View Information Collection Request (ICR) Package
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Please note that the OMB number and expiration date may not have been determined when this Information Collection Request and associated Information Collection forms were submitted to OMB. The approved OMB number and expiration date may be found by clicking on the Notice of Action link below.
View ICR - OIRA Conclusion
OMB Control No:
0572-0152
ICR Reference No:
201909-0572-001
Status:
Active
Previous ICR Reference No:
201811-0572-001
Agency/Subagency:
USDA/RUS
Agency Tracking No:
Title:
The Rural eConnectivity Pilot Program ( ReConnect Program).
Type of Information Collection:
Revision of a currently approved collection
Common Form ICR:
No
Type of Review Request:
Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action:
Approved with change
Conclusion Date:
12/22/2020
Retrieve Notice of Action (NOA)
Date Received in OIRA:
09/16/2019
Terms of Clearance:
In accordance with 5 CFR 1320, the information collection is approved for three years.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
Expiration Date
12/31/2023
36 Months From Approved
12/31/2020
Responses
19,450
0
69,920
Time Burden (Hours)
156,090
0
477,820
Cost Burden (Dollars)
14,443,185
0
0
Abstract:
On March 23, 2018, Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2018 (the FY 2018 Appropriations) (Pub.L. 115–141) which established a broadband loan and grant pilot program, the Rural eConnectivity Pilot Program (hereinafter the ReConnect Program). One of the essential goals of the ReConnect Program is to expand broadband service to rural areas without sufficient access to broadband, defined as 10 megabits per second (Mbps) downstream and 1 Mbps upstream. For this purpose, Congress expanded RUS's existing authority to make loans and grants. Loans and grants are limited to the costs of the construction, improvement, and acquisition of facilities and equipment for broadband service in eligible communities. The FY 2018 Appropriations also authorized technical assistance to assist the agency in expanding needed service to the most rural communities. In facilitating the expansion of broadband services and infrastructure, the pilot will fuel long-term rural economic development and opportunities in rural America. One of those opportunities is precision agriculture. The use of this technology requires a robust broadband connection. The awards made under this program will bring high speed broadband to the farms which will allow them to increase productivity.
Authorizing Statute(s):
PL:
Pub.L. 115 - 141 779
Name of Law: Consolidated Appropriations Act 2018 (the FY2018 Appropriations)
Citations for New Statutory Requirements:
None
Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:
Stage of Rulemaking:
Federal Register Citation:
Date:
Not associated with rulemaking
Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:
Federal Register Citation:
Citation Date:
83 FR 64315
12/14/2018
30-day Notice:
Federal Register Citation:
Citation Date:
84 FR 48579
09/16/2019
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR?
No
Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR:
2
IC Title
Form No.
Form Name
ReConnect (Pilot) Program - Private Sector
ReConnect (Pilot) Program -State, Tribal & Local Governments
ICR Summary of Burden
Total Approved
Previously Approved
Change Due to New Statute
Change Due to Agency Discretion
Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate
Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses
19,450
69,920
0
0
-50,470
0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)
156,090
477,820
0
-289,557
-32,173
0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)
14,443,185
0
0
14,443,185
0
0
Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion:
No
Burden Increase Due to:
Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion:
Yes
Burden Reduction Due to:
Miscellaneous Actions
Short Statement:
The initial burden estimates for the previous collection package were based on the “pre-operational” status of the program prior to the first funding opportunity announcement (FOA) published in the Federal Register, December 14, 2018 at 83 FR 64315. The annual burden hours in the previous collection package of 477,820 has been revised to 156,090 which is a decrease of 321,730 burden hours for this collection package. The decrease of annual burden hours from the previous package can be attributed to the Agency’s revised estimate of respondents of 2,000 respondents in the previous package to 500 respondents in the current collection package. The revised estimate of 500 respondents in the current collection package is based on the Agency’s experience of having completed its first FOA and application process.
Annual Cost to Federal Government:
$5,308,270
Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods?
No
Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see
OMB Circular No. A-130
for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.
No
Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see
5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3)
)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.
No
Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]?
No
Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]?
No
Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)?
No
Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response?
No
Agency Contact:
MaryPat Daskal 202-720-7853 MaryPatDaskal@usda.gov
Common Form ICR:
No
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;
(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;
(c) It reduces burden on small entities;
(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;
(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;
(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;
(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.
(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and
(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Certification Date:
09/16/2019
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