4040-0008 SF-424_C_SS_FINAL_2015 v1.2

Supporting Statement

Data Collection Form for

Budget Information – Construction Programs
SF-424C

The SF424C Budget Information – Construction Programs (SF424C) form is an OMB approved collection (4040-0008). We are seeking approval by OMB to reinstatement as a Common Form. The form expired on June 30, 2014. We are requesting a three-year clearance of this form.

The SF424C is used to provide budget information when applying for construction Federal grants. The Federal awarding agencies use information reported on the form for the evaluation of award and general management of Federal assistance program awards.

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 SF424C is the common Federal (standard) budget form for construction grant applications. 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

On November 6, 2014, the Grants.gov Program Management Office, managed by HHS, published the current SF-424 C collection for public comment in the Federal Register for a 90-day comment period on November 6, 2014 (79 FR 65958) and a 60-day comment period on February 11, 2015 (80 FR 7599). Interested individuals were invited to send comments regarding any aspect of this collection of information. No public 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.  Collection of 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

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.

Section A. Estimated Annualized Burden Hours to Respondents

SF424C Form Estimated Annualized

Burden to Respondents

AGENCY	SF-424C Number of Annual Respondents	Number of Responses per Respondent	Total Annual Responses	Average Burden on Respondent per Response in Hours	Total Burden Hours
HHS	1254	1	1254	1	1254
TOTAL	1254		1254		1254

Section B. Burden Cost

SF424C Form Estimated Annualized

Cost to Respondents

Cost To Respondents
AGENCY	Type of Respondent	Hourly Wage Rate	Total Burden Hours	Total Respondent Cost
HHS	Grant Writer	$ 30.00	1254	$ 37,620.00
TOTAL			1254	$ 37,620.00

The Estimated Annualized Cost to Respondents assumes that the Hourly Wage Rate for a grant writer is $30. The Total Burden Hours times the Hourly Wage Rate produces the Total Respondent Cost which is $37,620.

13. Capital Costs

There is no projected incremental increase in the cost burden to respondents and record keepers associated with the use of the SF424C form.

14. Cost to the Federal Government

The proposed SF424C form is based on an OMB-approved from currently in use. There is no projected incremental increase in the cost burden to the Federal Government with the implementation of the renewed SF424C form.  Each agency currently has existing personnel, systems and processes (or other resources) in place to receive and review their grant applications.  Any additional cost for agency system development, maintenance and enhancements should not be attributed to use of the SF424C, and therefore its use is not expected to alter annualized Federal costs. 

Cost to Government
Total Annual Responses	Agency Personnel Time to Review (Hours)	Total Burden Hours on Agency Personnel	Average Grants Administrative Hourly Salary	Estimated Annual Cost to Federal Government for Form Review
1254	40/60	836	$39	$32,604

Organization personnel time to review the form is estimated at 40 minutes per form. Based on 1,254 responses per year, then 836 are estimated personnel hours to review. Grants administrative personnel generally are in the GS9 - 15 range. Based on a step one average of these grades, an average hourly salary is $39 per hour. Therefore 1,254 hours x $39 = $32,604 of estimated annual cost to the federal government to review the form.

15. Program or Burden Change

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.