Notice2024-06420
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program
Primary source
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Published
March 26, 2024
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Telecommunications and Information Administration
Abstract
The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed and continuing information collections, which help us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 59 (Tuesday, March 26, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 59 (Tuesday, March 26, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20949-20950]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-06420]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Telecommunications and Information Administration
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment
Request; Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program
AGENCY: National Telecommunications and Information Administration
(NTIA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of information collection, request for comment.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the
[[Page 20950]]
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and
other Federal agencies to comment on proposed and continuing
information collections, which help us assess the impact of our
information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting
burden. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public
comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.
DATES: To ensure consideration, comments regarding this proposed
information collection must be received on or before May 28, 2024.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments by
mail to Arica Cox, Telecommunications Policy Analyst, Grants Management
and Compliance, Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth, National
Telecommunications and Information Administration, U.S. Department of
Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Room 4826, Washington, DC 20230,
or by email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#395b4b56585d5b58575d4c4a5879574d5058175e564f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="99fbebf6f8fdfbf8f7fdeceaf8d9f7edf0f8b7fef6ef">[email protected]</span></a>. Please reference ``Digital Equity
Competitive Application Forms Comment'' in the subject line of your
comments. Do not submit Confidential Business Information or otherwise
sensitive or protected information.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or
specific questions related to collection activities should be directed
to Arica Cox, Telecommunications Policy Analyst, Grants Management and
Compliance, via telephone at (202) 482-2048, or via email at
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a0c1c3cfd8e0ced4c9c18ec7cfd6"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="80e1e3eff8c0eef4e9e1aee7eff6">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, 2021 (Infrastructure
Act or Act), which was adopted on November 15, 2021, and is also known
as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, provided $65 billion of funding
for programs to close the digital divide and ensure that all Americans
have access to affordable, reliable, high-speed internet. NTIA
administers multiple broadband connectivity grant programs funded by
the Act, including the Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program
(``Competitive Grant Program''). The Competitive Grant Program provides
new federal funding for grants to eligible applicants for the purpose
of supporting efforts to achieve digital equity, promoting digital
inclusion activities, and spurring greater adoption of broadband among
covered populations.
NTIA will use the information collected from each applicant to
effectively review the proposed applications and budgets from political
subdivisions, agencies, or instrumentalities of a State; Indian Tribes,
Alaska Native entities, and Native Hawaiian organizations; foundations,
corporations, institutions, and associations that are not-for-profit
entities and not schools; community anchor institutions; local
educational agencies; entities that carry out workforce development
programs; and other eligible entities (or partnerships between such
entities) for the Competitive Grant Program.
II. Method of Collection
NTIA will collect data through both electronic and mail submission.
III. Data
OMB Control Number: 0660-XXXX.
Form Number(s): TBD.
Type of Review: Regular submission for a new information
collection.
Affected Public: Eligible entities applying for Infrastructure Act
Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program funding, including political
subdivisions, agencies, or instrumentalities of a State; Indian Tribes,
Alaska Native entities, and Native Hawaiian organizations; foundations,
corporations, institutions, and associations that are not-for-profit
entities and not schools; community anchor institutions; local
educational agencies; and entities that carry out workforce development
programs; and other eligible entities (or partnerships between such
entities).
Estimated Number of Respondents: 500.
Estimated Time per Response: 14 hours for consortia applicants; 10
hours for individual applicants.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 6,200 hours.
Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $284,816.00.
Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
Legal Authority: Section 60305 of the Infrastructure Investment and
Jobs Act of 2021, Public Law 117-58, 135 Stat. 429 (November 15, 2021).
IV. Request for Comments
We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department/Bureau
to: Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is necessary
for the proper functions of the Department, including whether the
information will have practical utility. 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.
Evaluate ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected. 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.
Sheleen Dumas,
Department PRA Clearance Officer, Office of the Under Secretary for
Economic Affairs, Commerce Department.
[FR Doc. 2024-06420 Filed 3-25-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-60-P
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