Proposed Information Collection Activity: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

AGENCY:

Center for Veterans Enterprise, Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Center for Veterans Enterprise (CVE), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension of a currently approved collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits comments for information needed to identify veteran-owned businesses.

DATES:

Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection of information should be received on or before November 5, 2007.

ADDRESSES:

Submit written comments on the collection of information through http://www.Regulations.gov;; or Gail Wegner (00VE), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420 or e-mail: gail.wegner@va.gov. Please refer to “OMB Control No. 2900-0675” in any correspondence. During the comment period, comments may be viewed online through the Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) at http://www.Regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Gail Wegner at (202) 303-3296 or FAX (202) 254-0238.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Under the PRA of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13; 44 U.S.C. 3501-3521), Federal agencies must obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of information they conduct or sponsor. This request for comment is being made pursuant to section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA.

With respect to the following collection of information, CVE invites comments on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of CVE's functions, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of CVE's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or the use of other forms of information technology.

Title: VetBiz Vendor Information Pages and VA Form 0877.

OMB Control Number: 2900-0675.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Abstract: The Vendor Information Pages (VIP) will be used to assist federal agencies in identifying small businesses owned and controlled by veterans and service-connected disabled veterans. This information is necessary to ensure that veteran-owned businesses are given the opportunity to participate in Federal contracts and receive contract solicitations information automatically. VA will use the data collected on VA Form 0877 to verify small businesses as veteran-owned or service-disabled veteran-owned.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit, and Individuals or households.

Estimated Annual Burden: 5,000 hours.

Estimated Average Burden Per Respondent:

 VetBiz Vendor Information Pages—20 minutes.

 VA Form 0877—5 minutes.

Frequency of Response: On occasion.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 12,000.