01-31129. Competitive Enhancement Needs Assessment Survey Program

ACTION:

Notice and request for comments.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES:

Written comments must be submitted on or before February 19, 2002.

ADDRESSES:

Direct all written comments to Madeleine Clayton, DOC Paperwork Clearance Officer, [phone], Department of Commerce, Room 6086, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions should be directed to Dawnielle Battle, BXA ICB Liaison, [phone], Department of Commerce, Room 6881, 14th & Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC, 20230.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

The Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended, and Executive Order 12919, authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to assess the capabilities of the defense industrial base to support the national defense and to develop policy alternatives to improve the international competitiveness of specific domestic industries and their abilities to meet defense program needs. The information collected from voluntary surveys will be used to assist small and medium-sized firms in defense transition and in gaining access to advanced technologies and manufacturing processes available from Federal Laboratories. The goal is to improve regions of the country adversely affected by cutbacks in defense spending and military base closures.

II. Method of Collection

Survey.

III. Data

OMB Number: 0694-0083.

Form Number: None.

Type of Review: Regular submission for extension of a currently approved collection.

Affected Public: Individuals, businesses or other for-profit and not-for-profit institutions.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 5,000.

Estimated Time Per Response: 30 minutes per response.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 2,500.

Estimated Total Annual Cost: No start-up capital expenditures.

IV. Request for Comments

Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden (including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information collection; they will also become a matter of public record.

Dated: December 13, 2001.

Madeleine Clayton,

Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief Information Officer.