1000E-2014a Evaluation of USTDA Performance

Evaluation of USTDA Performance

This evaluation requests information from entities that do business with the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA). Responses to the collection of information are voluntary.
The information provided by respondents enables USTDA to assess the impacts that its program investments have on U.S. commercial interests and economic development abroad. The goal of this information collection is to gather evidence and stakeholder feedback in order to continually improve program performance and deliver better results to U.S. taxpayers.

An Agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number with an expiration date that has not expired.

Reasons for collection: The information provided by respondents is critical to USTDA’s success and ability to design programs that support the needs of clients and partners across the United States and around the world. The data and feedback gathered through this collection is utilized to help the Agency identify the most effective ways to leverage its funding, inform the Agency‘s decision making processes, and contribute to the Agency‘s ability to maintain accountability and transparency with its stakeholders. As a matter of good management practice, such information is necessary to responsibly carry out the Agency’s mission of monitoring current and recently completed activities. The information collection provides USTDA with data that it needs to report to the Office of Management and Budget and Congress.

Planned use: The collected data is primarily for USTDA internal use. USTDA aggregates data (e.g. – total U.S. exports; number of projects with development impacts, etc.) but generally does not publicly report on the details of each project or the results achieved by particular U.S. entities. Aggregated data is normally sufficient for USTDA reporting purposes.

Nature and extent of confidentiality: The information you provide in response to the collection of information will be treated as public, unless you provide a statement to USTDA with a compelling reason why this information should not be made public.

Average Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average twenty (20) minutes per response, including time for searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and responding to the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden to Agency Forms Officer, U.S. Trade and Development Agency, 1000 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1600, Arlington, VA 22209; and to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Washington, DC 20503.

	USTDA GENERAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS USTDA utilizes the following generalized set of questions to guide interviewers/analysts in preparing for telephone interviews and/or e-mail requests for information. Each interview is unique, and the particular questions used depend on the specific project, the stage the project has reached, and the information that has already been collected.
1	Project Status: What is the implementation status of the project? If the project is moving forward to implementation, describe the implementation process, timeline, and next steps. If the project is not moving forward, please describe the obstacles or actions that would be helpful to move the project forward.
2	Impact of USTDA Involvement: Did the USTDA-funded activity play a positive role in shaping project development and outcomes? Please explain. How significant was USTDA’s involvement in achieving the goals of the project? Please explain.
3	Project Finance: How is the project being financed? If no financing has been secured, what are the primary obstacles?
4	Procurement Opportunities and U.S. Company Involvement: What procurements have been made (or are planned) to support the project? What was the procurement process? If goods and services were procured from foreign entities, what were the primary deciding factors? If goods and services were procured from U.S. companies, what are the cost and source details? What percentage originated in the United States? What is the potential for exports from the United States to be used in this or other projects in the future? Are you aware of other US companies in this sector that might that might be interested in exporting to the country in which this project is located, or to other developing or middle income countries? What are your priority targeted emerging markets, and what goods or services do you seek to export to those markets?
5	Host Country Development Impacts: Has the project generated any positive impacts for the local host country? If so, please describe the nature and value of these impacts, using quantifiable factors when possible (for example, local jobs creation, infrastructure development, efficiency gains, environmental benefits, capacity growth, regulatory or policy reform, etc.).
6	Closing Questions: What are the primary results generated by USTDA involvement in this project? Were any additional indirect benefits or opportunities created as a result of this project? If so, what are the details? How appropriate and/or useful was the USTDA activity in achieving the project goals and meeting the needs of the participants? What could be improved for future activities of this nature? What do you see as the key challenges or obstacles for this project that are relevant to other activities in this sector/market/region/area? What additional types of assistance might USTDA provide to your and other companies in this sector, to support your efforts to export to this country and/or other developing/middle income countries around the world? Are there other sources of information we should contact?

USTDA 1000E-2009a Page 1