0660.0018.SuppStmt.10132010

SUPPORTING STATEMENT
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION
NTIA/FCC WEB-BASED FREQUENCY COORDINATION SYSTEM
OMB CONTROL NO. 0660-0018

A.

JUSTIFICATION

1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary.
This is a request to extend approval of a currently approved information collection.
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) developed an
Internet web-based system that collects specific identification information from applicants
seeking to operate in the 70-80-90 GHz radio frequency (RF) bands that are shared on a
co-primary basis by federal and non-federal users. Before this system was put in place, nonfederal entities were required to submit an application for RF spectrum support to the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC), which would then coordinate with NTIA regarding
whether the proposed use would cause harmful interference to existing or planned U.S.
Government operations in the identified band. Under that system, non-federal users only had
access to FCC licensing databases that contained the physical parameters of radio stations held
by private sector licensees. Consequently, in shared bands, non-federal applicants would have to
propose frequencies without any knowledge of existing federal assignments in those bands.
Under that system, the manual RF assignment process used by the FCC and NTIA was very
time-consuming and, in extreme cases, up to a year, to complete.
The web-based system provides a means for non-federal applicants to rapidly determine the
availability of RF spectrum in a specific location, or the need for detailed frequency coordination
with the U.S. Government of a specific newly proposed assignment within the shared portions of
the radio spectrum. The website allows the non-federal applicant’s proposed radio site
information to be analyzed, and a real-time determination to be made as to whether there is a
potential for interference to, or from, existing federal government radio operations in the vicinity
of the proposed site. The system also helps expedite the coordination process for non-federal
applicants while assuring protection of government data relating to national security.
The information provided by non-federal applicants also ensures the protection of the applicant’s
station from radio frequency interference from future government operations.
Non-federal entities are required to submit information regarding the physical characteristics of
the proposed radio station and the proposed location of the operation. This information is
necessary to make a determination regarding electromagnetic compatibility among radio stations
in the frequency band. The name and address of the proposed licensee of the station is also
required. Once the proposed station has been registered in the Government Master File (GMF),
it will then be protected from interference as a result of future government installations.

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2. Explain how, by whom, how frequently, and for what purpose the information will be
used. If NTIA’s Information Quality Guidelines apply, state this and confirm that the
collection complies with the Guidelines.
The information submitted to the website (http://freqcoord.ntia.doc.gov/terms.aspx) is used by
NTIA to ensure the mutual compatibility of proposed non-federal radio stations with existing
federal radio stations and planned future use. The data is used for analysis on a continuous basis
by the federal agencies to assure mutual compatibility of future government operations. If
information were disseminated by NTIA in connection with operation of this website, such
dissemination will comply with NTIA’s Information Quality Guidelines.

3. Describe whether, and to what extent, the collection of information involves the use of
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological techniques or other forms of
information technology.
NTIA collects the data by means of an Internet web-based system. The website provides realtime responses: (1) a validation of the coordination of a single frequency, or (2) a notification of
the unavailability of a frequency at the one site and further coordination will be required by the
FCC and NTIA.

4. Describe efforts to identify duplication.
The web-based system is a novel approach to spectrum management, providing a means for nonfederal applicants to determine rapidly the availability of RF spectrum in a specific location, or
the need for detailed frequency coordination of a specific newly proposed assignment within the
shared portions of the radio spectrum. The type of information requested from non-federal
applicants is not only unique to this system, but also specific to the applicant, and therefore,
unlikely to be available from any other source. Moreover, no other federal agency collects
identical information because no other agency provides the same service. Thus, the information
collection does not raise duplication concerns.

5. If the collection of information involves small businesses or other small entities, describe
the methods used to minimize burden.
The data requested through the website is the minimum data set required to perform an analysis
of the potential interference to and from a proposed radio station.

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6. Describe the consequences the Federal program or policy activities if the collection is not
conducted or is conducted less frequently.
As stated above, this website was developed to streamline the spectrum management process.
The website allows a non-federal applicant’s proposed radio site information to be analyzed, and
a real-time determination to be made as to whether there is a potential for interference to, or
from, existing federal government radio operations in the vicinity of the potential site. The webbased system helps expedite the coordination process for non-federal applicants while assuring
protection of sensitive data about government operations. The information provided by nonfederal applicants also ensures the protection of the applicant’s station from radio interference
from future government operations. Without it, NTIA would have to analyze the non-federal
applicant’s proposed radio site information manually to determine whether a potential existed for
interference to, or from, federal government radio operations in the vicinity of the proposed site.
Such a manual check is extraordinarily labor-intensive, and requiring extremely long response
time.

7. Explain any special circumstances that require the collection to be conducted in a
manner inconsistent with OMB guidelines.
The data collection is consistent with OMB guidelines.

8. Provide the information of the PRA Federal Register Notice that solicited public
comments on the information collection prior to this submission. Summarize the public
comments received in response to that notice and describe the actions take by the agency in
response to those comments. Describe the efforts to consult with persons outside the
agency or to obtain their views on the availability of data, frequency of collection, the
clarity of instructions and recordkeeping, disclosure, or reporting format (if any), and on
the data elements to be recorded, disclosed, or reported.
A Federal Register Notice soliciting public comment was published on July 21, 2010 (Vol. 75,
page 42376). No comments were received.
The FCC and NTIA had discussions over several years to identify a mechanism that would
provide non-federal users with an additional level of information that would expedite the
frequency assignment process without compromising information contained within the GMF
that is either classified or currently not releasable under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
In response, NTIA developed this website to assist non-federal users in their efforts to identify
available spectrum for use, and also to help expedite the coordination process for federal
agencies.

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9. Explain the decision to provide payments or gifts to respondents, other than
remuneration of contractors or grantees.
Not Applicable.

10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for
assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy.
No assurance of confidentiality will be provided to respondents. NTIA will treat the information
as business confidential.

11. Provide additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature, such as sexual
behavior and attitudes, religious beliefs, and other matters that are commonly considered
private.
The survey does not contain any questions of a sensitive nature.

12. Provide an estimate in hours of the burden of the collection of information.
The estimation of burden hours Estimated Responses - 3, 000
Estimated Time per Response - 15 minutes
Estimated Total Burden Hours - 750

13. Provide an estimate of the total annual cost burden to the respondent or recordkeepers
resulting from the collection (excluding the value of the burden hours in Question 12
above).
Not Applicable.

14. Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal government.
NTIA has planned and allocated sufficient resources for the operation, and maintenance of the
Internet web-based system. There was a one-time software development cost to the federal
government of $12,750 including overhead. This estimate was based on 160 hours each for
salaries of GS-13/5 and GS-12/1 Information Technology Analytical Model Development staff.
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Currently, the yearly personnel costs including overhead to process the data collected is $2,399.
This estimate is based on the salary of a GS-12/1 employee, working an estimated 15 minutes
per day, x 250 workdays x $31.99/hr (+ 20% overhead) = $2,399.25

15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments.
Not Applicable.

16. For collections whose results will be published, outline the plans for tabulation and
publication.
NTIA will not publish the data collected.

17. If seeking approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of the
information collection, explain the reasons why display would be inappropriate.
Not Applicable.

18. Explain each exception to the certification statement.
No exceptions are requested.

B. COLLECTIONS OF INFORMATION EMPLOYING STATISTICAL METHODS
This collection of information will not employ statistical methods.

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