[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 201 (Wednesday, October 19, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 60855]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-20925]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment Standards Administration


Proposed Collection; Comment Request

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to 
reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a preclearance 
consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies 
with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing 
collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995 (PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. This program helps to 
ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, 
reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, 
collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of 
collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. 
Currently, the Employment Standards Administration is soliciting 
comments concerning the proposed collection: Office of Federal Contract 
Compliance Programs (OFCCP), Equal Opportunity Survey. A copy of the 
proposed information collection request can be obtained by contacting 
the office listed below in the addresses section of this Notice.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
addresses section below on or before December 19, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Ms. Hazel M. Bell, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 
Constitution Ave., NW., Room S-3201, Washington, DC 20210, telephone 
(202) 693-0418, fax (202) 693-1451, E-mail [email protected]. Please 
use only one method of transmission for comments (mail, fax, or E-
mail).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    Government contractors provide information on their personnel 
activities and the results of their affirmative action efforts to 
employ and promote minorities and women. This information is used to 
select specifically identified contractors for compliance evaluations 
and compliance assistance. These requirements have been established 
under Executive Order 11246, as amended; Section 503 of the 
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; and the Vietnam Era Veterans' 
Readjustment Assistance Act, as amended, 38 U.S.C. 4212. Implementing 
regulations are at 41 CFR Chapter 60. The regulations at 41 CFR part 
60-2.18 authorize the collection of data by OFCCP through the use of 
the EO Survey. In addition, the regulations at 41 CFR part 60-1.12 
require contractors to collect and retain employment and other related 
records. The EO Survey is a request for some of those data. With these 
data, the Survey is intended to improve the selection of contractors 
for compliance evaluations which are used to determine compliance with 
the non-discrimination and equal employment opportunity (EEO) 
regulations. This information collection is currently approved for use 
through December 31, 2005.

II. Review Focus

    The Department of Labor is particularly interested in comments 
which:
    * Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
    * Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of 
the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used;
    * Enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be 
collected; and
    * Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who 
are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic 
submissions of responses.

III. Current Actions

    The Department of Labor seeks a three year extension of approval to 
collect this information in order to permit OFCCP the time to continue 
its assessment and evaluation of the EO Survey. During this period, 
OFCCP will conduct a cost benefit analysis to examine the effectiveness 
of the EO Survey; as a useful tool in the selection of contractors that 
are not in compliance with their Equal Employment Opportunity and non-
discrimination obligations. The OFCCP seeks a three year extension to 
the approval of the Equal Opportunity Survey. There is no change in the 
substance or method of collection since the last OMB approval.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Employment Standards Administration.
    Titles: Equal Opportunity Survey.
    OMB Number: 1215-0196.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit; Not-for-profit 
institutions.
    Total Respondents: 10,000.
    Total Annual Responses: 10,000.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 210,000.
    Estimated Time per Response: 21 hours.
    Frequency: Annually.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $30,000.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget 
approval of the information collection request; they will also become a 
matter of public record.

    Dated: October 14, 2005.
Bruce Bohanon,
Chief, Branch of Management Review and Internal Control, Division of 
Financial Management, Office of Management, Administration and 
Planning, Employment Standards Administration.
[FR Doc. 05-20925 Filed 10-18-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-CM-P