80 FR 22764 - 30-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Risk Analysis and Management (RAM) OMB Control Number 1405-0204

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 78 (April 23, 2015)

The Department of State is seeking Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval for the information collection described below. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we are requesting comments on this collection from all interested individuals and organizations. The purpose of this notice is to allow 30 days for public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 78 (Thursday, April 23, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22764-22765]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-09493]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice: 9109]


30-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Risk Analysis 
and Management (RAM) OMB Control Number 1405-0204

ACTION: Notice of request for public comment.

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SUMMARY: The Department of State is seeking Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) approval for the information collection described below. 
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we are 
requesting comments on this collection from all interested individuals 
and organizations. The purpose of this notice is to allow 30 days for 
public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.

DATES: The Department will accept comments from the public up to May 
26, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Direct comments to the Department of State Desk Officer in 
the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs at the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB). You may submit comments by the following 
methods:
     Email: [email protected]. You must include the 
DS form number, information collection title, and the OMB control 
number in the subject line of your message.
     Fax: 202-395-5806. Attention: Desk Officer for Department 
of State.
    You must include the DS form number (if applicable), information 
collection title, and the OMB control number in any correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Direct requests for additional 
information regarding the collection listed in this notice, including 
requests for copies of the proposed collection instrument and 
supporting documents, to Lisa M. Farrell, US Department of State, 
Office of Risk Analysis and Management, 2201 C St. NW., Washington, DC 
20520, who may be reached on 202-647-6020 or at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
     Title of Information Collection: Risk Analysis and 
Management.
     OMB Control Number: 1405-0204.
     Type of Request: Extension of a Currently Approved 
Collection.
     Originating Office: A/LM.
     Form Number: DS-4184.
     Respondents: Potential Contractors and Grantees.
     Estimated Number of Respondents: 800.
     Estimated Number of Responses: 800.
     Average Time Per Response: 75 minutes.
     Total Estimated Burden Time: 1000 hours.
     Frequency: On occasion.
     Obligation to Respond: Voluntary.
    We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department to:
     Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is 
necessary for the proper functions of the Department.
     Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the time and cost 
burden for this proposed collection, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used.
     Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected.
     Minimize the reporting burden on those who are to respond, 
including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of 
information technology.
    Please note that comments submitted in response to this Notice are 
public record. Before including any detailed personal information, you 
should be aware that your comments as submitted, including your 
personal information, will be available for public review.

Abstract of Proposed Collection

    The information collected from individuals and organizations is 
specifically used to conduct screening to ensure that State funded 
activities do not provide support to entities or individuals deemed to 
be a risk to national security.

Methodology

    The State Department has implemented a Risk Analysis and Management 
Program to vet potential

[[Page 22765]]

contractors and grantees seeking funding from the Department of State 
to mitigate the risk that such funds might benefit entities or 
individuals who present a national security risk. To conduct this 
vetting program the Department collects information from contractors, 
subcontractors, grantees and sub-grantees regarding their directors, 
officers and/or key employees through mail, fax or electronic 
submission. The information collected is compared to information 
gathered from commercial, public, and U.S. government databases to 
determine the risk that the applying organization, entity or individual 
might use Department funds or programs in a way that presents a threat 
to national security. This program will continue as a pilot program 
consistent with the Department of State, Foreign Operation, and Related 
Programs Appropriations Act, 2015 (Div. J, Pub. L. 113-235).

    Dated: April 16, 2015.
Catherine I. Ebert-Gray,
Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Administration, Department of 
State.
[FR Doc. 2015-09493 Filed 4-22-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4710-24-P