[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 133 (Wednesday, July 11, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40936-40937]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-16974]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 7952]


60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Passport Demand 
Forecasting Study Phase III

ACTION: Notice of request for public comments.

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SUMMARY: The Department of State is seeking Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) approval for the information collection described below. 
The purpose of this notice is to allow 60 days for public comment in 
the Federal Register preceding submission to OMB. We are conducting 
this process in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
     Title of Information Collection: Passport Demand 
Forecasting Study Phase III.
     OMB Control Number: None.
     Type of Request: Reinstatement of a previous collection.
     Originating Office: Bureau of Consular Affairs/Passport 
Services (CA/PPT)
     Form Number: SV-2012-0006.
     Respondents: A national representative sample of U.S. 
Citizens, Nationals, and any other categories of individuals that are 
entitled to a U.S. Passport product.
     Estimated Number of Respondents: 4,000 survey respondents 
per month.
     Estimated Number of Responses: 48,000 survey respondents 
per annually.
     Average Hours Per Response: 10 minutes per survey.
     Total Estimated Burden: 8,000 hours annually.
     Frequency: Monthly.
     Obligation to Respond: Voluntary.

DATES: The Department will accept comments from the public up to 60 
days from July 11, 2012.

ADDRESSES: You must include the DS form number (if applicable), 
information collection title, and OMB control number in any 
correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Send direct requests for additional 
information regarding the collection listed in this notice, including 
requests for copies of the proposed information

[[Page 40937]]

collection and supporting documents to [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We are soliciting public comments to permit 
the Department to:
     Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is 
necessary for the proper performance of our functions.
     Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection, including the validity of the methodology and 
assumptions used.
     Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected.
     Minimize the reporting burden on those who are to respond, 
including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of 
technology.
    Abstract of proposed collection: The Intelligence Reform and 
Terrorism Prevention Act calls for the Secretary of Homeland Security, 
along with the Secretary of State, to develop and implement a plan that 
requires sufficient documentation of citizenship and identity to be 
shown when entering the United States. The requirement above, along 
with other socio-demographic variables has left the future demand for 
U.S. Passport products as undefined. The ambiguity of passport demand 
has resulted in Passport Services having an urgent need to obtain 
regular statistical data on issues that focus on and are related to 
passport applications and travel. In support of these efforts, Passport 
Services will conduct monthly forecasts of passport demand. The data 
gathered from the Passport Demand Forecasting Study Phase III will be 
used to monitor, assess, and forecast passport demand on a continuous 
basis.
    Methodology: Passport Services is conducting a Passport Demand 
Forecast Study that will include monthly survey to collect data from a 
national representative sample of U.S. Citizens, Nationals and any 
other categories of individuals that are entitled to a U.S. Passport 
product using multiple methodologies. Methodologies can include mail, 
web/internet, telephone, and mixed-mode surveys to ensure that Passport 
Services reaches the appropriate audience and leverages the best 
research method to obtain valid responses. The survey data will cover 
an estimated 48,000 respondents annually and will include topics 
covering passport demand, travel, and socio-demographic variables of 
interest to the United States Department of State.

    Dated: July 3, 2012.
Barry J. Conway,
Managing Director, Passport Support Operations, Bureau of Consular 
Affairs, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2012-16974 Filed 7-10-12; 8:45 am]
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