[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 113 (Monday, June 14, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 31825]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-14982]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Institute of Standards and Technology


Surveys, Focus Groups, and Other Customer Service Data 
Collections

ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on 
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before August 13, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier, 
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 
5033, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230 (or via 
the Internet at LE[email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to Phyllis Boyd, National Institute of Standards and 
Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, Stop 3220, Gaithersburg, MD, 20899-3220, 
(301) 975-4062.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    In accordance with Executive Order 12862, the National Institute of 
Standards and Technology (NIST), a non-regulatory agency of the 
Department of Commerce, proposes to conduct a number of surveys--both 
quantitative and qualitative--designed to determine the kind and the 
quality of products, services, and information our key customers want 
and expect, as well as their satisfaction with and awareness of 
existing products, services, and information. In addition, NIST 
proposes other customer service satisfaction data collection that 
include, but may not be limited to focus groups, reply cards that 
accompany product distributions, and web-based surveys and dialogue 
boxes that offer customers the opportunity to express their level of 
satisfaction with NIST products, services, and information and for 
ongoing dialogue with NIST. NIST will limit its inquiries to data 
collections that solicit strictly voluntary opinions and will not 
collect information that is required or regulated. Steps will be taken 
to assure anonymity of respondents in each activity covered under this 
request. NIST is requesting generic approval for fiscal years FY2000, 
FY2001, and FY2002.

II. Method of Collection

    NIST will collect this information by electronic means, as well as 
by mail, fax, telephone, and person-to-person.

III. Data

    OMB Number: N/A.
    Form Number: N/A.
    Type of Review: Regular Submission.
    Affected Public: NIST customers, which may include businesses, 
academic institutions, associations, researchers, and other 
individuals, organizations, or institutions that deal with or wish to 
express an opinion about NIST products, services, or information.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: Annually, approximately 12,000.
    Estimated Time Per Response: Varied, dependent upon the data 
collection. The response time may vary from less than two minutes for a 
response card to up to two hours for focus group participation. The 
average response time is expected to be less than 30 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: FY 2000--3,200 hours, FY 
2001--3,067, FY 2002--2,800 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: The cost to the respondent for FY 2000 
is estimated to be $64,736, for FY 2001 is estimated to be $62,045, and 
for FY 2002 is estimated to be $56,644, based on a median hourly salary 
$20.23. (Occupational Employment Statistics--Bureau of Labor Statistics 
1997 National Occupational Employment and Wage Data Professional, 
Paraprofessional, and Technical Occupations, $20.23 represents the 
median hourly wage when averaging the full-time wage and salary 
earnings for OES 24199--All Other Physical Scientists-median hourly 
wage: $22.85--http://stats.bls.gov/oes/national/oes24199.htm and OES 
21999 All Other Management Support Workers--median hourly wage: 
$17.61--http://stats.bls.gov/oes/national/oes21999.htm, two categories 
of individuals most likely to respond to information requests). No 
capital expenditures are required.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on respondents, including automated 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection. They also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: June 7, 1999.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief Information 
Officer.
[FR Doc. 99-14982 Filed 6-11-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-13-P