2026 Census Test - Group Quarters Advance Contact

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
Form D6-QFE-GA 2026 Census Test - Group Quarters Advance Contact Form	New
2026CensusTest-GQ Advance Contact 30dFRN-2025-10-22.pdf Supplementary Document	2025-10-22
Supporting Statement Part B GQAC v1.2.docx Supporting Statement B	2025-09-12
Supporting Statement Part A GQAC v1.3.docx Supporting Statement A	2025-10-21
Attachment A - USCODE-2007-Title13.pdf Supplementary Document	2025-07-02

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
275954	2026 Census Test - Group Quarters Advance Contact Form	New

ICR Details

OMB Control No:	ICR Reference No: 202506-0607-003
Status: Received in OIRA	Previous ICR Reference No:
Agency/Subagency: DOC/CENSUS	Agency Tracking No:
Title: 2026 Census Test - Group Quarters Advance Contact
Type of Information Collection: New collection (Request for a new OMB Control Number)	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular	Date Submitted to OIRA: 10/22/2025

	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	36 Months From Approved
Responses	600	0
Time Burden (Hours)	150	0
Cost Burden (Dollars)	7,550	0

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Abstract: During the years preceding the 2030 Census, the Census Bureau will pursue its commitment to developing a well-managed, cost-effective, high quality decennial census. The Census Bureau will streamline data collection processes and implement new and improved methods to count the U.S. population for the 2030 Census. This includes improved methods for counting individuals residing in Group Quarters (GQs), (i.e. college/university student housing, residential treatment centers, nursing/skilled-nursing facilities and assistant living facilities, group homes, correctional facilities, hospitals, and military barracks). GQ administrators play a vital role in data collection during Group Quarters Advance Contact (GQAC). They provide critical updates about the facility and residents to prepare for subsequent Group Quarters Enumeration (GQE) operation. The 2026 Census Test will enable the Census Bureau to contact the GQ administrators by phone or in person to collect information about the GQs such as verifying/updating the GQ name, address, GQ type, contact person’s name and phone number, and maximum population. In addition, the Census Bureau needs to collect their preferred enumeration method for their residents, the expected population count for the GQ on Census Day, April 1, 2026, and depending on the enumeration method selected, select the date and time they would like to schedule an appointment.

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Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 13 USC 141, 193 and 221
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

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Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	89 FR 87540	11/04/2024
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	90 FR 48444	10/22/2025
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 1

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
2026 Census Test - Group Quarters Advance Contact	D6-QFE-GA	Group Quarters Advance Contact Instrument (in-office and in-field GQAC)

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ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Request	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	600	0	0	600	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	150	0	0	150	0	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	7,550	0	0	7,550	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Increase Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: This is a new collection to test census methodologies.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government:

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? Yes Part B of Supporting Statement

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     Yes

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     Yes

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? No

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Common Form ICR:  No

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On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).

The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:

(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;

(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;

(c) It reduces burden on small entities;

(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;

(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;

(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;

(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:

(i) Why the information is being collected;

(ii) Use of information;

(iii) Burden estimate;

(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);

(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and

(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;

(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.

(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and

(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.

If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.

Certification Date: 10/22/2025

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