Rural Broadband Loans, Loan/Grant Combination, and Loan Guarantees

OMB Control No: 0572-0154	ICR Reference No: 202006-0572-005
Status: Active	Previous ICR Reference No: 202006-0572-004
Agency/Subagency: USDA/RUS	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Rural Broadband Loans, Loan/Grant Combination, and Loan Guarantees
Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Approved without change	Conclusion Date: 08/16/2021
Retrieve Notice of Action (NOA)	Date Received in OIRA: 12/08/2020
Terms of Clearance: In accordance with 5 CFR 1320, the information collection is approved for three years. For all USDA forms included in this collection but not approved under a 0572 control number, the agency that developed this form must convert it to a common form, and RUS must submit a RCF for their total agency burden for use of this form, including the burden from this collection, all prior to the next renewal. For all 0572 forms included in this collection, not approved under 0572-0154, and used by any other agency other than RUS, RUS must convert this form to a common form prior to the next renewal and advise the other agency to submit their usage under a RCF. For all 0572 forms included in this collection, not approved under 0572-0154, and only used by RUS, RUS must merge the burden for their total agency use of this form into a single ICR under one OMB control number prior to the next renewal.

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	08/31/2024	36 Months From Approved	08/31/2021
Responses	528	0	528
Time Burden (Hours)	20,942	0	20,942
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

---

Abstract: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), is authorized by Title VI, Rural Broadband Access, of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, as amended (RE Act), to provide loans, loan/grant combinations and loan guarantees to fund the cost of construction, improvement, or acquisition of facilities and equipment for the provision of broadband service in eligible rural areas in the States and Territories of the United States. 7 CFR part 1738 prescribes the types of loans available, facilities financed, and eligible applicants, as well as minimum equity requirements to be considered for a loan. In addition, 7 CFR part 1738 outlines the process through which RUS will consider applicants under the priority consideration required in Title VI.

---

Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 7 USC 901 Name of Law: Rural Electricification and Telephone Service    PL: Pub.L. 115 - 334 6201 Name of Law: Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: PL: Pub.L. 115 - 334 6201 Name of Law: Agricultue Improvement Act of 2018

---

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:
	85 FR 14393	03/12/2020
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	85 FR 78989	12/08/2020
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 Rural Broadband Loans, Loan/Grant Combination, and Loan Guarantees Private Sector Rural Broadband Loans, Loan/Grant Combination, and Loan Guarantees SLT

---

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	528	528	0	0	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	20,942	20,942	0	0	0	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:

---

Annual Cost to Federal Government: $785,829

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: Jeanne Jacobs 202 692-0040 [email protected]

---

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: 12/08/2020

---