[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 246 (Monday, December 22, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 78398-78399]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-30287]


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OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT

[OMB Control No. 3206-0199]


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request for Reinstatement of 
an Expired 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 reinstatement of the Nonforeign 
Area Cost-of-Living Allowance Price and Background Surveys (OMB Control 
No. 3206-0199), a previously-cleared information collection that was 
recently discontinued at OPM's discretion and for which the OMB 
clearance has expired. OPM uses price surveys and background surveys 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 or further information on this proposal, contact J. 
Stanley Austin by telephone at (202) 606-2838, by fax at (202) 606-
4264, or by e-mail at [email protected]. If you are requesting a copy of 
this proposal, please include your mailing address with your request.

DATES: Submit comments on or before January 21, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Send or deliver comments to:
    Charles D. Grimes III, Deputy Associate Director for Performance 
and Pay Systems, Strategic Human Resources Policy Division, U.S. Office 
of Personnel Management, Room 7H31, 1900 E Street, NW., Washington, DC 
20415-8200; fax: (202) 606-4264; or e-mail: [email protected]; and
    John W. Barkhamer, OPM Desk Officer, Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, New Executive 
Office Building, 725 17th

[[Page 78399]]

Street, NW., Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: OPM published notice of its intention to 
request an extension of the price and background surveys in the Federal 
Register on May 2, 2008 (73 FR 24321). OPM did not receive any comments 
in response to the notice.

Office of Personnel Management.
Howard Weizmann,
Deputy Director.
 [FR Doc. E8-30287 Filed 12-19-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6325-39-P