[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 LE[email protected]).

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