[Federal Register: May 26, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 101)]
[Notices]               
[Page 28450-28451]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr26my99-41]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

 
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

    The Department of Commerce (DOC) has submitted to the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance the following proposal for 
collection of information under provisions of the Paperwork Reduction 
Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35).
    Agency: Minority Business Development Agency.
    Title: Performance Database (formerly the Business Development 
Report (BDR) System), Phoenix (formerly Automated Business Enterprise 
Locator System (ABELS)) and the Opportunity Database Systems.
    Agency Form Number: None.
    OMB Approval Number: Formerly 0640-0002.
    Type of Request: Reinstatement, with change, of a previously 
approved collection for which approval has expired.
    Burden: 10,046 hours (46, 8,750 and 1,250 hours annually, 
respectively).
    Number of Respondents: 40,046 (46, 35,000 and 5,000, respectively).
    Avg. Hours per Response: 15 minutes.
    Needs and Uses: The purpose of the Performance, Phoenix and 
Opportunity databases is to provide an electronic system for (1) 
entering the accomplishments (Performance) of MBDA's funded 
organizations, (2) entering minority-owned businesses doing business in 
the United States (Phoenix), and matching contract opportunities with 
eligible minority companies listed in the Phoenix database 
(Opportunity). Specific uses of the on-line Performance Database 
include:
    The documentation of actual performance accomplishments of each 
funded organization compared with stated goals in its cooperative 
agreement with MBDA. The Performance database permits tracking of each 
funded organization's goals using a number of general and specific 
variables. The flexibility of the database permits new variables to be 
added as needed.
    The verification of the summary performance accomplishments cited 
in narrative reports. Based on the results, performance data and other 
qualitative information obtained during MBDA quarterly monitoring will 
determine whether a specific cooperative agreement should be terminated 
or other actions are needed to improve performance.
    The advantage of daily tracking of performance is that it will 
enable managers not only to terminate non-performing funded 
organizations but, more importantly, to address performance problems 
early in their development.
    Identifies minority business clients receiving Agency-sponsored 
business development services in the form of management and technical 
assistance, the kind of assistance each receives, and the impact of 
that assistance on the growth and profitability of the client firms.
    The preparation of special reports analyzing program activities and 
services by business types, industry trends, business starts, 
geographic profiles, successful capital and marketing opportunities, 
and other program elements.
    The system permits client identification using a unique computer-
assigned identifier for each funded organization. This identification 
is related to all client data fields. Number of clients assisted, types 
of assistance, number of hours of assistance, dollar amounts of loans, 
bonds and contracts, as well as a number of other variables are 
available for analysis on each client and funded organization.
    MBDA requires this information to monitor, evaluate, and plan 
Agency programs which effectively enhance the development of the 
minority business sector.
    Using information collected, MBDA produces ad hoc and recurring 
reports on its funded organizations, client services activities and 
accomplishments. Because MBDA's major funded activity is client 
service, the reports generated are a primary agency reporting and 
planning mechanism.
    The data collection activity is comprised of the Time Phased Plan 
(TPP). This form, included in the funded organization's proposal in 
response to Agency solicitation in the Federal Register, provides the 
Agency with the grantee's actual accomplishments at the end of each 
reporting period. MBDA staff enters the grantee goals at the time of 
solicitation.
    The purpose of this collection will be to establish a framework for 
assessing and evaluating projects' performance.
    The Phoenix database constitutes the Minority Business Development 
Agency's (MBDA) listing of minority-owned businesses doing business in 
the United States. The Opportunity database contains public and private 
contract and other opportunities. The system matches contract 
opportunities with eligible minority companies listed in the Phoenix 
database. The information entered in the Phoenix database will be used 
to assist minority enterprises with marketing of goods and services.
    The purpose for collecting this information is to enable entities 
with an interest in contracting with a minority firm to identify 
potential minority contractors according to various criteria.

[[Page 28451]]

MBDA uses the Phoenix database in conjunction with the Opportunity 
database to refer listed minority companies contracts and other 
business opportunities via E-mail and fax. The Opportunity database 
matches contract opportunities with eligible minority companies listed 
in the Phoenix database. Specific information on the Opportunity form, 
such as ``key words'' and NAICS codes, are compared with like 
information contained in the Phoenix database of minority companies. 
When a match is made, the eligible minority companies will be notified 
of any contract opportunity and the offeror of the opportunity will be 
notified of any eligible minority companies. These systems reside on 
Y2K (year 2000) compliant platforms connected to the service-provider 
network via the Internet.
    Affective Public: Individuals, businesses or other for-profit and 
not-for-profit institutions.
    Frequency: Annually.
    Respondents Obligation: Required for benefit.
    OMB Desk Officer: David Rostker (202) 395-3897.
    Copies of the above information collection proposal can be obtained 
by calling or writing Linda Engelmeier, Departmental Forms Clearance 
Officer, (202) 482-3272, U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of the 
Chief Information Officer, Room 5300, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW, 
Washington, DC 20230 (or via Internet at LEngelme@doc.gov).
    Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information 
collection should be sent to David Rostker, OMB Desk Officer, Room 
10202, New Executive Office Building, 725 17th Street, NW, Washington, 
DC 20503 within 30 days of publication.

    Dated: May 19, 1999.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief Information 
Officer.
[FR Doc. 99-13315 Filed 5-25-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-21-P