Proposed Collection, Comment Request, 55016 [2014-21903]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
• Bureau of Labor Statistics

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 178 (Monday, September 15, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Page 55016]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-21903]



[[Page 55016]]

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Bureau of Labor Statistics


Proposed Collection, Comment Request

AGENCY: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Department of Labor.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to 
reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance 
consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies 
with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing 
collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995 (PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. This program helps to 
ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, 
reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, 
collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of 
collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. The 
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is soliciting comments concerning the 
proposed revision of the ``Telephone Point of Purchase Survey.'' A copy 
of the proposed information collection request (ICR) can be obtained by 
contacting the individual listed below in the Addresses section of this 
notice.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
Addresses section of this notice on or before November 14, 2014.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Nora Kincaid, BLS Clearance Officer, 
Division of Management Systems, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Room 4080, 
2 Massachusetts Avenue NE., Washington, DC 20212. Written comments also 
may be transmitted by fax to 202-691-5111 (this is not a toll free 
number).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nora Kincaid, BLS Clearance Officer, 
at 202-691-7628 (this is not a toll free number). (See Addresses 
section.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The purpose of this survey is to develop and maintain a timely list 
of retail, wholesale, and service establishments where urban consumers 
shop for specified items. This information is used as the sampling 
universe for selecting establishments at which prices of specific items 
are collected and monitored for use in calculating the Consumer Price 
Index (CPI). The survey has been ongoing since 1980 and also provides 
expenditure data that allows items that are priced in the CPI to be 
properly weighted.

II. Current Action

    Office of Management and Budget clearance is being sought for the 
Telephone Point of Purchase Survey.
    Since 1997, the survey has been administered quarterly via a 
computer-assisted-telephone-interview. This survey is flexible and 
creates the possibility of introducing new products into the CPI in a 
timely manner. The data collected in this survey are necessary for the 
continuing construction of a current outlet universe from which 
locations are selected for the price collection needed for calculating 
the CPI. Furthermore, the TPOPS provides the weights used in selecting 
the items that are priced at these establishments. This sample design 
produces an overall CPI market basket that is more reflective of the 
prices faced and the establishments visited by urban consumers. TPOPS 
will transition from the 1998 to the 2018 geographic redesign over the 
next several years, resulting in a reduction of the number of PSUs from 
87 to 75 when fully implemented. TPOPS will also transition from a four 
panel to an eight panel design, which will result in significant costs 
savings when fully implemented.

III. Desired Focus of Comments

    The Bureau of Labor Statistics is particularly interested in 
comments that:
     Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility.
     Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the 
burden of the proposed collection of information, including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions used.
     Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected.
     Minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate 
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting 
electronic submissions of responses.
    Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Agency: Bureau of Labor Statistics.
    Title: The Telephone Point of Purchase Survey.
    OMB Number: 1220-0044.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Total Respondents: 21,827.
    Frequency: Quarterly.
    Total Responses: 55,571.
    Average Time per Response: 12.76 minutes.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 11,818 hours.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $0.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget 
approval of the information collection request; they also will become a 
matter of public record.

    Signed at Washington, DC, this 9th day of September 2014.
Kimberley Hill,
Chief, Division of Management Systems, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
[FR Doc. 2014-21903 Filed 9-12-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-24-P