Rc Supporting Statement Part B

SUPPORTING STATEMENT – Part B

U.S. Department of Commerce

Economic Development Administration

EDA Regional Economic Development Collection Instrument

OMB Control Number: None (new information collection)

2. Collections of Information Employing Statistical Methods

The following methods cover how EDA will collect information for the Recompete Pilot program.

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.

No statistical methods like sampling or imputing will be used. All 6 awarded Recompete Phase 2 Coalition Leads (defined below) are expected to answer the questionnaire. Thus, no sampling is required. The information collected via the questionnaire is not available through any other data sources. Missing data will be treated as such and no imputation will be used to fill in missing data.

Respondent Universe: The respondent universe includes all 6 awarded Recompete Phase 2 Coalition Leads. Each Recompete Coalition is comprised of members from institutions including colleges and universities, nonprofits, tribes, and local governments. Coalition leads will submit required information in collaboration with the regional ecosystem of partners they’ve developed for the execution of their Recompete awards. Additionally, each consortium has a Recompete Plan Coordinator (RPC) charged with overseeing the coalition’s activities, governance, and submitting the survey responses. There will be no sampling as all Recompete Phase 2 Coalition Leads will take the survey.

Response Rate: The response rate is estimated to be 100% This is based on previously established communications and relationships between EDA and the Recompete Coalitions. EDA has been in extensive communication with the awardees since announcement in August 2024. This is the first time data will be collected. EDA also anticipates a 100% response rate as extensive consultation with experts was conducted to reduce the burden to only metrics deemed as relevant and could not be captured through external data sources.

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

Statistical methodology for stratification and sample selection: There is no sampling in this data collection. Instead, it will be responded to by the awarded 6 Recompete Coalition Leads.

Estimation procedure: This is not applicable to this data collection.

Degree of accuracy needed for the purpose described in the justification: This is not applicable to this collection effort.

Unusual problems requiring specialized sampling procedures: This is not applicable to this collection effort.

Any use of periodic (less frequent than annual) data collection cycles to reduce burden: This survey will be collected semi-annually to track, primarily, quantitative metrics related to Recompete awards.

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.

Plans to maximize response rate: EDA will leverage existing relationships with each of the 6 awarded Recompete Coalitions. Since December 2023, EDA has been in extensive and constant communication with each Recompete Coalition and, as a result, has developed strong relationships. After the six awarded for implementation were selected in August 2024, this relationship and communication only increased. Under the terms of their grant award, the Recompete Awardees have also agreed to participate in surveys and evaluations. Recompete Coalition Leads will be trained on how to complete the survey and will be given aids to facilitate the data collection process.

Handling non-response biases: The main goal of this data collection is to understand each Recompete Coalition’s progress towards its goals. In the unlikely event of a Recompete coalition lead not responding, it will only affect EDA’s ability to learn about that Recompete coalition’s activities. That will not affect the EDA’s ability to learn about other coalitions’ activities.

Anticipated adequacy of responses: The selected respondents represent the core of individuals involved and leading the Recompete efforts. Each RPC should have access to identify and collect aggregated data for all requested responses.

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.

No tests of procedures or methods will be undertaken. The respondents (i.e., the Recompete Coalition Leads) are knowledgeable about their coalition’s plan, context, activities and goals. The questionnaire only asks for relevant information that the coalitions expect to track. Furthermore, coalitions will be trained on how to respond the survey via webinars, and the survey team will be on-call and available in case any respondent requires additional guidance. Although no tests will be undertaken, EDA will request feedback through informal discussions and emails. Feedback will be voluntary and will be used to refine future data collection and survey efforts. This will help inform priority metrics and questions for future data collection efforts that aim to track progress.

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.

Design:

Sathiyan Sivakumaran, Management and Program Analyst, Economic Development Administration, Department of Commerce; [email protected]

Hallie Davis, Program and Management Analyst, Economic Development Administration, Department of Commerce; [email protected]

Joseph Naddeo, Economist, U.S. Census Bureau; [email protected]