[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 113 (Friday, June 12, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32256-32257]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-15657]


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OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT


Nonforeign Area Cost-of-Living Allowances; Price and Background 
Surveys; Submission for OMB Review; 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) has submitted to the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) a request for review of two previously-
approved information collections for which approval has expired. OPM 
uses the two information collections--a price survey and a background 
survey--to gather data to be used in determining cost-of-living 
allowances (COLAs) 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 is also conducted on a limited basis in preparation 
for each of the price surveys.

DATES: Submit comments on or before July 13, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Comments: Send or deliver comments both 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

[[Page 32257]]

20415 (FAX: (202) 606-4264; email: [email protected]), and
 Joseph Lackey, OPM Desk Officer, Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, New Executive 
Office Building NW., Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503.

    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 published notice of its intention to 
request a reinstatement of the price and background surveys in the 
Federal Register on December 12, 1997 (62 FR 65451). No comments were 
received in response to that notice. OPM notes that the notice 
incorrectly reported the burden hours for the price survey at 650 
hours. The correct number of hours, as OPM reported in its 1994 
extension of the surveys, is 480. This notice further extends an 
opportunity for comments.
    Title: Nonforeign Area Cost-of-Living Allowances Price and 
Background Surveys.
    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 COLAs 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.
    Reporting and Recordkeeping Burden: OPM estimates that the average 
price survey interview will take approximately 7 minutes, for a total 
burden of 480 hours. The average background survey interview will take 
approximately 10 minutes, for a total burden of 50 hours.

U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
Janice R. Lachance,
Director.
[FR Doc. 98-15657 Filed 6-11-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6325-01-P