2013-27139. Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Quick Turnaround Surveys on Workforce Investment Act Implementation

AGENCY:

Office of the Secretary, DOL.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) sponsored information collection request (ICR) titled, “Quick Turnaround Surveys on Workforce Investment Act Implementation,” to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval for continued use, without change, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.

DATES:

Submit comments on or before December 13, 2013.

ADDRESSES:

A copy of this ICR with applicable supporting documentation; including a description of the likely respondents, proposed frequency of response, and estimated total burden may be obtained free of charge from the RegInfo.gov Web site at http://www.reginfo.gov/​public/​do/​PRAViewICR?​ref_​nbr=​201308-1205-009 (this link will only become active on the day following publication of this notice) or by contacting Michel Smyth by telephone at 202-693-4129 (this is not a toll-free number) or sending an email to [e-mail].

Submit comments about this request by mail or courier to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attn: OMB Desk Officer for DOL-ETA, Office of Management and Budget, Room 10235, 725 17th Street NW., Washington, DC 20503; by Fax: [phone] (this is not a toll-free number); or by email: [e-mail]. Commenters are encouraged, but not required, to send a courtesy copy of any comments by mail or courier to the U.S. Department of Labor-OASAM, Office of the Chief Information Officer, Attn: Information Policy and Assessment Program, Room N1301, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20210; or by email: [e-mail].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Contact Michel Smyth by telephone at 202-693-4129 (this is not a toll-free number) or by email at [e-mail].

Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3507(a)(1)(D).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

This ICR seeks to extend PRA authority for the ETA to conduct quick turnaround surveys on Workforce Investment Act (WIA) related issues. Specifically, this ICR is to clear a generic framework to obtain expedited OMB approval for each ad hoc WIA quick turnaround survey that will focus on an emerging topic of pressing policy interest. Much of the information available to the ETA on key operational issues is impressionistic or anecdotal in nature, based on hearsay or unsystematic observations, and not sufficiently accurate as to national incidence or scope. Obtaining accurate nationwide information through long-term and in-depth evaluation studies often will not provide timely results. The ETA, thus, has an ongoing need for accurate and timely information that can be found only with systematic quick turnaround studies. Depending on the nature of the questions, the ETA would administer surveys at either the state or local workforce area level or some combination of both together. This ICR might entail surveys of State Workforce Agencies, local Workforce Boards, American Job Centers, Employment Service offices, and offices of other local-area partners.

This information collection is subject to the PRA. A Federal agency generally cannot conduct or sponsor a collection of information, and the public is generally not required to respond to an information collection, unless it is approved by the OMB under the PRA and displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. In addition, notwithstanding any other provisions of law, no person shall generally be subject to penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information that does not display a valid Control Number. See 5 CFR 1320.5(a) and 1320.6. The DOL obtains OMB approval for this information collection under Control Number 1205-0436.

OMB authorization for an ICR cannot be for more than three (3) years without renewal, and the current approval for this collection is scheduled to expire on November 30, 2013. The DOL seeks to extend PRA authorization for this information collection for three (3) more years, without any change to existing requirements. The DOL also notes that existing information collection requirements submitted to the OMB receive a month-to-month extension while they undergo review. For additional substantive information about this ICR, see the related notice published in the Federal Register on August 8, 2013, (78 FR 48464).

Interested parties are encouraged to send comments to the OMB, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs at the address shown in the ADDRESSES section within 30 days of publication of this notice in the Federal Register. In order to help ensure appropriate consideration, comments should mention OMB Control Number 1205-0436. The OMB is particularly interested in comments that:

• Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility;
• 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;
• Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and
• Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses.

Agency: DOL-ETA.

Title of Collection: Quick Turnaround Surveys on Workforce Investment Act Implementation.

OMB Control Number: 1205-0436.

Affected Public: State, Local, and Tribal Governments.

Total Estimated Number of Responses: 5,000.

Total Estimated Annual Burden Hours: 7,500.

Total Estimated Annual Other Costs Burden: $0.

Dated: November 7, 2013.

Michel Smyth,

Departmental Clearance Officer.