Notice2024-25592
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; 2026 Census Test-Group Quarters Advance Contact (GQAC)
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
November 4, 2024
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentCensus Bureau
Abstract
The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment on the proposed new information collection, for the 2026 Census Test--Group Quarters Advance Contact (GQAC) prior to the submission of the information collection request (ICR) to OMB for approval.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 213 (Monday, November 4, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 213 (Monday, November 4, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 87540-87542]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-25592]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Census Bureau
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment
Request; 2026 Census Test--Group Quarters Advance Contact (GQAC)
AGENCY: Census Bureau, Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of information collection, request for comment.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork
Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, invites the general public and other
Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information
collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information
collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The
purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment on the
proposed new information collection, for the 2026 Census Test--Group
Quarters Advance Contact (GQAC) prior to the submission of the
information collection request (ICR) to OMB for approval.
DATES: To ensure consideration, comments regarding this proposed
information collection must be received on or before January 3, 2025.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments by
email to ADDC.2030.census. <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#423223322730352d30290221272c3137316c252d34"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e09081908592978f928ba083858e939593ce878f96">[email protected]</span></a>. Please reference 2026
Census Test--Group Quarters Advance Contact (GQAC) in the subject line
of your comments. You may also submit comments, identified by Docket
Number USBC-2024-0026, to the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a>. All comments received are part of the public
record. No comments will be posted to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a> for
public viewing until after the comment period has closed. Comments will
generally be posted without change. All Personally Identifiable
Information (for example, name and address) voluntarily submitted by
the commenter may be publicly accessible. Do not submit Confidential
Business Information or otherwise sensitive or protected information.
You may submit attachments to electronic comments in Microsoft Word,
Excel, or Adobe PDF file formats.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or
specific questions related to collection activities should be directed
to Michael Snow, Supervisory Program Analyst, Decennial Program
Management Office, Decennial Census Management Division, 301-763-9912,
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2c484f4148025c5e4d6c4f49425f595f024b435a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4a2e29272e643a382b0a292f24393f39642d253c">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
During the years preceding the 2030 Census, the Census Bureau will
pursue its commitment to developing a well-managed, cost-effective, and
high-quality decennial census. The Census Bureau will streamline data
collection processes and implement new and improved methods to count
the U.S. population for the 2030 Census. This includes new and improved
methods for counting individuals residing in Group Quarters (GQs), such
as college/university student housing, residential treatment centers,
nursing/skilled-nursing facilities, group homes, correctional
facilities, hospitals, and military barracks. GQ Administrators play a
vital role in GQ data collection during Group Quarters Advance Contact.
They provide critical updates about the facility and residents. One of
the new data collection methods is to test the capability to allow GQ
Administrators to electronically review, verify and update address and
other frame information associated with their GQs, as well as to select
a method of enumeration for their residents. The 2026 Census Test will
enable the Census Bureau to test revisions to the capability to receive
and extract verified and updated GQ address information electronically
into a useful format prior to the subsequent Group Quarters Enumeration
(GQE) operation. The specific data items that GQ Administrators will
review include GQ type code, primary and secondary GQ contact name,
title, telephone number and email address, name of the GQ, address of
GQ, maximum number of people who could live/stay in the GQ
[[Page 87541]]
and provide the expected number of people who will be staying in the GQ
on Census Day.
The Census Bureau will examine the efficiencies provided by
receiving this information using a secure portal.
Group Quarters Advance Contact (GQAC)
After the 2020 Census, the Census Bureau conducted lessons learned
sessions which showed that some GQ Administrators desired to have the
ability to provide GQAC operational responses electronically. During
the GQAC operation, data will be collected to confirm information about
the GQ that will help prepare the GQ Administrator and the field staff
for the upcoming GQE operation. Specific data items include, collecting
an enumeration method and depending on the method selected, scheduling
an enumeration appointment.
During the 2026 Census Test, the research questions for GQAC
include:
1. Can a web-based GQAC operation provide opportunities to receive
GQAC data directly from GQ Administrators?
2. Can a web-based data collection instrument that receives GQ-
level data directly from GQ Administrators improve efficiency and
reduce cost for the GQAC operation?
3. Can a web-based data collection instrument improve completeness
and quality (e.g., lower item nonresponse rates, fewer data entry
errors, etc.) in the collection of data at the GQ level?
The 2026 Census Test will inform the Census Bureau's technological
and operational planning and design for the GQAC operation. This test
provides the opportunity to evaluate the enhanced procedures and
technologies for conducting GQAC.
Operational Procedures
The 2026 Census Test GQAC operation is designed to use web-based,
in-office, and in-field methodologies to contact GQ Administrators
prior to the enumeration. During the GQAC operation, data will be
collected to confirm information about the GQ. Specific data items
include collecting an enumeration method, the expected population for
the GQ on Census Day, April 1, 2026, and depending on the method
selected, scheduling an enumeration appointment.
The 2026 Census Test GQAC will be fielded to 434 GQ facilities
across two regional census areas that encompasses six test sites in
Western Texas; Tribal Lands within Arizona; Colorado Springs, CO;
Western North Carolina; Spartanburg, SC; and Huntsville, AL. The data
collection period is February 2026 through March 2026. The Census
Bureau will study the potential for using a Web-Based GQAC for frame
building and enumeration for the 2030 Census. Thresholds will be used
as input to determine completeness and quality of GQ facility level
data provided by the GQ Administrators.
<bullet> During Web-Based GQAC, GQ Administrators will log into a
secure GQAC instrument to review, verify, and if needed, update the GQ
information in preparation for conducting the upcoming enumeration
operations.
<bullet> During In-Office GQAC, office clerks will telephone GQ
Administrators (using the phone number on file for the case or
researching it using the internet) to conduct interviews while
capturing responses and making entries into the In-Office GQAC
instrument.
<bullet> During the In-Field GQAC, census workers will follow-up
with GQs that did not include pre-enumeration information such as
contact information. Census workers will visit each identified GQ and
conduct an in-person interview with the GQ Administrator using an
automatic hand-held device to capture the same information as a Web-
Based GQAC and an In-Office GQAC.
<bullet> The information below will be asked of GQ Administrators
across all three methods of data collection, web-based, in-office and
in-field GQAC:
[cir] Verify or update the GQ name, address, GQ contact person's
information, GQ type code, and maximum population.
[cir] Collect the following information to assist enumerators in
conducting the upcoming enumeration operations:
[ssquf] Preferred method of enumeration.
[ssquf] Date and time for the Census Bureau to meet with the
contact person to conduct the enumeration based on the enumeration
method collected.
[ssquf] Maximum population for the GQ.
[ssquf] Expected population for the GQ on Census Day, April 1,
2026.
[ssquf] Whether the GQ serves females only, males only, or both.
[ssquf] Whether the GQ residents speak languages other than
English. If the GQ resident speaks another language, an interpreter or
the GQ administrator will assist.
[ssquf] Whether there are security, privacy, or confidentiality
concerns.
[ssquf] Whether there are logistics concerns while conducting
enumeration such as facility access requirements and procedures.
[ssquf] Whether the contact person was responsible for other GQs.
<bullet> Technical Design
<bullet> Test the use of automated instruments to conduct Web-
based, In-Office, and In-Field GQAC.
<bullet> Optimize the use of electronic response records to support
the creation of the initial GQ universe for the GQAC Frame prior to
enumeration.
<bullet> Utilize the GQ Contact Frame Maintenance system that will
include GQ contact information, such as GQ facility name (linked to the
possible GQs, name of GQ Administrator/primary contact person and
secondary point of contact, phone number of contact person, and email
address of GQ contact persons).
<bullet> Implement a process to virtually complete the Special
Sworn Status form for GQ Administrators who select the Web-Based GQAC.
<bullet> Implement a system to track/maintain completed Special
Sworn Status forms (BC-1759) collected during the American Community
Survey and other Census Bureau web-based surveys. This will help
minimize the number of GQ Administrators who will be required to
virtually complete a Special Sworn Status form during GQAC.
II. Method of Collection
During the 2026 Census Test GQAC operation, data will be collected
electronically using three modes: A web-based data collection
application, in-office conducting a phone interview collecting data in
the GQAC automated instrument, and in-field conducting an in-person
interview collecting data on a hand-held device.
The U. S. Census Bureau will mail letters to all 434 GQs in the
test area, utilizing mail delivery service such as FedEx, to inform the
GQ Administrator about the upcoming GQAC operation.
Web GQAC
During the Web GQAC, GQ Administrators will log into a secure GQAC
data collection instrument to review, verify, and, if needed, update
the GQ information in preparation for conducting the upcoming
enumeration operations.
At the start of the operation, the system will be programmed to
automatically send Web GQAC Introductory Emails to GQ Administrators
who meet the following conditions:
<bullet> Valid email address.
<bullet> Sworn-in point of contact.
<bullet> College/university student housing (Type code 501) or
federal and state correctional facility (Type codes 101, 102, 103),
Military Barracks/and Dormitories (Type code 601) (Residents living or
staying in these type codes will be allowed to submit their enumeration
over the internet using GQ internet Self-Response (ISR)).
[[Page 87542]]
<bullet> GQ(s) linked to their respective facility.
The email for the GQ Administrators will contain the following
information: Login information (GQ user ID), link to the Web GQAC
questionnaire, instructions and overview, and pertinent dates such as
the start and end dates of the Web-Based GQAC.
The contact strategy for the Web GQAC is as follow:
<bullet> Initial email will be sent to the GQ Administrator on
February 2, 2026, the start date of the operation.
<bullet> First reminder email for nonresponding GQs will be sent
five (5) business days after the initial email.
<bullet> Second reminder email for nonresponding GQs will be sent
three (3) business days after the first reminder emails.
<bullet> Third and final reminder email for nonresponding GQs will
be sent three (3) business days after the second reminder emails.
In-Office GQAC
During In-Office GQAC, office clerks will call the GQ Administrator
(using the phone number on file for the case or researching it using
the internet) and conduct interviews while collecting responses and
making entries into the clerk mode of the same secure GQAC data
collection instrument used by GQ Administrators to verify and/or update
the GQ information in preparation for conducting the upcoming
enumeration operations.
The In-Office GQAC phone operation will include the following:
<bullet> Cases that did not meet the Web GQAC criteria stated above
<bullet> Nonresponding cases from the Web GQAC
<bullet> Email bounce backs from Web GQAC or non-responding
contacts from the Web GQAC mailout.
The contact strategy for the In-Office GQAC is as follow:
<bullet> Three phone attempts: attempt 1, attempt 2, attempt 3
(final).
<bullet> After the 3rd (final) attempt, case(s) will be assigned to
the Census Field Supervisor to conduct an In-Field GQAC.
In-Field GQAC
The In-Field GQAC visit operation will include all unresolved cases
from the Web GQAC and In-Office GQAC.
<bullet> Census workers will follow-up in the field with GQs for
which pre-enumeration information such as contact information was not
obtained.
<bullet> Census workers will visit each identified GQ and conduct
an in-person interview with the GQ contact person using an automated
hand-held device to capture the same information collected during Web
GQAC and In-Office GQAC.
III. Data
OMB Control Number: 0607-XXXX.
Form Number(s): D6-L-GA(ES), D6-CN-GA(ES), D6-E-GA(E/S).
Type of Review: Regular submission.
Affected Public: Administrators, primary and/or secondary contacts
at Group Quarters facilities.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 434.
Estimated Time per Response: 30 minutes.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 217.
Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0.
Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
Legal Authority: Title 13 U.S.C. 141 and 193.
IV. Request for Comments
We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department/Bureau
to: (a) Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is
necessary for the proper functions of the Department, including whether
the information will have practical utility; (b) Evaluate the accuracy
of our estimate of the time and cost burden for this proposed
collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions
used; (c) Evaluate ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of
the information to be collected; and (d) Minimize the reporting burden
on those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection
techniques or other forms of information technology.
Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of
public record. We will include, or summarize, each comment in our
request to OMB to approve this ICR. Before including your address,
phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information
in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment--
including your personal identifying information--may be made publicly
available at any time. While you may ask us in your comment to withhold
your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot
guarantee that we will be able to do so.
Sheleen Dumas,
Departmental PRA Clearance Officer, Office of the Under Secretary for
Economic Affairs, Commerce Department.
[FR Doc. 2024-25592 Filed 11-1-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P
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This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.