V.  Paperwork Reduction Act

The Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. chapter 35) applies. The rule contains information collection requirements. OMB has cleared this information collection requirement under OMB Control Number 9000-0180, titled "Biobased Procurements."

One comment was received on the paperwork burden associated with this rule. It is summarized below.

Comment: The respondent believed that the required reporting does not have to be burdensome, because the clause at FAR 52.223-2, Affirmative Procurement of Biobased Products Under Service and Construction Contracts, already provides that the contractor shall make maximum use of USDA-designated biobased products (with certain exceptions). The respondent noted that, in order to comply with this current requirement, contractors should already be keeping records. Adding the dollar value of those items and reporting annually should not add a significant burden, according to the respondent. The respondent suggested that agencies should further simplify the reporting burden by making available an electronic template for the required report.

Response: The FAR does not designate practices to be used internally by Government agencies. Although providing an electronic reporting template for use by contractors seems to be a good idea, the FAR is not the proper vehicle for its designation.

List of Subjects in 48 CFR Parts 1, 2, 11, 23, and 52

Government procurement.

Dated: April 11, 2012.

Laura Auletta,
Director, Office of Governmentwide Acquisition Policy, Office of Acquisition Policy, Office of Governmentwide Policy.

Therefore, DoD, GSA, and NASA amend 48 CFR parts 1, 2, 11, 23, and 52 as set forth below:

1.  The authority citation for 48 CFR parts 1, 2, 11, 23, and 52 continues to read as follows:

Authority:  40 U.S.C. 121(c); 10 U.S.C. chapter 137; and 42 U.S.C. 2473(c).