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[Federal Register: December 10, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 237)]
[Notices]               
[Page 63747-63748]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr10de01-99]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[OMB Control No. 2900-0570]

 
Proposed Information Collection Activity: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

AGENCY: Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is announcing an 
opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain 
information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 
1995, Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal 
Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including 
each proposed revision of a currently approved collection, and allow 60 
days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits 
comments on the burden estimates relating to customer satisfaction 
surveys.

DATES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection 
of information should be received on or before February 8, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the collection of information to 
Ann Bickoff, Veterans Health Administration (193B1), Department of 
Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420 or e-
mail: <A HREF="mailto:ann.bickoff@mail.va.gov">ann.bickoff@mail.va.gov</A>. Please refer to ``OMB Control No. 2900-
0570'' in any correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ann Bickoff at (202) 273-8310.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the PRA of 1995 (Public Law 104-13; 44 
U.S.C., 3501-3520), Federal agencies must obtain approval from OMB for 
each collection of information they conduct or sponsor. This request 
for comment is being made pursuant to Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA.
    With respect to the following collection of information, VHA 
invites comments on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information 
is necessary for the proper performance of VHA's functions, including 
whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy 
of VHA's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of 
information; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of 
the collection of information on respondents, including through the use 
of automated collection techniques or the use of other forms of 
information technology.
    Title: Generic Clearance for the Veterans Health Administration 
Customer Satisfaction Surveys.
    OMB Control Number: 2900-0570.
    Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: Executive Order 12862, Setting Customer Service 
Standards, requires Federal agencies and departments to identify and 
survey its customers to determine the kind and quality of services they 
want and their level of satisfaction with existing services. VHA uses 
customer satisfaction surveys to gauge customer perceptions of VA 
services as well as customer expectations and desires. The results of 
these information collections lead to improvements in the quality of 
VHA service delivery by helping to shape the direction and focus of 
specific programs and services.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.

Listing of Survey Activities

I. Special Emphasis Programs

    The following list of activities is a compendium of customer 
satisfaction survey plans by VHA. Different special emphasis programs 
will be surveyed annually; however, program selections have not been 
made for FYs 2002-2004. Burden hours for the out-years are based on FY 
2001 estimates (Burden hours per respondent: 15 minutes).

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                                                                    Estimated
                      Year                          Number of     annual burden             Frequency
                                                   respondents     (in hours)
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2002...........................................          50,000          12,500  Annually.
2003...........................................          50,000          12,500  Annually.
2004...........................................          50,000          12,500  Annually.
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[[Page 63748]]

II. Local Facilities Surveys

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                                                                    Estimated
                      Year                          Number of     annual burden             Frequency
                                                   respondents     (in hours)
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2002...........................................         288,780          62,569  One-time.
2003...........................................         288,780          62,569  One-time.
2004...........................................         288,780          62,569  One-time.
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    Most customer satisfaction surveys will be recurring so that VHA 
can create ongoing measures of performance and to determine how well 
the Agency meets customer service standards. Each collection of 
information will consist of the minimum amount of information necessary 
to determine customer needs and to evaluate VHA's performance. VHA 
expects to distribute written surveys with a total annual burden of 
approximately 75,069 hours in FYs 2002, 2003, and 2004 (Burden hours 
per respondent: 13 minutes).

    Dated: November 27, 2001.

    By direction of the Secretary.
Donald L. Neilson,
Director, Information Management Service.
[FR Doc. 01-30474 Filed 12-7-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P

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