Approved consistent with general guidance on BABA emergency approval.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
02/29/2024
6 Months From Approved
5,000
0
0
5,000
0
0
0
0
0
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requests a 6 month PRA Emergency approval pursuant to the Build America, Buy America (BABA) Act, whereby HUD may waive grantees' application of a Buy America preference due to public interest, non-availability, or unreasonable cost.
Emergency approval is vital for HUD grantees subject to BABA, enabling them to submit waiver requests for HUD's due diligence, approval, or rejection of waivers in the event a Buy America preference cannot be satisfied. The absence of an emergency approval may cause significant delay in project completion. The emergency authorization is necessary because it would cause significant delay in funding to the grantees for project completion. These delays could ultimately lead to a failure to provide affordable housing and have a detrimental impact on HUD's mission. This determination satisfies the requirement 5 C.F.R § 1320.13(a)(2)(i) that âPublic harm is reasonably likely to result if normal clearance procedures are followedâ and 5 C.F.R § 1320.13(a)(2)(iii) that âThe use of normal clearance procedures is reasonably likely to prevent or disrupt the collection of information or is reasonably likely to cause a statutory or court ordered deadline to be missed.â During these 180 days, as well as the additional time it would take to conduct internal departmental clearance and await OMB approval, HUD grantees will be without a proper method to submit information to HUD to initiate waiver requests. Emergency approval of the BABA waiver form will allow HUD to conduct the normal PRA process, including the 60-days of public comment, without the harm to public interest or delays in funding to the grantees who need an immediate method of informing HUD that their project or product cannot meet the BABA requirements.
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.