[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 99 (Tuesday, May 24, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 29809]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-10272]


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OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request for Extension of a 
Revised Information Collection: Nonforeign Area Cost-of-Living 
Allowance Price and Background Surveys

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 a request for extension of two previously-
approved information collections for which approval will soon expire. 
OPM uses the two information collections, a price survey and a 
background survey, to gather data to be used in determining nonforeign 
area cost-of-living allowances (COLAs) paid to certain Federal 
employees in Alaska, Hawaii, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, 
Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. OPM conducts Price Surveys in 
the Washington, DC, area on an annual basis and once every 3 years in 
each allowance area on a rotating basis. Prior to these surveys, OPM 
conducts Background Surveys that are similar to the Price Surveys, but 
much more limited in scope. OPM uses the results of the Background 
Surveys to prepare for the Price Surveys.
    The COLA Price Survey is necessary for collecting living-cost data 
used to determine COLAs. OPM uses the Price Survey results to compare 
prices in the allowance areas with prices in the Washington, DC, area 
and to derive COLA rates where local living costs significantly exceed 
those in the DC area. The COLA Background Survey is necessary to 
determine the continued appropriateness of items, services, and 
businesses selected for the annual price surveys. OPM uses the 
Background Survey results to identify items to be priced and the 
outlets at which OPM will price the items in the Price Surveys.
    OPM will survey selected retail, service, realty, and other 
businesses and local governments in the allowance areas and in the 
Washington, DC, area. OPM will contact approximately 2,000 
establishments in each annual Price Survey and approximately 100 
establishments in each annual Background Survey. Participation in the 
surveys is voluntary.
    OPM estimates that the average price survey interview will take 
approximately 6 minutes, for a total burden of 200 hours. The average 
background survey interview will take approximately 6.5 minutes, for a 
total burden of 11 hours.
    For copies of this proposal, please contact Mary Beth Smith-Toomey 
at (202) 606-8358; fax: (202) 418-3251; or E-mail: [email protected].

DATES: Submit comments on or before June 23, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Comments: Send or deliver comments to:
     Donald J. Winstead, Deputy Associate Director for Pay and 
Performance Policy, Office of Personnel Management, Room 7H31, 1900 E 
Street, NW., Washington, DC 20415-8200; fax: (202) 606-4264, or e-mail: 
[email protected].; and
     Brenda Aguilar, OPM Desk Officer, Office of Information 
and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, New Executive 
Office Building, NW., Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: OPM published notice of its intention to 
request an extension of the price and background surveys in the Federal 
Register on February 1, 2005 (70 FR 5258). OPM received no comments.
    Office of Personnel Management.

Dan G. Blair,
Acting Director.
[FR Doc. 05-10272 Filed 5-23-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6325-39-P