80 FR 70077 - Fast Track Generic Clearance for the Collection of Qualitative Feedback on Agency Service Delivery

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Office of the Secretary

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 218 (November 12, 2015)

Page Range		70077-70078
FR Document		2015-28716

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Department of Transportation's (DOT) Office of the Secretary (OST) announces its plan to submit the Information Collection Request (ICR) described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for its review and approval and invites public comment. Executive Order 12862 directs Federal agencies to provide service to the public that matches or exceeds the best service available in the private sector. In order to work continuously to ensure that our programs are effective and meet our customers' needs, the Department of Transportation (DOT) seeks to obtain OMB approval of a generic clearance to collect feedback on our service delivery.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 218 (Thursday, November 12, 2015)

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 218 (Thursday, November 12, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70077-70078]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-28716]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Office of the Secretary

[Docket No. DOT-OST-2015-0194]


Fast Track Generic Clearance for the Collection of Qualitative 
Feedback on Agency Service Delivery

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary (OST), Department of Transportation 
(DOT).

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Department of Transportation's (DOT) Office of the Secretary (OST) 
announces its plan to submit the Information Collection Request (ICR) 
described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for its 
review and approval and invites public comment. Executive Order 12862 
directs Federal agencies to provide service to the public that matches 
or exceeds the best service available in the private sector. In order 
to work continuously to ensure that our programs are effective and meet 
our customers' needs, the Department of Transportation (DOT) seeks to 
obtain OMB approval of a generic clearance to collect feedback on our 
service delivery.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by January 11, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Your comments should be identified by Docket No. DOT-OST-
2015-0194 and may be submitted through one of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 1-202-493-2251.
     Mail or Hand Delivery: Docket Management Facility, U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., West 
Building, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except on Federal holidays.
    All written comments will be available for public inspection on 
Regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Habib Azarsina, Office of the Chief 
Information Officer, Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, 202-
366-1965 (Voice), 202-366-7870

[[Page 70078]]

(Fax), or habib.azarsina@dot.gov (Email).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Fast Track Generic Clearance for the Collection of 
Qualitative Feedback on Agency Service Delivery.
    Abstract: The information collection activity will garner 
qualitative customer and stakeholder feedback in an efficient, timely 
manner, in accordance with the Department's commitment to improving 
service delivery. By qualitative feedback we mean information that 
provides useful insights on perceptions and opinions, but are not 
statistical surveys that yield quantitative results that can be 
generalized to the population of study. This feedback will provide 
insight into customer or stakeholder perceptions, opinions, experiences 
and expectations, provide an early warning of issues with service, or 
focus attention on areas where communication, training or changes in 
operations might improve delivery of products or services. These 
collections will allow for ongoing, collaborative and actionable 
communications between the Department of Transportation and its 
customers and stakeholders. It will also allow feedback to contribute 
directly to the improvement of program management. Feedback or 
information collected under this generic clearance will provide useful 
information, but it will not yield data that can be generalized to the 
overall population.
    The Department will submit a collection for approval under this 
generic clearance if it meets the following conditions:
     The collections are voluntary.
     The collections are low-burden for respondents (based on 
considerations of total burden hours, total number of respondents, or 
burden-hours per respondent) and are low-cost for both the respondents 
and the Federal Government.
     The collections are noncontroversial and do not raise 
issues of concern to other Federal agencies.
     Any collection is targeted to the solicitation of opinions 
from respondents who have experience with the program or may have 
experience with the program in the near future.
     Personally identifiable information (PII) is collected 
only to the extent necessary and is not retained.
     Information gathered is intended to be used only 
internally for general service improvement and program management 
purposes and is not intended for release outside of the Department (if 
released, the Department must indicate the qualitative nature of the 
information).
    This type of generic clearance for qualitative information will not 
be used for quantitative information collections that are designed to 
yield reliably actionable results, such as monitoring trends over time 
or documenting program performance. Such data uses require more 
rigorous designs that address: The target population to which 
generalizations will be made, the sampling frame, the sample design 
(including stratification and clustering), the precision requirements 
or power calculations that justify the proposed sample size, the 
expected response rate, methods for assessing potential nonresponse 
bias, the protocols for data collection, and any testing procedures 
that were or will be undertaken prior to fielding the study. Depending 
on the degree of influence the results are likely to have, such 
collections may still be eligible for submission for other generic 
mechanisms that are designed to yield quantitative results.
    Type of Review: New
    Affected Public: Individuals and households, businesses and 
organizations, State, Local or Tribal Governments.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 6,000.
    Estimated Annual Responses: 2,000.
    Estimated Annual Burden Hours: 2,000 hours.
    Frequency: One-time requirement.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on November 3, 2015.
Patricia Lawton,
DOT Paperwork Reduction Act Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief 
Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2015-28716 Filed 11-10-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-9X-P

Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 218 / Thursday, November 12, 2015 / Notices 70077

Number of
Component potential FRA findings
suppliers

Æ FRA finds that the time to design, test, and manufacture a HSR brake system
precludes this manufacturer from delivering the system in a reasonable time.

On November 20, 2014, FRA and exported in time to for use on the DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
published on its Web site public notice car shell components.
of Amtrak’s waiver request. FRA Office of the Secretary
• The National Institute of Standards
received thirteen (13) online comments and Technology’s Hollings [Docket No. DOT–OST–2015–0194]
to this notice. Only one of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership
commenters identified a domestic Fast Track Generic Clearance for the
(NIST–MEP) did not identify any
source for any of the Components. The Collection of Qualitative Feedback on
domestic manufacturer currently
commenter asserted that the potential Agency Service Delivery
supplier identified in the table above is producing the Components.
a major domestic brake system supplier • Amtrak conducted extensive AGENCY: Office of the Secretary (OST),
and is capable of providing the brake outreach with manufacturers NIST–MEP Department of Transportation (DOT).
systems. However, as described above, identified as potential future ACTION: Notice and request for
FRA has determined that brake systems manufacturers for the non-available comments.
are not domestically available for HSR components. FRA agrees with Amtrak’s
trainsets nor can the one potential assertion that even if any of the SUMMARY: In accordance with the
supplier deliver a brake system within identified manufacturers would attempt Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the
a reasonable time. Of the thirteen (13) Department of Transportation’s (DOT)
to produce the Components
comments, ten (10) commenters were in Office of the Secretary (OST) announces
domestically, the Components could not
favor of granting the waiver and three its plan to submit the Information
be bought or produced in the United Collection Request (ICR) described
were against granting the waiver. States within a reasonable time.
Several of the ten (10) commenters in below to the Office of Management and
favor of granting the waiver cited safety Pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 24405(a)(4), Budget (OMB) for its review and
as their reason. Many commenters also FRA is publishing notice of its decision approval and invites public comment.
asserted that granting the waiver would to grant Amtrak’s waiver request in the Executive Order 12862 directs Federal
be necessary to establish HSR in the Federal Register to provide notice of agencies to provide service to the public
United States and would lay a such finding and an opportunity for that matches or exceeds the best service
foundation for future domestic HSR public comment after which this waiver available in the private sector. In order
manufacturing. will become effective. This waiver to work continuously to ensure that our
applies only to the HSR trainset programs are effective and meet our
The three commenters opposing the
Components, including spares, for customers’ needs, the Department of
waiver argued that granting a waiver
Amtrak’s HSR trainset procurement as Transportation (DOT) seeks to obtain
will lead to more waivers and that
identified in its November 3, 2014 OMB approval of a generic clearance to
manufacturers could produce the HSR
waiver request. Moreover, excluding collect feedback on our service delivery.
trainset components in the United
States. Though domestic production of assembly of prototype trainsets, which DATES: Comments on this notice must be
the HSR trainset components for which have been addressed in a separate received by January 11, 2016.
a waiver has been requested is waiver, the trainsets must be finally ADDRESSES: Your comments should be
theoretically possible, FRA believes assembled in the United States, and all identified by Docket No. DOT–OST–
significant safety, capacity, and other components that are not described 2015–0194 and may be submitted
technology transfer problems would in this waiver must have been produced through one of the following methods:
result. Moreover, the delays to overcome in the United States or be the subject of • Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://
these issues would negatively impact a future waiver. www.regulations.gov. Follow the online
the schedules proposed by Amtrak. instructions for submitting comments.
Questions about this letter can be • Fax: 1–202–493–2251.
FRA believes a waiver is appropriate directed to, John Johnson, Attorney-
because the Components are not • Mail or Hand Delivery: Docket
Advisor, at john.johnson@dot.gov or Management Facility, U.S. Department
manufactured in the United States and
202–493–0078. of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey
because domestically-produced
Components meeting the specific safety/ Sincerely, Avenue SE., West Building, Room W12–
service-proven, technical, design, and 140, Washington, DC 20590, between 9
Sarah Feinberg a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
schedule needs of Amtrak cannot be
delivered within a reasonable time. FRA Administrator Friday, except on Federal holidays.
bases its determination on the All written comments will be
Sarah L. Inderbitzin, available for public inspection on
following:
Acting Chief Counsel. Regulations.gov.
• All of Amtrak’s bidders
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

[FR Doc. 2015–28708 Filed 11–10–15; 8:45 am]
independently indicated in their FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
responses to Amtrak’s Request for BILLING CODE 4910–06–P Habib Azarsina, Office of the Chief
Proposal that the Components, other Information Officer, Office of the
than vehicle paint, could not be sourced Secretary, U.S. Department of
domestically. As noted above, the paint Transportation, 1200 New Jersey
may be able to be manufactured Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590,
domestically but cannot be produced 202–366–1965 (Voice), 202–366–7870

VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:15 Nov 10, 2015 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00143 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\12NON1.SGM 12NON1

70078 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 218 / Thursday, November 12, 2015 / Notices

(Fax), or habib.azarsina@dot.gov This type of generic clearance for DATES: Please submit comments by
(Email). qualitative information will not be used January 12, 2016.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
for quantitative information collections ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
Title: Fast Track Generic Clearance for that are designed to yield reliably [identified by Docket No. DOT–OST–
the Collection of Qualitative Feedback actionable results, such as monitoring 2015–0221] through one of the
on Agency Service Delivery. trends over time or documenting following methods:
Abstract: The information collection program performance. Such data uses • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
activity will garner qualitative customer require more rigorous designs that http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
and stakeholder feedback in an efficient, address: The target population to which online instructions for submitting
timely manner, in accordance with the generalizations will be made, the comments.
Department’s commitment to improving sampling frame, the sample design • Fax: 202–493–2251.
service delivery. By qualitative feedback (including stratification and clustering), • Mail or Hand Delivery: U.S.
we mean information that provides the precision requirements or power Department of Transportation, Dockets
useful insights on perceptions and calculations that justify the proposed Management Facility, 1200 New Jersey
opinions, but are not statistical surveys sample size, the expected response rate, Avenue SE., West Building, Room W12–
that yield quantitative results that can methods for assessing potential 140, Washington, DC 20590.
be generalized to the population of nonresponse bias, the protocols for data • Agency Web site: http://
study. This feedback will provide collection, and any testing procedures www.regulations.gov.
insight into customer or stakeholder that were or will be undertaken prior to FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
perceptions, opinions, experiences and fielding the study. Depending on the Michelle Harris, 202–366–1930 ext.
expectations, provide an early warning degree of influence the results are likely 62253, Office of Small and
of issues with service, or focus attention to have, such collections may still be Disadvantaged Business Utilization,
on areas where communication, training eligible for submission for other generic Office ofthe Secretary, U.S. Department
or changes in operations might improve mechanisms that are designed to yield of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey
delivery of products or services. These quantitative results. Avenue SE., Room W56–444,
collections will allow for ongoing, Type of Review: New Washington, DC 20590. Office hours are
collaborative and actionable Affected Public: Individuals and from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00p.m., Monday
communications between the households, businesses and through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Department of Transportation and its organizations, State, Local or Tribal SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
customers and stakeholders. It will also Governments. Title: SBTRC Regional Field Offices
allow feedback to contribute directly to Estimated Number of Respondents: Intake Form (DOT F 4500).
the improvement of program 6,000. OMB Control Number: 2105–0554.
management. Feedback or information Estimated Annual Responses: 2,000. Background: In accordance with
collected under this generic clearance Estimated Annual Burden Hours: Public Law 95–507, an amendment to
will provide useful information, but it 2,000 hours. the Small Business Act and the Small
will not yield data that can be Frequency: One-time requirement. Business Investment Act of 1953,
generalized to the overall population. Issued in Washington, DC, on November 3, OSDBU is responsible for the
The Department will submit a 2015. implementation and execution of DOT
collection for approval under this Patricia Lawton, activities on behalf of small businesses,
generic clearance if it meets the DOT Paperwork Reduction Act Clearance in accordance with Section 8, 15 and 31
following conditions: Officer, Office of the Chief Information of the Small Business Act (SBA), as
• The collections are voluntary. Officer. amended. The Office of Small and
• The collections are low-burden for [FR Doc. 2015–28716 Filed 11–10–15; 8:45 am] Disadvantaged Business Utilization also
respondents (based on considerations of BILLING CODE 4910–9X–P administers the provisions of Title 49, of
total burden hours, total number of the United States Cole, Section 332, the
respondents, or burden-hours per Minority Resource Center (MRC) which
respondent) and are low-cost for both DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION includes the duties of advocacy,
the respondents and the Federal outreach, and financial services on
Government. Office of the Secretary behalf of small and disadvantaged
• The collections are businesses and those certified under
noncontroversial and do not raise issues [Docket No. DOT–OST–2015–0221] CFR 49 parts 23 and or 26 as
of concern to other Federal agencies. 60-Day Notice of Request for Renewal Disadvantaged Business Enterprises
• Any collection is targeted to the of a Previously Approved Collection (DBE).
solicitation of opinions from SBTRC’s Regional Field Offices will
respondents who have experience with AGENCY: Office of the Secretary (OST), collect information on small businesses,
the program or may have experience Department of Transportation which includes Disadvantaged Business
with the program in the near future. (Department) or (DOT). Enterprise (DBE), Women-Owned Small
• Personally identifiable information ACTION: Notice and requests for Business (WOB), Small Disadvantaged
(PII) is collected only to the extent comments. Business (SDB), 8(a), Service Disabled
necessary and is not retained. Veteran Owned Business (SDVOB),
• Information gathered is intended to
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

SUMMARY: The OSDBU invites public Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB),
be used only internally for general comments about our intention to request HubZone, and types of services they
service improvement and program the Office of Management and Budget’s seek from the Regional Field Offices.
management purposes and is not (OMB) approval to renew an Services and responsibilities of the
intended for release outside of the information collection. The collection Field Offices include business analysis,
Department (if released, the Department involves the following form with an general management & technical
must indicate the qualitative nature of expiration date of 2/29/2016, and is assistance and training, business
the information). presently in use. counseling, outreach services/

VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:15 Nov 10, 2015 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00144 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\12NON1.SGM 12NON1

Document Created: 2015-12-14 14:53:10
Document Modified: 2015-12-14 14:53:10

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice and request for comments.
Dates		Comments on this notice must be received by January 11, 2016.
Contact		Habib Azarsina, Office of the Chief Information Officer, Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, 202- 366-1965 (Voice), 202-366-7870 (Fax), or [email protected] (Email).
FR Citation		80 FR 70077

80 FR 70077 - Fast Track Generic Clearance for the Collection of Qualitative Feedback on Agency Service Delivery

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATIONOffice of the Secretary

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 218 (November 12, 2015)

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Office of the Secretary