# Federal Register #2026-22096

HHS Seeks Comments on Extending ASPE Qualitative Research Clearance

**Buyer:** U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of the Secretary (OS), Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE)
**Posted:** October 29, 2026
**Respond By:** December 29, 2026
**Identifier:** 2026-22096

HHS is seeking public comments on extending ASPE’s clearance for qualitative research and assessment information collection.
- Government buyer: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of the Secretary (OS), Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE).
- Purpose: Extend the ASPE Umbrella Generic Clearance for the Collection of Qualitative Research and Assessment (OMB No. 0990-0421) to support research on emerging health and human services policy issues.
- Research methods include interviews, focus groups, questionnaires, and other qualitative methods.
- The extension would not change the clearance’s purpose or use; burden estimates have been adjusted to reflect anticipated use over the next three years.
- This is a public-comment information-collection notice, not a procurement opportunity. No products, services, OEMs, vendors, quantities, or part numbers are identified.

### Description

The Office of the Secretary at HHS, through the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, requests public comment on an extension of the approved ASPE Umbrella Generic Clearance for the Collection of Qualitative Research and Assessment (OMB No. 0990-0421). The extension is requested without changes to the clearance’s purpose and use, though burden estimates have been adjusted to reflect anticipated use over the next three years. The clearance supports qualitative research, including interviews, focus groups, questionnaires, and other qualitative methods, about emerging health and human services policy issues. Comments are due December 28, 2026.

[View original listing](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/10/29/2026-22096/agency-information-collection-request-60-day-public-comment-request)