Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops

OMB Control No: 0551-0038	ICR Reference No: 202207-0551-001
Status: Received in OIRA	Previous ICR Reference No: 201902-0551-006
Agency/Subagency: USDA/FAS	Agency Tracking No: TASC-0038-2022
Title: Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops
Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular	Date Submitted to OIRA: 07/25/2022

	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	36 Months From Approved	07/31/2022
Responses	125	250
Time Burden (Hours)	1,250	1,600
Cost Burden (Dollars)	78,500	107,500

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Abstract: The TASC program provides funds to eligible organizations, on a grant basis, to implement activities that are intended to address sanitary, phytosanitary, and technical barriers that prohibit or threaten the export of U.S. specialty crops that are available on a commercial basis. The provisions of the Agricultural Act of 2014 mandated that the Secretary make available $9 million in CCC funds available for TASC projects in Fiscal Years 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018. The program is currently suspended pending a new Farm Bill.

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Authorizing Statute(s): PL: Pub.L. 107 - 171 3205 Name of Law: Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002

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:
	87 FR 29848	05/17/2022
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	87 FR 44082	07/25/2022
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 3

IC Title Form No. Form Name TASC - Federal TASC - Private Sector TASC - State

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ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Request	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	125	250	0	-125	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	1,250	1,600	0	-350	0	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	78,500	107,500	0	-29,000	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Increase Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Reduction Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

Short Statement: Based on the stakeholder input received during this revision cycle, FAS increased the burden estimate for TASC projects from 32 hours per project to 50 hours. This new number is in line with the burden estimates that we received from stakeholders. FAS also decreased the total estimated number of responses from 50 to 25, as the program now receives fewer applications for funding each year. The impact of these two changes decreased the total burden hours from 1,600 to 1,250, and decreased total cost to the public from $107,500 to $78,500.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $33,300

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: Dacia Rogers 202 402-3374 [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: 07/25/2022

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