Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 238 / Thursday, December 11, 2014 / Notices 73681 

21 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A). 

22 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b– 

4(f)(6)(iii) requires a self-regulatory organization to 

provide the Commission with written notice of its 

intent to file the proposed rule change, along with 

a brief description and text of the proposed rule 

change, at least five business days prior to the date 

of filing of the proposed rule change, or such 

shorter time as designated by the Commission. The 

Exchange has met this requirement. 

23For purposes only of waiving the 30-day 

operative delay, the Commission has also 

considered the proposed rule’s impact on 

efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See 

15 U.S.C. 78c(f). 

24 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). 

1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 

2 17 CFR 240.19b–4. 

3 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii). 

4 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(2). 

references to data products and their 

related fees that are to be retired by the 

Exchange is not designed to have a 

competitive impact. Second, the 

proposal to rename an existing service 

and amend its fees to align with an 

identical service offered by BATS is also 

not designed to have a burden on 

competition as it is merely intended to 

provide greater harmonization among 

Exchange and BATS, alleviating 

investor confusion by providing a 

uniform product offering across the 

BGM Affiliated Exchanges. Therefore, 

the Exchange does not believe the 

proposed rule change will have any 

effect on competition that is not 

necessary or appropriate in furtherance 

of the purposes of the Act. 

C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s 

Statement on Comments on the 

Proposed Rule Change Received From 

Members, Participants, or Others 

The Exchange has neither solicited 

nor received written comments on the 

proposed rule change. 

III. Date of Effectiveness of the 

Proposed Rule Change and Timing for 

Commission Action 

Because the foregoing proposed rule 

change does not: (1) Significantly affect 

the protection of investors or the public 

interest; (2) impose any significant 

burden on competition; and (3) by its 

terms does not become operative for 30 

days after the date of this filing, or such 

shorter time as the Commission may 

designate if consistent with the 

protection of investors and the public 

interest, the proposed rule change has 

become effective pursuant to Section 

19(b)(3)(A) of the Act 21 and Rule 19b– 

4(f)(6) thereunder.22

A proposed rule change filed under 

Rule 19b–4(f)(6) normally does not 

become operative for 30 days after the 

date of filing. However, Rule 19b– 

4(f)(6)(iii) permits the Commission to 

designate a shorter time if such action 

is consistent with the protection of 

investors and the public interest. The 

Exchange has asked the Commission to 

waive the 30-day operative delay so that 

the proposal may become operative 

immediately upon filing. The 

Commission believes that waiving the 

30-day operative delay is consistent 

with the protection of investors and the 

public interest so that the Exchange can 

align the names and fees for identical 

services offered by the Exchange and 

BATS, and delete references to data 

products and their fees that are to be 

discontinued by the Exchange in a 

timely manner. In addition, the 

Exchange has no subscribers to the 

FlexDownload and Snapshot offerings; 

therefore, exchange participants will not 

be affected by the immediate 

discontinuation of these products.23

Accordingly, the Commission hereby 

grants the Exchange’s request and 

designates the proposal operative upon 

filing. 

At any time within 60 days of the 

filing of the proposed rule change, the 

Commission summarily may 

temporarily suspend such rule change if 

it appears to the Commission that such 

action is necessary or appropriate in the 

public interest, for the protection of 

investors, or otherwise in furtherance of 

the purposes of the Act. 

IV. Solicitation of Comments 

Interested persons are invited to 

submit written data, views, and 

arguments concerning the foregoing, 

including whether the proposed rule 

change is consistent with the Act. 

Comments may be submitted by any of 

the following methods: 

Electronic Comments 

• Use the Commission’s Internet 

comment form (http://www.sec.gov/

rules/sro.shtml); or 

• Send an email to rule-comments@

sec.gov. Please include File Number SR– 

EDGX–2014–30 on the subject line. 

Paper Comments 

• Send paper comments in triplicate 

to Secretary, Securities and Exchange 

Commission, 100 F Street NE., 

Washington, DC 20549–1090. 

All submissions should refer to File 

Number SR–EDGX–2014–30. This file 

number should be included on the 

subject line if email is used. To help the 

Commission process and review your 

comments more efficiently, please use 

only one method. The Commission will 

post all comments on the Commission’s 

Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/

rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the 

submission, all subsequent 

amendments, all written statements 

with respect to the proposed rule 

change that are filed with the 

Commission, and all written 

communications relating to the 

proposed rule change between the 

Commission and any person, other than 

those that may be withheld from the 

public in accordance with the 

provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be 

available for Web site viewing and 

printing in the Commission’s Public 

Reference Room, 100 F Street NE., 

Washington, DC 20549, on official 

business days between the hours of 

10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the 

filing also will be available for 

inspection and copying at the principal 

office of the Exchange. All comments 

received will be posted without change; 

the Commission does not edit personal 

identifying information from 

submissions. You should submit only 

information that you wish to make 

available publicly. All submissions 

should refer to File Number SR–EDGX– 

2014–30, and should be submitted on or 

before January 2, 2015. 

For the Commission, by the Division of 

Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated 

authority.24

Kevin M. O’Neill, 

Deputy Secretary. 

[FR Doc. 2014–29008 Filed 12–10–14; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 8011–01–P 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE 

COMMISSION 

[Release No. 34–73753; File No. SR–BOX– 

2014–26] 

Self-Regulatory Organizations; BOX 

Options Exchange LLC; Notice of 

Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of 

a Proposed Rule Change To Adjust the 

Fees and Credits for Complex Orders 

Executed Against Orders on the BOX 

Book 

December 5, 2014. 

Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the 

Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the 

‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2

notice is hereby given that on December 

4, 2014, BOX Options Exchange LLC 

(the ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the 

Securities and Exchange Commission 

(the ‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule 

change as described in Items I, II, and 

III below, which Items have been 

prepared by the Exchange. The 

Exchange filed the proposed rule change 

pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the 

Act,3 and Rule 19b–4(f)(2) thereunder,4

which renders the proposal effective 

upon filing with the Commission. The 

Commission is publishing this notice to 

mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

73682 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 238 / Thursday, December 11, 2014 / Notices 

5 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4) and (5). 

6See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 71312 

(January 15, 2014), 79 FR 3649 (January 22, 2014) 

(Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a 

Proposed Rule Change To Amend the Fee Schedule 

To Establish Fees for Complex Order Price 

Improvement Period (‘‘COPIP’’) Transactions). 

solicit comments on the proposed rule 

change from interested persons. 

I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s 

Statement of the Terms of the Substance 

of the Proposed Rule Change 

The Exchange is filing with the 

Securities and Exchange Commission 

(‘‘Commission’’) a proposed rule change 

to amend the Fee Schedule to adjust the 

fees and credits for Complex Orders 

Executed Against Orders on the BOX 

Book on the BOX Market LLC (‘‘BOX’’) 

options facility. The text of the 

proposed rule change is available from 

the principal office of the Exchange, at 

the Commission’s Public Reference 

Room and also on the Exchange’s 

Internet Web site at http://

boxexchange.com. 

II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s 

Statement of the Purpose of, and 

Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule 

Change 

In its filing with the Commission, the 

Exchange included statements 

concerning the purpose of and basis for 

the proposed rule change and discussed 

any comments it received on the 

proposed rule change. The text of these 

statements may be examined at the 

places specified in Item IV below. The 

Exchange has prepared summaries, set 

forth in Sections A, B, and C below, of 

the most significant aspects of such 

statements. 

A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s 

Statement of the Purpose of, and 

Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule 

Change 

1. Purpose 

The Exchange proposes to amend the 

Fee Schedule for trading on BOX to 

adjust the fees and credits outlined in 

Section III.A. (Complex Orders Executed 

Against Orders on the BOX Book). 

Specifically, for Complex Orders 

executing against orders on the BOX 

Book the Exchange proposes to assess 

different fees and credits for Complex 

Orders in Penny Pilot Classes than 

Complex Orders in Non-Penny Pilot 

Classes. Currently all Complex Order 

transactions that execute against orders 

on the BOX Book are assessed a $0.35 

per contract per leg credit when 

executed by Public Customers, a $0.45 

per contract per leg fee when executed 

by Professional Customers and Broker 

Dealers, and a $0.40 per contract per leg 

fee when executed by Market Makers. 

The proposed fees and credits for 

Complex Orders executing against 

orders on the BOX Book are as follows: 

Account type Penny pilot 

classes 

Non-Penny 

pilot classes 

Public Customer ...................................................................................................................................................... ($0.35) ($0.70) 

Professional Customer and Broker Dealer .............................................................................................................. $0.40 $0.80 

Market Maker ........................................................................................................................................................... $0.40 $0.80 

For example, if a Professional 

Customer’s Penny Pilot Complex Order 

A+B executes against orders on the BOX 

Book, the Professional Customer will be 

charged $0.80 ($0.40 for A, plus $0.40 

for B). If instead the Professional 

Customer’s Complex Order is in a NonPenny Pilot class, the Professional 

Customer will be charged $1.60 ($0.80 

for A, plus $0.80 for B). A Public 

Customer executing a Penny Pilot 

Complex Order A+B will receive a 

credit of $0.70 ($0.35 for A, plus $0.35 

for B). 

2. Statutory Basis 

The Exchange believes that the 

proposal is consistent with the 

requirements of Section 6(b) of the Act, 

in general, and Section 6(b)(4) and 

6(b)(5) of the Act,5 in particular, in that 

it provides for the equitable allocation 

of reasonable dues, fees, and other 

charges among BOX Participants and 

other persons using its facilities and 

does not unfairly discriminate between 

customers, issuers, brokers or dealers. 

The Exchange believes that the 

proposed fees and credits are 

reasonable, equitable and nondiscriminatory. In particular, the 

proposed fees and credits will allow the 

Exchange to apply separate fees and 

credits for transactions in penny pilot 

issues and those in non-penny pilot 

issues, a distinction that is made in 

many other sections of the BOX Fee 

Schedule, including Section III.B of the 

Fee Schedule (Complex Orders 

Executed Against Other Complex 

Orders). The Exchange notes that 

submitting Complex Orders to BOX is 

entirely voluntary and that several other 

competing exchanges possess similar 

Complex Order functionalities. 

Participants can therefore choose what 

type of order to submit to BOX, or direct 

their Complex Order flow to any other 

exchange if they determine the 

proposed Complex Order fee structure 

to be unreasonable. 

The Exchange believes it is equitable, 

reasonable and not unfairly 

discriminatory to assess fees and credits 

according to whether the Complex 

Order executes against orders on the 

BOX Book or against another Complex 

Order and according to the account 

types of the Participant submitting the 

Complex Order. This fee structure was 

adopted by the Exchange over a year 

ago 6 and has been accepted by both the 

Commission and the industry. The 

result of this structure is that a 

Participant does not know the fee it will 

be charged when submitting a Complex 

Order. Therefore, the Participant must 

recognize that it could be charged the 

highest applicable fee on the Exchange’s 

schedule, which may, instead, be 

lowered or changed to a credit 

depending upon how its Complex Order 

interacts. 

The Exchange believes it is reasonable 

and equitable to provide credits for 

Public Customer Complex Orders and to 

charge fees to Professional Customers, 

Broker Dealers and Market Makers when 

their Complex Orders execute on the 

BOX Book. Specifically the Exchange 

believes that the proposed $0.35 credit 

for Public Customers and $0.40 fee for 

Professional Customers, Broker Dealers 

and Market Makers in Penny Pilot 

Classes, and the proposed $0.70 credit 

for Public Customers and $0.80 fee for 

Professional Customers, Broker Dealers 

and Market Makers in Non-Penny Pilot 

Classes are reasonable and strike an 

appropriate balance between the fees 

charged for standard orders and the 

Complex Order Fees and Credits 

applied when a Complex Order executes 

against another Complex Orders [sic]. 

The proposed credits for Public 

Customer Complex Orders that execute 

on the BOX Book are equal to the credits 

mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 238 / Thursday, December 11, 2014 / Notices 73683 

7For Complex Orders that interact with the 

regular order book, NYSE Arca, Inc. charges Public 

Customers $0.47 or $0.85 (depending on issue), 

Broker Dealers $0.49 or $0.89 (depending on issue), 

and Market Makers $0.49 or $0.87 (depending on 

issue). 8The International Securities Exchange, LLC 

(‘‘ISE’’) assesses Professional Customers and Broker 

Dealers $0.44 for Complex Order transactions in 

Penny Names and $.87 for Complex Order 

transactions in non-Penny Names. Market Makers 

are assessed $0.43 for Complex Order transactions 

in Penny Names and $0.85 for Complex Order 

transactions in non-Penny Names. 

9At the lowest volume tier level, the ISE gives 

Public Customers a $0.30 credit for Complex Order 

transactions in Penny Names, and a $0.63 credit for 

Complex Order transactions in non-Penny Names. 

10 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii). 

11 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(2). 

already in place for Public Customers’ 

[sic] that execute against non-Public 

Customers in Section III.B. (Complex 

Orders Executed Against Other Complex 

Orders). Further, the proposed fees for 

Professional Customers, Broker Dealers 

and Market Makers in both Penny Pilot 

Classes and Non-Penny Pilot Classes are 

in line with the fees assessed for when 

these Participants’ Complex Orders 

execute against other Complex Orders. 

The Exchange believes the proposed 

fees and credits will continue to 

encourage Participants to execute 

Complex Orders by ensuring that they 

receive similar incentives and fees 

regardless of where their Complex Order 

executes. The Exchange believes this 

will help attract Complex Order flow to 

the Exchange and create increased 

liquidity, which will ultimately benefit 

all Participants trading on BOX. The 

proposed fees and credits are also 

competitive with the fees and credits 

offered for similar transactions on at 

least one other exchange.7

For Complex Orders that execute on 

the BOX Book, the Exchange believes it 

is reasonable to charge Professional 

Customers, Broker Dealers, and Market 

Makers less for executions in penny 

pilot issues than non-penny issues 

because these classes are typically the 

more actively traded and assessing 

lower fees will further incentivize 

Complex Order transaction [sic] in 

penny pilot issues on the Exchange, 

ultimately benefiting all Participants 

trading on BOX. The Complex Order 

fees are competitive with the fees and 

credits offered for similar transactions 

on at least one other exchange.8

Additionally, the Exchange believes it is 

reasonable to give a greater credit to 

Public Customers in Complex Order 

transactions involving non-penny pilot 

issues than penny pilot issues. These 

classes have wider spreads and are less 

actively traded; and giving a larger 

credit will further incentivize Public 

Customers to trade in these classes. The 

proposed Public Customer credits are 

competitive with the credits offered for 

similar transactions on at least one other 

exchange.9

The Exchange believes that the 

proposed fees and credits are reasonable 

because a Public Customer submitting 

Complex Orders on BOX will recognize 

that it will never pay a fee for these 

transactions. Depending on where and 

with whom the Complex Order 

executes, the Public Customer may 

receive an additional benefit for 

submitting the order. Likewise, a 

Professional Customer or Broker Dealer 

submitting Complex Orders will 

recognize that it will not be charged 

more than $0.45 in penny pilot issues 

and $0.80 in non-penny pilot issues. 

(When the Professional Customer or 

Broker Dealer’s Complex Order executes 

against a Public Customer’s Complex 

Order). The same is true for Market 

Makers, who will recognize that their 

maximum charge when submitting a 

Complex Order will be $0.40 in penny 

pilot issues and $0.80 in non-penny 

pilot issues. 

The Exchange believes providing a 

credit to Public Customers for Complex 

Orders that execute against orders on 

the BOX Book is equitable and nondiscriminatory. The securities markets 

generally, and BOX in particular, have 

historically aimed to improve markets 

for investors and develop various 

features within the market structure for 

customer benefit. Accordingly, the 

Exchange believes that providing a 

credit for Public Customer Complex 

Order transactions is appropriate and 

not unfairly discriminatory. Public 

Customers are less sophisticated than 

other Participants and the credit will 

help to attract a higher level of Public 

Customer order flow to the Complex 

Order Book and create liquidity, which 

the Exchange believes will ultimately 

benefit all Participants trading on BOX. 

B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s 

Statement on Burden on Competition 

The Exchange does not believe that 

the proposed rule change will impose 

any burden on competition not 

necessary or appropriate in furtherance 

of the purposes of the Act. The 

Exchange believes that the proposed 

fees and credits will neither impose 

burdens on competition among various 

Exchange Participants nor impose any 

burden on competition among 

exchanges in the listed options 

marketplace, not necessary or 

appropriate in furtherance of the 

purposes of the Act. BOX currently 

assesses distinct fees and credits for 

transactions in Penny Pilot and NonPenny Pilot issues and the proposed 

change is simply adopting this type of 

structure for Complex Order that 

execute on the BOX Book. 

C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s 

Statement on Comments on the 

Proposed Rule Change Received From 

Members, Participants, or Others 

No written comments were either 

solicited or received. 

III. Date of Effectiveness of the 

Proposed Rule Change and Timing for 

Commission Action 

The foregoing rule change has become 

effective pursuant to Section 

19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Exchange Act 10

and Rule 19b–4(f)(2) thereunder,11

because it establishes or changes a due, 

or fee. 

At any time within 60 days of the 

filing of the proposed rule change, the 

Commission summarily may 

temporarily suspend the rule change if 

it appears to the Commission that the 

action is necessary or appropriate in the 

public interest, for the protection of 

investors, or would otherwise further 

the purposes of the Act. If the 

Commission takes such action, the 

Commission shall institute proceedings 

to determine whether the proposed rule 

should be approved or disapproved. 

IV. Solicitation of Comments 

Interested persons are invited to 

submit written data, views, and 

arguments concerning the foregoing, 

including whether the proposed rule 

change is consistent with the Act. 

Comments may be submitted by any of 

the following methods: 

Electronic Comments 

• Use the Commission’s Internet 

comment form (http://www.sec.gov/

rules/sro.shtml); or 

• Send an email to rule-comments@

sec.gov. Please include File Number SR– 

BOX–2014–26 on the subject line. 

Paper Comments 

• Send paper comments in triplicate 

to Secretary, Securities and Exchange 

Commission, 100 F Street NE., 

Washington, DC 20549–1090. 

All submissions should refer to File 

Number SR–BOX–2014–26. This file 

number should be included on the 

subject line if email is used. To help the 

Commission process and review your 

comments more efficiently, please use 

only one method. The Commission will 

post all comments on the Commission’s 

Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/

rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the 

submission, all subsequent 

mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

73684 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 238 / Thursday, December 11, 2014 / Notices 

12 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). 

amendments, all written statements 

with respect to the proposed rule 

change that are filed with the 

Commission, and all written 

communications relating to the 

proposed rule change between the 

Commission and any person, other than 

those that may be withheld from the 

public in accordance with the 

provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be 

available for Web site viewing and 

printing in the Commission’s Public 

Reference Room, 100 F Street NE., 

Washington, DC 20549 on official 

business days between the hours of 

10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of such 

filing also will be available for 

inspection and copying at the principal 

office of the Exchange. All comments 

received will be posted without change; 

the Commission does not edit personal 

identifying information from 

submissions. You should submit only 

information that you wish to make 

available publicly. All submissions 

should refer to File Number SR–BOX– 

2014–26, and should be submitted on or 

before January 2, 2015. 

For the Commission, by the Division of 

Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated 

authority.12

Kevin M. O’Neill, 

Deputy Secretary. 

[FR Doc. 2014–29004 Filed 12–10–14; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 8011–01–P 

SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION 

Data Collection Available for Public 

Comments 

AGENCY: Small Business Administration. 

ACTION: 60-day notice and request for 

comments. 

SUMMARY: The Small Business 

Administration (SBA) intends to request 

approval, from the Office of 

Management and Budget (OMB) for the 

collection of information described 

below. The Paperwork Reduction Act 

(PRA) of 1995, 44 U.S.C Chapter 35 

requires federal agencies to publish a 

notice in the Federal Register 

concerning each proposed collection of 

information before submission to OMB, 

and to allow 60 days for public 

comment in response to the notice. This 

notice complies with that requirement. 

DATES: Submit comments on or before 

February 9, 2015. 

ADDRESSES: Send all comments to Kim 

McClellan, Senior Policy Analyst, Office 

of Veterans Business Development, U.S. 

Small Business Administration, 409 3rd 

Street SW., 5th Floor, Washington, DC 

20416. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kim 

McClellan, Senior Policy Analyst, 202– 

205–6777, kimoanh.mcclellan@sba.gov, 

or Curtis B. Rich, Management Analyst, 

202–205–7030, curtis.rich@sba.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a 

request for the collection of new 

information. 

The Office of Veterans Business 

Development (OVBD) at the U.S. Small 

Business Administration implements 

applicable sections of the Small 

Business Act, of Public Laws and 

Executive Orders governing veteran 

programs, and to support the SBA 

mission to assist eligible American 

veterans and Reservist Component 

service members by providing access to 

the tools and resources necessary for 

entrepreneurs to start, run, and grow 

their businesses. OVBD manages the 

Veterans Business Development Centers 

(VBOC) Program. Established in 1999 

pursuant to Public Law 106–50, VBOCs 

offer pre-business plan workshops, 

concept assessment and business plan 

preparation, feasibility analysis 

entrepreneurship counseling and 

training, online assistance, and 

mentorship service to veteran 

entrepreneurs and veteran-owned small 

business concerns controlled by 

veterans, service-disabled veterans, and 

Reserve Component members. 

As part of OVBD’s effort to enhance 

the services provided by VBOC to 

veterans and veteran-owned small 

businesses, OVBD has acquired the 

service of a research firm to conduct a 

series of data collection. In addition, a 

part of the forthcoming new cycle of 

grant solicitation for 2015, SBA will 

assess the population assisted by 

current VBOCs, funded in 2010, the 

services provided to individuals, the 

preliminary impact of services on the 

business goals of clients, client 

satisfaction with VBOCs, and lessons 

learned and recommendations by the 

VBOCs and clients. Through the 

WebCATS/Neoserra system, SBA has 

the ability to collect some data on VBOC 

clients and VBOC activities. However, 

to get a better understanding of the full 

range of topics mentioned above, SBA 

needs to collect survey and interview 

data from VBOC clients, directors, and 

staff (non-directors of VBOCs that help 

provide services to people). Specifically, 

SBA proposes the use of five different 

instruments for data collection and 

analysis. These instruments are: (1) A 

VBOC client survey; (2) a VBOC director 

survey; (3) VBOC client interviews; (4) 

VBOC director interviews; and (5) 

VBOC staff interviews. SBA plans to 

administer each instrument to more 

than nine individuals. 

The surveys will be administered 

electronically, while the interviews will 

be conducted either in-person or via 

phone. The interview questions will 

contain all open-ended questions, while 

the web-based survey will contain both 

open- and close-ended questions. The 

types of information that will be 

collected in the instruments can be 

found in the ‘‘Summary of Information 

Collection’’ section below. Quantitative 

analysis (the primary method of data 

analysis for the survey data) and 

qualitative analysis (the primary method 

of data analysis for the interview data) 

will be used on the data collected. 

Quantitative analysis will consist of 

univariate and multivariate statistical 

analyses, while qualitative analysis will 

consist of establishing clear rules for 

interpretation and finding themes in the 

interview data. The information 

collected and analyzed from these 

instruments will contribute to 

performance metrics and program goals 

as well as recommendations on 

improving program practices. 

Solicitation of Public Comments 

SBA is requesting comments on (a) 

whether the collection of information is 

necessary for the agency to properly 

perform its functions; (b) whether the 

burden estimates are accurate; (c) 

whether there are ways to minimize the 

burden, including through the use of 

automated techniques or other forms of 

information technology; and (d) whether 

there are ways to enhance the quality, 

utility, and clarity of the information. 

Summary of Information Collection 

1. VBOC Director Interview Questions 

Directors of VBOCs under the 2015 

grant will be interviewed. Director 

interviews will consist of questions 

about client demographics, outreach 

practices, services provided, staff 

capacity, intake protocols, reporting 

protocols, referral network, feedback 

mechanisms, best practices, lessons 

learned, and challenges. These 

questions will be open-ended to allow 

directors to fully explain how their 

respective programs operate. These 

interviews will be conducted either inperson or via phone. The total estimated 

number of annual responses from the 

director interviews will be 10. The 

estimated average completion time of a 

survey is 1.5 hours. The total estimated 

annual hour burden is 15. 

2. VBOC Staff Interview Questions 

Staff of VBOCs under the 2015 grant 

will be interviewed. Staff interviews 

will consist of questions about staff 

mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES