SUPPORTING STATEMENT 

for 

U.S. COAST GUARD INTERNATIONAL ICE PATROL (IIP) 

CUSTOMER SURVEY

OMB No.:  1625-0087

COLLECTION INSTRUMENTS:  CG-16700 and Instruction

Justification

Circumstances that make collection of information necessary:

The International Ice Patrol monitors the extent of the iceberg danger
near the Grand Banks of Newfoundland and provides iceberg warnings to
the maritime community by broadcasting the southeastern, southern, and
southwestern limits of all known ice in two message bulletins and one
radio-facsimile chart each day.  Executive Order 12862 directs the
United States Coast Guard (USGC) to conduct surveys (both qualitative
and quantitative) to determine the kind and quality of services our
customers want and expect, as well as their satisfaction with USCG’s
existing services.  This survey will be limited to data collections that
solicit strictly voluntary opinions and will not collect information
that is required or regulated. USCG is requesting approval to conduct
this customer satisfaction survey over the next three years.

Purpose of the information collection:

The USCG will use the information collected to measure customer
satisfaction with current services and service standards.  This
information will allow USCG to improve service delivery and learn of
additional services suggested by our customers.  This customer
satisfaction survey may lead to policy changes which may enhance
USCG’s overall operations.

Consideration of the use of improved technology:

Improved information technology will be used whenever possible to reduce
the burden on the public.  There are no technical or legal obstacles to
reducing this burden. Electronic data solicitation and collection will
be used to the maximum extent possible to reduce the burden on the
respondents.  The survey form may be submitted by fax, e-mail, or
on-line submission via  HYPERLINK
"http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=contactIIP"
http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=contactIIP  or by regular mail.

Efforts to identify duplication:

 This information is not collected in any form, and therefore is not
duplicated elsewhere.

Methods to minimize the burden to small entities if involved:

Some small businesses or small entities may be asked to evaluate their
satisfaction with USCG services.  Their participation will be strictly
voluntary and the burden minimized with solicitation of the minimal
amount of information needed to evaluate the USCG’s performance in
their area of concern.

Consequences to the Federal program if collection were conducted less
frequently:

The continuing requirements of Executive Order 12862 dictate an annual
evaluation of services and customer satisfaction. Failure to conduct
these surveys on an annual basis would violate the intent of the
Executive Order and prevent the USCG from continually improving the
level of services provided to its customers.

Special collection circumstances:

This information collection is conducted in manner consistent with the
guidelines in 5CFR 1320.5(d)(2).

Consultation:

A 60-day Notice will be published in the Federal Register to obtain
public comment on this collection.

Provide any payment or gift to respondents:

There is no offer of monetary or material value for this information
collection.

Describe any assurance of confidentiality provide to respondents:

There are no assurances of confidentiality provided to the respondents
for this information collection.  There is no personally identifiable
information associated with this collection however, information will be
retained and safeguarded in accordance with NARA record retention
schedule.  

Additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature: 

There are no questions of sensitive language.

Estimate of annual hour and cost burdens to respondents:

The estimated number of respondents is 300.  There is an estimated
24-minute burden to a respondent so the total potential burden on the
public is estimated to be 120 hours.  The annual burden is also
estimated to be 120 hours.  The annual cost to respondents is estimated
to be $2475 broken down as follows: $20 per hour for 120 hours (subtotal
of $2400) for personal time spent completing survey, $1.00 per response
transmitted by fax or $1.00 per response returned by mail (75 total
fax/email responses for a subtotal of $75) and no cost for the responses
returned on-line (225 responses). 

Total of annualized capital and start-up costs: 

There are no record keeping, capital, start-up or maintenance costs
associated with this information collection.

Estimate of annualized Federal government cost:

We estimate total annual costs to the Federal Government as zero.  The
distribution of paper copies of the survey in the Amver Bulletin is zero
since the publication is covered by a blank contract.  Distribution of
surveys by the web is also zero because the USCG web page is a fixed
cost.  No additional USCG personnel will be needed to process and
analyze these surveys.

Explanation of program changes or adjustments: 

There is no change in burden hours.  This request is for an extension of
a currently approved collection without change.  There is no proposed
change to the reporting requirements of this collection.  The reporting
requirements and the methodology for calculating burden, remain
unchanged.  

Plans for tabulation, statistical analysis and publication:

The results of these surveys will be published in the International Ice
Patrol (IIP) Annual Report and on the IIP web site,  HYPERLINK
"http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=IIPHome"
http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=IIPHome . 

Approval to not display expiration date: 

USCG will display the expiration date for OMB approval of this
information collection.

Exceptions to certification statement:

USCG does not request an exception to the certification of this
information collection.

B.  Collection of Information Employing Statistical Methods

This information collection does not employ statistical methods.

1625-0087

