[Federal Register: July 23, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 140)] [Notices] [Page 40145-40146] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr23jy07-41] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA-HQ-OARM-2007-0341; FRL-8443-3] Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to OMB for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Conflict of Interest Rule1 (Renewal), EPA ICR No. 1550.07, OMB Control No. 2030-0023 AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this document announces that an Information Collection Request (ICR) has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. This is a request to renew an existing approved collection. The ICR, which is abstracted below, describes the nature of the information collection and its estimated burden and cost. DATES: Additional comments may be submitted on or before August 22, 2007. ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, referencing Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OARM- 2007-0341, to (1) EPA online using http://www.regulations.gov (our preferred method), by e-mail to oei.docket@epa.gov, or by mail to: OEI Docket, EPA Docket Center, Environmental Protection Agency, Mailcode 28221T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460, and (2) OMB by mail to: Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Attention: Desk Officer for EPA, 725 17th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20503. EPA Docket Center, Environmental Protection Agency. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marilyn E. Chambers, Office of Acquisition Management, 3802R, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: (202) 564-4398; fax number: (202) 565-2474; e-mail address: chambers.marilyn@epa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EPA has submitted the following ICR to OMB for review and approval according to the procedures prescribed in 5 CFR 1320.12. On April 25, 2007 (72 FR 20532), EPA sought comments on this ICR pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.8(d). EPA received one comment during the comment period, which is addressed in the ICR. Any additional comments on this ICR should be submitted to EPA and OMB within 30 days of this notice. EPA has established a public docket for this ICR under Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OARM-2007-0341, which is available for online viewing at http://www.regulations.gov, or in person viewing at the Office of Environmental Information Docket in the EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), EPA West, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. The EPA/ DC Public Reading Room is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Reading Room is 202-566-1744, and the telephone number for the Office of Environmental Information Docket is 202-566-1752. Use EPA's electronic docket and comment system at http://www.regulations.gov, to submit or view public comments, access the index listing of the contents of the docket, and to access those documents in the docket that are available electronically. Once in the system, select ``docket search,'' then key in the docket ID number identified above. Please note that EPA's policy is that public comments, whether submitted electronically or in paper, will be made available for public viewing at http://www.regulations.gov as EPA receives them and without change, unless the comment contains copyrighted material, CBI, or other information whose public disclosure is restricted by statute. For further information about the electronic docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov. Title: Conflict of Interest Rule 1 (Renewal). ICR Numbers: EPA ICR No. 1550.07, OMB Control No. 2030-0023. ICR Status: This ICR is scheduled to expire on July 31, 2007. Under OMB regulations, the Agency may continue to conduct or sponsor the collection of information while this submission is pending at OMB. An Agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information, unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control numbers for EPA's regulations in title 40 of the CFR, after appearing in the Federal Register when approved, are listed in 40 CFR part 9, are displayed either by publication in the Federal Register or by other appropriate means, such as on the related collection instrument or form, if [[Page 40146]] applicable. The display of OMB control numbers in certain EPA regulations is consolidated in 40 CFR part 9. Abstract: EPA contractors will be required to keep a database of business relationships. EPA contractors will be required to certify annually, or when work is ordered under a contract, that they have no actual or potential conflicts of interest involving the work to be performed under the contract. If an actual or potential conflict of interest is identified, then the contractor must disclose the relevant information to EPA. Under certain contracts, the contractor will be restricted in its future contracting in certain areas. To enter contracts in the restricted area, the contractor must submit a request to EPA with the relevant facts. This information is used by EPA to ensure contractors' work products are objective and unbiased, that contractors render impartial assistance or advice to EPA, and that contractors do not have an unfair competitive advantage. Responses are required to obtain a benefit. 5 U.S.C. 301; Sec. 205(c), 63 Stat. 390, as amended, 40 U.S.C. 486(c); and 41 U.S.C. 418b. Information received is treated as confidential in accordance with 40 CFR part 2, subpart B. Burden Statement: The annual public reporting and recordkeeping burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1,138 hours per response. Burden means the total time, effort, or financial resources expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, or disclose or provide information to or for a Federal agency. This includes the time needed to review instructions; develop, acquire, install, and utilize technology and systems for the purposes of collecting, validating, and verifying information, processing and maintaining information, and disclosing and providing information; adjust the existing ways to comply with any previously applicable instructions and requirements which have subsequently changed; train personnel to be able to respond to a collection of information; search data sources; complete and review the collection of information; and transmit or otherwise disclose the information. Respondents/Affected Entities: 135. Estimated Number of Respondents: 135 . Frequency of Response: On occasion. Estimated Total Annual Hour Burden: 153,626. Estimated Total Annual Cost: $9,561,000, which includes $0 annualized capital or O&M costs and $9,561,000 labor costs. Changes in the Estimates: There is an increase of 7,986 hours in the total estimated burden currently identified in the OMB Inventory of Approved ICR Burdens. This increase is due to an increase in the number of EPA contracts containing conflict of interest requirements. Dated: July 10, 2007. Robert L. Gunter, Acting Director, Collection Strategies Division. [FR Doc. E7-14155 Filed 7-20-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560-50-P