OMB questions and responses

From: Angela Scarborough [mailto:ascarborough@starpower.net]
Sent: Wednesday, June 10, 2009 7:09 AM
To: "'Chad_A._Lallemand@omb.eop.gov'"@starpower.net; Bryant, Lynn
Subject: questions on 1121-0188

Chad and Lynn,

I am sending this message from my personal account.  I am at home.  Chad, here are the answers to your questions on 1121-0188 the Budget detail worksheet. 

Chad this was your message, the answers are inserted after the questions.  I have attached an updated copy of the SS,because the collection was not open for amendment.  I need to make the changes in ICR figures to reflect the 2,500 respondents and the 10,000 burden hour, which is not change from the previous request, but I cannot get into the ROCIS collection.  If you open for amendment, I can make the change.

Hi, Lynn:

Regarding the above ICR, I have some preliminary questions:

1. Specifically, how and for what grants will this be used for?  I thought OJP had released all of the ARRA grant solicitations, which prescribe the budget information that grantees should submit.  So I'm a little confused about the stage of the process they would collect this information.   The form is used to submit budget information for all discretionary programs, ARRA and non-ARRA grants.  This information is submitted at the time of application for any current or future solicitation. 

2. Item 1 of the Supporting Statement (SS) says that the info will be used to facilitate the preparation and narrative of the budget.  For what fiscal year?  It is used by the applicant to document the proposed budget for the grant program being applied for.  It is not for any particular fiscal year but is used whenever application for discretionary funding is submitted and currently those discretionary applications include ARRA grants.

3. Specifically, why is emergency processing needed?  This should be stated in item 1 of the SS.   Why are additional respondents requested?  This should be stated in item 15 of the SS.   Emergency processing is needed so the form will not expire, because it is currently being used for these discretionary applications.  I have added this to #1.  We are not requesting additional respondents. 

4. The content in the paragraphs for item 12 of the SS doesn’t agree with the figures in bold (paragraphs say 10,000 and 2,500 while the bold says 20,000 and 5,000).    I have taken out the 20,000 and 5,000 figures this figure was incorrect.

5. The SS says that automating the form will reduce burden hours on respondents (see item 15), yet no reduction in burden hours is requested (was 4 hours and remains 4 hours).  Why not?  Also, items 3 and 15 of the SS appear not to agree (item 3 says the form is already automated and item 15 makes it seem that it will be automated).  Can you explain what’s going on here?   I changed #3 to reflect #15.  This request is not for the automated form.  This request is for approval of the current form.  The burden hours will remain the same. 

I’ll open for amendment.

Thanks,

Chad Lallemand

Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs

Office of Management and Budget

Tel: 202/395-3176