[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 55 (Friday, March 21, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 13592]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-7125]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Bureau of the Census


Service Annual Survey

ACTION: Proposed collection; comment requested

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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, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before May 20, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier, 
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 
5327, 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 Ruth A. Bramblett, Bureau of the Census, Room 
2775-FOB 3, Washington, DC 20233-6500, (301) 457-2766.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Service Annual Survey (SAS) provides dollar volume estimates of 
the total output of personal, business, amusement, social, health, and 
other professional services in the United States. The Bureau of 
Economic Analysis (BEA), the primary Federal user, uses the information 
in developing the national income and product accounts, compiling 
benchmark and annual input-output tables, and computing gross domestic 
product by industry. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) uses the data 
as input to its Producer Price Indexes and in developing productivity 
measurements. Other government agencies such as the Health Care 
Financing Administration (HCFA) use the data for program, planning, and 
development. The Census Bureau uses these data to provide new insight 
into changing structural and cost conditions that will directly impact 
the planning and design of future economic census questionnaires. 
Private industry uses the data in planning and as a tool for marketing 
analysis. Data are collected from all of the largest firms and from a 
sample of small- and medium-sized businesses, selected using a 
stratified random sampling procedure. The SAS sample is reselected 
periodically, generally at 5-year intervals. The largest firms continue 
to be canvassed when the sample is re-drawn, while nearly all of the 
small- and medium-sized firms from the old sample are replaced. The 
1996 SAS introduced a new sample based on 1992 census results and 
expanded the annual coverage to include Standard Industrial 
Classification 8299, Schools and Educational Services. The number of 
firms surveyed and the amount of burden hours increases as a result of 
the implementation of the new sample and expanded coverage.

II. Method of Collection

    We will collect this information by mail.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0607-0422
    Form Number: B-500T, B-500T1, B-500T2, B-500T3, B-500T4, B-500T5, 
B-500T6, B-500M, B-500M1, B-500M2, B-500M3.
    Type of Review: Regular Submission.
    Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profit organizations, not-
for-profit institutions, Government hospitals.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 33,000.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 0.4 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 13,200.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: The total cost in fiscal year 1997 for 
the Service Annual Survey is $3,507,000 all borne by the Bureau of the 
Census. The cost to the respondent is estimated to be $660,000, based 
on an annual response burden of 13,200 hours and a rate of $50 per hour 
to complete the form.
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
    Legal Authority: Title 13, United States Code, Sections 182, 224, 
and 225.

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 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: March 17, 1997.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 97-7125 Filed 3-20-97; 8:45 a.m.]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P