BLS Data Sharing Program
OMB #: 1220-0180
November 2018
SUPPORTING STATEMENT
A. JUSTIFICATION
Necessity of the Information
The purpose of this request is to allow the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to facilitate and expedite the granting of access to qualified researchers under BLS data sharing programs. An important aspect of the mission of the BLS is to disseminate to the public the maximum amount of information possible. Not all data are publicly available because of the importance of maintaining the confidentiality of BLS data. However, the BLS has opportunities available on a limited basis for eligible researchers to access confidential data for purposes of conducting valid statistical analyses that further the mission of the BLS as permitted in the Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act of 2002 (CIPSEA) and under 29 U.S.C. 1 & 2.
The BLS makes confidential data available to eligible researchers through three major programs:
1. The Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI), as part of the BLS occupational safety and health statistics program, compiles a count of all fatal work injuries occurring in the U.S. in each calendar year. Multiple sources are used in order to provide as complete and accurate information concerning workplace fatalities as possible. A research file containing CFOI data is made available offsite to eligible researchers.
2. The National Longitudinal Surveys of Youth (NLSY) is designed to document the transition from school to work and into adulthood. The NLSY collects extensive information about youths' labor market behavior and educational experiences over time. The NLSY includes three different cohorts: the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 (NLSY79), the NLSY79 Young Adult Survey, and the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 (NLSY97). NLSY data beyond the public use data are made available in greater detail through an offsite program to eligible researchers.
3. Additionally, the BLS makes available data from several employment, prices, compensation, and working conditions surveys to eligible researchers for onsite use. Eligible visiting researchers can access these data in researcher rooms at the BLS national office in Washington, D.C. or at a Federal Statistical Research Data Center (FSRDC).
Purpose of the Information Collection
In order to provide access to confidential data, the BLS must determine that the researcher’s project will be exclusively statistical in nature and that the researcher is eligible based on guidelines set out in CIPSEA, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) implementation guidance on CIPSEA, and BLS policy. This information collection provides the vehicle through which the BLS will obtain the necessary details to ensure all researchers and projects comply with appropriate laws and policies. The collection forms have been revised since the prior submission in order to improve clarity and ease of use for the applicants.
Use of Improved Technology
Applicants have the option of submitting their applications by email.
Efforts to Identify Duplication
The information collected will not duplicate any existing information being collected by the BLS.
Minimizing Small Employer Burden
The information is collected from individuals; no small businesses or other small entities are involved.
Consequences of Less Frequent Collection
Each individual project must be granted access separately due to the singular uniqueness of each research proposal, the BLS responsibility to determine the statistical nature of each proposed project, and the need to determine the eligibility of each researcher attempting to access confidential data.
Special Circumstances
There are no special circumstances. The data are collected in a manner that is consistent with the guidelines in 5 CFR 1320.5.
Federal Register and Consultation Outside the BLS
No comments were received as a result of the Federal Register notice published in 83 FR 41112 on August 17, 2018.
Payment to Respondents
No payments or gifts are provided to respondents.
Assurance of Confidentiality
Each application will include the following Privacy Act Statement:
The information you provide will be used by staff at the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine your eligibility for access to restricted BLS data and for other administrative purposes. In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974 as amended (5 U.S.C. 552a), details about routine uses can be found in the system of records notice, DOL/BLS – 21, Data Sharing Agreements Database (81 FR 47418). Providing the information on this form is voluntary; however, the BLS will not be able to grant access to restricted BLS data without this information. The information provided will be used to draft agreements with your institution, which upon full execution are public records. The BLS is authorized to request the information on this form under Title 5, United States Code, Section 301.
Justification for Sensitive Questions
There are no sensitive questions.
Estimate of Respondent Burden
CFOI:
Number of respondents: 5
Response time: 35 minutes
Burden Hours: 2.9
NLSY:
Number of respondents: 126
Response time: 30 minutes
Burden Hours: 63
Onsite Researcher:
Number of Respondents: 30
Response time: 30 minutes
Burden Hours: 15
Burden estimates include only the time to complete the application and questionnaire forms. It does not include the time for the development of the research proposal.
Total Burden Hours: 80.9
Activity |
# of Respondents |
Frequency |
Total Annual Responses |
Time Per Response in hours |
Total Annual Burden (Hours) |
Hourly Rate* |
Monetized Value of Respondent Time |
CFOI |
5 |
1 |
5 |
0.58 |
2.9 |
7.25 |
21.03 |
NLSY |
126 |
1 |
126 |
0.5 |
63 |
7.25 |
456.75 |
Onsite Researcher |
30 |
1 |
30 |
0.5 |
15 |
7.25 |
108.75 |
Unduplicated Totals |
161 |
|
161 |
1.58 |
80.9 |
|
$586.53 |
* [Hourly Rate is based on the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, according to The Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, As Amended, revised May 2011, http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/statutes/FairLaborStandAct.pdf]
Estimate of Cost Burden
Capital start-up costs: $0
Total operation and maintenance and purchase of services: $0
There are no costs to the potential applicants other than the time it takes to complete the applications. Applicants complete the forms based on personal knowledge and experience, which requires no record-keeping or other expenses.
Cost to the
Federal Government
The total estimated cost to the Federal government is $100,000. This reflects staff time spent reviewing researcher applications, processing data files, providing technical assistance, and associated administrative support, as well as costs for hosting BLS data within the FSRDC network. The Federal pay table used in the calculation of staff salaries can be found at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2018/general-schedule/
Changes in Respondent Data
None. The burden hours have decreased because the number of researchers requesting data access has decreased.
Plans for Publication
The information collected will not be for public use, but rather to ensure that only eligible researchers, using the data for an exclusively statistical purpose under CIPSEA, may access certain confidential datasets as outlined in item 2.
Request to Not Display Expiration Date
BLS is requesting OMB approval for permission to suppress the expiration date on the application forms. A printed expiration date would restrict BLS’ ability to use these same forms in subsequent years.
Exceptions to the Certification
There are no exceptions to the certification.
B. COLLECTIONS OF INFORAMATION EMPLOYING STATISTICAL METHODS
This information collection does not employ statistical methods.
| File Type | application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document |
| File Title | The purpose of this request for review is for the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to obtain clearance to collect the informatio |
| Author | glennon_b |
| File Modified | 0000-00-00 |
| File Created | 2021-01-21 |