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[Federal Register: October 17, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 201)]
[Notices]               
[Page 52813-52814]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17oc01-135]                         

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OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT

 
Nonforeign Area Cost-of-Living Allowances Price and Background 
Surveys; Revised Collection; Comment Request

AGENCY: Office of Personnel Management.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Office of Personnel Management (OPM) seeks comments on its intention to 
request reinstatement of two information collections whose approval 
period has expired. OPM has revised the two information collections to 
conform to the settlement agreement in the lawsuit Caraballo, et al. v. 
United States, No. 1997-0027 (D.V.I), August 17, 2000. OPM uses the two 
collections--a price survey and a background survey--to gather data to 
be used in determining cost-of-living allowances for certain Federal 
employees in Alaska, Hawaii, Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern 
Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The price 
survey will be conducted in selected areas generally on an annual 
basis. The background survey will be conducted annually on a limited 
basis in preparation for each of the price surveys.

DATES: Submit comments on or before December 17, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Comments: Send or deliver comments to Donald J. Winstead, 
Assistant Director for Compensation Administration, Workforce 
Compensation and Performance Service, Office of Personnel Management, 
Room 7H31, 1900 E Street NW., Washington, DC 20415-8200; fax: (202) 
606-4264, or email: <A HREF="mailto:cola@opm.gov">cola@opm.gov</A>. Copies: For copies of this proposal, 
contact Mary Beth Smith-Toomey at (202) 606-8358 or email: 
<A HREF="mailto:mbtoomey@opm.gov">mbtoomey@opm.gov</A>.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kurt M. Springmann, (202) 606-2838.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
approval of the Nonforeign Area Cost-of-Living Allowance Price Survey 
and Background Survey expired on August 31, 2001. OPM plans to request 
OMB approval for an additional 3 years and is seeking comments prior to 
submitting the collections to OMB for review. As set out in OMB 
regulations at 5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1), comments are requested to--
    <bullet> Evaluate whether the surveys are necessary and have 
practical utility;

[[Page 52814]]

    <bullet> Evaluate the accuracy of the burden estimate, including 
the assumptions and methodological validity used in determining the 
burden estimate;
    <bullet> Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
    <bullet> Minimize the burden on respondents.

Overview of Information Collections

    Title: Nonforeign Area Cost-of-Living Allowance Price Survey and 
Background Survey.
    OMB Control Number: 3206-0199.
    Summary: The Nonforeign Area Cost-of-Living Allowance Price Survey 
is used by OPM to collect price data in survey areas located in the 
nonforeign allowance areas and in the Washington, DC, area. The 
allowance areas are located in Alaska, Hawaii, Guam and the 
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. 
Virgin Islands. The price surveys will be conducted annually in 
selected survey areas on a rotating basis.
    The Nonforeign Area Cost-of-Living Allowance Background Survey is 
used by OPM to collect information to identify the services, items, 
quantities, outlets, and locations that will be surveyed in the annual 
price surveys. It is also used to collect information on local trade 
practices, consumer buying patterns, taxes and fees, and other economic 
characteristics related to living costs. The background survey will be 
conducted annually on a limited basis.
    Need/Use for Surveys: The price survey is necessary for collecting 
living-cost data used to determine cost-of-living allowances (COLAs) 
paid to General Schedule, U.S. Postal Service, and certain other 
Federal employees in the allowance areas. The information is used to 
compare costs in the allowance areas with costs in the Washington, DC, 
area and to derive a COLA rate when the local cost of living 
significantly exceeds that in the DC area. The background survey is 
necessary to determine the continued appropriateness of items, 
services, and businesses selected for the annual price surveys. OPM 
uses the information collected under this survey to define the sources 
and parameters for the price surveys and to improve the COLA 
methodology.
    Respondents: OPM will survey selected retail, service, realty, and 
other businesses and local governments in the allowance areas and in 
the Washington, DC, area. Approximately 2,200 establishments will be 
contacted in the price survey, and approximately 30 establishments will 
be contacted in the background survey. Participation in the surveys is 
voluntary.
    Reporting and Recordkeeping Burden: OPM estimates that the average 
price survey interview will take approximately 7 minutes, for a total 
burden of 257 hours. The average background survey interview will take 
approximately 10 minutes, for a total burden of 5 hours.

Office of Personnel Management.

Kay Coles James,
Director.
[FR Doc. 01-26057 Filed 10-16-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6325-39-P

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