Federal Register: May 1, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 83)
DOCID: fr01my09-14 FR Doc E9-10010
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
NOTICE: NOTICES
DOCID: fr01my09-14
DOCUMENT ACTION: Notice.
SUBJECT CATEGORY:
Information Collection; Request for Comments; Advertised Timber for Sale
DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before June 30, 2009 to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date will be considered to the extent practicable.
DOCUMENT SUMMARY:
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on the revision with changes of the currently approved information collection 05960066 Advertised Timber for Sale.
SUMMARY:
Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Title: Advertised Timber for Sale
OMB Number: 05960066.
Expiration Date of Approval: November 30, 2009.
Type of Request: Extension with revision.
Abstract: Pursuant to statutory requirements at 16 U.S.C. 472a, unless extraordinary conditions exist as defined by regulation, the Secretary of Agriculture must: (1) Advertise sales of all National Forest System timber or forest products exceeding $10,000 in appraised value; (2) select bidding methods that ensure open and fair competition; (3) select bidding methods that ensure that the Federal Government receives not less than appraised value of the timber or forest product; and (4) monitor bidding patterns for evidence of unlawful bidding practices.
Pursuant to the Forest Service Small Business Timber Sale SetAside Program, developed in cooperation with the Small Business
Administration, Forest Service regulations at Title 36 of the Code of
Federal Regulations, Sec. 223.84 require that the Forest Service bid
form used by potential timber sale bidders include provisions for small
business concerns. The data collected will be used by the agency to
ensure that National Forest System timber will be sold at not less than
appraised value, that bidders will meet specific criteria when
submitting a bid, and that antitrust violations will not occur during the bidding process.
The tax identification number of each bidder is entered into an automated bid monitoring system, which is used to determine if speculative bidding or unlawful bidding practices are occurring and is required to process electronic payments to the purchaser.
Respondents will be bidders on National Forest System timber sales. Forest Service sale officers will mail bid forms to potential bidders, and bidders will return the completed forms, dated and signed, to the Forest Service sale officer.
The data gathered in this information collection are not available from other sources.
Forms Associated With This Information Collection
FS240042aNational Forest Timber and Forest Products for Sale (Advertisement and ShortForm Bid): This form will be used for soliciting and receiving bids on shortnotice timber sales advertised for less than 30 days for less than $10,000 in advertised value. Respondents are bidders on National Forest System timber sales.
FS240014Bid for Advertised Timber (3 form versions: FS2400 14UR Unit Rate Bidding; FS240014WAWeighted Average Bidding; FS 240014TVTotal Value Bidding): These forms implement the same statutes, policies, and regulations and collect similar information from the same applicants. Respondents are bidders on National Forest System timber and forest product sales.
FS240014BVBid For Integrated Resource Contract (2 form versions: FS240014BVBest Value, Total Value Bidding; FS2400 14BVUBest Value, Unit Rate Bidding): These forms will be used for soliciting and receiving bids on contracts advertised for 30 days or longer and on contracts greater than $10,000 in advertised value.
Forms showing changes to the May 2006 versions currently in use can
be viewed on the World Wide Web/Internet site at: http://www.fs.fed.us/
forestmanagement/infocenter and in the Office of the Director, Forest
Management, Third Floor, Southwest Wing, Yates Building, 201 14th
Street, SW., Washington, DC. Visitors are encouraged to call ahead at 2022051496 to facilitate entry into the building.
[[Page 20276]]
Item FS240042a FS 240014 FS240014BV
Estimate of Annual Burden........... 3.0 hours.............. 14.4 hours............. 34.4 hours.
==========================
Type of Respondents................. Individuals, large and small businesses, and corporations bidding on
National Forest timber sales and Integrated Resource Contracts.
==========================
Estimated Annual Number of 445.................... 825.................... 200. Respondents.
Estimated Number of Responses per 1.8.................... 3.9.................... 1.2. Respondent.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on 2,400 hours............ 46,332 hours........... 8,256 hours. Respondents.
Comment Is Invited
Comment is invited on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the stated purposes or the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical or scientific utility; (2) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (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 the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
All comments received in response to this notice, including name
and address when provided, will be summarized and included in the
request for Office of Management and Budget approval. All comments also will become a matter of public record.
Dated: April 21, 2009.
Gloria Manning,
Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. E910010 Filed 43009; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 341011P
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Lathrop Smith, Forest Management Staff, at 2022050858. Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1800 8778339, 24 hours a day, every day of the year, including holidays.