[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 154 (Wednesday, August 12, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 40610]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-19253]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Bureau of Labor Statistics


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 pre-clearance 
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. The 
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is soliciting comments concerning the 
proposed revision of the ``Telephone Point of Purchase Survey.'' A copy 
of the proposed information collection request (ICR) can be obtained by 
contacting the individual listed below in the ADDRESSES section of this 
notice.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this notice on or before October 13, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Nora Kincaid, BLS Clearance Officer, 
Division of Management Systems, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Room 4080, 
2 Massachusetts Avenue, NE., Washington, DC 20212. Written comments 
also may be transmitted by fax to 202-691-5111 (this is not a toll free 
number.)

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nora Kincaid, BLS Clearance Officer, 
telephone number 202-691-7628 (this is not a toll free number.) (See 
ADDRESSES section.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The purpose of this survey is to develop and maintain a timely list 
of retail, wholesale, and service establishments where urban consumers 
shop for specified items. This information is used as the sampling 
universe for selecting establishments at which prices of specific items 
are collected and monitored for use in calculating the Consumer Price 
Index (CPI). The survey has been ongoing since 1980 and also provides 
expenditure data that allows items that are priced in the CPI to be 
properly weighted.

II. Current Action

    Office of Management and Budget clearance is being sought for the 
Telephone Point of Purchase Survey (TPOPS).
    Since 1997, the survey has been administered quarterly via a 
computer-assisted telephone interview. This survey is flexible and 
creates the possibility of introducing new products into the CPI in a 
timely manner. The data collected in this survey are necessary for the 
continuing construction of a current outlet universe from which 
locations are selected for the price collection needed for calculating 
the CPI. Furthermore, the TPOPS provides the weights used in selecting 
the items that are priced at these establishments. This sample design 
produces an overall CPI market basket that is more reflective of the 
prices faced and the establishments visited by urban consumers.
    For this clearance, the BLS will be adding an address question to 
facilitate sending an advance letter before each wave. Additionally, 
the BLS is in the process of developing additional questions for TPOPS 
respondents in order to enhance survey results. Information obtained 
from these additional questions will be used to address non-response 
bias in the survey, to study approaches for increasing response rates, 
and for researching ways to improve the data.

III. Desired Focus of Comments

    The Bureau of Labor Statistics is particularly interested in 
comments that:
     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.
     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.
    Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Agency: Bureau of Labor Statistics.
    Title: Point of Purchase Survey.
    OMB Number: 1220-0044.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Total Respondents: 21,649. Frequency: Quarterly.
    Total Responses: 56,071.
    Average Time per Response: 11 minutes.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 10,280 hours.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $0.
    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 also will become a 
matter of public record.

    Signed at Washington, DC, this 6th day of August 2009.
Kimberley D. Hill,
Acting Chief, Division of Management Systems, Bureau of Labor 
Statistics.
[FR Doc. E9-19253 Filed 8-11-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-24-P