OMB exercises four key authorities that contribute to the  efficiency of the federal statistical system:   In this regard, OMB
Oversight and approval of information collections: OMB generally  must approve information collections that are to be administered to 10  or more people. Agencies use the system to submit information  collection requests. The elements of PRA most directly related to our review were identifying  duplication and soliciting external input on proposed collections. not include detailed explanations were generally for information  collections that had unique scopes or other characteristics that made  them unlikely to duplicate existing information. In addition, interagency  committees present information about their work at statistical seminars. Membership in the committees is made up almost exclusively of  representatives from the 13 principal statistical agencies, so most  agencies are not directly involved in committee activities. It makes sense  that agencies that have statistics as their primary focus are the most- heavily involved, but those agencies for which statistics is a supporting  function to their primary mission, and possibly academics and the broader  public, could benefit from greater access to information and products  related to the committees’ work and priorities. Administrative Data Could Help Improve Federal Surveys, but Continued Progress Is Needed on Access and Quality Issues

		Administrative Data Have Greater Potential to Supplement, Rather than Replace, Federal Surveys

Administrative data, typically collected to administer a program or  business, are a growing source of information on individuals and  households. According to the Census Bureau, the  amount of administrative data held by private companies exceeds the  amount held by the government. Supplementing surveys’ sample frames: Using administrative data  to supplement surveys’ sample frames—the sources from which a  survey’s sample is drawn—can create efficiencies, reduce costs, and  enhance the quality of surveys. Comparing data to improve survey accuracy and design: By  comparing survey data to similar administrative datasets and  identifying reasons for any discrepancies that may exist, agencies can  improve the quality of survey data. Quality of data: Agency officials and experts identified reasons why  the quality of administrative data can vary, which can affect their  potential use with survey data. Agencies and interagency committees have been taking numerous  actions to address these constraints. Similar to the checklist that FCSM is developing for agencies to use in  evaluating data quality, the framework could include a template outlining  a list of key questions for all agencies involved in the proposed data  sharing, including federal and state agencies that hold data, to address  issues such as: (1) the steps to take to ensure data reliability; (2) any  statutory limitations on planned uses of the data (including confidentiality  protections); (3) whether consent has already been obtained for additional  use of the data, or how it will be obtained; and (4) methods to fully  account for the costs associated with obtaining and using the data. Uses of ACS That Require Design and Methodology Changes Have Limited Potential

Agencies and others identified three uses of ACS data and resources  that, while offering potential benefits to other surveys, face such  constraints that more widespread use is likely not possible under current  ACS design. While the ACS currently does not include  supplements, doing so could enable surveys to leverage the  resources of the ACS. Supplementing the guidance could  increase agencies’ awareness of these options, in particular those that  were cited less frequently. Though agencies and  interagency committees are working to create tools to facilitate parts of  this process, more-comprehensive and centralized guidance for agencies  to follow when negotiating and making decisions regarding data-sharing  opportunities could help facilitate the process. Recommendations for Executive Action

In order to maintain progress in maximizing the efficiency of existing data  sources, we recommend that the Director of OMB, in consultation with the  Chief Statistician, work with the ICSP to take the following four actions:  To improve the broader efficiency of the federal statistical system and  improve communication among agencies and others, when OMB next updates guidance on agency survey and statistical  information collection and dissemination methods, include additional  details on actions agencies can take to meet requirements to identify  duplication, to consult with persons outside of the agency, and  address other requirements as appropriate; and  create new methods or enhance existing methods to improve the  dissemination of information and resources produced by interagency  statistical committees. To increase the reliability of the information presented on the Reginfo.gov  website and in OMB’s internal system,  implement quality-control procedures designed to identify and remedy  any differences between cost and burden information provided on the  website and in the related supporting statement documentation that  underlies this information. Appendix I: Scope and Methodology

The objectives of this report were to (1) review the ways in which the  Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and agencies identify  opportunities for improvement and increased efficiency of selected  information collections; (2) evaluate opportunities and constraints for the  statistical agencies to use administrative data in conjunction with selected  surveys; and (3) evaluate ways in which American Community Survey  (ACS) data and resources can be used in selected surveys, and the  associated benefits and constraints.
Why GAO Did This Study

As demand for more and better information increases, rising costs and other challenges require that the federal statistical system identify efficiencies. To explore opportunities to improve cost-effectiveness, GAO was asked to (1) review how the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and agencies improve information collections, (2) evaluate opportunities and constraints for agencies to use administrative data (information collected as part of the administration of a program or held by private companies) with surveys, and (3) assess the benefits and constraints of surveys making greater use of the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) data and resources. GAO focused on collections administered to households and individuals, analyzed statutory and agency documents, did five case studies of surveys, reviewed documentation of representative samples of active surveys, and interviewed agency officials and experts.

What GAO Found

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB), agencies, and interagency statistical committees have distinct roles in identifying opportunities to improve federal information collection efforts. OMB exercises several authorities that promote the system’s efficiency, including overseeing and approving agency information collections. The website Reginfo.gov provides the public with information, such as cost and burden, on collections that OMB reviews, though GAO’s review identified some discrepancies in selected items. OMB periodically issues guidance to agencies on complying with federal requirements for information collections, but this guidance generally does not prescribe specific actions to take. GAO’s analysis of agencies’ documentation of active surveys indicated that 77 percent included detailed descriptions of efforts to identify duplication, while those that did not tended to be for collections that are unlikely to duplicate existing information; and 75 percent reported actions beyond those required by statute to solicit external input. OMB, through enhanced guidance, could promote additional awareness of options agencies can take to identify duplication and solicit input. Interagency committees, which primarily draw members from the 13 agencies that have statistics as their primary focus, are particularly important in helping ensure collaboration. The committees have numerous projects underway aimed at addressing key challenges facing the statistical system. However, mechanisms for disseminating information about their work are not comprehensive or up-to-date. Though member agencies are the most-likely customers of the committees’ products, making information about committee work and priorities more accessible could benefit other agencies, academics, and the general public. It could also benefit committee members by providing a central repository for information.
Administrative data have greater potential to supplement rather than replace survey data. Agencies currently combine the two data sources in four key ways to cost-effectively increase efficiency and quality. Specifically, agencies use administrative data to: (1) link to survey data to create new data products; (2) supplement surveys’ sample frames; (3) compare to survey data to improve accuracy and design of surveys; and (4) combine with survey data to create, or model, estimates. However, expanding the use of administrative data faces key constraints related to the access and quality of the data. While agencies and committees are taking steps to address these constraints and facilitate the process through which agencies work together to share data, individual tools may not be sufficient. A more-comprehensive framework for use by all agencies involved in data-sharing decisions that includes key questions to consider when evaluating potential use of administrative data could make the decision process more consistent and transparent.
ACS, an ongoing monthly survey that provides information about the nation’s communities, offers agencies important opportunities to increase the efficiency and reduce the costs of their surveys, but its current design limits the extent to which agencies can utilize some of these opportunities. Uses that do not affect ACS design or the survey’s respondents, such as using ACS estimates to inform survey design or evaluate other surveys’ results, have widespread potential. However, more-intensive uses, such as adding content or supplemental surveys to the ACS, currently have limited potential.

What GAO Recommends

GAO recommends that OMB take several actions to improve the broader efficiency of the federal statistical system, including implementing additional quality-control procedures for selected website data, enhancing awareness of ways to meet information collection requirements, better disseminating information on interagency committees, and developing comprehensive guidance for agencies to use when considering data sharing. OMB generally agreed with all of GAO’s recommendations.