Overview
Title
Submission for Review: Establishment Information Form, DD 1918, Wage Data Collection Form, DD 1919, Wage Data Collection Continuation Form, DD 1919C, 3206-0036
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The Office of Personnel Management is asking people to share their thoughts about some forms that help decide how much money different jobs should pay to government workers. They want to hear from everyone and promise to listen to what people have to say to make things better.
Summary AI
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is inviting feedback from the public and other federal agencies on an existing information collection. This involves the Establishment Information Form, the Wage Data Collection Form, and the Wage Data Collection Continuation Form. These forms are used to determine prevailing wage rates for federal employees in various local areas. Responses are due by April 27, 2021, and can be submitted via the Federal Rulemaking Portal. The comments should evaluate the necessity, accuracy, quality, and burden of the information collected.
Abstract
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) offers the general public and other Federal agencies the opportunity to comment on an existing information collection request (ICR) 3206-0036, Establishment Information Form (DD 1918), Wage Data Collection Form (DD 1919), and Wage Data Collection Continuation Form (DD 1919C). As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 as amended by the Clinger-Cohen Act, OPM is soliciting comments for this collection.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document under consideration is a notice from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) inviting public and federal agency comments regarding three specific forms: the Establishment Information Form (DD 1918), the Wage Data Collection Form (DD 1919), and the Wage Data Collection Continuation Form (DD 1919C). These forms are integral to the Federal Wage System (FWS), which helps establish wage rates for federal employees by surveying local wage data. The notice asks for feedback by April 27, 2021, and comments can be submitted through an online federal portal.
General Summary
In essence, this public notice allows individuals and entities to review and comment on the continued use of these forms. It operates under the framework set by the Paperwork Reduction Act, which the Clinger-Cohen Act amends. The objective is to ensure that the collection of wage-related data is both necessary and efficiently executed, minimizing burdens on the respondents while maximizing the utility of obtained information.
Significant Issues and Concerns
Several issues arise from the document. Firstly, the mention of the Clinger-Cohen Act without detailing its implications might confuse those unfamiliar with federal legislative frameworks. Furthermore, the document references "private sector employers" in the wage survey process without specifying if their involvement is mandatory, leaving its comprehensiveness in question.
Clarity could also be enhanced by elaborating on how technological methods might reduce burdens related to this data collection. Additionally, terms like "practical utility" deserve clearer definitions to help stakeholders gauge the real-world implications of the data collection. Another concern is the redundancy of form titles, which could be mitigated by offering concise explanations of their specific roles and objectives.
Moreover, while contact details are provided, they lack a direct email for the deputy associate director, which might hinder direct communication. The absence of a direct link to the document's specific page within the public portal could also obstruct easy access for potential commenters. Lastly, the procedure for handling submitted comments remains unspecified, potentially discouraging contributions from those unsure of the impact or use of their feedback.
Impact on the General Public
For the broader public, the document represents an opportunity to influence federal policy by assessing the necessity, accuracy, and burden of information collection processes. The potential for improved wage data collection mechanisms could result in better-aligned federal employee compensation with local market conditions, ideally benefiting the employees and the agencies they serve.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
Federal Employees and Agencies: The outcome of this commentary process could directly influence wage settings within federal employment, impacting employee satisfaction and retention. It could also alter how agencies approach data collection and management.
Private Sector Employers: Those participating in wage surveys may find their involvement either burdensome or beneficial, depending on how their data usage is justified and communicated.
Policy Analysts and Legal Advisors: These stakeholders might seek clarity on the legislative aspects referenced, particularly concerning the Clinger-Cohen amendment. A more precise legislative framework could facilitate better advisory and strategic planning services.
In conclusion, while the document presents a valuable public engagement avenue concerning federal wage data collection, several areas could benefit from increased clarity and specificity to maximize its effectiveness and transparency.
Issues
• The document mentions the 'Clinger-Cohen Act' as an amendment of the Paperwork Reduction Act, but it does not explain what the Clinger-Cohen Act entails. This might be confusing for readers not familiar with these acts.
• There is a potential for misunderstanding in the language used to describe the Federal Wage System (FWS). It mentions 'private sector employers' without clarifying if their participation in surveys is mandatory or voluntary.
• The document mentions methods for minimizing burden like 'appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques' but does not specify examples, which might be helpful for clarity.
• The phrase 'practical utility' in evaluating the proposed information collection could benefit from further explanation to ensure understanding of its context and implications.
• The titles 'Establishment Information Form', 'Wage Data Collection Form', and 'Wage Data Collection Continuation Form' are mentioned repeatedly. Providing a brief summary of each form's purpose could enhance clarity.
• The contact information provided does not include a direct email address for Brenda L. Roberts, instead, it offers a general email which might delay direct communication.
• It is stated that the document is filed and available in a public portal, but it doesn't give a direct link to the specific document page, which could help in easy navigation.
• The document does not specify any particular steps or procedures for how public comments will be processed or evaluated, which could be useful for those considering submitting a comment.