9000-0058 Supporting Statement

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

OMB CONTROL NUMBER 9000-0058

SCHEDULES FOR CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS

FAR Section Affected: 52.236-15

A. Justification.

1. Administrative requirements. This clearance covers the schedules that Federal construction contractors may be required to submit, in the form of a progress chart, showing the order in which the contractor proposes to perform the work per Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 36.515, Schedules for construction contracts. The contracting office may insert the clause 52.236-15, Schedules for Construction Contracts, in solicitations and contracts when a fixed price construction contract is contemplated, the contract amount is expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, and the period of actual work performance exceeds 60 days. This clause may also be inserted in such solicitations and contracts when work performance is expected to last less than 60 days and an unusual situation exists that warrants imposition of the requirement. Actual progress shall be entered on the chart as directed by the contracting officer.

2. Uses of information. This information is used to monitor progress under a Federal construction contract when other management approaches for ensuring adequate progress are not used.

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 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 person outside the agency.

A. A 60-day notice was published in the Federal Register at 84 FR 18037 on April 29, 2019. No comments were received.

B. A 30-day notice was published in the Federal Register at 84 FR 34893 on July 19, 2019.

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, current regulations, and statutory requirements.

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

12 & 13. Estimated total annual public hours and cost burden.

The estimated number of respondents per year is based on the total number of government contracts awarded in fiscal year 2018 for fixed price construction contracts (product services codes Y and Z2) that exceeded the simplified acquisition threshold ($250,000*). For fiscal year 2018, there were a total of 23 such contracts awarded. As a result, the number of estimated respondents is 23. It is further estimated that each respondent will submit two responses per year.

Estimated number of respondents 23

Estimated number of responses per respondent per year x 2

Total annual responses 46

Estimated preparation time per response (hours)** x 4

Total burden hours                                       184

Estimated wages and overhead***       x $55

Total estimated cost to public                            $10,120

* The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (NDAA FY18) (Public Law 115-91) (Section 805) increased the simplified acquisition threshold to $250,000. FAR Case 2018-004 was opened to implement the appropriate statutory changes in the FAR that are compelled by section 805 of the NDAA FY18. However, 23 agencies have issued deviations and governmentwide systems have already been updated to use the new threshold ahead of the FAR.

** Preparation time is based on average time to prepare and submit to the contracting officer for approval three copies of a practicable schedule showing the order in which the Contractor proposes to perform the work, and the dates on which the Contractor contemplates starting and completing the several salient features of the work.

*** Based on a GS-12, Step 5 or $40.51/hour (from the OPM GS Salary Table 2019-RUS found at www.opm.gov), added overhead at 36.25 percent, and rounded to the nearest whole dollar, or $55/hour. The estimated cost per response is $220.

14. Estimated cost to the Government.

Total Annual Responses                                      46

Review time per response (hours)*                          x .50

Total burden Hours                                          23

Average wages and overhead**                                x $55

Total estimated annual cost to the Government            $1,265

* Review time is based on average time for government to review the schedule submitted by a contractor.

** Based on a GS-12, Step 5 or $40.51/hour (from the OPM GS Salary Table 2019-RUS found at www.opm.gov), added overhead at 36.25 percent, and rounded to the nearest whole dollar, or $55/hour.

15. Explain reasons for program changes or adjustments reported in Item 13 or 14. The total annual public burden decreased by 30,248 hours due to a decrease in the number of annual respondents that is based on data from the latest fiscal year and an increase to the simplified acquisition threshold.

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.