Supporting Statement_PCR Application- Final

Peace Corps – Office of Peace Corps Response

Form Name: Peace Corps Response Volunteer Application Form

OMB Control Number 0420-0547

Supporting Statement

Section 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 Peace Corps Response Application (hereinafter "the Application") is necessary to recruit qualified volunteers to serve in Peace Corps Response, which sends Volunteers throughout the world to work in specialized short term projects. Applicants are selected based on their qualifications for a specific Volunteer assignment. The Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. § 2501 et seq.) authorizes the recruitment of persons for service in Peace Corps Volunteer programs. See 22 U.S.C. § 2504. Eligibility requirements for Peace Corps Volunteer service are set at 22 C.F.R. 305. Attached are 22 U.S.C. § 2504 and 22 C.F.R. 305.

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.

This information is used by Peace Corps Response staff to perform initial screening for potential candidates for Peace Corps Response assignments. Applications contain basic information concerning technical skills and eligibility for Peace Corps Response assignments.

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.

The Application is available on the Peace Corps website and submitted electronically to Peace Corps Response.

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.

For applicants without previous Peace Corps experience, the information requested in the Application does not exist in the Agency's records.

Some Peace Corps Response applicants have previously volunteered with the Peace Corps. Agency records concerning returned Peace Corps Volunteers' qualifications are kept only for a limited period. Returned Peace Corps Volunteers routinely acquire new skills during and following their initial Volunteer service, which are not reflected in Agency records and therefore are requested in the Peace Corps Response Application.

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.

This collection of information does not impact small business or other small entities.

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.

Failure to collect this information would preclude Peace Corps Response from being able to identify and place qualified Peace Corps Response Volunteers.

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.

No special circumstances exist that require the information collection to be conducted in a manner inconsistent with the guidelines in 5 CFR 1320.6.

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 recordkeeping, 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 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.

The agency’s 60-day notice was published in the Federal Register on August 4, 2014 79 FR 45227. No public comments were received during the 60-day period. The 30-Day notice was published October 14, 2014, 79 FR 61672.

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

No payments or gifts are provided to respondents.

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

Description of the privacy protections provided to respondents is in the Privacy Act notice in the Application.

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 13.

Estimated burden (hours) of the collection of information:

a.	Number of respondents:	1,700
b.	Frequency of response:	one time
c.	Completion time:	60 minutes
d.	Annual burden hours:	1,700 hours

The estimated number of annual respondents decreased from the 2011 submission from 2,500 to 1,700. With the implementation of an online application in 2012, better reporting on application numbers is now available and 1,700 is a more accurate annual estimation.

13. Provide an estimate for 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 collections 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 10/95

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.

Cost estimate to the respondent: $0.00

14. Provide estimates of annualized costs 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 may also aggregate cost estimates from Items 12, 13, and 14 in a single table.

Employee labor costs:

• Peace Corps Response Recruiter (reviewing): $97,000

($31 per hour x 522 hours (25% of time) x 6 recruiters)

• Peace Corps Response Management Analyst (reporting): $ 8,000

($38 per hour x 208 hours (10% of time) x 1 analyst)

Total cost: $105,000

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

No changes to item 13.

Changes to item 14 are due to internal changes in staff’s roles and responsibilities within the office of Peace Corps Response.  

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.

The results of this collection of information will not be published.

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 Agency is not seeking approval to conceal or omit the expiration date for OMB approval of the information collection.

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

83-I.

The agency is able to certify compliance with all provisions under Item 19 of OMB Form 83-I.

Section B: Collection of Information Employing Statistical Methods

The collection of information does not employ statistical methods.

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