2120-0672 2008

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

Information Collection for Qualified Internet Communications Providers

2120-0672

1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary.

The Department of Transportation (DOT), in accordance with 49 CFR 1.47, delegated responsibility for aviation safety oversight to the FAA. The FAA Administrator’s Aviation Weather Policy (AOA-1: September 24, 1997) committed the agency “...to improving the quality of aviation ... information and the application of that information by pilots, controllers and dispatchers.” Aviation weather information is available on the Internet from a variety of government and vendor sources with minimal quality control. Users of the National Airspace System (NAS), including dispatchers, pilots and air traffic controllers/specialists, have expressed interest in the ability to utilize the Internet to retrieve aviation weather text and graphic products for operational decision-making. The FAA is establishing criteria in an Advisory Circular (AC) for any person or organization that provides access to aviation weather, Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) and aeronautical data via the Public Internet to become a Qualified Internet Communications Provider (QICP). Due to the importance of this data to flight safety and delay, the collection of QICP information directly supports the U.S. Transportation Secretary’s DOT Strategic Plan (FY 2005-2009) goals for safety, and the Administrator’s FAA Flight Plan (FY 2005-2009) objectives 1, 2 & 4, which work together to increase airport capacity and meet projected demand.

2. Indicate how, by whom, and for what purpose the information is to be used.

Any interested person or organization desiring to become a QICP shall provide the FAA Aviation Weather and Policy Requirements, AJP-B1 with a written application documenting their capability to meet the QICP criteria. The purpose of the information is to ensure the reliability, accessibility and security of aviation weather data, NOTAM and aeronautical data accessed via the Internet as well as to encourage data providers to identify the approval status (e.g., experimental or operational) of aviation weather products. Semi-annually or upon FAA request, QICPs should demonstrate ongoing criteria maintenance by collecting facility performance statistics and providing them to Aviation Weather and Policy Requirements, AJP-B1. In addition, QICPs should maintain a retrievable archive of Web server log files as well as data received and provided in each user transaction for a period of no less than 15 days. The purpose is to be able to retrieve information provided by/to a user in the event of an aircraft incident or accident. The QICP should make this data available in the form of a readable certified true copy upon request of the FAA, the National Transportation Safety Board or a Federal, state or local law enforcement agency. Additionally, QICPs should acknowledge and address user complaints within 14 days of receipt, and forward user complaints to the Aviation Weather and Policy Requirements, AJP-B1 within 30 days of receipt with an explanation of actions taken.

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.

In compliance with the Government Paperwork Elimination Act (GPEA), e-mail and use of electronic signatures are acceptable methods of information submission.

4. Describe efforts to identify duplication and similar information already available.

The FAA is the sole Federal agency responsible for regulating commercial and general aviation within the United States. There currently does not exist any procedure or a criterion that ensures that users of the NAS who access aviation weather, NOTAM or aeronautical data via the Internet have access to reliable and secured data. As FAA criteria for providing access to aviation weather, NOTAM and aeronautical data via the Internet did not previously exist, no similar information is available.

5. If the collection of information impacts small businesses or other small entities, describe any methods used to minimize burden.

The same information is requested from large and small businesses and is the minimal amount needed. There is no special burden placed on small businesses by this information collection. Exempting a small business would be detrimental to that business since they would not become an approved QICP therefore, they would not be allowed to provide service to users who will be required to use a QICP per their OPS SPECS. Any person or organization, including small businesses, can contact the Aviation Weather and Policy Requirements, AJP-B1 to obtain answers to any questions they may have about becoming a QICP.

6. Describe the consequence to Federal program or policy activities if the collection is not conducted or is conducted less frequently.

There are no consequences to existing Federal program or policy activities if the information is not collected or is collected less frequently. However, not collecting the information as described would preclude the FAA from responding to NAS user requests for the ability to utilize the Internet to retrieve aviation weather text and graphic products for operational decision making.

7. Explain any special circumstances that would cause an information collection to be conducted in a manner inconsistent with 5 CFR 1320.5(d)(2)(i)-(viii).

The requirement for the collection of information is consistent with the guidelines in 5 CFR 1320.5(d)(2).

8. 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), and describe efforts to consult with persons outside the agency to obtain their views on the information collection.

In accordance with 5 CFR 1320.8(d), on October 29, 2007 (vol. 72, no. 208), a 60-day notice for public comment (Attachment 1) was published in the Federal Register on page 61201. No comments were received. A copy of the notice is attached.

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

This information collection does not provide for payment or gifts to respondents.

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

No assurance of confidentiality is provided to respondents; the information collected could be subject to release under the Freedom of Information Act.

11. Provide additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature.

This information collection does not involve any questions of a sensitive nature.

12. Provide estimates of the hour burden of the collection of information, and provide estimates of annualized cost to respondents for the hour burdens for the information collection.

Reference Table 1, the estimated frequency of response varies (e.g., one-time only, semiannual, monthly) according to the type of information collected.

Table 1. Estimated Frequency of Responses (per Respondent)

Information Description	1st Year	Subsequent Years
QICP application	1	0
Performance statistics	1	2
Archived data	1	2
User complaints	6	12

Reference Table 2, the estimated total hour burden for the information collection from the estimated 6 respondents is 3,138 hours the first year and 2,740 hours each subsequent year. The corresponding total annual costs for the estimated 6 respondents is $288,600 the first year and $137,000 each subsequent year.

Table 2. Hour Burden and Cost of Information Collection

Type of hours	No. of Hours		Cost
	1st Year based on 6 new applicants	Subsequent Years based on 10 applicants	1st Year	Subsequent Years
Information Technology ($100/hour)	375	0	$37,500	$0
Administrative ($50/hour)	100	274	$5,000	$13,700
Security consultant ($100/hour)	40	0	$4,000	$0
Legal ($200/hour)	8	0	$1,600	$0
Total per applicant	523	274	$48,100	$13,700
Total for estimated 6 applicants	3,138	2,740	$288,600	$137,000

13. Provide an estimate of the total annual cost burden to respondents or recordkeepers resulting from the collection of information.

There are no additional costs not already included in Question 12.

14. Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal government.

Approximately 0.5 of a professional person the first year and 0.25 each subsequent year is used to process the information collected. The salaries of the professionals involved are estimated to average $82,000. Therefore, the cost for professional salaries alone is about $41,000 (0.5 X $82,000) the first year and $20,500 (0.25 X $82,000) each subsequent year. Applying the standard FAA overhead multiplier of 1.3245 to adjust for additional government expenses (e.g., health care, vacation, life insurance) yields a total estimated cost of $54,300 the first year and $27,200 each subsequent year.

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

Since this is a continuing collection, the reported burden is based on the calculation for years subsequent to the initial year of the collection. This has resulted in a net reduction in the total burden time.

16. For collections of information whose results will be published, outline plans for tabulation, and publication.

The Aviation Weather and Policy Requirements, AJP-B1 will add the names of approved QICP applicants to the QICP list maintained on a designated Web page accessible by the general public. Subsequently, QICP names will be retained on the QICP list based upon the FAA’s semiannual verification of continued performance maintenance.

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.

Approval is requested to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of the information collection. Display would be inappropriate because the OMB approval of the information collection will be part of the implementing FAA AC. It is not practical to republish the AC every 3 years to update the expiration date.

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

There are no exceptions to the certification statement identified in Item 19, OMB Form 83-I.

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December 26, 2007 Version 0.4