Proposed Information Collection Activity: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

AGENCY:

Office of Management, Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Office of Management (OM), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each extension of a currently approved collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits comments on the information needed to consider the use of domestic foreign construction material.

DATES:

Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection of information should be received on or before March 7, 2005.

ADDRESSES:

Submit written comments on the collection of information to Donald E. Kaliher, Office of Acquisition Resources Service (049A5), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420 or e-mail donald.kaliher@mail.va.gov. Please refer to “OMB Control No. 2900-0622” in any correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Donald E. Kaliher at (202) 273-8819.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Under the PRA of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13; 44 U.S.C. 3501-3521), Federal agencies must obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of information they conduct or sponsor. This request for comment is being made pursuant to Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA.

With respect to the following collection of information, OM invites comments on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of OM's functions, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of OM's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or the use of other forms of information technology.

Title: Department of Veterans Affairs Acquisition Regulation (VAAR) Clause 852.236-89, Buy American Act.

OMB Control Number: 2900-0622.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Abstract: The Buy American Act requires that only domestic construction material shall be used to perform domestic Federal contracts for construction, with certain exceptions. Despite the allowable exceptions, it is VA policy not to accept foreign construction material. VAAR clause 852.236-89 advises bidders of these provisions and requires bidders who choose to submit a bid that includes foreign construction material to identify and list the price of such material. VA uses the information to determine whether to accept or not accept a bid that includes foreign construction material.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit; individuals and households; and not-for-profit institutions.

Estimated Annual Burden: 20 hours.

Estimated Average Burden Per Respondent: 30 min.

Frequency of Response: On occasion.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 40.