Customer Panel Quality Survey, 13421-13422 [E9-6770]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 58 / Friday, March 27, 2009 / Notices Alliance; and (4) Steven Fosmark. An opportunity for public testimony was provided during the Council meeting. For more details on these EFP applications and to view copies of the applications, see the Pacific Council’s website at www.pcouncil.org and browse the September 2008 Briefing Book. The Council recommended that NMFS consider issuing the following EFPs. Dated: March 23, 2009. Alan D. Risenhoover, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E9–6895 Filed 3–26–09; 8:45 am] Community Based Fishing Association EFP Customer Panel Quality Survey BILLING CODE 3510–22–S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Patent and Trademark Office The Nature Conservancy (TNC) submitted a proposal for a 2009 EFP, along with their collaborators: City of Morro Bay Harbor Department; Port San Luis Commercial Fishermen’s Association; Port San Luis Harbor District; California Department of Fish and Game; Morro Bay Commercial Fishermen’s Organization, Inc.; and Environmental Defense. The primary purpose of the EFP is to test whether establishing a cooperatively managed, community based fishing association can provide economic and environmental performance benefits. Recreational Chilipepper EFP The California Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) and the Golden Gate Fishermen’s Association submitted an application for a 2009 EFP. The primary purpose of the EFP is to do an area– based recreational fishing study to test if hook and line fishing gear can be used to access underutilized chilipepper rockfish seaward of the non–trawl RCA, while keeping bycatch of overfished species low. Recreational Yellowtail EFP The Oregon RFA submitted an application for a 2009 EFP. The primary purpose of the EFP is to test if recreational fishing gear, fitted with a long leader to keep gear up off the ocean floor, can be used to access underutilized yellowtail rockfish, while keeping bycatch of overfished species low. mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES Commercial Chilipepper EFP Steven Fosmark submitted an application for a 2009 EFP. The primary purpose of the EFP is to test if a specific longline gear configuration can be used in the commercial fishery to target underutilized chilipepper rockfish, while keeping bycatch of overfished species low. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. VerDate Nov<24>2008 17:13 Mar 26, 2009 Jkt 217001 ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request. SUMMARY: The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), 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 this extension of a continuing information collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104–13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before May 26, 2009. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods: • E-mail: Susan.Fawcett@uspto.gov. Include ‘‘0651–0057 Customer Panel Quality Survey comment’’ in the subject line of the message. • Fax: 571–273–0112, marked to the attention of Susan K. Fawcett. • Mail: Susan K. Fawcett, Records Officer, Office of the Chief Information Officer, Administrative Management Group, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313–1450. • Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information should be directed to the attention of Martin Rater, Management Analyst, Office of Patent Quality Assurance, United States Patent and Trademark Office, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313–1450; by telephone at 571–272– 5966; or by e-mail at martin.rater@uspto.gov with ‘‘Paperwork’’ in the subject line. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Abstract For over the past 10 years, the USPTO has used surveys to obtain customer feedback regarding the products, services, and related service standards of the USPTO. The USPTO used the data to measure how well the agency is meeting established customer service standards, to identify any disjoints between customer expectations and PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 13421 USPTO performance, and to develop improvement strategies. Typically, these surveys ask customers to express their satisfaction with the USPTO’s products and services based upon their interactions with the agency as a whole over a 12-month period. In order to obtain further data concerning customer ratings of the USPTO’s services, service standards, and performance, the USPTO developed the Customer Panel Quality Survey. This survey narrows the focus of customer satisfaction to examination quality and uses a longitudinal, rotating panel design to assess changes in customer perceptions and to identify key areas for examiner training and opportunities for improvement. The USPTO plans to survey patent agents, attorneys, and other individuals from large domestic corporations (including those with 500+ employees), small and medium-size businesses, universities and other non-profit research organizations, and independent inventors; however, the USPTO does not plan to survey foreign entities. The USPTO will draw a random sample of these customers from their database. Due to the rotating panel design, some sample members will be surveyed twice in order to measure change over a period of time. Each year of the survey will include four waves of data collection. The Customer Panel Quality Survey is a mail survey, although respondents can also complete the survey electronically on the Web. The content of both versions will be identical. A survey packet containing the questionnaire, a separate cover letter prepared by the Commissioner of Patents, a postagepaid, pre-addressed return envelope, and instructions for completing the survey electronically will be mailed to all sample members. A pre-notification letter, reminder/thank you postcards, and telephone calls will be used to encourage response from sample members. This is a voluntary survey and all responses will remain confidential. The collected data will not be linked to the respondent and contact information that is used for sampling purposes will be maintained in a separate file from the quantitative data. Respondents are not required to provide any identifying information such as their name, address, or Social Security Number. In order to access and complete the online survey, respondents will need to use the username, password, and survey ID number provided by the USPTO. E:\FR\FM\27MRN1.SGM 27MRN1 13422 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 58 / Friday, March 27, 2009 / Notices II. Method of Collection By mail or electronically over the Internet if respondents choose to complete the survey online. III. Data OMB Number: 0651–0057. Form Number(s): N/A. Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection. Affected Public: Individuals or households; business or other for profit; not-for-profit institutions; Federal Government; and state, local, or Tribal Government. Estimated Number of Respondents: 3,168 responses per year. Out of a sample size of 2,842 for each wave of data collection, the USPTO estimates that 792 completed surveys will be received. Each year of the survey will include four waves of data collection with an estimated 3,168 completed surveys received. Of this total, the USPTO estimates that 70% or 2,218 surveys will be returned by mail and that 30% or 950 surveys will be completed using the online option. Estimated Time per Response: The USPTO estimates that it takes approximately 10 minutes (0.17 hours) to complete either the paper or online version of this survey. This includes the time to gather the necessary information, complete the survey, and submit it to the USPTO. Estimated Total Annual Respondent Burden Hours: 539 hours. Estimated Total Annual Respondent Cost Burden: $167,090. The USPTO believes that patent attorneys will be responding to these surveys. Using the professional hourly rate of $310 for attorneys in private firms, the USPTO estimates that the total respondent cost burden for this collection is $167,090 per year. Estimated annual responses Estimated annual burden hours Item Estimated time for response Customer Panel Quality Survey (paper) ...................... Customer Panel Quality Survey (electronic) ................ 10 minutes .................................................................... 10 minutes .................................................................... 2,218 950 377 162 Total ....................................................................... ....................................................................................... 3,168 539 Estimated Total Annual Non-hour Respondent Cost Burden: $0. There are no capital start-up, maintenance, operation, or recordkeeping costs, nor are there any filing fees associated with this information collection. The USPTO covers the costs of all survey materials and provides postage-paid, preaddressed return envelopes for the completed mail surveys. IV. Request for Comments mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed 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 (including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (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. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized or included in the request for OMB approval of this information collection; they also will become a matter of public record. Susan K. Fawcett, Records Officer, USPTO, Office of the Chief Information Officer, Administrative Management Group. [FR Doc. E9–6770 Filed 3–26–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–16–P VerDate Nov<24>2008 17:13 Mar 26, 2009 Jkt 217001 DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Army Army Educational Advisory Committee Department of the Army, DoD. Notice of open meeting. AGENCY: ACTION: SUMMARY: Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (5 U.S.C., Appendix, as amended), the Sunshine in the Government Act of 1976 (5 U.S.C. 552b, as amended), and 41 CFR 102–3.150, the following meeting notice is announced: Name of Committee: U.S. Army War College Subcommittee of the Army Education Advisory Committee. Date of Meeting: April 15, 2009 and April 16, 2009. Place of Meeting: U.S. Army War College, 122 Forbes Avenue, Carlisle, PA, Command Conference Room, Root Hall, Carlisle Barracks, PA 17013. Time of Meeting: 10:15 a.m.–4 p.m., 15 April 2009. 8 a.m.–11:45 p.m., 16 April 2009. Proposed Agenda: Receive information briefings; conduct discussions with the Commandant and staff and faculty; attend the Commandant’s Lecture Series and key note speaker focused on technology and strategy, examine College charter to the Board that recommends the curriculum subcommittee consider a gap analysis approach to its process and findings; assess an overview and proposed growth of the International Fellows program, assess the College’s approach to provide academic support through a .mil domain and considerations for a PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 .edu domain. Propose strategies and recommendations that will continue the momentum of Federal accreditation success and guarantee compliance with regional accreditation standards. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request advance approval or obtain further information, contact Colonel Scott Horton at 717–245–3907. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This meeting is open to the public. Interested persons may submit a written statement for consideration by the U.S. Army War College Subcommittee. Written statements should be no longer than two type-written pages and must address: the issue, discussion, and a recommended course of action. Supporting documentation may also be included as needed to establish the appropriate historical context and to provide any necessary background information. Individuals submitting a written statement must submit their statement to the Designated Federal Officer at U.S. Army War College, ATTN: Joint Education Office, 122 Forbes Avenue, Carlisle, PA 17013, at any point, however, if a written statement is not received at least 10 calendar days prior to the meeting, which is the subject of this notice, then it may not be provided to or considered by the U.S. Army War College Subcommittee until its next open meeting. The Designated Federal Officer will review all timely submissions with the U.S. Army War College Subcommittee Chairperson, and ensure they are provided to members of the U.S. Army War College Subcommittee before the E:\FR\FM\27MRN1.SGM 27MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 58 (Friday, March 27, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13421-13422]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-6770]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Patent and Trademark Office


Customer Panel Quality Survey

ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), 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 this extension of a continuing information 
collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public 
Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before May 26, 2009.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
     E-mail: Susan.Fawcett@uspto.gov. Include ``0651-0057 
Customer Panel Quality Survey comment'' in the subject line of the 
message.
     Fax: 571-273-0112, marked to the attention of Susan K. 
Fawcett.
     Mail: Susan K. Fawcett, Records Officer, Office of the 
Chief Information Officer, Administrative Management Group, U.S. Patent 
and Trademark Office, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450.
     Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information 
should be directed to the attention of Martin Rater, Management 
Analyst, Office of Patent Quality Assurance, United States Patent and 
Trademark Office, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450; by 
telephone at 571-272-5966; or by e-mail at martin.rater@uspto.gov with 
``Paperwork'' in the subject line.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    For over the past 10 years, the USPTO has used surveys to obtain 
customer feedback regarding the products, services, and related service 
standards of the USPTO. The USPTO used the data to measure how well the 
agency is meeting established customer service standards, to identify 
any disjoints between customer expectations and USPTO performance, and 
to develop improvement strategies. Typically, these surveys ask 
customers to express their satisfaction with the USPTO's products and 
services based upon their interactions with the agency as a whole over 
a 12-month period.
    In order to obtain further data concerning customer ratings of the 
USPTO's services, service standards, and performance, the USPTO 
developed the Customer Panel Quality Survey. This survey narrows the 
focus of customer satisfaction to examination quality and uses a 
longitudinal, rotating panel design to assess changes in customer 
perceptions and to identify key areas for examiner training and 
opportunities for improvement. The USPTO plans to survey patent agents, 
attorneys, and other individuals from large domestic corporations 
(including those with 500+ employees), small and medium-size 
businesses, universities and other non-profit research organizations, 
and independent inventors; however, the USPTO does not plan to survey 
foreign entities.
    The USPTO will draw a random sample of these customers from their 
database. Due to the rotating panel design, some sample members will be 
surveyed twice in order to measure change over a period of time. Each 
year of the survey will include four waves of data collection.
    The Customer Panel Quality Survey is a mail survey, although 
respondents can also complete the survey electronically on the Web. The 
content of both versions will be identical. A survey packet containing 
the questionnaire, a separate cover letter prepared by the Commissioner 
of Patents, a postage-paid, pre-addressed return envelope, and 
instructions for completing the survey electronically will be mailed to 
all sample members. A pre-notification letter, reminder/thank you 
postcards, and telephone calls will be used to encourage response from 
sample members.
    This is a voluntary survey and all responses will remain 
confidential. The collected data will not be linked to the respondent 
and contact information that is used for sampling purposes will be 
maintained in a separate file from the quantitative data. Respondents 
are not required to provide any identifying information such as their 
name, address, or Social Security Number. In order to access and 
complete the online survey, respondents will need to use the username, 
password, and survey ID number provided by the USPTO.

[[Page 13422]]

II. Method of Collection

    By mail or electronically over the Internet if respondents choose 
to complete the survey online.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0651-0057.
    Form Number(s): N/A.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households; business or other for 
profit; not-for-profit institutions; Federal Government; and state, 
local, or Tribal Government.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 3,168 responses per year. Out of a 
sample size of 2,842 for each wave of data collection, the USPTO 
estimates that 792 completed surveys will be received. Each year of the 
survey will include four waves of data collection with an estimated 
3,168 completed surveys received. Of this total, the USPTO estimates 
that 70% or 2,218 surveys will be returned by mail and that 30% or 950 
surveys will be completed using the online option.
    Estimated Time per Response: The USPTO estimates that it takes 
approximately 10 minutes (0.17 hours) to complete either the paper or 
online version of this survey. This includes the time to gather the 
necessary information, complete the survey, and submit it to the USPTO.
    Estimated Total Annual Respondent Burden Hours: 539 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Respondent Cost Burden: $167,090. The USPTO 
believes that patent attorneys will be responding to these surveys. 
Using the professional hourly rate of $310 for attorneys in private 
firms, the USPTO estimates that the total respondent cost burden for 
this collection is $167,090 per year.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Estimated       Estimated
                     Item                          Estimated time for response        annual       annual burden
                                                                                     responses         hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Customer Panel Quality Survey (paper).........  10 minutes......................           2,218             377
Customer Panel Quality Survey (electronic)....  10 minutes......................             950             162
                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------
    Total.....................................  ................................           3,168             539
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Estimated Total Annual Non-hour Respondent Cost Burden: $0. There 
are no capital start-up, maintenance, operation, or recordkeeping 
costs, nor are there any filing fees associated with this information 
collection. The USPTO covers the costs of all survey materials and 
provides postage-paid, pre-addressed return envelopes for the completed 
mail surveys.

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed 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 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (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.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized or 
included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

Susan K. Fawcett,
Records Officer, USPTO, Office of the Chief Information Officer, 
Administrative Management Group.
[FR Doc. E9-6770 Filed 3-26-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-16-P
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