ARP Emergency Request Memo

Food Safety and
Inspection Service
1400 Independence
Avenue, SW.
Washington, D.C.
20250

DATE:

May 4, 2021

TO:

Julie Wise, OMB Desk Officer

THROUGH: Ruth Brown, USDA Information Collection Officer
FROM:

Paul Kiecker, Administrator, FSIS

SUBJECT:

Request for Emergency Approval for a New Information Collection
Package—American Rescue Plan Act

PAUL KIECKER

Digitally signed by PAUL KIECKER
Date: 2021.05.04 09:57:26 -04'00'

This request is for OMB review and emergency approval of a collection of information
necessary to implement provisions of the American Rescue Plan Act, signed by the
President on March 11, 2021, which granted the Food Safety and Inspection Service
(FSIS) $100 million in budget authority to reduce the costs of overtime and holiday
inspection for small and very small official meat and poultry establishments and egg
products plants. Compliance with the normal clearance under the Paperwork
Reduction Act would significantly delay FSIS’ ability to provide this financial
assistance to small and very small official meat and poultry establishments and egg
products plants, which continue to be adversely affected by COVID-19, and whose
continued operations are essential for both the food supply and economy in rural
America. Because these official establishments and plants comprise the numerical
majority of operations overseen by FSIS and because they may apply for partial
refunds of overtime and holiday inspection fees paid since March 14, 2021, FSIS sees a
need to begin the distribution and processing of the single form in this collection as
soon as possible, so as to expedite overtime and holiday inspection fee reductions as
authorized by the American Rescue Plan Act.
We are requesting emergency approval of a new information collection package by
May 13, 2021.
If there are any questions or concerns, please contact Gina Kouba at
[email protected].

An Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer