[Federal Register: July 1, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 126)]
[Notices]               
[Page 39911-39912]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr01jy04-54]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

[OMB Control No. 9000-0138]

 
Federal Acquisition Regulation; Information Collection; Contract 
Financing

AGENCIES: Department of Defense (DOD), General Services Administration 
(GSA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

ACTION:  Notice of request for public comments regarding an extension 
to an existing OMB clearance (9000-0138).

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SUMMARY: Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 
(44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 
Secretariat will be submitting to the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) a request to review and approve an extension to a currently 
approved information collection requirement concerning contract 
financing. The clearance currently expires on September 30, 2004.
    Public comments are particularly invited on: Whether this 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
functions of the FAR, and whether it will have practical utility; 
whether our estimate of the public burden of this collection of 
information is accurate, and based on valid assumptions and 
methodology; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and ways in which we can minimize the 
burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, 
through the use of appropriate technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology.

DATES:  Submit comments on or before August 30, 2004.

ADDRESSES:  Submit comments regarding this burden estimate or any other 
aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for 
reducing this burden to the General Services Administration, FAR 
Secretariat, 1800 F

[[Page 39912]]

Street, NW, Room 4035, Washington, DC 20405. Please cite OMB Control 
No. 9000-0138, Contract Financing, in all correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Richard C. Loeb, Office of 
Acquisition Policy, GSA (202) 208-3810.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Purpose

    The Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act (FASA) of 1994, Pub. L. 
103-355, provided authorities that streamlined the acquisition process 
and minimize burdensome Government-unique requirements. Sections 2001 
and 2051 of FASA substantially changed the statutory authorities for 
Government financing of contracts. Sections 2001(f) and 2051(e) provide 
specific authority for Government financing of purchases of commercial 
items, and sections 2001(b) and 2051(b) substantially revised the 
authority for Government financing of purchases of non-commercial 
items.
    Sections 2001(f) and 2051(e) provide specific authority for 
Government financing of purchases of commercial items. These paragraphs 
authorize the Government to provide contract financing with certain 
limitations.
    Sections 2001(b) and 2051(b) also amended the authority for 
Government financing of non-commercial purchases by authorizing 
financing on the basis of certain classes of measures of performance.
    To implement these changes, DOD, NASA, and GSA amended the FAR by 
revising Subparts 32.0, 32.1, and 32.5; by adding new Subparts 32.2 and 
32.10; and by adding new clauses to 52.232.
    The coverage enables the Government to provide financing to assist 
in the performance of contracts for commercial items and provide 
financing for non-commercial items based on contractor performance.

B. Annual Reporting Burden

    Respondents: 1,000.
    Responses Per Respondent: 5.
    Total Responses: 5,000.
    Hours Per Response: 2.
    Total Burden Hours: 10,000.
    The annual reporting burden for performance-based financing is 
estimated as follows:
    Respondents: 500.
    Responses Per Respondent: 12.
    Total Responses: 6,000.
    Hours Per Response: 2.
    Total Burden Hours: 12,000.
    0btaining Copies of Proposals: Requesters may obtain a copy of the 
information collection documents from the General Services 
Administration, FAR Secretariat (MVA), 1800 F Street, NW, Room 4035, 
Washington, DC 20405, telephone (202) 501-4755. Please cite OMB Control 
No. 9000-0138, Contract Financing, in all correspondence.

    Dated: June 17, 2004.
Ralph J. De Stefano,
Acting Director,Acquisition Policy Division.
[FR Doc. 04-14901 Filed 6-30-04; 8:45 am]