Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; SABIT Participant Application, Participant Survey, Alumni Survey
| Published date | 23 November 2020 |
| Citation | 85 FR 74672 |
| Record Number | 2020-25725 |
| Section | Notices |
| Court | Commerce Department,International Trade Administration |
Federal Register, Volume 85 Issue 226 (Monday, November 23, 2020)
[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 226 (Monday, November 23, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Page 74672]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-25725]
[[Page 74672]]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment
Request; SABIT Participant Application, Participant Survey, Alumni
Survey
AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of information collection, request for comment.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other
Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information
collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information
collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The
purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment
preceding submission of the collection to OMB.
DATES: To ensure consideration, comments regarding this proposed
information collection must be received on or before January 22, 2021.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments by
email to Towanda Carey, ITA Paperwork Clearance Officer, International
Trade Administration at [email protected] or [email protected].
Please reference OMB Control Number 0625-0225 in the subject line of
your comments. Do not submit Confidential Business Information or
otherwise sensitive or protected information.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or
specific questions related to collection activities should be directed
to Tracy M. Rollins, Director, SABIT Program, International Trade
Administration, (202) 482-0392, [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
The Special American Business Internship Training (SABIT) Program
of the Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration
(ITA), is a key element in the U.S. Government's efforts to support the
economic transition of Eurasia (the former Soviet Union) and to support
economic growth in other regions of the world, including countries in
Europe, South Asia, and the Middle East, et al. SABIT develops and
implements two-week training programs in the United States for groups
of up to 20 business and government professionals from Eurasia and
other regions. These professionals meet with U.S. government agencies,
non-governmental organizations and private sector companies in order to
learn about various business practices and principles. This unique
private sector-U.S. Government partnership was created in order to tap
into the U.S. private sector's expertise and to assist developing
regions in their transition to market-based economies while
simultaneously boosting trade between the United States and other
countries. SABIT also develops and implements virtual events for its
alumni and other participants that provide industry-specific training
on best practices for business and management, and fosters contacts
with U.S. organizations. Participant applications are needed to enable
SABIT to find the most qualified participants for the training
programs. Participant exit questionnaires provide insight as to what
the participants have learned, and they are used to improve the content
and administration of future programs. Alumni success story reports
track the success of the program as regards to business ties between
the U.S. and the countries SABIT covers.
The closing date for participant applications is based upon the
starting date of the program and is published with the application and
on the program's website at www.trade.gov/sabit. Pursuant to section
632(a) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended, funding for
the programs will be provided through the Agency for International
Development (AID).
The SABIT Program has revised the collection instruments. The
instruments are very similar to those used by SABIT in past years.
However, some wording has been changed to reflect the changing needs of
SABIT over time. The changes are relatively minor and most of them are
rephrasing of wording. Instructions for filling out the form, methods
of submission, and the order of questions have been revised on the
Participant Application. These revisions are not expected to increase
the response time to complete the instruments.
II. Method of Collection
Participant applications may be downloaded from the SABIT websites
at www.trade.gov/sabit when available. Applications may be sent to
program candidates via email upon request. Applications are collected
via email. Participant exit questionnaires are given to program
participants at the completion of programs electronically, although in
rare situations, a paper questionnaire may be completed and submitted.
Alumni success story reports are used internally by SABIT staff to
record success information, but at times they may be sent to alumni to
fill out and submit electronically.
III. Data
OMB Control Number: 0625-0225.
Form Number(s): ITA-4143P-3.
Type of Review: Regular submission (revision of a currently
approved information collection).
Affected Public: Individuals or households; Business or other for-
profit organizations.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 3,500.
Estimated Time per Response: Participant application, 3 hours;
participant exit questionnaire, 1 hour; alumni survey, 1 hour.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 7,000.
Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0.
Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
Legal Authority: Section 632(a) of the Foreign Assistance Act of
1961, as amended (the ``FAA''), and pursuant to the Department of
State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act,
2018 (Div. K, P.L. 115-141).
IV. Request for Comments
We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department/Bureau
to: (a) Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is
necessary for the proper functions of the Department, including whether
the information will have practical utility; (b) Evaluate the accuracy
of our estimate of the time and cost burden for this proposed
collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions
used; (c) Evaluate ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of
the information to be collected; and (d) Minimize the reporting burden
on those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection
techniques or other forms of information technology.
Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.
Sheleen Dumas,
Department PRA Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief Information
Officer, Commerce Department.
[FR Doc. 2020-25725 Filed 11-20-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-HE-P
