Information Collection Requests matter for teams that run surveys, interviews, panels, or standardized reporting that may include members of the public. If your work touches federal programs or is funded, sponsored, or administered by a federal agency, the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) and its ICR requirement governs how you collect information at scale.

• Scope and trigger: An ICR is required before a federal agency collects the same or similar information from 10 or more people or entities within a 12‑month period. This includes online surveys, forms, questionnaires, and recurring reports.
• What the ICR defines: The package explains what data will be collected, why it's needed, how it will be used for decision making, who is affected, and the estimated public burden in time and cost. It also describes sampling, instruments, mode of collection, and data retention.
• Quality and transparency: OMB approval results in a control number that must appear on the collection instrument. The supporting statement and burden analysis are public, which reinforces defensibility of insights and reduces risk of methodological challenge.
• Value to market research leaders: Properly scoped ICRs improve response quality, reduce respondent fatigue, and align stakeholder insights with statutory standards for necessity, practical utility, and minimized burden.

Understanding the mechanics helps sponsors and procurement leaders plan realistic schedules and choose partners who know the process.

• Core process: The agency submits an ICR through OMB's ROCIS system, publishes required Federal Register notices for public comment, and addresses feedback before OMB review. Upon approval, OMB issues a control number and expiration date, which must be displayed on the instrument.
• Typical timelines: End‑to‑end clearance can take several months. Build lead time into research roadmaps and plan pilot testing under appropriate authorities.
• Exemptions and edge cases: Collections directed solely to agency employees, or to fewer than 10 members of the public, generally do not require an ICR. Urgent situations may qualify for emergency clearance with a shortened review, but still require OMB authorization.
• Compliance signals to look for: Visible OMB control number and burden statement on the instrument; docket materials that clearly explain sampling, instrument design, expected burden, and data use; alignment with privacy, records, and accessibility requirements.

Use this checklist to design market research instruments and workflows that are PRA‑ready from day one.

• Define necessity and utility: Write decision‑focused research questions. Map each data element to a decision or metric to demonstrate practical utility.
• Minimize burden: Keep instruments concise, avoid duplicate questions, and estimate time realistically. Offer electronic submission and plain‑language instructions.
• Document the method: Include sampling frame, recruitment, expected response rate, cognitive testing or pilot results, and nonresponse bias analysis plans.
• Prepare the instrument package: Final questionnaire or form, consent language, privacy statements, burden statement, OMB control number placeholder, and data management plan.
• Plan stakeholder engagement: Draft Federal Register notices, compile public comments, and be ready to adjust instruments to reduce burden while preserving analytic value.
• Operational readiness: Train field teams on scripts, accessibility, and data protection. Set up monitoring to track actual burden, response, and any deviations.