Operating Reports for Telecommunications and Broadband Borrowers

OMB Control No: 0572-0031	ICR Reference No: 201905-0572-003
Status: Active	Previous ICR Reference No: 201604-0572-002
Agency/Subagency: USDA/RUS	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Operating Reports for Telecommunications and Broadband Borrowers
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: 12/12/2019
Retrieve Notice of Action (NOA)	Date Received in OIRA: 07/02/2019
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	12/31/2022	36 Months From Approved	12/31/2019
Responses	1,315	0	1,339
Time Burden (Hours)	6,296	0	6,749
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

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Abstract: This Information Collection covers the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) Telecommunications Operating Report, the Broadband Operating Report and RUS Form 674, "Certificate of Authority to Submit or Grant Access to Data". The operating reports provide vital financial information necessary to ensure the maintenance of the security for Government loans consistent with due diligence. Data collected enables the agency to ensure the provision of quality telecom, electric and broadband service as mandated by the RE Act.

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Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 7 USC 901 Name of Law: Rural Electrification Act of 1936

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

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Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	84 FR 16241	04/18/2019
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	84 FR 31561	07/02/2019
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 1

IC Title Form No. Form Name Operating Reports for Telecommunications and Broadband Borrowers Form 674 Certificate of Authority to Submit or Grant Access to Data

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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	1,315	1,339	0	0	-24	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	6,296	6,749	0	0	-453	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0	0	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: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: There was an adjustment to account for an decrease in estimated number of respondents by 67 from the last reporting period from 647 to 580 and an increase in the estimated burden hours per response from 4.63 to 4.79 that resulted in an overall decrease of 453 burden hours from 6,749 to 6,296. There was also in increase in annual burden hour costs due to an update to 2019 statistics. The estimate of respondents was calculated based on both past experience and by averaging annual respondents for the last three years reporting period. There is an estimated forecast of 1,315 annual responses and each response requires an estimated average of 4.79 hours.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $56,400

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? Uncollected

Agency Contact: MaryPat Daskal 202-720-7853 [email protected]

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Common Form ICR:  No

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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: 07/02/2019

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