[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 175 (Friday, September 10, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 49150]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-23513]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Census Bureau
Survey of Manufacturers' Shipments to Federal Government Agencies
ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.
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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, Pub. L. 104-13 (44 U.S.C.
3506(c)(2)(A)).
DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before November 9,
1999.
ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room
5033, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230 (or via
the Internet at LEngelme@doc.gov).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should
be directed to Lee Wentela, U.S. Census Bureau, Room 2232 FB-4,
Washington, DC 20233, on (301) 457-4832.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
The Census Bureau presently conducts the Manufacturers' Shipments,
Inventories, and Orders (M3) survey under Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) control number 0607-0008. The M3 survey collects monthly
data on shipments, inventories, and new and unfilled orders from
manufacturing companies. The orders, as well as the shipments and
inventory data, are used widely and are valuable tools for analysts of
business cycle conditions, including members of the Council of Economic
Advisers, the Treasury Department, and the business community. The
proposed Survey of Manufacturers' Shipments to Federal Government
Agencies will collect value of shipments from manufacturers in 1999,
the value of shipments to Federal agencies under prime contracts by
selected agencies, and the value of shipments which are subcontracted
from Federal contracts. Estimates of shipments to the Federal
government will be made for industries classified according to the new
North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). These estimates
will provide benchmark levels of shipments for government and
nongovernment categories by NAICS industries for the monthly M3 series.
The monthly M3 estimates are based on a relatively small sample and
reflect primarily the month-to-month changes of large companies. There
is a clear need for periodic benchmarking of the M3 estimates to
reflect the entire manufacturing universe. The Annual Survey of
Manufactures (OMB control number 0607-0449) provides annual benchmarks
for the shipments and inventory data collected in this monthly survey.
However, the annual survey does not distinguish between government and
non-government shipments. Because of the methodology used for the
monthly indicator, any discrepancy between the indicator series and
statistically derived measures can become exaggerated over time and the
results can be misleading to policy makers. The last benchmark survey
for government shipments was for the year 1992. In addition to the long
period between benchmark estimates, the conversion from the Standard
Industrial Classification system to NAICS further exacerbates any
discrepancy and makes the need for the benchmark survey more critical.
II. Method of Collection
The Census Bureau will use mail out/mail back survey forms to
collect the data. Companies will be asked to respond to the survey
within 45 days of receipt. Letters encouraging participation will be
mailed to companies that have not responded by the designated time.
III. Data
OMB Number: 0607-0763 (to be reinstated).
Form Number: MC-9675.
Type of Review: Regular.
Affected Public: Businesses, large and small, or other for profit
organizations.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 2,000.
Estimated Time Per Response: 1 hour.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 2,000.
Estimated Total Annual Cost: $26,480.
Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
Legal Authority: Title 13 U.S.C., Section 182.
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: September 3, 1999.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief Information
Officer.
[FR Doc. 99-23513 Filed 9-9-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P
