SCBGP_SuptngStmnt rev. 3-30-15

2015 SUPPORTING STATEMENT

for

Specialty Crop Block Grant Program

OMB NO. 0581-0248

A. Justification.

1. EXPLAIN THE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT MAKE THE COLLECTION OF INFORMATION NECESSARY. IDENTIFY ANY LEGAL OR ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS THAT NECESSITATE THE COLLECTION.

The information collection requirements in this request are needed for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP), which operates pursuant to the authority of Section 101 of the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 (7 USC 1621 note); amended by Section 10010 of the Agriculture Act of 2014 (2014 Farm Bill). Section 10010 directs the Secretary of Agriculture to “make grants to States for each of the fiscal years 2014 through 2018 to be used by State departments of agriculture solely to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops.”

The SCBGP works to increase the competitiveness of specialty crops. The 2014 Farm Bill made mandatory outlays available for fiscal years 2014 through 2017 in the amount of $72.5 million and $85 million in 2018. The Program is voluntary.

The minimum grant amount each State is eligible to receive $100,000, or 1/3 of 1 percent, whichever is greater than the total amount of funding made available in each fiscal year. In addition, States receive an amount based on the average of the most recent available value of specialty crop cash receipts in the State and the acreage of specialty crop production in all States whose applications are accepted. Eligible grant applicants are the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Specialty crops are defined as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops, including floriculture.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is reviewing grant applications, annual and final performance reports, grant amendments, payment requests, financial reports, and tangible personal property reports for the SCBGP. The SCBGP is executed in accordance with applicable parts of Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (2 CFR 200).

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.

The State Plan (Narrative) is a form required by the 2014 Farm Bill that mandates a description of the State Department of Agriculture’s application granting process to include a plan for conducting a competitive grant process, conducting outreach to socially disadvantaged and beginning farmers, and administration of the anticipated grant agreement.

The State Plan (Narrative) is completed once when the State Department of Agriculture applies for the grant program. The information is used by AMS to determine the State Departments of Agriculture eligibility for participation in the SCBGP. The information is completed electronically and is required to be collected electronically through www.grants.gov as a function of the program. State Departments of Agriculture will collect and assemble the State Plan (Narrative) based on guidance provided by the SCBGP. The State Plan (Narrative) shall include the following:

• Cover page and Granting Processes

• Project Title and Abstract

• Project Purpose

• Potential Impact

• Expected Measurable Outcomes

• Work Plan

• Project Commitment

• Budget Narrative

The Project Oversight and Multi-State Project sections were removed from this information collection because the information was redundant and is included in the Work Plan and the Potential Impact sections respectively. This modification does not change the burden associated with this information collection.

Full details for preparing the State Plan (Narrative) are available at the SCBGP website http://www.ams.usda.gov/scbgp.

Standard form 424, Application for Federal Assistance, approved under #4040-0004, is completed once when the State Department of Agriculture applies for the grant program. The information will be used by AMS to determine the State Departments of Agriculture eligibility for participation in the SCBGP. The information can be obtained electronically and is required to be collected electronically through www.grants.gov.

Standard form 424B, Assurances-Non-Construction Programs, approved under #4040-0007, is completed once by grant participants after grant approval and before grant funds are dispersed. The information will be used by AMS to certify that grant participants are complying with applicable program regulations. This information can be obtained electronically and is required to be collected electronically through www.grants.gov.

The Grant Agreement (AMS-33) will be entered into by the State Department of Agriculture and AMS after approval of a grant application. The Grant Agreement will be read and one copy is required to be signed by the State Department of Agriculture and returned to AMS. This information will be used by AMS to certify that grant participants are complying with applicable program regulations. The Grant Agreements require an original signature and will be collected by mail.

An Annual Performance Report is required within 90 days after the completion of the first year of the grant period and once within 90 days after the second year of the grant period. The Annual Performance Report is prepared electronically and will be collected electronically as a function of the program. State Departments of Agriculture will collect and assemble the Annual Performance Report narrative based on guidance provided by the SCBGP. The Annual Performance Report includes a grant administration report and individual project reports detailing the:

• Project Title

• Activities Performed

• Problems and Delays

• Future Project Plans

• Funding Expended to Date

A section for the Project Title was added to this information collection to provide an identifier for applications with multiple projects.

A Final Performance Report is required once 90 days after expiration of the grant period. This information is used by AMS to certify that grant participants are complying with applicable program regulations. The Final Performance Report is prepared electronically and will be collected electronically as a function of the program. State Departments of Agriculture will collect and assemble the Final Performance Report narrative based on guidance provided by the SCBGP. The Final Performance Report includes:

• Project Title

• Project Organization

• Project Summary

• Project Purpose

• Project Activities

• Goals and Outcomes Achieved

• Beneficiaries

• Lessons Learned

• Contact Information

• Additional Information

A section for the Project Title and Project Organization were added to this information collection to provide identifiers for applications with multiple projects. The Project Purpose includes previously collected information that was separated out in this information collection to highlight the specific problem, issue, or need the project addressed as well as the importance and timeliness of the project. Additionally, the Project Approach was renamed to Project Activities to eliminate confusion concerning this section. These modifications are minimal and do not add additional burden in the collection of information because they were

A Request for Grant Amendment submitted by the State Department of Agriculture is required if there is a change in key personnel, scope or objectives of the grant, extension of the grant agreement, and/or budget changes that exceed more than 20% of a project’s total budget. We anticipate all 56 State Departments of Agriculture will submit two (2) grant amendments. This information is prepared electronically and will be collected electronically as a function of the program. State Departments of Agriculture will collect and assemble the Request for Grant Amendment narrative based on guidance provided by the SCBGP.

Standard Form 270, Request for Advance or Reimbursement approved under #4040-0012 is completed whenever the recipient requests an advance or reimbursement of grant funds. The information will be used by AMS to make and keep track of grant advances and disbursements. The information can be obtained electronically and will be collected electronically.

Standard Form 425, Federal Financial approved under #4040-0014, is completed 90 days after the expiration date of the grant period. The information will be used by AMS to determine the financial status of the State’s grant projects. The information can be obtained electronically and will be collected electronically.

Standard Form 428, Tangible Personal Property Report (approved under #3090-0289) is to be completed 90 days after the expiration date of the grant period to comply with various legal and regulatory requirements as described within the form. The information will be used by AMS to determine the status of tangible personal property purchased with SCBGP funds. The information can be obtained electronically and will be collected electronically.

An Audit Report is required to be submitted to AMS by the State no later than 30 days after completion of an audit on all grant expenditures. This information will be used by AMS to certify that grant participants are complying with applicable program regulations. The audit report will be collected electronically as a function of the program. State Departments of Agriculture will collect and assemble the Audit Report narrative based on guidance provided by the SCBGP.

3. 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.

Standard form (SF) 424 and 424B can be obtained and submitted electronically on the http://www.grants.gov web site. The State Plan (Narrative) can be prepared electronically and is required to be submitted electronically through http://www.grants.gov web site. The SF 270, SF 425, and SF 428 can be obtained at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/grants_forms.html electronically and submitted electronically.

The Annual Performance Report, Final Performance Report, Request for Grant Amendment and Audit Report can be prepared electronically and submitted electronically. Amendments to a Grant Agreement require an original signature and are collected electronically.

4. DESCRIBE EFFORTS TO IDENTIFY DUPLICATION. SHOW SPECIFICALLY WHY ANY SIMILAR INFORMATION ALREADY AVAILABLE CANNOT BE USED OR MODIFIED FOR USE FOR THE PURPOSE(S) DESCRIBED IN ITEM 2 ABOVE.

This program is not maintained by any other Agency; therefore, the requested information will not be available from any other existing records.

5. IF THE COLLECTION OF INFORMATION IMPACTS SMALL BUSINESSES OR OTHER SMALL ENTITIES (ITEMS 5 OF THE OMB FORM 83-I), DESCRIBE THE METHODS USED TO MINIMIZE BURDEN.

All 56 respondents for SCBGP are State agencies responsible for agriculture; therefore, we estimate that none are considered small businesses. The act of collection of information will not have an adverse impact on small businesses or other small entities. Providing for electronic submission of grant applications will simplify and lessen the burden on the State Departments of Agriculture resources because they will no longer need to duplicate and submit paper applications. In addition, the information, voluntarily collected from each grant applicant may help provide grant funds to disadvantaged and small farmers and entities within a State.

6. DESCRIBE THE CONSEQUENCE OF 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.

The SCBGP’s purpose is to provide grants to States to solely enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. In accordance with Section 101 of the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004; as amended under Section 10010 of the 2014 Farm Bill, each subsequent fiscal year through 2018 that funding is appropriated to the SCBGP, States are required to apply to be eligible to receive grant funds for that fiscal year. Without this collection of information the Agency would not be able to award grant funds to eligible entities and monitor compliance with regulations and administration procedures of the program.

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;

Respondents are not required to report more than quarterly.

• REQUIRING RESPONDENTS TO PREPARE A WRITTEN RESPONSE TO A COLLECTION OF INFORMATION IN FEWER THAN 30 DAYS AFTER RECEIPT OF IT;

Respondents are not required to prepare a written response to a collection of information fewer than 30 days after receipt.

• REQUIRING RESPONDENTS TO SUBMIT MORE THAN AN ORIGINAL AND TWO COPIES OF ANY DOCUMENT;

Respondents are not required 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 3 YEARS;

Respondents are not required to retain any records for more than 3 years. This is part of normal business practice.

• IN CONNECTION WITH A STATISTICAL SURVEY, THAT IS NOT DESIGNED TO PRODUCE VALID AND RELIABLE RESULTS THAT CAN BE GENERALIZED TO THE UNIVERSE OF STUDY;

The information collected will not be utilized in connection with a statistical survey.

• REQUIRING THE USE OF A STATISTCAL DATA CLASSIFICATION THAT HAS NOT BEEN REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY OMB;

There is no requirement for a statistical data classification.

• THAT INCLUDES A PLEDGE OF CONFIDENTIALITY THAT IS NOT SUPPORTED BY AUTHORITY ESTABLISHED IN STATUE 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

No confidential information is collected.

• 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.

Respondents are not required to submit proprietary trade secrets or other confidential information.

8. IF APPLICABLE, PROVIDE A COPY AND IDENTIFY THE DATE AND PAGE NUMBER OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER OF THE AGENCY’S NOTICE, REQIRED 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.

The 60-day notice for public comment on the renewal information collection was published in the Federal Register on December 11, 2014 (79 FR 73542). No comments 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 RECORDKEEPING, DISCLOSURE, OR REPORTING FORMAT (IF ANY), AND ON THE DATA ELEMENTS TO BE RECORDED, DISCLOSED, OR REPORTED.

The SCBGP Project Manager attends the annual meeting of the North American Agricultural Marketing Officials, a group whose members consist of the marketing directors of the State agriculture departments. These directors are often the project managers for SCBGP projects. These issues are discussed with State Department of Agriculture recipients during a pre-award and post-award webinar, as well as a lessons learned webinar after each grant award. In addition, consultation with specialty crop industry members, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA), Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance, and the United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association (UFFVA) occurred to discuss the SCBGP.

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.

Consultations with State Department of Agriculture grant recipients:

Crystal Myers, California Department of Food and Agriculture, (916) 403-6533

Joshua Johnson, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, (850) 617-7340

Industry members:

United Fresh Produce Association: Robert Guenther, Vice President, Government & Public Affairs, 1901 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20006, telephone: (202) 303- 3400.

NASDA: Amanda Culp, Director, Communications, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, 4350 North Fairfax Drive, #910, Arlington, VA 22203, telephone: (202) 296-9680.

9. EXPLAIN ANY DECISION TO PROVIDE ANY PAYMENT OR GIFT TO RESPONDENTS, OTHER THAN REMUNERATION OF CONTRACTORS OR GRANTEES.

No payments or gifts are provided to respondents, other than remuneration of recipients.

10. DESCRIBE ANY ASSURANCE OF CONFIDENTIALITY PROVIDED TO RESPONDENTS AND THE BASIS FOR THE ASSURNACE IN STATUTE, REGULATION, OR AGENCY POLICY.

SCBGP does not request confidential information from respondents and therefore provides no assurances related to confidentiality.

11. PROVIDE ADDITIONAL JUSTIFICATION FOR ANY QUESTIONS OF A SENSITIVE NATURE, SUCH AS SEXUAL BEHAVIOR AND ATTITUTDES, RELIGIOUS BELIEFS, AND OTHER MATTERS THAT 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.

Questions of a sensitive nature are not found in this information collection.

12. PROVIDE ESTIMATES OF THE HOUR BURDEN OF THE COLLECTION OF INFORMATION.

THE STATEMENT SHOULD:

• INDICATE THE NUMBER OF RESPONDENTS, FREQUENCY OF RESPONSE, ANNUAL HOUR BURDEN, AND AN EXPLANATION OF HOW THE BURDEN WAS ESTIMATED. UNLESS DIRECTED TO DO SO, AGENCIES SHOULD NOT CONDUCT SPECIAL SURVEYS TO OBTAIN INFORMATION ON WHICH TO BASE HOUR BURDEN ESTIMATES. CONSULTATION WITH A SAMPLE (FEWER THAN 10) OF POTENTIAL RESPONDENTS IS DESIRABLE. IF THE HOUR BURDEN ON RESPONDENTS IS EXPECTED TO VARY WIDELY BECAUSE OF DIFFERENCE IN ACTIVITY, SIZE, OR COMPLEXITY, SHOW THE RANGE OF ESTIMATED HOUR BURDEN, AND EXPLAIN THE REASONS FOR THE VARIANCE. GENERALLY, ESTIMATES SHOULD NOT INCLUDE BURDEN HOURS FOR CUSTOMARY AND USUAL BUSINESS PRACTICES.

The public reporting burden for approximately 56 respondents (1 response per State, Puerto Rico, District of Columbia, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands) providing up to 560 annual responses is estimated to be 10 responses per respondent. It is estimated that a total of 1,624 hours per year will be required for the 56 respondents to complete the 560 responses, averaging approximately 3.275 hours per response.

• IF THIS REQUEST FOR APPROVAL COVERS MORE THAN ONE FORM, PROVIDE SEPARATE HOUR BURDEN ESTIMATES FOR EACH FORM AND AGGREGATE THE HOUR BURDENS IN ITEM 13 OF OMB FORM 83-I.

The complete public reporting burden is summarized on AMS-71.

• PROVIDE ESTIMATES OF ANNUALIZED COST TO RESPONDENTS FOR THE HOUR BURDENS FOR COLLECTIONS OF INFORMATION, IDENTIFYING AND USING APPROPRIATE WAGE RATE CATEGORIES.

The respondents estimated annual cost in providing information to the SCBGP is $46,219.04. This total has been estimated by multiplying 1,624 total burden hours by $28.46, an average of mean hourly earnings by full time State and local government management analyst employees (13-1111). Data for computation of this hourly wage were obtained from the U.S. Department of Labor Statistic’s publication Occupational Employment Statistics’ Occupational Employment and Wages, published May 2013. This publication can be found at the following website: http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes131111.htm.

13. PROVIDE AN ESTIMATE OF THE TOTAL ANNUAL COST BURDEN TO RESPONDENTS OR RECORDKEEPERS RESULTING FROM THE

COLLECTION OF INFORMATION. (DO NOT INCLUDE THE COST OF

ANY HOUR BURDEN SHOWN IN ITEMS 12 AND 14).

• THE COST ESTIMATE SHOULD BE SPLIT INTO TWO COMPONENTS: (a) A TOTAL CAPTIAL AND START-UP-COST COMPONENT (ANNUALIZED ONVER ITS EXPECTED USEFUL LIFE); AND (b) A TOTAL OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE AND PURCHASE OF SERVICES COMPONENT. THE ESTIMATES SHOULD TAKE INTO ACCOUNT COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH GENERATING, MAINTAINING AND DISCLOSING OR PROVIDING THE INFORMATION. INCLUDE DESCRIPTIONS OF METHODS USED TO ESTIMATE MAJOR COST FACTORS INCLUDING SYSTEM AND TECHNOLOGY ACQUISITION, EXPECTED USEFUL LIFE OF CAPITAL EQUIPMENT, THE DISCOUNT RATE(S), AND THE TIME PERIOD OVER WHICH COSTS WILL BE INCURRED. CAPITAL AND START-UP COSTS INCLUDE, AMONG OTHER ITEMS, PREPARATIONS FOR COLLECTING INFORMATION SUCH AS PURCHASING COMPUTERS AND SOFTWARE, MONITORING, SAMPLING, DRILLING AND TESTING EQUIPMENT; AND RECORD STORAGE FACILITIES.

• IF COST ESTIMATES ARE EXPECTED TO VARY WIDELY, AGENCIES SHOULD PRESENT RANGES OF COST BURDENTS AND EXPLAIN THE REASONS FOR THE VARIANCE. THE COST OF PURCHASING OR CONTRACTING OUT INFORMATION COLLECTION SERVICES SHOULD BE A PART OF THIS COST BURDEN ESTIMATE. IN DEVELOPING COST BURDEN ESTIMATES, AGENCIES MAY CONSULT WITH A SAMPLE OF RESPONDENTS (FEWER THAN 10), UTILIZE THE 60-DAY PRE-OMB SUBMISSION PURBLIC COMMENT PROCESS AND USE EXISTING ECONOMIC OR REGULATORY IMPACT ANALYSIS ASSOCIATED WITH THE RULEMAKING CONTAINING THE INFORMATION COLLECTION, AS APPROPRIATE.

• GENERALLY, ESTIMATES SHOULD NOT INCLUDE PURCHASES OF EQUIPMENT OR SERVICE, OR PORTIONS THEROF, MADE: (1) PRIOR TO OCTOBER 1, 1995, (2) TO ACHIEVE REGULATORY COMPLIANCE WITH REQUIREMENTS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THE INFORMATION COLLECTION, (3) FOR REASONS OTHER THAN TO PROVIDE INFORMATION OR KEEPING RECORDS FOR THE GOVERNMENT, OR (4) AS PART OF CUSTOMARY AND USUAL BUSINESS OR PRIVED PRACTICES.

There are no capital/start-up or ongoing operation/maintenance costs associated with this information collection.

14. PROVIDE ESTIMATES OF ANNUALIZED COST TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. ALSO, PROVIDE A DESCRIPTION OF THE METHOD USED TO ESTIMATE COST, WHICH SHOULD INCLUDE QUANTIFICATION OF HOURS, OPERATION EXPENSES (SUCH AS EQUIPMENT, OVERHEAD, PRINTING, AND SUPPORT STAFF), AND ANY OTHER EXPENSE THAT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN INCURRED WITHOUT THIS COLLECTION OF INFORMATION. AGENCIES ALSO MAY AGGREGATE COST ESTIMATES FROM ITEMS 12, 13, AND 14 IN A SINGLE TABLE.

The estimated annual cost currently to operate SCBGP is ($1,934,525) per year. The SCBGP office currently consists of 5 full time employees who are responsible for all aspects of the grant program from pre-award to closeout. Grant program oversight and policy management is provided on a part time basis by one GS-15 Grants Division Director. The travel budget is for the employees to attend appropriate conferences, and conduct site visits to SCBGP projects. The Contracts/Services budget includes training for the employees to keep up-to-date with developments in Federal grants management and for special projects such as website upgrades and financial sponsorship of conferences that compliment and further the agency mission as it relates to SCBGP. The remaining line items are for administrative expenses and overhead.

Estimated Annual Cost to Federal Government of Operating SCBGP

Salaries/Benefits/Awards $777,000

Travel $58,000

Contracts/Services $1,004,265

Printing/Copying/Mailing $5,000

Rent/Communication/Utilities $74,460

Supplies/Equipment $15,800

Total $1,934,525

15. EXPLAIN THE REASON FOR ANY PROGRAM CHANGES OR ADJUSTMENTS REPORTED IN ITEMS 13 OR 14 OF THE OMB FORM 83-I.

There is no change in burden figures with this renewal submission. The revision/program change involves the two forms discussed below. Burden for these forms is approved under other OMB collection numbers.

1. The SCBGP no longer collects the SF-424A Budget Information – Non-Construction Programs (approved under #4040-0006) because the data was redundant to information already collected in the State Plan (Narrative).

2. The SF-428 Tangible Personal Property Report (approved under #3090-0289) was added to the collection of the SCBGP. This is a standard form to be used by awarding agencies to collect information related to tangible personal property (equipment and supplies) when required by a Federal financial assistance award.

16. FOR COLLECTIONS OF INFORMATION WHOSE RESULTS WILL BE PUBLISHED, OUTLINE PLANS FOR TABULATION, AND PUBLICATION. ADDRESS ANY COMPLEX ANALYTICAL TECHNIQUES THAT WILL BE USED. PROVIDE THE TIME SCHEDULE FOR THE ENTIRE PROJECT, INCLUDING BEGINNING AND ENDING DATES OF THE COLLECTION OF INFORMATION COMPLETION OF REPORT, PUBLICATION DATES, AND OTHER ACTIONS.

The collected information will not be published.

17. IF SEEKING APPROVAL TO NOT DISPLY THE EXPIRATION DATE FOR OMB APPROVAL OF THE INFORMATION COLLECTION, EXPLAIN THE REASONS THAT DISPLAY WOULD BE INAPPROPRIATE.

Each form currently contains an OMB number and an expiration date.

18. EXPLAIN EACH EXCEPTION TO THE CERTIFICATION STATEMENT IDENTIFIED IN ITEM 19, “CERTIFICATION FOR PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT SUBMISSIONS,” OF OMB FORM 83-I.

The agency is able to certify compliance with all provisions under Item 19 of OMB Form 83-I.

2. COLLECTIONS OF INFORMATION EMPLOYING STATISTICAL METHODS.

This information collection does not employ statistical methods.

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