SuptStmt 10-08

The Supportinq Statement for OMB 0596-0212
Extension of Timber Sales
October 2008
A. Justification
1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary. Iden~
tify any legal or administrative requirements that necessitate the collection. Attach
a copy of the appropriate section of each statute and regulation mandating or
authorizing the collection of information.
Laws, Statutes, and Requlations
¯

Public Law 110-234 (Section 8401), 122 Stat. 93, May 22, 2008 (Farm Bill)

¯

Public Law 110-246 (Section 8401), 122 Stat. 1651, June 18, 2008 (Farm Bill Two)

¯

36 CFR 223.52 - Market-Related Contract Term Addition

¯

FR Notice 78 51388 (proposed changes to 36 CFR 223.52)

Section 8401
On June 18, 2007, Section 8401 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, Pub. L. No.
110-234, 122 Stat. 93 (May 22, 2008) (Farm Bill One) was repealed, and section 8401 of the
Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, Pub. L. No. 110-246, 122 Stat. 1651 (June 18,
2008) (Farm Bill Two) was enacted. Section 8401 (copy attached) is identical in both versions of
the Act.
Section 8401 provides several different relief options for timber sale purchasers due to a drastic
reduction in forest products markets. To obtain any of the relief options, Section 8401 required
a purchaser to provide certain information on or before September 16, 2008. On June 26, 2008,
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) granted emergency approval of the Forest
Service’s request to collect the required information under OMB number 0596-0212. Congress is
currently discussing technical amendments to the Farm Bill, which if adopted could reopen the
need for this information. Therefore, the Agency has included the burden hours for information
requirements resulting from such changes to the Farm Bill, which would be the same as that
approved under the initial clearance granted by OMB and is included in item A.2. below.

Market-Related Contract Term Addition and Substantial Overridin~l Public Interest
The committee notes for section 8401 state "the Managers encourage the Forest Service to
revise the existing regulations within 90 days of enactment of this Act to re~ect provisions of this
section for future market problems. " On September 3, 2008, Federal Register notice 78 FR
51388 was published. The notice included proposed changes to the Market-Related Contract
Term Addition (MRCTA) regulation at Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 223.52.
Upon adoption of the proposed amendments, purchasers seeking to change the producer price
index listed in their contract(s) will be required to provide information identical to that currently
authorized under this information collection (0596-0212). Thus, this renewal request includes
the burden hours that would result from adoption of the proposed changes to 36 CFR 223.52.
In addition, the Agency intends to provide additional time to certain timber sales not covered

The Supportinq Statement for OMB 0596-0212
Extension of Timber Sales
October 2008

by the Farm Bill, based on a determination of Substantial Overriding Public Interest (SOPI).
Purchasers seeking a SOPI extension will be required to provide a waiver of liability including
collection of the same information required for extending sales under the Farm Bill and
authorized under this information collection (0596-0212). Therefore, this renewal request
includes the burden hours resulting from adoption of this policy.
2. Indicate how, by whom, and for what purpose the information is to be used. Except
for a new collection, indicate the actual use the agency has made of the information
received from the current collection.
a. What information will be collected - reported or recorded? (If there are pieces of
information that are especially burdensome in the collection, a specific
explanation should be provided.)
Farm Bill Amendments (anticigated)
Information to be collected upon adoption of technical amendments to the Farm Bill:
¯

FS-2400-70, Contract Cancellation and Release of Liability: This is a detailed contract
cancellation and release of liability form. Information collected on this form:

~ Certification
~ Signature
0 Corporate Seal

Timber sale name
Contract number
Purchaser name
Witness signatures

FS-2400-71, Request for Relief and Release of Liability Statement: One-page form
identifying the relief options requested and including a statement that releases the
United States from all liability associated with approving or denying the options.
Information collected:
~ Rationale for request
~ Signature

Timber sale name
Contract number
Purchaser name

Classification of Volume - Farm Bill (No form): Pursuant to section 8401 ofthe Farm Bill,
purchasers seeking a change in the producer price index used for determining market
related contract term additions and emergency rate re-determinations of the timber sale
contact must identify how much of the contract timber volume will be processed into
softwood lumber, hardwood lumber or wood chip products.
MRTCA and SOPI (36 CFR 223.52~
Upon adoption of the proposed MRCTA regulation (36 CFR 223.52), the Forest Service will
require purchasers seeking a substantial overriding public interest (SOPI) extension for
contracts not included under the Farm Bill, to submit the extension request in writing along
with the appropriate release of liability statement. The Agency has developed two forms for
this purpose, FS-2400-72 and FS-2400-73. The burden hours of these new forms are
included in this renewal request, as are the burden hours for the MRTCA Request for
Producer Price Index Change and request for SOPI extension.

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The Supporting Statement for OMB 0596-0212
Extension of Timber Sales
October 2008

FS-2400-72, Request for Relief and Release of Liability Statement (MRTCA, 36 CFR
223.52(c)(3)): One page form with statement that releases the United States from
liability resulting from relief provided by 36 CFR 223.52(c)(3). Information collected:

Timber sale name
Contract number

0 Purchaser name
0 Signature

FS-2400-73, Request for Producer Price Index Chanqe and Release of Liability Statement
(MRTCA, 36 CFR 223.52(a)(2)): One page form releasing the United States from liability
resulting from relief provided by 36 CFR 223.52(a)(2). Includes written list of products
(by volume) that purchaser intends/expects to produce from timber on subject sale.
Information collected:
Written request for producer
price index change based on
product list (no designated
format).

Timber sale name
Contract number
Purchaser name
Signature
¯

Substantial Overridinq Public Interest (SOPI) extension (No form, submitted with FS2400-72 and FS-2400-73): Written request for extension of timber sale.

b. From whom will the information be collected? If there are different respondent
categories (e,g., loan applicant versus a bank versus an appraiser), each should
be described along with the type of collection activity that applies.
Forest Service officials collect the information from individuals and businesses that purchase
timber via National Forest System timber sale contracts that include a provision for MarketRelated Contract Term Addition.

Table

Information Collected

FS-2400-70 - Contract
Cancellation and Release of
Liability
FS-2400-71 or equivalent Request for Relief and Release
of Liability Statement
Farm Bill Classification of
volume into 3 groups (No form)
SOPI Extension (no form)
FS-2400-72, Request for Relief
and Release of Liability
Statement, 36 CFR 223,52(c)(3)
FS-2400-73, Request for
Producer Price Index Change
and Release of Liability
Statement

Information Provided to:

Information Provided By
(include estimated percentage of total responses
in each category)
Private Sector
State, County,
(Businesses,
or Local
Individuals
farms, nonGovernment
profits)

Timber Contracting Officers

10%

9O%

0

Timber Contracting Officers

10%

9O%

0

Timber Contracting Officers

10%

9O%

Timber Contracting Officers

10%

90%

0
0

Timber Contracting Officers

10%

9O%

0

Timber Contracting Officers

1 O%

9O%

0

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The Supportinq Statement for OMB 0596-0212
Extension ef Timber Sales
October 2008

c. What will this information be used for - provide ALL uses?

The Forest Service used the information collected through September 16, 2008, to
determine a purchaser’s eligibility for one or more of the options in section 8401 of the Farm
Bill. The Agency will collect similar information upon adoption of the proposed technical
changes to the Farm Bill.
Changes to 36 CFR 223.52: The information collected by the Forest Service due to adoption
of changes to 36 CFR 223.52 will assist Agency Contracting Officers in determining a
purchaser’s eligibility for a SOPI extension or eligibility to change the producer price index in
a timber sale contract.
d. How will the information be collected (e.g., forms, non-forms, electronically,
face-to-face, over the phone, over the Internet)? Does the respondent have
multiple options for providing the information? If so, what are they?
Respondents submit all forms and the SOPI request for extension in hard copy, as these
documents require original signatures.
Respondents may submit the request for producer price index change that accompanies
form FS-2400-73 in hardcopy with the form, or separately via facsimile or e-mail.
e. How frequently will the information be collected?
Frequency of information collection for:
¯

FS-2400-70 and FS-2400-71: One-time collection

¯

SOPI request for extension: One-time collection

¯

FS-2400-72 and FS-2400-73:20 responses annually, respondents submit one of these
two forms

f. Will the information be shared with any other organizations inside or outside
USDA or the government?
The Forest Service has no plans to share the information with any other organization inside
or outside the USDA or the government.
g. If this is an ongoing collection, how have the collection requirements changed
over time?

This is a request for renewal of an information collection approved under emergency
clearance following implementation of the 2008 Farm Bill. The emergency clearance expires
on December 31, 2008. Anticipated technical changes to the Farm Bill will result in
collection of information approved under current emergency clearance.
Agency proposed changes to 36 CFR 223.52, will result in the addition of two items not
previously approved for this information collection. The first is a one-time requirement for
purchasers seeking a substantial overriding public interest (SOPI) extension for contracts not
included under the Farm Bill. Such purchaser will be required to submit an extension
request in writing along with a release of liability statement.

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L

The Suppor~inq Statement for OMB 0596-0212
Extension of Timber Sales
October 2008

In addition, the proposed amendment to 36 CFR 223.52 will require purchasers seeking a
change in the producer price index to identify how much of the contract timber volume will
be processed into softwood lumber, hardwood lumber or wood chip products. Respondents
may submit this information in format of their choice. This will be an ongoing collection.

Describe whether, and to what extent, the collection of information involves the use
of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or
other forms of information technology, e.g. permitting electronic submission of
responses, and the basis for the decision for adopting this means of collection. Also,
describe any consideration of using information technology to reduce burden.
Limited liability agreements require an original signature by the purchaser, thus collection of this
information will be via hard copy. Purchasers seeking a change of index may submit the timber
classification information by hard copy, facsimile, or via e-mail.
4. Describe efforts to identify duplication. Show specifically why any similar information already available cannot be used or modified for use for the purposes described in Item 2 above,
The information requested is not available from any other source and is unique to a single event
in the life of a Forest Service timber sale contract.

5. If the collection of information impacts small businesses or other small entities,
describe any methods used to minimize burden.
Ninety percent of private sector businesses impacted by this information collection are classified
as small businesses. The Agency uses the following methods to minimize burden:
¯

The Forest Service only requests the minimum information needed to process options
authorized under the Farm Bill, to process a request for a SOPI extension, and incorporate
the change into the interim Market-Related Contract Term Addition regulation.

¯

The information requested is readily available to purchasers and does not require any
statistical analysis of data or the need to go to outside sources for the information.

Table 2
Private Sector Business
% Small Entity % not Small Entity

Information Collection for:
Farm Bill
¯ FS-2400-70
¯ FS-2470-71
¯ Farm Bill Classification of Sale Volume
SOPI Extension
MRCTA
¯ FS-2400-72, or
¯ FS-2400-73 (including request for index change)

90%

10%

90%

10%

90%

10%

6. Describe the consequence to Federal program or policy activities if the collection is
not conducted or is conducted less frequently, as well as any technical or legal
obstacles to reducing burden.

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The Supportinq Statement for OMB 0596-0212
Extension of Timber Sales
October 2008

Liability

A purchaser may receive additional time to complete a contract under the Farm Bill or SOPI
extension. Without the release of liability statements, the Forest Service is vulnerable to
lawsuits from purchasers seeking compensation or damages resulting from conditions or events
that were not part of the original contract.
If the Forest Service unilaterally modifies or cancels a contract during the additional time-period
due to environmental litigation, the Agency could be liable for damage claims. The Agency
would not be liable for such damages if the purchaser had completed the contract without the
additional time. The limited liability agreement protects the government from incurring liability
that was not part of the original contractual agreement.
Chanqinq an Index

An option in the Farm Bill, which is also in the proposed amendment to the MRCTA regulation, is
a procedure for changing an index used in a contract. The index helps determine when to do a
Market-Related Contract Term Addition and/or an Emergency Rate Re-determination. Prior to
advertising a sale, the Forest Service identifies the single index that it determines represents
over half of the contract volume. It uses one of three indexes: softwood lumber, hardwood
lumber or wood chips.
Sometimes more than one index might apply. The Forest Service estimates that this will only
occur in less than 100 timber sales per year. In such situations, a procedure is needed to
change the index to reflect what the purchaser intends to produce, if different from the
government’s presale estimate. To change the index, the Forest Service must know what
products the purchaser intends to produce, and the only way to determine that is to have the
purchaser provide the information.
Under the Farm Bill and the proposed amended regulation, a purchaser has one opportunity to
change the index when awarded the contract. To avoid disputes, the contract record must
contain written documentation indicating that the purchaser initiated the change of index. Such
documentation must include a listing of products the purchaser intended to produce at the time
of request submission. Without this documentation, a purchaser could allege that the
government unilaterally and inappropriately changed the index.
7. Explain any special circumstances that would cause an information collection to be
conducted in a manner:
¯ Requiring respondents to report information to the agency more often than
quarterly;
¯

Requiring respondents to prepare a written response to a collection of information in fewer than 30 days after receipt of it;

¯

Requiring respondents to submit more than an original and two copies of any
document;

¯ Requiring respondents to retain records, other than health, medical, government
contract, grant-in-aid, or tax records for more than three years;
¯ In connection with a statistical survey, that is not designed to produce valid and
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The Supportinq Statement for OMB 0596-0212
Extension of Timber Sales
October 2008

reliable results that can be generalized to the universe of study;
¯

Requiring the use of a statistical data classification l~hat has not been reviewed
and approved by OMB;
That includes a pledge of confidentiality that is not supported by authority established in statute or regulation, that is not supported by disclosure and data
security policies that are consistent with the pledge, or which unnecessarily
impedes sharing of data with other agencies for compatible confidential use; or

¯

Requiring respondents to submit proprietary trade secret, or other confidential
information unless the agency can demonstrate that it has instituted procedures
to protect the information’s confidentiality to the extent permitted by law.
There are no special circumstances. The collection of information is conducted in a manner
consistent with the guidelines in 5 CFR 1320.6.

8. If applicable, provide a copy and identify the date and page number of publication in
the Federal Register of the agency’s notice, required by 5 CFR 1320.8 (d), soliciting
comments on the information collection prior to submission to OMB. Summarize
public comments received in response to that notice and describe actions taken by
the agency in response to these comments. Specifically address comments received
on cost and hour burden.
Notice was published in the Federal Register on July 22, 2008 (73 FR 42542) and provided the
public with a 60 day comment period. The Forest Service established an electronic mail box for
the receipt of electronic comments. No comments responsive to the Federal Register notice
were received.

Describe efforts to consult with persons outside the agency to obtain their views on
the availability of data, frequency of collection, the clarity of instructions and record
keeping, disclosure, or reporting format (if any), and on the data elements to be
recorded, disclosed, or reported.
Consultation with representatives of those from whom information is to be obtained
or those who must compile records should occur at least once every 3 years even if
the collection of information activity is the same as in prior periods. There may be
circumstances that may preclude consultation in a specific situation. These
circumstances should be explained.
A Forest Service official contacted three timber sale purchasers who submitted information
requested for relief options offered under the Farm Bill. Copies of their views on the
information collection burden are below.
Travis Lumber Co., Inc.
Terry Bryant
479-928-2036
Contacted September 9, 2008
Q: Were the instructions clear on the FS-2400-70 and FS-2400-71 forms?
A: Yes, had no trouble following the instructions for completing the forms. Applied for relief
options under the Farm Bill for seven to eight sales on the Ozark National Forest and four
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The Supportinq Statement for OMB 0596-0212
Extension of Timber Sales
October 2008

to five sales on the Ouachita National Forest.
Q: How long did it take to complete the forms?
A: It only took a few minutes to complete the forms for each sale.
Q: Did you request a change of index?
A: No
Q: was the information requested for a change of index readily available?
A: N/A
Q: How long did it take to compile and submit the information?
A: N/A

General comments on the process and burden: Mr. Bryant said that he requested all of the
relief options provided under the Farm Bill including the additional Market-Related Contract
Term Adjustment time. The repeal of Farm Bill 1 and concurrent enactment of Farm Bill 2
caused some confusion and duplication of work in having to re-apply for relief options.
Overall, the relief options absolutely helped in getting back to work on sales that could not
have been operated otherwise.
North Shore Forest Products
John Gephart
218-349-1212
Contacted September 9, 2008
Q: Were the instructions clear on the FS-2400-70 and FS-2400-71 forms?
A: They were a little confusing, especially figuring out which blocks to check on form 71,
but it didn’t take long (about 30 minutes) to figure out.
Q: How long did it take to complete the forms?
A: Once the forms were understood, it only took a few minutes to complete them.
Q: Did you request a change of index?
A: Yes
Q: was the information requested for a change of index readily available?
A: Yes
Q: How long did it take to compile and submit the information?
A: Only a few minutes, but it must be recognized that this is just a snapshot based on
current market conditions.
General comments on the process and burden: Process was O.K. Mr. Gephart provided
other information relative to the Farm Bill options, but that [information] did not pertain to
the information collection burden.
Hedstrom Lumber Company
Howard Hedstrom
218-387-2995
Contacted September 10, 2008
Q: Were the instructions clear on the FS-2400-70 and FS-2400-71 forms?
A: Yes

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The Supporting Statement for OMB 0596-0212
Extension of Timber Sales
October 2008

How long did it take to complete the forms?
It took about 1-2 hours to study the relief options, forms, etc. and get questions
answered before actually completing the forms. After that, it only took a few minutes
per form. Relief under the Farm Bill was requested on six to seven sales.
Q: Did you request a change of index?
A: Yes
Q: was the information requested for a change of index readily available?
A: Yes
Q: How long did it take to compile and submit the information?
A: It took about an hour per sale.
General comments on the process and burden: The overall workload was doubled as a
result of Farm Bill 1 being repealed and then having to resubmit the information under Farm
Bill 2.

9. Explain any decision to provide any payment or gift to respondents, other than reenumeration of contractors or grantees.
The Forest Service does not provide any payment or gift to respondents, other than reenumeration of contractors or grantees.
10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for
the assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy.
There is not assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents. All public requests for
information collected from respondents are processed under the Freedom of Information Act.

11. Provide additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature, such as sexual
behavior or attitudes, religious beliefs, and other matters that are commonly
considered private. This justification should include the reasons why the agency
considers the questions necessary, the specific uses to be made of the information,
the explanation to be given to persons from whom the information is requested, and
any steps to be taken to obtain their consent.
No information of a sensitive nature is collected.

12. Provide estimates of the hour burden of the collection of information. Indicate the
number of respondents, frequency of response, annual hour burden, and an
explanation of how the burden was estimated.
¯

Indicate the number of respondents, frequency of response, annual hour burden,
and an explanation of how the burden was estimated. If this request for
approval covers more than one form, provide separate hour burden estimates for
each form.

a) Description of the collection activity
b) Corresponding form number (if applicable)
c) Number of respondents
d) Number of responses annually per respondent,
e) Total annual responses (columns c x d)
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The Supportinq Statement for OMB 0596-0212
Extension of Timber Sales
October 2008

f) Estimated hours per response
g) Total annual burden hours (columns e x f)
Table 3 .- Categories of Respondents
Information Collection for:
FS-2400-70
FS-2400-71
Farm Bill Classification of
Sale Volume
SOPI Extension
MRCTA Liability waiver and
request for index change

Annual Number of
Respondents
3.3333r
283.3333~

Individuals
#of Respondents
,3333
28.3333

Private Sector Business
#of Responden~
%
2.9997
9O
254.9997
9O

%
10
10

26.66673

2.6667

10

24

9O

13.33334

1.3333

10

11,9997

9O

20~

2

10

18

9O

Estimates are that 10 respondents will submit form FS-2400-70. Averaged over 3 years, this is 3.333
respondents per year.
Estimates are that 850 respondents will submit form FS-2400-71. Averaged over 3 years, this is
283.3333 respondents per year.
Estimates are that 80 respondents will submit Farm Bill Classification of Sale Volume requests.
Averaged over 3 years, this is 26.6667 respondents per year.
Estimates are that 40 respondents will submit SOPI requests (new form to be developed, similar to FS2400-71). Averaged over 3 years, this is 13.333 respondents per year.
Estimates are that 20 respondents a year will submit MRCTA reclassification requests (no form).

Table 4 - Estimated Annual Burden

Description of the
Collection Activity

(b)

Form
Number

(c)

(d)
Number of Respondents Number of
responses
Private
annually per
Individuals
Sector
Respondent
Business

Farm Bill Contract
Cancellation and
FS-2400-70
Release of Liability
Farm Bill Request for
Relief and Release o FS-2400-71
Liability Statement
Farm Bill
Classification of Ssle No Form
Volume

.3333

2.9997

1

28.3333

254.9997

1

2.6667

24

1

SOPI Extension

1.3333

11.9997

1

2

18

I

15.3

311.7

.__

No Form

MRCTA Liability waiver FS-2400-72
and request for index
or
change
FS-2400-73

Totals

Subtotal
(g)
Burden
Hours
Total annual responses Estimate of
Total
Per Respondent
Annual
Burden
Private
Private
Hours per
Burden
Sector
Individuals Sector
Hours
response individuals
Business
Business
.06666
.59994
,7
2.9997
0.2
.3333
.1
.6
5.66666
50.99994
57
28.3333
254,9997
0.2
6
51
1.33335
12
13
24
0,5
2.6667
1
.26666
2,39994
0.2
2,7
1.3333
11.9997
.3
2.4

(e)

(~)

2

18

0.5

1

9

10

3~/,~

311,7

---

8.4

75

83.4
= 83

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The Supportinq Statement for OMB 0596-0212
Extension of Timber Sales
October 2008

¯

Record keeping burden should be addressed separately and should include
columns for:
a) Description of record keeping activity: None
b) Number of record keepers: None
c) Annual hours per record keeper: None
d) Total annual record keeping hours (columns b x c): Zero
Provide estimates of annualized cost to respondents for the hour burdens for
collections of information, identifying and using appropriate wage rate
categories.

Table 5
(b)
Estimated Total Annual
Burden on Respondents
(Hours)
.7
57
13
2.7

(c)*
Estimated
Average Income
per Hour
$25.98
$25.98
$25.98
$25.98

MRCTA Liability waiver end request for
index change

10

$25.98

Totals

83.4

(a)

Description of the Collection Activity
Farm Bilt Request for Relief Option
Farm Bill Cancellation Liability Release
Farm Bill Classify Sale Volume
SOPI Extension

...

(d)
Estimated Cost to Respondents
$18.19
$1480.86
$337.74
$70115

$259.80
83.4burdenhours=$2,166.74

The estimated annualized cost to the contractor respondents for the data in this package is
approximately $2,166.74; based on the mean hourly rate from the May 2007 Bureau of
Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wages, for occupational series 19-1032
Foresters (www.bls.gov/oes).
13. Provide estimates of the total annual cost burden to respondents or record keepers
resulting from the collection of information, (do not include the cost of any hour
burden shown in items 12 and 14). The cost estimates should be split into two
components: (a) a total capital and start-up cost component annualized over its
expected useful life; and (b) a total operation and maintenance and purchase of
services component.
There are no capital operation and maintenance costs.
14.Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal government. Provide a
description of the method used to estimate cost and any other expense that would
not have been incurred without this collection of information.

The response to this question covers the actual costs the agency will incur as a result
of implementing the information collection. The estimate should cover the entire life
cycle of the collection and include costs, if applicable, fort
Employee labor and materials for developing, printing, storing forms
Employee labor and materials for developing computer systems, screens, or
reports to support the collection
Employee travel costs

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The Supportinq Statement for OMB 0596-0212
Extension of Timber Sales
October 2008

Cost of contractor services or other reimbursements to individuals or
organizations assisting in the collection of information
Employee labor and materials for collecting the information

Employee labor and materials for analyzing, evaluating, summarizing, and/or
reporting on the collected information
Table 5
ACTION ITEM
Farm Bill Request for Relief Option
Farm Bill Cancellation Liability Release
Farm Bill Classify Sale Volume
SOPI Extension
MRCTA Liability waiver and request for index change
Totals

PERSONNEL
Contracting Officer
Contracting Officer
Contracting Officer
Contracting Officer
Contracting Officer

GS
LEVEL
12
12
12
12
12

HOURLY
RATE*
$39.55
$39.55
$39.55
$39.55
$39.55

HOURS
212.5
2.5
4O
10
10
55O

SALARY
$8,404.38
98.88
1,582.00
395.50
395.50
$10,878.26

Timber sale contracting officers will initiate the request for information and process the
information received. The Forest Service estimates that contracting officers will spend an
average of r/4 hour per response for action items 1, 2, and 4, and an average of 1/2 hour per
response for action items 3 and 5. The hourly rate of a GS-12/4 used in the above calculations.
* Taken from," http://www.opm, qov/oca/08tab/es/index, asp, Cost to Government calculated at
hourly wage multiplied by 1.3
15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments reported in items 13 or
14 of OMB form 83-I.
Initially, this information received emergency approval for 1230 responses and 206 burden
hours. Based on responses received from June 2008 through September 2008, the estimated
number of responses and burden hours has decreased significantly. This renewal package
requests approval of 3~7:responses and 83 burden hours, and has been reorganized into two
ICs: Individual and ’Private Sector. Two new forms FS-2400-72 and FS-2400-73 have been
added, in addition to a SOPI extension (no form designated) - based on proposed changes to 36
CFR 223.52 (based on changes to the Farm Bill).

16. For collections of information whose results are planned to be published, outline
plans for tabulation and publication.
There are no plans to publish results of this information collection.
17.If seeking approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of the
information collection, explain the reasons that display would be inappropriate.
The Forest Service will display the OMB approval expiration date.

18.Explain each exception to the certification statement identified in item 19,
"Certification Requirement for Paperwork Reduction Act."
There are no exceptions to the certification statement identified in item 19 of form 83-t, "
Certification Requirement for Paperwork Reduction Act."

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The Supporting Statement for OMB 0596-0212
Extension of Timber Sales
October 2008

B. Collections of Information Employing Statistical Methods
The Forest Service does not employ statistical methodsregarding the information collected.

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