[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 184 (Thursday, September 21, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57165-57166]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-24213]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau


Construction Project Reporting Surveys (CPRS); Proposed 
Collection; Comment Request

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

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before November 20, 
2000.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Madeleine Clayton, 
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 
6086, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via 
the Internet at [email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to Michael Davis, Census Bureau, Room 2126 FOB 4, 
Washington, DC 20233-6900, (301) 457-1605(or via the Internet at 
[email protected]).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Census Bureau conducts the Construction Project Reporting 
Surveys (CPRS) to collect information on the dollar value of 
construction put in place by private companies, individuals, private 
multifamily residential buildings, and state and local governments. The 
three CPRS forms are: Form C-700, Private Construction Projects; Form 
C-700(R), Multifamily Residential Projects; and Form C-700(SL), State 
and Local Government Projects. These three forms are currently cleared 
separately. With this revision, we plan to combine these three forms 
under one clearance. No other substantive changes to the forms are 
planned.
    The Census Bureau is the preeminent collector and provider of 
timely, relevant and quality data about the people and economy of the 
United States. Economic data are the Census Bureau's primary program 
commitment during nondecennial census years. The Form C-700, Private 
Construction Projects collects construction put in place data for 
nonresidential projects owned by private companies or individuals. The 
Form C-700(R), Multifamily Residential Projects collects construction 
put in place data for private multifamily residential buildings. Form 
C-700(SL), State and Local Government Projects collects construction 
put in place data for state and local government projects.
    The Census Bureau uses the information from these surveys to 
publish the value of construction put in place series. Published 
estimates are used by a variety of private business and trade 
associations to estimate the demand for building materials and to 
schedule production, distribution, and sales efforts. They also provide 
various governmental agencies with a tool to evaluate economic policy 
and to measure progress towards established goals. For example, Bureau 
of Economic Analysis staff use data to develop the construction 
components of gross private domestic investment in the gross domestic 
product. The Federal Reserve Board and the Department of Treasury use 
the value in place data to predict the gross domestic product, which is 
presented to the Board of Governors and has an impact on monetary 
policy.

II. Method of Collection

    An independent systematic sample of projects is selected each month 
according to predetermined sampling rates. Once a project is selected 
it remains in the sample until completion of the project. Preprinted 
forms are mailed monthly to respondents to fill in current month data 
and any revisions to previous months. Some respondents are later called 
by a Census interviewer and report the data over the phone. Having the 
information available from a database at the time of the interview 
greatly helps reduce the time respondents spend on the phone. 
Interviews are scheduled at the convenience of the respondent, further 
reducing their burden.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0607-0163. In the past, we have had three OMB numbers, 
but with this revision we will be using only one. The other two OMB 
numbers affected are 0607-0153 and 0607-0171.
    Form Number: C-700, C-700(R), C-700(SL).
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Individuals, Businesses or Other for Profit, Non 
Profit Institutions, Small Businesses or Organizations, and State or 
Local Governments.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: C-700 = 6,000; C-700(R) = 1,440; 
C-700(SL) = 6,000.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 15 minutes per month.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: C-700 = 18,000; C-700(R) = 
4,320; C-700(SL) = 18,000; TOTAL = 40,320.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: 2.7 million.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    Legal Authority: Title 13, United States Code, Section 182.

[[Page 57166]]

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 15, 2000.
Madeleine Clayton,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer,, Office of the Chief Information 
Officer.
[FR Doc. 00-24213 Filed 9-20-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P