2011-10419. Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Competitive Enhancement Needs Assessment Survey Program

AGENCY:

Bureau of Industry and Security.

ACTION:

Notice.

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.

DATES:

Written comments must be submitted on or before June 28, 2011.

ADDRESSES:

Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at [e-mail]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should be directed to Larry Hall, BIS ICB Liaison, [phone], [e-mail].

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. They also 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

Submitted electronically.

III. Data

OMB Control Number: 0694-0083.

Form Number(s): None.

Type of Review: Regular submission.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 2,400.

Estimated Time Per Response: 1 hour.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 2,400.

Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0.

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 also will become a matter of public record.

Dated: April 26, 2011.

Gwellnar Banks,

Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.