These collections are necessary for the award and administration of discretionary and formula grants. The collections specific to ED forms are part of the reinvented process ED uses for awarding multi-year discretionary grants. The new process substantially increases flexibility of the grant process by enabling all years of multi-year budgets to be negotiated at the time of initial award (ED form 524) and to submit only performance report (ED form 524-B) instead of an entire noncompeting continuation (NCC) package to receive NCC funding. This clearance also includes Governmentwide common rules.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.