Overview
Title
Submission for OMB Review; Alternatives to Government-Unique Standards
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The government wants to hear if there are easier ways to do things instead of using special rules only they understand, and they're asking people to tell them their ideas before February 10, 2021. But some people might find it a bit tricky to figure out how to share their thoughts and keep track of what's happening.
Summary AI
The Department of Defense (DOD), General Services Administration (GSA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) have announced a request for public feedback on a proposed revision and extension of an information collection about alternatives to government-specific standards. This initiative, under the Paperwork Reduction Act, aims to gather data from offerors suggesting alternative standards to government-unique ones, to evaluate if these alternatives could meet the government's needs. Interested parties are invited to submit their comments by February 10, 2021, with specific instructions provided for the submission process. The document clarifies how this information will support Federal agencies in determining if voluntary consensus standards can be adopted in place of unique government standards.
Abstract
Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the Regulatory Secretariat Division has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request to review and approve a revision and extension of a previously approved information collection requirement concerning alternatives to Government-unique standards.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document in question involves a notice from the Department of Defense (DOD), General Services Administration (GSA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). These agencies are requesting public feedback on a proposed revision and extension regarding the use of alternatives to government-specific standards. This initiative is part of the Paperwork Reduction Act efforts aimed at collecting data from businesses that propose different standards. It seeks to find if these alternatives can adequately meet government requirements. Feedback from interested parties is solicited by February 10, 2021. The document explains the importance of these standards and outlines the specific process for submitting comments.
General Summary
The notice communicates an attempt by federal agencies to update and extend their approach to information collection concerning alternatives to government-unique standards. The idea is to invite offerors—typically businesses responding to government solicitations—to propose either government standards or their own voluntary consensus standards. These submissions can potentially offer more efficient or cost-effective solutions. The process outlined will help determine when and if such alternatives could meet government needs, aligning with federal policies advocating for voluntary consensus standards when appropriate.
Significant Issues and Concerns
There are several notable concerns with the document:
- Complex Submission Process: The document provides multiple instructions and platforms for submitting comments, which could confuse the public. A streamlined, singular process might improve public engagement.
- Lack of Public Engagement: Previously, during the initial 60-day notice, no comments were received. This absence of engagement is alarming and suggests a need for more significant public awareness and outreach efforts.
- Complex Language: The document discusses various regulations and their implications using technical jargon. For those unfamiliar with documents like the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) or OMB Circulars, the text might be overly complex and could benefit from simplification.
Impact on the Public
For the general public, the document represents a step toward potentially better standards in government procurement. By allowing businesses to propose alternatives, there could be efficiencies gained in how the government conducts its acquisitions. This may lead to cost savings and increased innovation within public projects that could benefit taxpayers.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For businesses, particularly those dealing in procurement or service provisions to the government, this notice presents an opportunity. Firms with innovative standards may find themselves more competitive in government contracts if they can effectively communicate and prove the viability of their standards. However, the complexity and cost of gathering and submitting the necessary information may deter smaller businesses or those less experienced with federal procedures.
Overall, this notice aims to ensure that the government leverages the best available standards, whether they are unique or consensus-based, by actively involving the public and private sectors in the decision-making process. While the initiative has potential benefits, it also faces challenges in achieving effective public engagement and clarity in communication.
Issues
• The document does not specify any particular organizations or individuals that might be favored by the information collection requirement, but it's important to monitor the implementation to ensure impartiality.
• The language regarding the submission of comments is somewhat complex, with multiple websites and instructions, which may confuse the public. Simplifying the submission process could encourage more participation.
• The information about checking the status of comments and confirming receipt is potentially confusing. A more straightforward statement on how to do this could improve clarity.
• The section on 'Need and Uses' is detailed but might be overly complex for those unfamiliar with the FAR or the specific regulations mentioned. Providing a simpler explanation of what FAR 52.211-7 entails could be beneficial.
• The document mentions no comments were received during the initial 60-day notice period, which raises concerns about public engagement. Further measures to increase awareness and encourage feedback may be necessary.