[Federal Register: December 22, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 246)]
[Notices]
[Page 78398-78399]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr22de08-135]
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OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT
[OMB Control No. 3206-0199]
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request for Reinstatement of
an Expired Information Collection: Nonforeign Area Cost-of-Living
Allowance Price and Background Surveys
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) has submitted to the Office of
Management and Budget a request for reinstatement of the Nonforeign
Area Cost-of-Living Allowance Price and Background Surveys (OMB Control
No. 3206-0199), a previously-cleared information collection that was
recently discontinued at OPM's discretion and for which the OMB
clearance has expired. OPM uses price surveys and background surveys to
gather data to be used in determining nonforeign area cost-of-living
allowances (COLAs) paid to certain Federal employees in Alaska, Hawaii,
Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin
Islands. OPM conducts price surveys in the Washington, DC, area on an
annual basis and once every 3 years in each allowance area on a
rotating basis. Prior to these surveys, OPM conducts background surveys
that are similar to the price surveys, but much more limited in scope.
OPM uses the results of the background surveys to prepare for the price
surveys.
The COLA Price Survey is necessary for collecting living-cost data
used to determine COLAs. OPM uses the Price Survey results to compare
prices in the allowance areas with prices in the Washington, DC, area
and to derive COLA rates where local living costs significantly exceed
those in the DC area. The COLA Background Survey is necessary to
determine the continued appropriateness of items, services, and
businesses selected for the annual price surveys. OPM uses the
Background Survey results to identify items to be priced and the
outlets at which OPM will price the items in the Price Surveys.
OPM will survey selected retail, service, realty, and other
businesses and local governments in the allowance areas and in the
Washington, DC, area. OPM will contact approximately 2,000
establishments in each annual Price Survey and approximately 100
establishments in each annual Background Survey. Participation in the
surveys is voluntary.
OPM estimates that the average price survey interview will take
approximately 6 minutes, for a total burden of 200 hours. The average
background survey interview will take approximately 6.5 minutes, for a
total burden of 11 hours.
For copies of or further information on this proposal, contact J.
Stanley Austin by telephone at (202) 606-2838, by fax at (202) 606-
4264, or by e-mail at COLA@opm.gov. If you are requesting a copy of
this proposal, please include your mailing address with your request.
DATES: Submit comments on or before January 21, 2009.
ADDRESSES: Send or deliver comments to:
Charles D. Grimes III, Deputy Associate Director for Performance
and Pay Systems, Strategic Human Resources Policy Division, U.S. Office
of Personnel Management, Room 7H31, 1900 E Street, NW., Washington, DC
20415-8200; fax: (202) 606-4264; or e-mail: COLA@opm.gov; and
John W. Barkhamer, OPM Desk Officer, Office of Information and
Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, New Executive
Office Building, 725 17th
[[Page 78399]]
Street, NW., Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: OPM published notice of its intention to
request an extension of the price and background surveys in the Federal
Register on May 2, 2008 (73 FR 24321). OPM did not receive any comments
in response to the notice.
Office of Personnel Management.
Howard Weizmann,
Deputy Director.
[FR Doc. E8-30287 Filed 12-19-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6325-39-P