Attachment D - Sample Intro Letter

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

B UREAU

OF

L ABOR S TATISTICS

1835 Market Street – Suite 1946
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103-2968

Dear Sir/Madam:
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is asking for your voluntary cooperation in providing
information for the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The CPI is a statistical measure of price
change for goods and services typically purchased by urban consumers. As the only
comprehensive measure of inflation at the retail level, the CPI is widely used by private
industry, labor, and government for making informed business and economic decisions.
We are updating the sample of establishments to be included in the CPI and yours is one of
many local establishments that are being asked to participate in our ongoing survey. These
outlets were chosen based on the results of a previous survey in which area consumers were
asked where they purchased various items and services.
Our BLS representative will contact you to ask a few basic questions about items or services
that are offered by your business. Then s/he will use a statistical procedure to select items
or services to price over time. We generally meet in person, but a brief telephone call or
virtual meeting can be scheduled at your convenience to establish what we need from you
and how we can collect the information. Following this initial contact, we will update
prices, usually either once a month or every other month, and we will limit the time we ask
of you or your staff. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved this
survey and the OMB Control Number is 1220-0039.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics, its employees, agents, and partner statistical agencies, will use
the information you provide for statistical purposes only and will hold the information in
confidence to the full extent permitted by law. In accordance with the Confidential Information
Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act (44 U.S.C. 3572) and other applicable Federal laws,
your responses will not be disclosed in identifiable form without your informed consent. Per the
Federal Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2015, Federal information systems are protected
from malicious activities through cybersecurity screening of transmitted data.
Your cooperation will be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,

MAUREEN McDEVITT GREENE
Assistant Regional Commissioner
of Labor Statistics

Regional Commissioner
(215) 861-5600
Fax (215) 861-5703

Public Information
(215) 597-3282
Fax (215) 861-5720
http://stats.bls.gov

Federal/State Programs
(215) 861-5633
Fax (215) 861-5736

Price Programs
(215) 861-5650
Fax (215) 861-5734

Compensation Programs
(215) 861-5680
Fax (215) 861-5731