81_FR_17843 81 FR 17782 - Request for Comments

81 FR 17782 - Request for Comments

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Office of the Secretary

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 61 (March 30, 2016)

Page Range17782-17786
FR Document2016-07132

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) will forward the Information Collection Request (ICR) abstracted below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance. The ICR describes the nature of the information collection and its expected cost and burden hours. The Federal Register Notice, with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the questionnaire, was published on December 30, 2015, [FR Vol. 80, No. 250, page 81671]. One comment was received.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 61 (Wednesday, March 30, 2016) 
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 61 (Wednesday, March 30, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17782-17786]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-07132]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Office of the Secretary

[Docket No. DOT-OST-2015-0255]


Request for Comments

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces that the U.S. Department of 
Transportation (DOT) will forward the Information Collection Request 
(ICR) abstracted below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for 
clearance. The ICR describes the nature of the information collection 
and its expected cost and burden hours. The Federal Register Notice, 
with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the questionnaire, 
was published on December 30, 2015, [FR Vol. 80, No. 250, page 81671]. 
One comment was received.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by April 29, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments regarding 
this proposal to the DOT/OST Desk Officer, Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Docket Library, 
Room 10102, 725 17th Street NW., Washington, DC 20503, or by email to 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sam Brooks, Equal Opportunity 
Specialist (S-33), Departmental Office of Civil Rights, Office of the 
Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue 
SE., Washington, DC 20590, 202-366-7145.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Form Title(s): Voluntary Web-Based Questionnaire of Airport 
Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprises and Disadvantaged 
Business Enterprise Firms.
    Form Number: None.
    OMB Control Number: None.
    Abstract: The DOT's Operating Administrations distribute 
substantial funds each year to finance construction projects initiated 
by state and local governments, public transit and airport agencies. 
The DOT has the important responsibility of ensuring that firms 
competing for DOT-assisted contracts for these projects are not 
disadvantaged by unlawful discrimination. The DOT's most important tool 
for meeting this requirement has been its Disadvantaged Business 
Enterprise (DBE) program, which originally began in 1980 as a minority/
women's business enterprise program established by regulation under the 
authority of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other 
nondiscrimination statutes that apply to DOT financial assistance 
programs. The DBE program was reauthorized by Congress several times 
since its inception; most recently in the ``Fixing America's Surface 
Transportation Act'' or the ``FAST-ACT,'' (P.L. 114-94, December 4, 
2015), See more at: https://www.transportation.gov/civil-rights/disadvantaged-business-enterprise#sthash.67nZv63S.dpuf, which funded 
surface transportation programs for highways, highway safety, and 
transit. Section 1101(b) of the Act describes Congress's findings 
regarding the continued need for the DBE program due to the 
discrimination and related barriers that pose significant obstacles for 
minority and women-owned businesses seeking federally-assisted surface 
transportation work. The DBE program focuses primarily on construction 
and professional services contracts, while the airport concession 
disadvantaged business enterprise (ACDBE) program focuses on lease and 
supplier agreements for food, beverage, retail, and car rental 
services. Congress raised concerns that discrimination and related 
barriers continue to pose obstacles to disadvantaged firms seeking to 
do business at U.S. airports. The information requested will assist DOT 
in measuring whether both programs are achieving the objectives to 
create a level playing field on which ACDBEs/DBEs can compete fairly 
and assist in the development of ACDBE/DBE firms to compete 
successfully in the marketplace.
    The single comment that was received by DOT during the 60-day 
comment period was provided by a trade association and had four 
components. The association (1) asked DOT to use the data collection 
measure to address the issue of out-of-date DBE directories; (2) 
observed that prime contractors need better information on the types of 
construction work DBEs are able to perform; (3) requested that the 
questionnaire ``query DBE firms on the issue of training;'' and (4) 
asked DOT to evaluate the responses regarding perceived barriers or 
challenges from the perspective of all parties. After careful 
consideration, DOT makes due note of all four components. Only items 
(1) and (3) appear to request changes to proposed questions. However, 
as these items are not strictly germane to the stated purpose 
(measuring the objective of creating a level playing field) of the 
questionnaire, the Department respectfully declines to alter the 
content of the questions.
    The questionnaire will be for the use of ACDBE and DBE certified 
firms, so that they can provide information regarding the nature of 
their business and bidding history, and perceived barriers/challenges 
that may have prevented them from receiving a contract or successfully 
competing in DOT's ACDBE/DBE program. A link to the questionnaire will 
be made available by DOT's Departmental Office of Civil Rights for use 
by the Department's state and local recipients, which can in turn post 
this link on their own Web sites.

[[Page 17783]]

The information collected will be used to assist DOT in measuring 
whether the ACDBE/DBE program is achieving its objectives. The DOT 
estimates that it takes an individual approximately 10 minutes to 
complete the questionnaire.
    Type of Request: New information collection.
    Affected Public: Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business 
Enterprises and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises certified under the 
authority of 49 CFR parts 23 and 26.
    Total Annual Estimated Burden: 628 hours.
    Frequency of Collection: An individual's completion of the 
questionnaire is solely voluntary.
    Comments are Invited on: Any aspect of this information collection, 
including
    (a) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for 
the proper performance of DOT's ACDBE/DBE program; (b) the accuracy of 
the estimated burden; (c) ways for the Department to enhance the 
quality, utility and clarity of the information collection; and (d) 
ways that the burden could be minimized without reducing the quality of 
the collected information. Comments should be sent to the address in 
the preamble. All responses to this notice will be summarized and 
included in the request for Office of Management and Budget approval. 
All comments will also become a matter of public record.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on March 23, 2016.
Habib Azarsina,
OST Privacy and PRA Officer, U.S. Department of Transportation.

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[FR Doc. 2016-07132 Filed 3-29-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-9X-P

17782 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 61 / Wednesday, March 30, 2016 / Notices BILLING CODE 4910–9X–C Transportation (DOT) will forward the which funded surface transportation Confidential Commercial Information Information Collection Request (ICR) programs for highways, highway safety, abstracted below to the Office of and transit. Section 1101(b) of the Act Applicants will be able to provide Management and Budget (OMB) for describes Congress’s findings regarding certain confidential business clearance. The ICR describes the nature the continued need for the DBE program information relevant to their proposals of the information collection and its due to the discrimination and related on a confidential basis. Under the expected cost and burden hours. The barriers that pose significant obstacles Department’s Freedom of Information Federal Register Notice, with a 60-day for minority and women-owned Act regulations (49 CFR 7.17), such comment period soliciting comments on businesses seeking federally-assisted information is limited to commercial or the questionnaire, was published on surface transportation work. The DBE financial information that, if disclosed, December 30, 2015, [FR Vol. 80, No. program focuses primarily on would either likely cause substantial 250, page 81671]. One comment was construction and professional services harm to the competitive position of a received. contracts, while the airport concession business or enterprise or make it more disadvantaged business enterprise DATES: Comments on this notice must be difficult for the Federal Government to (ACDBE) program focuses on lease and obtain similar information in the future. received by April 29, 2016. supplier agreements for food, beverage, Applicants seeking confidential ADDRESSES: Interested persons are retail, and car rental services. Congress treatment of a portion of their invited to submit comments regarding raised concerns that discrimination and applications must segregate the this proposal to the DOT/OST Desk related barriers continue to pose confidential material in a sealed Officer, Office of Information and obstacles to disadvantaged firms seeking envelope marked ‘‘Confidential Regulatory Affairs, Office of to do business at U.S. airports. The Submission of X (the applicant) in Management and Budget, Docket information requested will assist DOT Docket DOT–OST–2016–0037’’ and Library, Room 10102, 725 17th Street in measuring whether both programs are include with that material a request in NW., Washington, DC 20503, or by achieving the objectives to create a level the form of a motion seeking email to oira_submission@omb.eop.gov. playing field on which ACDBEs/DBEs confidential treatment of the material FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sam can compete fairly and assist in the under 14 CFR 302.12 (‘‘Rule 12’’) of the Brooks, Equal Opportunity Specialist development of ACDBE/DBE firms to Department’s regulations. The applicant (S–33), Departmental Office of Civil compete successfully in the should submit an original and two Rights, Office of the Secretary, U.S. marketplace. copies of its motion and an original and Department of Transportation, 1200 The single comment that was received two copies of the confidential material New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, by DOT during the 60-day comment in the sealed envelope. DC 20590, 202–366–7145. period was provided by a trade The confidential material should not SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: association and had four components. be included with the original of the Form Title(s): Voluntary Web-Based The association (1) asked DOT to use applicant’s proposal that is submitted Questionnaire of Airport Concession the data collection measure to address via www.grants.gov. The applicant’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprises and the issue of out-of-date DBE directories; original submission, however, should Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (2) observed that prime contractors need indicate clearly where the confidential Firms. better information on the types of material would have been inserted. If an Form Number: None. construction work DBEs are able to applicant invokes Rule 12, the OMB Control Number: None. perform; (3) requested that the confidential portion of its filing will be Abstract: The DOT’s Operating questionnaire ‘‘query DBE firms on the treated as confidential pending a final Administrations distribute substantial issue of training;’’ and (4) asked DOT to determination. All confidential material funds each year to finance construction evaluate the responses regarding must be received by 5:00 p.m. EDT, May projects initiated by state and local perceived barriers or challenges from 2, 2016, and delivered to the U.S. governments, public transit and airport the perspective of all parties. After Department of Transportation, Office of agencies. The DOT has the important careful consideration, DOT makes due Aviation Analysis, 8th Floor, Room responsibility of ensuring that firms note of all four components. Only items W86–307, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE., competing for DOT-assisted contracts (1) and (3) appear to request changes to Washington, DC 20590. for these projects are not disadvantaged proposed questions. However, as these by unlawful discrimination. The DOT’s items are not strictly germane to the [FR Doc. 2016–07286 Filed 3–28–16; 4:15 pm] most important tool for meeting this stated purpose (measuring the objective BILLING CODE 4910–9X–P requirement has been its Disadvantaged of creating a level playing field) of the Business Enterprise (DBE) program, questionnaire, the Department which originally began in 1980 as a respectfully declines to alter the content DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION minority/women’s business enterprise of the questions. Office of the Secretary program established by regulation under The questionnaire will be for the use the authority of Title VI of the Civil of ACDBE and DBE certified firms, so [Docket No. DOT–OST–2015–0255] Rights Act of 1964 and other that they can provide information nondiscrimination statutes that apply to regarding the nature of their business Request for Comments DOT financial assistance programs. The and bidding history, and perceived DBE program was reauthorized by barriers/challenges that may have asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation. Congress several times since its prevented them from receiving a ACTION: Notice and request for inception; most recently in the ‘‘Fixing contract or successfully competing in comments. America’s Surface Transportation Act’’ DOT’s ACDBE/DBE program. A link to or the ‘‘FAST–ACT,’’ (P.L. 114–94, the questionnaire will be made available SUMMARY: In accordance with the December 4, 2015), See more at: by DOT’s Departmental Office of Civil Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 https://www.transportation.gov/civil- Rights for use by the Department’s state U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice rights/disadvantaged-business- and local recipients, which can in turn announces that the U.S. Department of enterprise#sthash.67nZv63S.dpuf, post this link on their own Web sites. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:06 Mar 29, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00120 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\30MRN1.SGM 30MRN1

Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 61 / Wednesday, March 30, 2016 / Notices 17783 The information collected will be used Total Annual Estimated Burden: 628 collection; and (d) ways that the burden to assist DOT in measuring whether the hours. could be minimized without reducing ACDBE/DBE program is achieving its Frequency of Collection: An the quality of the collected information. objectives. The DOT estimates that it individual’s completion of the Comments should be sent to the address takes an individual approximately 10 questionnaire is solely voluntary. in the preamble. All responses to this minutes to complete the questionnaire. Comments are Invited on: Any aspect notice will be summarized and included of this information collection, including in the request for Office of Management Type of Request: New information (a) whether the proposed collection of and Budget approval. All comments will collection. also become a matter of public record. information is necessary for the proper Affected Public: Airport Concession performance of DOT’s ACDBE/DBE Issued in Washington, DC, on March 23, Disadvantaged Business Enterprises and program; (b) the accuracy of the 2016. Disadvantaged Business Enterprises estimated burden; (c) ways for the Habib Azarsina, certified under the authority of 49 CFR Department to enhance the quality, OST Privacy and PRA Officer, U.S. parts 23 and 26. utility and clarity of the information Department of Transportation. asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:06 Mar 29, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00121 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\30MRN1.SGM 30MRN1

OMB CONTROL NUMBER: 21XX—XXXX EXPIRATION DATE: mm/dd/yyyy Paperwork Reduction Act Burden Statement A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 21 XX—XXXX. Public reporting for this collection of information is estimated to be approximately 10 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, completing and reviewing the collection of information. All responses to this collection of information are voluntary. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden to: Information Collection Clearance Officer, Office of the Secretary of Transportation, Washington, D.C. 20590. Question Firm name Answer Firm name Question Home State Answer [Drop Down] Question How many years has your firm been in existence? Answer [less than 1 year] [1—3 years] [3 or more years] Question How long has your firm been certified as an ACDBE/DBE? Answer [years/months] Question On what basis did you rely in submitting your ACDBE/DBE certification application? Answer [Black Americans] [Hispanic Americans] [Asian—Pacific Americans] [Subcontinent Asian Americans] [Non—minority women] [Non—minority economically disadvantaged male] Question How would you describe your firm‘s primary line of business? Answer [Trucking] [Engineering] [Heavy construction] [Environmental remediation] [Electrical contractor] [Supplier of bulk materials] [Other / text field] Question Did you become ACDBE/DBE certified in order to bid on a contract let by a transportation agency? Answer [YES/NO] Question If not, did you ever bid on a transportation contract? Answer [YES/NO]

u& + &9 Question How many total contracts have you bid on in the last 2 years that were let by a transportation agency? Answer [0] [1—5] [5—10] [20 or more] Question Of those bids, how many contracts did you bid on as an ACDBE/DBE? Answer [0] [1—5] [5—10] [20 or more] Question Of those bids, how many were successful? Answer [0] [1—5] [5—10] [20 or more] Question Is this the first year that you have received a federally assisted contract or lease as a ACDBE/DBE? Answer [YES/NO] Question In the last 2 years, how often have primes contacted you and asked that you bid on a particular project as an ACDBE/DBE (on average)? Answer [0 times] [1—5 times per month] [5—10 per month] [20 or more times] Question Of those, how many times did you bid? Answer [0 times] [1—5 times per month] [5—10 per month] [20 or more times] Question How many times were you successful? Answer [0 times] [1—5 times per month] [5—10 per month] [20 or more times] Question In the last 2 years, on average, how often have you performed work outside of your home state as an ACDBE/DBE? Answer [0 times] [1—5 times per month] [5—10 per month] [20 or more times] Question What barriers have you encountered that you believe have prevented you from receiving a contract or successfully competing in the ACDBE/DBE program? Answer [Insufficient Bonding Capacity] [Lack of Necessary Equipment for job]

17786 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 61 / Wednesday, March 30, 2016 / Notices [FR Doc. 2016–07132 Filed 3–29–16; 8:45 am] by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1557–0311, 400 7th Street SW., Suite BILLING CODE 4910–9X–P 1995. An agency may not conduct or 3E–218, Mail Stop 9W–11, Washington, sponsor, and a respondent is not DC 20219. In addition, comments may required to respond to, an information be sent by fax to (571) 465–4326 or by DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY collection unless it displays a currently electronic mail to prainfo@occ.treas.gov. valid Office of Management and Budget You may personally inspect and Office of the Comptroller of the (OMB) control number. The OCC is also photocopy comments at the OCC, 400 Currency giving notice that it has sent the 7th Street SW., Washington, DC 20219. collection to OMB for review. For security reasons, the OCC requires Agency Information Collection The OCC is finalizing revisions to the that visitors make an appointment to Activities; Revision of an Approved collection titled ‘‘Annual Company-Run inspect comments. You may do so by Information Collection; Submission for Stress Test Reporting Template and calling (202) 649–6700 or, for persons OMB Review; Annual Company-Run Documentation for Covered Institutions who are deaf or hard of hearing, TTY, Stress Test Reporting Template and with Total Consolidated Assets of $10 (202) 649–5597. Upon arrival, visitors Documentation for Covered Billion to $50 Billion under the Dodd- will be required to present valid Institutions With Total Consolidated Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer government-issued photo identification Assets of $10 Billion to $50 Billion Protection Act.’’ The OCC also is giving and to submit to security screening in Under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street notice that it has sent the collection to order to inspect and photocopy Reform and Consumer Protection Act OMB for review. comments. AGENCY: Office of the Comptroller of the DATES: Comments must be received by All comments received, including April 29, 2016. attachments and other supporting asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Currency, Treasury (OCC). ACTION: Notice and request for comment. ADDRESSES: Because paper mail in the materials, are part of the public record Washington, DC area and at the OCC is and subject to public disclosure. Do not SUMMARY: The OCC, as part of its subject to delay, commenters are enclose any information in your continuing effort to reduce paperwork encouraged to submit comments by comment or supporting materials that and respondent burden, invites the email, if possible. Comments may be you consider confidential or general public and other Federal sent to: Legislative and Regulatory inappropriate for public disclosure. agencies to comment on a revision to Activities Division, Office of the Additionally, please send a copy of EN30MR16.277</GPH> this information collection, as required Comptroller of the Currency, Attention: your comments by mail to: OCC Desk VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:06 Mar 29, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00124 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\30MRN1.SGM 30MRN1


Document Created: 2016-03-30 09:28:51
Document Modified: 2016-03-30 09:28:51
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice and request for comments.
DatesComments on this notice must be received by April 29, 2016.
ContactSam Brooks, Equal Opportunity Specialist (S-33), Departmental Office of Civil Rights, Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, 202-366-7145.
FR Citation81 FR 17782 
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