Rural Development Co-operative Agreement

OMB Control No: 0570-0074	ICR Reference No: 202105-0570-001
Status: Historical Active	Previous ICR Reference No:
Agency/Subagency: USDA/RBS	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Rural Development Co-operative Agreement
Type of Information Collection: New collection (Request for a new OMB Control Number)	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Emergency	Approval Requested By: 05/20/2021
OIRA Conclusion Action: Approved with change	Conclusion Date: 05/17/2021
Retrieve Notice of Action (NOA)	Date Received in OIRA: 05/11/2021
Terms of Clearance: This information collection request was submitted pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.13 to facilitate the time sensitive competitive solicitation application window and the obligation of FY 2021 funds. OMB approves this information collection request under 5 CFR 1320.13 for six months.

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	11/30/2021	6 Months From Approved
Responses	1,000	0	0
Time Burden (Hours)	1,650	0	0
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

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Abstract: Pursuant to the Federal Agricultural Improvement Act of 1996 (P.L. 104-127), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) received authorization from Congress under 7 U.S.C. 2204b(b)(4) to enter into cooperative agreements for the purpose of improving the coordination and effectiveness of programs that benefit rural areas. This authority is referred to as the Rural Development Cooperative Agreement (RDCA) program. There are three agencies within USDA that administer programs that specifically target rural areas: the Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS), the Rural Housing Service (RHS), and the Rural Utilities Service (RUS).

Emergency Justfication: The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RB-CS), Rural Housing Service (RHS), and Rural Utilities Service (RUS), agencies that comprise the Rural Development (RD) Mission Area within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), are requesting emergency review and approval of a new information collection for the Rural Development Cooperatives Agreements. Associated with this package is a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the Rural Placemaking Innovation Challenge (RPIC) initiative. The Agency is expecting to publish the NOFA, in which the 60-day notice is embedded, in the Federal Register by May 27, 2021. Approval of this emergency request is important because: (1) Of the time sensitive competitive solicitation application window commencing on May 27, 2021; (2) The urgency to obligate fiscal year (FY) 2021 funds prior to the end of the fiscal year; and (3) Effectively implement the program as quickly as possible to benefit rural communities. RD is requesting the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve this information collection no later than May 20, 2021. The Congress, Administration and USDA has indicated that timely implementation of the RPIC is a priority well before the FY 21 fourth quarter.

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Authorizing Statute(s): None

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

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 Rural Development Co-operative Agreement

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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	1,000	0	0	0	1,000	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	1,650	0	0	0	1,650	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: This is a new collection, there is no change in burden.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $125,317

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: Kimble Brown 202 692-0042 [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: 05/11/2021

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