[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 110 (Friday, June 7, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39341-39342]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-14243]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau


Service Annual Survey; 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 August 6, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Madeleine Clayton, 
Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 
6608, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230 (or via e-
mail 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 Ruth Bramblett, U.S. Census Bureau, Room 2775-FOB 
3, Washington, DC 20233-6500, (301) 457-2766 or via e-mail at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

I. Abstract

    The Service Annual Survey (SAS) provides, for selected service 
industries, total revenue estimates for taxable firms and total revenue 
and expense estimates for tax-exempt firms. Selected service industries 
include professional, scientific and technical services; administrative 
and support services; health care and social assistance; 
telecommunications, publishing, broadcasting and other information 
service industries; trucking, courier and messenger, and warehousing; 
selected financial services; and arts, entertainment and recreation. 
These data are needed to provide a sound statistical basis for the 
formation of policy by various governmental agencies. The Census Bureau 
is authorized by Title 13, United States Code, to conduct surveys 
necessary to furnish current data on subjects covered by the major 
censuses. These surveys provide continuing and timely national 
statistical data for the period between economic censuses.
    The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the primary Federal user of 
these annual program statistics, uses the information in developing the 
national income and product accounts, compiling benchmark and annual 
input-output tables, and computing Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 
industry. Agencies of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) use 
the data for policy development and program management and evaluation. 
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) uses the data as inputs to its 
Producer Price Indexes and in developing productivity measurements. The 
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) uses the data in the 
development of the National Health Expenditure Accounts. The Federal 
Communications Commission (FCC) uses the data as a means for assessing 
FCC policy. The Census Bureau uses the data to provide new insight into 
changing structural and cost conditions that will impact the planning 
and design of future economic census questionnaires. Private industry 
also uses the data 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 
sampling procedure. The samples are 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 prior sample are replaced. We collect these data by 
using a mail-out/mail-back survey questionnaire.
    At the present time, we are only requesting an extension for the 
current Service Annual Survey program. We will not be implementing any 
new changes for survey year 2002. However, the Service Annual Survey 
program began testing the North American Product Classification System 
(NAPCS) for the information sector (NAICS 51, except 512) and computer 
system services group (NAICS 5415) for survey year 2001 and we plan to 
expand coverage of NAPCS to the following subsectors for survey year 
2003: Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (NAICS 541); 
Administrative Support Services (NAICS 561) and Waste Management and 
Remediation Services (NAICS 562). In subsequent survey years, we intend 
to expand product lines to additional industries covered by SAS.
    NAPCS was developed jointly by the statistical agencies in the 
United States, Canada, and Mexico to systematically identify and define 
the products of the service industries. The comprehensive demand-
oriented product classification system will complement the supply-
oriented North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) 
introduced in 1997. APCS was launched as a multi-phase initiative by 
the three countries on February 2, 1999, and it was announced by the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in the Federal Register on April 
16, 1999. Phase I, an exploratory phase launched in early 1999, 
targeted the following four NAICS sectors: Information (NAICS 51); 
Finance and Insurance (NAICS 52); Professional, Scientific, and 
Technical Services (NAICS 54); and Administrative and Support and Waste 
Management and Remediation Services (NAICS 56). Phase II, launched in 
July 2001, extended the product development work to industries in five 
additional NAICS service sectors: Transportation and Warehousing (NAICS 
48 and 49), Educational Services (NAICS 61), Health Care and Social 
Assistance (NAICS 62), Arts, Entertainment and Recreation (NAICS 71), 
and Accommodation and Food Services (NAICS 72). Phase III, which is 
expected to be launched in mid-2003, will seek to complete product 
development and classification for all NAICS services industries.
    Compared to goods-producing industries, there is a serious lack of 
information about and data for the products produced by the service 
industries in the U.S. and elsewhere. The collection and dissemination 
of NAPCS service statistics will provide much needed data for private 
sector firms, policy analysts and trade negotiators seeking to 
determine and develop market opportunities and to track industrial 
performance.
    Future initiatives also include the collection of annual data on 
the cost of selected purchased services and materials in the 2003 
Service Annual Survey for the following industries: Information (NAICS 
51); Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial Investments 
and Related

[[Page 39342]]

Activities (NAICS 523); Professional, Scientific, and Technical 
Services (NAICS 541); and Administrative and Support and Waste 
Management and Remediation Services (NAICS 56). For the 2004 survey, we 
will begin collecting these data for all remaining industries covered 
in SAS. Key data items include the cost of purchased telecommunications 
services, software and data processing services, management and 
consulting services, fuels, electricity, lease and rental payments, 
materials and supplies other than for resale, and contract labor. The 
availability of this data will greatly improve the quality of the 
intermediate-inputs and value-added estimates in BEA's annual input-
output and GDP by industry accounts. Annual data on purchased services 
and materials will also be used as indicators to update census year 
data collected on the Business Expenditures Survey.

II. Method of Collection

    We collect this information by mail, fax, and telephone follow-up.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0607-0422.
    Form Number: The SAS program consists of 58 forms which are too 
extensive to list here.
    Type of Review: Regular Submission.
    Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profit organizations, not-
for-profit institutions, Government hospitals and Federal Government.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 50,000.
    Estimated Time Per Response: On average, we expect 1 hour and 30 
minutes as an estimate.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 61,662 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: The cost to the respondents for fiscal 
year 2003 is estimated to be $1,289,352 based on the median hourly 
salary of $20.91 for accountants and auditors. (Occupational Employment 
Statistics-Bureau of Labor Statistics ``2000 National Occupational 
Employment and Wage Estimates'') http://www.bls.gov/oes/2000/oes132011.htm.
    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 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: June 3, 2002.
Madeleine Clayton,
Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief 
Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 02-14243 Filed 6-6-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P