[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 239 (Friday, December 12, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65451-65452]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-32581]


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OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT


Nonforeign Area Cost-of-Living Allowances Price and Background 
Surveys; Proposed Collection; Comment Request

AGENCY: Office of Personnel Management.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Office of Personnel Management (OPM) seeks comments on its intention to 
request a reinstatement, with change, of two previously approved 
information collections for which approval has expired. OPM uses the 
two collections--a price survey and a background survey--to gather data 
to be used in determining cost-of-living allowances for certain Federal 
employees in Alaska, Hawaii, Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern 
Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The price 
survey is conducted generally on an annual basis. The background survey 
is conducted approximately once every 5 years, but the survey is also 
conducted on a limited basis in preparation for each of the price 
surveys.

DATES: Submit comments on or before February 10, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Comments: Send or deliver comments to Donald J. Winstead, 
Assistant Director for Compensation Administration, Workforce 
Compensation and Performance Service, Office of Personnel Management, 
Room 7H31, 1900 E Street NW., Washington, DC 20415, or FAX comments to 
(202) 606-4264, or email comments over the Internet to [email protected]. 
Copies: For copies of this proposal, contact Jim Farron at (202) 418-
3208 or by email at [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kurt M. Springmann, (202) 606-2838.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: OPM is soliciting comments on the 
reinstatement of its Nonforeign Area Cost-of-Living Allowances Price 
and Background Surveys for an additional 3 years. As set out in Office 
of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations at 5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1), 
comments are requested to--
     Evaluate whether the surveys are necessary and have 
practical utility;
     Evaluate the accuracy of the burden estimate, including 
the assumptions and methodological validity used in determining the 
burden estimate;
     Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
     Minimize the burden on respondents.
    OMB approval of this information collection was originally 
scheduled to expire on June 30, 1997. Because of delays in conducting 
the price survey during the first quarter of 1997 as planned, OPM 
requested an emergency extension of the clearance. OMB granted an 
extension until September 30, 1997.
    Title: Nonforeign Area Cost-of-Living Allowances Price Survey and 
Background Survey.
    OMB Control Number: 3206-0199.
    Summary: The Nonforeign Area Cost-of-Living Allowances Price Survey 
is used by OPM to collect price data in the allowance areas under four 
cost components: consumption goods and services, transportation, 
housing, and miscellaneous expenses. The price survey is conducted on 
approximately an annual basis.
    The Nonforeign Area Cost-of-Living Allowances Background Survey is 
used by OPM to collect information to identify the services, items, 
quantities, outlets, and locations that will be surveyed in the annual 
price surveys. It is also used to collect information on local trade 
practices, consumer buying patterns, taxes and fees, and other economic 
characteristics related to living costs. The background survey is 
conducted approximately once every 5 years but is also used on a 
limited basis in preparation for each of the price surveys.
    Need/Use for Surveys: The price survey is necessary for collecting 
living-cost data used to determine cost-of-living allowances (COLA's) 
paid to General Schedule, U.S. Postal Service, and certain other 
Federal employees in the nonforeign allowance areas. The information is 
used to compare costs in the allowance areas with costs in the 
Washington, DC, area, and to derive a COLA rate when the local cost of 
living significantly exceeds that in the DC area. The background survey 
is necessary to determine the continued appropriateness of items, 
services, and businesses selected for the annual price surveys. OPM 
uses the information collected under this survey to define the sources 
and parameters for the price surveys and to improve the COLA 
methodology.
    Respondents: OPM will survey selected retail, service, realty, and 
other businesses and local governments in the nonforeign allowance 
areas and in the Washington, DC, area. Approximately 5,600 
establishments will be contacted in the price survey and approximately 
300 establishments will be contacted in the background survey.

[[Page 65452]]

    Reporting and Recordkeeping Burden: OPM estimates that the average 
price survey interview will take approximately 7 minutes, for a total 
burden of 650 hours. The average background survey interview will take 
approximately 10 minutes, for a total burden of 50 hours.

Office of Personnel Management.
Janice R. Lachance,
Director.
[FR Doc. 97-32581 Filed 12-11-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6325-01-P