Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request Entitled Access Certificates for Electronic Services (ACES) Program

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request Entitled Access

Certificates for Electronic Services (ACES) Program

AGENCY: Federal Technology Service, GSA.

ACTION: Notice of request for approval of a new information collection

entitled Access Certificates for Electronic Services (ACES) Program.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C.

Chapter 35), the Federal Technology Service (FTS) is publishing a

summary of a proposed new information collection activity for public

and agency comment. The proposed information collection activity is

designed to support a new FTS program entitled Access Certificates for

Electronic Services (ACES). The ACES Program is intended to facilitate

and promote secure electronic communications between on-line automated

information technology application systems authorized by law to

participate in the ACES Program and users who elect to participate in

the program, through the implementation and operation of digital

signature certificate technologies. Individual digital signature

certificates will be issued at no cost to individuals based upon their

presentation of verifiable proof of identity to an authorized ACES

Registration Authority. Business Representative digital signature

certificates will be issued to individuals based upon their

presentation of verifiable proof of identity and verifiable proof of

authority from the claimed entity to an authorized ACES Registration

Authority. If authorized by law, a fee may be charged for issuance of a

Business Representative certificate. The information collection was

previously published in the Federal Register on December 7, 1999 at 63

FR 67484, allowing for a 60-day comment period. No comments were

received.

DATES: Submit comments on or before March 18, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect

of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing

this burden, should be submitted to: Edward Springer, GSA Desk Officer,

Room 3235, NEOB, Washington, DC 20503, and may also be addressed to

Stanley Choffrey, General Services Administration, Federal Technology

Service, Office of Information Security, Room 5060, 7th and D Streets,

SW, Washington, DC 20407.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stanley Choffrey, General Services

Administration, Federal Technology Service, Office of Information

Security at (202) 708-7943, or by e-mail to [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Purpose

The purpose of this Notice is to consult with and solicit comments

from the public and affected agencies concerning the proposed

collection of information under the ACES Program in order to:

(1) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is

necessary for the proper performance of the functions of GSA, including

whether the information will have practical utility;

(2) Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of

the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the

methodology and assumptions used;

(3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to

be collected; and

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(4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those

who are to response.

Comments relating to any additional aspects and features of the

ACES Program are also welcomed, and will be carefully considered.

B. Annual Reporting Burden

Respondents: 1,000,000; annual responses: 1,000,000; average hours

per response: .15; burden hours: 250,000.

Copy of Proposal

A copy of this proposal may be obtained by contacting Stanley

Choffrey at the above address.

Dated: February 9, 1999.

Edward C. Loeb,

Acting Deputy Associate Administrator for Acquisition Policy.

[FR Doc. 99-3571 Filed 2-12-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6820-61-M