TechEvaluation2007 Part A.MM

Supporting Statement for Paperwork Reduction Act Submission for the

Technical Evaluations Series:

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AND FORUMS

OMB Control Number 1029-0114

Terms of clearance: None

General Instructions

A Supporting Statement, including the text of the notice to the public required by 5 CFR 1320.5(a)(i)(iv) and its actual or estimated date of publication in the Federal Register, must accompany each request for approval of a collection of information. The Supporting Statement must be prepared in the format described below, and must contain the information specified in Section A below. If an item is not applicable, provide a brief explanation. When Item 17 of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Form 83-I is checked "Yes", Section B of the Supporting Statement must be completed. OMB reserves the right to require the submission of additional information with respect to any request for approval.

INTRODUCTION

This information collection clearance package is being submitted by the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) for approval to collect information from a series of four customer service surveys. The evaluations are disseminated to assist OSM in determining the effectiveness and future needs of respondents who are assisted by OSM’s Applicant/Violator System (AVS) Office, who receive technology transfer or assistance, or who participate in OSM technical forums. In this way, the evaluations are designed to benefit the public.

OMB approved this collection and assigned it control number 1029-0114. OSM is seeking to extend its authority to collect this information for an additional three years.

Specific Instructions

A. Justification

1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary. Identify any legal or administrative requirements that necessitate the collection. Attach a copy of the appropriate section of each statute and regulation mandating or authorizing the collection of information.

The series of surveys are needed to ensure that technical assistance activities, technology transfer activities and technical forums meet the needs identified by those who participate or receive the assistance. Specifically, representatives from State and Tribal regulatory and reclamation authorities, representatives of industry, environmental or citizen groups, or the public, are the recipients of the assistance or participants in these forums. These surveys are the primary means through which OSM evaluates its performance in meeting the performance goals outlined in its annual plans developed pursuant to the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA).

Customer satisfaction is seen as the ultimate performance indicator for the Federal Government because it shows how well our customers are being served and what we must do to close the "gap" between what we provide our customers and what they want. This collection will obtain information to determine that level of satisfaction with the technical services provided by OSM and to identify any areas where improvements in providing these services can be made.

2. Indicate how, by whom, and for what purpose the information is to be used. Except for a new collection, indicate the actual use the agency has made of the information received from the current collection. [Be specific. If this collection is a form or a questionnaire, every question needs to be justified.]

OSM is seeking renewed approval for the collection of information for four evaluations, one to be completed by customers who receive technical assistance, one by those who participated in or benefited from an OSM technology transfer activity, one to be completed by those customers who participated in an OSM-sponsored technical forum and the other by those who receive AVS assistance. The information collected will be used to identify and evaluate the effectiveness of OSM's technology development and transfer activities, its technical assistance, and to expand on those activities where needed. The intent of OSM’s technical program is to enhance the effectiveness of its regulatory and abandoned mine lands (AML) programs in meeting the goals of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA). Therefore, it is important for OSM to determine effectiveness of these activities, to modify existing activities, or to develop new activities to meet the needs of the customers, especially State and Tribal regulatory and reclamation authorities.

Approval of this information collection means that OSM will obtain sufficient data to assess the level of customer service provided by its technical programs. It will provide OSM with the critical indicators essential to determine the effectiveness of our services and develop improvements that our customers want. Further, it will enable OSM to evaluate its performance under GPRA.

3. Describe whether, and to what extent, the collection of information involves the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses, and the basis for the decision for adopting this means of collection. Also describe any consideration of using information technology to reduce burden [and specifically how this collection meets GPEA requirements.].

The information collected takes advantage of improved technology by soliciting electronic mail responses from those with telecommunication capabilities. In addition, customers without those capabilities are able to respond by fax or mail. Therefore, OSM is in compliance with GPEA requirements. Generally, the technical assistance surveys are completed and returned electronically. The surveys completed at the end of each forum are in hard-copy and returned at the end of each forum. OSM estimates that approximately 50% of the surveys are completed electronically.

4. Describe efforts to identify duplication. Show specifically why any similar information already available cannot be used or modified for use for the purposes described in Item 2 above.

These evaluations are used to determine the effectiveness of OSM’s technical program by requesting customers and participants to respond to basic questions regarding performance and usefulness of OSM’s technical assistance activities, technology transfer activities, or technical forums. Similar information does not exist elsewhere.

5. If the collection of information impacts small businesses or other small entities (Item 5 of OMB Form 83-I), describe any methods used to minimize burden.

There is no special burden assigned to small entities. On a voluntary basis only, we are asking those customers to respond to the evaluations.

6. Describe the consequence to Federal program or policy activities if the collection is not conducted or is conducted less frequently, as well as any technical or legal obstacles to reducing burden.

This information will be collected within approximately three months after each instance of technical assistance or technology transfer or after a technical forum is held. Without these follow-up evaluations we do not know whether we have met either the customers' present needs or are in a position to meet their future needs.

7. Explain any special circumstances that would cause an information collection to be conducted in a manner:

* requiring respondents to report information to the agency more often than quarterly;

* requiring respondents to prepare a written response to a collection of information in fewer than 30 days after receipt of it;

* requiring respondents to submit more than an original and two copies of any document;

* requiring respondents to retain records, other than health, medical, government contract, grant-in-aid, or tax records, for more than three years;

* in connection with a statistical survey, that is not designed to produce valid and reliable results that can be generalized to the universe of study;

* requiring the use of a statistical data classification that has not been reviewed and approved by OMB;

* that includes a pledge of confidentiality that is not supported by authority established in statute or regulation, that is not supported by disclosure and data security policies that are consistent with the pledge, or which unnecessarily impedes sharing of data with other agencies for compatible confidential use; or

* requiring respondents to submit proprietary trade secrets, or other confidential information unless the agency can demonstrate that it has instituted procedures to protect the information's confidentiality to the extent permitted by law.

These collections are conducted in conformance with the provisions of 5 CFR 1320.5(d)(2).

8. If applicable, provide a copy and identify the date and page number of publication in the Federal Register of the agency's notice, required by 5 CFR 1320.8(d), soliciting comments on the information collection prior to submission to OMB. Summarize public comments received in response to that notice [and in response to the PRA statement associated with the collection over the past three years] and describe actions taken by the agency in response to these comments. Specifically address comments received on cost and hour burden.

Describe efforts to consult with persons outside the agency to obtain their views on the availability of data, frequency of collection, the clarity of instructions and recordkeeping, disclosure, or reporting format (if any), and on the data elements to be recorded, disclosed, or reported. [Please list the names, titles, addresses, and phone numbers of persons contacted.]

Consultation with representatives of those from whom information is to be obtained or those who must compile records should occur at least once every 3 years — even if the collection of information activity is the same as in prior periods. There may be circumstances that may preclude consultation in a specific situation. These circumstances should be explained.

OSM conducted telephone interviews with two recent respondents (Judd Stark, Maxim Technologies, Billings, MT (406)248-9282; and Jaak Daemen, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada (775) 784-6961. Each individual indicated that the survey was easy to understand and was in the appropriate format for gathering the information requested. Each respondent indicated that the survey took less than 5 minutes to complete.

The above respondents did not identify any concerns regarding the availability of data, frequency of collection, clarity of instructions and record keeping of the information collection requirements.

On September 14, 2007, OSM published in the Federal Register (72 FR 52580) a notice requesting comments from the public regarding the need for the collection of information, the accuracy of the burden estimate, ways to enhance the information collection, and ways to minimize the burden on respondents. This notice gave the public 60 days in which to comment, however, no comments were received.

9. Explain any decision to provide any payment or gift to respondents, other than remuneration of contractors or grantees.

Not applicable. Payments or gifts are not provided to respondents of the surveys.

10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for the assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy.

Respondents are informed by cover letter that participation is voluntary and that their responses are confidential. Neither their names nor other identifying information will be divulged.

11. Provide additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature, such as sexual behavior and attitudes, religious beliefs, and other matters that are commonly considered private. This justification should include the reasons why the agency considers the questions necessary, the specific uses to be made of the information, the explanation to be given to persons from whom the information is requested, and any steps to be taken to obtain their consent.

No questions of a sensitive nature are asked.

12. Provide estimates of the hour burden of the collection of information. The statement should:

* Indicate the number of respondents, frequency of response, annual hour burden, and an explanation of how the burden was estimated. Unless directed to do so, agencies should not conduct special surveys to obtain information on which to base hour burden estimates. Consultation with a sample (fewer than 10) of potential respondents is desirable. If the hour burden on respondents is expected to vary widely because of differences in activity, size, or complexity, show the range of estimated hour burden, and explain the reasons for the variance. Generally, estimates should not include burden hours for customary and usual business practices.

* If this request for approval covers more than one form, provide separate hour burden estimates for each form and aggregate the hour burdens in Item 13 of OMB Form 83-I.

* Provide estimates of annualized cost to respondents for the hour burdens for collections of information, identifying and using appropriate wage rate categories. The cost of contracting out or paying outside parties for information collection activities should not be included here. Instead, this cost should be included in Item 14.

Estimated Information Collection Burden

a. Burden Hour Estimates for Respondents

Based on the response rate of 60 percent (716 out of 1053 surveys distributed in FY 2006) and the past 3 years of collected survey data, OSM estimates that approximately 750 customers will respond to the surveys each year. Based on telephone interviews with two recent respondents, OSM staff estimates that each survey will require approximately 5 minutes each, on average, to complete. Therefore,

750 respondents x 5 minutes = 3,750/60 = 63 hours.

b. Estimated Cost to Respondents

Using U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor statistics (http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics4_212100.htm) a mining engineer who would attend a forum or request technical assistance would have a wage cost of approximately $44 per hour (rounded include benefits calculated at 1.3 of hourly wages).

Therefore, the estimated total annual cost for industry would be $44 per hour x 63 hours = $2,772.

13. Provide an estimate of the total annual [non-hour] cost burden to respondents or recordkeepers resulting from the collection of information. (Do not include the cost of any hour burden shown in Items 12 and 14).

* The cost estimate should be split into two components: (a) a total capital and start-up cost component (annualized over its expected useful life) and (b) a total operation and maintenance and purchase of services component. The estimates should take into account costs associated with generating, maintaining, and disclosing or providing the information [including filing fees paid]. Include descriptions of methods used to estimate major cost factors including system and technology acquisition, expected useful life of capital equipment, the discount rate(s), and the time period over which costs will be incurred. Capital and start-up costs include, among other items, preparations for collecting information such as purchasing computers and software; monitoring, sampling, drilling and testing equipment; and record storage facilities.

* If cost estimates are expected to vary widely, agencies should present ranges of cost burdens and explain the reasons for the variance. The cost of purchasing or contracting out information collection services should be a part of this cost burden estimate. In developing cost burden estimates, agencies may consult with a sample of respondents (fewer than 10), utilize the 60-day pre-OMB submission public comment process and use existing economic or regulatory impact analysis associated with the rulemaking containing the information collection, as appropriate.

* Generally, estimates should not include purchases of equipment or services, or portions thereof, made: (1) prior to October 1, 1995, (2) to achieve regulatory compliance with requirements not associated with the information collection, (3) for reasons other than to provide information or keep records for the government, or (4) as part of customary and usual business or private practices.

Total Annual Non-Wage Cost Burden to Respondents

a. Annualized Capital and Start-Up Costs

Not applicable. OSM will pay postage so there is no cost incurred to respondents beyond that already indicated in item 12 above.

b. Operation and Maintenance Costs

No significant non-wage operation or maintenance costs are associated with this information collection activity.

14. Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal government. Also, provide a description of the method used to estimate cost, which should include quantification of hours, operational expenses (such as equipment, overhead, printing, and support staff), and any other expense that would not have been incurred without this collection of information. Agencies also may aggregate cost estimates from Items 12, 13, and 14 in a single table.

Estimate of Annualized Cost to the Federal Government

It requires 15 minutes to process each of the 750 responses to the Evaluations. Therefore, 750 x 15 minutes/60 = 188 hours. Based on the hourly wage of $42 for a GS 13 step 1 technician to review this information (http://www.opm.gov/oca/07tables/html/gs_h.asp), the cost to the Federal government will be approximately: $42 x 188 hours = $7,896.

15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments reported in Items 13 or 14 of the OMB Form 83-I.

The current information collection burden approved by OMB for these evaluations is 25 hours. Due to an increase in the estimated number of respondents, 63 hours are requested in this justification. Therefore,

25 Hours currently approved

+ 38 Hours due to increase in use

63 Hours requested

16. For collections of information whose results will be published, outline plans for tabulation and publication. Address any complex analytical techniques that will be used. Provide the time schedule for the entire project, including beginning and ending dates of the collection of information, completion of report, publication dates, and other actions.

This information will be compiled and published as a part of OSM’s reporting under GPRA.

17. If seeking approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of the information collection, explain the reasons that display would be inappropriate.

The OMB approval number, 1029-0114, and expiration date will be displayed on the forms.

18. Explain each exception to the certification statement identified in Item 19, "Certification for Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions," of OMB Form 83-I.

Not applicable. There are no exceptions to the certification statement in Item 19 of OMB Form 83-I. This collection complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 where applicable.

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