Data Collection Available for Public Comments

AGENCY:

Small Business Administration (SBA).

ACTION:

60-Day notice and request for comments.

SUMMARY:

The Small Business Administration (SBA) intends to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for the collection of information described below. The Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 requires federal agencies to publish a notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information before submission to OMB and to allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice complies with that requirement.

DATES:

Submit comments on or before January 4, 2019.

ADDRESSES:

Send all comments to Dena Moglia, Senior Management & Program Analyst, Office of Performance Management, Small Business Administration, 409 3rd Street SW, Washington, DC 20416.

Comments may be sent to: Comments may also be submitted via fax to the attention of Dena Moglia at 202-205-7034 or via email to dena.moglia@sba.gov. Comments will also be accepted through the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Visit http://www.regulations.gov,, and follow the online instructions for submitting comments electronically. All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will be a matter of public record.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional information or copies of this information collection should be directed to Dena Moglia at dena.moglia@sba.gov or Curtis B. Rich, Management Analyst, 202-205-7030 curtis.rich@sba.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Abstract: The SBA's Women's Business Centers represent a national network of over 100 educational centers designed to assist women in starting and growing small businesses. WBCs operate with the mission to “level the playing field” for women entrepreneurs, who still face unique obstacles in the world of business. Through the management and technical assistance provided by the WBCs, entrepreneurs (especially women who are economically or socially disadvantaged) are offered comprehensive training and counseling on a variety of topics in many languages to help them start and grow their own businesses. The SBA plans to conduct a web-based survey to understand to what degree the Agency's WBC programs and services help entrepreneurs start, manage, and grow businesses. The survey will help determine customer satisfaction and the outcomes of the delivered business assistance services. Surveys will be completed by a sample of clients who received business assistance services at least 1 year ago. A minimum 1-year lag is desired to allow the business outcomes of the services to be observed. Because WBCs offer both training and counseling services, clients who received either service will be included.

Solicitation of Public Comments

SBA is requesting comments on (a) Whether the collection of information is necessary for the agency to properly perform its functions; (b) whether the burden estimates are accurate; (c) whether there are ways to minimize the burden, including through the use of automated techniques or other forms of information technology; and (d) whether there are ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information.

Summary of Information Collection

Title: SBA's Women's Business Center (WBC) Client Survey.

Form Number: N/A.

Affected Public: This study includes WBCs and WBC clients who received entrepreneurship counseling and/or training services at least 1 year ago.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours on Respondents: 1,005.49 hours.