Overview
Title
Proposed Collection; Comment Request
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The government wants to collect some information from people who use a gym at the Pentagon, and they're asking everyone if this is okay and how they can make it easier. They didn't explain why they need the information or how they'll keep it safe, which might worry some people.
Summary AI
The Washington Headquarters Services (WHS) from the Department of Defense is proposing a new process for collecting information and is asking for public feedback. This is being done as part of the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The main focus is on whether the information collection is necessary, how to improve its quality, and how to reduce the burden on those providing the information. Individuals or households are the intended respondents, with a form related to membership at the Pentagon Athletic Center being used to gather data. Comments will be accepted until February 10, 2025.
Abstract
In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Washington Headquarters Services (WHS) 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 document titled "Proposed Collection; Comment Request" is an official notice from the Washington Headquarters Services (WHS) under the Department of Defense. Its primary purpose is to seek public input on a proposed data collection process related to membership at the Pentagon Athletic Center. This initiative is part of the compliance requirements set by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The notice emphasizes the importance of assessing the necessity and efficiency of the information being collected, improving its quality, and reducing the burden on individuals who provide their data.
General Summary
The document under review is an announcement and request for public comments on a proposed information collection effort by the Washington Headquarters Services, a part of the Department of Defense. Specifically, the collection involves a form—WHS Form 19—that gathers detailed personal information from individuals seeking membership at the Pentagon Athletic Center. The agency invites public feedback on several aspects of this proposal, including the necessity of the data collection, its utility, and strategies to minimize its burden on respondents. The established timeline for receiving comments extends until February 10, 2025.
Significant Issues and Concerns
One of the primary concerns relates to privacy, particularly why specific personal information, such as home addresses and emails, is necessary for membership in the Pentagon Athletic Center. The document does not adequately address the reasoning behind this need, which may raise privacy concerns among potential respondents.
Moreover, the notice lacks comprehensive information regarding the storage, protection, and utilization of the collected personal data, which could be crucial for providing assurance to those concerned with privacy. Another issue involves the transparency of the calculated annual burden hours, as it's unclear how the mentioned figures were derived from the average burden per response and the total number of respondents.
Lastly, the instructions for submitting public comments, while directing individuals to regulations.gov, do not offer detailed guidance on ensuring successful submission or address how the feedback will be utilized.
Impact on the Public
The proposed information collection could directly impact individuals and households within the National Capital Region who are eligible for membership at the Pentagon Athletic Center. On a broader scale, it serves as an example of federal data collection initiatives governed by the Paperwork Reduction Act, which aims to balance necessary reporting with minimizing public burden.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For potential members of the Pentagon Athletic Center, the proposal may present both an opportunity and a challenge. On the positive side, streamlining membership applications can improve user experience and operational efficiency. However, some stakeholders might perceive the required disclosure of personal information as excessive, which could deter participation due to privacy concerns.
In summary, while the document fulfills its role as a federal notice seeking public comment, it highlights several areas where additional transparency and clarity could enhance public understanding and trust in the data collection process. Addressing these concerns could ultimately lead to more informed and constructive feedback from the public, benefiting both the agency and its stakeholders.
Issues
• The document does not make clear why the Pentagon Athletic Center needs the specific information collected on WHS Form 19, which could raise privacy concerns.
• Details about the storage, protection, and usage of personal data collected via WHS Form 19 are not provided, which could be important for privacy assurance.
• The reasoning behind selecting 572.67 annual burden hours and how it's calculated from the average burden per response and total number of respondents is not transparent, making it difficult to evaluate the accuracy of these figures.
• The submission instructions for comments refer to regulations.gov but lack detailed guidance on ensuring submissions are successfully processed or how feedback will be used or addressed.