[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 135 (Friday, July 13, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41370-41371]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-17099]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

U.S. Census Bureau


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; 2013 
Alternative Contact Strategy Test

AGENCY: U.S. Census Bureau, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on 
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: To ensure consideration, written comments must be submitted on 
or before September 11, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet 
at [email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to Amy O'Hara, Census Bureau, CARRA Room 6H103, 
Washington, DC 20233, 301-763-5757 (or via the Internet at 
[email protected]).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

I. Abstract

    Decennial censuses have relied on primarily two modes of data 
collection, mail and in person interview. The Census Bureau seeks to 
explore alternative modes of contact and collection in an effort to 
reduce costs and increase self-response. This research will be 
conducted through a series of projects and tests throughout the decade. 
Contact involving cellular telephone numbers, text messages, and email 
are under investigation, extending the Census Bureau's existing 
knowledge and use of mail, landline telephone, and internet modes. The 
2013 Alternative Contact Strategy Test is the first test to support 
this research.
    The Census Bureau will test alternate contact information through a 
self-response test. Telephone numbers obtained from commercial vendors 
will be used to contact 40,000 households. Information on the 
household's communication and contact modes will be collected. The 
information will be analyzed to inform future contact strategies for 
2020 Research and Testing Project tests and design options for the 2020 
Census.

II. Method of Collection

    The Census Bureau will conduct the 2013 Alternative Contact 
Strategy Test with a national sample of 40,000 households, utilizing 
Computer Assisted Telephone Interviews. The Census Bureau estimates the 
response rate to be 65 percent. Interviewers will call households to 
confirm and collect contact information such as address, telephone, 
cell, and email.
    The Census Bureau plans to conduct the 2013 Alternative Contact 
Strategy Test data collection in early winter of 2013. The specific 
data collection start and end dates along with the duration of the data 
collection period are still under consideration. The Census Bureau, 
however, expects that the duration of the data collection period will 
be about a month.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: None.
    Form Number: To be determined.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Individuals or Households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 40,000.

[[Page 41371]]

    Estimated Time per Response: 7 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 4666.7 hours (280,000 
minutes).
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: There is no cost to the respondent 
other than the time to answer the information request.
    Respondents Obligation: Mandatory.
    Legal Authority: Title 13 U.S.C. 141 and 193.

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(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 respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: July 10, 2012.
Glenna Mickelson,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2012-17099 Filed 7-12-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P