[Federal Register: August 2, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 149)]
[Notices]               
[Page 50417-50418]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr02au02-32]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Economic Development Administration

 
Requirements for Approved Construction Projects

ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce as part of its continuing effort to 
reduce paperwork and respondent burden invites the general public and 
other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed 
or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1994, 44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before October 1, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Madeleine Clayton, 
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 
6608, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 or via 
Internet at MClayton@doc.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instruments and instructions 
should be directed to Patricia Flynn, Director, Operations Review and 
Analysis Division, Economic Development Administration, Room 7015, 
Washington, DC 20230, telephone (202) 482-5353.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Economic Development Administration (EDA) helps our partners 
across the nation (states, regions, and communities) create wealth

[[Page 50418]]

and minimize poverty by promoting a favorable business environment to 
attract private capital investment and jobs through world-class 
capacity building, planning, infrastructure, research grants, and 
strategic initiatives.
    This information collection is needed to monitor construction 
projects for compliance with Federal and other program and 
administrative requirements as set forth in EDA's authorizing 
legislation the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965, as 
amended, including the comprehensive amendments by the Economic 
Development Reform Act of 1998, Public Law 105-393, (PWEDA), EDA's 
implementing regulations at 13 CFR parts 305 and 308, and the Common 
Rule as set forth at 15 CFR parts 14 and 24. The Requirements for 
Approved Construction Projects manual is intended to supplement and 
explain the requirements that apply to Federally-assisted construction 
projects. The requirements are not intended to derogate, replace or 
negate the above cited Federal requirements. The information collected 
from grant recipients is used by EDA to safeguard the public's interest 
in the grant assets, and to promote the effective use of grant funds 
accomplishing the purpose for which they were granted. EDA uses 
information gathered to analyze and report on program performance for 
over 1,160 projects which at any one time are still in design or 
construction.

II. Method of Collection

    To responsibly administer its programs and to fulfill its statutory 
mandate, EDA must obtain certain data to monitor project progress from 
the earliest stages of design to the final performance measures report 
following completion of construction. The data is used to determine if 
time schedules, contract specifications, procurement regulations, 
environmental regulations, civil rights regulations, bonding 
requirements, and financial safeguards, among others are being 
followed. Additionally, EDA must collect information on the jobs to be 
created and saved, by those that apply for and receive its assistance 
(applicants and recipients), and by those that create or save 15 or 
more jobs as a result of EDA's assistance.

III. Data

    OMB Number(s): 0610-0096.
    Form Number: Not Applicable.
    Burden: 23,200.
    Type of Review: Extension of currently approved collection.
    Affected Public: EDA-funded grantees: State, local and tribal 
governments; community organizations; and not-for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: Approximately 1,160.
    Estimated Time per Response: 20 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 23,200.
    Estimate Total Annual Cost: $928,000.

IV. Request for Comments

    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 of the burden 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(c) ways to enhance the equality, 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.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: July 29, 2002.
Madeleine Clayton,
Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief 
Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 02-19516 Filed 8-1-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-34-P