[Federal Register: April 14, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 72)]
[Notices]
[Page 19813]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr14ap04-19]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Farm Service Agency
Request for Approval of a New Information Collection;
Qualification Requirement
AGENCY: Farm Service Agency, Agriculture.
ACTION: Notice and request for comment.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA),
the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Farm Service Agency
(FSA), Kansas City Commodity Office (KCCO) is seeking comments from all
interested individuals and organizations regarding an information
collection needed by KCCO to qualify potential new vendors prior to
allowing a vendor to submit an offer for Invitations for Bids. The
qualification is a one-time collection for each new potential vendor.
The qualification requirement is a reexamination and revalidation of
established qualifications as required by the Federal Acquisition
Regulation (FAR), and is necessary for KCCO to carry out its
procurement mission. This information is needed by KCCO for compliance
with FAR Responsible Prospective Contractors and Qualification
Requirement.
DATES: Comments on this notice must be received on or before June 14,
2004, to be assured consideration.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Comments regarding this information
collection requirement may be directed to Donna Ryles, Chief, Planning
and Analysis Division, Kansas City Commodity Office (KCCO), 6501 Beacon
Drive, Kansas City, Missouri 64133-4676, telephone (816) 926-6509 or
fax (816) 926-1648; e-mail
DGRYLES@KCC.FSA.USDA.GOV.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: Qualification Requirement.
OMB Control Number: 0560-NEW.
Type of Request: Approval of a New Information Collection.
Abstract: KCCO issues Invitations for Bids for the purchase of
various commodities on a daily, monthly, multi-month, quarterly and
yearly basis. Vendors respond by making offers. In order for KCCO to
carry out its procurement mission, all new prospective bidders that
want to submit a bid on contracts procured under USDA or CCC
authorities, must be qualified prior to submitting any offers for
Invitations for Bid. This collection of qualification information is
mandatory from all interested potential vendors. New vendors must fully
complete and provide all of the required qualification information.
Qualification of vendors allows for more timely awards, since bid
acceptance periods are very short and food safety issues are addressed
in advance of bidding. The qualification package includes a review of
the vendor's financial statements, credit report, and past activity and
experience with the commodity that they are proposing to offer.
KCCO contracting officers will review the information and make a
determination if the vendor is a qualified bidder. After a vendor has
been qualified by KCCO, they will be included on the Qualified Bidders
List. No bid will be accepted from a potential vendor that has failed
to comply with the requirements. New potential vendors who submit a
complete qualification package will be notified in writing of their
status along with any necessary explanation or action that is deemed
necessary.
Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection is
estimated to average 40 minutes per response.
Respondents: New Potential Vendors.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 45.
Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 2.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 78.
Proposed topics for comment include: (a) Whether the continued
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of
the functions of the agency, including whether the information will
have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of FSA's estimate of burden
including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c)
enhancing the quality, utility, and clarity of the information
collected; or (d) minimizing the burden of the collection of the
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.
Comments should be directed to the Office of Information and Regulatory
Affairs of OMB, Attention: Desk Officer for USDA, Washington, DC 20503,
and to Donna Ryles, Chief, Planning and Analysis Division, Kansas City
Commodity Office, 6501 Beacon Drive, Kansas City, Missouri 64133-4676.
All comments will become a matter of public record.
OMB is required to make a decision concerning the collection(s) of
information contained in these proposed regulations between 30 and 60
days after publication of this document in the Federal Register.
Therefore, a comment to OMB is best assured of having its full effect
if OMB receives it within 30 days of publication.
Signed at Washington, DC, on April 5, 2004.
Verle E. Lanier,
Acting Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
[FR Doc. 04-8447 Filed 4-13-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P