PRA Executive Summary

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Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) Executive Summary Form
Title of Collection:		American Community Survey Methods Panel Tests
OMB Control Number:		0607-0936
Division/Program Office:		American Community Survey Office
Agency Contact:		Robin A Pennington
Type of Information Collection Request:
☐	New collection
☒	Revision of a currently approved collection					[current expiration date: Enter date]
☐	Extension, without change, of a currently approved collection					[current expiration date: Enter date]
☐	Reinstatement, without change, of a previously approved collection for which approval has expired
☐	Reinstatement, with change, of a previously approved collection for which approval has expired
☐	Existing collection in use without an OMB Control Number
Purpose of Collection:
The purpose of the American Community Survey (ACS) methods panel tests are to continue to research and test changes to the ACS questionnaire content and related data collection materials that could improve data quality, achieve survey cost efficiencies, increase response rates, or improve the respondent experience. Details for an upcoming Mail Materials Test are included in this package. That test is focused on ways to address respondent concerns about mandatory language in the mail materials while updating design features and other aspects of the mail materials to maintain or increase self-response rates.
Data Collection Start Date:			8/1/2018
Requested OMB Expiration Date:			☒ Three years from approval date					☐ Other date: [d a te]
60-Day Federal Register Citation:			82 FR 54317-54320 (FR Document: 2017-24943)					Date Published: 11/17/2017
Mandatory or Voluntary Collection?			☒ Mandatory					☐ Voluntary	☐ N/A
Is This a Reimbursable Collection Conducted by Census on Behalf of Another Agency/Entity?
☐ Yes [Specify agency/entity: ]
☒ No
☐ Shared Sponsorship [Specify agency/entity: ]
Legal Authority(ies) for Information Collection:
The Census Bureau collects data for this survey under authority of Title 13, United States Code, Sections 141, 193, and 221. All data are afforded confidential treatment under Section 9 of that Title.
Survey Information:
What is the source of the sampling frame for this collection? Census Bureau’s Master Address File
What are the mode(s) for collection? ☒ Paper ☒ Internet ☒ Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI)
☒ Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI) ☐ Other
Public Burden:
Average Estimated Time per Response: 0 Hours 40 Minutes
Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden:
Number of Respondents					455,500
Number of Responses					455,500
Requested Annual Burden Hours					266,168
Current Annual OMB Inventory					129,389
Difference (+, -)					136,779
Reason for Difference in Burden Hours: ☒ Program Change ☐ Adjustment ☐ No Difference
Explanation of Difference (if applicable): New tests are being proposed that require different hours of burden than the previous test proposals.
Privacy Act (PA):
Is this collection a Privacy Act System of Records?				☐ No ☒ Yes - If yes, a Privacy Act Statement that identifies the appropriate Systems of Records Notice (SORN) is required.
Title 13 Confidentiality:
Is this collection of information confidential under Title 13, Section 9?							☒ Yes ☐ No
If yes, has the confidentiality pledge been updated per the Federal Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 20151?							☒ Yes ☐ No
Has the respondent messaging been reviewed and updated in the collection materials per the “Updates to Census Bureau Confidentiality Messaging and PRA Required Language” memo, if applicable?							☒ Yes ☐ No

Placement of Required Paperwork Reduction Act and Privacy Act Language: In the table below, please indicate where the following PRA/PA statement requirements are located in the respondent materials:
Required PRA/PA Language	PRA	PA Statement	Invitation letter	FAQs	Collection Instrument	Instructions	Other	N/A
Reason/purpose for the information collection, including the way the information will be used.	X	X	☒	☒	☒	☐		☐
The legal authority(ies) that authorize the collection of information.	X	X	☒	☒	☒	☐		☐
Whether responses are mandatory or voluntary (citing the authority)	X	X	☒	☒	☒	☐		☐
The nature and extent of confidentiality to be provided (if any) citing authority	X		☒	☒	☒	☐		☐
An estimate of the average respondent burden together with a request that the public direct to the agency any comments concerning the accuracy of this burden estimate and any suggestions for reducing this burden	X		☒	☐	☒	☐		☐
OMB control number	X		☐	☐	☒	☐		☐
A statement that an agency may not conduct (and a person is not required to respond to) an information collection request unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.	X		☐	☐	☒	☐		☐
Published routine use for which information is subject and citation to relevant SORN		X	☐	☐	☒	☐		☐
The effects on the individual for not providing the requested information		X	☐	☒	☐	☐		☐
Comments: Because the purpose of the various tests proposed in this clearance package is to evaluate different approaches to the mail materials, positioning of the required statements may change.
Additional Information: Please include any special circumstances or other information that would help expedite the review of this package (ex. if the collection is at the request of a congressional inquiry).

1 Please refer to the “Updates to Census Bureau Confidentiality Messaging and PRA Required Language” Memo

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