2020PUMA_Supporting Statement Part B_092421

SUPPORTING STATEMENT B

U.S. Department of Commerce

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Public Use Microdata Areas Program

OMB Control No. 0607-1017

B. Collections of Information Employing Statistical Methods

There are no statistical methods involved in the collection of this information.

1. Describe (including a numerical estimate) the potential respondent universe and any sampling or other respondent selection method to be used. Data on the number of entities (e.g., establishments, State and local government units, households, or persons) in the universe covered by the collection and in the corresponding sample are to be provided in tabular form for the universe as a whole and for each of the strata in the proposed sample. Indicate expected response rates for the collection as a whole. If the collection had been conducted previously, include the actual response rate achieved during the last collection.

The Census Bureau estimates the number of respondents for this program to be 52. This represents participation from all states, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. The estimated time to respond for each state is 40 hours.

2. Describe the procedures for the collection of information including:

   • Statistical methodology for stratification and sample selection is not applicable.

   • Estimation procedure is not applicable.

   • Degree of accuracy needed for the purpose described in the justification is not applicable.

   • Unusual problems requiring specialized sampling procedures is not applicable.

   • Any use of periodic (less frequent than annual) data collection cycles to reduce burden is not applicable.

3. Describe methods to maximize response rates and to deal with issues of non-response. The accuracy and reliability of information collected must be shown to be adequate for intended uses. For collections based on sampling, a special justification must be provided for any collection that will not yield "reliable" data that can be generalized to the universe studied.

The 2020 Public Use Microdata Areas Program (2020 PUMA) is a voluntary operation with no requirement to participate. The Census Bureau informed State Data Centers, the official participants for the program, of the opportunity to participate in the program during an October 2020 meeting. Following that meeting, the Census Bureau contacted each State Data Center by email to establish a primary and secondary point of contact. These points of contact will receive the official program announcement email in September 2021. This announcement email will include instructions to download materials from the 2020 PUMA website. No follow-up communication is planned.

Every ten years the Census Bureau offers State Data Centers the opportunity to delineate Public Use Microdata Areas (PUMAs) for the tabulation and dissemination of decennial census and American Community Survey (ACS) Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS) data as well as for the dissemination of period estimates from both the ACS and Puerto Rico Community Survey. PUMS data are valuable to state and local planning agencies/offices, as well as students, for use in long-range planning and research projects.

4. Describe any tests of procedures or methods to be undertaken. Testing is encouraged as an effective means of refining collections of information to minimize burden and improve utility. Tests must be approved if they call for answers to identical questions from 10 or more respondents. A proposed test or set of tests may be submitted for approval separately or in combination with the main collection of information.

The Census Bureau does not conduct a test phase or test sampling for 2020 PUMA.

The Census Bureau did conduct Geographic Update Partnership Software (GUPS) testing with a small number of State Data Centers (less than 10) to collect feedback on the software and uncover software defects. The test was conducted from March 8, 2021 through April 16, 2021.

State Data Center testers reported five potential defects in the software, of which one proved to be a valid defect. The other four were caused by inadequate instruction in the documentation. In addition, the testers provided valuable input on the installation process. As a result of their input, the Census Bureau incorporated additional instructions and GUPS installation troubleshooting guidance into the participant guide. The one defect discovered, which involved a closing action for loading/unloading a county reference layer, was corrected in the software.

5. Provide the name and telephone number of individuals consulted on statistical aspects of the design and the name of the agency unit, contractor(s), grantee(s), or other person(s) who will actually collect and/or analyze the information for the agency.

There are no statistical aspects of the operation. For a contact within the agency, please note the 2020 PUMA is co-managed by the Census Bureau’s Spatial Data Collection and Products Branch and Geographic Standards, Criteria, and Quality Branch within the Geography Division. Ryan Short, Branch Chief for Spatial Data Collection and Products Branch, can be reached by phone at 301-763-9047. Joshua Coutts, Acting Branch Chief for Geographic Standards, Criteria, and Quality Branch, can be reach by phone at 301-763-9040. They, along with staff from both branches involved with the 2020 PUMA, can be reached by email at <[email protected]>.

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