[Federal Register: January 14, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 9)] [Notices] [Page 2468-2469] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr14ja99-25] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Commodity Credit Corporation Notice and Request for Comment for Approval of a New Information Collection AGENCY: Commodity Credit Corporation, USDA. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) is seeking approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to revise procedures for accepting vendor bids to supply commodities for use under domestic purchase programs. A Domestic Electronic Bid Entry System (DEBES) will provide for electronic submission of bids via the Internet. This will replace the current system, which requires hard-copy bids and manual entry into CCC's system. The new procedure will be more reliable and more efficient than the current procedure. DATES: Comments on this notice must be received on or before March 15, 1999 to be assured consideration. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Tim Mehl, Chief, Planning and Analysis Division, Kansas City Commodity Office (KCCO), 9200 Ward Parkway, Kansas City, Missouri 64114, telephone (816) 926-3536 or fax (816) 926-6767. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Domestic Electronic Bid Entry System (DEBES)--7 CFR 1496. OMB Control Number: 0560-New Type of Request: Approval of a new information collection. Abstract: The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) purchases agricultural commodities to meet domestic program needs. CCC issues invitations to purchase agricultural commodities at various times during the year. Vendors respond by making offers using the CCC Commodity Bid Form (form KC-327). CCC verifies that the KC-327 is responsive and manually enters the information on the form into the bid evaluation program to determine the lowest cost and award data for the creation of contracts. The current keypunching process requires entering data and then verifying the results. The sensitivity of the data and the high value of the contracts at stake requires a reliable and efficient system for capturing the bid data. Regulations governing paperwork burdens on the public require that before an agency collects information from the public, the agency must receive approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). In accordance with those regulations, CCC is seeking approval for DEBES to provide for the submission of bids through the Internet. Under OMB regulations, comments [[Page 2469]] concerning DEBES must be submitted to OMB within 30 days of this notice's publication in the Federal Register. Within 60 days ``after receipt of the proposed collection of information or publication of the notice'' in the Federal Register, whichever is later, OMB shall notify CCC of its decision to approve, require modifications to, or disapprove DEBES. Bid Process Modifications Each vendor will be required to use an Internet Service Provider to participate in the DEBES. KCCO will provide vendor training and offer hotline assistance for DEBES. It is anticipated DEBES will be put into operation in the summer of 1999. Vendor participation in the DEBES shall be required to submit bids to CCC for the purchase of agricultural commodities intended for domestic food programs. The DEBES will capture commodity vendor bid data in a more reliable and efficient way than the current system. DEBES provides the data in an electronic and linear format. Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for collecting information under this notice is estimated to average 30 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Respondents: Businesses and other for profit. Respondents: 60. Estimated Number of Annual Responses per Respondent: 24. Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 720 hours. Proposed topics for comments include: (a) Whether the 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 burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information collected; or (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of the 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. Comments regarding this information collection requirement should be directed to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Attention: Desk Officer for Agriculture, Washington, DC 20503, and to Tim Mehl, Chief Planning and Analysis Division, Kansas City Commodity Office, 9200 Ward Parkway, Kansas City, Missouri 64114, telephone (816) 926-3536 or fax (816) 926-6767. All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of public record. Signed at Washington, DC, on January 7, 1999. Keith Kelly, Executive Vice President, Commodity Credit Corporation. [FR Doc. 99-843 Filed 1-13-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-05-P