[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 207 (Monday, October 27, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63999-64000]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-25473]
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DEPARTMENT OF STATE
[Public Notice 8932]
30-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Passport Demand
Forecasting Study
ACTION: Notice of request for public comment and submission to OMB of
proposed collection of information.
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SUMMARY: The Department of State has submitted the information
collection described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
for approval. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995,
we are requesting comments on this collection from all interested
individuals and organizations. The purpose of this Notice is to allow
30 days for public comment.
DATES: Submit comments directly to the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) up to November 26, 2014.
ADDRESSES: Direct comments to the Department of State Desk Officer in
the Office of Information and Regulatory
[[Page 64000]]
Affairs at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). You may submit
comments by the following method:
Email: [email protected]. You must include the
DS form number, information collection title, and the OMB control
number in the subject line of your message.
Fax: 202-395-5806. Attention: Desk Officer for Department
of State.
You must include the DS form number, information collection title,
and the OMB control number in the subject line of your message.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Direct requests for additional
information regarding the collection listed in this notice, including
requests for copies of the proposed collection instrument and
supporting documents, to the Office of Passport Services, who may be
reached at [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title of Information Collection: Passport Demand Forecasting
Study.
OMB Control Number: 1405-0177.
Type of Request: Revision of a Currently Approved Collection.
Originating Office: Bureau of Consular Affairs, Office of
Passport Services (CA/PPT).
Form Number: SV2012-0006.
Respondents: A national representative sample of US citizens,
nationals, and any other categories of individuals that are entitled to
a US passport product.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 4,000 survey respondents
monthly.
Estimated Number of Responses: 48,000 survey responses
annually.
Average Time per Response: Approximately 10 minutes per
survey.
Total Estimated Burden Time: 8,000 hours.
Frequency: Monthly.
Obligation to Respond: Voluntary.
We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department to:
Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is
necessary for the proper functions of the Department.
Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the time and cost
burden for this proposed collection, including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used.
Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected.
Minimize the reporting burden on those who are to respond,
including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of
information technology.
Please note that comments submitted in response to this Notice are
public record. Before including any detailed personal information, you
should be aware that your comments as submitted, including your
personal information, will be available for public review.
Abstract of Proposed Collection
The Secretary of State is authorized to issue U.S. passports under
22 U.S.C. 211a. The Department of State, Passport Services administers
the U.S. passport issuance program and operates passport agencies and
application adjudication centers throughout the United States. As part
of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, the
Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative required the Secretary of Homeland
Security and the Secretary of State to implement a plan to require all
U.S. citizen and non-citizen nationals to present a passport and/or
other sufficient documentation when entering the U.S. from abroad. This
resulted in an increase in demand for U.S. passports.
The Passport Demand Forecasting Study requests information from the
public about the demand for U.S. passports, anticipated travel, and the
demographic profile of the respondent. This voluntary survey is
conducted on a monthly basis using responses from a randomly selected
but nationally representative sample of U.S. nationals ages 18 and
older. The information obtained from the survey is used to monitor and
project the demand for U.S. passport books and U.S. passport cards. The
Passport Demand Forecasting Survey aids the Department of State,
Passport Services in making decisions about staffing, resource
allocation, and budget.
Methodology
The Passport Demand Forecasting Study uses monthly surveys that
will gather data from a national representative sample of U.S. citizens
and nationals. Survey delivery methodologies can include mail,
internet/web, telephone, and mix-mode surveys to ensure the CA/PPT
reaches the appropriate audience and leverages the best research method
to obtain valid responses. The survey data will cover an estimated
48,000 respondents annually.
Dated: October 8, 2014.
Brenda S. Sprague,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Passport Services, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2014-25473 Filed 10-24-14; 8:45 am]
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