In accordance
with 5 CFR 1320, the information collection is approved for three
years.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
12/31/2023
36 Months From Approved
12/31/2020
19,450
0
69,920
156,090
0
477,820
14,443,185
0
0
On March 23, 2018, Congress passed the
Consolidated Appropriations Act 2018 (the FY 2018 Appropriations)
(Pub.L. 115–141) which established a broadband loan and grant pilot
program, the Rural eConnectivity Pilot Program (hereinafter the
ReConnect Program). One of the essential goals of the ReConnect
Program is to expand broadband service to rural areas without
sufficient access to broadband, defined as 10 megabits per second
(Mbps) downstream and 1 Mbps upstream. For this purpose, Congress
expanded RUS's existing authority to make loans and grants. Loans
and grants are limited to the costs of the construction,
improvement, and acquisition of facilities and equipment for
broadband service in eligible communities. The FY 2018
Appropriations also authorized technical assistance to assist the
agency in expanding needed service to the most rural communities.
In facilitating the expansion of broadband services and
infrastructure, the pilot will fuel long-term rural economic
development and opportunities in rural America. One of those
opportunities is precision agriculture. The use of this technology
requires a robust broadband connection. The awards made under this
program will bring high speed broadband to the farms which will
allow them to increase productivity.
PL:
Pub.L. 115 - 141 779 Name of Law: Consolidated Appropriations
Act 2018 (the FY2018 Appropriations)
The initial burden estimates
for the previous collection package were based on the
“pre-operational” status of the program prior to the first funding
opportunity announcement (FOA) published in the Federal Register,
December 14, 2018 at 83 FR 64315. The annual burden hours in the
previous collection package of 477,820 has been revised to 156,090
which is a decrease of 321,730 burden hours for this collection
package. The decrease of annual burden hours from the previous
package can be attributed to the Agency’s revised estimate of
respondents of 2,000 respondents in the previous package to 500
respondents in the current collection package. The revised estimate
of 500 respondents in the current collection package is based on
the Agency’s experience of having completed its first FOA and
application process.
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.
30 day FRN 0572-0152.pdf
Submitted ROCIS-clearance-Sept.(Rev.4).xlsx
Submitted ROCIS (4)-Sept.-SS-ReConnect(Rev.4-mpd 4-2-2020) (003).docx
ReConnect (Pilot) Program -State, Tribal & Local Governments