Note to Reviewer - 1220-0044

May 8^th, 2014

MEMORANDUM FOR : Reviewer of 1220-0044

FROM : ANYA STOCKBURGER

Branch of Revision Planning and Special Projects

Division of Consumer Prices and Price Indexes

Bureau of Labor Statistics

SUBJECT : Dropping PSUs from sample in TPOPS

In the third quarter of 2014, BLS plans to cease Telephone Point of Purchase Survey (TPOPS) data collection in 19 of the 87 OMB-approved geographic areas or primary sampling units (PSUs) for the survey. This is in preparation for an upcoming geographic revision of the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Geographic revisions of the CPI occur approximately every 10 years, following each decennial census, and operate to keep CPI survey samples current and representative. During each planned revision, the set of PSUs is reselected, with the majority of large PSUs continuing from the existing sample, but with some PSUs dropping out to be replaced by new PSUs.

In 2018, the CPI will convert to a geographic classification structure and area sample that is based upon the 2010 decennial census. Under this design, 52 current PSUs continue, 31 drop, and 21 new PSUs will be added. Under CPI’s OMB-approved continuous revision budget, the PSU rotation is planned to occur in waves over a four year period, with the first wave of new PSUs added to TPOPS in FY15 and the last wave to begin TPOPS in FY18.

In order to add new PSUs on schedule and stay within budget constraints, TPOPS will end data collection in the following PSUs, which will be phased out in Q143:

PSU
B104 : SYRACUSE, NY	B344 : NORFOLK, VA
B110 : BURLINGTON, VT	B364 : MELBOURNE, FL
B112 : SHARON, PA	B380 : MIDLAND, TX
B114 : JOHNSTOWN, PA	B486 : MODESTO, CA
B222 : EVANSVILLE, IN	C212 : FARIBAULT, MN
B226 : SAGINAW, MI	C216 : CHANUTE, KS
B228 : ELKHART, IN	C222 : MOUNT VERNON, IL
B232 : YOUNGSTOWN, OH	C328 : ARCADIA, FL
B234 : MADISON, WI	C450 : BEND, OR
B342 : ALBANY, GA

The current OMB approval of the Telephone Point of Purchase Survey is scheduled to expire on February 28, 2017. Approximately 3,890 respondents will be dropping in these PSUs and burden hours will decrease by 1,671. This reduction will be temporary until the new PSUs are phased in which, will be covered in a full OMB clearance request prior to collection of the new PSUs in Q152.

If you have any questions about this request, please contact Anya Stockburger at 202-691-5370 or email at Stockburger.anya@bls.gov.

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