SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

This is a request for a new generic clearance to collect data to help to ensure grants, cooperative agreements and other Federal financial assistance programs are awarded to applicants best suited to perform the functions of the awards.

Periodically Commerce solicits grant applications on http://grants.gov by issuing a Funding Opportunity Announcement, Request for Applications, Notice of Funding Announcement, Notice of Solicitation of Applications, Grants.gov announcement, or other funding announcement type. Applicants are generally required to perform two pre-award steps The first part of Commerce grant applications consists of submitting the application form(s), which includes the Standard Form 424, Application for Federal Assistance and may include additional standard grant application forms. The second part of a grant application usually requires a technical proposal demonstrating the applicant's capabilities in accordance with a statement of work or selection criteria and other related information as specified in the funding announcement. Following the grant award, the grant awardee may also be required to provide progress reports or additional documents.

In addition to grants and agreements, there are other types of funding announcements. Commerce agencies announce new Federal financial assistance programs in the Federal Register in a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) or other types of funding or program announcements. Generally, the applicants need to apply for financial assistance under the new program. The agencies generally require application forms and related forms for the applicants to apply for Federal financial assistance.

II. Method of Collection

Program offices may use various methods of collection. This could include web pages, email, mail, Grants.gov or other online data management systems.

III. Data

OMB Control Number: 0690-NEW.

Form Number(s): Varies or None.

Type of Review: Regular submission. This is a new information collection.

Affected Public: Individuals or households; Private Sector; Not-for-profit institutions; State, Local, or Tribal government.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 10,000.

Estimated Time per Response: Varies.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 100,000.

Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary or Mandatory.

IV. Request for Comments

We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department/Bureau to: (a) Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is necessary for the proper functions of the Department, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) 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; (c) Evaluate ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) Minimize the reporting burden on those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of public record. We will include or summarize each comment in our request to OMB to approve this ICR. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment—including your personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you may ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.

89 FR 35057