Overview
Title
Proposed Collection; Comment Request
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The U.S. Transportation Command wants to ask people for their thoughts about a new way they collect information to help with moving things for the military. They need to know if the information is useful and how to make it easier to share without taking too much time.
Summary AI
The United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM), part of the Department of Defense, is asking for public comments on a proposed information collection under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The purpose of the collection is to help private transportation companies, contracted with the DoD, manage shipments of personal property by identifying ownership and scheduling pickups and deliveries. They are particularly interested in feedback on the necessity and utility of the information collected, its accuracy, and ways to reduce the burden on respondents. Comments will be considered if submitted by February 10, 2025.
Abstract
In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) announces a proposed public information collection and seeks public comment on the provisions thereof. Comments are invited on: whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways to minimize the burden of the information collection on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The proposed document from the United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) pertains to a new information collection initiative under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This notice seeks to gather public comments on the relevance, accuracy, and efficiency of the intended information collection that aims to assist commercial transportation service providers, contracted with the Department of Defense (DoD), in managing shipments and deliveries of personal property. By February 10, 2025, individuals can submit their comments.
Summary of the Document
The document announces USTRANSCOM's project to collect information about personal property shipments managed by private transport companies. The goal is to help these companies efficiently identify, pick up, and deliver property while under contract with the DoD. By requesting public input, USTRANSCOM is complying with federal regulations that necessitate public feedback on proposed information collections.
Potential Issues and Concerns
One of the main concerns with this proposal is the lack of specific details about the type of data to be collected. Without this information, it becomes challenging for the commentators to assess whether the data is essential or provides utility to the agency’s operations. Additionally, the brief explanation of the "needs and uses" section leaves much to be desired in understanding the benefits of this data collection.
Another concern is the vague description of the frequency of data collection, noted only as "on occasion." This ambiguity might confuse stakeholders about the circumstances triggering these information collections. The document's instructions for comment submissions may also raise privacy concerns regarding public access to personal submissions through online portals.
Furthermore, the estimation of time, at an average of 3 minutes per response, seems implausibly low for any comprehensive data submission, which needs clarification or review to ensure accuracy.
Broader Public Impact
For the general public, especially those engaged with or interested in governmental processes, this document highlights the need for transparency and efficiency in how government agencies interact with commercial providers. The initiative may indirectly affect individuals planning to use DoD transportation services, particularly during relocations, as it aims to streamline processes for a smoother experience.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For private transportation companies contracted with the DoD, this information collection may have mixed implications. Positively, it seeks to streamline their logistics operations by providing a structured data framework that could enhance operational effectiveness. However, the burden of compliance with the new data collection requirements could pose additional challenges, particularly if they are unclear or underestimated.
Defense stakeholders would potentially benefit from improved property management services, ensuring that assets are moved safely and efficiently. However, if the data is not managed correctly or the process is onerous, it could lead to inefficiencies and increased burden on both service providers and the military personnel relying on these services for relocations.
Overall, the proposed information collection underscores the balance needed between effective data collection and maintaining minimal burden on respondents. The initiative’s success will largely depend upon public feedback and how USTRANSCOM addresses the potential issues identified through this commentary process.
Issues
• The document does not specify what specific data or variables are being collected, which could make it difficult for commentators to assess the necessity and utility of the information collection.
• The description of 'needs and uses' is brief and lacks detailed explanation of how the collected data will specifically benefit the agency's operations.
• The frequency of the collection is noted as 'on occasion,' which might be ambiguous. It could benefit from further clarification on what triggers a collection event.
• The instructions for submitting comments require specified formats and information but might not clearly outline how potential privacy concerns will be addressed during public viewing on the provided portal.
• The average burden per response is noted as 3 minutes, which seems low for a comprehensive submission and could potentially underestimate the actual time respondents spend. This might deserve further clarification or investigation.