80 FR 81276 - Notice of Intent To Request Approval To Establish a New Information Collection and Record Keeping Requirement
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
National Institute of Food and Agriculture Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 249 (December 29, 2015)
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 249 (December 29, 2015)
| Page Range | 81276-81279 | |
| FR Document | 2015-32747 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 249 (Tuesday, December 29, 2015)] [Notices] [Pages 81276-81279] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-32747] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE National Institute of Food and Agriculture Notice of Intent To Request Approval To Establish a New Information Collection and Record Keeping Requirement AGENCY: National Institute of Food and Agriculture, USDA. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations that implement the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the National Institute of Food and Agriculture's (NIFA) intention to request approval to establish a new information collection and record keeping requirement for the Veterinary Medical Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP). DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by February 29, 2016, to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date will be considered to the extent practicable. ADDRESSES: Written comments may be submitted by any of the following methods: Email: [email protected]; Mail: Office of Information Technology (OIT), NIFA, USDA, STOP 2216, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-2216. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Martin, Records Officer; Email: [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Veterinary Medical Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP). OMB Number: 0524-New. Type of Request: Intent to request approval to establish a new information collection and record keeping requirement for three years. Abstract: In January 2003, the National Veterinary Medical Service Act (NVMSA) was passed into law adding section 1415A to the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1997. This law established a new Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP) (7 U.S.C. 3125a) authorizing the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out a program of entering into agreements with veterinarians under which they agree to provide veterinary services in veterinarian shortage situations. The purpose of the program is to assure an adequate supply of trained food animal veterinarians in shortage situations and provide USDA with a pool of veterinary specialists to assist in the control and eradication of animal disease outbreaks. The VMLRP Program Office proposes a record keeping requirement for VMLRP participants and to collect additional information from current participants, their employers and past participants. The records to be maintained and the information collected will allow for better oversight and assessment of the program. Additionally, to streamline OMB approval processes all currently approved VMLRP information collections (OMB Control Number 0524-0046 and 0524-0047) will be combined into a single package along with the new information proposed. Each new requirement is described in detail below. (1) Service Log Need and Use of the Records: Program participants are required to verify on a quarterly basis that the terms of the VMLRP service agreement are being met through the Service Verification Form (NIFA-09- 10, OMB No 0534-0047). This form is an affidavit signed by the program participant's employer or, if self-employed, by the participant. Upon receipt by NIFA of a signed form affirming service under the terms and conditions of the service agreement, funds are released to participant's lender(s). At this time the affidavit is not validated by VMLRP program staff. In order to validate service affidavits, the VMLRP proposes a recording keeping requirement for participants in the form of service log that would be subject to audit by program staff. During a service audit VMLRP staff will compare the service log to the shortage area description and contact participants with any questions. [[Page 81277]] Discrepancies between the shortage situation description and service log may indicate a breach in the service agreement and payments to lender(s) will be put on hold until the discrepancy is resolved. Components of the Record: For those participants serving in the private sector (Type I and Type II shortage situations), the service log would contain the following for each service/appointment: Date of service, duration of services/appointment, windshield/drive time, species or species type served, county and zip of client/farm receiving services, and services provided. For those serving in the public sector (Type III shortage situations), the service log would contain the following: Date of service/activity, duration of service/activity and description of service/activity conducted including the specific role of the participant in that service/activity. Method of Collection: Participants should maintain their service logs in any data format e.g. csv, .xls, etc. A template will be provided. The full service log should be sent via email to the VMLRP Program Office along with the signed service verification form. Frequency of Response: Random audit. When the quarterly affidavit is sent to participants for signature, each participant will be notified if they have been selected for audit. A VMLRP participant should anticipate at least one audit during their service agreement period. Affected Public: VMLRP participants under service agreement. Type of Respondents: Veterinarians. Estimate of Burden: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Estimated number Average burden Number of respondents of responses per hours per Annual burden respondent response hours requested ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 150.................................................... 260 .25 9750 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (2) Feedback Survey Need for and Use of the Information: The VMLRP Program Office does not have a formal mechanism for program participants to provide feedback to the program or to State Animal Health Officials (SAHOs) on the status of the shortage situation they are serving. Moreover, there is no formal mechanism to obtain feedback on program processes, program resources, or quality of services and interactions with program staff. Currently, any feedback provided by participants is ad hoc on their own volition. The VMLRP Program Office is proposing to collect data on the current and 5-10y projected status of a shortage area, and program processes, resources and customer service. Data will be used by VMLRP to improve internal processes and shortage area information and will be shared with SAHOs to aide them in future nominations of veterinarian shortage situations. Active solicitation by VMLRP for feedback will occur after participants complete year one of the service agreement. This timing enables VMLRP to respond to feedback as appropriate and provide information to SAHOs during a participant's service agreement period. Method of Collection: Feedback questions will be solicited through a survey sent by email to participants as a pdf-fillable form or as a link to a web-based survey system. Completed surveys will be emailed to the VMLRP Program Office or stored on the web-based system. Completion of the survey is voluntary. Frequency of Response: Once during the service agreement period. Affected Public: VMLRP participants under service agreement. Type of Respondents: Veterinarians. Estimate of Burden: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Estimated number Average burden Number of of responses per hours per Annual burden respondents respondent response hours requested ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 50 1 .33 16.5 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (3) Close-Out Report Need for and Use of the Information: Close-out reports serve as documentation for federal award programs to assess whether the program is meeting its intended outcomes. VMLRP proposes to collect data from participants on the services provided during their service award, their impact on the shortage situation, and their professional plans post- service agreement. The information collected will be reported in aggregate as part of the program's annual report and used to evaluate VMLRP processes, impacts and projected outcomes. Method of Collection: Information will be solicited via email using a pdf-fillable form or as a link to a web-based survey system. Completed surveys will be emailed to the VMLRP Program Office or stored on the web-based system. Completion of the report is mandatory and a condition of the service agreement. Frequency of Response: Once at the end of the service agreement period. Affected Public: VMLRP participants under service agreement. Type of Respondents: Veterinarians. Estimate of Burden: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Estimated number Average burden Number of of responses per hours per Annual burden respondents respondent response hours requested ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 50 1 .33 16.5 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (4) Employer Feedback Need for and Use of the Information. The VMLRP Program Office does not have a formal mechanism for program participants' employers to provide feedback to the program or to State Animal Health Officials (SAHOs) on the status of the shortage situation their employee is serving. Currently, any [[Page 81278]] feedback provided by employers is ad hoc on their own volition. The VMLRP Program Office is proposing to collect data on the current and 5- 10y projected status of a shortage situation, as well as feedback on the impact their employee has had on the shortage situation. Data will be used by VMLRP to assess program impact and may be reported in aggregate in the program's annual reports. Shortage area information will be shared with SAHOs to aide them in future nominations of veterinarian shortage situations. Active solicitation by VMLRP for feedback will occur during the last quarter of the VMLRP participant's agreement period. Method of Collection: Feedback will be solicited through a survey emailed to participants' employers as a pdf-fillable form or as a link to a web-based survey system. Completed surveys will be emailed to the VMLRP Program Office or stored on the web-based system. Completion of the survey is voluntary. Frequency of Response: Once at the end of the service agreement period. Affected Public: Employers of VMLRP participants. Type of Respondents: Veterinarians. Estimate of Burden: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Estimated number Average burden Number of of responses per hours per Annual burden respondents respondent response hours requested ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 30 1 .25 7.5 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (5) Post-Award Termination Survey Need for and Use of the Information. One of the goals of the VMLRP is long-term mitigation of designated veterinarian shortage situations. At this time, it is unknown whether program participants continue providing services for their shortage situation after their service agreement ends. Data collected will be reported in aggregate as part of the program's annual report, used to assess factors associated with retention (remaining in the same area and providing the same services as described by the shortage situation), and help determine if shortage situations are being mitigated in the long-term. Method of Collection: Questions on retention will be solicited through a survey emailed to participants as a pdf-fillable form or as a link to a web-based survey system. Completed surveys will be emailed to the VMLRP Program Office or stored on the web-based system. Completion of the survey is voluntary. Frequency of Response: One, three and five years after service agreement end date. Affected Public: Past VMLRP participants. Type of Respondents: Veterinarians. Estimate of Burden: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Estimated number Average burden Number of of responses per hours per Annual burden respondents respondent response hours requested ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 150 1 .25 37.5 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Total Estimate of Burden: The estimated annual reporting burden for all VMLRP collection is as follows: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Estimated Number of number of Average Annual burden Type of respondents respondents responses per burden hours hours respondent per response requested ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Applicants: Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program 602 1 2.25 1350 Application OMB0524-0047................... --------------------------------------------------------------- Current Participants subtotal........... .............. .............. .............. 1350 State Animal Health Officials: Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program 60 4 2 480 Shortage Situation Nomination OMB0524-0046. --------------------------------------------------------------- State Animal Health Official subtotal... .............. .............. .............. 480 Current Participants: Service Log................................. 150 260 .25 9750 Feedback Survey............................. 50 1 .33 16.5 Close-out Report............................ 50 1 .33 16.5 --------------------------------------------------------------- Current Participants subtotal........... .............. .............. .............. 9783 Employers: Employer Feedback........................... 30 1 .25 7.5 --------------------------------------------------------------- Employer subtotal....................... .............. .............. .............. 7.5 Past Participants: Post-Award Termination Survey............... 150 1 .25 37.5 --------------------------------------------------------------- Past Participants subtotal.............. .............. .............. .............. 37.5 --------------------------------------------------------------- [[Page 81279]] GRAND TOTAL..................................... .............. .............. .............. 11,658 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Comments: Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed record keeping requirement and collection of information are 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 the burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of collecting the information on respondents, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request to OMB for approval. All comments will become a matter of public record. Obtaining a Copy of the Information Collection: A copy of the information collection and related instructions may be obtained free of charge by contacting Robert Martin as directed above. Done at Washington, DC, this 16 day of December 2015. Catherine E. Woteki, Under Secretary, Research, Education, and Economics. [FR Doc. 2015-32747 Filed 12-28-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-22-P
![81276 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 249 / Tuesday, December 29, 2015 / Notices
operating under the NRP, FSIS intends The Update is available on the FSIS OMB Number: 0524–New.
to use the risk-based procedures Web page. Through the Web page, FSIS Type of Request: Intent to request
described in this document to efficiently is able to provide information to a much approval to establish a new information
and effectively address public health broader, more diverse audience. In collection and record keeping
concerns associated with chemical addition, FSIS offers an email requirement for three years.
hazards that may be detected in subscription service which provides Abstract: In January 2003, the
livestock and poultry carcasses. FSIS automatic and customized access to National Veterinary Medical Service Act
requests comments on the approach selected food safety news and (NVMSA) was passed into law adding
discussed in this document, and on how information. This service is available at: section 1415A to the National
FSIS can further improve its http://www.fsis.usda.gov/subscribe. Agricultural Research, Extension, and
management of environmental Options range from recalls to export Teaching Policy Act of 1997. This law
contaminants and other chemical information, regulations, directives, and established a new Veterinary Medicine
hazards in meat and poultry products. notices. Customers can add or delete Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP) (7
subscriptions themselves, and have the U.S.C. 3125a) authorizing the Secretary
USDA Non-Discrimination Statement option to password protect their of Agriculture to carry out a program of
No agency, officer, or employee of the accounts. entering into agreements with
USDA shall, on the grounds of race, Done in Washington, DC: December 18,
veterinarians under which they agree to
color, national origin, religion, sex, 2015. provide veterinary services in
gender identity, sexual orientation, Alfred V. Almanza,
veterinarian shortage situations. The
disability, age, marital status, family/ purpose of the program is to assure an
Acting Administrator.
parental status, income derived from a adequate supply of trained food animal
[FR Doc. 2015–32808 Filed 12–28–15; 8:45 am]
public assistance program, or political veterinarians in shortage situations and
BILLING CODE 3410–DM–P provide USDA with a pool of veterinary
beliefs, exclude from participation in,
deny the benefits of, or subject to specialists to assist in the control and
discrimination any person in the United eradication of animal disease outbreaks.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE The VMLRP Program Office proposes
States under any program or activity
conducted by the USDA. National Institute of Food and a record keeping requirement for
Agriculture VMLRP participants and to collect
How to File a Complaint of additional information from current
Discrimination Notice of Intent To Request Approval participants, their employers and past
To file a complaint of discrimination, To Establish a New Information participants. The records to be
complete the USDA Program Collection and Record Keeping maintained and the information
Discrimination Complaint Form, which Requirement collected will allow for better oversight
may be accessed online at: http:// and assessment of the program.
AGENCY: National Institute of Food and Additionally, to streamline OMB
www.ocio.usda.gov/sites/default/files/
Agriculture, USDA. approval processes all currently
docs/2012/Complain_combined_6_8_
12.pdf, or write a letter signed by you ACTION: Notice and request for approved VMLRP information
or your authorized representative. comments. collections (OMB Control Number
Send your completed complaint form 0524–0046 and 0524–0047) will be
SUMMARY: In accordance with the
or letter to USDA by mail, fax, or email: combined into a single package along
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and
Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, with the new information proposed.
Office of Management and Budget
Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Each new requirement is described in
(OMB) regulations that implement the
Independence Avenue SW., detail below.
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this
Washington, DC 20250–9410. notice announces the National Institute (1) Service Log
Fax: (202) 690–7442. of Food and Agriculture’s (NIFA)
Email: program.intake@usda.gov. Need and Use of the Records: Program
intention to request approval to participants are required to verify on a
Persons with disabilities who require
establish a new information collection quarterly basis that the terms of the
alternative means for communication and record keeping requirement for the
(Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.), VMLRP service agreement are being met
Veterinary Medical Loan Repayment through the Service Verification Form
should contact USDA’s TARGET Center Program (VMLRP).
at (202) 720–2600 (voice and TDD). (NIFA–09–10, OMB No 0534–0047).
DATES: Written comments on this notice This form is an affidavit signed by the
Additional Public Notification must be received by February 29, 2016, program participant’s employer or, if
Public awareness of all segments of to be assured of consideration. self-employed, by the participant. Upon
rulemaking and policy development is Comments received after that date will receipt by NIFA of a signed form
important. Consequently, FSIS will be considered to the extent practicable. affirming service under the terms and
announce this Federal Register ADDRESSES: Written comments may be conditions of the service agreement,
publication on-line through the FSIS submitted by any of the following funds are released to participant’s
Web page located at: http:// methods: Email: rmartin@nifa.usda.gov; lender(s). At this time the affidavit is
www.fsis.usda.gov/federal-register . Mail: Office of Information Technology not validated by VMLRP program staff.
FSIS also will make copies of this (OIT), NIFA, USDA, STOP 2216, 1400 In order to validate service affidavits,
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
publication available through the FSIS Independence Avenue SW., the VMLRP proposes a recording
Constituent Update, which is used to Washington, DC 20250–2216. keeping requirement for participants in
provide information regarding FSIS FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: the form of service log that would be
policies, procedures, regulations, Robert Martin, Records Officer; Email: subject to audit by program staff. During
Federal Register notices, FSIS public rmartin@nifa.usda.gov. a service audit VMLRP staff will
meetings, and other types of information SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: compare the service log to the shortage
that could affect or would be of interest Title: Veterinary Medical Loan area description and contact
to our constituents and stakeholders. Repayment Program (VMLRP). participants with any questions.
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![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 249 / Tuesday, December 29, 2015 / Notices 81279
Estimated Average Annual
Number of number of burden hours
Type of respondents burden hours
respondents responses per per requested
respondent response
GRAND TOTAL ............................................................................................... ........................ ........................ ........................ 11,658
Comments: Comments are invited on: clarity of the information to be collected information will be used to
(a) Whether the proposed record collected; (d) ways to minimize the evaluate potential international
keeping requirement and collection of burden of the collection of information volunteers and evaluate the
information are necessary for the proper on those who are to respond, including effectiveness of the volunteer program.
performance of the functions of the through the use of appropriate Without the information, NRCS would
Agency, including whether the automated, electronic, mechanical, or not know which individuals are
information will have practical utility; other technological collection interested in volunteering.
(b) the accuracy of the Agency’s techniques or other forms of information Description of Respondents:
estimate of the burden of the proposed technology should be addressed to: Desk Individuals or households; Business or
collection of information; (c) ways to Officer for Agriculture, Office of other for-profit; Not-for-profit
enhance the quality, utility, and clarity Information and Regulatory Affairs, institutions; Farms; State, Local, or
of the information to be collected; and Office of Management and Budget Tribal Government.
(d) ways to minimize the burden of (OMB), OIRA_Submission@ Number of Respondents: 3,766.
collecting the information on OMB.EOP.GOV or fax (202) 395–5806 Frequency of Responses: Reporting:
respondents, including through the use and to Departmental Clearance Office, Biennially.
of appropriate automated, electronic, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Total Burden Hours: 488.
mechanical, or other technological Washington, DC 20250–7602. Ruth Brown,
collection techniques or other forms of Comments regarding these information Departmental Information Collection
information technology. collections are best assured of having Clearance Officer.
All responses to this notice will be their full effect if received within 30 [FR Doc. 2015–32746 Filed 12–28–15; 8:45 am]
summarized and included in the request days of this notification. Copies of the
BILLING CODE 3410–16–P
to OMB for approval. All comments will submission(s) may be obtained by
become a matter of public record. calling (202) 720–8958.
Obtaining a Copy of the Information An agency may not conduct or DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Collection: A copy of the information sponsor a collection of information
collection and related instructions may unless the collection of information Rural Housing Service
be obtained free of charge by contacting displays a currently valid OMB control
Robert Martin as directed above. number and the agency informs Notice of Solicitation of Applications
Done at Washington, DC, this 16 day of potential persons who are to respond to for the Section 533 Housing
December 2015. the collection of information that such Preservation Grants for Fiscal Year
Catherine E. Woteki, persons are not required to respond to 2016
Under Secretary, Research, Education, and
the collection of information unless it
displays a currently valid OMB control ACTION: Notice.
Economics.
number.
[FR Doc. 2015–32747 Filed 12–28–15; 8:45 am] SUMMARY: The Rural Housing Service
BILLING CODE 3410–22–P Natural Resources and Conservation (RHS), an Agency within Rural
Service Development, announces that it is
Title: Volunteer Program—Earth soliciting competitive applications
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE under its Housing Preservation Grant
Team.
OMB Control Number: 0578–0024. (HPG) program. This action is taken to
Natural Resources Conservation comply with Agency regulations found
Summary of Collection: Volunteers
Service in 7 CFR part 1944, subpart N, which
have been a valuable human resource to
the Natural Resources Conservation requires the Agency to announce the
Submission for OMB Review;
Service (NRCS) since 1985. NRCS is opening and closing dates for receipt of
Comment Request
authorize by the Federal Personnel pre-applications for HPG funds from
December 22, 2015. Manual (FPM) Supplement 296–33, eligible applicants.
The Department of Agriculture has Subchapter 33, to recruit, train and DATES: The closing deadline for receipt
submitted the following information accept, with regard to Civil Service of all pre-applications in response to
collection requirement(s) to OMB for classification law, rules, or regulations, this Notice is 5:00 p.m., local time for
review and clearance under the the service of individuals to serve each Rural Development State Office on
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, without compensation. Volunteers may February 12, 2016. Rural Development
Public Law 104–13. Comments assist in any agency program/project State Office locations can be found at:
regarding (a) whether the collection of and may perform any activities which http://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
information is necessary for the proper agency employees are allowed to do. state-offices. The application should be
performance of the functions of the Volunteers must be 14 years of age. submitted to the Rural Development
agency, including whether the NRCS will collect information using State Office where the project will be
information will have practical utility; NRCS forms. located. If submitting the pre-
(b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate Need and Use of the Information: application in electronic format, the
of burden including the validity of the NRCS will collect information on the closing deadline for receipt is 5:00 p.m.
methodology and assumptions used; (c) type of skills and type of work the Eastern Daylight Time on February 12,
ways to enhance the quality, utility and volunteers are interested in doing. The 2016. The application closing deadline
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Document Created: 2015-12-29 10:14:58
Document Modified: 2015-12-29 10:14:58
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice and request for comments. | |
| Dates | Written comments on this notice must be received by February 29, 2016, to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date will be considered to the extent practicable. | |
| Contact | Robert Martin, Records Officer; Email: [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 81276 |
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