Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) (a)(2) Construction, Renovation, & Real Property Projects Prior Approval Request Form

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) (a)(2) Construction, Renovation, & Real Property Projects Prior Approval Request Form Form and Instruction	New
Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) (a)(2) Construction, Renovation, & Real Property Projects Prior Approval Request Form Form and Instruction	New
Construction Prior Approval Memo.docx Supplementary Document	2022-05-02
Construction Prior Approval Supporting Statement v2.docx Supporting Statement A	2022-05-02

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
253184	Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) (a)(2) Construction, Renovation, & Real Property Projects Prior Approval Request Form Form and Instruction	New
253183	Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) (a)(2) Construction, Renovation, & Real Property Projects Prior Approval Request Form Form and Instruction	New

ICR Details

OMB Control No:	ICR Reference No: 202205-1840-002
Status: Received in OIRA	Previous ICR Reference No:
Agency/Subagency: ED/OPE	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) (a)(2) Construction, Renovation, & Real Property Projects Prior Approval Request Form
Type of Information Collection: New collection (Request for a new OMB Control Number)	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Emergency	Approval Requested By: 05/03/2022
Date Submitted to OIRA: 05/03/2022

	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	6 Months From Approved
Responses	1,200	0
Time Burden (Hours)	600	0
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0

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Abstract: The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022 (Pub. L. 117-103) signed by the President on March 15, 2022, provides new flexibilities and requirements around using HEERF (a)(2) grant funds for construction, renovation, and real property projects as a result of Congress expanding the allowable uses of funds under the HEERF (a)(2) programs. This collection includes the required prior approval form that must be completed by eligible institutions seeking to use (a)(2) funds for this purpose.

Emergency Justfication: If this emergency collection is not approved, the Department will be unable to process the prior approval requests institutions are required to submit to commence a construction, renovation or real property project in a timely manner. Due to the potential lengthened timeline associated with the construction, renovation, and real property projects, the Department has determined that it is necessary to obtain the required information from the institutions to use the (a)(2) funding stream for this purpose as required by Uniform Guidance. Without approval of the HEERF (a)(2) Prior Approval Request Form, institutions will be forced to delay the construction, renovation and real property projects which “prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus.” Any delay in the submission of requests could jeopardize the timelines as institutions will not have sufficient time to complete the construction, renovation, and real property projects prior to Account Closing Regulation, which is September 30, 2028. This means all remaining funds unspent by institutions must be returned to the U.S. Department of Treasury.

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Authorizing Statute(s): PL: Pub.L. 107 - 103 530 Name of Law: Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: PL: Pub.L. 117 - 103 530 Name of Law: Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022

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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

Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 2

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) (a)(2) Construction, Renovation, & Real Property Projects Prior Approval Request Form	N/A	N/A
Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) (a)(2) Construction, Renovation, & Real Property Projects Prior Approval Request Form	N/A	N/A

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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	1,200	0	0	1,200	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	600	0	0	600	0	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0	0	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: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: This is a new collection. Therefore, all burden is new.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government:

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? Yes

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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: 05/03/2022

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