[Federal Register: November 18, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 222)]
[Notices]
[Page 69504-69505]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr18no02-18]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
DoC has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for
clearance the following proposal for collection of information under
provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. chapter 35).
Agency: Minority Business Development Agency.
Title: Performance Database (formerly the Business Development
Report (BDR) System), Phoenix (formerly Automated Business Enterprise
Locator System (ABELS)) and the Opportunity Database Systems.
Agency Form Number: None.
OMB Approval Number: Formerly 0640-0002.
Type of Request: Revision, with change, of a previously approved
collection for which approval has expired.
Burden: 50, 1050 and 1,570 hours annually, respectively.
Number of Respondents: 50, 1,050 and 1,570, respectively.
Avg. Hours per Response: 3-15 minutes.
Needs and Uses: The purpose of the Performance, Phoenix and
Opportunity databases is to provide an electronic system for (1)
entering the accomplishments (Performance) of MBDA's funded
organizations, (2) entering minority-owned businesses doing business in
the United States (Phoenix), and matching contract opportunities with
eligible minority companies listed in the Phoenix database
(Opportunity).
Specific uses of the on-line Performance Database include:
The documentation of actual performance accomplishments of each funded
organization compared with stated goals in its cooperative agreement
with MBDA. The Performance database permits tracking of each funded
organization's goals using a number of general and specific variables.
The flexibility of the database permits new variables to be added as
needed.
The verification of the summary performance accomplishments cited in
narrative reports. Based on the results, performance data and other
qualitative information obtained during MBDA quarterly monitoring will
determine whether a specific cooperative agreement should be terminated
or other actions are needed to improve performance.
The advantage of daily tracking of performance is that it will enable
managers not only to terminate non-performing funded organizations but,
more importantly, to address performance problems early in their
development.
Identifies minority business clients receiving Agency-sponsored
business development services in the form of management and technical
assistance, the kind of assistance each receives, and the impact of
that assistance on the growth and profitability of the client firms.
The preparation of special reports analyzing program activities and
services by business types, industry trends, business starts,
geographic profiles, successful capital and marketing opportunities,
and other program elements.
The system permits client identification using a unique computer-
assigned identifier for each funded organization. This identification
is related to all client data fields. Number of clients assisted, types
of assistance, number of hours of assistance, dollar amounts of loans,
bonds and contracts, as well as a number of other variables are
available for analysis on each client and funded organization.
MBDA requires this information to monitor, evaluate, and plan
Agency programs which effectively enhance the development of the
minority business sector.
Using information collected, MBDA produces ad hoc and recurring
reports on its funded organizations, client services activities and
accomplishments. Because MBDA's major funded activity is client
service, the reports generated are a primary agency reporting and
planning mechanism.
The purpose of this collection will be to establish a framework for
assessing and evaluating projects' performance.
The Phoenix database constitutes the Minority Business Development
Agency's (MBDA) listing of minority-owned businesses doing business in
the United States. The Opportunity database contains public and private
[[Page 69505]]
contract and other opportunities. The system matches contract
opportunities with eligible minority companies listed in the Phoenix
database. The information entered in the Phoenix database will be used
to assist minority enterprises with marketing of goods and services.
The purpose for collecting this information is to enable entities
with an interest in contracting with a minority firm to identify
potential minority contractors according to various criteria. MBDA uses
the Phoenix database in conjunction with the Opportunity database to
refer listed minority companies contracts and other business
opportunities via email and fax. The Opportunity database matches
contract opportunities with eligible minority companies listed in the
Phoenix database. Specific information on the Opportunity form, such as
``key words'' and NAICS codes, are compared with like information
contained in the Phoenix database of minority companies. When a match
is made, the eligible minority companies will be notified of any
contract opportunity and the offeror of the opportunity will be
notified of any eligible minority companies. These systems reside on
Y2K (year 2000) compliant platforms connected to the service-provider
network via the Internet.
Affective Public: Individuals, businesses or other for-profit and
not-for-profit institutions.
Frequency: Annually.
Respondents Obligation: Voluntary.
OMB Desk Officer: Mr. David Rostker (202) 395-3895.
Copies of the above information collection proposal can be obtained
by calling or writing Diana Hynek , Departmental Paperwork Clearance
Officer, (202) 482-3129, U.S. Department of Commerce, Electronic
Government Division, Office of the Chief Information Officer, Room
6625, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230.
Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information
collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice
to Dave Rostker at OMB.
Dated: November 5, 2002.
Madeleine Clayton,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 02-29202 Filed 11-15-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-21-P