Notice2026-19836
Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; DOL-Only Performance Accountability, Information, and Reporting
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
September 29, 2026
Issuing agencies
Labor DepartmentEmployment and Training Administration
Abstract
The Department of Labor's (DOL) Employment and Training Administration (ETA) is soliciting comments concerning a proposed revision for the authority to conduct the information collection request (ICR) titled, "DOL-only Performance Accountability, Information, and Reporting." This comment request is part of continuing Departmental efforts to reduce paperwork and respondent burden in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA).
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 187 (Tuesday, September 29, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 187 (Tuesday, September 29, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61448-61450]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-19836]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; DOL-
Only Performance Accountability, Information, and Reporting
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor's (DOL) Employment and Training
Administration (ETA) is soliciting comments concerning a proposed
revision for the authority to conduct the information collection
request (ICR) titled, ``DOL-only Performance Accountability,
Information, and Reporting.'' This comment request is part of
continuing Departmental efforts to reduce paperwork and respondent
burden in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA).
DATES: Consideration will be given to all written comments received by
November 30, 2026.
ADDRESSES: A copy of this ICR with applicable supporting documentation,
including a description of the likely respondents, proposed frequency
of response, and estimated total burden, may be obtained free by
contacting Kellen Grode by email at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3552475a51501b5e505959505b1b5875515a591b525a43"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="aacdd8c5cecf84c1cfc6c6cfc484c7eacec5c684cdc5dc">[email protected]</span></a>.
Submit written comments about, or requests for a copy of, this ICR
by mail or courier to the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and
Training Administration, Office of Policy Development and Research, 200
Constitution Ave. NW, Room N-5641, Washington, DC 20210; by email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c4a3b6aba0a1eaafa1a8a8a1aaeaa984a0aba8eaa3abb2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="9afde8f5feffb4f1fff6f6fff4b4f7dafef5f6b4fdf5ec">[email protected]</span></a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kellen Grode by email at
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#6f081d000b0a41040a03030a0141022f0b000341080019"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="8cebfee3e8e9a2e7e9e0e0e9e2a2e1cce8e3e0a2ebe3fa">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DOL, as part of continuing efforts to reduce
paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance consultation
program to provide the general public and Federal agencies an
opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing collections of
information before submitting them to the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) for final approval. This program helps to ensure requested
data can be provided in the desired format, reporting burden (time and
financial resources) is minimized,
[[Page 61449]]
collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of
collection requirements can be properly assessed.
As a part of this revision request, ETA has made changes to the
Participant Individual Record Layout (ETA-9172), (Program) Performance
Report (ETA-9173) that include: (1) removing a significant number of
elements from the ETA-9172; (2) removing (unchecking) numerous
remaining data elements for specific programs; (3) revising element
names, definitions/instructions, and code fields to enhance the clarity
of the collection; and (4) revising the ETA-9173 Quarterly Performance
Reports (QPR) template that were impacted be the reduction in elements
in the ETA-9172. These revisions reduce the burden of the collection.
Section 116 of WIOA (29 U.S.C. 3141) authorizes this information
collection. The Department of Labor's (DOL)'s Employment and Training
Administration (ETA) developed the (Program) Performance Report (ETA-
9173) and the Pay-for-Performance Report (ETA-9174) to facilitate State
performance reporting. In order to collect the participant level data
that will be aggregated and displayed in the (Program) Performance
Report (ETA-9173) quarterly and the Pay-for-Performance Report (ETA-
9174) annual reports, States will use a standardized individual record
file for program participants, called the DOL Participant Individual
Record Layout (PIRL, ETA-9172). The PIRL provides a standardized set of
data elements, definitions, and reporting instructions that will be
used to describe the characteristics, activities, and outcomes of WIOA
and DOL partner program participants. States and grantees will be
required to collect participant information that corresponds with the
data elements and descriptions delineated within the PIRL. Once
collected, this information will then be aggregated according to the
conditions outlined in the specifications found within the Program
Performance Report spreadsheet. This document details the common data
elements and technical specifications necessary for calculation of
reporting elements under all the DOL programs listed in the paragraph
below. Once aggregated, the outcomes of the PIRL data will be submitted
by the States and grantees to ETA and then displayed according to the
framework within the (Program) Performance Report. Each program
mentioned in this supporting statement will generate a program specific
report that mirrors the construct of the (Program) Performance Report.
DOL requires States and grantees to certify and submit the (Program)
Performance Report to ETA on a quarterly basis.
This ICR is the product of a joint effort among the DOL offices
that administer the following programs: WIOA Adult, WIOA Dislocated
Worker, WIOA Youth, National Dislocated Worker Grants, Dislocated
Worker Projects authorized under WIOA sec. 169(c), Wagner-Peyser
Employment Service, National Farmworker Jobs Program, Job Corps,
YouthBuild, Indian and Native American Program, as well as non-WIOA
covered programs, including Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA), REO, H-
1B discretionary grants, Senior Community Service Employment Program
(SCSEP), Apprenticeship grants, and the Jobs for Veterans' State Grants
Programs. While H-1B grants, TAA, SCSEP, Apprenticeship grants and the
REO programs are not authorized under WIOA, these programs utilize the
data element definitions and reporting templates in this ICR.
The accuracy, reliability, and comparability of program reports
submitted by States and grantees using Federal funds are fundamental
elements of good public administration and are necessary tools for
maintaining and demonstrating system integrity. The use of a standard
set of data elements, definitions, and specifications at all levels of
the workforce system helps states to coordinate funding and leverage
resources available to create a more efficient and effective system to
improve the quality of the performance information that is received by
DOL.
The set of primary indicators of performance represents the key
results that ETA strives to achieve for their customers, and that
Congress has required through statute and ETA is also interested in
measuring. Using this set of primary indicators affords ETA the ability
to describe, in a similar manner, the core purposes of the workforce
system--through the program services received, how many people found
jobs; what were their earnings; and what skill gains they achieved.
They are an integral part of ETA's performance accountability system,
and through the Workforce Performance Accountability, Information, and
Reporting System, ETA will continue to collect from States and grantees
the data on program activities, participants, and outcomes that are
necessary for program management and to convey full and accurate
information on the performance of workforce programs to policymakers
and stakeholders.
The DOL is specifically interested in comments on the following two
topics:
1. In addition to the elements marked for removal in this proposal,
DOL is seeking comments regarding whether there are other elements that
DOL can and should remove from the PIRL.
2. DOL is also seeking comments and recommendations regarding how
ETA should collect information on outcomes related to services and
activities funded through the WIOA title I Governor's Reserve that are
not collected in the PIRL, such as adding a quarterly narrative update
on WIOA title I Governor's Reserve funded activities.
This information collection is subject to the PRA. A Federal agency
generally cannot conduct or sponsor a collection of information, and
the public is generally not required to respond to an information
collection, unless it is approved by OMB under the PRA and displays a
currently valid OMB Control Number. In addition, notwithstanding any
other provisions of law, no person shall generally be subject to
penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information that
does not display a valid Control Number. See 5 CFR 1320.5(a) and
1320.6.
Interested parties are encouraged to provide comments to the
contact shown in the ADDRESSES section. Comments must be written to
receive consideration, and they will be summarized and included in the
request for OMB approval of the final ICR. In order to help ensure
appropriate consideration, comments should mention DOL Only 1205-0521.
Submitted comments will also be a matter of public record for this
ICR and posted on the internet, without redaction. DOL encourages
commenters not to include personally identifiable information,
confidential business data, or other sensitive statements/information
in any comments.
DOL is particularly interested in comments that:
<bullet> Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Agency,
including whether the information will have practical utility;
<bullet> Evaluate the accuracy of the Agency's estimate of the
burden of the proposed collection of information, including the
validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
<bullet> Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and
<bullet> Minimize the burden of the collection of information on
those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection
techniques or other forms of information technology,
[[Page 61450]]
(e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses).
Agency: DOL- ETA.
Type of Review: Revision.
Title of Collection: DOL-only Performance Accountability,
Information, and Reporting
System.
Forms: DOL Participant Individual Record Layout (PIRL, ETA-9172);
(Program)
Performance Report (ETA-9173); Pay-for Performance Report (ETA-
9174).
OMB Control Number: 1205-0521.
Affected Public: State, Local, and Tribal Governments.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 22,687,093.
Frequency: Varies.
Total Estimated Annual Responses: 45,370,016.
Estimated Average Time per Response: Varies.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 8,381,370.
Total Estimated Annual Other Cost Burden: $9,491,287.
Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A).
Marek Laco,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training, Labor.
[FR Doc. 2026-19836 Filed 9-28-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-FN-P
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