Agency Information Collection Activity: Nonprofit Research and Education Corporations (NPCs)-Annual Report, Remediation Plans & Assessment Questionnaires

AGENCY:

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension of a currently approved collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice.

DATES:

Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection of information should be received on or before November 8, 2021.

ADDRESSES:

Submit written comments on the collection of information through Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) at www.Regulations.gov or to Janel Keyes, Office of Regulations, Appeals, and Policy (10BRAP), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20420 or email to Janel.Keyes@va.gov. Please refer to “OMB Control No. 2900-0783” in any correspondence. During the comment period, comments may be viewed online through FDMS.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Maribel Aponte, Office of Enterprise and Integration, Data Governance Analytics (008), 1717 H Street NW, Washington, DC 20006, (202) 266-4688 or email maribel.aponte@va.gov. Please refer to “OMB Control No. 2900-0783” in any correspondence.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Under the PRA of 1995, Federal agencies must obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of information they conduct or sponsor. This request for comment is being made pursuant to Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA.

With respect to the following collection of information, VHA invites comments on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of VHA's functions, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of VHA's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or the use of other forms of information technology.

Authority: Public Law 104-13; 44 U.S.C. 3501-3521.

Title: Nonprofit Research and Education Corporations (NPCs)—Annual Report, Remediation Plans & Assessment Questionnaires, VA Forms 10-10073, 10-10073A, 10-10073B, and 10-10073C.

OMB Control Number: 2900-0783.

Type of Review: Reinstatement of a previously approved collection.

Abstract: Title 38 U.S.C. Section 7366, Accountability and Oversight, states “(b) each such corporation (NPC) shall submit to the Secretary (Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA)) an annual report providing a detailed statement of its operations, activities, and accomplishments during that year.” The individual NPC annual reports are combined into one NPC Annual Report to Congress. VA oversight of NPCs includes reviews, audits, self-assessments, and remediation plans. This information collection is used for oversight of NPCs and includes the following:

a. NPC Annual Report Template, VA Form 10-10073.

b. NPC Audit Actions Items Remediation Plans, VA Form 10-10073A.

c. NPPO Internal Control Questionnaire, VA Form 10-10073B.

d. NPPO Operations Oversight Questionnaire, VA Form 10-10073C.

NPC Annual Report Template, VA Form 10-10073

Since 1988, when the enabling legislation for the NPCs was passed, annual reports have been obtained from each NPC and combined into an NPC Annual Report to Congress. Congress uses the combined NPC Annual Report to Congress to monitor the progress of the overall NPC program it created. The NPC Annual Report to Congress is also used by top-level VA executives to evaluate the program and to recommend changes where needed. VHA's Nonprofit Oversight Board and the Nonprofit Program Office (NPPO) use both the combined NPC Annual Report to Congress and the individual NPC Annual Report Templates to monitor and oversee the NPCs. Trend analyses and other financial information are analyzed for each NPC and judgments made about each NPC's progress, financial viability, stewardship of assets, and accomplishments.

NPC Audit Actions Items Remediation Plans, VA Form 10-10073A

The NPC Audit Action Items Remediation Plans information collection is used to review the NPCs' remedies for audit deficiencies and recommendations. The major objective of the information collection is to help ensure proper corrective action. If any of the remediation plans submitted are inadequate, then the NPPO will make recommendations for sound, workable remedies.

NPPO Internal Control Questionnaire, VA Form 10-10073B

The NPPO Internal Control Questionnaire, or portions of it, will be used in conducting reviews, audits, and investigations of the NPCs. The major objective of the questionnaire is to uncover weaknesses and lapses in internal controls. The NPPO will then make recommendations for improved internal controls wherever there are weaknesses or lapses. The questionnaire also may be used as a voluntary self-assessment by the NPCs.

NPPO Operations Oversight Questionnaire, VA Form 10-10073C

The NPPO Operations Oversight Questionnaire, or portions of it, will be used in conducting operational reviews of the NPCs. The major objective of the questionnaire is to uncover operating problems and areas that need improvement. The NPPO will then make recommendations for operations improvements wherever problems or opportunities for improvement are found. The questionnaire also may be used as a voluntary self-assessment by the NPCs.

Affected Public: Individuals and households.

Estimated Annual Burden: 858 total hours.

a. NPC Annual Report Template—301 hours.

b. NPC Audit Actions Items Remediation Plans—84 hours.

c. NPPO Internal Control Questionnaire—344 hours.

d. NPPO Operations Oversight Questionnaire—129 hours.

Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 660 total minutes.

a. NPC Annual Report Template—210 minutes.

b. NPC Audit Actions Items Remediation Plans—120 minutes.

c. NPPO Internal Control Questionnaire—240 minutes.

d. NPPO Operations Oversight Questionnaire—90 minutes.

Frequency of Response: Once annually.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 300 total.

a. NPC Annual Report Template—86.

b. NPC Audit Actions Items Remediation Plans—42.

c. NPPO Internal Control Questionnaire—86.

d. NPPO Operations Oversight Questionnaire—86.