[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 247 (Thursday, December 26, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70982-70983]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-27819]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Indian Health Service
Request for Public Comment: 60 Day Information Collection: Indian
Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act Contracts
AGENCY: Indian Health Service, HHS.
ACTION: Notice and request for comments. Request for extension of
approval.
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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the
Indian Health Service (IHS) invites the general public to comment on
the information collection titled, ``Indian Self-Determination and
Education Assistance Act Contracts,'' Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) Control Number 0917-0037. IHS is requesting OMB to approve an
extension for this collection, which expires on February 29, 2020.
DATES: Comment Due Date: February 24, 2020. Your comments regarding
this information collection are best assured of having full effect if
received within 60 days of the date of this publication.
ADDRESSES: Send your written comments, requests for more information on
the collection, or requests to obtain a copy of the data collection
instrument and instructions to Captain Kelly Battese by one of the
following methods:
Mail: Captain Kelly Battese, Acting Director, IHS Office
of Direct Service and Contracting Tribes (ODSCT), Indian Health
Service, 5600 Fishers Lane, Mail Stop O8E17C, Rockville, MD 20857.
Phone: 301-443-1104.
Email: [email protected].
Fax: 301-480-3192.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This previously approved information
collection project was last published in the Federal Register (81 FR
24108). No public comment was received in response to the notice. The
purpose of this notice is to allow 60 days for public comment. A copy
of the supporting statement is available at www.regulations.gov (see
Docket ID IHS-2016-0003).
I. Abstract
Representatives of the IHS seek renewal of the approval for
information collections conducted under 25 CFR part 900, implementing
the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA), as
amended (25 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.), which describes how contracts are
awarded to Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations. The rule at 25 CFR
part 900 was developed through negotiated rulemaking with Tribes in
1996 and governs, among other things, what must be included in a
Tribe's initial ISDEAA contract
[[Page 70983]]
proposal to IHS. In at least some instances, the information collected
under 25 CFR part 900 is required to obtain and/or retain a benefit.
The information requirements for this rule represent significant
differences from other agencies in several respects. Under the Act, the
Secretary of Health and Human Services is directed to enter into self-
determination contracts with Tribes or eligible Tribal Organizations
upon request, unless specific declination criteria apply, and,
generally, contractors may renew these contracts annually, whereas
other agencies provide grants on a discretionary or competitive basis.
Additionally, IHS awards contracts for multiple programs whereas other
agencies usually award single grants to Tribes.
The IHS uses the information collected to determine applicant
eligibility, evaluate applicant capabilities, protect the service
population, safeguard Federal funds and other resources, and permit the
Federal agency to administer and evaluate contract programs. Tribal
Governments or Tribal Organizations provide the information by
submitting contract proposals, and related information, to the IHS, as
required under Public Law 93-638. No third party notification or public
disclosure burden is associated with this collection.
II. Request for Comments
The IHS requests your comments on this collection concerning: (a)
The necessity of this information collection 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 (hours and cost) of the collection of information, including
the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways we could
enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be
collected; and (d) ways we could minimize the burden of the collection
of the information on the respondents.
Please note that an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and an
individual need not respond to, a collection of information unless it
displays a valid OMB Control Number.
It is our policy to make all comments available to the public for
review at the location listed in the ADDRESSES section. Before
including your address, phone number, email address or other personally
identifiable 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 can 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.
III. Data
OMB Control Number: 0917-0037.
Title: Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act
Contracts, 25 CFR part 900.
Brief Description of Collection: An Indian Tribe or Tribal
Organization is required to submit certain information when it proposes
to contract with the IHS under the ISDEAA. Each response may vary in
its length. In addition, each Subpart of 25 CFR part 900 concerns
different parts of the contracting process. For example, Subpart C
relates to provisions of the contents for the initial contract
proposal. The respondents do not incur the burden associated with
Subpart C when contracts are renewed. Subpart F describes minimum
standards for management systems used by Indian Tribes or Tribal
Organizations under these contracts. Subpart G addresses the
negotiability of all reporting and data requirements in the contracts.
Responses are required to obtain or retain a benefit.
Type of Review: Extension of currently approved collection.
Respondents: Federally recognized Indian Tribes and Tribal
Organizations.
Number of Respondents: 275 Title I contractors.
Estimated Number of Responses: On average, IHS receives 10
proposals for new or expanded Title I agreements each fiscal year, plus
there are 265 existing Title I contracts and associated annual funding
agreements, which must be negotiated each year = 275 responses.
Estimated Time per Response: Average of 70 hours for the new/
expanded; average of 35 hours for the existing.
Frequency of Response: Each time programs, functions, services or
activities are contracted from the IHS under the ISDEAA.
Estimated Total Annual Hour Burden: 700 [70 x 10] for new/expanded
+ 9,275 [35 x 265] for existing = 9,975.
Chris Buchanan,
Assistant Surgeon General, USPHS, Deputy Director, Indian Health
Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-27819 Filed 12-23-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4165-16-P