E8-18553. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

The Department of Commerce will submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance the following proposal for collection of information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35).

Agency: Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS).

Title: Competitive Enhancement Needs Assessment Survey Program.

OMB Control Number: 0694-0083.

Form Number(s): None.

Type of Request: Regular submission.

Burden Hours: 2,400.

Number of Respondents: 2,400.

Average Hours per Response: 1.

Needs and Uses: 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 this voluntary survey 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. While the previous survey focused primarily on those small businesses that were impacted by defense downsizing, it became apparent that non-defense dependent firms could also benefit from the variety of services offered. Therefore, the latest survey includes firms who manufacture products for non-defense end-uses, including NASA programs.

Affected Public: Business and other for-profit organizations.

Frequency: Annually.

Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.

OMB Desk Officer: David Rostker, [phone].

Copies of the above information collection proposal can be obtained by calling or writing Diana Hynek, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, [phone], Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at [e-mail]).

Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to David Rostker, OMB Desk Officer, FAX number [phone] or via the Internet at [e-mail] .

Dated: August 7, 2008.

Gwellnar Banks,

Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.