9000-0073 Supporting Statement (Consolidation) 05.23.2022

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

FOR PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT SUBMISSION

OMB CONTROL NO.9000-0073

Certain Federal Acquisition Regulation Part 32 Requirements

FAR Sections Affected: 32.408(b), 52.232-1 through 52.232-7, 52.232-10, 52.232-12, 52.232-20, 52.232-22, 52.232-27, and 52.232-34

A. Justification.

1. Administrative requirements.

The Department of Defense, General Services Administration, and National Aeronautics and Space Administration are combining OMB Control Nos. for the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) by FAR part. This consolidation is expected to improve industry’s ability to easily and efficiently identify burdens associated with a given FAR part. The review of the information collections by FAR part allows improved oversight to ensure there is no redundant or unaccounted for burden placed on industry. Lastly, combining information collections in a given FAR part is also expected to reduce the administrative burden associated with processing multiple information collections.

This justification supports the revision of OMB Control No. 9000-0073 and combines it with the previously approved information collections under OMB Control Nos. 9000-0070, 9000-0074, 9000-0102, and 9000-0144, with the new title “Certain Federal Acquisition Regulation Part 32 Requirements”. Upon approval of this consolidated information collection, OMB Control Nos. 9000-0070, 9000-0074, 9000-0102, and 9000-0144 will be discontinued. The burden requirements previously approved under the discontinued numbers will be covered under OMB Control No. 9000-0073.

This clearance covers the information that offerors, contractors, or both must submit to comply with the following FAR requirements:

FAR 32.408, Application for advance payments. In accordance with FAR 32.408(b), contractors requesting advance payments must submit their request in writing to the contracting officer and provide the following information:

• A reference to the contract if the request concerns an existing contract, or a reference to the solicitation if the request concerns a proposed contract.

• A cash flow forecast showing estimated disbursements and receipts for the period of contract performance.

• The proposed total amount of advance payments.

• The name and address of the financial institution at which the contractor expects to establish a special account as depository for the advance payments.

• A description of the contractor's efforts to obtain unguaranteed private financing or a V-loan under eligible contracts.

• Other information appropriate to an understanding of

• the contractor's financial condition and need,

• the contractor's ability to perform the contract without loss to the Government, and

• financial safeguards needed to protect the Government's interest.

FAR 52.232-1 through 52.232-4, 52.232-6, 52.232-7, and 52.232-10 - Payments. The following FAR clauses require the contractor to (as appropriate to the payment terms specified in the contract) provide a proper invoice or voucher.

• 52.232-1, Payments.

• 52.232-2, Payments under Fixed-Price Research and Development Contracts.

• 52.232-3, Payments under Personal Services Contracts.

• 52.232-4, Payments under Transportation Contracts and Transportation-Related Services Contracts.

• 52.232-6, Payment under Communication Service Contracts with Common Carriers.

• 52.232-7, Payments under Time-and-Materials and Labor-Hour Contracts.

• 52.232-10, Payments under Fixed-Price Architect-Engineer Contracts.

“Proper invoice” is defined in FAR part 2 as an invoice that meets the minimum standards specified in FAR 32.905(b), which include the following items:

• Name and address of the contractor.

• Invoice date and invoice number.

• Contract number or other authorization for supplies delivered or services performed (including order number and line item number).

• Description, quantity, unit of measure, unit price, and extended price of supplies delivered or services performed.

• Shipping and payment terms.

• Name and address of contractor official to whom payment is to be sent.

• Name (where practicable), title, phone number, and mailing address of person to notify in the event of a defective invoice.

• Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) if required by agency procedures.

• Electronic funds transfer (EFT) banking information if required by agency procedures.

• Any other information or documentation required by the contract (e.g., evidence of shipment).

FAR 52.232-5, Payments under Fixed-Price Construction Contracts. This clause requires the contractor's request for progress payments to include the following substantiation:

• An itemization of the amounts requested, related to the various elements of work required by the contract covered by the payment requested.

• A listing of the amount included for work performed by each subcontractor under the contract.

• A listing of the total amount of each subcontract under the contract.

• A listing of the amounts previously paid to each such subcontractor under the contract.

• Additional supporting data in a form and detail required by the contracting officer.

Paragraph (c) of FAR clause 52.232-5 requires contractors to provide a certification with each request for progress payment certifying that-

• The amounts requested are only for performance in accordance with the specifications, terms, and conditions of the contract;

• All payments due to subcontractors and suppliers from previous payments received under the contract have been made, and timely payments will be made from the proceeds of the payment covered by the certification;

• The request for progress payment does not include any amounts which the prime contractor intends to withhold or retain from a subcontractor or supplier in accordance with the terms and conditions of the subcontract; and

• The certification is not to be construed as final acceptance of a subcontractor's performance.

Paragraph (d) of FAR clause 52.232-5 requires contractors to notify contracting officers, if the contractor, after making a certified request for progress payments, discovers that a portion or all of the request constitutes a payment for performance by the contractor that fails to conform to the specifications, terms, and conditions of the contract. Contractors must notify the contracting officer that the performance deficiency has been corrected.

FAR 52.232-12, Advance Payments. If advance payments are authorized, this clause requires contractors to submit the following:

• Per paragraph (g) - The financial institution agreement, in the form prescribed by the administering office, establishing the special account, and clearly setting forth the special character of the account and the responsibilities of the financial institution under the account.

• Per paragraph (i)(3) – Notification of a lien in favor of the Government to a third person receiving any items or materials on which the Government has a lien, and a receipt from that third person acknowledging the existence of the lien. Contractors are also required to provide a copy of each receipt to the contracting officer.

• Per paragraph (m) – (1) Monthly, signed or certified balance sheets and profit and loss statements together with a report on the operation of the special account in the form prescribed by the administering office; and (2) If requested, other information concerning the operation of the contractor's business. (This same requirement is at paragraph (j) of the clause with its Alternate V.)

FAR 52.232-20 and 52.232-22 - Limitation of Costs or Funds. FAR clause 52.232-20, Limitation of Cost, requires the contractor to notify the contracting officer in writing whenever it has reason to believe that -

• The costs the contractors expect to incur under the contract in the next 60 days, when added to all costs previously incurred, will exceed 75 percent of the estimated cost of the contracts; or

• The total cost for the performance of the contract will be greater or substantially less than estimated.

As part of the notification, the contractor must provide a revised estimate of the total cost of performing the contract.

FAR clause 52.232-22, Limitation of Funds, requires the contractor to notify the contracting officer in writing whenever it has reason to believe that the costs it expects to incur under the contract in the next 60 days, when added to all costs previously incurred, will exceed 75 percent of (1) the total amount so far allotted to the contract by the Government or, (2) if this is a cost-sharing contract, the amount then allotted to the contract by the Government plus the contractor's corresponding share. The notice must state the estimated amount of additional funds required to continue performance for the contract period. Sixty days before the end of the contract period, the contractor must notify the contracting officer in writing of the estimated amount of additional funds, if any, required to continue performance under the contract, and when the funds will be required.

FAR 52.232-27, Prompt Payment for Construction Contracts.

Paragraph (a)(6)(ii) of FAR clause 52.232-27 requires contractors making a written demand to the designated payment office for additional penalty payment to support their demand with the following data:

• Specifically assert that late payment interest is due under a specific invoice, and request payment of all overdue late payment interest penalty and such additional penalty as may be required;

• Attach a copy of the invoice on which the unpaid late payment interest was due; and

• State that payment of the principal has been received, including the date of receipt.

Paragraph (e)(5) of FAR clause 52.232-27 requires contractors to notify contracting officers upon-

• Reduction of the amount of any subsequent certified application for payment; or

• Payment to the subcontractor of any withheld amounts of a progress payment, specifying: the amounts withheld; and the dates that the withholding began and ended.

Paragraph (g) of FAR clause 52.232-27 requires contractors to issue a written notice of any withholding to a subcontractor (with copy to the contracting officer), specifying-

• The amount to be withheld;

• The specific causes for the withholding under the terms of the subcontract; and

• The remedial actions to be taken by the subcontractor in order to receive payment of the amounts withheld.

Paragraph (l) of FAR clause 52.232-27 requires contractors to remit overpayments to the payment office cited in the contract along with a description that includes the following:

• Circumstances of the overpayment (e.g., duplicate payment, erroneous payment, liquidation errors, date(s) of overpayment);

• Affected contract number and delivery order number if applicable;

• Affected line item or subline item, if applicable; and

• Contractor point of contact.

Contractors are required to provide a copy of the remittance and supporting documentation to the contracting officer.

FAR 52.232-34, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer—Other than System for Award Management. This clause requires contractors to provide the following information to enable the Government to make payments under the contract by EFT:

• The contract number (or other procurement identification number).

• The contractor's name and remittance address.

• The signature, title, and telephone number of the contractor official authorized to provide this information.

• The name, address, and 9-digit Routing Transit Number of the contractor's financial agent.

• The contractor's account number and the type of account.

• If applicable, the Fedwire Transfer System telegraphic abbreviation of the contractor's financial agent.

• If applicable, the contractor must provide the name, address, telegraphic abbreviation, and 9-digit Routing Transit Number of the correspondent financial institution receiving the wire transfer payment if the contractor's financial agent is not directly on-line to the Fedwire Transfer System.

The burden to provide the information required by the FAR clause at 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer— System for Award Management, is covered by OMB Control Number 9000-0189, Certain Federal Acquisition Regulation Part 4 Requirements. OMB Control Number 9000-0189 accounts for new registrations and renewals in the System for Award Management (SAM), which includes providing the EFT information.

2. Uses of information.

• FAR 32.408(b) and the FAR clause at 52.232-12, Advance Payments. The information is used to determine if advance payments should be provided to the contractor. If advance payments are authorized, the information is used to ensure proper procedures are followed to protect the Government's interest.

• FAR 52.232-1 through 52.232-4, 52.232-6, 52.232-7, and 52.232-10 - Payments. The information is used to determine the proper amount of payments to Federal contractors.

• FAR 52.232-5, Payments under Fixed-Price Construction Contracts. The information is used to determine the proper amount of payments to Federal contractors for construction contracts.

• FAR 52.232-20 and 52.232-22 - Limitation of Costs or Funds. The information is used to avoid cost overruns and to ensure that funding is available to complete work under Federal contracts.

• FAR 52.232-27, Prompt Payment for Construction Contracts. The information is used to understand when the contractor withholds amounts from subcontractors and suppliers after the Government has already paid the contractor the amounts withheld.

• FAR 52.232-34, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer—Other than System for Award Management. The information is used to enable the Government to make contract payments by EFT.

3. Consideration of information technology. Federal agencies 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 these information collection requirements electronically.

4. Efforts to identify duplication. These requirements are 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, 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 consequences 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 solicitation-by-solicitation or contract-by-contract is not practical. Regarding advance payments, it is important to note that they are the least preferred method of contract financing and require special determinations by the agency head or designee resulting in infrequent collection of the information called for by FAR 32.408(b) and the FAR clause at 52.232-12.

7. Special circumstances for collection. Collection is consistent with guidelines in 5 CFR 1320.5(d)(2).

8. Efforts to consult with persons outside the agency.

1. A 60-day notice was published in the Federal Register at 87 FR 1599, on March 21, 2022. Two comments were received; however, they did not change the estimate of the burden.

Comments: One of the comments is not related to the information collection. The other comment is a vendor’s presentation of their products and services regarding payment solutions.

Response: The commenters did not express an opinion on whether the estimated number of burden hours is accurate; or ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information. The information collection revision does not reflect any changes to the FAR requirements. Adjustments are made to the public and Government burden estimates based on the most recent data available.

2. A 30-day notice was published in the Federal Register at 87 FR 32166, on May 27, 2022.

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. The collection requirement under FAR clause 52.232-34 solicits sensitive information, which must be properly safeguarded (data concerning the contractor's accounts as its financial agent, such as account number).

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 following estimates are based on averages of historical award data available in the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) for fiscal years 2019 through 2021, unless otherwise specified. The estimates exclude contracts valued at or below the micro-purchase threshold ($10,000) and contracts for the acquisition of commercial products and commercial services.

SUMMARY	FAR 32.408(b) & 52.232-12	FAR 52.232-1 through 52.232-4, 52.232-6, 52.232-7, and 52.232-10	FAR 52.232-5	FAR 52.232-20 & 52.232-22	FAR 52.232-27	FAR 52.232-34	Total
Estimated respondents/yr	79	267,509	4,090	2,256	818	567	275,319
Responses/respondent	4.71	6.00	48.0	5.00	4.00	2.00
Total annual responses	372	1,605,054	196,320	11,280	3,272	1,134	1,817,432
Estimated hrs/response	1.42	0.25	0.33	0.33	0.33	0.5
Estimated total burden hrs	528	401264	64786	3722	1080	567	471,947
Hourly rate	$59	$59	$59	$59	$59	$59
Estimated annual cost to the public	$31,152	$23,674,576	$3,822,374	$219,598	$63,720	$33,453	27,844,873

FAR 32.408(b) and the FAR clause at 52.232-12, Advance Payments. On average per year, the Government awards 94 contracts identified in FPDS as including advance payments or unusual progress payments to 79 unique awardees. Since advance payments are the least preferred method of financing, it is estimated that a third of the awards are for advance payments. It is estimated that 12 responses would be reported annually per respondent. This is based on the requirement for the initial application (per FAR 32.408) and the requirement for submission of the monthly supplemental information (per FAR 52.232-12). Therefore, the estimated total annual responses are 372 ((94*⅓) * 12 = 372). The estimated number of respondents are the number of unique awardees (annual average for fiscal years 2019 through 2021). The responses per respondent are a mathematical calculation from dividing the estimated total annual responses by the number of respondents. The estimated time required to gather necessary information, prepare necessary paperwork, and convey this information to the Government is 6 hours per response for the initial application submission and 1 hour per response for the 11 supplemental monthly information submissions per year. This results in an average of 1.42 (17÷12 = 1.42) hours per response.

Estimated number of respondents/yr................... 79

Responses per respondent.............................x 4.71

Total annual responses............................... 372

Estimated hrs/response...............................x 1.42

Estimated annual burden hours........................ 528

Hourly rate*.........................................x $59

Estimated annual cost to the public.................$31,152

FAR 52.232-1 through 52.232-4, 52.232-6, 52.232-7, and 52.232-10 - Payments.

The estimated number of respondents per year is based on the total number of government contracts awarded for the types of contracts that include the FAR clauses covered by this information collection. On average per year, the Government awards 267,509 contracts, to 12,540 unique awardees, for the type of contracts covered, and associated product and service codes (PSCs) identified below:

• Fixed-price supply contracts (Groups 7-99)

• Fixed-price service contracts excluding construction (Categories A-H, J-N, P-X, Z1)

• Personal service contracts excluding fixed-price, time-and- materials, and labor-hour contracts (PSC R497)

• Transportation or transportation-related services excluding fixed-price, time-and materials, and labor-hour contracts (Category V)

• Regulated communication services by common carriers excluding fixed-price, time-and-materials, and labor-hour contracts (PSCs DD01 & DG11, previously D304 & D322 respectively.)

• All time-and-materials contracts

• All labor-hour contracts

As a result, the number of estimated respondents is 267,509. Responses per respondent is based on the average contract including 6 invoices per year. Time required to read and prepare information on invoices (beyond that provided as a normal business practice) is estimated at an average of 15 minutes for Federal contracts. Estimates range from low as one minute for such actions as small purchases and fixed-price contracts to as high as 30 minutes for more complicated actions.

Estimated number of respondents/yr..................267,509

Responses per respondent.............................x 6

Total annual responses............................1,605,054

Estimated hrs/response...............................x 0.25

Estimated annual burden hours.......................401,264

Hourly rate*..........................................x $59

Estimated annual cost to the public.............$23,674,576

FAR 52.232-5, Payments under Fixed-Price Construction Contracts.

On average per year, the Government awards 16,659 fixed-price construction contracts (i.e., PSCs beginning with Y and Z2) to 4,090 unique awardees, approximately 4 contracts per contractor (16,659 awards/4,090 unique awardees, rounded to the nearest whole number). The estimated number of respondents per year is the number of unique awardees. It is estimated that each respondent submits a monthly invoice for each contract for a total of 48 responses per respondent. The estimated time required to assemble and prepare a response is on average 0.33 hours.

Estimated number of respondents/yr....................4,090

Responses per respondent............................ x 48

Total annual responses..............................196,320

Estimated hrs/response...............................x 0.33

Estimated annual burden hours........................64,786

Hourly rate*.........................................x $59

Estimated annual cost to the public..............$3,822,374

FAR 52.232-20 and 52.232-22 - Limitation of Costs or Funds. To comply with this requirement, the contractor must: (a) monitor and predict prospective costs under the contract, (b) analyze whether those costs will cause the total cost of the contract to exceed a defined threshold, (c) predict the total cost of performance over the life of the contract, and (d) notify the contracting officer. The accounting, analysis, and prediction functions are part of the contractor’s business processes. The only additional burden (unique to Government contracting) is that of notifying the contracting officer.

On average per year, the Government awards 11,869 cost-reimbursement contracts to 2,256 unique awardees, approximately 5 contracts per contractor (11,869 awards/2,256 unique awardees, rounded to the nearest whole number). As a result, the number of estimated respondents is 2,256. The responses per respondent are based on the average contractor notifying the Government 5 times per year. Some cost-reimbursement contracts will not invoke the responses required by the two clauses, while others will require more than one response per year. The estimated time required to assemble and prepare a response is on average 20 minutes. The figure is a weighted average with an estimated time of 15 minutes for simple contracts, 20 minutes for average contracts, and 25 minutes for more complex contracts. This weighted average assumes an equal mix of simple, average, and complex contracts.

Estimated number of respondents/yr................... 2,256

Responses per respondent.............................x 5

Total annual responses...............................11,280

Estimated hrs/response...............................x 0.33

Estimated annual burden hours........................ 3,722

Hourly rate*.........................................x $59

Estimated annual cost to the public................$219,598

FAR 52.232-27, Prompt Payment for Construction Contracts.

On average per year, the Government awards 16,659 fixed-price construction contracts (i.e., PSCs beginning with Y and Z2) to 4,090 unique awardees. It is estimated that 20 percent of contractors will need to submit any of the information required by the FAR clause 52.232-27. As a result, the number of estimated respondents is 818 (20% of 4,090). Responses per respondent is based on the average contractor notifying the Government 4 times per year. The estimated time required to assemble and prepare responses is 0.33 hours per response.

Estimated number of respondents/yr................... 818

Responses per respondent.............................x 4

Total annual responses............................... 3,272

Estimated hrs/response...............................x 0.33

Estimated annual burden hours........................ 1,080

Hourly rate*.........................................x $59

Estimated annual cost to the public.................$63,720

FAR 52.232-34, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer—Other than System for Award Management. On average per year, the Government awards 1,179 contracts with an exception to the use of SAM to 567 unique awardees, approximately 2 contracts per contractor (1,179 awards/567 unique awardees, rounded to the nearest whole number). As a result, the number of estimated respondents is 567. The responses per respondent are the average number of contracts per contractor. The estimated time required to assemble and prepare responses is 0.50 hours per response.

Estimated number of respondents/yr......................567

Responses per respondent............................. x 2

Total annual responses.............................. 1,134

Estimated hrs/response............................... x 0.5

Estimated annual burden hrs......................... 567

Hourly rate*......................................... x $59

Estimated annual cost to the public.................$33,453

* Based on the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) 2022 General Schedule (GS) 12/step 5 salary for the rest of the United States ($43.10 per hour) plus a 36.25 percent fringe factor, rounded to the nearest whole dollar ($59). The fringe factor used is pursuant to the rate provided in OMB memorandum M-08-13 for use in public-private competition.

** Based on the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) 2022 General Schedule (GS) 13/step 5 salary for the rest of the United States ($51.25 per hour) plus a 36.25 percent fringe factor, rounded to the nearest whole dollar ($70). The fringe factor used is pursuant to the rate provided in OMB memorandum M-08-13 for use in public-private competition.

14. Estimated cost to the Government.

SUMMARY	FAR 32.408(b) & 52.232-12	FAR 52.232-1 through 52.232-4, 52.232-6, 52.232-7, & 52.232-10	FAR 52.232-5	FAR 52.232-20 & 52.232-22	FAR 52.232-27	FAR 52.232-34	Total
Total annual responses	372	1,605,054	196,320	11,280	3,272	1,134	1,817,432
Review time per response (hours)	1.08	0.240	0.10	0.50	0.50	1.50
Review time per year (hours)	402	385,213	19,632	5,640	1,636	1,701	414,224
Hourly rate	$70	$59	$59	$59	$59	$59
Estimated Government Cost	$28,140	$22,727,567	$1,158,288	$332,760	$96,524	$100,359	24,443,638

FAR 32.408(b) and the FAR clause at 52.232-12, Advance Payments. The review time is average time based on estimated 2 hours to review initial application and 1 hour to review 11 monthly supplemental information submissions per year.

Total annual responses............................... 372

Review time per response (hours)..................... x 1.08

Review time per year (hours)......................... 402

Hourly rate**........................................ x $70

Estimated annual cost to the Government............. $28,140

FAR 52.232-1 through 52.232-4, 52.232-6, 52.232-7, and 52.232-10 - Payments. The time required for Government review is estimated at ten minutes for simple submissions, one hour for moderately complex submissions, and four hours for difficult submissions. Further, it is estimated that 70 percent will be simple, 20 percent will be moderately complex, and 10 percent of actions will be difficult. The figure is a weighted average.

Total annual responses.............................1,605,054

Review time per response (hours)..................... x 0.24

Review time per year (hours)........................ 385,213

Hourly rate*......................................... x $59

Estimated annual cost to the Government..........$22,727,567

FAR 52.232-5, Payments under Fixed-Price Construction Contracts.

Time required for Government review is estimated at 0.10 hours. The figure is a weighted average with an estimated review time of 0.05 hours for simple contracts, 0.10 hours for average contracts, and 0.15 hours for more complex contracts. This weighted average assumes an equal mix of simple, average, and complex contracts.

Total annual responses...............................196,320

Review time per response (hours)..................... x 0.1

Review time per year (hours)......................... 19,632

Hourly rate*......................................... x $59

Estimated annual cost to the Government...........$1,158,288

FAR 52.232-20 and 52.232-22 - Limitation of Costs or Funds. Time required for Government review is estimated at 30 minutes. The figure is a weighted average with an estimated review time of 20 minutes for simple contracts, 30 minutes for average contracts, and 40 minutes for more complex contracts. This weighted average assumes an equal mix of simple, average, and complex contracts.

Total annual responses............................... 11,280

Review time per response (hours)..................... x 0.5

Review time per year (hours)......................... 5,640

Hourly rate*......................................... x $59

Estimated annual cost to the Government.............$332,760

FAR 52.232-27, Prompt Payment for Construction Contracts.

Time required for Government review is estimated at 0.50 hours. The figure is a weighted average with an estimated review time of 0.30 hours for simple contracts, 0.50 hours for average contracts, and 0.70 hours for more complex contracts. This weighted average assumes an equal mix of simple, average, and complex contracts.

Total annual responses............................... 3,272

Review time per response (hours)..................... x 0.5

Review time per year (hours)......................... 1,636

Hourly rate*......................................... x $59

Estimated annual cost to the Government..............$96,524

FAR 52.232-34, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer—Other than System for Award Management. Time required for Government review is estimated at 1.5 hours per response.

Total annual responses............................... 1,134

Review time per response (hours).................... x 1.5

Review time per year (hours)........................ 1,701

Hourly rate*....................................... x $59

Estimated annual cost to the Government............$100,359

15. Explain reasons for program changes or adjustments reported in Item A.13 or A.14. There are no program changes. The FAR requirements remain the same. Adjustments are made to the public and Government burden estimates based on the following:

● The estimated number of respondents and responses per year is based on the average of FPDS data for the three most recent fiscal years (2019 through 2021). The parameters for data pulled from FPDS for each clause are consistent with the prescription for each clause, resulting in changes to the number of respondents and average contracts per respondent for the individual burden estimates.

● The estimated annual burden hours for the clauses at FAR 52.232-1 through 52.232-4, 52.232-6, 52.232-7, and 52.232-10 is reduced from 2,586,245 to 401,264 burden hours. The prior estimate under OMB Control No. 9000-0070 cited FPDS data for FY 2018. However, it appears the report may have duplicated some entries by failing to exclude contracts as described in the list of type of contracts covered under items A.12&13 for these clauses.

● The estimated cost per hour is based on use of the calendar year 2022 OPM GS wage rate for the rest of the United States.

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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