03-20591. Notice of Proposed Information Collection

ACTION:

Notice of proposed information collection.

SUMMARY:

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of the Chief Information Officer, invites comments on the proposed information collection request as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. Currently, the U.S. Secret Service, within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is soliciting comments concerning the SSF 3237, Contractor Personnel Access Application Form.

DATES:

Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before October 14, 2003.

ADDRESS:

Direct all written comments to United States Secret Service, Recruitment and Personnel Security Division, Attn: Special Agent Norman Setser, Clearance and Access Branch, 950 H St., NW., Washington, DC 20223, Suite 3800, 202/406-5830 ([e-mail]). Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may either call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 or call directly (TTY) 202/406-5390.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional information or copies of the form(s) and instructions should be directed to: United States Secret Service, Recruitment and Personnel Security Division, Attn: Special Agent Norman Setser, Clearance and Access Branch, 950 H St., NW., Washington, DC 20223, Suite 3800, 202/406-5979. Telephone number: 202/406-5830 ([e-mail]).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Section 3506 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. chapter 35) requires each Federal agency to provide interested Federal agencies and the public an early opportunity to comment on information collection requests. The notice for this proposed information collection contains the following: (1) The name of the component of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security; (2) Type of review requested, e.g., new, revision, extension, existing or reinstatement; (3) OMB Control Number, if applicable; (4) Title; (5) Summary of the collection; (6) Description of the need for, and proposed use of, the information; (7) Respondents and frequency of collection; and (8) Reporting and/or Recordkeeping burden.

The Department of Homeland Security invites public comment.

The Department of Homeland Security is especially interested in public comment addressing the following issues: (1) Is this collection necessary to the proper functions of the Department, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) is the estimate of burden for this information collection accurate; (3) how might the Department enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) how might the Department minimize the burden of this collection on the respondents, including through the use of information technology.

Abstract: Respondents are all Secret Service contractor personnel requiring access to Secret Service controlled facilities in performance of their contractual duties. These contractors, if approved for access, will require escorted, unescorted, and staff-like access to Secret Service controlled facilities. Responses to questions on the SSF 3237 yield information necessary for the adjudication of eligibility for facility access.

United States Secret Service

Title: Contractor Personnel Access Application.

OMB Number: 1620-0002.

Form Number: SSF 3237.

Frequency: Occasionally.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Affected Public: Individuals or Households/Business.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 5,000.

Estimated Time for Respondent: 15 minutes.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,250 hours.

Estimated Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): None.

Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): None.

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

Dated: August 8, 2003.

Adam Becker,

Chief—Policy Analysis and Records Systems Branch, U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.