Justification for OMB 1140-XXXX (ATF F 3252.4) 3.30.2020 - OIRAcomments 12.18.2020

Justification for OMB 1140-XXXX (ATF F 3252.4) 3.30.2020 - OIRAcomments 12.18.2020.docx

Initial Suitability Request

OMB: 1140-0110

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Department of Justice

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Information Collection Request

Supporting Statement

OMB # 1140 - XXXX

Initial Suitability Request - ATF Form 3252.4


  1. JUSTIFICATION


  1. Necessity of Information Collection


The Office of Field Operations, Special Operations Division, oversees and manages ATF’s Confidential Informant (CI) Program. ATF Special Agents (SAs) and Task Force Officers (TFOs), also identified as CI handlers, utilize CIs to assist in investigating criminal activity. Since the use of a CI is a sensitive matter and requires the association of CI handlers with individuals whose motivations may be suspect or ultimately challenged by courts, this investigative technique is carefully controlled and closely monitored. A CI can be utilized after properly identifying, documenting, and receiving approval from the Special Agent in Charge (SAC) or his/her designee. Once approved, the individual is registered as an active CI.


The Department of Justice (DOJ), Attorney General’s Guidelines Regarding the Use of Confidential Informants or (the Guidelines) subparagraph II, A. 1, Initial Suitability Determination, mandate that an initial suitability report and recommendation must be completed. In addition, subparagraph II, B., Registration, mandates that the CI’s official file shall, at a minimum, include a photograph of the CI, validation of the CI’s identity, the CI’s criminal history report, the initial suitability report and recommendation, and any promises or benefits given the CI. The CI handler will use the Initial Suitability Request - ATF Form 3252.4 for this purpose.


  1. Needs and Uses


The information provided on ATF Form 3252.4 will be collected and maintained by ATF’s Office of Field Operations. The purpose of the collection is to document a potential CI’s information, in order to make an adjudicative determination regarding the individual’s suitability to become a CI. The form will specifically address the individual’s personally identifiable information, immigration information (if applicable), residential, employment and educational information, criminal history and conduct information, the type of information the individual may have previously provided as a CI, and information that addresses the individual’s suitability. ATF Form 3252.4 will be used to record the suitability determination for the individual to become a CI for ATF.

  1. Use of Information Technology


ATF Form 3252.4 will be a fillable and accessible form that will be made available to CI handlers on the ATF intra-web. However, the form will be unavailable to the wider public via the ATF website. The CI handler will complete the form by entering all of the information when interviewing the potential CI. The CI handler will complete the form in preparation for review an adjudication determination made by the SAC or his/her designee. The form will subsequently be deemed complete when all information is provided, and the form is electronically signed and dated by the CI handler. The CI handler will be required to complete and sign the form electronically. After completion, the form and all required attachments (as indicated on the form), will be scanned and stored electronically as a .pdf file in the CI’s record within ATF’s Confidential Informant Master Registry and Reporting System (CIMRRS).


The suitability determination will be made electronically within CIMRRS. If CIMRRS is not readily available for any reason, the ATF F 3252.4 will be used to record the recommendation made by the Resident Agent in Charge (RAC) or Group Supervisor (GS), and the final decision of the SAC or his/her designee. Under these circumstances, the RAC or GS, and SAC or his/her designee must sign and date the form electronically.


  1. Efforts to Identify Duplication


ATF uses a uniform subject classification system for forms to identify duplication and to ensure that any similar information already available cannot be used or modified for use for the purpose of this information collection.


  1. Minimizing Burden on Small Businesses


The collection of information has no impact on small businesses.


  1. Consequences of Not Conducting or Less Frequent Collection


The consequences of not conducting this information collection would result in ATF’s loss of a valuable law enforcement tool. All DOJ law enforcement organizations (except the Federal Bureau of Investigations) must comply with the Guidelines. Making a suitability determination for a potential CI is pertinent and mandatory.

  1. Special Circumstances


This information will be collected in a manner consistent with the guidelines in 5 CFR 1320.6.


  1. Public Comments and Consultations


No comments were received during the 60-day Federal Register Notice period. However, a 30-day notice will be published in the Federal Register to solicit public comments.


  1. Provision of Payments or Gifts to Respondents


ATF will not provide any payment or gift of any type to respondents, simply for providing information required by this collection.


  1. Assurance of Confidentiality


ATF F 3252.4 will be maintained electronically in CIMRRS electronic CI record system. The information contained in the CI record is protected by the Privacy Act of 1974. In accordance with the Federal Information Processing Standard 199 Categorization, CIMRRS is identified as a High Value Asset and determined to be a Major Application. Therefore, the information contained in CIMRRS is protected in accordance with Federal standards applicable to a Major Application.



CI information is protected by ATF personnel in accordance with the Guidelines, the Privacy Act of 1974, and ATF’s policy. ATF’s internal policy, as outlined in ATF O 3252.1B, Use of Confidential Informants, aligns with the Guidelines and the Privacy Act of 1974. All legal means will be used to maintain the confidentiality of the identity of the individual but this cannot be guaranteeddiscovery proceedings; and M., To individuals and organizations in the course of an investigation to the extent necessary to obtain information pertinent to the investigation.Published routine uses that may be applied include A., To a Member of Congress or staff acting upon the Member’s behalf when the Member or staff requests the information on behalf of, and at the request of, the individual who is the subject of the record; C., To appropriate federal, state, local, foreign, or tribal law enforcement authorities for law enforcement purposes – criminal civil, or regulatory; E., In an appropriate proceeding before a court or administrative or regulatory body when records are determined by the Department of Justice to be arguably relevant to the proceeding; F., To an actual or potential party to litigation or the party’s authorized representative for the purpose of negotiation or discussion on such matters as settlement, plea bargaining, or in informal of the published routine uses of that system of records. paragraphsseveral he information collected becomes a part of the CI record and is included in Criminal Investigation Report System-Justice/ATF-003 (68 FR 3553-5) and is subject to Additionally, t because a registered CI may be required to testify before a grand jury and at any subsequent hearing and trial.







  1. Justification for Sensitive Questions


The form contains questions that would enable the ATF to make a decision on the individual’s conduct and character as it relates to suitability to become a . CIThe form does not contain any questions of a sensitive nature, such as sexual behavior and attitudes, religious beliefs, and other matter that are commonly considered private. Rather, questions address an individual’s criminal history, associations with persons involved in criminal activity, parole/probation status, reputation, past or present misuse of controlled substances, threat to the public, mental or emotional instability or unreliability, nature of the information or assistance to be supplied, and the individual’s motivation (to become a CI).


  1. Estimates of Respondent’s Burden


The number of respondents associated with this collection is 300. The total annual responses is 300. The time it takes to complete the form is 120 minutes (2 hours). Therefore, the total annual burden associated with this collection is 600 hours, which can be calculated as follows: 300 respondents x 2 hours (120 minutes).


  1. Estimate of Cost Burden


Cost is non-existent as completion and submission of the form is coordinated by the CI handler. The CI handler will upload the completed document into ATF’s CIMRRS system. Therefore, number 14 on the 83-I will be reported as zero (0).


  1. Cost to the Federal Government


There is no cost to the Federal Government.


  1. Reason for Change in Burden


There are no changes associated with this submission.


  1. Anticipated Publication Plan and Schedule


The results of this collection will not be published.


  1. Display of Expiration Date


ATF does not request approval to not display the expiration date of OMB approval for this information collection.


  1. Exception to the Certification Statement


There are no exceptions to the certification statement.


  1. STATISTICAL METHODS


None

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