SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

We encourage written comments and suggestions from the public and affected agencies concerning the proposed information collection. Your comments should address one or more of the following four points:

—Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is necessary to properly perform ATF's functions, including whether the information will have practical utility;

—Evaluate the agency's estimate of the proposed information collection's burden for accuracy, including validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

—Evaluate whether the quality, utility, and clarity of the information being collected can be enhanced, and if so, how; and

—Minimize the information collection's burden on those who are to respond, including using appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting people to submit electronic responses.

Overview of This Information Collection

Abstract: Medical standards are part of the general requirement for specific positions in the federal government. Medical requirements are created for positions that involve arduous/hazardous duties or require a high standard of human reliability. Failing to meet an established medical standard or physical requirement means that the individual is not qualified for the position. 5 CFR 339.301 authorizes agencies to require a routine pre-appointment examination as part of qualifying for a position with specific medical standards. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) identified the positions of criminal investigator (special agent), GL/GS-1811, and explosives enforcement officer, GS-1801, as having specific medical requirements. The qualification standard for Criminal Investigation series (special agent) and General Inspection, Investigation, Enforcement, and Compliance series (explosives enforcement officer) are published online in OPM's General Schedule Qualification Standards. These medical requirements are part of the basic prerequisites for both positions. ATF uses ATF Form 2300.10, Special Agent Medical Preplacement, to collect specific identifiable data, such as the name, address, telephone, social security number, and medical data, necessary to identify the applicant and to assess whether they meet the positions' qualification standards. The applicant completes the first part of the form, and the doctor/health care provider completes the second part. Applicants from outside ATF use the form to apply for these positions, and existing special agents and explosives enforcement officers who are applying for similar positions at ATF also use the form. The information on the form is used to determine medical suitability for these positions.

Type of information collection: revising a previously approved collection.

Title of the form/collection: Special Agent Medical Preplacement.

Agency form number, if any, and the applicable component of the Department sponsoring the collection: Form number: ATF Form 2300.1. Component: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

Affected public who will be asked or required to respond, as well as the obligation to respond: Affected public: individuals. Obligation to respond: required to obtain a benefit.

Estimate of the total number of respondents and the amount of time estimated for an average respondent to respond: ATF estimates 1,000 respondents associated with this collection per year, and it will take each respondent an average of approximately 45 minutes (0.75 hours) per response to complete their responses.

Estimate of the total annual burden (in hours) associated with the collection: The estimated annual public burden associated with this collection is 750 hours, which is equal to 1,000 (total respondents) * 1 (# of responses per respondent) * 0.75 hours.

Estimate of the total annual other cost burden associated with the collection, if applicable: 0; there are no costs. ( printed page 66366)

Revisions to This Information Collection

As part of this ICR renewal, ATF is making no revisions to this information collection, OMB 1140-0056. However, ATF anticipates a program change affecting this information collection, in that ATF anticipates an increase in hiring for affected positions over the next three years. As a result, ATF adjusted the hourly burden due to a significant projected increase in the annual number of respondents since the last renewal, from 380 to 1,000, an increase of 620. This resulted in a corresponding increase in the total number of burden hours associated with this IC from 285 during the last renewal, up by 465 hours to 750 hours for this renewal.

91 FR 66365