3206-0248 SUPPORTING STATEMENT
OPM Form 1655 – Application for Senior Administrative Law Judge
OPM Form 1655-A – Geographic Preference Statement for Senior Administrative Law Judge Applicant
Justification:
Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary. Identify any legal or administrative requirements that necessitate the collection.
Title 5 U.S.C. § 3323(b), 5 CFR 930.209, and 5 CFR 230.204(b) describe the Office of Personnel Management’s (OPM) role in managing the Senior Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Program, and define the rules and regulations that govern the program. This program allows retired ALJs to be reemployed as Senior ALJs to hear and decide agency cases in a variety of subject matters. OPM currently maintains a Senior ALJ Master List of approximately 150 retired ALJs who are available to serve as Senior ALJs. They are required to submit an application for reemployment and proof of licensure and to answer a series of questions regarding geographic and personal preferences.
Indicate how, by whom, and for what purpose the information is to be used. Except for a new collection, indicate the actual use the agency has made of the information received from the current collection.
OPM Form 1655 is an application form that will be used to capture the necessary information required for reemployment as a Senior ALJ. The creation of this form will streamline the application process for the Senior ALJ position by allowing the retired judges to place all of their requested information on these tailored forms. In addition, it will allow for easier data entry, and will eliminate the need for further contact with Senior ALJ applicants for additional information.
Describe whether, and to what extent, the collection of information involves the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses, and the basis for the decision for adopting this means of collection. Also describe any consideration of using information technology to reduce burden.
Improved information technology will do little to reduce the burden. The information collected cannot be obtained from other sources. The forms will be available on the OPM website and will be downloadable in a PDF format.
Describe efforts to identify duplication.
The forms are filed individually. Duplication is minimized.
If the collection of information impacts small businesses or other small entities (Item 5 of OMB Form 83-I), describe any methods used to minimize burden.
This collection of information does not affect small businesses or other small entities.
Describe the consequence to Federal program or policy activities if the collection is not conducted or is conducted less frequently, as well as any technical or legal obstacles to reducing burden.
Senior ALJs hear and decide cases involving a variety of subject matters. According to 5 CFR 930.209, they must be deemed qualified to serve as a Senior ALJ as defined by OPM regulations. Insufficient collection of information could result in noncompliance with law and regulation.
Explain any special circumstances that would cause an information collection to be conducted in a manner inconsistent with the guidelines in 5 CFR 1320.6.
Not applicable. This information collection is in compliance with 5 CFR 1320.6.
If applicable, provide a copy and identify the date and page number of publication in the Federal Register of the agency's notice, required by 5 CFR 1320.8(d), soliciting comments on the information collection prior to submission to OMB.
A notice of the proposed information collection was published in the Federal Register on May 4, 2011 at 76 FR 25379. No comments were received
Explain any decision to provide any payment or gift to respondents, other than remuneration of contractors or grantees.
Not applicable. Individuals voluntarily complete these forms.
Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for the assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy.
The 1655 and 1655A contains a Privacy Act Statement.
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. This justification should include the reasons why the agency considers the questions necessary, the specific uses to be made of the information, the explanation to be given to persons from whom the information is requested, and any steps to be taken to obtain their consent.
Not applicable. The questions are not of a sensitive nature, such as sexual behavior and attitudes, religious beliefs, and other matters that are commonly considered private.
Provide estimates of the hour burden of the collection of information.
Approximately 100 OPM 1655 forms, and approximately 150 OPM 1655-A forms are completed annually. The OPM 1655 form takes approximately 45 minutes to complete. The OPM 1655-A form takes approximately 25 minutes to complete. The annual estimated burden for the OPM 1655 and OPM 1655-A is 75 hours and 63 hours, respectively.
Provide an estimate for the total annual cost burden to respondents or record keepers resulting from the collection of information.
There is no cost to individual respondents.
Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal Government. Also provide a description of the method used to estimate cost which should include quantification of hours, operational expenses (such as equipment, overhead, printing, and support staff) and any other expenses that would not have been incurred without the paperwork burden.
It is estimated that the cost is approximately $59,219 which includes all the equipment, staff and operational expenses.
Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments reported in Items 13 or 14 of the OMB Form 83-I.
The respondent pool has decreased from previous estimates and submissions.
For collections of information whose results will be published, outline plans for tabulation and publication. Address any complex analytical techniques that will be used. Provide the time schedule for the entire project, including beginning and ending dates of the collection of information, completion of report, publication dates, and other actions.
Not applicable. Information collected on the forms will not be published.
If seeking approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of the information collection, explain the reasons that display would be inappropriate.
Not applicable.
Explain each exception to the certification statement identified in Item 19, "Certification for Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions," of OMB Form 83-I.
Not applicable.
| File Type | application/msword |
| File Title | OMB Supporting Statement |
| Author | GLiddy |
| Last Modified By | Windsor, Miles E. |
| File Modified | 2011-08-15 |
| File Created | 2011-08-15 |