Document ID: EPA-HQ-OAR-2010-0690-0003
Agency: epa
Document Type: Supporting & Related Material
Title: 
Posted Date: 2011-02-22T05:00Z

Final
                             Supporting Statement
                                      for
                        Information Collection Request
                                       
          EPA's Light-Duty In-Use Vehicle Testing Program (Renewal)
                                       
                                       
                                EPA ICR 0222.09
                                       
                                       
                           OMB Control No: 2060-0086
                                       
                                       
                                       
                                       
                                       
                                       
                                       
                                       
                                       
                                       
                                       
                                       
                                       
                                December, 2010
                                       
                Compliance and Innovative Strategies Division 
                   Office of Transportation and Air Quality 
                         Office of Air and Radiation 
                     U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                                       
                                       

Part A SUBMISSION

Section 1: Identification of the Information Collection

1(a) Title and Number of the Information Collection

	EPA's Light-Duty In-Use Vehicle Testing Program (Renewal), EPA ICR Number 0222.09, OMB Control Number 2060-0086.  This ICR was formerly titled "EPA's In-Use Vehicle and Engine Testing Programs." This renewal includes only the light-duty vehicle portion of the prior ICR. The heavy-duty and off-road vehicle and engine programs will henceforth be included in the OMB 2060-0287. 

1(b) Short Characterization/Abstract 

	The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Transportation and Air Quality, Compliance and Innovative Strategies Division, conducts an integrated motor vehicle and engine emission compliance program.  Motor vehicles and engines are first evaluated as prototypes prior to production; those designs that meet applicable criteria are licensed for introduction into commerce.  EPA also has discretion to conduct assembly line testing of new vehicles and engines as well as to test emissions of in-use vehicles and engines.  This Information Collection Request covers inquiries directed at the owners/lessees of in-use light-duty motor vehicles to see if their specific vehicles are suitable for an EPA in-use testing investigation and the paperwork burdens attendant upon election to participate. The prior ICR had a light-duty vehicle component and a heavy-duty and nonroad component. This ICR renews only the light-duty portion.  

	The light-duty program can be broken down into three closely-related headings. The first is the surveillance testing program, with the possibility of an add-on compliance testing phase. Only four compliance phases have been conducted in the last five years, but it remains an information collection in this request. The second is a small ongoing program testing the functioning of onboard diagnostics (OBD) systems on in-use vehicles, which is simply additional testing on a subset of vehicles already recruited for the surveillance program. Finally, budget permitting, there are other occasional one-time "special investigations" spot-check tests of vehicles to address specific issues. An example of a special investigation might be procurement of a class of vehicles to test compatibility with a particular portable emissions monitoring (PEM) unit. Special investigations are similar to testing of that portion of surveillance classes that has have been selected to address a specific informational need.  Because they use the same procurement system as the surveillance and OBD programs, these special investigations should be accounted for in this collection request, although the number of such tests will vary. 

	Light-duty testing typically includes standard emissions test cycles and standard OBD tests performed at EPA's facility in Ann Arbor. The primary purpose of these programs is informational: to give EPA and manufacturer engineers intelligence regarding emissions performance for in-use vehicles. Manufacturers are involved at every step of the ongoing light-duty programs: they are informed of the surveillance tests, can be present during vehicle preparation and testing, are given test results, and participate in post-failure investigations. The testing supplements information from the manufacturers' own discretionary in-use testing programs as well as the mandatory reporting under the manufacturers' In-Use Vehicle Program (IUVP) under 40 CFR §§1845 - 1847. 

	The light-duty program entails two formalized information collections. Participation in the information collections, as well as the vehicle evaluation, is strictly voluntary. (The actual solicitation of information is conducted by EPA's contractor, URS, at its Michigan Procurement Facility.)  First, 25 to 50 owners/lessees of the vehicles of interest who are located within about 70 miles of Ann Arbor are randomly selected from the owner list of vehicles obtained from the Michigan Secretary of State and sent a letter with a card and return envelope to accept or decline the invitation to  participate (Attachments II, III, and IV).  After a suitable time for response, all positive respondents are considered for inclusion and called in order from the list. If the owner/lessee is reached and willing, a telephone questionnaire is conducted that asks about a half-dozen questions concerning vehicle condition and maintenance (see Attachment V). The first three who successfully complete the telephone questionnaire provide the vehicles for the surveillance class. If there are any test failures in the first three, then two more are recruited in the same manner. Additional groups of potential participants will be contacted if necessary until the required three or five vehicles have been obtained.

	Information collected is used to insure that vehicles procured meet relevant criteria.  For example, the vehicle should not have been tampered with or have other overt problems.  Special testing investigations and particular vehicle types may have additional or alternative criteria. 

	Those who elect to participate are asked if they are willing to bring in their maintenance records for copying when they deliver their vehicles. Doing so is voluntary and has no effect on eligibility. At the time of delivery, participants go over the telephone questionnaire answers and sign a notarized statement that the answers are correct. They sign for either URS's cash incentive or a loaner car agreement, and a URS test agreement. Upon delivering their vehicle, they sign a vehicle release.

	As part of the surveillance process, EPA attempts to determine the cause of any test failures. Post-test "special maintenance" involves close examination of the vehicle, nearly always with manufacturer participation. This may produce relevant information about the cause of the failure. Surveillance test data are also supplemented with information from manufacturer application test data, EPA confirmatory test rest results, defect reports, service bulletins, CARB  (California Air Resources Board) warranty reports, state Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) information, manufacturer service technician bulletins, and the results of the manufacturers' IUVP tests submitted to EPA and their own in-use testing results. Manufacturers/importers are involved in the process from the outset, and receive all test results, including test failures. The process of identifying problems is collaborative and cooperative in nearly all cases.  If EPA believes that a recall is indicated, and the manufacturer/importer agrees that EPA's conclusion is valid, it will agree to conduct a voluntary recall.  However, if questions remain, EPA has procedures in place to run the compliance test phase with continued manufacturer involvement. Even at this stage the inferences are informational rather than statistical: to identify, based on engineering judgment, the appropriate population to which the problem applies, identify the cause of the problem, resolve issues regarding the testing protocols and results, etc. The process has not been adversarial in recent years. There have only been four compliance classes in the last five years, and they were or are being amicably resolved.  

	Based on information gathered from all sources, EPA can make an administrative finding mandating recall and repair of in-use vehicles if it determines that "a substantial number" of vehicles in a class or category do not comply with the emissions requirements as a result of its own in-use testing program. In reality, such a determination will be based on information from a variety of sources that may or may not include EPA in-use testing. Such findings are subject to the Administrative Procedures Act and are reviewable in court under the "substantial evidence" test (5 USC §706(2)(E)), which is restated in the "substantial evidence" standard in the Clean Air Act for ordering recalls. 

	Procurement of light duty vehicles for a compliance testing phase is similar to that for the surveillance phase, except that EPA may make several attempts to contact an owner/lessee by telephone or mail; participants in the surveillance phase are screened out.

	In the last fiscal year an estimated 185 vehicle in-use testing actions were conducted by EPA, counting OBD add-ons as separate actions. Adding an allowance for about 25 special investigation vehicles (the number is expected to vary from year to year) and the possibility of a confirmatory class, the estimate here is 210 procured vehicle actions, corresponding to 3673 contacts and 164 telephone interview and/or other followup participant contacts. Assuming that 4,285 respondents spend an average of 7.3 minutes, this collection imposes a burden of 521 hours annually.  This collection has no respondent recordkeeping requirements.  

Section 2: Need for and Use of the Collection

2(a) Need/Authority for the Collection

	Under Title II of the Clean Air Act, (42 U.S.C. §7521 et seq.), manufacturers of motor vehicles and engines are required to design and build vehicles which will comply with emission standards throughout their useful lives.  ("Useful life" is defined by statute and regulation; it varies by type of vehicle or engine.)  Pursuant to section Clean Air Act section 207(c) (42 USC §7541, see Attachment I),  EPA is responsible for monitoring compliance and investigating possible noncompliance with  emission standards.  

	In order to fulfill this function, it is necessary for EPA to test actual "in-use" vehicles; these vehicles must be obtained from their owners/lessees.  As part of the procurement process, EPA must determine that the vehicle is within the useful life and that it has been "properly maintained and used".  In order to do this, EPA must make a limited inquiry of the owner/lessees who are willing to participate; see Attachment V for an example telephone questionnaire. 

2(b) Practical Utility/Users of the Data

	EPA needs the information from the vehicle owner/lessee to determine that the vehicle is within its "useful life" and that it has been "properly maintained and used."  EPA's Compliance and Innovative Strategies Division, Office of Transportation and Air Quality, is the prime user of this information. Manufacturers whose models are being tested receive a copy of the file on the vehicle to be tested, identified by a "vehicle control number." Manufacturers are informed of pre-test maintenance and test dates and receive all test results. They also participate in post-test "special maintenance" to investigate failures.
                                    
Section 3:  Nonduplication, Consultations, and Other Collection Criteria
 
3(a)Nonduplication

	The information obtained from the vehicle owner/lessee is unique to that specific vehicle; it is not obtainable from any other source. There is no other information available, in either public or private databases, that will adequately serve the program purposes. (Some vehicle maintenance information, such as warranty repairs and scheduled maintenance done at dealers' outlets, is available from manufacturers and commercial automotive data services, and such information may be supplied by manufacturers in their own interests or as queried by EPA. However, it is not a substitute for owners'/lessees' own records.) Additionally, there are no other similar government programs which would allow sharing of data. 

3(b) Public Notice Prior to ICR Submission to OMB

	EPA solicited public comment by means of a Federal Register Notice published on August 25, 2010, 75 Federal Register 52326.  No comments were received. 

3(c) Consultations

	In preparing this ICR, EPA consulted with Ms. Kim Cieslak and John White, URS Michigan Procurement Facility, (734) 214-4568.   (URS is EPA's contractor that procures and maintains in-use passenger cars and light duty trucks.)   Ms. Cieslak mails out the procurement letters and conducts the telephone interviews; she was asked to monitor how much time the interviews required.  She determined the average to be 20 minutes. John White is her supervisor. The two went over how the program operates from start to end. 

3(d) Effects of Less Frequent Collection

	Information is collected only once per vehicle evaluation; less frequent collection is not possible.
 
3 (e) General Guidelines

	This information collection activity complies with the requirements of 5 CFR 1320.5(d)(2).

3 (f) Confidentiality

 	Information gathered from light-duty respondents is stored in contractor files. These paper records, including names and social security numbers needed for those who accept payment over $600 in lieu of loaner cars, are completely segregated from test results, which are separately handled and stored by EPA. Respondent information is handled and stored exclusively by the contractors URS.  It is not available to the public. Non-personal information (such as maintenance record data) may occasionally be queried by EPA staff, who convey the request to URS, who in turn retrieve the information from respondent files and answer the EPA query.  Test results are tracked by vehicle control number and are shared with manufacturers by email automatically; they are available to the public.  This information collection has completed a Privacy Impact Assessment, which has been approved by EPA's privacy office. The system has been assigned System of Records EPA-60.
 
3(g) Sensitive Questions

	No sensitive questions are asked in this information collection.

Section 4. Respondents and Information Requested

4(a) Respondents/SIC & NAICS Codes

	The respondents are individual vehicle owners/lessees of any regulated vehicle or engine regulated by EPA under the Clean Air Act (No NAICS code).

4(b) Information Requested

(i) Data items

	Respondents who receive EPA's initial request (see Attachments II and III and IV) are asked to supply the following information on a card via a postage paid return envelope; participation is entirely voluntary:

      Do they own/lease the desired vehicle; verify the make and model
      Current odometer reading
      Are they the original owner/lessee
      Transmission type
      Are they interested in participating; how EPA should contact them.

	Those who indicate they wish to be considered for participation are asked for additional information:

      Has the odometer malfunctioned and, if so, for how long was it inoperative
      Has the vehicle catalyst ever been replaced
      Do they have maintenance records; would they allow EPA to review and copy them 

	There are no recordkeeping requirements associated with this collection.

(ii) Respondent Activities

	Responses to the request for participation and information collection are strictly voluntary.

	Those wishing to participate are asked to fill out a postage-paid information card.  Some are then contacted by telephone to obtain the additional information listed above.  Vehicles that will be evaluated are brought to EPA's facility for testing. The owners/lessees receive either a cash incentive for each day EPA keeps the vehicle or a lesser cash incentive and a late model loaner car with a full tank of gas and unlimited mileage for the duration of the testing, which may take two to three weeks. 

	Most of the information requested is known by the owner/lessee; some information might have to be obtained by simple vehicle or engine inspection or by reference to maintenance records (if available).

Section 5: The Information Collected--Agency Activities, Collection Methodology, and Information Management

5(a) Agency Activities

	Agency staff typically has no involvement in gathering the information, as that task is done by an EPA contractor.   However, on occasion, staff is required to answer specific questions that arise during the information gathering process. Agency staff does review the final telephone questionnaire for completeness as well as potential issues relevant to the vehicle being evaluated. Agency staff selects the vehicle class to be tested, view test results, and participate in discussions with manufacturers relating to the testing preparations and results. 

5(b) Collection Methodology and Management

	Information is obtained via mailed responses and telephone interviews; it is stored on paper in a vehicle file.  The information is reviewed to see if the specific vehicle or engine meets the criteria for evaluation.  The file is typically maintained for five years and then destroyed

	Due to the limited amount of information collected and its very limited use, electronic storage and processing are not employed.

5(c) Small Entity Flexibility

	The information requested is completely voluntary and imposes no mandatory burden on any respondent. The information collected is the minimum necessary to assure that vehicles meet the criteria for evaluation.  Therefore, there can be no process which reduces the burden on small entities.

5(d) Collection Schedule

	Information is collected on a continuous basis.  The number of solicitations mailed out in a given time frame is a function of available test capacity and how difficult a particular vehicle type is to procure. 

Section 6.Estimating the Burden and Cost of the Collection

6(a) Estimating Respondent Burden

	As explained above, EPA's contractor estimated that each telephone interview takes approximately 20 minutes on average.  Subsequent information-related burdens for participants (such as reviewing and attesting to the telephone questionnaire answers and supplying maintenance records voluntarily) upon delivery of light-duty vehicles, is estimated at 40 minutes. We estimate that the initial contact burden (by postcard and letter) to averages 5 minutes. 

6(b) Estimating Respondent Costs

(i) Estimating labor costs.

	There is no typical individual owner/lessee; they represent the average person who acquires or owns a vehicle or engine.  For this analysis we assume a cost of $21.68 per hour, based on the mean annual income for people 25 years and older in 1965, from the U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 2006 Annual Social and Economic Supplement (http://pubdb3.census.gov/macro/032006/perinc/new03_001.htm, accessed August 5, 2010). The annual labor cost is therefore $11,295.

(ii) Estimating Capital and Operations and Maintenance Costs

	This collection has no capital, operations or maintenance costs.

(iii) Start-up Costs 

	This collection has no start-up costs.

6(c) Estimating Agency Burden

	EPA uses contractor employees to collect essentially all the information covered by this information collection request. The most recent annual contractor costs for the light duty testing component was approximately $697,000 plus $70,000 for the OBD portion. An estimated 1.5 EPA employees oversee the programs at an annual cost of $150,000. The total estimated Agency cost is $917,000 per year.

6(d) Estimating the Respondent Universe and Total Burden and Costs

	From the above discussion the following total burden and cost estimates can be calculated as presented below.

6(e) Bottom Line Burden Hours and Cost

(i) Respondent Tally

Program
Vehicles/Engines
Initial Contacts    
Burden @ 5 min ea.(min)
Participant Contacts
Burden @ 60 min ea (min)
LD Surveillance
                                                                            150
                                                                           3673
                                                                          18365
                                                                            150
                                                                           9000
LD Confirmatory
                                                                              0
                                                                              0
                                                                              0
                                                                              0
                                                                              0
OBD Surveillance
                                                                             35
                                                                              0
                                                                              0
                                                                              0
                                                                              0
Special
                                                                             25
                                                                            612
                                                                           3061
                                                                             14
                                                                            840
Total
                                                                            210
                                                                           4285
                                                                          21426
                                                                            164
                                                                           9840
Total burden (hrs)
                                                                               
                                                                               
                                                                               
                                                                               
                                                                            521

There are no respondent operating, capital, or startup costs associated with this collection. 
 
(ii) Agency tally

EMPLOYEES 	1.5 (directly involved in information collection) 
COST    		$917,000

6(f) Reasons for change in burden

	The changes in burden, a decrease of 90 responses and 98 hours, are entirely due to separation of the heavy-duty and nonroad in-use testing programs into a separate ICR. 

6(g) Burden Statement

	The annual public reporting and recordkeeping burden for this collection of information is estimated to average less than 1 hour per response.   This includes the time needed to review instructions; develop, acquire, install, and utilize technology and systems for the purposes of collecting, validating, and verifying information, processing and maintaining information, and disclosing and providing information; adjust the existing ways to comply with any previously applicable instructions and requirements; train personnel to be able to respond to a collection of information; search data sources; complete and review the collection or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.  The OMB control numbers for EPA's regulation are listed in 40 CFR part 9 and 48 CFR chapter 15.

	To comment on the Agency's need for this information, the accuracy of the provided burden estimates, and any suggested methods for minimizing respondent burden, including the use of automated collection techniques, EPA has established a public docket for this ICR under Docket ID Number EPA-HQ-OAR-2010-0690, which is available for online viewing at www.regulations.gov, or in person viewing at the EPA Docket Center, EPA/DC, EPA West, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC.  The Public Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Public Reading Room is (202) 566 - 1744. The telephone number for the Air and Radiation Docket is (202) 566-1742.  An electronic version of the public docket is available at www.regulations.gov.  This site can be used to submit or view public comments, access the index listing of the contents of the public docket, and to access those documents in the public docket that are available electronically.  When in the system, select "search," then key in the Docket ID Number identified above.  Also, you can send comments to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 725 17th Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20503, Attention: Desk Officer for EPA.  Please include the EPA Docket ID Number EPA-HQ-OAR-2010-0690 and OMB Control Number 2060-0086 in any correspondence.

	Attachment I

 	Legal Authority

42 USC 7541. - Compliance by vehicles and engines in actual use 

*   *   *   *   *

(c) Nonconforming vehicles; plan for remedying nonconformity; instructions for
   maintenance and use; label or tag 

Effective with respect to vehicles and engines manufactured during model years beginning more than 60 days after December 31, 1970 - 

(1) If the Administrator determines that a substantial number of any class or category of vehicles or engines, although properly maintained and used, do not conform to the regulations prescribed under section 7521 of this title, when in actual use throughout their useful life (as determined under section 7521(d) of this title), he shall immediately notify the manufacturer thereof of such nonconformity, and he shall require the manufacturer to submit a plan for remedying the nonconformity of the vehicles or engines with respect to which such notification is given. The plan shall provide that the nonconformity of any such vehicles or engines which are properly used and maintained will be remedied at the expense of the manufacturer. If the manufacturer disagrees with such determination of nonconformity and so advises the Administrator, the        Administrator shall afford the manufacturer and other interested persons an opportunity to present their views and evidence in support thereof at a public hearing. Unless, as a result of such hearing the Administrator withdraws such determination of nonconformity, he shall, within 60 days after the completion of such hearing, order the manufacturer to provide prompt notification of such nonconformity in accordance with paragraph (2). 

*   *   *   *   *

	Attachment II

	Sample Solicitation Letter (EPA)

Dear Vehicle Owner:

      The Environmental Protection Agency and URS (under contract to EPA) are conducting an important program to help control air pollution, which involves analyzing vehicle exhaust emissions.  You may be able to contribute significantly toward this program and be rewarded for your cooperation.  If your vehicle qualifies, we will offer you a number of incentives to participate:
       
 The use of a late-model, fully insured loaner car with a full tank of fuel, and $20.00 per day.

      2.	If you do not wish to use the loaner vehicle, you will receive $50.00 per day.

Your vehicle will be returned with a full tank of fuel.	

The testing will be conducted in EPA's National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory (formerly known as the Motor Vehicle Emissions Laboratory) in Ann Arbor.  Your vehicle will probably accumulate less than 300 miles under simulated driving conditions.  No unusual operations will be performed on your vehicle and it will be fully insured for the entire test period, which will take approximately one to four weeks.

      Please complete and return the enclosed reply card in the prepaid envelope to URS as soon as possible, even if you choose not to participate.  If you are willing to participate, a representative of URS will be in touch with you to ask questions about your vehicle.

      The enclosed information sheet answers some questions people often ask about this program.  If you want to participate in this program or have any additional questions, please feel free to call URS toll free at (866) 665-1228. Some is available between 8 AM and 4 PM or leave a message for a return call.  You can also call me at (734) 214-4851.  I will be happy to answer any questions you may have related to this program.  We look forward to receiving your reply card or a telephone call very soon.

                                  Sincerely,
                                       
                                 Lynn Sohacki
                            Environmental Engineer
                 Compliance and Innovative Strategies Division
                    EPA Motor Vehicle Emissions Laboratory
                              2565 Plymouth Road
                              Ann Arbor, MI 48105

	Attachment III

	Sample Solicitation Letter (EPA's Contractor)

Dear Vehicle Owner:

EG&G Inc. is under contract with the United States Environmental Protection Agency to obtain privately owned vehicles for the test program explained in the enclosed message and to perform routine maintenance and inspection procedures on the selected candidate vehicles.

Additionally, it is our responsibility to provide you with the incentives which have been authorized by the Environmental Protection Agency.

We hope you will join us in this important project.  Please complete and return the enclosed card in the prepaid envelope.

If you have any questions, an unlisted telephone number, or if it may be difficult to reach you by telephone, we would appreciate your calling us toll free at (866) 665-1228.

Sincerely,

John H. White
Program Manager

                                 Attachment IV

	Example Return Card

                                       
          ATTACHMENT 5: TELEPHONE QUESTIONNAIRE               OMB No. 2060-0086
                                   					
VEHICLE CONTROL NUMBER                                              DATE           

ADMINISTERED BY                                                                       

OWNER'S NAME                                                                          

STREET ADDRESS                                                                         

CITY                                                         STATE            ZIP       

(CALL NUMBER BELOW THAT IS MARKED WITH AN "X")

TELEPHONE (Home)  /           /            (Business) /          /                         

BEST TIME TO CALL                                                           

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Privacy Act Statement
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Authority:  Title 42, United States Code Section 754
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Purpose:  The information on the Questionnaire, and your maintenance records if you provide them, will be used to help determine the emissions performance of vehicles and their effect on air quality. If you qualify for a cash incentive of $600 or more, EPA will ask for your social security number to report the payment to the IRS on Form 1099.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      
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      Routine Uses: The information will be used by EPA for the purposes set forth above. If you approve, your questionnaire and voluntarily provided maintenance records will be shared with the manufacturer. Your social security number will be reported to the IRS on Form 1099 for payments of $600 or more.
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      Mandatory or voluntary disclosure and the effects on the individual of not providing information: Answering the Questionnaire and providing maintenance records is voluntary. Failure to disclose the personal information requested on the Questionnaire or provide maintenance records may preclude your participation in this voluntary testing program. Disclosure of your social security number is mandatory to receive payment of $600 or more. If you are not willing to provide your social security number, you can not receive $600 or more for your participation.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      

DATE OF CONTACT _______________________ TIME OF CONTACT  __________________

INDIVIDUAL CONTACTED_______________________________________________________

TO BE COMPLETED ___________________ DATE AND TIME OF COMPLETION___________

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Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 20 minutes per response, including time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information.  Send comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to Chief, Information Policy Branch, PM-223, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 40l M St., S.W., Washington, DC. 20460; and to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Washington, DC. 20503.

You have been selected from a list of vehicle owners living in the Detroit/Ann Ann Arbor metropolitan area to participate in a study of vehicle emissions being conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

EPA is authorized by law to conduct this study and to offer incentives to you for your cooperation should you decide to participate.  Your participation in this program is strictly voluntary.

The accuracy of the information that you provide is important.  The information that you provide will be used by EPA along with emission results from your vehicle to determine whether the automobile manufacturer has complied with clean air standards established by Congress.  The test results from your vehicle will not be used by EPA to take action against you.  Your cooperation will help EPA's efforts to control air pollution due to motor vehicle emissions.

These are the conditions of the program:

- we ask that you bring or allow us to pick up and deliver your vehicle into our testing facility. You will receive either a cash incentive for each day we keep your vehicle or cash incentive plus a late model loaner car which will have a full tank of gas and unlimited mileage.  This vehicle is yours to use without charge for the duration of the testing, which may take approximately 2 to 3 weeks.  During this time, we will be performing a series of tests on your vehicle to measure vehicle emissions.

At the time the vehicle is delivered to us for testing, you will be required to sign an affidavit stating that the answers to the questions you will be asked are true and accurate to the best of your knowledge.

We will provide you the following incentives for participating in our program:

- If your vehicle is accepted into the program, a full tank of gas and a cash incentive will be awarded. You will receive $20 per day for each day your vehicle is at NVFEL, and the use of a fully-insured loan car; or $50 per day for every day your vehicle is at NVFEL in lieu of a loan car.
However, if your vehicle is rejected after you bring it to the lab, but before you leave, you will receive a $20 payment.

The compensation will be based on whole days, beginning with the day your vehicle arrives, and ending one day after you are notified your vehicle is ready for return.

The maintenance performed on your vehicle will depend on program requirements. 
You will be given a list of any parts that are replaced.

Are you willing to participate?  YES       NO 

If you are not, may we ask why not? ______________________________________________

                                       
                                       
                                       

                                       
                                       
                                       
                                       
                                       
                                       
                                       
                                       
                            FOR URS PERSONNEL ONLY
          SENTENCES IN CAPITAL LETTERS ARE INSTRUCTIONS TO THE CLERK
                 AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE READ TO THE OWNER.

IF RESPONSE IS POSITIVE:

For the purpose of this study, I am going to ask you some questions about your vehicle's maintenance and usage history.  Please have your maintenance records in front of you for reference during the following questions.  You should answer these questions to the best of your knowledge and indicate when you are not sure of something.
                                       
1.  a. What is the engine family of your vehicle?  The engine family can be found on a Vehicle Emission Control Information decal located underside of the hood.  The engine family should start with: 

   /  /  Owner is unable to locate.
         
   /  /  Owner located.  EF# ________________________________________
                                                 
   /  /  Engine family located when vehicle arrived at the Lab.

   ENGINE FAMILY                                               

   Engine Family must be =  (will be filled in by Task Officer)

   b. 	What is the vehicle identification number?  _______________________
   
   c.	What is the model of your vehicle?  _________________ 
   
   d. 	What kind of transmission does your vehicle have?: AUTOMATIC   MANUAL   OTHER
   	   If other, describe:_________________________________________________________
   
   e.	Is your vehicle air conditioned?  YES   NO 
   	
   f.	What mileage is indicated on your odometer? ____________________
	
	Has the odometer ever not functioned properly?    YES      NO 

   	If yes, approximately how long (months/miles) was it inoperable? 	________________                                                     
   CONSULT EPA FOR ELIGIBILITY IF THE RESPONSE IS "YES" to f.

2. Has your vehicle's catalyst ever been replaced or removed?

   YES /  /        NO /  / 
   
   If yes, CALL EO.

3. a) Have you kept records of the maintenance and repairs performed on your vehicle?

   YES /  /      NO /  /

b) To prepare for testing, the glove box and trunk will need to be opened  by URS and EPA personnel. Frequently, records pertaining to the vehicle's maintenance history are found in the vehicle. Will you allow all records (those provided by you and those found) to be reviewed and duplicated?
  
   YES /  /      NO /  /
   
4. EPA needs to share your maintenance records as well as this questionnaire and the test results with the manufacturer to correctly test the vehicle.  Do you agree to this?

   YES /  /      NO /  /

     IF RECORDS ARE AVAILABLE, INFORM OWNER THAT: It is important that they are brought to the lab for review and duplication. 

5. Have you ever used any fuel other than that recommended by the manufacturer in your vehicle?   
		YES /  /   NO /  /

If Yes, what have you used? ___________________________________________________________

How often have you used it? ___________________________________________________________

   When was the last time you used it?______________________________________________________

6.  Has your vehicle: 
									  
	a) Been in an accident? 			YES /  /   NO /  /	
	b) Had any engine repairs?			YES /  /   NO /  /
	c) Any vehicle modifications?		YES /  /   NO /  /	 
   If "yes" to any of the above, please describe:                                                                                                                                                                                                                              ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 
   
Has your vehicle had any:					           DATE:
	d) Body work?				YES /  /   NO /  /	 ________________
	e) Glass repair or replacement?	YES /  /   NO /  /	 ________________	
	f) Paintwork or detailing?  		YES /  /   NO /  /	 ________________
	g) Other?                      YES /  /   NO /  /  _________________	
   

   
  

   
	
   If "yes" to d  -  g above, please describe:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 
   
   IF "YES" TO ANY d) THROUGH  f) ABOVE AND DATE IS LESS THAN 6 MONTHS FROM THE TIME OF THIS QUESTIONNAIRE, THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE PUT ON HOLD.
   
   g) New tires?				YES /  /   NO /  /	 
   
   Date and mileage of the most recent tire installed?  Date_________   Mileage___________
   
   HAS IT BEEN LESS THAN 6 MONTHS AND/OR 6,000 MILES SINCE A TIRE REPLACEMENT?  IF YES, THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE PUT ON HOLD.
   
   If a replacement part was installed, was it an original manufacturer part? Yes  No

   What was the approximate cost of the work done?             
   
   Do you have any documentation of the work that was done?                           
   
   (NOTE TO URS: IF THE ANSWER TO ANY OF QUESTIONS a) THRU g) IS "YES", PLEASE CONSULT WITH EPA STAFF BEFORE ACCEPTING THIS VEHICLE.)

7.  Is your vehicle equipped with a trailer hitch ?    Yes ____ No ____

	Was the hitch installed by:   dealer   other

   How much total weight has been hauled?: 
   
   trailer + cargo = _____________________________________________
   
   ( IF YES, CONSULT WITH EPA STAFF BEFORE ACCEPTING THIS VEHICLE.)
   
INFORM THE OWNER THAT:
 All valuables should be removed from the vehicle (including those in the glove box) prior to bringing the vehicle to the lab.