[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 127 (Wednesday, July 7, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35870-35872]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-14433]



[[Page 35870]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

United States Mint


Renewal for Currently Approved Generic Information Collection 
Request; Comment Request for Renewal of Customer Satisfaction and 
Opinion Surveys, Focus Group Interviews, Web Usability Studies, and 
Intercept Surveys

AGENCY: United States Mint, Department of the Treasury.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Department of the Treasury, 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 the currently approved information collection 1525-0012, as required 
by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. Currently, the United States 
Mint, a bureau of the Department of the Treasury, is soliciting 
comments on the United States Mint customer satisfaction and opinion 
surveys, focus group interviews, web usability studies and intercept 
surveys.

DATES: Written comments should be received on or before September 7, 
2021 to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Leslie Schwager, Market 
Research Specialist, Sales and Marketing Directorate; United States 
Mint; 801 9th Street NW; Washington, DC 20220; (202) 354-7291 (this is 
not a toll-free number); [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection package should be directed to 
Leslie Schwager, Market Research Specialist, Sales and Marketing 
Directorate; United States Mint; 801 9th Street NW; Washington, DC 
20220; (202) 354-7291 (this is not a toll-free number); 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: United States Mint customer 
satisfaction and opinion surveys, focus group interviews, web usability 
studies, and intercept surveys.
    OMB Number: 1525-0012.
    Abstract: The proposed customer satisfaction and opinion surveys, 
focus group interviews, web usability studies, and intercept surveys 
will allow the United States Mint to assess the acceptance of, 
potential demand for, and barriers to acceptance/increased demand for 
current and future products, and the needs and desires of customers for 
more efficient, economical services.
    Current Actions: The United States Mint conducts customer 
satisfaction and opinion surveys, focus group interviews, web usability 
studies, and intercept surveys to measure customer opinion and assess 
acceptance of, the potential demand for, and barriers to acceptance/
increased demand for United States Mint products, and to determine the 
level of satisfaction of United States Mint customers and the general 
public.
    Type of Review: Review of estimated annual respondents and 
estimated annual burden hours.
    Affected Public: The affected public includes serious and casual 
numismatic collectors, dealers, and persons in the numismatic business, 
and the general public.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: The estimated number of annual 
respondents is 48,936.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: The estimated number of annual 
burden hours is 12,756.
    Requests for Comments: Comments submitted in response to this 
notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB 
approval. All comments will become a matter of public record. Comments 
are invited on: (a) Whether the 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 of the collection of 
information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information to be collected; (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; and (e) estimates of capital or start-up costs and costs of 
operation, maintenance, and purchase of services to provide 
information.

Eric Anderson,
Executive Secretary, United States Mint.

Supporting Statement A--United States Mint Generic Clearance (October 
31, 2021-October 31, 2024) 1525-0012

A. Justification

A1. Circumstances Necessitating the Collection of Information
    This is a request for a three-year generic clearance to conduct 
customer satisfaction and opinion surveys, and focus group interviews. 
This clearance will allow the United States Mint to comply with 
Executive Order 12862 and assist the United States Mint in fulfilling 
its mission.
    The mission of the United States Mint is to serve the American 
people by manufacturing and distributing the highest quality 
circulating coinage and national medals for the Nation to conduct its 
trade and commerce, and providing security over assets entrusted to the 
United States Mint.
    The United States Mint is responsible for producing proof, 
uncirculated, circulating, and commemorative coins, and medals, and 
platinum, gold and silver bullion coins in response to programs 
legislated by Congress in support of domestic trade and commerce, 
civic, philanthropic, and national organizations.
    To effectively accomplish the goals of these programs, it is 
crucial for the United States Mint to know and maintain awareness of 
customer preferences and needs by continually monitoring customer 
satisfaction.
    However, because the time period between program authorization, 
production, and product shipment is often short, the United States Mint 
has not always had adequate time to obtain needed information about 
customer preferences and market conditions.
    Therefore, the use of generic clearance to conduct customer 
satisfaction and opinion surveys, and focus group interviews will allow 
the United States Mint to quickly obtain useful data to create more 
profitable programs and to provide better service and products to the 
American public.
    The Supporting Statement contains authorization under which these 
data collections efforts are implemented. Supporting Statement B 
contains a list of anticipated projects that may be submitted for 
approval through the generic clearance process between October 31, 2021 
and October 31, 2024. This clearance covers data collection efforts by 
the United States Mint. An internal review of all proposed data 
collections will be performed to ensure the following:
     Consistency with United States Mint mission and strategic 
objectives.
     Appropriate priority within United States Mint's Strategic 
Plan and/or United States Mint annual business plan.
     Technical adequacy in issues such as frame, sample 
selection, response rates, quality control in data gathering, 
recording, and analysis.
     Minimized burden on respondents.
     Confidentiality of individual responses.
     Consistency with this generic clearance.

[[Page 35871]]

     Consistency with applicable laws and regulations.
A2. Use of Data
    A variety of data collection methods will be employed, including 
web-based surveys, telephone CATI systems (computer-assisted telephone 
interviews), focus group interviews, and other appropriate means. The 
information will be used to:
     Determine customer opinions about the quality of products, 
pricing, delivery, and other services provided by the United States 
Mint.
     Determine customer needs and wants in regard to future 
products and services.
     Define the next steps/actions plans to improving customer 
satisfaction and United State Mint sales operations.
A3. Use of Information Technology To Reduce Burden
     In past instances, the United States Mint has used CATI 
systems and web-based surveys (both provided by contractors) for data 
collection efforts. The CATI systems and web-based surveys increase 
efficiency and validity of surveys and decrease the time required for 
each interview and, consequently, the overall burden on respondents. 
These methodologies use computers to perform a number of critical 
quality assurance routines that are monitored by survey supervisors. 
These include tracking average interview length and refusal and 
termination rates.
A4. Efforts To Identify Duplication
    Survey questions will address United States Mint related products 
and do not duplicate the efforts of other agencies/organizations. Our 
internal review and approval process ensures that duplication of data 
gathering within the United States Mint is eliminated.
    Additionally, no other organization can conduct a survey of the 
United States Mint customers because our customer list is unique and 
secured by the United States Mint.
A5. Methods To Minimize Burden on Small Businesses or Other Small 
Entities
    The data collections for the most part will be targeted to 
individuals. Although some customers are coin and hobby dealers that 
may operate a small business, all information requests will be 
voluntary. In addition, respondents will rarely be required to consult 
or access their records for detailed factual information.
A6. Consequences of Less Frequent Collection on Federal Programs or 
Policy Activities
    The United States Mint would not be in compliance with Executive 
Order 12862 if some of the collection efforts were not undertaken. 
Also, with the United States Mint operating as a self-funding agency, 
the information and the changes resulting from data collections are 
crucial to United States Mint numismatic sales efforts.
A7. Special Circumstance Requiring Data Collection To Be Inconsistent 
With Guidelines in 5 CFR 1320.6
    No special circumstances require the collection to be conducted in 
a manner inconsistent with the guidelines in 5 CFR 1320.6.
A8. Consultation With Individuals Outside of the Agency on Availability 
of Data, Frequency of Collection, Clarity of Instruction and Forms, and 
Data Elements
    The United States Mint collaborates with professional marketing 
firms and contractors with expertise in marketing research, statistical 
analysis, and customer driven marketing. Their assistance is utilized 
in development, administration, and analysis research.
A9. Explanation of Decision To Provide Payment or Gift to Respondents
    The United States Mint has compensated respondents only when it was 
necessary as an incentive for their extensive time or expertise. 
Specific justification has accompanied such requests. In the future, 
the United States Mint will use compensation for respondents only when 
it is deemed necessary.
A10. Assurance of Confidentiality of Responses
    Survey respondents contacted by mail, fax, internet, or some other 
form of written communication will be advised on the survey form, cover 
letter, or other accompanying document that participation is voluntary 
and that the data provided will be secured. As part of the introduction 
to a data gathering effort during telephone or personal interviews, the 
interviewer will inform the respondents that the survey is voluntary 
and that each individual's responses will be secured. Focus group 
participants will verbally receive similar assurances during opening 
statements of the interview session.
A11. Justification of Sensitive Questions
    Not applicable. Sensitive information is not collected.
A12. Estimated Burden of Information Collection
    The following table is a breakdown of the estimated number of hours 
for a three-year generic clearance and estimated number of respondents 
for a three-year generic clearance.
    However, due to changes in the market and possible new coin 
programs legislated by Congress, this figure could increase.

                              Expand Table
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Estimated       Estimated
                                             number of       number of
                Research                     hours (3     respondents (3
                                              years)          years)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naxion Customer Acquisition Research....           5,451          12,000
Naxion General Analytics Research.......           3,357          25,200
Naxion Customer Satisfaction Tracking              2,700          10,800
 Research...............................
Naxion Focus Group Research.............           3,840           1,920
Web Usability Research..................             216             216
                                         -------------------------------
    Total...............................          15,564          50,136
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[[Page 35872]]

A13. Estimated Total Annual Cost Burden to Respondents
    Estimates of the cost burden to respondents is unknown at this 
time.
A14. Estimated Annualized Cost to the Federal Government
    The following table is a breakdown of the estimated cost to the 
United States Mint based on previous experience.

                              Expand Table
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Total
                Research                      Annual       estimated-- 3
                                          estimated cost       years
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naxion Customer Acquisition Research....        $399,000      $1,197,000
Naxion General Analytics Research.......         400,000       1,200,000
Naxion Customer Satisfaction Tracking            240,000         720,000
 Research...............................
Naxion Focus Group Research.............         415,000       1,245,000
Web Usability Research..................         100,000         300,000
                                         -------------------------------
    Total...............................       1,554,000       4,662,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

A15. Reason for Change in Burden
    There is no change.
A16. Plans for Tabulation Statistical Analysis and Publication
    Information from data collection will not be published for 
statistical purposes.
A17. Reasons Why Displaying the OMB Expiration Date Is Inappropriate
    Displaying the expiration date may cause problems with respondents 
for data collection programs that overlap the three-year authorization 
periods. In addition, respondents might be declined to refuse to 
participate if the form carries an authorization date that is expired 
or soon to expire.
A18. Exceptions to the Certification Statement on OMB Form 83-1
    Not applicable. There are no exceptions for certification.

Supporting Statement B--United States Mint Generic Clearance (October 
31, 2021-October 31, 2024) 1525-0012

B. Collection of Information Employing Statistical Methods

B1. Universe and Respondent Selection
    Surveys covered under this generic clearance will vary with regard 
to the universe and respondent selection. The potential universe for 
some surveys will include our active and inactive customers, while 
others may include far fewer.
    However, because the United States Mint is attempting to expand its 
numismatic markets and practically all Americans are users of 
circulating coinage, the universe for some surveys may include the 
entire United States population base, with a statistically valid sample 
selected for research.
B2. Procedures for Collecting Information
    The specific method of data collection for each survey will be 
provided to OMB before each survey is conducted.
B3. Methods To Maximize Response
    The United States Mint has found that by sending an advance notice 
letter to those customers participating in a telephone survey the rate 
of response can be increased and will employ this technically when 
possible and cost effective. The United States Mint will employ 
procedures to review and test questions by survey experts to ensure 
that questions and instructions are clear, relevant, and unambiguous. 
Surveys employing non-response follow-up techniques will use multiple 
contacts by telephone and/or additional mailing of the questionnaire to 
ensure an adequate response.
B4. Testing of Procedures
    In most cases, a pretest of the data collection instruments will be 
conducted prior to its use. Pretests will include review by 
knowledgeable United States Mint staff and consultants. In the case of 
telephone surveys, the pretest will include monitoring of interviewers 
and respondents by United States Mint staff and/or consultants prior to 
the actual survey. No pretest will include provisions for contacting 
more than nine respondents.
B5. Contacts for Statistical Aspects and Data Collection
    The contact person for questions regarding any statistical aspects 
employed or data collection procedures used will be provided to OMB 
before each survey. Administrative questions regarding the Mint use of 
this generic clearance should be directed to Leslie Schwager; Sales and 
Marketing, 5th Floor; United States Mint; 801 9th Street NW; 
Washington, DC 20220, [email protected].

[FR Doc. 2021-14433 Filed 7-6-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P