[Federal Register: December 30, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 250)]
[Notices]
[Page 79563]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr30de02-29]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service
Information Collection Activity; Comment Request
AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44
U.S.C. chapter 35, as amended), the Rural Utilities Service (RUS)
invites comments on this information collection for which RUS intends
to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by February 28, 2003.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: F. Lamont Heppe, Jr., Program
Development & Regulatory Analysis, Rural Utilities Service, USDA, 1400
Independence Ave., SW., STOP 1522, Room 4034 South Building,
Washington, DC 20250-1522. Telephone: (202) 720-0736. FAX: (202) 720-
4120.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: 7 CFR Part 1755, Telecommunications Standards and
Specifications.
OMB Control Number: 0572-New.
Type of Request: New collection.
Abstract: Manufactures wishing to sell their products to RUS
borrowers, request RUS consideration for acceptance of their products
and submit data demonstrating their products' compliance with RUS
specifications. Compliance with RUS specifications and standards is
demonstrated to a large extent via presentation of laboratory tests
results and other informational data upon which the determination of
acceptability can be made. RUS evaluates this data to determine that
the quality of the products is acceptable and that their use will not
jeopardize loan security. In the telecommunications program, because of
the complex and highly technical nature of equipment, services and
system architectures, RUS also requires a manufacturer to demonstrate
successful product use in a working telecommunications system.
RUS Bulletin 345-2, establishes Agency policy that materials and
equipment purchased by RUS telecommunications borrowers or accepted as
contractor-furnished material, must conform to RUS standards and
specifications where they have been established and, if included in RUS
IP 344-2, ``List of Materials Acceptable for Use on Telecommunications
Systems of RUS Borrowers'' (List of Materials), must be selected from
that list or must have received technical acceptance from RUS.
Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of
information is estimated to average 20 hour per response.
Respondents: Business or other for-profit and non-profit
institutions.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 49.
Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 2.
Estimate Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 2,580 hours.
Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Dawn
Wolfgang, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, Rural Utilities
Service at (202) 720-0812. Comments are invited on (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 assumption used;
(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 those who are to respond, including through the use
of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other
technological collection techniques on other forms of information
technology.
All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the
request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of
public record.
Dated: December 23, 2002.
Curtis M. Anderson,
Deputy Administrator as Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 02-32825 Filed 12-27-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P