Form 1000E-2014a Evaluation of USTDA Performance

Evaluation of USTDA Performance

This evaluation requests information from entities that do business with the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA). Responses to these inquiries are voluntary. The information received from respondents enables USTDA to assess the impacts that its program investments have on U.S. commercial interests and economic development abroad according to the requirements of the USTDA Strategic Plan, the Information Quality Act, the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018, and the Foreign Aid Transparency and Accountability Act of 2016.

An Agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number with an expiration date that has not expired.

Reasons for the inquiries: The data collected from respondents is critical to USTDA’s success and ability to design programs that support the needs of clients and partners across the United States and around the world. The data and feedback gathered through this collection is utilized to help the Agency identify the most effective ways to leverage its funding, inform the Agency’s decision making processes, and contribute to the Agency’s ability to maintain accountability and transparency with its stakeholders. As a matter of good management practice, such data is necessary to responsibly carry out the Agency’s mission of monitoring and evaluating current and recently completed activities. The information collection provides USTDA with data that it needs to report to the Office of Management and Budget and Congress.

Planned use: The collected data is primarily for USTDA internal use. USTDA aggregates data (e.g. – total U.S. exports; number of projects with development benefits, etc.) but generally does not publicly report on the details of each project or the results achieved by particular U.S. entities. Aggregated data is normally sufficient for USTDA reporting purposes.

Nature and extent of confidentiality: The data gathered may include commercially sensitive and proprietary information. This information would be kept confidential by the agency in accordance with and subject to applicable U.S. law (e.g., Freedom of Information Act, and others). Please clearly indicate and mark which information is confidential when providing this information.

Average Burden: The request for facts or opinions from single person is estimated to average twenty (20) minutes, including time for searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and responding to the inquiry. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this inquiry, including suggestions for reducing this burden to Administrative Officer, U.S. Trade and Development Agency, 1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100, Arlington, VA 22209; and to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Washington, DC 20503.

	USTDA GENERAL EVALUATION QUESTIONS USTDA utilizes non-standardized questions that interviewers/analysts deliver via tailored telephone interviews and/or e-mail. Each interview and email questions are unique and the particular questions used are tailored to the specific person, project, project stage, and outcomes already assessed. The following provides an overview of USTDA’s evaluation questions from which tailored interview questions are prepared:
1	Project Status: Implementation status of the project. Obstacles or actions that would be helpful to move the project forward.
2	Impact of USTDA Involvement: Role of the USTDA-funded activity in shaping project development and outcomes. Significance of USTDA’s involvement in achieving the goals of the project. Use of the recommendations/conclusions/analysis from the USTDA activity followed to implement the project.
3	Project Finance: Total project cost. Financing sources and issues.
4	Procurement Opportunities and U.S. Company Involvement: Procurements made or planned in support of the project. Procurement process. Deciding factors for procuring goods and services from foreign entities. United States suppliers, goods and services acquired, cost and origin. Potential for exports from the United States to be used in this or other projects. Priority target market(s) of U.S. companies involved and goods and services that would be exported.
5	Host Country Development Benefits: Development benefits for the local host country.
6	Closing Themes: Primary results generated by USTDA involvement in the project. Appropriateness and/or usefulness of the USTDA activity. Potential improvements. Key challenges or obstacles relevant to other activities. Additional types of assistance needed from USTDA. Other sources of information.

USTDA 1000E-2014a Page 1