81 FR 54606 - Records Schedules; Availability and Request for Comments

NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 158 (August 16, 2016)

The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) publishes notice at least once monthly of certain Federal agency requests for records disposition authority (records schedules). Once approved by NARA, records schedules provide mandatory instructions on what happens to records when agencies no longer need them for current Government business. The records schedules authorize agencies to preserve records of continuing value in the National Archives of the United States and to destroy, after a specified period, records lacking administrative, legal, research, or other value. NARA publishes notice in the Federal Register for records schedules in which agencies propose to destroy records not previously authorized for disposal or reduce the retention period of records already authorized for disposal. NARA invites public comments on such records schedules, as required by 44 U.S.C. 3303a(a).

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 158 (Tuesday, August 16, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54606-54608]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-19456]


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NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION

[NARA-2016-045]


Records Schedules; Availability and Request for Comments

AGENCY: National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).

ACTION: Notice of availability of proposed records schedules; request 
for comments.

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SUMMARY: The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) 
publishes notice at least once monthly of certain Federal agency 
requests for records disposition authority (records schedules). Once 
approved by NARA, records schedules provide mandatory instructions on 
what happens to records when agencies no longer need them for current 
Government business. The records schedules authorize agencies to 
preserve records of continuing value in the National Archives of the 
United States and to destroy, after a specified period, records lacking 
administrative, legal, research, or other value. NARA publishes notice 
in the Federal Register for records schedules in which agencies propose 
to destroy records not previously authorized for disposal or reduce the 
retention period of records already authorized for disposal. NARA 
invites public comments on such records schedules, as required by 44 
U.S.C. 3303a(a).

DATES: NARA must receive requests for copies in writing by September 
15, 2016. Once NARA finishes appraising the records, we will send you a 
copy of the schedule you requested. We usually prepare appraisal 
memoranda that contain additional information concerning the records 
covered by a proposed schedule. You may also request these. If you do, 
we will also provide them once we have completed the appraisal. You 
have 30 days after we send to you these requested documents in which to 
submit comments.

ADDRESSES: You may request a copy of any records schedule identified in 
this notice by contacting Records Appraisal and Agency Assistance 
(ACRA) using one of the following means:
    Mail: NARA (ACRA); 8601 Adelphi Road; College Park, MD 20740-6001.
    Email: [email protected].
    FAX: 301-837-3698.
    You must cite the control number, which appears in parentheses 
after the name of the agency that submitted the schedule, and a mailing 
address. If you would like an appraisal report, please include that in 
your request.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Margaret Hawkins, Director, by mail at 
Records Appraisal and Agency Assistance (ACRA); National Archives and 
Records Administration; 8601 Adelphi Road; College Park, MD 20740-6001, 
by phone at 301-837-1799, or by email at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Each year, Federal agencies create billions 
of records on paper, film, magnetic tape, and other media. To control 
this accumulation, agency records managers prepare schedules proposing 
records retention periods and submit these schedules for NARA's 
approval. These schedules provide for timely transfer into the National 
Archives of historically valuable records and authorize the agency to 
dispose of all other records after the agency no longer needs them to 
conduct its business. Some schedules are comprehensive and cover all 
the records of an agency or one of its major subdivisions. Most 
schedules, however, cover records of only one office or program or a 
few series of records. Many of these update previously approved 
schedules, and some include records proposed as permanent.
    The schedules listed in this notice are media neutral unless 
otherwise specified. An item in a schedule is media neutral when an 
agency may apply the disposition instructions to records regardless of 
the medium in which it creates or maintains the records. Items included 
in schedules submitted to NARA on or after December 17, 2007, are media 
neutral unless the item is expressly limited to a specific medium. (See 
36 CFR 1225.12(e).)

[[Page 54607]]

    Agencies may not destroy Federal records without Archivist of the 
United States' approval. The Archivist approves destruction only after 
thoroughly considering the records' administrative use by the agency of 
origin, the rights of the Government and of private people directly 
affected by the Government's activities, and whether or not the records 
have historical or other value.
    In addition to identifying the Federal agencies and any 
subdivisions requesting disposition authority, this notice lists the 
organizational unit(s) accumulating the records (or notes that the 
schedule has agency-wide applicability when schedules cover records 
that may be accumulated throughout an agency); provides the control 
number assigned to each schedule, the total number of schedule items, 
and the number of temporary items (the records proposed for 
destruction); and includes a brief description of the temporary 
records. The records schedule itself contains a full description of the 
records at the file unit level as well as their disposition. If NARA 
staff has prepared an appraisal memorandum for the schedule, it also 
includes information about the records. You may request additional 
information about the disposition process at the addresses above.

Schedules Pending

    1. Department of Agriculture, Farm Service Agency (DAA-0145-2016-
0005, 1 item, 1 temporary item). Rural environmental program case 
files, including agreements, payment documents, contracts, and 
correspondence.
    2. Department of the Army, Agency-wide (DAA-AU-2016-0009, 1 item, 1 
temporary item). Master files of an electronic information system 
containing records related to parts used for equipment maintenance 
purposes.
    3. Department of Defense, Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DAA-
0374-2014-0002, 1 item, 1 temporary item). Records related to a force 
protection program including briefing documents, security reports, 
security plans, standard operating procedures, and related documents.
    4. Department of Energy, Agency-wide (DAA-0434-2016-0008, 1 item, 1 
temporary item). Master files of an electronic information system that 
contains records related to the ombudsman program including case file 
information, administrative issues raised, and services provided.
    5. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for 
Children and Families (DAA-0292-2016-0012, 26 items, 19 temporary 
items). Program records of the Office of Refugee Resettlement, 
including case files, program analysis files, regulation development 
files, and monitoring and periodic reports. Proposed for permanent 
retention are annual and special reports to Congress, Congressional 
testimony background materials, policy precedent files, master files of 
an electronic information system used to compile statistics and reports 
on the refugee resettlement program, guidance and instructional 
records, and formal program reviews.
    6. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for 
Children and Families (DAA-0292-2016-0013, 2 items, 2 temporary items). 
Records related to Web site content and Web site administrative 
policies and procedures.
    7. Department of Health and Human Services, Agency for Healthcare 
Research and Quality (DAA-0510-2016-0001, 3 items, 3 temporary items). 
Administrative records of the Patient Safety Organization Program 
including certifications, correspondence, final reports, forms, 
letters, notes, and research and analysis files.
    8. Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security 
Administration (DAA-0560-2016-0002, 1 item, 1 temporary item). 
Checkpoint sign-in logs for individuals authorized for specialized 
screening.
    9. Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security 
Administration (DAA-0560-2016-0003, 1 item, 1 temporary item). 
Financial and administrative records relating to reimbursement for 
services at airports provided by local law enforcement agencies.
    10. Department of Homeland Security, United States Citizenship and 
Immigration Services (DAA-0566-2016-0014, 3 items, 3 temporary items). 
Master files of electronic information systems used to generate 
official form letters related to the processing of applications, 
petitions, and requests for immigration benefits.
    11. Department of Justice, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, 
and Explosives (DAA-0436-2016-0002, 1 item, 1 temporary item). Marking 
variances used to determine origin and identification of firearms.
    12. Department of Justice, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, 
and Explosives (DAA-0436-2016-0003, 2 items, 2 temporary items). 
Routine industry correspondence and reference correspondence files of 
the Office of Enforcement Programs and Services.
    13. Department of Justice, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, 
and Explosives (DAA-0436-2016-0004, 1 item, 1 temporary item). Reports 
prepared on examination and technical analysis of criminal evidence.
    14. Department of the Navy, Agency-wide (DAA-NU-2015-0012, 15 
items, 13 temporary items). Records related to civilian personnel 
management including training materials, personnel injury reports, 
personnel security files, overseas allowances, and training records. 
Proposed for permanent retention are policy and planning records and 
departmental civilian awards files.
    15. Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service (DAA-0058-
2016-0013, 1 item, 1 temporary item). Master files of an electronic 
information system used to identify foreign corporate non-filers of 
income tax returns.
    16. Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service (DAA-0058-
2016-0017, 1 item, 1 temporary item). Content and management records of 
a Web site used to facilitate internal communications.
    17. General Services Administration, Agency-wide (DAA-0269-2016-
0003, 5 items, 4 temporary items). Records accumulated while 
controlling and monitoring the resolution and implementation of 
external agency audit reports. Proposed for permanent retention are 
reports made to external agencies.
    18. General Services Administration, Agency-wide (DAA-0269-2016-
0004, 5 items, 2 temporary items). Investigative case files and related 
records of contractors or potential contractors for in regard to 
suspension from contracting with the Federal government. Proposed for 
permanent retention are estimates, justifications, and reports of the 
annual budget.
    19. General Services Administration, Civilian Board of Contract 
Appeals (DAA-0269-2016-0002, 3 items, 3 temporary items). Contracting 
appeals and claims case files, and alternative dispute resolution 
records.
    20. General Services Administration, Office of General Counsel 
(DAA-0269-2016-0001, 6 items, 4 temporary items). Program management 
records, litigation case files, and records relating to real property, 
ethics and financial disclosure, and legal assistance. Proposed for 
permanent retention are official opinions, significant litigation case 
files, and real property acquisition and ownership records.
    21. National Archives and Records Administration, Government-wide 
(DAA-GRS-2016-0007, 2 items, 2 temporary items). General Records 
Schedule for phased retirement program administrative and individual 
case records.

[[Page 54608]]

    22. Peace Corps, Office of Global Operations (DAA-0490-2016-0001, 7 
items, 4 temporary items). Records of the Office of Overseas 
Programming and Training Support including routine training materials 
and certifications, copyright agreements, and general information on 
volunteer activities. Proposed for permanent retention are history 
files and records related to mission policy and training.

Laurence Brewer,
Chief Records Officer for the U.S. Government.
[FR Doc. 2016-19456 Filed 8-15-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7515-01-P