02-11341. Offsets in Military Reports

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 July 8, 2002.

ADDRESSES:

Direct all written comments to Madeleine Clayton, DOC Paperwork Clearance Officer, [phone], Department of Commerce, Room 6608, 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 Marna Hayes, BIS ICB Liaison, [phone], Department of Commerce, Room 6622, 14th & Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

The Defense Production Act Amendments of 1992, Section 123 (Pub. L. 102558), which amended Section 309 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, requires United States firms to furnish information regarding offset agreements exceeding $5,000,000 in value associated with sales of weapon systems or defense-related items to foreign countries. The information collected on offset transactions will be used to assess the cumulative effect of offset compensation practices on U.S. trade and competitiveness, as required by statute.

II. Method of Collection

Annual report.

III. Data

OMB Number: 0694-0084.

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: 100.

Estimated Time Per Response: 10 hours per response.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 270.

Estimated Total Annual Cost: No start-up costs or 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: May 2, 2002.

Madeleine Clayton,

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