01-10774. Generic Clearance for Customer Satisfaction Surveys

ACTION:

Proposed collection; comment request.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES:

Written comments must be submitted on or before July 2, 2001.

ADDRESSES:

Direct all written comments to Madeleine Clayton, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6086, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at [e-mail]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions should be directed to Joanne Dickinson, U.S. Bureau of the Census, Room 3015-3, Washington, DC 20233-0800, and 301-457-4081.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

The Census Bureau is requesting an extension of the generic clearance to conduct customer satisfaction research surveys which may be in the form of mailed or electronic questionnaires and/or focus groups or personal interviews.

The Census Bureau has ranked a customer focused environment as one of its most important strategic planning objectives. The Bureau routinely needs to collect and analyze customer feedback about its products and services to better align them to its customers' needs and preferences. Several products and distribution channels have been designed/redesigned based on feedback from its various customer satisfaction research efforts.

Each research design is reviewed for content, utility, and user-friendliness by a variety of appropriate staff (including research design and subject-matter specialists). The concept and design are tested by internal staff and a select sample of respondents to confirm its appropriateness, user-friendliness, and to estimate burden (including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information. Collection techniques are discussed and included in the research concept design discussions to define the most time-, cost-efficient and accurate collection media.

The clearance operates in the following manner: a block of hours is reserved at the beginning of each year, and the particular activities that will be conducted under the clearance are not specified in advance. The Census Bureau provides information to OMB about the specific activities on a flow basis throughout the year. OMB is notified of each activity in a letter that gives specific details about the activity, rather than by means of individual clearance packages. At the end of each year, a report is submitted to OMB that summarizes the number of hours used as well as the nature and results of the activities completed under the clearance.

Some modifications of the clearance from previous years are planned. The number of hours is expanded from 3,750 per year to 4,000 to allow for larger-scale research efforts with increased analytical power. In addition, incentives as a survey procedure may also be the subject of research under the clearance.

II. Method of Collection

This research may be in the form of mailed or electronic questionnaires and/or focus groups or personal interviews.

III. Data

OMB Number: 0607-0760.

Form Number: Various.

Type of Review: Regular.

Affected Public: Individuals or households, State or local governments, farms, businesses or other for-profit organizations, federal agencies or employees, non-profit institutions, small businesses or organizations.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 48,000.

Estimated Time Per Response: 5 minutes.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 4,000 hours.

Estimated Total Annual Cost: There is no cost to respondents, except for their time to answer the questions posed.

Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.

Legal Authority: Executive Order 12862.

IV. Request for Comments

Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden (including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

Dated: April 26, 2001.

Madeleine Clayton,

Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief Information Officer.