American Community Survey Methods Panel Tests

Forms and Documents

Forms and supporting documents for this ICR

Document	Type	Status	Availability
Non-Substantive CR 2015 Mail Messaging 01222015_ver2 Amended 210.docx	Supplementary Document	Uploaded 2015-02-12	Available
Dillman Final report on Three Proposed ACS Marketing Strategies August 13 2014.docx	Supplementary Document	Uploaded 2015-02-12	Available
2014_Hagedorn_04.pdf	Supplementary Document	Uploaded 2015-02-12	Available
Attachment 4 - ACS-23(X)CST Additional Postcard.pdf	Supplementary Document	Uploaded 2015-01-27	Available
Attachment 3 - ACS-20(LX)CST Reminder Letter.pdf	Supplementary Document	Uploaded 2015-01-27	Available
Attachment 2 -ACS-13(LX)PT Initial Package Letter.pdf	Supplementary Document	Uploaded 2015-01-27	Available
Attachment 1 - ACS-14(LX)RPT Replacement Package Letter.pdf	Supplementary Document	Uploaded 2015-01-27	Available
Non-Substantive CR 2015 Mail Messaging 01222015_ver2.docx	Justification for No Material/Nonsubstantive Change	Uploaded 2015-01-30	Available
2015 ACS Envelope Test OMB Supporting Statement Ptb 03232015.docx	Supporting Statement B	Uploaded 2015-03-27	Repair queued
2015 ACS Envelope Test OMB Supporting Statement pta 03262015.docx	Supporting Statement A	Uploaded 2015-03-27	Available

IC Document Collections

Information collection document groups

IC ID	Collection	Type	Status	Form
215876	ACS Mehods Panel Envelope Testing	Instruction	New
190927	ACS Methods Panel	Other-First Mailing -- ACS-9(2011) Multilingual Brochure	Unchanged

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 0607-0936	ICR Reference No: 201503-0607-007
Status: Historical Inactive	Previous ICR Reference No: 201501-0607-007
Agency/Subagency: DOC/CENSUS	Agency Tracking No:
Title: American Community Survey Methods Panel Tests
Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Emergency	Approval Requested By: 04/24/2015
OIRA Conclusion Action: Improperly submitted and continue	Conclusion Date: 04/03/2015
	Date Received in OIRA: 04/01/2015
Terms of Clearance:

table that charts list comparision

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	12/31/2015	6 Months From Approved	12/31/2015
Responses	484,925	0	484,925
Time Burden (Hours)	276,645	0	276,645
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

---

Abstract: The U.S. Census Bureau requests authorization from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to conduct the American Community Survey (ACS) Methods Panel tests. The ACS allows the Census Bureau to provide more timely and relevant housing and socio-economic data while also reducing operational risks in the census by eliminating the long-form historically given to one in every six addresses. An ongoing data collection effort such as the ACS requires that the Census Bureau continue research, testing and evaluations aimed at improving ACS questionnaires content and related data collection materials.

Emergency Justfication: In order to be responsive to respondent concerns with the prominent references to the mandatory participation in the ACS mail materials in a timely manner and expedite the implementation of this test, we are seeking approval to conduct this test under the emergency review process.

---

Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 13 USC 141, 193, and 221 Name of Law: null
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

---

Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

---

Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	77 FR 24684	04/25/2012
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	77 FR 53171	08/31/2012
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? Yes

---

Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 2

table that charts list of burden

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
ACS Methods Panel	28-page Control Form, 44-page 8.5" x 11" Form, Optical Character Recognition Form, Relationship & Marital Status Form, Internet Questionnaire Screenshots, 36-page Form, ACS-1	Internet Questionnaire Screenshots ,   American Community Survey ,   28-page Control Form ,   36-page Form ,   44-page 8.5" x 11" Form ,   Optical Character Recognition Form ,   Relationship & Marital Status Form
ACS Mehods Panel Envelope Testing	ACS-1	Questionnaire

---

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Increase Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: An ACS Methods Panel Testing element is being introduced. Additional burden hours and respondents were added as a result.

---

Annual Cost to Federal Government: $11,500,000

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? Yes Part B of Supporting Statement

Is the Supporting Statement intended to be a Privacy Impact Assessment required by the E-Government Act of 2002? No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? Uncollected

---

Common Form ICR:  No

---

On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).

The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:

(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;

(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;

(c) It reduces burden on small entities;

(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;

(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;

(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;

(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:

(i) Why the information is being collected;

(ii) Use of information;

(iii) Burden estimate;

(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);

(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and

(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;

(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.

(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and

(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.

If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.

Certification Date: 04/01/2015

---