[Federal Register: February 28, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 38)]
[Notices]
[Page 9616-9617]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr28fe05-50]
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CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE
Information Collection; Submission for OMB Review; Comment
Request
AGENCY: Corporation for National and Community Service.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Corporation for National and Community Service
(hereinafter the ``Corporation'') has submitted a public information
collection request (ICR) entitled Senior Corps Grant Application,
formerly National Senior Service Corps Grant Application to the Office
of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance
with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Pub. L. 104-13, (44 U.S.C.
Chapter 35). Copies of this ICR, with applicable supporting
documentation, may be obtained by calling the Corporation for National
and Community Service, Ms. Angela Roberts, at (202) 606-5000, extension
111. Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TTY/
TDD) may call (202) 606-5256 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
eastern time, Monday through Friday.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted, identified by the title of the
information collection activity, to the Office of information and
Regulatory Affairs, Attn: Ms. Katherine Astrich, OMB Desk Officer for
the Corporation for National and Community Service, by any of the
following two methods listed in the address section, within 30 days
from the date of publication in this Federal Register.
(1) By fax to: (202) 395-6974, Attention: Ms. Katherine Astrich,
OMB Desk Officer for the Corporation for National and Community
Service; and
(2) Electronically by e-mail to:
Katherine_T._Astrich@omb.eop.gov.
Supplementary Information: The OMB is particularly interested in
comments which:
Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the
Corporation, including whether the information will have practical
utility;
Evaluate the accuracy of the Corporation's estimate of the
burden of the proposed collection of information,
[[Page 9617]]
including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
Propose ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity
of the information to be collected; and
Propose ways to minimize the burden of the collection of
information on those who are to respond, including the use of
appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological
collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g.,
permitting electronic submissions of responses.
Comments
A 60-day public comment Notice was published in the Federal
Register on December 5, 2004. The summary of comments received is as
follows: A total of 17 written responses were received that represented
a total of 39 individuals. One letter was written on behalf of an
Association including the collective comments of 23 individuals. Each
written response contained numerous separate comments or statements. In
summary:
(a) Two comments were received about adding the DUNS number to Part
I--Application Facesheet. The Corporation agrees and will do so.
(b) Two comments requested that the questions contained in both the
Part III--Narrative and Part IV--Work Plans be clarified and contain
more detail. The revised application includes these changes.
(c) Five comments were received about Part II--Budget, of which 3
were incorporated. The three reflected in the revised information
collection are to clarify the types of items to enter on each budget
line item; to provide clearer instruction; and to more thoroughly
define the category on the budget form called ``xcess.'' Two comments
were not included: A request to update formulas in a spreadsheet
template, because the spreadsheet is no longer used; and a request to
list the types of required documentation needed to respond to an audit.
This last request is beyond the scope of the grant application's
purpose. The information requested by the respondent can be found in
Program Regulations.
(d) Two commenters thought the estimated burden was too low. The
Corporation believes that burden estimate is adequate, particularly
with upcoming improvements to the eGrants system, and has retained the
original annualized time estimates.
(e) There was one comment each about the Volunteer Station Roster,
requesting a standard user-friendly format; and one comment about
sorting the list of Service Categories in the grant application in the
same order as is used in the Progress Report. Both suggestions were
incorporated.
(f) From a total of 9 general comments, 7 were beyond the scope of
this information collection. Comments included two pleas to provide
more federal funds to grantees; a request to change the method used to
capture outcomes and outcome-based programming; a request to
standardize at least one programmatic outcome for all RSVP grantees
nationwide; one request to restrict the number of new data elements as
much as possible. One general comment addressed the Corporation's
ongoing system of ``grading'' its grantees on outcomes, which is
factually incorrect, as the Corporation does not grade its grantees in
this manner. Another comment asked the Corporation to lower the age and
income eligibility for its Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion
Programs, which was established and can only be changed through a
legislative change. Two general comments asked for copies of the
revised application package, which were provided.
(g) The 43 remaining comments, comprising the majority of all
comments, requested changes to the Corporation's electronic grants
management system, eGrants. While beyond the scope of this information
collection, Senior Corps will share these comments with the
Corporation's eGrants team. Also, Senior Corps will prepare an update
for its grantees about the soon-to-debut version of eGrants Phase II,
including the problems reported by the public that it will solve.
Description: The Corporation is seeking approval of the Senior
Corps Grant Application which is used by current and prospective
grantees to apply for sponsorship of projects under the Retired and
Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP); the Foster Grandparent Program (FGP);
the Senior Companion Program (SCP); the Senior Demonstration Program
(SDP); and the Special Volunteer Program--Homeland Security (SVP).
Completion of the Grant Application is required to be considered for
sponsorship and the receipt of associated federal funds and benefits.
Changes proposed include:
Additional instructions to clarify budget, narrative, work
plan, and performance measures sections;
Updated the list of Service Categories used by applicants
to identify the types of needs the national service participants meet;
Use of a standard format for the supplemental Station
Roster that is both user-friendly and that collects consistent
information.
New fields adopted by the eGovernment Initiative,
including the required DUNS number; and
Accurate correlation to the flow and references contained
in the Corporation's electronic grants management system, eGrants, that
is used by its grantees.
Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
Agency: Corporation for National and Community Service.
Title: Senior Corps Grant Application.
OMB Number: 3045-0035.
Agency Number: CNCS Form 424-NSSC.
Affected Public: Sponsors of National Senior Service Corps (Senior
Corps) grants.
Total Respondents: 1,317.
Frequency: Annual.
Average Time Per Respondent: 13.5 for current grantees, and 16.5
for first time applicants.
Estimated Total Burden Hours: 17,121.
Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): None.
Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $4,600.
Dated: February 22, 2005.
Tess Scannell,
Director, Senior Corps.
[FR Doc. 05-3716 Filed 2-25-05; 8:45 am]