[Federal Register: June 30, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 125)]
[Notices]               
[Page 35150]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr30jn99-78]                         

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-6369-4]

 
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request; Oral and Written Purchase Orders

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 
et seq.), this document announces that EPA is planning to submit the 
following continuing Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office 
of Management and Budget (OMB): Oral and Written Purchase Orders, EPA 
ICR Number 1037.06, OMB Control Number 2030-0007, Expires 12/31/99. 
Before submitting the ICR to OMB for review and approval, EPA is 
soliciting comments on specific aspects of the proposed information 
collection as described below.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before August 30, 1999.

ADDRESSES: 401 M Street, SW, Attn 3802R, Washington, DC 20460.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR A COPY CONTACT:
Leigh Pomponio, (202) 564-4536, or e-mail 
pomponio.leigh@epamail.epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Affected entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are 
those which seek to provide supplies and services to the EPA under 
simplified acquisition procedures.
    Title: Oral and Written Purchase Orders, (OMB Control No. 2030-
0007; EPA ICR No. 1037.06) expiring 12/31/99.
    Abstract: When EPA has a requirement for supplies or services and 
the value of same is under the simplified acquisition threshold, the 
Agency solicits verbal or written quotes from potential vendors. Vendor 
responses are voluntary and generally consist of item name, unit cost, 
delivery terms, company name, small business status, address, phone 
number, and point of contact. The Agency uses the collected information 
to make award decisions and obtain needed supplies and services. 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 
are listed in 40 CFR part 9 and 48 CFR Chapter 15.
    The EPA would like to solicit comments to:
    (i) evaluate 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;
    (ii) evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of 
the methodology and assumptions used;
    (iii) enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information 
to be collected; and
    (iv) minimize the burden of the collection of 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, e.g., permitting electronic 
submission of responses.
    Burden statement: 15 minutes is estimated as time required to 
complete each response. Vendors must listen to question asked, consult 
company price list, and respond to inquiry. Vendors are not required to 
type, sign, or mail anything. An average salary for vendor/salesperson 
is estimated to be $15.57 an hour. This is based on the rate used in 
the previous clearance multiplied by a factor of 3% per year to reflect 
wage increases since 1996. The total number of responses is derived 
from doubling the total number of purchase orders issued by the Agency 
in the preceding 12 month period. Because each award is generally 
preceded by 1-2 solicitations, depending upon dollar value, an average 
of two information collections per award was estimated. Therefore, 
total annual burden is summarized as follows: Total Annual Burden 
Dollars: $3.90 per response  x  37,492 responses = $146,219 Total 
Annual Burdens Hours: 15 minutes per response  x  37,492 responses 
=9373 hours. No capital/start-up costs or operation and maintenance 
costs are anticipated.

    Dated: June 24, 1999.
Lawrence G. Wyborski,
Acting Manager, Policy Service Center, Office of Acquisition 
Management.
[FR Doc. 99-16679 Filed 6-29-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-M