Overview
Title
Data Collection Available for Public Comments
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The Small Business Administration wants people to comment on its plan to collect information from a program called "Boots to Business," so they can make it better. They are asking for these comments by February 18, 2025, to help them improve how they do things.
Summary AI
The Small Business Administration (SBA) is seeking public comments on a proposal to collect information from participants of the "Boots to Business" program. This initiative is part of the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), which requires federal agencies to allow 60 days for public input before sending their collection requests to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The feedback will help improve the program and its assessment methods. Comments need to be submitted by February 18, 2025, and can be sent to Amy Garcia at the SBA.
Abstract
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) 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.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document under review is a notice from the Small Business Administration (SBA), announcing a proposal for the collection of information from participants in the "Boots to Business" program. This notice, in compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), invites public comments for a 60-day period before the proposal is submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The collection aims to assess the quality and outcomes of the program, targeting improvements and better service to veteran entrepreneurs.
Summary of the Document
The SBA is requesting feedback on several aspects of the proposed information collection, such as its necessity, the accuracy of burden estimates, potential methods to minimize burden through technological means, and ways to improve the quality of information. The initiative is part of a broader effort to ensure that federal agencies efficiently collect and utilize information, while also being responsive to public input.
Significant Issues and Concerns
One notable issue in the document is the apparent discrepancy between the estimated number of annual responses (10,000) and the annual hour burden (27 hours) associated with the collection. This suggests either an underestimation or a typographical error that should be revisited by the agency to ensure accurate representation of the collection's impact.
Additionally, the document employs terminology such as "aggregate" and "Personally Identifiable Information (PII)" in a manner that might not fully clarify the measures taken to protect individual privacy. More explicit language could help assure stakeholders about data privacy and security.
Furthermore, the notice lacks detailed information on how public comments will influence decision-making. Providing clarity on the process might encourage more informed and constructive feedback from the community.
Impact on the Public
Broadly, this document highlights an opportunity for public engagement in the administrative processes of federal programs. For individuals interested or involved in the "Boots to Business" program, this could be a chance to voice concerns or improvements directly to the SBA, potentially affecting future iterations of the program.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
Veterans who participate in the "Boots to Business" program are the primary stakeholders impacted by this information collection initiative. An effective feedback mechanism could lead to program enhancements that better support veteran entrepreneurs. Conversely, administrative burdens associated with excessive or unclear information collection could detract from the program's accessibility and appeal.
Overall, while the document successfully outlines a procedural opportunity for public engagement, there are areas where greater clarity and accuracy could enhance understanding and participation. Addressing these issues can ensure that the SBA’s efforts in refining and optimizing the “Boots to Business” program are well-received and effective in achieving their goals.
Issues
• The document abstract and summary are repetitive and could be streamlined to avoid redundancy.
• The text mentions the collection has an estimated annual hour burden of 27 hours, which seems unusually low compared to the stated 10,000 estimated annual responses, suggesting a potential underestimation or typographical error.
• The document utilizes terminology like 'aggregate' in conjunction with PII without clear elaboration, which might lead to confusion about data privacy measures.
• Details about how comments will be utilized and integrated into decision-making processes are not specified, which could lead to questions about their impact.
• The term 'Boots to Business' is used without prior context or explanation, which might confuse readers unfamiliar with the program.
• The linguistic style overall employs bureaucratic expressions that could be simplified for better comprehension by the general public.