82_FR_44115 82 FR 43934 - Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Pilot of USPS Postal Carriers as Census Enumerators During the 2018 End-to-End Census Test

82 FR 43934 - Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Pilot of USPS Postal Carriers as Census Enumerators During the 2018 End-to-End Census Test

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Census Bureau

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 181 (September 20, 2017)

Page Range43934-43935
FR Document2017-20036

The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 181 (Wednesday, September 20, 2017) 
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 181 (Wednesday, September 20, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43934-43935]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-20036]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Pilot of USPS 
Postal Carriers as Census Enumerators During the 2018 End-to-End Census 
Test

AGENCY: U.S. Census Bureau, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on 
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

DATES: To ensure consideration, written comments must be submitted on 
or before November 20, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet 
at [email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to Robin A. Pennington, U.S. Census Bureau, 4600 
Silver Hill Road, Washington, DC 20233 (or via the internet at 
[email protected]).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    The U.S. Census Bureau proposes a proof of concept study on the use 
of United States Postal Service (USPS) Postal Carriers as Census Bureau 
enumerators as part of the 2018 End-to-End Census Test. The possibility 
of formally using Postal Carriers to conduct enumeration as part of 
Decennial Census operations has been proposed or suggested several 
times in recent years by Members of Congress, as well as other advisory 
and oversight bodies, in response to (1) the rising operational costs 
of both agencies, and (2) the need for familiarity with local 
addresses. The suggestions often note that the USPS maintains a 
permanent, well trained, and experienced labor force that possesses 
significant public trust and detailed knowledge of the addressing and 
residential patterns in communities they serve.
    The rationale for this study is to test and observe the feasibility 
of the use of Postal Carriers as enumerators in the context of an 
existing Census Test, and, thereby, enable the Census Bureau and USPS 
to better respond to stakeholder inquiries about the feasibility of 
such activities. The potential long-term advantages to the Census 
Bureau include: (1) Leveraging local USPS knowledge about households to 
pinpoint the best time for an interview, (2) increasing the pool of 
enumerators without hiring new temporary staff, and (3) providing a 
more flexible landscape for how and when Nonresponse Followup (NRFU) 
interviews occur during the enumeration phase of a census.
    The Census Bureau plans to conduct a pilot in two ZIP Codes outside 
of--but adjacent to--the 2018 End-to-End Census Test site location in 
Providence County, R.I. The pilot will involve approximately 40 Postal 
Carriers operating out of two ZIP Codes, 02760 located in North 
Attleboro, MA, and 02888 located in Warwick, RI.
    The proposed evaluation and deliverables are:
    (1) The numbers of resolved enumeration cases will be documented to 
determine whether Postal Carriers were able to successfully conduct 
assigned NRFU activities. Documentation will identify and describe 
challenges and opportunities for future collaborative participation in 
this operation.
    (2) A report that details the development of baseline metrics to 
describe costs and benefits of a future collaborative operation. This 
study will determine the information needed to assess cost differences/
savings to recruiting and staff-onboarding operations by using existing 
USPS employees, and the value added in terms of efficiency and quality 
of NRFU activities, measured by numbers of visits, of using Postal 
Carriers with local knowledge.
    (3) Results of focus group debriefings held with the Postal 
Carriers, their managers, and the public after the 2018 End-to-End 
Census Test enumeration phase is complete to describe and

[[Page 43935]]

characterize the impacts of this collaboration on agency operations and 
the public trust.
    Documented operational Lessons Learned from the entirety of the 
project and recommendations for next steps will accompany the report. 
The outcome of this pilot study will provide the Census Bureau and the 
USPS with baseline descriptive and qualitative information that can be 
used to inform future field-based collaborations.

II. Method of Collection

    Census Bureau staff will train Postal Carriers to successfully 
conduct enumeration to complete the activity. Postal Carriers will be 
sworn to uphold the same confidentiality as Census Bureau employees. 
They will perform enumeration functions using the same procedures and 
automation as other enumerators during the hours of 5 p.m.-8 p.m. on 
weekdays, variable weekend hours, and both inside and outside the 
geographic constraints of their assigned routes.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0607-XXXX.
    Form Number(s): DH-16(LN), DH-16(LN)(E/S).
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: 31,479.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 24,889.
    Estimated Time per Response: 10 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 4,148.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $199,080.
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
    Legal Authority: Title 13 U.S.C. 23, 141, 193.

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

Sheleen Dumas,
Departmental PRA Lead, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2017-20036 Filed 9-19-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-07-P

43934 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 181 / Wednesday, September 20, 2017 / Notices begin at approximately 8:30 a.m. and of the meeting. A photo ID must be recent years by Members of Congress, as end at approximately 2:00 p.m. presented in order to receive your well as other advisory and oversight ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at visitor’s badge. Visitors are not allowed bodies, in response to (1) the rising the U.S. Census Bureau Auditorium, beyond the first floor. operational costs of both agencies, and 4600 Silver Hill Road, Suitland, Dated: September 14, 2017. (2) the need for familiarity with local Maryland 20746. addresses. The suggestions often note Ron S. Jarmin, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tara that the USPS maintains a permanent, Associate Director for Economic Programs, Dunlop Jackson, Branch Chief for well trained, and experienced labor performing the non-exclusive functions and Advisory Committees, Customer Liaison duties of the Director, Bureau of the Census. force that possesses significant public and Marketing Services Office, at trust and detailed knowledge of the [FR Doc. 2017–20061 Filed 9–19–17; 8:45 am] tara.dunlop.jackson@census.gov, addressing and residential patterns in BILLING CODE 3510–07–P Department of Commerce, U.S. Census communities they serve. The rationale for this study is to test Bureau, Room 8H177, 4600 Silver Hill and observe the feasibility of the use of Road, Washington, DC 20233, telephone DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Postal Carriers as enumerators in the 301–763–5222. For TTY callers, please Census Bureau context of an existing Census Test, and, use the Federal Relay Service 1–800– thereby, enable the Census Bureau and 877–8339. Proposed Information Collection; USPS to better respond to stakeholder SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The NAC inquiries about the feasibility of such Comment Request; Pilot of USPS was established in March 2012 and activities. The potential long-term Postal Carriers as Census operates in accordance with the Federal advantages to the Census Bureau Enumerators During the 2018 End-to- Advisory Committee Act (Title 5, include: (1) Leveraging local USPS End Census Test United States Code, Appendix 2, knowledge about households to Section 10). The NAC members are AGENCY: U.S. Census Bureau, pinpoint the best time for an interview, appointed by the Director, U.S. Census Commerce. (2) increasing the pool of enumerators Bureau, and consider topics such as ACTION: Notice. without hiring new temporary staff, and hard to reach populations, race and (3) providing a more flexible landscape ethnicity, language, aging populations, SUMMARY: The Department of for how and when Nonresponse American Indian and Alaska Native Commerce, as part of its continuing Followup (NRFU) interviews occur tribal considerations, new immigrant effort to reduce paperwork and during the enumeration phase of a populations, populations affected by respondent burden, invites the general census. natural disasters, highly mobile and public and other Federal agencies to The Census Bureau plans to conduct migrant populations, complex take this opportunity to comment on a pilot in two ZIP Codes outside of—but households, rural populations, and proposed and/or continuing information adjacent to—the 2018 End-to-End population segments with limited collections, as required by the Census Test site location in Providence access to technology. The Committee Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. County, R.I. The pilot will involve also advises on data privacy and DATES: To ensure consideration, written approximately 40 Postal Carriers confidentiality, among other issues. comments must be submitted on or operating out of two ZIP Codes, 02760 All meetings are open to the public. before November 20, 2017. located in North Attleboro, MA, and A brief period will be set aside at the ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments 02888 located in Warwick, RI. meeting for public comment on Friday, to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental The proposed evaluation and November 3. However, individuals with Paperwork Clearance Officer, deliverables are: extensive questions or statements must Department of Commerce, Room 6616, (1) The numbers of resolved submit them in writing to: 14th and Constitution Avenue NW., enumeration cases will be documented census.national.advisory.committee@ Washington, DC 20230 (or via the to determine whether Postal Carriers census.gov (subject line ‘‘November Internet at PRAcomments@doc.gov). were able to successfully conduct 2017 NAC Meeting Public Comment’’), assigned NRFU activities. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: or by letter submission to Kimberly L. Documentation will identify and Leonard, Committee Liaison Officer, Requests for additional information or describe challenges and opportunities Department of Commerce, U.S. Census copies of the information collection for future collaborative participation in Bureau, Room 8H179, 4600 Silver Hill instrument(s) and instructions should this operation. Road, Washington, DC 20233. be directed to Robin A. Pennington, U.S. (2) A report that details the If you plan to attend the meeting, Census Bureau, 4600 Silver Hill Road, development of baseline metrics to please register by Monday, October 30, Washington, DC 20233 (or via the describe costs and benefits of a future 2017. You may access the online internet at robin.a.pennington@ collaborative operation. This study will registration from the following link: census.gov). determine the information needed to https://www.regonline.com/nac_ SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: assess cost differences/savings to meeting_nov2017. Seating is available to recruiting and staff-onboarding I. Abstract the public on a first-come, first-served operations by using existing USPS basis. The U.S. Census Bureau proposes a employees, and the value added in This meeting is physically accessible proof of concept study on the use of terms of efficiency and quality of NRFU to people with disabilities. Requests for United States Postal Service (USPS) activities, measured by numbers of sradovich on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with NOTICES sign language interpretation or other Postal Carriers as Census Bureau visits, of using Postal Carriers with local auxiliary aids should also be directed to enumerators as part of the 2018 End-to- knowledge. the Committee Liaison Officer as soon End Census Test. The possibility of (3) Results of focus group debriefings as known, and preferably two weeks formally using Postal Carriers to held with the Postal Carriers, their prior to the meeting. conduct enumeration as part of managers, and the public after the 2018 Please call 301–763–9906 upon Decennial Census operations has been End-to-End Census Test enumeration arrival at the Census Bureau on the day proposed or suggested several times in phase is complete to describe and VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:28 Sep 19, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\20SEN1.SGM 20SEN1

Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 181 / Wednesday, September 20, 2017 / Notices 43935 characterize the impacts of this they also will become a matter of public QI/MF.1 to collect data on start and collaboration on agency operations and record. completion dates of construction, the public trust. physical characteristics of the structure Sheleen Dumas, Documented operational Lessons (floor area, number of bathrooms, type Departmental PRA Lead, Office of the Chief of heating system, etc.), and if Learned from the entirety of the project Information Officer. and recommendations for next steps applicable, date of sale, sales price, and [FR Doc. 2017–20036 Filed 9–19–17; 8:45 am] will accompany the report. The outcome type of financing. The SOC provides BILLING CODE 3510–07–P widely used measures of construction of this pilot study will provide the Census Bureau and the USPS with activity, including the economic baseline descriptive and qualitative indicators Housing Starts and Housing DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE information that can be used to inform Completions, which are from the New future field-based collaborations. Census Bureau Residential Construction series, and New Residential Sales. II. Method of Collection After working with the survey Proposed Information Collection; Census Bureau staff will train Postal Comment Request; Survey of Housing sponsor and key data users, the Census Carriers to successfully conduct Starts, Sales, and Completions Bureau has decided to add one new data enumeration to complete the activity. item to the single-family questionnaire Postal Carriers will be sworn to uphold AGENCY: U.S. Census Bureau, regarding ceiling height. the same confidentiality as Census Commerce. With respect to survey burden, the Bureau employees. They will perform ACTION: Notice. Census Bureau samples about 1,620 new enumeration functions using the same buildings each month (19,440 per year). SUMMARY: The Department of Census Bureau staff inquire about the procedures and automation as other Commerce, as part of its continuing progress of each building multiple times enumerators during the hours of 5 p.m.– effort to reduce paperwork and until it is completed (and a sales 8 p.m. on weekdays, variable weekend respondent burden, invites the general contract is signed, if it is a single-family hours, and both inside and outside the public and other Federal agencies to house that is built for sale). For single- geographic constraints of their assigned take this opportunity to comment on family buildings, there are an average of routes. proposed and/or continuing information 8.11 interviews and for multifamily III. Data collections, as required by the buildings, an average of 7.0 interviews. OMB Control Number: 0607–XXXX. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, The total number of interviews Form Number(s): DH–16(LN), DH– Public Law 104–13. conducted each year for single-family 16(LN)(E/S). DATES: To ensure consideration, written buildings is about 102,186 and for Type of Review: Regular submission. comments must be submitted on or multifamily buildings is about 47,880. Affected Public: 31,479. before November 20, 2017. Each interview takes 5 minutes on Estimated Number of Respondents: ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments average. Therefore, the total annual 24,889. to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental burden is 12,506 hours. Estimated Time per Response: 10 Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, II. Method of Collection minutes. Estimated Total Annual Burden 14th and Constitution Avenue NW., The Census Bureau uses its field Hours: 4,148. Washington, DC 20230 (or via the representatives to collect the data Estimated Total Annual Cost to Internet at PRAcomments@doc.gov). through CAPI. Public: $199,080. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: III. Data Respondent’s Obligation: Mandatory. Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection OMB Control Number: 0607–0110. Legal Authority: Title 13 U.S.C. 23, Form Number(s): SOC–QI/SF.1 and 141, 193. instrument(s) and instructions should be directed to Erica Filipek, U.S. Census SOC–QI/MF.1. IV. Request for Comments Bureau, EID, CENHQ Room 7K057, 4600 Type of Review: Regular submission. Affected Public: Individuals or Comments are invited on: (a) Whether Silver Hill Road, Washington, DC households, business or other for-profit. the proposed collection of information 20233, telephone (301)763–5161 (or via Estimated Number of Respondents: is necessary for the proper performance the Internet at Erica.Mary.Filipek@ 19,440. of the functions of the agency, including census.gov). Estimated Time per Response: 5 whether the information shall have SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION minutes. practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Estimated Total Annual Burden agency’s estimate of the burden I. Abstract Hours: 12,506. (including hours and cost) of the The U.S. Census Bureau plans to Estimated Total Annual Cost to proposed collection of information; (c) request a three-year extension of the Public: $0. ways to enhance the quality, utility, and current Office of Management and Respondent’s Obligation: Voluntary. clarity of the information to be Budget (OMB) clearance of the Survey Legal Authority: Title 13 U.S.C. 131 collected; and (d) ways to minimize the of Housing Starts, Sales and and 182. burden of the collection of information Completions, also known as the Survey on respondents, including through the of Construction (SOC). We also plan IV. Request for Comments sradovich on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with NOTICES use of automated collection techniques revisions to the current collection. The Comments are invited on: (a) Whether or other forms of information SOC collects monthly data on new the proposed collection of information technology. residential construction from a sample is necessary for the proper performance Comments submitted in response to of owners or builders. The Census of the functions of the agency, including this notice will be summarized and/or Bureau uses the Computer-Assisted whether the information shall have included in the request for OMB Personal Interviewing (CAPI) electronic practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the approval of this information collection; questionnaires SOC–QI/SF.1 and SOC– agency’s estimate of the burden VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:28 Sep 19, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\20SEN1.SGM 20SEN1


Document Created: 2018-10-24 14:21:33
Document Modified: 2018-10-24 14:21:33
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice.
DatesTo ensure consideration, written comments must be submitted on or before November 20, 2017.
ContactRequests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions should be directed to Robin A. Pennington, U.S. Census Bureau, 4600 Silver Hill Road, Washington, DC 20233 (or via the internet at [email protected]).
FR Citation82 FR 43934 
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