Agency Information Collection Activities: Solicitation of Proposal Information for Award of Public Contracts, 700-24, 700-25, 27095-27097 [2021-10555]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 95 / Wednesday, May 19, 2021 / Notices 7W552, Rockville, Maryland 20850 (Telephone Conference Call). Contact Person: Jeanette Irene Marketon, Ph.D., Scientific Review Officer, Program Coordination and Referral Branch, Division of Extramural Activities, National Cancer Institute, NIH, 9609 Medical Center Drive, Room 7W552, Rockville, Maryland 20850, 240–276–6780, jeanette.marketon@nih.gov. Name of Committee: National Cancer Institute Special Emphasis Panel; Cancer Center Support Grant (P30). Date: July 28, 2021. Time: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Agenda: To review and evaluate grant applications. Place: National Cancer Institute at Shady Grove, 9609 Medical Center Drive, Room 7W110, Rockville, Maryland 20850 (Telephone Conference Call). Contact Person: Caterina Bianco, M.D., Ph.D., Chief, Scientific Review Officer, Resources and Training Review Branch, Division of Extramural Activities, National Cancer Institute, NIH, 9609 Medical Center Drive, Room 7W110, Rockville, Maryland 20850, 240–276–6459, biancoc@mail.nih.gov. (Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Nos. 93.392, Cancer Construction; 93.393, Cancer Cause and Prevention Research; 93.394, Cancer Detection and Diagnosis Research; 93.395, Cancer Treatment Research; 93.396, Cancer Biology Research; 93.397, Cancer Centers Support; 93.398, Cancer Research Manpower; 93.399, Cancer Control, National Institutes of Health, HHS) Dated: May 14, 2021. Melanie J. Pantoja, Program Analyst, Office of Federal Advisory Committee Policy. BILLING CODE 4140–01–P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES National Institutes of Health khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke; Notice of Closed Meeting Pursuant to section 10(d) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, notice is hereby given of the following meeting. The meeting will be closed to the public in accordance with the provisions set forth in sections 552b(c)(4) and 552b(c)(6), Title 5 U.S.C., as amended. The grant applications and the discussions could disclose confidential trade secrets or commercial property such as patentable material, and personal information concerning individuals associated with the grant applications, the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. 20:00 May 18, 2021 Jkt 253001 Dated: May 13, 2021. Tyeshia M. Roberson, Program Analyst, Office of Federal Advisory Committee Policy. [FR Doc. 2021–10492 Filed 5–18–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4140–01–P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES National Institutes of Health National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders; Notice of Closed Meetings [FR Doc. 2021–10557 Filed 5–18–21; 8:45 am] VerDate Sep<11>2014 Name of Committee: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Special Emphasis Panel; NST 1 Overflow Grant Review. Date: May 25, 2021. Time: 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Agenda: To review and evaluate grant applications. Place: National Institutes of Health, Neuroscience Center, 6001 Executive Boulevard, Rockville, MD 20852 (Virtual Meeting). Contact Person: William C. Benzing, Ph.D., Scientific Review Officer, Scientific Review Branch, Division of Extramural Activities, NINDS, NIH, NSC, 6001 Executive Blvd., Suite 3204, MSC 9529, Rockville, MD 20852, (301) 496–0660, benzingw@mail.nih.gov. This notice is being published less than 15 days prior to the meeting due to the timing limitations imposed by the review and funding cycle. (Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Nos. 93.853, Clinical Research Related to Neurological Disorders; 93.854, Biological Basis Research in the Neurosciences, National Institutes of Health, HHS) Pursuant to section 10(d) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, notice is hereby given of the following meetings. The meetings will be closed to the public in accordance with the provisions set forth in sections 552b(c)(4) and 552b(c)(6), Title 5 U.S.C., as amended. The grant applications and the discussions could disclose confidential trade secrets or commercial property such as patentable material, and personal information concerning individuals associated with the grant applications, the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. Name of Committee: National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders Special Emphasis Panel; Hearing & Balance Special Emphasis Panel Review. Date: June 18, 2021. Time: 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Agenda: To review and evaluate grant applications. Place: National Institutes of Health, Neuroscience Center, 6001 Executive PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 27095 Boulevard, Rockville, MD 20852 (Telephone Conference Call). Contact Person: Kausik Ray, Ph.D., Scientific Review Officer, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, 6001 Executive Blvd., Rockville, MD 20852, (301) 402–3587, rayk@nidcd.nih.gov. Name of Committee: National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders Special Emphasis Panel; NIDCD Review of Translational Applications in Voice, Speech and Language. Date: June 24, 2021. Time: 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Agenda: To review and evaluate grant applications. Place: National Institutes of Health, Neuroscience Center, 6001 Executive Boulevard, Rockville, MD 20852 (Telephone Conference Call). Contact Person: Shiguang Yang, DVM, Ph.D., Scientific Review Officer, Division of Extramural Activities, NIDCD, NIH, 6001 Executive Blvd., Room 8349, Bethesda, MD 20892, (301) 496–8683, yangshi@ nidcd.nih.gov. Name of Committee: National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders Special Emphasis Panel; Voice, Speech and Language Fellowship Review. Date: June 30, 2021. Time: 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Agenda: To review and evaluate grant applications. Place: National Institutes of Health, Neuroscience Center, 6001 Executive Boulevard, Rockville, MD 20852 (Virtual Meeting). Contact Person: Andrea B. Kelly, Ph.D., Scientific Review Officer, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, 6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 8351, Bethesda, MD 20892, (301) 451–6339, kellya2@nih.gov. (Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Nos. 93.173, Biological Research Related to Deafness and Communicative Disorders, National Institutes of Health, HHS) Dated: May 14, 2021. Miguelina Perez, Program Analyst, Office of Federal Advisory Committee Policy. [FR Doc. 2021–10533 Filed 5–18–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4140–01–P DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY [Docket Number–2020–0048] Agency Information Collection Activities: Solicitation of Proposal Information for Award of Public Contracts, 700–24, 700–25 Department of Homeland Security (DHS). ACTION: 30-Day notice and request for comments; extension without change of a currently approved collection, 1600– 0005. AGENCY: E:\FR\FM\19MYN1.SGM 19MYN1 27096 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 95 / Wednesday, May 19, 2021 / Notices The Department of Homeland Security, will submit the following Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. DHS previously published this information collection request (ICR) in the Federal Register on Monday, November 30, 2020 for a 60day public comment period. No comment was received by DHS. The purpose of this notice is to allow additional 30-days for public comments. DATES: Comments are encouraged and will be accepted until June 18, 2021. This process is conducted in accordance with 5 CFR 1320.1 ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/ PRAMain. Find this particular information collection by selecting ‘‘Currently under 30-day Review—Open for Public Comments’’ or by using the search function. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) collects information, when necessary, when inviting firms to submit bids, proposals, and offers for public contracts for supplies and service. Using solicitation methods such as Requests for Proposals (RFP), Requests for Information (RFI), and Broad Agency Announcements (BAA), the Government requests information from prospective offerors such as pricing information, delivery schedule compliance, and evidence that the offeror has the resources (both human and financial) to accomplish requirements. The information collection is necessary for compliance with the Homeland Security Acquisition Regulation (HSAR), 48 CFR Chapter 30, and the Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, 15 U.S.C 628. The prior information collection request for OMB No. 1600–0005 was approved through November 30, 2021, and includes the following: • 3052.209–70 Prohibition on Contracts with Corporate Expatriates (Required in all solicitations and contracts) The offeror must disclose whether it is a foreign incorporated entity that should be treated as an inverted domestic corporation. • 3052.209–71 Reserve Officer Training Corps and Military Recruiting on Campus (Required in all solicitations and contracts with institutions of higher education) Requires that the Contractor khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:43 May 18, 2021 Jkt 253001 represent that it does not now have, and agrees that during performance of the contract that it will not adopt, any policy or practice described in paragraph (b) of the clause. • 3052.209–72 Organizational Conflict of Interest, paragraphs (c), (d) and (e), (Required in all solicitations and contracts where a potential organizational conflict of interest exists and mitigation may be possible) The offeror must disclose whether it is aware of any facts which create any actual or potential organizational conflicts of interest; and, provide information as required by the Government and a mitigation plan relating to the conflict, if applicable. • 3052.209–74 Limitations on Contractors Acting as Lead System Integrators (Required in solicitations for the acquisition of a major system when the acquisition strategy envisions the use of a lead system integrator) The offeror must disclose whether it proposes to perform this contract as a lead system integrator with system responsibility, and whether it has a direct financial interest in the system that is the subject of the solicitation; and, provide evidence, as needed. • 3052.209–76 Prohibition on Federal Protective Service (FPS) Guard Services Contracts with Business Concerns Owned, Controlled, or Operated by an Individual Convicted of a Felony, paragraphs (a) through (g), (Required in in all solicitations and contracts for FPS guard services) The offeror must disclose whether it is owned, operated or controlled by an individual convicted of any felony. A business concern owned, operated or controlled by an individual convicted of any felony may submit an award request to the Government. The request must include information that is considered personally identifiable information, and any additional information the Government deems necessary. • 3052.215–70 Key Personnel and Facilities (Required in solicitations and contracts when the selection for award is substantially based on the offeror’s possession of special capabilities regarding personnel or facilities) Before removing or replacing any of the specified individuals or facilities, the offeror must notify the Government, in writing, before the change becomes effective. • 3052.219–72 Evaluation of Prime Contractor Participation in the DHS Mentor-Prote´ge´ Program (Required in all solicitations containing (HSAR) 48 CFR 3052.219–71, DHS Mentor-Prote´ge´ Program and (FAR) 48 CFR 52.219–9 Small Business Subcontracting Plan) The offeror must provide a signed letter PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 of mentor-prote´ge´ agreement, if it wishes to receive credit under the source selection factor. • 3052.247–70 F.o.b. Origin Information (Required in solicitations as appropriate) The offeror must provide information related to the offeror’s shipping point. The DHS Science and Technology (S&T) Directorate issues BAAs soliciting when white papers and proposals from the public. DHS S&T evaluates white papers and proposals received in response to a DHS S&T BAA using the evaluation criteria specified in the BAA through a peer or scientific review process in accordance with FAR 35.016(d). Unclassified white papers and proposals are typically collected via the DHS S&T BAA secure website, while classified white papers and proposals must be submitted via proper classified courier or proper classified mailing procedures as described in the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NSPOM). Federal agencies with an annual extramural research and development (R&D) budget exceeding $100 million are required to participate in the SBIR Program. Similarly, Federal agencies with an extramural R&D budget exceeding $1 billion are required to participate in the STTR Program. Federal agencies who participate in the SBIR and STTR programs must collect information from the public to meet: (1) Applicable reporting requirements under 15 U.S.C. 638(b)(7), (g)(8), (i), (j)(1)(E), (j)(3)(C), (l), (o)(10), and (v); (2) The requirement to maintain both a publicly accessible database of SBIR/ STTR award information and a government database of SBIR/STTR award information for SBIR and STTR program evaluation under 15 U.S.C. 638 g(10, (k), (o) (9), and (o)(15); and (3) Requirements for public outreach under 15 U.S.C. 638(j)(2)(F), (o)(14), and (s). DHS is seeking to renew this collection, and revise it to add, for purposes of entering into other transaction agreements pursuant to 6 U.S.C. 391, 6 U.S.C. 596(1), and 49 U.S.C. 106(l)(6), Form 700–24, Other Transaction Agreement Solicitation, and Form 700–25, Other Transaction Agreement Solicitation Amendment. On the forms, respondents submit an Employer Identification Number, as well as the business’ name, address and title. Respondents must also identify the authorized business representative’s personal name, and must include a signature. The information being collected is used by the Government’s contracting officers and other acquisition personnel, E:\FR\FM\19MYN1.SGM 19MYN1 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 95 / Wednesday, May 19, 2021 / Notices including technical and legal staff to determine the adequacy of technical and management approach, experience, responsibility, responsiveness, and expertise of the firms submitting offers; the identification of members of the public (i.e., small businesses) who qualify for and are interested in participating in the DHS SBIR Program; and, provide the DHS SBIR Program Office necessary and sufficient information to determine whether proposals submitted by the public to the DHS SBIR Program meet the criteria for consideration under the program. Failure to collect this information would adversely affect the quality of products and services DHS receives from contractors. Potentially, contracts would be awarded to firms without sufficient experience and expertise, thereby placing the Department’s operations in jeopardy. Defective and inadequate contractor deliverables would adversely affect DHS’s fulfillment of the mission requirements in all areas. Additionally, the Department would be unsuccessful in identifying small businesses with research and development (R&D) capabilities, which would adversely affect the mission requirements in this area. Many sources of the requested information use automated word processing systems, databases, and web portals to facilitate preparation of material to be submitted and to post and collect information. It is common place within many of DHS’s Components for submissions to be electronic as a result of implementation of e-Government initiatives. Information technology (i.e., electronic web portal) is used in the collection of information to reduce the data gathering and records management burden. DHS uses a secure website the public can use to propose SBIR research topics and submit proposals in response to SBIR solicitations. In addition, DHS uses a web portal to review RFIs and register to submit a white paper or proposal in response to a specific BAA. The data collection forms standardize the collection of information that is necessary and sufficient for the DHS SBIR Program Office to meet its requirements under 15 U.S.C. 638. This information collection required by the HSAR and the SBIR and STTR programs may or may not involve small business contractors, depending on the particular transaction. The burden applied to small businesses has been reduced to the least burdensome commensurate with the DHS need for the information. In certain cases, information collection is done via a VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:43 May 18, 2021 Jkt 253001 secure website which is intended to minimize burden for businesses (including small businesses) and other for-profit entities, and not-for-profit institutions. Small businesses and other small entities will be able to enter identifying information and subsequently update rather than resubmit the information via the internet. Less frequent incidence of collecting such information as offerors’ technical approach, management approach, experience statements, and resumes indicating level of expertise would negatively affect the quality of products and services DHS received from contractors. Potentially, contracts would be awarded to firms without sufficient experience and expertise, thereby placing the Department’s operations in jeopardy. Additionally, DHS collects information that is both necessary and sufficient to comply with 15 U.S.C. 638 and receive white papers and proposals from the public in response to BAAs. Failure to allow the public to submit information would diminish the ability of the DHS SBIR Program Office to meet its obligation for outreach as required by 15 U.S.C. 638, evaluate white papers and proposals in accordance with the criteria in the BAA and provide the respondents with the results of the evaluation. DHS/ALL/PIA–006 General Contact Lists dated June15, 2007 covers the basic contact information that must be collected for DHS. Other information collected will typically pertain to the contract itself, and not individuals. All information for this information collection is submitted voluntarily. However, sensitive information (e.g., felony conviction information) may also be collected through this information collection. Due to this sensitivity, and the sensitivities regarding the procurement process as a whole, a new PIA is required to document and identify any potential risks associated with collecting this information. There is no assurance of confidentiality provided to the respondents. The burden estimates are based upon definitive proposals reported by DHS and its Components to the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) for FY 2019, and, for the forms, data reported by contracting activities related to single source DHS other transaction awards and modifications issued in FY 2019. No program changes occurred and there have been no changes to the information being collected. However, the burden was adjusted to reflect an agency adjustment increase of 13,206 in the number of respondents within DHS for PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 27097 FY 2019, to include the number of respondents added as a result of the new forms, as well as an increase in the average hourly wage rate. The Office of Management and Budget is particularly interested in comments which: 1. Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; 2. Evaluate the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; 3. Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and 4. 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, e.g., permitting electronic submissions of responses. Analysis Agency: Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Title: Solicitation of Proposal Information for Award of Public Contracts. OMB Number: 1600–0005. Frequency: On occasion. Affected Public: Private Sector. Number of Respondents: 130,418. Estimated Time per Respondent: 1.8. Total Burden Hours: 1,358,512. Robert Dorr, Acting Executive Director, Business Management Directorate. [FR Doc. 2021–10555 Filed 5–18–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 9112–FL–P DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT [Docket No. FR–7034–N–25] 30-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD): Supporting Contracts and Processing Requirements; OMB Control No.: 2502–0612 Office of the Chief Information Officer, Housing and Urban Development (HUD). ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: HUD has submitted the proposed information collection SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\19MYN1.SGM 19MYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 95 (Wednesday, May 19, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27095-27097]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-10555]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

[Docket Number-2020-0048]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Solicitation of 
Proposal Information for Award of Public Contracts, 700-24, 700-25

AGENCY: Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

ACTION: 30-Day notice and request for comments; extension without 
change of a currently approved collection, 1600-0005.

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

[[Page 27096]]

SUMMARY: The Department of Homeland Security, will submit the following 
Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) for review and clearance in accordance with the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995. DHS previously published this information 
collection request (ICR) in the Federal Register on Monday, November 
30, 2020 for a 60-day public comment period. No comment was received by 
DHS. The purpose of this notice is to allow additional 30-days for 
public comments.

DATES: Comments are encouraged and will be accepted until June 18, 
2021. This process is conducted in accordance with 5 CFR 1320.1

ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed 
information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of 
this notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular 
information collection by selecting ``Currently under 30-day Review--
Open for Public Comments'' or by using the search function.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) 
collects information, when necessary, when inviting firms to submit 
bids, proposals, and offers for public contracts for supplies and 
service. Using solicitation methods such as Requests for Proposals 
(RFP), Requests for Information (RFI), and Broad Agency Announcements 
(BAA), the Government requests information from prospective offerors 
such as pricing information, delivery schedule compliance, and evidence 
that the offeror has the resources (both human and financial) to 
accomplish requirements. The information collection is necessary for 
compliance with the Homeland Security Acquisition Regulation (HSAR), 48 
CFR Chapter 30, and the Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) and 
Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, 15 U.S.C 628.
    The prior information collection request for OMB No. 1600-0005 was 
approved through November 30, 2021, and includes the following:
     3052.209-70 Prohibition on Contracts with Corporate 
Expatriates (Required in all solicitations and contracts) The offeror 
must disclose whether it is a foreign incorporated entity that should 
be treated as an inverted domestic corporation.
     3052.209-71 Reserve Officer Training Corps and Military 
Recruiting on Campus (Required in all solicitations and contracts with 
institutions of higher education) Requires that the Contractor 
represent that it does not now have, and agrees that during performance 
of the contract that it will not adopt, any policy or practice 
described in paragraph (b) of the clause.
     3052.209-72 Organizational Conflict of Interest, 
paragraphs (c), (d) and (e), (Required in all solicitations and 
contracts where a potential organizational conflict of interest exists 
and mitigation may be possible) The offeror must disclose whether it is 
aware of any facts which create any actual or potential organizational 
conflicts of interest; and, provide information as required by the 
Government and a mitigation plan relating to the conflict, if 
applicable.
     3052.209-74 Limitations on Contractors Acting as Lead 
System Integrators (Required in solicitations for the acquisition of a 
major system when the acquisition strategy envisions the use of a lead 
system integrator) The offeror must disclose whether it proposes to 
perform this contract as a lead system integrator with system 
responsibility, and whether it has a direct financial interest in the 
system that is the subject of the solicitation; and, provide evidence, 
as needed.
     3052.209-76 Prohibition on Federal Protective Service 
(FPS) Guard Services Contracts with Business Concerns Owned, 
Controlled, or Operated by an Individual Convicted of a Felony, 
paragraphs (a) through (g), (Required in in all solicitations and 
contracts for FPS guard services) The offeror must disclose whether it 
is owned, operated or controlled by an individual convicted of any 
felony. A business concern owned, operated or controlled by an 
individual convicted of any felony may submit an award request to the 
Government. The request must include information that is considered 
personally identifiable information, and any additional information the 
Government deems necessary.
     3052.215-70 Key Personnel and Facilities (Required in 
solicitations and contracts when the selection for award is 
substantially based on the offeror's possession of special capabilities 
regarding personnel or facilities) Before removing or replacing any of 
the specified individuals or facilities, the offeror must notify the 
Government, in writing, before the change becomes effective.
     3052.219-72 Evaluation of Prime Contractor Participation 
in the DHS Mentor-Prot[eacute]g[eacute] Program (Required in all 
solicitations containing (HSAR) 48 CFR 3052.219-71, DHS Mentor-
Prot[eacute]g[eacute] Program and (FAR) 48 CFR 52.219-9 Small Business 
Subcontracting Plan) The offeror must provide a signed letter of 
mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] agreement, if it wishes to receive credit 
under the source selection factor.
     3052.247-70 F.o.b. Origin Information (Required in 
solicitations as appropriate) The offeror must provide information 
related to the offeror's shipping point.
    The DHS Science and Technology (S&T) Directorate issues BAAs 
soliciting when white papers and proposals from the public. DHS S&T 
evaluates white papers and proposals received in response to a DHS S&T 
BAA using the evaluation criteria specified in the BAA through a peer 
or scientific review process in accordance with FAR 35.016(d). 
Unclassified white papers and proposals are typically collected via the 
DHS S&T BAA secure website, while classified white papers and proposals 
must be submitted via proper classified courier or proper classified 
mailing procedures as described in the National Industrial Security 
Program Operating Manual (NSPOM).
    Federal agencies with an annual extramural research and development 
(R&D) budget exceeding $100 million are required to participate in the 
SBIR Program. Similarly, Federal agencies with an extramural R&D budget 
exceeding $1 billion are required to participate in the STTR Program. 
Federal agencies who participate in the SBIR and STTR programs must 
collect information from the public to meet:
    (1) Applicable reporting requirements under 15 U.S.C. 638(b)(7), 
(g)(8), (i), (j)(1)(E), (j)(3)(C), (l), (o)(10), and (v);
    (2) The requirement to maintain both a publicly accessible database 
of SBIR/STTR award information and a government database of SBIR/STTR 
award information for SBIR and STTR program evaluation under 15 U.S.C. 
638 g(10, (k), (o) (9), and (o)(15); and
    (3) Requirements for public outreach under 15 U.S.C. 638(j)(2)(F), 
(o)(14), and (s).
    DHS is seeking to renew this collection, and revise it to add, for 
purposes of entering into other transaction agreements pursuant to 6 
U.S.C. 391, 6 U.S.C. 596(1), and 49 U.S.C. 106(l)(6), Form 700-24, 
Other Transaction Agreement Solicitation, and Form 700-25, Other 
Transaction Agreement Solicitation Amendment. On the forms, respondents 
submit an Employer Identification Number, as well as the business' 
name, address and title. Respondents must also identify the authorized 
business representative's personal name, and must include a signature.
    The information being collected is used by the Government's 
contracting officers and other acquisition personnel,

[[Page 27097]]

including technical and legal staff to determine the adequacy of 
technical and management approach, experience, responsibility, 
responsiveness, and expertise of the firms submitting offers; the 
identification of members of the public (i.e., small businesses) who 
qualify for and are interested in participating in the DHS SBIR 
Program; and, provide the DHS SBIR Program Office necessary and 
sufficient information to determine whether proposals submitted by the 
public to the DHS SBIR Program meet the criteria for consideration 
under the program.
    Failure to collect this information would adversely affect the 
quality of products and services DHS receives from contractors. 
Potentially, contracts would be awarded to firms without sufficient 
experience and expertise, thereby placing the Department's operations 
in jeopardy. Defective and inadequate contractor deliverables would 
adversely affect DHS's fulfillment of the mission requirements in all 
areas. Additionally, the Department would be unsuccessful in 
identifying small businesses with research and development (R&D) 
capabilities, which would adversely affect the mission requirements in 
this area.
    Many sources of the requested information use automated word 
processing systems, databases, and web portals to facilitate 
preparation of material to be submitted and to post and collect 
information. It is common place within many of DHS's Components for 
submissions to be electronic as a result of implementation of e-
Government initiatives.
    Information technology (i.e., electronic web portal) is used in the 
collection of information to reduce the data gathering and records 
management burden. DHS uses a secure website the public can use to 
propose SBIR research topics and submit proposals in response to SBIR 
solicitations. In addition, DHS uses a web portal to review RFIs and 
register to submit a white paper or proposal in response to a specific 
BAA. The data collection forms standardize the collection of 
information that is necessary and sufficient for the DHS SBIR Program 
Office to meet its requirements under 15 U.S.C. 638.
    This information collection required by the HSAR and the SBIR and 
STTR programs may or may not involve small business contractors, 
depending on the particular transaction. The burden applied to small 
businesses has been reduced to the least burdensome commensurate with 
the DHS need for the information. In certain cases, information 
collection is done via a secure website which is intended to minimize 
burden for businesses (including small businesses) and other for-profit 
entities, and not-for-profit institutions. Small businesses and other 
small entities will be able to enter identifying information and 
subsequently update rather than resubmit the information via the 
internet.
    Less frequent incidence of collecting such information as offerors' 
technical approach, management approach, experience statements, and 
resumes indicating level of expertise would negatively affect the 
quality of products and services DHS received from contractors. 
Potentially, contracts would be awarded to firms without sufficient 
experience and expertise, thereby placing the Department's operations 
in jeopardy.
    Additionally, DHS collects information that is both necessary and 
sufficient to comply with 15 U.S.C. 638 and receive white papers and 
proposals from the public in response to BAAs. Failure to allow the 
public to submit information would diminish the ability of the DHS SBIR 
Program Office to meet its obligation for outreach as required by 15 
U.S.C. 638, evaluate white papers and proposals in accordance with the 
criteria in the BAA and provide the respondents with the results of the 
evaluation. DHS/ALL/PIA-006 General Contact Lists dated June15, 2007 
covers the basic contact information that must be collected for DHS. 
Other information collected will typically pertain to the contract 
itself, and not individuals. All information for this information 
collection is submitted voluntarily. However, sensitive information 
(e.g., felony conviction information) may also be collected through 
this information collection. Due to this sensitivity, and the 
sensitivities regarding the procurement process as a whole, a new PIA 
is required to document and identify any potential risks associated 
with collecting this information.
    There is no assurance of confidentiality provided to the 
respondents.
    The burden estimates are based upon definitive proposals reported 
by DHS and its Components to the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) 
for FY 2019, and, for the forms, data reported by contracting 
activities related to single source DHS other transaction awards and 
modifications issued in FY 2019. No program changes occurred and there 
have been no changes to the information being collected. However, the 
burden was adjusted to reflect an agency adjustment increase of 13,206 
in the number of respondents within DHS for FY 2019, to include the 
number of respondents added as a result of the new forms, as well as an 
increase in the average hourly wage rate.
    The Office of Management and Budget is particularly interested in 
comments which:
    1. Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
    2. Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of 
the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used;
    3. Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected; and
    4. 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, e.g., permitting electronic 
submissions of responses.

Analysis

    Agency: Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
    Title: Solicitation of Proposal Information for Award of Public 
Contracts.
    OMB Number: 1600-0005.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Affected Public: Private Sector.
    Number of Respondents: 130,418.
    Estimated Time per Respondent: 1.8.
    Total Burden Hours: 1,358,512.

Robert Dorr,
Acting Executive Director, Business Management Directorate.
[FR Doc. 2021-10555 Filed 5-18-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9112-FL-P
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