82 FR 22966 - Agency Information Collection: Proposed Collection; Comments Request Study of Third Party Processor Services, Fees, and Business Practices
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food and Nutrition Service Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 96 (May 19, 2017)
Food and Nutrition Service
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 96 (May 19, 2017)
| Page Range | 22966-22969 | |
| FR Document | 2017-10112 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 96 (Friday, May 19, 2017)] [Notices] [Pages 22966-22969] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-10112] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Food and Nutrition Service Agency Information Collection: Proposed Collection; Comments Request Study of Third Party Processor Services, Fees, and Business Practices AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) invites public comment on a proposed collection of information that the USDA is developing for submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The goal of the study is to understand the business practices of Third Party Processors (TPPs) and independent sales organizations (ISOs) that provide Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) processing services and equipment to authorized retailers participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). DATES: Comments regarding this proposed information collection must be received on or before July 18, 2017. ADDRESSES: Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate [[Page 22967]] of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions 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 respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Written comments may be sent to Rosemarie Downer, Food and Nutrition Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 1014, Alexandria, VA 22302. Comments may also be submitted via email to Rosemarie Downer at [email protected] or by fax to the attention of Rosemarie Downer at (703) 305-2576. Alternatively, comments will be accepted through the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the online instructions for submitting comments electronically. All written comments will be open for public inspection at the Office of Food and Nutrition Service during regular business hours (8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday) at 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 1014, Alexandria, Virginia 22302. All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for Office of Management and Budget approval. All comments will be a matter of public record. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or copies of information collection instruments and instructions should be directed to Rosemarie Downer at (703) 305-2129 or [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Study of Third Party Processor Services, Fees, and Business Practices. OMB Number: 0584--NEW. Expiration Date: Not yet determined. Type of Request: New collection. Abstract: This study seeks to understand the business practices of TPPs and ISOs that provide EBT processing services and equipment to SNAP retailers to (1) assess retailers' satisfaction with EBT products and services needed to participate in the SNAP program; and (2) develop a set of best practices to inform FNS's guidance for retailers on what to consider when selecting, contracting with, and working with EBT vendors (TPPs and ISOs). The study results will also provide FNS with the information needed to inform future FNS policies regarding requirements for vendors providing EBT equipment and services to authorized retailers and TPP services-related guidance for retailers. The study relies on two data sources: (1) A survey of SNAP retailers regarding their business relations with EBT vendors as well as satisfaction with the equipment and services acquired, and (2) interviews with TPPs and ISOs about their business practices with SNAP retailers, products and services, including costs and recommendations for retailers seeking to acquire EBT products and services. SNAP Retailer Satisfaction Survey: The survey will use a nationally representative sample of SNAP retailers, stratified by retail sales levels and urban/rural locations. The survey sample will include non- exempt retailers \1\ that must pay 100% of the cost for EBT equipment and services. The retailer survey sample will exclude retailers that operate in Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ Retailers that are not exempt from the 2014 Farm Bill mandate and must pay 100% for EBT equipment and services includes Convenience Stores, Combination Grocery/Other, Super Store, Supermarket, Smaller Grocery Store, Medium Grocery Store, Large Grocery Store, Meat/Poultry Specialty, Bakery Specialty, Seafood Specialty, and Fruits/Vegetables Specialty. Retailers that are exempt from the 2014 Farm Bill mandate may continue to qualify for free EBT equipment and services until further notice. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- An invitation to participate in the national survey will be mailed to sampled retailers. The target audience for this survey will be store managers or operations managers. Participants will have the option to respond either online or through an interactive voice response system. Participants who do not start the survey after 10 business days, will receive a mail reminder. The study will follow up with non-respondents via telephone 10 business days after the reminder mail drop. Telephone follow-ups will include five attempts to each number in the sample at different times of the day and days of the week. TPP and ISO Telephone Interviews: Telephone interviews with TPPs and ISOs will follow a telephone interview protocol. Participants will receive an interview guide and an invitation letter describing the purpose of the study and how the data will be used. As the number and identity of TPPs and ISOs is not known, the study will use a snowball sampling approach to identify interviewees. Snowball sampling operates as a participant recruitment method in which research participants are asked to assist in identifying other potential respondents. Preliminary research estimates that there are 5 to 10 TPPs and 50 to 55 ISOs supporting the EBT market. Affected Public: The study will include three respondent groups: Non-exempt SNAP retailers, TPPs and ISOs in the EBT products and services market. Estimated number of respondents: 1,500 SNAP retailers and up to 55 TPPs and ISOs. Estimated Frequency of Response per Respondent: This is a one-time data collection for each respondent. Estimated Time per Response: The completed SNAP Retailer Survey response burden is estimated at 15 minutes per respondent. Each TPP or ISO interview is estimated to take a total of 1 hour and 30 minutes. Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: The total public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated at 415 hours and approximately 1,565 responses. Table 1 below details the estimated burden for each type of respondent. [[Page 22968]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN19MY17.008 [[Page 22969]] Dated: April 24, 2017. Jessica Shahin, Acting Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service. [FR Doc. 2017-10112 Filed 5-18-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-30-P
![22966 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 96 / Friday, May 19, 2017 / Notices
reimbursement by the program, and promoted by the applicant for the year 3. Reporting: FAS requires various
there are limits on other categories of 2018 compared to the applicant’s reports and evaluations from MAP
expenses. CCC also will not reimburse requested funding level. Participants. Reporting requirements are
unreasonable expenditures or (d) Accuracy of Past U.S. Export detailed in §§ 1485.22 and 1485.23 of
expenditures made prior to approval. Projections (15): The actual dollar value the MAP regulations.
Full details are available in the MAP share of U.S. exports of the commodities
being promoted by the applicant for the G. Agency Contact(s)
regulations in § 1485.17.
year 2016 as reported in the 2018 MAP For additional information and
E. Application Review Information application compared to the projection assistance, contact the Program
1. Criteria and Review Process: A of U.S. exports for 2016 as specified in Operations Division, Office of Trade
description of the FAS process for the 2016 MAP application. Programs, Foreign Agricultural Service,
reviewing applications and the criteria The Commodity Branches’ U.S. Department of Agriculture by
for allocating available MAP funds is as recommended funding levels for each courier: Room 6512, 1400 Independence
follows: applicant are adjusted by each weight Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20250, or by
factor as described above to determine phone: (202) 720–4327, or by fax: (202)
(1) Phase 1—Sufficiency Review and the amount of funds allocated to each 720–9361, or by email: uesadmin@
FAS Divisional Review applicant. fas.usda.gov.
Applications received by the closing In addition, FAS, prior to making a
Signed at Washington, DC, on the 12th of
date will be reviewed by FAS to Federal award with a total amount of May, 2017.
determine the eligibility of the Federal share greater than the simplified
Holly Higgins,
applicants and the completeness of the acquisition threshold, is required to
applications. These requirements appear review and consider any information Acting Administrator, Foreign Agricultural
Service, and Acting Vice President,
in §§ 1485.12 and 1485.13 of the MAP about the applicant that is in the
Commodity Credit Corporation.
regulations. Applications that meet the designated integrity and performance
[FR Doc. 2017–10107 Filed 5–18–17; 8:45 am]
requirements will then be further system accessible through SAM
BILLING CODE 3410–10–P
evaluated by the appropriate (currently FAPIIS) (see 41 U.S.C. 2313).
Commodity Branch office of FAS’ An applicant, at its option, may review
Cooperator Programs Division. The information in the designated integrity
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Commodity Branches will review each and performance systems accessible
application against the criteria listed in through SAM and comment on any Food and Nutrition Service
§ 1485.14(b) and (c) of the MAP information about itself that a Federal
regulations as well as in this Notice. The awarding agency previously entered and Agency Information Collection:
purpose of this review is to identify is currently in the designated integrity Proposed Collection; Comments
meritorious proposals and to and performance system accessible Request Study of Third Party
recommend an appropriate funding through SAM. FAS will consider any Processor Services, Fees, and
level for each application based upon comments by the applicant, in addition Business Practices
these criteria. to the other information in the
designated integrity and performance AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service,
(2) Phase 2—Competitive Review system, in making a judgment about the USDA.
Meritorious applications then will be applicant’s integrity, business ethics, ACTION: Notice and request for
passed on to the Office of the Deputy and record of performance under comments.
Administrator, Office of Trade Federal awards when completing the SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of
Programs, for the purpose of allocating review of risk posed by applicants as Agriculture (USDA) invites public
available funds among the applicants. described in 2 CFR 200.205 ‘‘Federal comment on a proposed collection of
Applicants will compete for funds on awarding agency review of risk posed by information that the USDA is
the basis of the following allocation applicants.’’ developing for submission to the Office
criteria as applicable (the number in 2. Anticipated Announcement Date:
of Management and Budget (OMB) in
parentheses represents the percentage Announcements of funding decisions
accordance with the Paperwork
weight factor): for the MAP are anticipated during
(a) Applicant’s Contribution Level Reduction Act of 1995. The goal of the
October 2017.
(40): The applicant’s 4-year average study is to understand the business
share (2015–2018) of all contributions F. Award Administration Information practices of Third Party Processors
under the MAP compared to the 1. Award Notices: FAS will notify (TPPs) and independent sales
applicant’s 4-year average share (2015– each applicant in writing of the final organizations (ISOs) that provide
2018) of the funding level for all MAP disposition of its application. FAS will Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT)
Participants. send an approval letter and program processing services and equipment to
(b) Past U.S. Export Performance (30): agreement to each approved applicant. authorized retailers participating in the
The 3-year average share (2014–2016) of The approval letter and program Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
the value of U.S. exports promoted by agreement will specify the terms and Program (SNAP).
the applicant compared to the conditions applicable to the project, DATES: Comments regarding this
applicant’s 2-year average share (2016– including the levels of MAP funding proposed information collection must
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
2017) of the funding level for all MAP and cost-share contribution be received on or before July 18, 2017.
Participants plus, for those groups requirements. ADDRESSES: Comments are invited on:
participating in the Cooperator program, 2. Administrative and National Policy (a) Whether the proposed collection of
the 2-year average share (2016–2017) of Requirements: Interested parties should information is necessary for the proper
all Cooperator program budgets. review the MAP regulations, which are performance of the functions of the
(c) Projected U.S. Export Goals (15): available at the following URL address: agency, including whether the
The total dollar value of projected U.S. http://www.fas.usda.gov/programs/ information shall have practical utility;
exports of the commodities being market-access-program-map. (b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate
VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:15 May 18, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\19MYN1.SGM 19MYN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/82_FR_23062/page/1.svg)
![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 96 / Friday, May 19, 2017 / Notices 22969
Dated: April 24, 2017. proceedings by first calling the Federal June 5, 2017. The Board advises the
Jessica Shahin, Relay Service at 1–800–977–8339 and Secretary of Commerce on matters
Acting Administrator, Food and Nutrition providing the Service with the relating to the U.S. travel and tourism
Service. conference call number and conference industry. The purpose of the meeting is
[FR Doc. 2017–10112 Filed 5–18–17; 8:45 am] ID number. for Board members to discuss and
BILLING CODE 3410–30–P Members of the public are also deliberate on recommendations being
entitled to submit written comments; developed by the four TTAB Working
the comments must be received in the Groups related to the importance of
COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS regional office within 30 days following international travel and tourism to the
the meeting. Written comments may be United States. The final agenda will be
Notice of Public Meeting of the mailed to the Regional Programs Unit posted on the Department of Commerce
Minnesota Advisory Committee To Office, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, Web site for the Board at http://
Review and Discuss Testimony 55 W. Monroe St., Suite 410, Chicago, trade.gov/ttab at least one week in
Regarding Civil Rights and Policing IL 60615. They may also be faxed to the advance of the meeting.
Practices in Minnesota Commission at (312) 353–8324, or DATES: Monday, June 5, 2017, 10:30
emailed to Carolyn Allen at a.m.–12 p.m. EDT. The deadline for
AGENCY: U.S. Commission on Civil callen@usccr.gov. Persons who desire members of the public to register,
Rights. additional information may contact the including requests to make comments
ACTION: Announcement of meeting. Regional Programs Unit at (312) 353– during the meeting and for auxiliary
8311. aids, or to submit written comments for
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given, Records generated from this meeting dissemination prior to the meeting, is 5
pursuant to the provisions of the rules may be inspected and reproduced at the p.m. EDT on Monday, May 29, 2017.
and regulations of the U.S. Commission Regional Programs Unit Office, as they ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in
on Civil Rights (Commission) and the become available, both before and after
Federal Advisory Committee Act that Washington, DC. The exact location will
the meeting. Records of the meeting will be provided by email to registrants.
the Minnesota Advisory Committee be available via www.facadatabase.gov Requests to register (including to
(Committee) will hold a meeting on under the Commission on Civil Rights, speak or for auxiliary aids) and any
Monday, June 05, 2017, at 12:00 p.m. Minnesota Advisory Committee link written comments should be submitted
CST for the purpose of reviewing and (http://www.facadatabase.gov/ to: National Travel and Tourism Office,
discussing public testimony regarding committee/meetings.aspx?cid=256). U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401
civil rights and policing practices in Click on ‘‘meeting details’’ and then Constitution Ave. NW., Room 10003,
Minnesota. ‘‘documents’’ to download. Persons Washington, DC 20230 or by email to
The meeting will be held on
DATES: interested in the work of this Committee TTAB@trade.gov. Members of the public
Monday, June 05, 2017, at 12:00 p.m. are directed to the Commission’s Web are encouraged to submit registration
CST. site, http://www.usccr.gov, or may requests and written comments via
contact the Regional Programs Unit at email to ensure timely receipt.
ADDRESSES: Public call information:
the above email or street address. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dial: 888–339–3466, Conference ID:
9169652. Agenda Brian Beall, the United States Travel
and Tourism Advisory Board, National
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Welcome and Roll Call
Discussion of Testimony: Civil Rights Travel and Tourism Office, U.S.
Melissa Wojnaroski, DFO, at Department of Commerce, 1401
mwojnaroski@usccr.gov or 312–353– and Policing Practices in Minnesota
Public Comment Constitution Ave. NW., Room 10003,
8311. Washington, DC 20230; telephone: 202–
Future Plans and Actions
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Members Adjournment 482–5634; email: TTAB@trade.gov.
of the public can listen to the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Dated: May 15, 2017.
discussion. This meeting is available to Background: The Board advises the
the public through the following toll- David Mussatt,
Secretary of Commerce on matters
free call-in number: 888–339–3466, Supervisory Chief, Regional Programs Unit. relating to the U.S. travel and tourism
conference ID: 9169652. Any interested [FR Doc. 2017–10114 Filed 5–18–17; 8:45 am] industry.
member of the public may call this BILLING CODE P Public Participation: The meeting will
number and listen to the meeting. An be open to the public and will be
open comment period will be provided accessible to people with disabilities.
to allow members of the public to make DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Any member of the public requesting to
a statement as time allows. The join the meeting is asked to register in
conference call operator will ask callers International Trade Administration advance by the deadline identified
to identify themselves, the organization under the DATES caption. Requests for
they are affiliated with (if any), and an United States Travel and Tourism auxiliary aids must be submitted by the
email address prior to placing callers Advisory Board: Meeting of the United registration deadline. Last minute
into the conference room. Callers can States Travel and Tourism Advisory requests will be accepted, but may not
expect to incur regular charges for calls Board be possible to fill. There will be fifteen
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
they initiate over wireless lines, AGENCY: International Trade (15) minutes allotted for oral comments
according to their wireless plan. The Administration, U.S. Department of from members of the public joining the
Commission will not refund any Commerce. meeting. To accommodate as many
incurred charges. Callers will incur no ACTION: Notice of an open meeting. speakers as possible, the time for public
charge for calls they initiate over land- comments may be limited to three (3)
line connections to the toll-free SUMMARY: The United States Travel and minutes per person. Members of the
telephone number. Persons with hearing Tourism Advisory Board (Board or public wishing to reserve speaking time
impairments may also follow the TTAB) will hold a meeting on Monday, during the meeting must submit a
VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:15 May 18, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\19MYN1.SGM 19MYN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/82_FR_23062/page/4.svg)
Document Created: 2018-11-08 08:47:35
Document Modified: 2018-11-08 08:47:35
| 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 | Comments regarding this proposed information collection must be received on or before July 18, 2017. | |
| Contact | Requests for additional information or copies of information collection instruments and instructions should be directed to Rosemarie Downer at (703) 305-2129 or [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 22966 |
2025 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR