ALCOAST 006/21 - JAN 2021 2021 CONTINENTAL U.S. (CONUS) LIVING PATTERN SURVEY (LPS)

R 061501Z JAN 21
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST

UNCLAS
ALCOAST 006/21
SSIC 7220 
SUBJ:  2021 CONTINENTAL U.S. (CONUS) LIVING PATTERN SURVEY (LPS)
1. This ALCOAST announces the 2021 CONUS LPS and strongly urges
all CONUS-assigned active duty members and their dependents
participate in it. This is an opportunity for the CONUS military
community at-large to participate in the Cost-of-Living Allowance
(COLA) process and positively affect future rates.
2. The LPS is conducted on behalf of all the Uniformed Services
by the Department of Defense (DoD) and is a key factor in development
of annual COLA rates for all the Uniformed Services. The triennial
LPS is the first step in the annual COLA rate setting process.
The survey is designed to collect data on shopping patterns of
Uniformed Service members and their families for non-housing goods
and services and will be used to assist in the determination of
both Overseas and CONUS COLA rates.
3. Participation in this survey is voluntary; however, maximum
participation is strongly encouraged from active duty members
(including Reserve members on long-term active duty) currently
stationed at CONUS duty stations for at least three months.
Only one LPS survey response is permitted per active duty
household; however, in cases where members are residing apart
from their dependents, the member at a CONUS PDS or homeport
can submit a survey on their own behalf as a member without
dependents. Spouses of member's who reside at a designated
place in CONUS that is not in the vicinity of the members
CONUS PDS may also submit a survey.
4. Coast Guard member participation is imperative to help ensure
that DoD has accurate data necessary to accurately compute COLA
for the next three years (CYs 2022-24). A Common Access Card or
government computer is not required to access the survey.
The survey takes approximately 15 minutes to complete and only
one survey per household should be completed by the primary
shopper at a location. Members will be asked to select which
goods and services they regularly purchase at local stores and
the percentage of shopping they complete at on-base facilities
(commissaries & exchanges – if available) and online.
5. Commanders and supervisors at CONUS units at all levels are
requested to make this ALCOAST known to all hands to strongly
encourage their participation in the LPS. LPS participation
while on duty (if operations permit) is authorized.
6. The survey will be open to participants from January 1, 2021,
at 0001 Eastern Standard Time (EST) through March 31, 2021, at
2400 EST. Members and dependents may access the survey at the
following link:
https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/conusColaSurvey.cfm.
7. POC: Mr. Peter Bekken, COMDT (CG-1332), Email:
Peter.Q.Bekken@uscg.mil or via Skype IM.
8. RADM J. M. Nunan, Assistant Commandant for Human Resources
(CG-1), sends.
9. Internet release is authorized.