[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 43 (Friday, March 6, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9782-9784]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-4786]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration


Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCY: Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. chapter 35), this notice announces the Grain Inspection, Packers 
and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) intention to request an extension 
for and revision to a currently approved information collection related 
to the delivery of services conducted under the official inspection, 
grading and weighing programs authorized under the United States Grain 
Standards Act and the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946. This 
voluntary survey would give GIPSA customers of the official inspection, 
grading and weighing programs, who are primarily in the grain, oilseed, 
rice, lentil, dry pea, edible bean and related agricultural commodity 
markets, an opportunity to provide feedback on the quality of services 
they receive and would provide

[[Page 9783]]

information on new services that customers would like to receive. This 
feedback would help GIPSA's Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS) 
improve services and service delivery provided by the official 
inspection, grading, and weighing system.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before May 5, 2009.

ADDRESSES: We invite you to submit comments on this notice by any of 
the following methods:
     E-Mail: [email protected].
     Mail: Tess Butler, GIPSA, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, 
SW., Room 1643-S, Washington, DC 20250-3604.
     Fax: (202) 690-2173.
     Hand Delivery or Courier: Tess Butler, GIPSA, USDA, 1400 
Independence Avenue, SW., Room 1643-S, Washington, DC 20250-3604.
     Internet: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the 
online instructions for submitting comments.

All comments should make reference to the date and page number of this 
issue of the Federal Register. The Information collection package and 
other documents relating to this action will be available for public 
inspection in the above office during regular business hours. All 
comments will be available for public inspection in the above office 
during regular business hours (7 CFR 1.27(b)).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Idelisse Rodriguez, Program Analyst, 
Market and Program Analysis Staff, e-mail address: 
[email protected], telephone (202) 720-5688.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The United States Grain Standards Act, as 
amended (USGSA) (7 U.S.C. 71-87k), and the Agricultural Marketing Act 
of 1946, as amended (AMA) (7 U.S.C. 1621-1627), authorize the Secretary 
of Agriculture to establish official inspection, grading and weighing 
programs for grains and other agricultural commodities. Under the USGSA 
and AMA, GIPSA's FGIS offers inspection, weighing, grading, quality 
assurance and certification services for a user-fee to facilitate the 
efficient marketing of grain, oilseeds, rice, lentils, dry peas, edible 
beans, and related agricultural commodities in the global marketplace. 
Under FGIS oversight, the official inspection, grading, and weighing 
programs are a public-private partnership including Federal, State and 
private agencies, and provides official inspection, grading and 
weighing services to the domestic and export trade.
    There are approximately 9,000 current users of the official 
inspection, grading and weighing programs. These customers are located 
nationwide and represent a diverse mixture of small, medium and large 
producers, merchandisers, processors, exporters and other financially 
interested parties. These customers request official services from an 
FGIS Field Office; delegated, designated, or cooperating State office; 
or designated private agency office.
    The goal of FGIS and the official inspection, grading, and weighing 
system is to provide timely, high quality, accurate, consistent and 
professional service that facilitates the orderly marketing of grain 
and related commodities. To accomplish this goal and in accordance with 
Executive Order 12862, FGIS is seeking feedback from a representative 
sample of customers to evaluate the services provided by the official 
inspection, grading and weighing programs.
    Title: Survey of Customers of the Official Inspection, Grading, and 
Weighing Programs (Grain and Related Commodities).
    OMB Number: 0580-0018.
    Expiration Date of Approval: July 31, 2009.
    Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: The collection of information using a voluntary customer 
service survey would provide a representative sample of paying 
customers of FGIS and the official inspection, grading and weighing 
programs an opportunity to evaluate, on a scale of one to five, the 
timeliness, cost-effectiveness, accuracy, consistency and usefulness of 
services and results, and the professionalism of employees. Customers 
will also have an opportunity to provide additional comments or 
indicate what new or existing services they would use if such services 
were offered or available.
    FGIS needs to have a more formal means of determining customers' 
expectations of the quality of service that is delivered. To collect 
this information, FGIS would distribute, over a 3-year period, an 
annual voluntary customer service survey. FGIS plans to survey a 
statistically random sample of about 1,100 customers per year that is 
representative of the customers' population as a whole. The survey 
instrument consists of nine questions and any subsequent survey 
instruments would be tailored to earlier responses. In the near future, 
FGIS would like to make available to its customers an electronic 
version of the survey. The information collected from the survey will 
allow FGIS to gauge customers' satisfaction with existing services, 
compare results from year to year, and determine what new services that 
its customers desire. The survey assesses the timeliness, cost 
effectiveness, accuracy, consistency, and usefulness of FGIS services 
and results, as well as the professionalism of FGIS employees. Some 
examples of survey questions include the following: ``I receive results 
in a timely manner,'' ``Official results are accurate,'' and 
``Inspection personnel are knowledgeable.'' These survey questions will 
be assessed using a one to five rating scale with responses ranging 
from ``strongly disagree'' to ``strongly agree'' or ``no opinion.'' 
Customers are also asked for which product they primarily request 
service, and what percentage of their product is officially inspected. 
Space is also available on the survey for the customer to provide 
additional comments or request new or existing services.
    By obtaining information from customers through a voluntary 
customer service survey, FGIS can continue to improve services and 
service delivery provided by the official inspection, grading and 
weighing programs that meets or exceeds customer expectations.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 10 minutes (i.e., 0.167 hours) per 
response.
    Respondents: The primary respondents will be a statistically random 
sample of direct paying customers of FGIS and the official inspection, 
grading, and weighing programs.
    FY 2009: Estimated Number of Respondents: 605 (i.e., 1,100 total 
customers times 55% response rate = 605).
    Frequency of Responses: 1.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 101 hours. (605 responses times 0.167 
hours/response = 101 hours).
    FY 2010: Estimated Number of Respondents: 638 (i.e., 1,100 total 
customers times 58% response rate = 638).
    Frequency of Responses: 1.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 106 hours. (638 responses times 0.167 
hours/response = 106 hours).
    FY 2011: Estimated Number of Respondents: 660. (i.e., 1,100 total 
customers times 60% response rate = 660).
    Frequency of Responses: 1.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 110 hours. (660 responses times 0.167 
hours/response = 110 hours).
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Tess 
Butler, Grain

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Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration at (202) 720-7486.
    Comments: Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the collection of 
the information is necessary for the proper performance of the 
functions of FGIS, including whether the information will have a 
practical utility; (b) the accuracy of FGIS' estimate of the burden, 
including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (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 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.
    Comments should be addressed to Tess Butler, as referenced above. 
All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of 
public record.

Alan Christian,
Acting Administrator, Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards 
Administration.
[FR Doc. E9-4786 Filed 3-5-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-KD-P