[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 189 (Thursday, September 30, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 58383]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-21876]


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 Notices
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  Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 189 / Thursday, September 30, 2004 / 
Notices  

[[Page 58383]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Farm Service Agency


Information Collection: Customer Service Comment Card

AGENCY: Farm Service Agency, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Farm Service Agency (FSA) is seeking comments from all interested 
individuals and organizations on the collection of customers' opinions 
and comments on FSA's customer service by use of a Customer Service 
Comment Card. The card will allow customers to comment, either on-the-
record or anonymously, directly to FSA's Washington headquarters on the 
quality of service they receive with respect to FSA programs. Customers 
can mail or fax the post-paid card, deliver it to their local Service 
Center or submit it on the Internet.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received on or before November 
29, 2004 to be assured consideration. Comments received after that date 
will be considered to the extent practicable. Comments should reference 
the title and number of the information collection to which they 
pertain.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent to Ronald W. Holling, Director of 
Minority and Socially Disadvantaged Farmers Assistance, Office of 
Business and Program Integration, Farm Service Agency, STOP 0501, 1400 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-0501, (202) 720-8530; e-
mail [email protected], and to the Desk Officer for Agriculture, 
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and 
Budget, Washington, DC 20503. All comments will become a matter of 
public record. For further information, contact Ronald Holling at the 
address listed above.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: FSA Customer Service Card.
    Expiration Date: October 31, 2004.
    OMB Number: 0560-0242.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: This information collection is necessary to monitor 
customer satisfaction with FSA customer service, information, 
procedures, and facilities and to provide a means to improve customer 
service. This information collection complies with the issuance of 
Executive Order 12862 on September 11, 1993, which directs Federal 
agencies to change the way they do business, to reform their management 
practices, to provide service to the public that matches or exceeds the 
best service available in the private sector and to establish and 
implement customer service standards.
    FSA does not have an official mechanism for its customers to 
comment on the quality of service they receive with respect to FSA 
programs. FSA customers and various outreach organizations have 
expressed the need for such a mechanism. They also indicated, and FSA 
employees have noticed, that some customers are reluctant to submit 
customer service comments at their local Service Center. The form will 
allow customers to comment, either on-the-record or anonymously, 
directly to FSA's Washington headquarters on the quality of service 
they receive with respect to FSA programs.
    All information on the form will be optional. The information to be 
requested on the card will be: Name and location of the Service Center 
visited, date of visits, purpose of visit, customer name and address 
and customer ratings of several aspects of the service received. The 
ratings will be measured on a one to five scale for:
    1. Service,
    2. Response time to the customer's request,
    3. The servicing employee's courtesy, ability and helpfulness, and
    4. The overall quality of service normally received.
In addition, a space will be provided to write any other comments the 
customer desires.

    Customers can mail or fax the post-paid card to FSA's Director of 
Minority and Socially Disadvantaged Farmers Assistance in Washington, 
DC, send it electronically on the Internet or deliver it to their local 
Service Center. Comments will be handled by Headquarters staff and may 
be referred to FSA State and county offices, as appropriate. The data 
collected will be used as well to address customer concerns and improve 
customer service.
    The USDA is requesting a 3-year approval.
    Respondents: Individuals; potential or actual program participants.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 100,000.
    Estimated annual number of forms filed per person: 1.
    Estimated average time to respond: 5 minutes (0.083 hours).
    Estimated total annual burden hours: 8,333.
    Comments are being solicited to determine: (1) Whether the 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
the functions of FSA, including whether the information will have 
practical utility; (2) the accuracy of FSA's estimate of burden, 
including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (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 those who are to respond, including the use of 
appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
    All comments received in response to this notice, including names 
and addresses when provided, will be a matter of public record. 
Comments will be summarized and included in the submission for OMB 
approval.

    Signed at Washington, DC, on September 23, 2004.
James R. Little,
Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
[FR Doc. 04-21876 Filed 9-29-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P