The Rural eConnectivity Program (ReConnect)

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
Final- ReConnect Spreadsheet 0572-0152 103023.xlsx Supplementary Document	2023-10-30
ReConnect 60 DFRN 5.22.23.docx Supplementary Document	2023-10-27
FR Doc #2023-11310 ReConnect FY23 60 DFRN FR Print.pdf Supplementary Document	2023-10-27
Final-ReConnect Supporting Statement.docx Supporting Statement A	2023-10-30

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
234052	ReConnect (Pilot) Program -State, Tribal & Local Governments Other-IC Non-Forms List	Removed
233929	ReConnect Pilot Program - IC List Other-Non-forms	Modified

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 0572-0152	ICR Reference No: 202310-0572-003
Status: Received in OIRA	Previous ICR Reference No: 201909-0572-001
Agency/Subagency: USDA/RUS	Agency Tracking No: 0572-0152
Title: The Rural eConnectivity Program (ReConnect)
Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular	Date Submitted to OIRA: 12/19/2023

	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	36 Months From Approved	12/31/2023
Responses	230,400	19,450
Time Burden (Hours)	1,468,032	156,090
Cost Burden (Dollars)	4,434,739,200	14,443,185

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Abstract: On March 23, 2018, Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2018 (the FY 2018 Appropriations) (Pub.L. 115–141) which established a broadband loan and grant pilot program, the Rural eConnectivity Pilot Program (hereinafter the ReConnect Program). One of the essential goals of the ReConnect Program is to expand broadband service to rural areas without sufficient access to broadband, defined as 10 megabits per second (Mbps) downstream and 1 Mbps upstream. For this purpose, Congress expanded RUS's existing authority to make loans and grants. Loans and grants are limited to the costs of the construction, improvement, and acquisition of facilities and equipment for broadband service in eligible communities. The FY 2018 Appropriations also authorized technical assistance to assist the agency in expanding needed service to the most rural communities. In facilitating the expansion of broadband services and infrastructure, the pilot will fuel long-term rural economic development and opportunities in rural America. One of those opportunities is precision agriculture. The use of this technology requires a robust broadband connection. The awards made under this program will bring high speed broadband to the farms which will allow them to increase productivity.

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Authorizing Statute(s): PL: Pub.L. 115 - 141 779 Name of Law: Consolidated Appropriations Act 2018 (the FY2018 Appropriations)
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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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
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	88 FR 33816	05/26/2023
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	88 FR 87735	12/19/2023
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 1

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
ReConnect (Pilot) Program -State, Tribal & Local Governments
ReConnect Pilot Program - IC List

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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	230,400	19,450	0	5,524	205,426	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	1,468,032	156,090	0	15,871	1,296,071	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	4,434,739,200	14,443,185	0	-3,982,349	4,424,278,364	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: The annual burden hours in the previous collection package of 152,130 has been revised to 151,360 which is a decrease of 770 burden hours for this collection package. The decrease of annual burden hours from the previous package can be attributed to the Agency’s revised estimate of respondents of 500 respondents in the previous package to 480 respondents in the current collection package. Since the first FOA, the Agency has gained experience and obtained input from applicants which has been considered in the new burden numbers. The Agency has employed additional outreach to stakeholders such as application training modules (i.e. financial, environmental and technical), webinars, workshops and reviewing ways to streamline the application process.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $6,439,720

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? No

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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: 12/19/2023

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