Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Department of Labor Generic Solution for Site Visits for Research Purposes

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting the information collection request (ICR) proposal titled, “Department of Labor Generic Solution for Site Visits for Research Purposes,” to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval for use in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). Public comments on the ICR are invited.

DATES:

The OMB will consider all written comments that agency receives on or before June 13, 2016.

ADDRESSES:

A copy of this ICR with applicable supporting documentation; including a description of the likely respondents, proposed frequency of response, and estimated total burden may be obtained free of charge from the RegInfo.gov Web site at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAViewICR?ref_nbr=201410-1290-002 (this link will only become active on the day following publication of this notice) or by contacting Michel Smyth by telephone at 202-693-4129 (this is not a toll-free number) or by email at DOL_PRA_PUBLIC@dol.gov.

Submit comments about this request by mail or courier to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attn: OMB Desk Officer for DOL-OS, Office of Management and Budget, Room 10235, 725 17th Street NW., Washington, DC 20503; by Fax: 202-395-5806 (this is not a toll-free number); or by email: OIRA_submission@omb.eop.gov. Commenters are encouraged, but not required, to send a courtesy copy of any comments by mail or courier to the U.S. Department of Labor-OASAM, Office of the Chief Information Officer, Attn: Departmental Information Compliance Management Program, Room N1301, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20210; or by email: DOL_PRA_PUBLIC@dol.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Contact Michel Smyth by telephone at 202-693-4129 (this is not a toll-free number) or by email at DOL_PRA_PUBLIC@dol.gov.

Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3507(a)(1)(D).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

This ICR seeks PRA authority for a DOL generic solution for site visits for research purposes information collection in order to be able to carry out evaluation data collection in a timely manner and to facilitate the gathering of critical information to support analysis around core research questions. Qualitative information will be collected from individuals who are familiar with, are administering or participating in, the intervention being evaluated. Site visits provide critical data for research and evaluation projects that can: (1) Describe implementation issues, the context in which the intervention was implemented, services, management and costs; (2) describe the experiences of service providers at each of the study sites, including site perspectives on implementation challenges and intervention effects; (3) describe the experiences and responses of individuals administering or participating in the intervention; (4) document the extent to which the intervention was implemented as planned; and (5) describe the extent to which treatment and control or comparison groups received the intended services of the intervention, if applicable. Sources of qualitative information proposed for collection include: (1) Exploratory discussions during site recruitment; (2) in-person or telephone discussions with individuals and/or groups from selected sites; and (3) focus groups.

This proposed information collection is subject to the PRA. A Federal agency generally cannot conduct or sponsor a collection of information, and the public is generally not required to respond to an information collection, unless it is approved by the OMB under the PRA and displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. In addition, notwithstanding any other provisions of law, no person shall generally be subject to penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if the collection of information does not display a valid Control Number. See 5 CFR 1320.5(a) and 1320.6. For additional information, see the related notice published in the Federal Register on July 23, 2013 (78 FR 44157).

Interested parties are encouraged to send comments to the OMB, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs at the address shown in the ADDRESSES section within thirty (30) days of publication of this notice in the Federal Register. In order to help ensure appropriate consideration, comments should mention OMB ICR Reference Number 201410-1290-002. The OMB is particularly interested in comments that:

• Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility;
• Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
• Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and
• Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses.

Agency: DOL-OS.

Title of Collection: Department of Labor Generic Solution for Site Visits for Research Purposes.

OMB ICR Reference Number: 201410-1290-002.

Affected Public: State, Local, or Tribal Governments; Federal Government; Individuals or Households; Private Sector—businesses or other for-profits, not-for-profit institutions, farms.

Total Estimated Number of Respondents: 20,000.

Total Estimated Number of Responses: 20,000.

Total Estimated Annual Time Burden: 20,000 hours.

Total Estimated Annual Other Costs Burden: $0.