[Federal Register: July 31, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 147)]
[Notices]
[Page 44975]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr31jy03-106]
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OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET
Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Review; Comments Requested
AGENCY: Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
ACTION: Notice of the OMB review of information collection and
solicitation of public comment.
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SUMMARY: The Office of Federal Financial Management, Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) has recently submitted to OMB for review
the following proposal for collection of information under the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35).
DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before
September 2, 2003.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Written comments should be submitted
to the Office of Information and Management Affairs, Attention: Lauren
Wittenberg via fax at (202) 395-6974 or by email at Lauren_
Wittenberg@omb.eop.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
A. Background
In a Federal Register notice published April 8, 2003 [68 FR 17091-
17105], OMB proposed consolidating several existing financial reporting
forms (the SF-269, 269A, 272 and 272A) into a single financial report
to be used by the Federal agencies and grant recipients. The purpose of
the consolidated Federal Financial Report (FFR) is to provide grant
recipients with a standard format and consistent requirements across
agencies in reporting financial information for grants and cooperative
agreements. The Federal grant-making agencies, after public
consultation with the grantee community, jointly developed this form as
part of the implementation of the Federal Financial Assistance
Management Improvement Act of 1999 (Pub. L. 106-107).
Based on the nearly 200 comments received, OMB has determined there
is a need for further evaluation of the issues involved in implementing
the new form. Therefore, OMB has requested that the SF-269, 269A, 272
and 272A be extended while these comments are being considered and
addressed. We also recognize that a transition period will be necessary
to provide agencies and grantees with time to adapt their processes to
the new form and phase out the use of old ones. When the FFR is
complete, the SF-269, 269A, 272 and 272A will continue to be accepted
for a period of time after the FFR has been approved. OMB will publish
a new 60-day notice to solicit comments on the updated FFR and
instructions when it is closer to being finalized.
B. Comments and Responses
During the public comment period 198 comments were received.
Federal agencies submitted 70 comments. State, local, tribal and
nonprofit organizations submitted 115 comments, and universities
provided 13 comments. Responses to general concerns expressed in the
comments are provided.
Comments received from a number of Federal agencies require further
analysis. In many instances, Federal agencies were concerned with the
process of automating the form. More analysis needs to be done to
understand what changes are needed to Federal payment systems so that
they can accept the new form electronically. Sufficient time is needed
to ensure the FFR is fully automated before the existing forms are
phased out.
Many comments indicated there is a need for further evaluation of
the information required and the proposed instructions. Further
consideration of these comments is needed to ensure that the form is
streamlined and the instructions are simplified in the manner intended
by Pub. L. 106-107. OMB will continue to work with the Federal agencies
in addressing these concerns.
Sheila O. Conley,
Deputy Controller.
[FR Doc. 03-19511 Filed 7-30-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3110-01-P