SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, BOEM provides the general public and other Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on new, proposed, revised, and continuing collections of information. This helps BOEM assess the impact of its information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. It also helps the public understand BOEM's information collection requirements and provide the requested data in the desired format.

BOEM is soliciting comments on the proposed ICR described below. BOEM is especially interested in public comments addressing the following issues: (1) is the collection necessary to the proper functions of BOEM; (2) what can BOEM do to ensure that this information is processed and used in a timely manner; (3) is the burden estimate accurate; (4) how might BOEM enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (5) how might BOEM minimize the burden of this collection on the respondents, including minimizing the burden through the use of information technology?

Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of public record. BOEM will include or summarize each comment in its ICR to OMB for approval of this information collection. You should be aware that your entire comment—including your address, phone number, email address, or other personally identifiable information included in your comment—may be made publicly available at any time. Even if BOEM withholds your personally identifiable information in the context of this ICR, your comment is subject to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552). Your information will only be withheld if a determination is made that one of the FOIA exemptions to disclosure applies. Such a determination will be made in accordance with the Department of the Interior's (DOI) FOIA implementing regulations (43 CFR part 2) and applicable law.

In order for BOEM to consider withholding from disclosure your personally identifiable information, you must identify, in a cover letter, any information contained in the submittal of your comments that, if released, would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of your personal privacy. You must also briefly describe any possible harmful consequences of the disclosure of information, such as embarrassment, injury, or other harm. Note that BOEM will make available for public inspection, in their entirety, all comments submitted by organizations and businesses, or by individuals identifying themselves as representatives of organizations or businesses.

BOEM protects proprietary information in accordance with FOIA, DOI's implementing regulations (43 CFR part 2), and 30 CFR 580.70, promulgated pursuant to the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCS Lands Act) (43 U.S.C. 1352(c)).

Title of Collection: “Application to be Recognized as Qualified to Bid On, Hold, or Operate a Lease or Grant on the OCS in Accordance with the Requirements of 30 CFR 556, Subpart D.”

Abstract: This ICR seeks approval for a new form entitled Application to be Recognized as Qualified to Bid On, Own, Hold, or Operate a Lease or Grant on the OCS in Accordance with the Requirements of 30 CFR 556, Subpart D. The form establishes a single, standardized method for applicants to submit the information required to obtain a BOEM qualification number under 30 CFR 556. Its purpose is to streamline both applicant submissions and BOEM's review process.

The burden hours associated with collecting this information are already covered under OMB Control Number 1010-0006. However, because that control number is currently associated with a rulemaking under OMB review, BOEM is requesting a separate control number for this form to ensure it receives OMB review and approval.

BOEM seeks to streamline its process for collecting information required under 30 CFR 556, Subpart D. Entities wishing to bid on, own, hold, or operate a lease or grant on the OCS must first obtain a qualification number from BOEM by submitting the evidence required under 30 CFR 556.402. Historically, BOEM has not provided a single standardized format for entities seeking qualification to bid on, own, hold, or operate an OCS lease or grant. Applicants were required to prepare and submit multiple certificates and resolutions to demonstrate eligibility under 30 CFR 556. The new form consolidates all required information into one submission, reducing administrative effort for applicants and enabling more efficient processing of qualification requests.

The collection of information required by this form does not add any new burden hours. All relevant hours are already included under OMB Control Number 1010-0006, which covers the submission of evidence needed for an applicant to qualify to bid on, own, hold, or operate a lease or grant on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS).

This ICR requests OMB approval for a new BOEM form under a new OMB control number to collect the required information in a single, standardized format, eliminating the need for applicants to prepare, execute, and submit multiple separate certificates and resolutions. This streamlined approach will simplify and expedite the process for applicants seeking to qualify to conduct business on the OCS. ( printed page 54378) Additionally, consolidating all required information into one uniform submission will enable more efficient processing of initial qualification applications.

In accordance with 30 CFR 556.401 and 556.402, the form collects only the information required by regulation to establish eligibility for an OCS lease or grant and to obtain a qualification number. Applicants must indicate their category—such as U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, corporations, associations, States, political subdivisions, or trusts.

The form also collects information required by 556.402, which specifies that certain categories, like businesses, must provide extra documentation, including evidence of operating rules and a list of individuals authorized to bind the entity. By collecting all the information and evidence required in 556.401 and 556.402, the form ensures all regulatory requirements are met for each applicant type.

The submitted statements and supporting evidence are used to determine eligibility and inform BOEM's qualification decisions.

OMB Control Number: 1010-NEW.

Form Number: Form BOEM-0153, Application to Qualify.

Type of Review: New.

Respondents/Affected Public: Potential respondents are OCS applicants for leases and grants on the OCS.

Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 50 responses.

Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 50 hours, but the submission of this information is already accounted for and collected under OMB Control Number 1010-0006.

Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.

Frequency of Collection: Once.

Total Estimated Annual Non-Hour Burden Cost: None.

Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden: BOEM estimates that approximately 50 respondents will submit this form annually, with an estimated burden of 1 hour per response. The total estimated annual burden is 50 hours, which is already accounted for under OMB Control Number 1010-0006. No additional burden hours are associated with this request.

An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

The authority for this action is the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).