Supporting Statement
Data Collection Form for Application for Federal Assistance
SF- 424 Short 4040-0003
We are renewing an approved data collection (OMB No. 4040-0003), the
SF-424 Short Form (Short) as a Common Form. We are requesting a three-year re-instatement and clearance of this form. This form is utilized by Federal grant making agencies and is used to create grant application packages for individual applicants. The collection expired on July 30, 2011.
A. Justification
1. Need and Legal Basis
The Office of Federal Financial Management (OFFM) leads efforts at government-wide grants management to assure that Federal grants to non‑Federal entities are managed properly and spent in accordance with laws and regulations. Working cooperatively with Federal grant‑making agencies and non‑Federal entities, OFFM establishes policies and guidelines through OMB's Uniform Administrative Requirements. Grants.gov serves as a repository for Federal grant-related forms on behalf of OMB OFFM.
OMB Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, establish the reporting requirements fulfilled by this form.
2. Information Users
The form is used by non-Federal entities to apply for grants, and by Federal grants management staff to evaluate applicants for Federal financial assistance.
3. Improved Information Technology
Federal awarding agencies have the option of allowing recipients to use electronic submission of alternate forms. Although agencies can allow recipients to submit electronically, or via other forms, they are only approved to collect the information approved under this information collection.
4. Duplication of Similar Information
There is no other source for the information reported on this form.
5. Small Businesses
The information requirements do not pertain to small business or other small entities.
6. Less Frequent Collection
No less frequent collection is feasible.
7. Special Circumstances
OMB Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards establish the requirements fulfilled by this form.
8. Federal Register Notice/Outside Consultation
The Grants.gov Program Management Office, published the proposed
SF-424 Short collection for 90-day public comment in the Federal Register on November 6, 2014 (79 FR 65965) and for 60-day public comment on February 11, 2015 (80 FR 7597).
No comments were received.
9. Payment/Gift to Respondents
Not applicable since there is no payment to respondents, other than remuneration of grantees.
10. Confidentiality
The grant-making agencies will maintain the authoritative copy of all application materials and data. The information will be consistent with OMB policies related to the administration of Federal grants as well as agency policies and practices for access to electronic and paper records. If application forms are submitted through the Grants.gov Apply mechanism, Grants.gov will maintain only transmission records pertaining to the files. Grants.gov will not maintain application materials and data.
11. Sensitive Questions
Not applicable since there are no sensitive questions.
12. Burden Estimate
Section A. Estimated Annualized Burden Hours to Respondents
As this is a Common Form, burden is reported only for HHS. By aggregating the agency’s estimates as reported from the Grants.gov data call, an estimate of the total burden of the information collection was developed.
By aggregating HHS’ burden estimates, an estimate of the total burden of the information collection was developed and generated an estimate of burden
Collectively, HHS received 8,388 applications from individuals annually and estimate that it takes applicants 30 minutes* on average to complete each application. Cumulatively, these organizations report the total burden to applicants to be 4,194 hours.
SF-424 Short Form 4040-0003 Estimated Annualized
Burden to Respondents
Agency |
Number of Respondents |
Number of Responses per Respondent |
Total Responses |
Average Burden per Response in Hours |
Total Burden Hours |
HHS |
8388 |
1 |
8388 |
30/60 |
4194 |
TOTAL |
8388 |
|
8388 |
|
4194 |
Section B. Burden Cost
SF-424 Short Form 4040-0003 Estimated Annualized
Cost to Respondents
Agency |
Type of Respondent |
Total Burden Hours |
Hourly Wage Rate |
Total Respondent Costs |
HHS |
Grant Writer |
4194 |
$30 |
125,820 |
TOTAL |
|
4194 |
|
$125,820 |
13. Capital Costs
There is no projected incremental increase in the cost burden to respondents and record keepers associated with the use of the Short form.
14. Cost to the Federal Government
The primary sources of costs to the Federal government are related to staff hours associated with reviewing grant applications and the costs of receiving and maintaining records and systems. Each agency currently has existing personnel; systems and processes in place to receive and review their agency-specific grant applications. Any additional cost for agency system development, maintenance and enhancements should not be attributed to use of the Short form; therefore, its use is not expected to alter annualized Federal costs.
Agency personnel time to review the form is averaged at 30 minutes per form. Agencies provided an estimate of personnel review time during the burden collection process. Based on 8,388 responses per year (8,388 x 30 minutes/60 minutes = 4,194 hours estimated personnel time.
Grants administrative personnel generally are in the GS-9 through GS-15 range. Based on a step five average of these grades, an average hourly salary is $39 per hour.
Therefore, 8,388 annual applications x $39 x 0.5h = $163,566 of estimated annual cost to the federal government to review the form.
15. Program or Burden Changes
Not applicable as there were no program nor burden changes.
16. Publication and Tabulation Dates
Not applicable since there are no publication plans.
17. Expiration Date
Three years from OMB approval.
18. Certification Statement
Not applicable since there are no exceptions to the certification.
B. Collections of Information Employing Statistical Methods
No statistical methods are employed in this information collection.
| File Type | application/msword |
| File Title | Supporting Statement |
| Author | Administrator |
| Last Modified By | Edward Calimag |
| File Modified | 2016-01-14 |
| File Created | 2015-12-17 |