9000-0054 Supporting Statement

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

FOR PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT SUBMISSION

9000-0054, U.S.-FLAG AIR CARRIERS STATEMENT

A. Justification.

1. Administrative requirements. This is a request for extension of the expiration date of the information collection requirement currently approved under OMB Control Number 9000-0054 for U.S.-Flag Air Carriers Statement (FAR Subparts 47.4 and the clause at 52.247-63, which implements Section 5 of the International Air Transportation Fair Competitive Practices Act of 1974 (49 U.S.C. 1517) (Fly America Act).

Section 5 requires that all Federal agencies and Government contractors and subcontractors use U.S.-flag air carriers for U.S. Government-financed international air transportation of personnel (and their personal effects) or property, to the extent that service by those carriers is available. It requires the Comptroller General of the United States, in the absence of satisfactory proof of the necessity for foreign-flag air transportation, to disallow expenditures from funds, appropriated or otherwise established for the account of the United States, for international air transportation secured aboard a foreign-flag air carrier if a U.S.-flag air carrier is available to provide such services.

In accordance with FAR Subpart 47.405, the contracting officer inserts the clause at 52.247-63, Preference for the U.S.-Flag Air Carriers, in solicitations and contracts whenever it is possible that U.S Government-financed international air transportation of personnel (and their personal effects) or property will occur in the performance of a contract. This clause does not apply to contracts awarded using the simplified acquisition procedures in Part 13 or contracts for commercial items (see Part 12). In the event that the contractor selects a carrier other than a U.S.-flag air carrier for international air transportation during performance of the contract, the contractor shall include a statement regarding the unavailability of U.S.-Flag Air Carriers on vouchers involving such transportation.

2. Uses of information. The contracting officer uses the information furnished in the statement to determine whether adequate justification exists for the contractor’s use of other than an U.S.-flag air carrier.

3. Consideration of information technology. We use improved information technology to the maximum extent practicable. Where both the Government agency and contractors are capable of electronic interchange, the contractors may submit this information collection requirement electronically.

4. Efforts to identify duplication. This requirement is being issued under the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) which has been developed to standardize Federal procurement practices and eliminate unnecessary duplication.

5. If the collection of information impacts small businesses or other entities, describe methods used to minimize burden. The burden applied to small businesses is the minimum consistent with applicable laws, Executive orders, regulations, and prudent business practices.

6. Describe consequence to Federal program or policy activities if the collection is not conducted or is conducted less frequently. Collection of information on a basis other than contract-by-contract is not practical.

7. Special circumstances for collection. Collection is consistent with guidelines in 5 CFR 1320.6.

8. Efforts to consult with persons outside the agency. A notice was published in the Federal Register at 83 FR 12949 on March 26, 2018. No comments were received. A 30-day notice was published in the Federal Register at 83 FR 31397on July 5, 2018.

9. Explanation of any decision to provide any payment or gift to respondents, other than remuneration of contractors or grantees. Not applicable.

10. Describe assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents. This information is disclosed only to the extent consistent with prudent business practices and current regulations.

11. Additional justification for questions of a sensitive nature. No sensitive questions are involved.

12 & 13. Estimated total annual public hour and cost burden. The Federal government does not have a centralize database that tracks the information required under FAR clause 52.247-63, Preference for the U.S.-Flag Air Carriers. Government transportation subject matter experts estimate that on average there are a 150 occurrences yearly where contractors have included a statement regarding the unavailability of U.S.-Flag Air Carriers. They also estimate that the time required to read and prepare the information required by the clause is 15 minutes per completion.

Estimated respondents/yr 150

Responses annually x 2

Total annual responses 300

Estimated hrs/response x .25

Estimated total burden hours 75

Cost per hour (+ 36.25% overhead)……………………..$40

Estimated annual cost to public ……………………..$3,000

* Based on the salary table for GS-11/step 5 salary ($29.00 an hour) plus 36.25 percent burden, rounded to the nearest dollar, or $40 an hour. The burden rate used is that mandated by OMB memorandum M-08-13 for use in public-private competition, as updated by OMB for the current year. Reference Salary Table 2018-GS, Effective January 2018, found at www.opm.gov). The cost per response is approximately $10.

14. Estimated cost to the Government. Time required for Governmentwide review is estimated at 5 minutes per response.

Annual Reporting Burden and Cost

Reviewing time/hr .083

Responses/yr x 300

Total annual review time …………………………………25

Average wages/hr (+ 36.25% overhead)…………….x $40

Total Government cost ……………………………….$1000

* Based on the salary table for GS-11/step 5 salary ($29.00 an hour) plus 36.25 percent burden, rounded to the nearest dollar, or $40 an hour. The burden rate used is that mandated by OMB memorandum M-08-13 for use in public-private competition, as updated by OMB for the current year. Reference Salary Table 2018-GS, Effective January 2018, found at www.opm.gov).

15. Explain reasons for program changes or adjustments reported in Item 13 or 14. This submission requests an extension of OMB approval of an information collection requirement in the FAR. The information collection’s public burden hours in the FAR remains unchanged.

16. Outline plans for published results of information collections. Results will not be tabulated or published.

17. Approval not to display expiration date. Not applicable.

18. Explanation of exception to certification statement. Not applicable.

B. Collections of Information Employing Statistical Methods.

Statistical methods are not used in this information collection.

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