[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 167 (Wednesday, August 28, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53196-53197]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-20957]
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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
[OMB Control No. 2900-NEW]
Agency Information Collection (Principles of Excellence Complaint
System Intake); Comment Request
AGENCY: Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans
Affairs.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) is announcing an
opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain
information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of
1995, Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal
Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including
each proposed extension of a currently approved collection, and allow
60 days for public comment in response to the notice. VA published an
emergency notice the Principles of Excellence Complaint System Intake
on April 30, 2013, that has been withdrawn. Due to a change in the
direction of the collection VA, is asking for public comments on the
revised collection. The PRA submission describes the nature of the
information collection and its expected cost and burden; it includes
the actual data collection instrument. Interested persons are invited
to send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of
this collection of information, including any of the following
subjects: (1) The necessity and utility of the proposed information
collection for the proper performance of the agency's functions; (2)
the accuracy of the estimated burden; (3) ways to enhance the quality,
utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) the
use of automated collection
[[Page 53197]]
techniques or other forms of information technology to minimize the
information collection burden.
To obtain copies of the supporting statement and the related form
for this information collection, contact the Further Information
Contact listed in this notice.
DATES: Written comments and recommendation on the proposed collection
of information should be received on or before October 15, 2013.
ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the collection of information
through Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) at www.Regulations.gov;
or to Nancy J. Kessinger, Veterans Benefits Administration (20M33),
Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW., Washington, DC
20420 or email [email protected]. Please refer to ``OMB Control
No. 2900--NEW (Principles of Excellence Complaint System Intake)'' in
any correspondence. During the comment period, comments may be viewed
online through FDMS.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nancy J. Kessinger at (202) 632-8924
or fax (202) 632-8925.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the PRA of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13; 44
U.S.C. 3501-3521), Federal agencies must obtain approval from the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of
information they conduct or sponsor. This request for comment is being
made pursuant to Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA.
With respect to the following collection of information, VBA
invites comments on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information
is necessary for the proper performance of VBA's functions, including
whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy
of VBA's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of
information; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of
the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of
the collection of information on respondents, including through the use
of automated collection techniques or the use of other forms of
information technology.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: Principles of Excellence Complaint System Intake.
OMB Control Number: 2900--NEW (Principles of Excellence Complaint
System Intake).
Type of Review: New collection.
Abstract: The purpose of the complaint system is to provide a
standardized method to submit a complaint against an educational
institution alleging fraudulent and unduly aggressive recruiting
techniques, misrepresentation, payment of incentive compensation,
failure to meet state authorization requirements, or failure to adhere
to the Principles of Excellence as outlined in the Executive Order
13607, Establishing Principles of Excellence for Educational
Institutions Serving Service Members, Veterans, Spouses, and Other
Family Members.
The VA's Principles of Excellence Complaint System (PoECS) will
leverage DoD's complaint system to intake and manage complaints
utilizing their systems architecture with each agency only having
access to their data. The complainants will access the complaint system
through the GI Bill Web site and eBenefits portal. Veterans, family
members, or other members of the public will be able to open links at
either VA Web site location and enter the requested information.
Complainants will be offered the opportunity to review the information
in their complaint prior to clicking on the submit button. Once a
complaint is submitted, the complainant will receive an email verifying
that the complaint was received. At this point, the complaint will be
stored in the complaint system and be available to select VA employees
for review. VA will review the complaint and on behalf of the
complainant will share the complaint with the institution which is
subject of the complaint. VA will request the institution to formally
respond to the complaint within 90 days. If an institution fails to
respond within 90 days, VA will contact the institution and request a
status update. Once VA receives a response from the institution, VA
will forward the response to the complainant. At this point, VA will
close the case. Valid complaints received will be transmitted to the
central repository at FTC Consumer Sentinel. The information in the
central repository is the same information provided by the complainant.
Authorized law enforcement officials who have been granted access to
the FTC Consumer Sentinel database will have access to view all
complaints. The information gathered through the system can only be
obtained from the individual respondent. Valid complaints will be
accepted from third parties.
We are conducting a 45-day public comment review period pursuant to
5 CFR 1320.13. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is
not required to respond to a collection of information unless it
displays a currently valid OMB control number.
Affected Public: Individuals or households.
Estimated Annual Burden: 300 hours.
Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 15 minutes.
Frequency of Response: On occasion.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,200.
Dated: August 23, 2013.
By direction of the Secretary.
Crystal Rennie,
VA Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2013-20957 Filed 8-27-13; 8:45 am]
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