SUPPORTING STATEMENT FOR
PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT SUBMISSION UNDER 5 CFR PART 1320
INFORMATION COLLECTION: 2133-0521
Justification
Explain the circumstances that make the collections of information necessary. Include identification of 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. Also, include a statement indicating which of the DOT strategic goals are supported by this information collection.
In accordance with Public Law 101-624, the Secretary of Transportation issued requirements for designation of vessels as American Great Lakes Vessels. Owners who wish to have the American Great Lakes vessel designation must certify that their vessels meet certain criteria established in 46 CFR Part 380. These procedures are in accordance with statutory eligibility criteria for such designation and are in support of the Department's National Security and Economic Growth and Trade strategic goals. These procedures enable MARAD to ensure an adequate number of vessels are provided in times of a national crises and that there is an efficient development of economic growth and trade within the maritime industry.
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.
The statute mandates that an applicant must establish that a vessel meets certain criteria in order to be eligible to carry preference cargoes.
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. Also describe any consideration of using information technology to reduce burden.
None. Applicant merely affirms that vessel meets statutory conditions for eligibility. However, in the future, MARAD may explore an electronic option via the MARAD Internet website.
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.
Not applicable. This is a one-time reporting requirement application for a benefit specific to American Great Lakes vessels.
5. If the collection of information involves small businesses or other small entities (Item 5 of OMB Form 83-I), describe the methods used to minimize burden.
Not applicable. Ship owners are usually not small businesses.
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 the burden.
Not applicable. This is a one-time application.
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 data with other agencies for compatible confidential use; or
requiring respondents to submit proprietary trade secret, 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.
There are no special circumstances that require the collection of information to be conducted in a manner described above.
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 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 record-keeping, disclosure, or reporting format (if any), and on the data elements to be recorded, disclosed, or reported.
Consultation with representatives of those from whom information is to be obtained or those who must compile records should occur at least once every three 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.
The Maritime Administration published a 60-day notice and request for comments on this information collection in the Federal Register (72 FR 49038, August 27, 2007, copy attached) indicating comments should be submitted on or before October 26, 2007. No comments were received. A 30-day notice and request for comments was published in the Federal Register (72 FR 65638, November 21, 2007, copy attached) indicating comments should be submitted on or before December 21, 2007.
9. Explain any decision to provide any payment or gift to respondents, other than remuneration of contractors or grantees.
Not applicable.
Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for the assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy.
Most requested data is not confidential. MARAD will receive business confidential data dealing with business transactions such as leases. MARAD has no intention of releasing business confidential data to the public without first consulting the applicant and following the procedures in the Freedom of Information Act.
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.
Not applicable. There are no questions of a sensitive nature.
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 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.
The annualized hour burden is as follows:
# of Respondents Responses per Total Responses Hours Per Total
Respondent Annually Response Hours
1 x 1 x 1 x 1.25 = 1.25
Research and drafting of application (Specialist) = 1 hour at $45.00 per hour = $45.00 for research and preparation.
Clerical = 0.25 hours at $12.00 per hour = $3.00 for typing cost per respondent
Total cost of all respondents = $48.00 x 1 respondent = $48.00
13. Provide an estimate of the total annual cost burden to respondents or record keepers 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. 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.
There are no capital and start-up costs as well as operational and maintenance costs, etc. associated with this information collection.
(a) Total Capital and Start-Up Costs Estimate: NA
(b) Total Operation and Maintenance and Purchase of Services Estimate: NA
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.
The total annual cost to the Federal Government for processing the collection is estimated as follows:
One-time Costs: $ None
Annual Costs: $79.30
Evaluation of application (GS-13 Specialist) = 2 hours at $$35.83 per hour = $71.66
Clerical and processing (GS-6) = 0.5 hours at $15.28 hour = $7.64
Cost per application to Federal Government = $79.30
Total cost to Federal Government of all applications = $79.30 x 1 application = $79.30. This is a one-time cost and there are no other costs after review of the one projected annual application.
15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments reported in items 13 or 14 of OMB Form 83-I. Not applicable, new burden.
None.
16. For collections of information whose results are planned to be published for statistical use, outline plans for tabulation, statistical analysis, and publication. 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.
Not applicable.
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.
Not applicable.
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 certificate statement.
| File Type | application/msword |
| Author | yfields |
| Last Modified By | xpprofile |
| File Modified | 2007-11-27 |
| File Created | 2005-01-18 |