[Federal Register: December 24, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 247)]
[Notices]               
[Page 78413-78414]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr24de02-41]                         


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE


Office of Inspector General


 
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Applicant for 
Funding Assistance


ACTION: Notice.


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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce (DOC), as part of its continuing 
effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general 
public and other Federal agencies to comment on the continuing and 
proposed information collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)).


DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before February 24, 
2003.


ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet 
at dHynek@doc.gov).


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information 
should be directed to the attention of Barbara Bynum, H.C. Hoover 
Building, Room 7097, (202)482-5348. In addition, written comments may 
be sent via e-mail to bbynum@oig.doc.gov.


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION


I. Abstract


    The Department of Commerce, through their bureaus--Economic 
Development Administration (EDA), the Minority Business Development 
Agency (MBDA), the International Trade Administration (ITA), the 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National 
Technical Information Service (NTIS) and the National 
Telecommunications and Information Agency (NTIA), and other programs, 
assists reliable, capable individuals and firms in the pursuit of 
various business development, business enterprise development and other 
forms of economic development. Form CD-346 is used to assist program 
and grants administration officials in determining the responsibility, 
financial integrity and management principles of principal officers and 
employees of organizations, firms, or recipients or beneficiaries of 
grants, loans, or loan guarantee programs. This requirement is derived 
from 42 U.S.C.3211(12); as well as the responsibilities cited in the 
Inspector General Act of 1978, Sec. 4(a)(3).
    The CD-346 is also completed, when required, by grant recipients. 
Through the name check process the Office of Inspector General collects 
background information on key individuals associated with proposed 
financial assistance (grants, cooperative agreements, loans and loan 
guarantees) recipient organizations. The name check identifies those 
principals affiliated with proposed recipient organizations who have 
been convicted of, or are presently facing, criminal charges or are 
under investigation for fraud, theft, perjury or other matters which 
have significant impact on questions of management honesty or financial 
integrity. The name check process also includes an inquiry into the 
financial status of an individual and/or organization.


II. Method of Collection


    Paper format.


III. Data


    OMB Number: 0605-0001.
    Form Numbers: CD-346.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households, business or other for-
profit organizations, not-for-profit institutions, farms, Federal, 
State, Local or Tribal government.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 2,500.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 15 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Respondent Burden Hours: 625.
    Estimated Total Annual Respondent Cost Burden: 0.


[[Page 78414]]


IV. Request for Comments


    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed 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 the agency's estimate of the burden 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on respondents, e.g., the use of automated 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized or 
included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.


    Dated: December 18, 2002.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 02-32323 Filed 12-23-02; 8:45 am]