American Community Survey Methods Panel Tests

OMB Control No: 0607-0936	ICR Reference No: 200910-0607-001
Status: Historical Active	Previous ICR Reference No: 200710-0607-005
Agency/Subagency: DOC/CENSUS	Agency Tracking No:
Title: American Community Survey Methods Panel Tests
Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Approved with change	Conclusion Date: 12/29/2009
Retrieve Notice of Action (NOA)	Date Received in OIRA: 10/20/2009
Terms of Clearance: This collection is approved with the following terms of clearance: For minor changes to the tests described in this justification, the Census Bureau will submit a non-substantive change request documenting the change or revision. For substantive changes to the tests described in this justification or for any new tests that are needed to address a new or emerging data collection issue, the Census Bureau will submit a revised Information Clearance Request to OMB and simultaneously publish a 30 day notice for public comment in the Federal Register describing the changes or new tests proposed.

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	12/31/2012	36 Months From Approved	12/31/2009
Responses	256,333	0	335,000
Time Burden (Hours)	136,422	0	44,000
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

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Abstract: The U.S. Census Bureau requests authorization from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to conduct the American Community Survey (ACS) Methods Panel tests. The ACS allows the Census Bureau to provide more timely and relevant housing and socio-economic data while also reducing operational risks in the census by eliminating the long-form historically given to one in every six addresses. An ongoing data collection effort such as the ACS requires that the Census Bureau continue research, testing and evaluations aimed at improving ACS questionnaires content and related data collection materials.

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Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 13 USC 141, 193, and 221 Name of Law: null

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

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Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	74 FR 27013	06/05/2009
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	74 FR 52448	10/13/2009
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? Yes

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 2

IC Title Form No. Form Name 2007 Methods Panel Forms ACS-1(X)Pro, ACS-1, ACS-1(X)Seq, ACS-1(X)fod1, ACS-1(X)fod2 American Community Survey ,   American Community Survey ,   American Community Survey ,   American Community Survey ,   American Community Survey 2008 Methods Panel Tests 2010, 2011 & 2012 Forms ACS-1 American Community Survey

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ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Approved	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	256,333	335,000	0	-78,667	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	136,422	44,000	0	92,422	0	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0	0	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Increase Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: This collection is being submitted as revised as it is an ongoing activity. The burden hours are increasing because the ACS has received full funding for the Methods Panel and is implementing new and different tests to improve the ACS. The experimental designs and objectives for these tests require additional sample to measure the impact of the changes.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $7,200,000

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? Yes Part B of Supporting Statement

Is the Supporting Statement intended to be a Privacy Impact Assessment required by the E-Government Act of 2002? No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? Uncollected

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? Uncollected

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? Uncollected

Agency Contact: Susan Schechter Bortner 3017638950

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Common Form ICR:  No

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On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
		(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;
		(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;
		(c) It reduces burden on small entities;
		(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;
		(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;
		(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;
		(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:
			(i) Why the information is being collected;
			(ii) Use of information;
			(iii) Burden estimate;
			(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
			(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
			(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
		(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.
		(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and
		(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Certification Date: 10/20/2009

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