Reports, Forms and Recordkeeping Requirements; Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Office of the Secretary

Reports, Forms and Recordkeeping Requirements; Agency Information

Collection Activity Under OMB Review

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, DOT.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44

U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces that the Information

Collections(ICRs) abstracted below have been forwarded to the Office of

Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR describes

the nature of the information collection and its expected burden. The

Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting

comments on the proposed ``Customer Service Surveys'' information

collection was published on September 4,1998, [63 FR 47343-47344] and

on 2133-0024 ``Subsidy Voucher--Operating Differential Subsidy''

information collection was published on November 23, 1998 [64755-

64756].

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before March 26, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: [on Customer Service Surveys] James J.

Zok, Associate Administrator for Ship Financial Assistance and Cargo

Preference, MAR-50, Room 8126,400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC

20590. Telephone 202-366-0364 or FAX 202-366-7901. [on Subsidy

Voucher--Operating Differential Subsidy] Michael P. Ferris, Director,

Office of Cost and Rates, 400 7th Street, SW., Room 8117, Washington,

DC 20590. Copies of the collection can also be obtained from those

offices.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Maritime Administration (MARAD)

Title: Customer Service Surveys.

OMB Control Number: 2133-NEW.

Type of Request: Approval of a new information collection.

Affected Public: Individuals/Entities directly served by MARAD.

Form(s): MA-1016; MA-1017.

Abstract: Executive Order 12862 requires agencies to survey

customers to determine the kind and quality of services they want and

the level of their satisfaction with existing services. This collection

covers MARAD forms used to carry out such surveys covering MARAD

programs and services. (1) Responses to the Customer Service

Questionnaire are needed to obtain prompt customer feedback on the

quality of specific services/products provided to the customer by

MARAD. The information provided will be used to ascertain the

customer's level of satisfaction. (2) Responses to the Program

Performance Survey are needed to obtain customers' views on MARAD's

major programs and activities with which the customers were involved

during the preceding year. The information provided will be used by

MARAD's senior management and MARAD's program managers to monitor the

overall level of customer satisfaction and to identify areas for

improvement in program service or product delivery.

Annual Estimated Burden Hours: 256.

Title: Subsidy Voucher--Operating Differential Subsidy (Bulk &

Liner Cargo Vessels).

OMB Control Number: 2133-0024.

Type of Request: Approval of a currently approved information

collection.

Affected Public: Bulk and Liner Vessel Operators.

Form(s): MA-790, SF-1034 and Supporting Schedules.

Abstract: In accordance with the Merchant Marine Act, 1936, the

Secretary of Transportation is authorized to provide financial aid in

te operation of contract vesels for bulk or liner cargo carrying

services that help promote, develop, expand and maintain the foreign

commerce of the United States and for national defense and other

national requirements. The information data will be prepared by

subsidized bulk and liner operators and submitted to the Maritime

Administration (MARAD). MARAD will utilize the information to determine

subsidy payable to operators for voyages performed in accordance with

their Operating-Differential Subsidy (ODS) Agreements.

Annual Estimated Burden Hours: 240.

Addressee: Send comments to the Office of Information and

Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 725-17th Street,

NW., Washington, DC 20503, Attention MARAD Desk Officer.

Comments are Invited on: whether the proposed collection of

information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of

the Department, including whether the information will have practical

utility; the accuracy of the Department'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 collection of information on respondents, including

the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of

information technology.

A comment to OMB is best assured of having its full effect if OMB

receives it within 30 days of publication.

Issued in Washington, DC on February 16, 1999.

Vanester M. Williams,

Clearance Officer, United States Department of Transportation.

[FR Doc. 99-4520 Filed 2-23-99; 8:45 am]

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