[Federal Register: March 21, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 54)]
[Notices]
[Page 14192]
[DOCID:fr21mr06-55]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. RP05-552-003]

East Tennessee Natural Gas, LLC; Notice of Compliance Filing

March 14, 2006.
    Take notice that on March 8, 2006, East Tennessee Natural Gas, LLC
(East Tennessee) tendered for filing as part of its FERC Gas Tariff,
Third Revised Volume No. 1, Second Sub Original Sheet No. 316A, to
become effective on September 12, 2005.
    East Tennessee states that it is making this filing in compliance
with an order issued by the Commission in the captioned docket on
February 16, 2006.
    East Tennessee states that copies of its filing have been served
upon all affected customers of East Tennessee and interested state
commissions, and all parties on the Commission's official service list
in this proceeding.
    Any person desiring to protest this filing must file in accordance
with Rule 211 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18
CFR 385.211). Protests to this filing will be considered by the
Commission in determining the appropriate action to be taken, but will
not serve to make protestants parties to the proceeding. Such protests
must be filed in accordance with the provisions of Sec.  154.210 of the
Commission's regulations (18 CFR 154.210). Anyone filing a protest must
serve a copy of that document on all the parties to the proceeding.
    The Commission encourages electronic submission of protests in lieu
of paper using the ``eFiling'' link at http://www.ferc.gov. Persons

unable to file electronically should submit an original and 14 copies
of the protest to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First
Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426.
    This filing is accessible on-line at http://www.ferc.gov, using the

``eLibrary'' link and is available for review in the Commission's
Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. There is an ``eSubscription''
link on the Web site that enables subscribers to receive e-mail
notification when a document is added to a subscribed docket(s). For
assistance with any FERC Online service, please e-mail
<EMAIL_ADDRESS>or call<PHONE_NUMBER> (toll free). For

TTY, call<PHONE_NUMBER>.

Magalie R. Salas,
Secretary.
 [FR Doc. E6-4042 Filed 3-20-06; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6717-01-P


[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 11 (Wednesday, January 17, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2483-2492]
[FR Doc No: 2018-00673]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Office of the Secretary

[Docket Number: DOT-OST-2017-0179]

Agency Request for Renewal of a Previously Approved Information
Collection: Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization
(OSDBU) Mentor Prot[eacute]g[eacute] Program

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Transportation (DOT) invites public comments
about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) approval for an information collection. The collection involves
two reports in which DOT will use the data to measure program
achievement to determine whether the intention of the program to assist
small businesses getting the developmental tools required to compete
and perform in DOT and federal procurement programs is achieved. In
addition, DOT is seeking comments on form OST F 5020.1 (2-12), which we
have updated with two additional questions about number of employees
and amount of federal contracts.

DATES: Written comments should be submitted by on or before March 19,
2018.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by Docket No. DOT-OST-
2017-0179, through one of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 1<PHONE_NUMBER>.
     Mail or Hand Delivery: Docket Management Facility, U.S.
Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building,
Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except on Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Leonardo San Rom[aacute]n, Mentor
Prot[eacute]g[eacute] Program, U.S. Department of Transportation,
Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590,<PHONE_NUMBER>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: U.S. DOT Mentor Prot[eacute]g[eacute] program.
    OMB Control Number: 2105-0570
    Forms: Mentor Prot[eacute]g[eacute] program annual report; and
Mentor Prot[eacute]g[eacute] program evaluation form.
    Type of Review: Renewal.
    Affected Public: Prime contractors and small businesses
participating in DOT's Mentor Prot[eacute]g[eacute] Program.
    Respondents: Approximately 25.
    Frequency: One-time.
    Estimated Average Burden per Response: 1 hour.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 25 hours.
    The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) administers a Mentor-
Prot[eacute]g[eacute] program that encourages agreements between large
and small business prime contractors and eligible small business
prot[eacute]g[eacute]s.
    A small business concern includes small disadvantaged businesses,
8(a) firms, women owned businesses, HUBZone small businesses, veteran-
owned-businesses and service disabled veteran-owned small businesses.
The program is also designed to improve the performance of DOT
contractors and subcontractors, foster the establishment of long-term
business relationships between small businesses and prime contractors,
and increase the overall number of small businesses that receive DOT
contract and subcontract awards.

Purpose

    Mentor Prot[eacute]g[eacute] program participants must submit an
annual report to

document the developmental assistance and achievements. All responses
to this collection of information are required to support the type of
development assistance provided to the prot[eacute]g[eacute] from the
mentor, per their Mentor-Prot[eacute]g[eacute] agreement. Also, program
participants must submit a Mentor Prot[eacute]g[eacute] program
evaluation form at the end of the agreement. Program participants will
provide feedback and recommendations to DOT on program satisfaction.
This form is a single consolidated document that is easy to read and
understand for all program participants, including small businesses.
    In accordance with Public Law 95-507, an amendment to the Small
Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1953, OSDBU is
responsible for the implementation and execution of the U. S.
Department of Transportation (DOT) activities on behalf of small
businesses, in accordance with Section 8, 15 and 31 of the Small
Business Act (SBA), as amended. The Office of Small and Disadvantaged
Business Utilization also administers the provisions of Title 49, of
the United States Code, Section 332, the Minority Resource Center (MRC)
which includes the design and carry out programs to encourage, promote,
and assist minority entrepreneurs and businesses in getting contracts,
subcontracts, and projects related to those business opportunities.
    The Department of Transportation (DOT) administers a Mentor
Prot[eacute]g[eacute] Program to assist small business concerns enhance
their capacity to compete for federal contracts. This program designed
to motivate and encourage large business and prime contractor firms to
provide mutually beneficial developmental assistance to small
businesses.
    DOT's Mentor-Prot[eacute]g[eacute] Program enhances the capability
of minority and small business owners to compete more successfully for
federal procurement opportunities. The program encourages private-
sector relationships and expands DOT's efforts to identify and respond
to the developmental needs of small and minority owned businesses.
    The term small business includes small disadvantaged businesses,
women owned businesses, HUBZone small businesses, veteran-owned-
businesses and service disabled veteran-owned small businesses. The
program is also designed to improve the performance of DOT contractors
and subcontractors, foster the establishment of long-term business
relationships between small businesses and prime contractors, and
increase the overall number of small businesses that receive DOT
contract and subcontract awards.

General Policy

    1. Eligible business prime contractors (not under a suspension or
debarment action and not in the Excluded Parties List System (ELPS)
database) approved as mentor firms may enter into agreements with
eligible prot[eacute]g[eacute]s. Mentors provide appropriate
developmental assistance to enhance the capabilities of
prot[eacute]g[eacute]s to perform as contractors and/or subcontractors.
    2. Eligible small business prime contractors (not under a
suspension or debarment action and not in the ELPS database) capable of
providing developmental assistance may act as mentors.
    3. Prot[eacute]g[eacute]s may participate in the program in pursuit
of a prime contract or as subcontractors under the mentor's prime
contract with the Department of Transportation.
    4. Mentors and Prot[eacute]g[eacute]s are solely responsible for
finding their counterpart. Therefore, we strongly encourage firms to
explore existing business relationships to establish a Mentor-
Prot[eacute]g[eacute] relationship.
    5. Mentor-Prot[eacute]g[eacute] agreements should be for up to 36
months.
    6. NON-AFFILIATION--a prot[eacute]g[eacute] will not be considered
an affiliate of a mentor solely on the basis that the
prot[eacute]g[eacute] has or will receive developmental assistance from
the mentor under this program. For more information concerning size
standards and affiliation, refer to FAR 19.101.

Incentives for Mentors

    There are no costs involved for a firm to participate in DOT's
Mentor-Prot[eacute]g[eacute] Program. DOT does not provide direct
reimbursement to the mentors.

Measurement of Program Success

    The overall success of the Mentor-Prot[eacute]g[eacute] Program
will be measured by the extent to which it results in:
    a. An increase in the quality of the technical capabilities of the
prot[eacute]g[eacute] firms.
    b. An increase in the number, dollar value and percentage of
contracts or subcontracts awarded to prot[eacute]g[eacute]s since the
date of entry into the program.
    c. An increase in the number of full time employees since the date
of entry into the program.
    Annual reports should be submitted by the mentor and
prot[eacute]g[eacute] firms to the OSDBU on program progress. Only one
report per agreement will be submitted for review. The OSDBU will
evaluate these reports by considering the following:
    1. Detailed actions taken by the mentor, to increase the
participation of prot[eacute]g[eacute] as seller to the Federal
Government;
    2. Detailed actions taken by the mentor, to develop the technical
capabilities of a prot[eacute]g[eacute] as defined in the agreement;
    3. The degree to which the prot[eacute]g[eacute] has met the
developmental objectives in the agreement;
    4. The degree to which the mentor firm's participation in the
Mentor-Prot[eacute]g[eacute] Program resulted in the
prot[eacute]g[eacute] receiving contract(s) and subcontract(s) from
private firms, DOT or any other federal agency.
    5. In addition to the annual report, mentor and
prot[eacute]g[eacute] firms should submit an evaluation to the OSDBU
after the mutually agreed upon program period, or the voluntary
withdrawal by either party from the program, whichever comes first.

Mentor Firms

    Eligibility. The mentor can be a business that has graduated from
the 8(a) Business Development program, a firm in the transitional stage
of the program, or a small or large business. In addition, the mentor
must be able to show that it is currently eligible for Federal
contracting opportunities, is not under a suspension or debarment
action, and is not in the ELPS database. Mentors may have multiple
prot[eacute]g[eacute]s. Mentors participating in Mentor-
Prot[eacute]g[eacute] programs from other Federal agencies should keep
a record system to prepare separate reports of mentoring activities for
each agency's program.

Prot[eacute]g[eacute] Firms

    (1) Eligibility. A prot[eacute]g[eacute] should be:
    (a) A Small Business (SB), HUBZone, Small Disadvantaged Business
(SDB), Women Owned Small Business, Veteran Owned Small Business, or
Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business
    (b) Able to show that it is currently eligible for Federal
contracting opportunities, is not under a suspension or debarment
action, and is not in the Excluded Parties List System (ELPS) database.
    (2) Prot[eacute]g[eacute]s may have multiple mentors.
Prot[eacute]g[eacute]s participating in mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute]
programs in addition to the DOT program should maintain a system for
preparing separate reports of mentoring activity for each agency's
program.

Selection of Mentor or Prot[eacute]g[eacute] Firms

    Mentor and prot[eacute]g[eacute] firms are responsible for
selecting their counterpart. The mentor is encouraged

to select from a broad base of Small Businesses including SB, SDB,
WOSB, VOSB, SDVOSB, and HUBZone firms whose core competencies support
the Department of Transportation's missions.

Mentor-Protege Agreement Process

    Firms interested in becoming a mentor firm should submit copy of a
signed mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] application for each mentor-
prot[eacute]g[eacute] relationship DOT OSDBU for approval. This will
provide OSDBU the opportunity to evaluate the nature and extent of
technical and managerial support, and traditional subcontracting
support involved in the mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] relationship,
enabling OSDBU to provide advice and assistance to the parties.
    The Mentor Prot[eacute]g[eacute] agreement should contain:
    (1) Name, address, phone, and email of mentor and
prot[eacute]g[eacute] firm(s) and a point of contact within both firms
who will oversee the agreement;
    (2) A description of the type of developmental program that will be
provided by the mentor firm to the prot[eacute]g[eacute] firm,
including a schedule for providing assistance, and criteria for
evaluation of the prot[eacute]g[eacute]'s developmental success;
    (3) Program participation term not to exceed 36 months;
    (4) A clause or statement of the prot[eacute]g[eacute]'s intent and
agreement to report its progress to the OSDBU annually for two (2)
years after exiting the program;
    (5) Other terms and conditions, as appropriate;
    (6) Procedures for the mentor's voluntary withdrawal from the
program including notification of the prot[eacute]g[eacute] firm and
the OSDBU. The Mentor should provide at least 30 days' written notice
to OSDBU before withdrawing from the program.
    (7) OSDBU will review a Mentor Prot[eacute]g[eacute] agreement no
later than 30 days after receipt.
    (8) Following OSDBU review, the mentor may implement the
developmental assistance program.

OSDBU Review of Mentor-Prot[eacute]g[eacute] Agreement

    (1) The agreement defines the relationship between the mentor and
prot[eacute]g[eacute] firms only. The agreement itself does not create
any privity of contract between the mentor or prot[eacute]g[eacute] and
DOT.
    (2) OSDBU will review the information to ensure the mentor and
prot[eacute]g[eacute] are both eligible for the program and provide
appropriate advice and assistance to the firms concerning the agreement
and its implementation.
    (3) OSDBU will notify the parties if changes in the agreement are
advisable in order to make the agreement meet the objectives of the
mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] program. The mentor and
prot[eacute]g[eacute] should incorporate OSDBU recommendations before
implementing the agreement.
    (4) Upon completion of the review, the mentor may implement the
developmental assistance program.

Developmental Assistance

    The forms of developmental assistance a mentor can provide to a
prot[eacute]g[eacute] include:

     Management, financial and/or technical assistance
     Overall business management/planning
     Cooperation on joint venture projects
     Rent-free use of facilities and/or equipment
     Temporary assignment of personnel to prot[eacute]g[eacute]
for the purpose of training
     Any other types of mutually beneficial assistance

Internal Controls

    1. The OSDBU will oversee the program to achieve program
objectives.
    2. OSDBU will review and evaluate mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute]
agreements for practicality, and accuracy of provided information.
    3. OSDBU can perform site visits where Mentor-Prot[eacute]g[eacute]
activity is performed.
    4. OSDBU will review annual reports to measure
prot[eacute]g[eacute] progress against the established developmental
assistance included in the approved agreement.
    5. If OSDBU determines that the objectives of the agreement are not
met, OSDBU may conclude the existing Mentor-Prot[eacute]g[eacute]
agreements if it determines that such actions are in the best interest
of the agency. The OSDBU will communicate this decision in writing, and
will be sent to the mentor and prot[eacute]g[eacute] after approval by
the Director, OSDBU or representative.
    For additional information related to the Mentor
Prot[eacute]g[eacute] program, visit OSDBU's website at
www.transportation.gov/osdbu.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on January 9, 2018.
Willis Morris,
Director, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization.
 BILLING CODE 4910-9X-P

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[FR Doc. 2018-00673 Filed 1-16-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-9X-C