade Zones Act, as amended (19 U.S.C. 81a–81u), and the regulations of the FTZ Board (15 CFR part 400). It was formally docketed on December 3, 2019. FTZ 32 was approved by the FTZ Board on September 6, 1977 (Board Order 123, 42 FR 46568, September 16, 1977) and reorganized under the ASF on December 20, 2012 (Board Order 1876, 78 FR 1197–1198, January 8, 2013). The zone currently has a service area that includes a portion of Miami-Dade County, Florida. The applicant is now requesting authority to expand the service area of the zone to include all of Miami-Dade County, as described in the application. If approved, the grantee would be able to serve sites throughout the expanded service area based on companies’ needs for FTZ designation. The application indicates that the proposed expanded service area is in or adjacent to the Miami U.S. Customs and Border Protection Port of Entry. In accordance with the FTZ Board’s regulations, Christopher Kemp of the FTZ Staff is designated examiner to evaluate and analyze the facts and information presented in the application and case record and to report findings and recommendations to the FTZ Board. Public comment is invited from interested parties. Submissions shall be addressed to the FTZ Board’s Executive Secretary and sent to: ftz@trade.gov. The closing period for their receipt is February 4, 2020. Rebuttal comments in response to material submitted during the foregoing period may be submitted during the subsequent 15-day period to February 19, 2020. A copy of the application will be available for public inspection in the ‘‘Reading Room’’ section of the FTZ Board’s website, which is accessible via www.trade.gov/ftz. For further information, contact Christopher Kemp at Christopher.Kemp@trade.gov or (202) 482–0862. Dated: December 3, 2019. Elizabeth Whiteman, Acting Executive Secretary. [FR Doc. 2019–26347 Filed 12–5–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 66873 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Bureau of Industry and Security Order Renewing Order Temporarily Denying Export Privileges Mahan Airways, Mahan Tower, No. 21, Azadegan St., M.A. Jenah Exp. Way, Tehran, Iran Pejman Mahmood Kosarayanifard, a/k/a Kosarian Fard, P.O. Box 52404, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Mahmoud Amini, G#22 Dubai Airport Free Zone, P.O. Box 393754, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and P.O. Box 52404, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and Mohamed Abdulla Alqaz Building, Al Maktoum Street, Al Rigga, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Kerman Aviation, a/k/a GIE Kerman Aviation, 42 Avenue Montaigne 75008, Paris, France Sirjanco Trading LLC, P.O. Box 8709, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Mahan Air General Trading LLC, 19th Floor Al Moosa Tower One, Sheik Zayed Road, Dubai 40594, United Arab Emirates Mehdi Bahrami, Mahan Airways—Istanbul Office, Cumhuriye Cad. Sibil Apt No: 101 D:6, 34374 Emadad, Sisli Istanbul, Turkey Al Naser Airlines a/k/a al-Naser Airlines a/ k/a Al Naser Wings Airline a/k/a Alnaser Airlines and Air Freight Ltd., Home 46, AlKarrada, Babil Region, District 929, St. 21, Beside Al Jadirya Private Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq, and Al Amirat Street, Section 309, St. 3/H.20, Al Mansour, Baghdad, Iraq, and P.O. Box 28360, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and P.O. Box 911399, Amman 11191, Jordan Ali Abdullah Alhay, a/k/a Ali Alhay, a/k/a Ali Abdullah Ahmed Alhay Home 46, AlKarrada, Babil Region, District 929, St. 21, Beside Al Jadirya Private Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq and Anak Street, Qatif, Saudi Arabia 61177 Bahar Safwa General Trading, P.O. Box 113212, Citadel Tower, Floor-5, Office #504, Business Bay, Dubai, United Arab Emirates and P.O. Box 8709, Citadel Tower, Business Bay, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Sky Blue Bird Group a/k/a Sky Blue Bird Aviation a/k/a Sky Blue Bird Ltd a/k/a Sky Blue Bird FZC, P.O. Box 16111, Ras Al Khaimah Trade Zone, United Arab Emirates Issam Shammout, a/k/a Muhammad Isam Muhammad Anwar Nur Shammout a/k/a Issam Anwar, Philips Building, 4th Floor, Al Fardous Street, Damascus, Syria, and Al Kolaa, Beirut, Lebanon 151515, and 17–18 Margaret Street, 4th Floor, London, W1W 8RP, United Kingdom, and Cumhuriyet Mah. Kavakli San St. Fulya, Cad. Hazar Sok. No.14/A Silivri, Istanbul, Turkey Pursuant to Section 766.24 of the Export Administration Regulations, 15 CFR parts 730–774 (2019) (‘‘EAR’’ or ‘‘the Regulations’’), I hereby grant the request of the Office of Export Enforcement (‘‘OEE’’) to renew the temporary denial order issued in this matter on June 5, 2019. I find that E:\FR\FM\06DEN1.SGM 06DEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 235 (Friday, December 6, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66871-66873]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-26326]


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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food Safety and Inspection Service

[Docket Number FSIS-2019-0027]


2020 Rate Changes for the Basetime, Overtime, Holiday, and 
Laboratory Services Rates

AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY:  The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing 
the 2020 rates it will charge meat and poultry establishments, egg 
products plants, and importers and exporters for providing voluntary, 
overtime, and holiday inspection and identification, certification, and 
laboratory services. The 2020 basetime, overtime, holiday, and 
laboratory services rates will be applied on January 5, 2020.

DATES: FSIS will charge the rates announced in this notice beginning 
January 5, 2020.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information contact 
Michael Toner, Director, Budget Division, Office of the Chief Financial 
Officer, FSIS, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 2159, South 
Building, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-3700; 
Telephone: (202) 690-8398, Fax: (202) 690-4155.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    On April 12, 2011, FSIS published a final rule amending its 
regulations to establish formulas for calculating the rates it charges 
meat and poultry establishments, egg products plants, and importers and 
exporters for providing voluntary, overtime, and holiday inspection and 
identification, certification, and laboratory services (76 FR 20220).
    In the final rule, FSIS stated that it would use the formulas to 
calculate the annual rates, publish the rates in Federal Register 
notices prior to the start of each calendar year, and apply the rates 
on the first FSIS pay period at the beginning of the calendar year.
    This notice provides the 2020 rates, which will be applied starting 
on January 5, 2020.

2020 Rates and Calculations

    The following table lists the 2020 Rates per hour, per employee, by 
type of service:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             2020 rate
                                                            (estimates
                                                            rounded to
                         Service                              reflect
                                                             billable
                                                             quarters)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basetime................................................          $64.84
Overtime................................................           79.88
Holiday.................................................           94.88
Laboratory..............................................           82.32
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The regulations state that FSIS will calculate the rates using 
formulas that include the Office of Field Operations (OFO) inspection 
program personnel's previous fiscal year's regular direct pay and 
regular hours (9 CFR 391.2, 391.3, 391.4, 590.126, 590.128, 592.510, 
592.520, and 592.530). In 2013, an Agency reorganization eliminated the 
Office of International Affairs program office and transferred all of 
its inspection program personnel to OFO. Therefore, inspection program 
personnel's pay and hours are identified

[[Page 66872]]

in the calculations as ``OFO inspection program personnel's'' pay and 
hours.
    FSIS determined the 2020 rates using the following calculations:
    Basetime Rate = The quotient of dividing the OFO inspection program 
personnel's previous fiscal year's regular direct pay by the previous 
fiscal year's regular hours, plus the quotient multiplied by the 
calendar year's percentage of cost of living increase, plus the 
benefits rate, plus the travel and operating rate, plus the overhead 
rate, plus the allowance for bad debt rate.
    The calculation for the 2020 basetime rate per hour per program 
employee is:
    [FY 2019 OFO Regular Direct Pay divided by the previous fiscal 
year's Regular Hours ($431,891,249/14,748,261)] = $29.28 + ($29.28 * 
2.6% (calendar year 2020 Cost of Living Increase)) = $30.05 + $10.38 
(benefits rate) + $2.49 (travel and operating rate) + $21.92 (overhead 
rate) + $0.02 (bad debt allowance rate) = $64.84, which is already 
divisible by 4.
    Overtime Rate = The quotient of dividing the OFO inspection program 
personnel's previous fiscal year's regular direct pay by the previous 
fiscal year's regular hours, plus that quotient multiplied by the 
calendar year's percentage of cost of living increase, multiplied by 
1.5 (for overtime), plus the benefits rate, plus the travel and 
operating rate, plus the overhead rate, plus the allowance for bad debt 
rate.
    The calculation for the 2020 overtime rate per hour per program 
employee is:
    [FY 2019 OFO Regular Direct Pay divided by previous fiscal year's 
Regular Hours ($431,891,249/14,748,261)] = $29.28 + ($29.28 * 2.6% 
(calendar year 2020 Cost of Living Increase)) = $30.05 * 1.5 = $45.07 + 
$10.38 (benefits rate) + $2.49 (travel and operating rate) + $21.92 
(overhead rate) + $0.02 (bad debt allowance rate) = $79.86 rounded up 
to $79.88, so that it is divisible by 4.
    Holiday Rate = The quotient of dividing the OFO inspection program 
personnel's previous fiscal year's regular direct pay by the previous 
fiscal year's regular hours, plus that quotient multiplied by the 
calendar year's percentage of cost of living increase, multiplied by 2 
(for holiday pay), plus the benefits rate, plus the travel and 
operating rate, plus the overhead rate, plus the allowance for bad debt 
rate.
    The calculation for the 2020 holiday rate per hour per program 
employee calculation is:
    [FY 2019 OFO Regular Direct Pay divided by Regular Hours 
($431,891,249/14,748,261)] = $29.28 + ($29.28 * 2.6% (calendar year 
2019 Cost of Living Increase)) = $30.05 * 2 = $60.09 + $10.38 (benefits 
rate) + $2.49 (travel and operating rate) + $21.92 (overhead rate) + 
$0.02 (bad debt allowance rate) = $94.88, which is already divisible by 
4.
    Laboratory Services Rate = The quotient of dividing the Office of 
Public Health Science's (OPHS's) previous fiscal year's regular direct 
pay by the OPHS previous fiscal year's regular hours, plus the quotient 
multiplied by the calendar year's percentage cost of living increase, 
plus the benefits rate, plus the travel and operating rate, plus the 
overhead rate, plus the allowance for bad debt rate.
    The calculation for the 2020 laboratory services rate per hour per 
program employee is:
    [FY 2019 OPHS Regular Direct Pay/OPHS Regular hours ($22,973,965/
496,184)] = $46.30 + ($46.30 * 2.6% (calendar year 2020 Cost of Living 
Increase)) = $47.51 + $10.38 (benefits rate) + $2.49 (travel and 
operating rate) + $21.92 (overhead rate) + $0.02 (bad debt allowance 
rate) = $82.30, rounded up to 82.32, so that it is divisible by 4.

Calculations for the Benefits, Travel and Operating, Overhead, and 
Allowance for Bad Debt Rates

    These rates are components of the basetime, overtime, holiday, and 
laboratory services rates formulas.
    Benefits Rate: The quotient of dividing the previous fiscal year's 
direct benefits costs by the previous fiscal year's total hours 
(regular, overtime, and holiday), plus that quotient multiplied by the 
calendar year's percentage cost of living increase. Some examples of 
direct benefits are health insurance, retirement, life insurance, and 
Thrift Savings Plan basic and matching contributions.
    The calculation for the 2020 benefits rate per hour per program 
employee is:
    [FY 2019 Direct Benefits/(Total Regular hours + Total Overtime 
hours + Total Holiday hours) ($184,242,174/18,205,950)] = $10.12 + 
($10.12 * 2.6% (calendar year 2019 Cost of Living Increase)) = $10.38.
    Travel and Operating Rate: The quotient of dividing the previous 
fiscal year's total direct travel and operating costs by the previous 
fiscal year's total hours (regular, overtime, and holiday), plus that 
quotient multiplied by the calendar year's percentage of inflation.
    The calculation for the 2020 travel and operating rate per hour per 
program employee is:
    [FY 2019 Total Direct Travel and Operating Costs/(Total Regular 
hours + Total Overtime hours + Total Holiday hours) ($44,335,973/
18,205,950)] = $2.44 + ($2.44 * 2.3% (2020 Inflation) = $2.49.
    Overhead Rate: The quotient of dividing the previous fiscal year's 
indirect costs plus the previous fiscal year's information technology 
(IT) costs in the Public Health Data Communication Infrastructure 
System Fund plus the provision for the operating balance less any 
Greenbook costs (i.e., costs of USDA support services prorated to the 
service component for which fees are charged) that are not related to 
food inspection by the previous fiscal year's total hours (regular, 
overtime, and holiday) worked across all funds, plus the quotient 
multiplied by the calendar year's percentage of inflation.
    The calculation for the 2020 overhead rate per hour per program 
employee is:
    [FY 2019 Total Overhead/(Total Regular hours + Total Overtime hours 
+ Total Holiday hours) ($ 390,080,911/18,205,950)] = $21.43 + ($21.43 * 
2.3% (2019 Inflation) = $21.92.
    Allowance for Bad Debt Rate = Previous fiscal year's total 
allowance for bad debt (for example, debt owed that is not paid in full 
by plants and establishments that declare bankruptcy) divided by 
previous fiscal year's total hours (regular, overtime, and holiday) 
worked.
    The 2020 calculation for bad debt rate per hour per program 
employee is:
    [FY 2019 Total Bad Debt/(Total Regular hours + Total Overtime hours 
+ Total Holiday hours) = ($317,344/18,205,950)] = $0.02.

Additional Public Notification

    FSIS will make copies of this Federal Register publication 
available through the FSIS Constituent Update, which is used to provide 
information regarding FSIS policies, procedures, regulations, Federal 
Register notices, FSIS public meetings, and other types of information 
that could affect or would be of interest to our constituents and 
stakeholders. The Constituent Update is available on the FSIS web page. 
Through the web page, FSIS can 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 accounts.

[[Page 66873]]

USDA Non-Discrimination Statement

    No agency, officer, or employee of the USDA shall, on the grounds 
of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual 
orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, 
income derived from a public assistance program, or political beliefs, 
exclude from participation in, deny the benefits of, or subject to 
discrimination any person in the United States under any program or 
activity conducted by the USDA.

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, Director, Office of 
Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410, 
Fax: (202) 690-7442, Email: [email protected].
    Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for 
communication (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.), should contact 
USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

    Done at Washington, DC.
Carmen Rottenberg,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2019-26326 Filed 12-5-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P


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