83 FR 11993 - Ombudsman Survey
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Patent and Trademark Office Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 53 (March 19, 2018)
Patent and Trademark Office
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 53 (March 19, 2018)
| Page Range | 11993-11994 | |
| FR Document | 2018-05468 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 53 (Monday, March 19, 2018)] [Notices] [Pages 11993-11994] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-05468] [[Page 11993]] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Patent and Trademark Office Ombudsman Survey ACTION: Revision of a currently approved collection, comment request. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, invites comments on a proposed extension of an existing information collection. DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before May 18, 2018. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods:Email: InformationCollection@uspto.gov. Include ``0651- 0078 comment'' in the subject line of the message. Federal Rulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Mail: Marcie Lovett, Records and Information Governance Division Director, Office of the Chief Technology Officer, United States Patent and Trademark Office, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information should be directed to Michael Easdale, Office of Patent Quality Assurance, United States Patent and Trademark Office, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450; by telephone at 571-272-3533; or by email to Michael.Easdale@uspto.gov with ``0651-0078 comment'' in the subject line. Additional information about this collection is also available at http://www.reginfo.gov under ``Information Collection Review.'' SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Abstract In 2011, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) designed and developed the Patents Ombudsman Program in response to customer feedback that the prosecution of patent applications does not always advance in accordance with established procedures. The USPTO implemented the Ombudsman program to assist patent applicants, attorneys, and agents in resolving problems, issues, and concerns arising during the prosecution of a patent application. The objectives of the Patents Ombudsman Program are to: (1) Facilitate complaint- handling for pro se applicants and applicant's representatives whose applications have stalled in the examination process; (2) track complaints to ensure each is handled within ten business days; (3) provide feedback and early warning alerts to USPTO management regarding training needs based on complaint trends; and (4) build a publicly accessible database of frequently asked questions that address commonly seen problems and provide effective resolutions. Participation in the Ombudsman program is voluntary and does not preclude the applicant's use of other avenues for redress of issues, including the filing of various patent process petitions. The program averages over 3,000 requests for assistance from approximately 1,800 unique customers each year. The Ombudsman program is free and open to all participants in the patenting process. This collection covers information gathered on the Ombudsman Survey. This survey is a key component in the USPTO's evaluation of the Ombudsman program, providing a mechanism to monitor the effectiveness of the program and identify potential opportunities for enhancement of the Ombudsman process. This survey allows USPTO to gain consistent, reliable, and representative information from customers who use the Ombudsman program. The survey consists of 9 questions, and is sent every Spring to applicants/attorneys who have provided an email address and utilized the Ombudsman program within the past fiscal year. The survey is accessed through individualized links that are uniquely tied to the survey participants thereby eliminating the need for passwords, user IDs, or usernames to access the surveys. The survey period is open for a period of five (5) weeks. Customers not responding within the initial three (3) weeks will be sent a second email message and link seeking their participation. There are no statutes or regulations requiring the USPTO to conduct this usage and satisfaction measurement. The USPTO uses the survey instrument to implement Executive Order 12862 of September 11, 1993, Setting Customer Service Standards, published in the Federal Register on September 14, 1993 (Vol. 58, No. 176). II. Method of Collection Web-based survey. III. Data OMB Number: 0651-0078. IC Instruments and Forms: No form numbers. Type of Review: Revision of a Previously Existing Information Collection. Affected Public: Individuals or households; businesses or other for-profits; and not-for-profit institutions. Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,100 responses per year. It is estimated that 1,800 unique customers use the Ombudsman program each year, and based on previous surveys, we estimate that the majority of them will respond to future surveys. The number of responses to this survey should adequately represent all Patent Examining Technology Centers. Estimated Time per Response: The USPTO estimates that it will take the public approximately 5 minutes (0.08 hours) to submit the information in this collection, including the time to access the survey, gather any materials needed, fill out the survey, and submit the completed item to the USPTO. Estimated Total Annual Respondent Burden Hours: 91.67 hours. Estimated Total Annual Respondent (Hourly) Cost Burden: $33,435.42. The USPTO expects that both professionals and paraprofessionals will complete these surveys, with 75% being completed by professionals and 25% by paraprofessionals. The current professional hourly wage rate is $438 and the rate for paraprofessionals is $145. The professional hourly rate used for the calculation is the average rate for attorneys in private firms as published in the 2016 Report of the Economic Survey by the American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA). The paraprofessional hourly rate comes from 2017 National Utilization and Compensation Survey published by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA). Using the combined hourly rate of $364.75, the USPTO estimates that the respondent cost burden for this collection will be $33,435.42 per year as shown in the table below. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Estimated IC No. Item Estimated time for annual Estimated annual Rate ($/hr) Estimated annual response (minutes) responses burden hours cost burden ...................... (a).................. (b) (a) x (b) / 60 = (d) (c) x (d) = (e) (c) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1.................................. Ombudsman Survey...... 5 mins. (0.08 hours). 1,100 91.67 $364.75 $33,435.42 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total.......................... ...................... ..................... 1,100 91.67 .............. 33,435.42 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Page 11994]] Estimated Total Annual (Non-Hour) Respondent Cost Burden: $0. There are no capital start-up, maintenance, postage, or recordkeeping costs associated with this information collection. IV. Request for Comments Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized or included in the request for OMB approval of this information collection; they also will become a matter of public record. 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, e.g., the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Marcie Lovett, Records and Information Governance Division Director, OCTO, United States Patent and Trademark Office. [FR Doc. 2018-05468 Filed 3-16-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-16-P
![11994 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 53 / Monday, March 19, 2018 / Notices
Estimated Total Annual (Non-Hour) partnership that connects American program which falls under the auspices
Respondent Cost Burden: $0. There are businesses with military spouses who of the office of the Deputy Assistant
no capital start-up, maintenance, possess essential 21st-century workforce Secretary of Defense for Military
postage, or recordkeeping costs skills and attributes and are seeking Community & Family Policy.
associated with this information portable, fulfilling careers. This program was developed in
collection. DATES: Comments will be accepted on or compliance with 10 U.S. Code 1784
before April 18, 2018. This proposed Employment Opportunities for Military
IV. Request for Comments Spouses and DoDI 1342.22, Military
action will be effective the date
Comments submitted in response to following the end of the comment Family Readiness.
this notice will be summarized or period unless comments are received Users may learn about this program in
included in the request for OMB which result in a contrary various ways including through the
approval of this information collection; Military OneSource program,
determination.
they also will become a matter of public installation service providers, from
record. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, other military spouses, from other MSEP
Comments are invited on: identified by docket number and title, Partners and via general online
(a) Whether the proposed collection of by any of the following methods: searches. Once aware of the program
information is necessary for the proper • Federal Rulemaking Portal: http:// interested spouses may simply access by
performance of the functions of the www.regulations.gov. going online to the following URL:
agency, including whether the Follow the instructions for submitting https://msepjobs.militaryonesource.mil/
information shall have practical utility; comments. msep/.
(b) The accuracy of the agency’s • Mail: Department of Defense, Office Military spouses register on the MSEP
estimate of the burden (including hours of the Chief Management Officer, Career Portal to help connect them to
and cost) of the proposed collection of Directorate for Oversight and MSEP Partner employers who are
information; Compliance, 4800 Mark Center Drive, hiring. After arriving at the MSEP Career
(c) Ways to enhance the quality, Mailbox #24, Suite 08D09B, Alexandria, Portal, military spouses are able to
utility, and clarity of the information to VA 22350–1700. review resources, conduct a job search
be collected; and Instructions: All submissions received or select to register. All of this
(d) Ways to minimize the burden of must include the agency name and information is available on the web
the collection of information on docket number for this Federal Register portal where the registration process is
respondents, e.g., the use of automated document. The general policy for also completed. Once the military
collection techniques or other forms of comments and other submissions from spouse has registered they may choose
information technology. members of the public is to make these to make their education and work
submissions available for public experience visible to MSEP Partner
Marcie Lovett, viewing on the internet at http:// employers as they are searching for
Records and Information Governance www.regulations.gov as they are candidates to fill available positions
Division Director, OCTO, United States Patent received without change, including any with their company. Prior to providing
and Trademark Office. personal identifiers or contact any information military spouses must
[FR Doc. 2018–05468 Filed 3–16–18; 8:45 am] information. first view the Privacy Act Statement and
BILLING CODE 3510–16–P Agency Disclosure Notice. This
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mrs. information displays in a pop-up when
Luz D. Ortiz, Chief, Records, Privacy a military spouse first clicks into a field
and Declassification Division (RPD2), on the registration form to provide
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE 1155 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC information. The military spouse must
Office of the Secretary 20301–1155, or by phone at (571) 372– review the information and click to
0478. close the pop-up before they can
[Docket ID: DOD–2018–OS–0010] SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Office proceed with completing the form.
of the Secretary of Defense proposes to The Office of the Secretary of Defense
Privacy Act of 1974; System of
establish a new system of records notices for systems of records subject to
Records
subject to the Privacy Act of 1974, 5 the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended,
AGENCY: Office of the Secretary of U.S.C. 552a. The Military Spouse have been published in the Federal
Defense, DoD. Employment Partnership (MSEP) Career Register and are available from the
ACTION: Notice of a new system of Portal (DPR 47 DoD) is the sole web address in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
records. platform utilized to connect military CONTACT or at the Defense Privacy, Civil
spouses with companies seeking to hire Liberties, and Transparency Division
SUMMARY: The Office of the Secretary of military spouse employees. website at http://dpcld.defense.gov/.
Defense proposes to add a system of Participating companies, called MSEP The proposed systems reports, as
records entitled, ‘‘Military Spouse Partners, are vetted and approved required by of the Privacy Act, as
Employment Partnership (MSEP) Career participants in the MSEP Program and amended, were submitted on October 3,
Portal, DPR 47 DoD.’’ This system is the have pledged to recruit, hire, promote 2017, to the House Committee on
sole web platform utilized to connect and retain military spouses in portable Oversight and Government Reform, the
military spouses with companies careers. MSEP is a targeted recruitment Senate Committee on Homeland
seeking to hire military spouse and employment partnership that Security and Governmental Affairs, and
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
employees. Participating companies, connects American businesses with the Office of Management and Budget
called MSEP Partners, are vetted and military spouses who possess essential (OMB) pursuant to Section 6 to OMB
approved participants in the MSEP 21st-century workforce skills and Circular No. A–108, ‘‘Federal Agency
Program and have pledged to recruit, attributes and are seeking portable, Responsibilities for Review, Reporting,
hire, promote and retain military fulfilling careers. The MSEP program is and Publication under the Privacy Act,’’
spouses in portable careers. MSEP is a part of the overall Spouse Education revised December 23, 2016 (December
targeted recruitment and employment and Career Opportunities (SECO) 23, 2016, 81 FR 94424).
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Document Created: 2018-03-17 04:24:41
Document Modified: 2018-03-17 04:24:41
| 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 | Revision of a currently approved collection, comment request. | |
| Dates | Written comments must be submitted on or before May 18, 2018. | |
| Contact | Requests for additional information should be directed to Michael Easdale, Office of Patent Quality Assurance, United States Patent and Trademark Office, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450; by telephone at 571-272-3533; or by email to [email protected] with ``0651-0078 comment'' in the subject line. Additional information about this collection is also available at http://www.reginfo.gov under ``Information Collection Review.'' | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 11993 |
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