Supporting Stmt 5-23-2014

2014 SUPPORTING STATEMENT

for

DATA COLLECTION FOR CONTAINER AVAILABILITY

OMB NO. 0581-0276

A. Justification.

1. EXPLAIN THE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT MAKE THE COLLECTION OF INFORMATION NECESSARY. IDENTIFY ANY LEGAL OR ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS THAT NECESSITATE THE COLLECTION.

Section 203(g) of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621) directs and authorizes the collection of information and disseminating of market information including adequate outlook information on a market-area basis for the purpose of anticipating and meeting consumer requirements, aiding in the maintenance of farm income and bringing about balance between production and utilization of agriculture products.

The mission of the Transportation Services Division (TSD) of USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is to provide insightful agricultural transportation information and analysis to help move agricultural products to market. Equal access to timely, reliable and transparent market information tends to improve the overall competitiveness of all market participants. In the absence of transportation information and reports published by AMS, small and medium sized market participants with limited resources for developing and collecting information may be at a competitive disadvantage to larger participants who can afford very sophisticated information systems.

The agricultural transportation information currently published by AMS is widely used by the agricultural community (export and domestic), as well as by various government agencies for planning and policy development.

Data detailing the availability of marine shipping containers is collected and distributed in a similar fashion and with the same effectiveness and efficiency as other AMS agricultural transportation publications. These data allow AMS to provide market intelligence for the growing containerized agricultural export community. In 2012, a record 25 percent of U.S. waterborne agricultural exports by tonnage were moved in containers; in terms of cargo value more than 50 percent of waterborne agricultural exports are containerized. As the global middle class continues to grow, the demand for high quality U.S. meats, grains, fruits and vegetables is expected to grow as well. However, without available containers to service these exports, some of this growing demand may be met by other countries.

Containers help to maintain the quality of U.S. products during transport to overseas markets. They also facilitate the increasingly popular just-in-time business practice that allows buyers to reduce inventory costs. In addition, containers provide buyers with smaller quantities of products instead of having to receive large bulk quantities of a particular commodity.

Finding available containers will help exporters fulfill the President’s National Export Initiative (http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/executive-order-national-export-initiative) which set a goal in January 2010 to double exports by 2015. In March 2010, the President further directed agencies to use every available resource to increase U.S. exports. Without sufficient equipment and efficient transportation service to move these cargoes, exporters will struggle to meet that goal.

The AMS container availability information collection provides a more transparent view of container flows and helps U.S. exporters locate available equipment to move their products. Agricultural exporters, in particular, struggle to find containers because most agricultural production sites are located long distances from populated metropolises where container pools tend to collect.

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.

All U.S. exporters can use the container availability data collected.

How are the Information Collected? Participating ocean container carriers voluntarily submit container availability estimates to AMS staff on a weekly basis. The data are sent by email to AMS in an Excel spreadsheet format.

Information Collected and Reported: Participating ocean container carriers provide weekly data estimating the number of container available for five types of containers (20ft, 40ft, 40ft high cubes, and 20ft and 40ft refrigerated containers) at 18 or more cities around the country. In addition, carriers project the number of containers that will be available for two consecutive weeks as well.

Carriers develop availability estimates based on the supply of containers at the reported locations and the demand for containers based on current bookings. Carrier estimates showing negative numbers, such as -29, should be interpreted as meaning that 29 containers are needed by shippers but the carrier is not able to supply them. A positive number, such as 64, would mean 64 containers are available that are not demanded. An indication of 0 means the carriers have the exact amount of containers needed based on current supply and demand estimates.

The aggregated data are summed across carriers and displayed in a map in the final published document. These maps give users a quick “dashboard” view of availability by container type at the select locations. In addition, the report includes a detailed display of availability at each of the reported locations. This section of the report includes a tabular display of each of the carriers’ container availability estimates for each reported location. The displayed estimates are randomized and do not correlate from week to week. See the sample report attached for more detail.

Specific company names are not associated with the container availability data in the final published report. However, the names of the companies participating in the collection each week are provided in the “Understanding This Report” section of the weekly publication.

Uses of the Container Availability Data: These data provide a unique view of container availability giving exporters more insight into the availability of containers, and ultimately providing better access to overseas markets.

Container availability data is used by U.S. exporters to help identify the availability of containers at strategic locations around the country. These data allow exporters to have a more informed idea, for three weeks out, as to the estimated number of containers available at each reported location.

Exporters use these data to determine from which potential locations their products could be moved. The data provide unique information that makes their search for containers easier and more efficient, adding some pieces to the exporter’s puzzle of putting an export transaction together. These data are particularly helpful for exporters looking for new sources of container pools around the country.

Exporters are able to watch, over time, the availability of containers at the reported locations, which provide them better insight in making long-term logistical decisions about potential loading locations or where to gain access to a pool of available containers.

Ocean shipping container availability data is a unique collection. There is no sharing agreement set up within or outside USDA. However, the collected data is available to the public once it is published.

Practical Utility: Knowing the location of containers allows exporters to make better business decisions and sometimes assists in finalizing sales that would otherwise be lost due to the lack of an available container. Agricultural exporters are able to view and use these data weekly on the AMS website for planning and analysis. Additionally, AMS uses these data to help describe current availability challenges facing agricultural exporters for appropriate policy makers. AMS also periodically provides additional analysis using these data to track historical container availability trends.

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 data collection is submitted weekly by email in Microsoft Excel spreadsheets.

4. DESCRIBE EFFORTS TO IDENTIFY DUPLICATION. SHOW SPECIFICALLY WHY ANY SIMILAR INFORMATION ALREADY AVAILABLE CANNOT BE USED OR MODIFIED FOR USE FOR THE PURPOSE(S) DESCRIBED IN ITEM 2 ABOVE.

No other dataset like this is available to the public. There are companies that provide container matching services, but this information is only provided on a subscription basis and is not publically available to the exporting community. These companies gain carrier container availability data and match it with exporters needing containers. Private companies provide this service for a fee and only provide the information to paying customers. The AMS container availability dataset does not match containers with cargo, but instead provides an overview of container availability at select locations around the country.

5. IF THE COLLECTION OF INFORMATION IMPACTS SMALL BUSINESSES OR OTHER SMALL ENTITIES (ITEM 5 OF THE OMB FORM 83-I), DESCRIBE THE METHODS USED TO MINIMIZE BURDEN.

No small businesses are impacted from this collection. The 21 ocean carriers that could voluntarily participate are not small businesses. However, the collection provides market intelligence to help small U.S. export businesses make more informed business decisions.

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.

In order to better fulfill the Agency’s mission of facilitating the orderly marketing of agricultural products, AMS developed this information collection to provide more transparent market intelligence through a unique dataset for the agricultural export community. If this collection is not conducted it would result in an inability to provide an additional service to agricultural exporters to assist them with the chronic problem of finding available ocean shipping containers.

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;

Agricultural exporters have indicated to AMS that weekly collection is the most useful to them and is consistent with the demands for finding available containers by the export community. Additionally, many ocean carriers internally collect and disseminate information weekly. A less frequent collection would be less effective and useful for exporters. For example, information released on a quarterly basis would not be timely enough in providing information to the agricultural export community when needed. Market conditions change frequently forcing exporters to have the most up-to-date information to make the best business decision and honor contracts with overseas partners. If the information collected is not provided weekly it will be too stale and will not meet the agricultural export community’s requirement for current information on container availability.

- REQUIRING RESPONDENTS TO PREPARE A WRITTEN RESPONSE TO A COLLECTION OF INFORMATION IN FEWER THAN 30 DAYS AFTER RECEIPT OF IT;

There are no special circumstances that would require respondents to prepare a written response to a collection of information in fewer than 30 days after receipt of the information. This information collection is voluntary for all respondents that choose to participate. In order to participate, respondents would be required to submit data weekly by email. There is no requirement for copies.

- REQUIRING RESPONDENTS TO SUBMIT MORE THAN AN ORIGINAL AND TWO COPIES OF ANY DOCUMENT;

There are no special circumstances that would require respondents to submit more than an original and two copies of any document. In order to participate, respondents are required to submit data weekly by email and participation is voluntary.

- REQUIRING RESPONDENTS TO RETAIN RECORDS, OTHER THAN HEALTH, MEDICAL, GOVERNMENT CONTRACT, GRANT-IN-AID, OR TAX RECORDS FOR MORE THAN 3 YEARS;

There are no special circumstances that would require respondents to retain records, other than health, medical, government contract, grant-in-aid, or tax records for more than 3 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;

All data collected for reports are aggregated to generalize the results and prevent disclosures of any one respondent.

- REQUIRING THE USE OF A STATISTICAL DATA CLASSIFICATION THAT HAS NOT BEEN REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY OMB;

There are no special circumstances that would require respondents to use 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 STATUE 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

See response to next item below.

• 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.

All specific company information collected is strictly confidential as to individual or firms’ proprietary information. Respondents provide information to AMS with complete confidence that their information will not be used in any way that would disclose their individual operations.

AMS is protected pursuant to Section 1770 of the Food Security Act of 1985, 7 U.S.C. # 2276, which requires USDA to keep source information collected strictly confidential.

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.

On February 28, 2014, Volume 79, Number 40, pages 11390 to 11391 , the agency published the notice of request for extension without change of a currently approved collection and request for comments in the Federal Register. No comments were received.

- 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.

Since gaining approval to collect container availability data in September 2011, AMS began publishing a weekly report that presents and analyzes data received from the participating ocean container carriers. The report has been well-received by the agricultural export community and beyond.

Shortly after the first issue of the Ocean Shipping Container Availability Report (OSCAR) was published, on July 11, 2012, USDA and the participating carriers received positive feedback from companies across the agricultural community, including: grain, cotton, and specialty products exporters. Positive feedback was also received from large freight forwarders and financial analysts. In addition, former Chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission, Richard Lidinsky, congratulated the participating carriers and USDA, “for implementing the Container Availability program,” and he urged full participation by all U.S. shippers.

Comments such as, “Fantastic Report,” and “The various Ag communities have been looking for something like this for years” were sent to USDA. One freight forwarder wrote, “…I know shippers appreciate all the data we can get as we try to level the field a bit via increased transparency.”

In preparing these Support Statements, AMS reached out to several weekly users of the Ocean Shipping Container Availability Report (OSCAR), each responded positively toward the availability of data, frequency of collection, the clarity of instructions and recordkeeping, disclosure, or reporting format, 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.

AMS informally meets several times a year with the ocean carrier representative from the Transpacific Stabilization Agreement (TSA) which provides the container availability data to discuss possible issues with the data collection or distribution. AMS staff takes every opportunity to get feedback from the affected respondents.

AMS staff also communicates often with U.S. containerized agricultural exporters. By attending regular meetings with U.S. containerized agricultural exporters, AMS staff is able to better understand the issues facing these exporters and discuss ways USDA can help mitigate some of their transportation challenges. In fact, the inspiration for this information collection came from one such meeting with the agricultural export community.

The following individuals are regular reviewers of the weekly container availability report:

Ocean Carrier Representative:

Brian Conrad

Transpacific Stabilization Agreement (TSA)

Oakland, CA

Tel: (510) 208-0440

[email protected]

External/Industry User Representative:

Christy Marron

Trans Coastal Supply Co., Inc.

Customer Service Representative

Decatur, IL

Tel: 217-421-0203

Email: [email protected]

In-house Report Reviewer:

Bruce Blanton

Director

Transportation Services Division

Washington, DC

Tel: 202-690-0435

[email protected]

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.

AMS is committed to keep all individual ocean container carrier company information out of the weekly publication of the aggregated container availability data. The information is provided to TSD from the TSA representative who collects the information from individual carriers and aggregates before sending to AMS. However, as other companies join the data collection, specific companies may provide the data individually. In all cases, AMS will not associate the specific container availability data with the name of the ocean container carrier. The purpose of our report is to provide an overview of container availability, not to provide a forum in which carriers and beneficial cargo owners match available containers with export cargo; that is a private sector function.

AMS provides assurance of confidentiality to the respondents by means of the methodology and procedures of the division.  If ever receiving information directly from an individual carrier, records showing the names of respondents will be destroyed as soon as data is collected, checked for accuracy, aggregated, finalized, and published.

Additionally, the information collected by AMS is protected under 7 U.S.C. # 2276, which requires USDA to keep source information collected strictly confidential.  Agency policy has established the importance of confidentiality in reporting.  The information collected is not published if such action would divulge the trading practices of individual or specific trading companies.  The market information is aggregated and broadly disseminated to the public and individual source documents are destroyed.

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.

Questions of a sensitive nature are not found in this information collection.

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 DIFFERENCE 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.

See response below.

• 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.

Details of the hour burden estimations are available in the attached AMS-71 form. The burden estimates were calculated using the number of hours provided from a sample of ocean carriers and ocean carrier associates that participate in the weekly information collection.

- PROVIDE ESTIMATES OF ANNUALIZED COST TO RESPONDENTS FOR THE HOUR BURDENS FOR COLLECTIONS OF INFORMATION, IDENTIFYING AND USING APPROPRIATE WAGE RATE CATEGORIES.

The respondents’ estimated annual cost is $62,084.29. This total has been estimated by multiplying 1,759.26 (total burden hours) by $35.29. The $35.29 per hour figure represents an estimated per hour cost for a professional Logistician. This hourly wage was obtained from the U.S. Department of Labor Statistic’s publication, “May 2013 National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates United States” published May 2013. This publication can be found at the following website: http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm

13. PROVIDE AN ESTIMATE OF THE TOTAL ANNUAL COST BURDEN TO RESPONDENTS OR RECORDKEEPERS RESULTING FROM THE COLLECTIOIN 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 KEEPING RECORDS FOR THE GOVERNMENT, OR (4) AS PART OF CUSTOMARY AND USUAL BUSINESS OR PRIVATE PRACTICES.

There are no capital, startup, operation, or maintenance costs associated with this program.

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, OPERATION 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 estimated annualized cost to the Federal Government to collect and publish weekly container availability information from ocean container carriers and their associates is $14,430. Weekly maintenance of datasets, the email distribution list, as well as preparation of supplementary datasets and the preparation of the 60-day notice costs the Federal Government an additional $10,012. The total estimated cost to the Federal Government is $24,442 per year.

The cost to the Federal Government has decreased slightly as the weekly publication of the report has become more efficient and streamlined with time.

15. EXPLAIN THE REASON FOR ANY PROGRAM CHANGES OR ADJUSTMENTS REPORTED IN ITEMS 13 OR 14 OF THE OMB FORM 83-I.

There are no changes to the number of responses or the burden hours since the 2011 submission.

15. 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 result of this information collection is a weekly online report that summarizes the data collected. The container availability data is aggregated and presented per equipment type (i.e. 20ft, 40ft, 40ft high cube, and 40ft refrigerated containers) in tabular format as well as by location spatially on a series of maps. Basic sum calculations are reported to show overall container availability at each location. No other calculations are planned at this time.

The container availability data are emailed to AMS each Tuesday or Wednesday, an economist gathers, aggregates, performs calculations, analyzes, and formats the data on Wednesday or Thursday, the report is published as soon as it is finished on either Wednesday or Thursday. The goal is to publish on Wednesday each week.

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 plans to display the expiration date for OMB approval of the information collection on all instruments.

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.

B. COLLECTIONS OF INFORMATION EMPLOYING STATISTICAL METHODS.

-THE AGENCY SHOULD BE PREPARED TO JUSTIFY ITS DECISION NOT TO USE STATISTICAL METHODS IN ANY CASE WHERE SUCH METHODS MIGHT REDUCE BURDEN OR IMPROVE ACCURACY OF RESULTS. WHEN ITEM 17 ON THE FORM 83-I IS CHECKED “YES”, THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE SUPPORTING STATEMENT TO THE EXTENT THAT IT APPLIES TO THE METHODS PROPOSED.

This information collection does not employ statistical methods.

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