Emergency Review Request Letter to OMB

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UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Chief Information Officer

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Ms. Susan E. Dudley
Administrator
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs
Office of Management-and Budget
Washington, DC 20503
Dear Ms. Dudley:
The Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration
(NTIA) requests expedited review of the information collection request entitled, "Amendment to
Retailer Certification Form." The requested date for the Office of Management and Budget
review is November 14,2007.
The Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005 (the Act) requires NTIA to
create a program to provide coupons for consumers to purchase digital-to-analog converter
boxes. The converter boxes are necessary for consumers who wish to continue receiving
broadcast programming over-the-air using analog-only television sets after February 17,2009,
the date that television stations are required by law to cease analog broadcasting. The Act also
states that households may obtain coupons in order to purchase the converter boxes between
January 1,2008, and March 3 1,2009. On March 15,2007, NTIA published regulations
describing the parameters of the program. These regulations require retailers participating in the
program to make certain certifications to NTIA regarding their obligations under the program.
Accordingly, NTIA submitted an information collection request to OMB regarding the retailer
data required as part of that certification. OMB approved that information collection on
April 26,2007 (OMB Control No. 0660-0020).
Since that information collection request was approved, NTIA determined that additional
information from retailers is necessary. For example, NTIA requests retailers to choose technical
options for retailer coupon redemption. This data permits retailers to choose the best option
available to redeem coupons depending on the retailer's size and selection of information
technology system processing. NTIA is also requesting data regarding the type of retailer (multistore chain, single store location, OnlineIInternet), store locations, and brand name of converter
boxes that the retailer intend to sell. This data will enable NTIA to inform consumers of specific
information about the retailers that are participating in the program so that consumers will know
where to purchase converter boxes.

Your assistance in this matter is appreciated.
Sincerely,

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Suzanne Hilding
Acting
Chief Information Officer