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[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 199 (Monday, October 15, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62595-62596]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-25249]

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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice: 8060]

30-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Passport Demand 
Forecasting Study

ACTION: Notice of request for public comment and submission to OMB of 
proposed collection of information.

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SUMMARY: The Department of State has submitted the information 
collection described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
for approval. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 we 
are requesting comments on this collection from all interested 
individuals and organizations. The purpose of this Notice is to allow 
30 days for public comment.

DATES:  Submit comments directly to the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) up to November 14, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Direct comments to the Department of State Desk Officer in 
the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs at the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB). You may submit comments by the following 
methods:
     Email: oira_submission@omb.eop.gov. You must include the 
DS form number, information collection title, and the OMB control 
number in the subject line of your message.
     Fax: 202-395-5806. Attention: Desk Officer for Department 
of State.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Direct requests for additional 
information regarding the collection listed in this notice, including 
requests for copies of the proposed collection instrument and 
supporting documents, to the Office of Passport Services at 
PassportStudy@state.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
     Title of Information Collection: Passport Demand 
Forecasting Study.
     OMB Control Number: 1405-0177.
     Type of Request: Reinstatement of a previous collection.
     Originating Office: Bureau of Consular Affairs/Passport 
Services (CA/PPT).
     Form Number: SV2012-0006.
     Respondents: A national representative sample of U.S. 
citizens, U.S. nationals, and any other categories of individuals that 
are entitled to a U.S. passport product.
     Estimated Number of Respondents: 4,000 survey respondents 
per month.
     Estimated Number of Responses: 48,000 survey responses per 
year.
     Average Time Per Response: approx. 10 minutes per survey.
     Total Estimated Burden Time: 8,000 hours.
     Frequency: Monthly.
     Obligation to Respond: Voluntary.
    We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department to:
     Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is 
necessary for the proper functions of the Department.
     Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the time and cost 
burden for this proposed collection, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used.
     Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected.
     Minimize the reporting burden on those who are to respond, 
including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of 
information technology.
    Please note that comments submitted in response to this Notice are 
public record. Before including any detailed personal information, you 
should be aware that your comments as submitted, including your 
personal information, will be available for public review.
    Abstract of proposed collection:
    The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 
(IRTPA) calls for the Secretary of Homeland Security, along with the 
Secretary of State, to develop and implement a plan that requires 
sufficient documentation of identity and citizenship to be shown when 
entering the United States. The requirement that requires sufficient 
documentation of identity and citizenship to be shown when entering the 
United States along with other socio-demographic variables has left the 
future demand for U.S. passport products as undefined. The ambiguity of 
passport demand has resulted in Passport Services (CA/PPT) having an 
urgent need to obtain regular statistical data on issues that focuses 
on and are related to passport applications and travel. In support of 
these efforts, CA/PPT will conduct monthly forecasts of passport 
demand. The data gathered from the Passport Demand Forecasting Study 
will be used to monitor, assess, and forecast passport demand on a 
continuous basis.
    Methodology:
    CA/PPT is conducting a Passport Demand Forecast Study that includes 
monthly surveys that will gather data from a national representative 
sample of U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and any other categories of 
individuals that are entitled to a U.S. passport product. Methodologies 
can include mail, web/internet, telephone, and mixed-mode

[[Page 62596]]

surveys to ensure that Passport Services reaches the appropriate 
audience and leverages the best research method obtain valid responses. 
The survey data will cover an estimated 48,000 respondents annually and 
will include topics covering passport demand, travel, and socio-
demographic variables of interest to the United States Department of 
State.

    Dated: September 27, 2012.
Rachel M. Arndt,
Managing Director (Acting), Passport Support Operations, Bureau of 
Consular Affairs, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2012-25249 Filed 10-12-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-06-P
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