[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 204 (Wednesday, October 22, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60335-60336]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-26663]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau


Annual Capital Expenditures Survey

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

[[Page 60336]]

public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment 
on proposed 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 December 22, 
2003.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 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 Charles Funk, U.S. Census Bureau, Room 1285-3, 
Washington, DC 20233-6400, (301) 763-3331 or via the Internet at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The U.S. Census Bureau plans the continuing information collection 
for the 2003 Annual Capital Expenditures Survey (ACES). The annual 
survey collects data on fixed assets and depreciation, sales and 
receipts, capitalized computer software, and capital expenditures for 
new and used structures and equipment. The ACES is the sole source of 
detailed comprehensive statistics on actual business spending by 
domestic, private, nonfarm businesses operating in the United States. 
Industrial sectors covered by the survey are based on the 1997 North 
American Industrial Classification System. Both employer and 
nonemployer companies are included in the survey.
    The Bureau of Economic Analysis, the primary Federal user of our 
annual program statistics, uses the information in refining and 
evaluating annual estimates of investment in structures and equipment 
in the national income and product accounts, compiling annual input-
output tables, and computing gross domestic product by industry. The 
Federal Reserve Board uses the data to improve estimates of investment 
indicators for monetary policy. The Bureau of Labor Statistics uses the 
data to improve estimates of capital stocks for productivity analysis.
    Industry analysts use these data for market analysis, economic 
forecasting, identifying business opportunities, product development, 
and business planning.
    The major change from previous ACES is the collection of detailed 
capital expenditures by type of structure and type of equipment for the 
2003 ACES from employer companies. Beginning with the 1998 ACES, these 
detailed data are collected together every five years. These data are 
critical to evaluate the comprehensiveness of capital expenditures 
statistics collected in years for which types of structures and 
equipment detail are not collected. The detailed structures data will 
provide a 5-year benchmark for estimates of new construction put in 
place. The detailed equipment data will provide a periodic measure of 
expenditures by type of equipment and assist in evaluating estimates of 
private equipment and software component of nonresidential fixed 
investment. Discussions are currently taking place with data users on 
the level of detailed type of structures and type of equipment data to 
be collected.

II. Method of Collection

    The Census Bureau will use mail out/mail back survey forms to 
collect data. Employer companies will be mailed one of three forms 
based on their diversity of operations and number of industries with 
payroll. Companies that operate in only one industry will receive an 
ACE-1 (S) form. Companies operating in more than one, but less than 
nine industries will receive an ACE-1 (M) form. And, companies that 
operate in nine or more industries will receive an ACE-1 (L). All 
nonemployer companies will receive ACE-2 forms. Respondent companies 
are permitted to respond via facsimile machine using our toll-free 
number. Companies will be asked to respond to the survey within 30 days 
of the initial mailing. Letters and/or telephone calls encouraging 
participation will be directed to companies that have not responded by 
the designated time.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0607-0782.
    Form Number: ACE-1(S), ACE-1(M), ACE-1(L), and ACE-2.
    Type of Review: Regular Review.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations, non-
profit institutions, small businesses or organizations, and self-
employed individuals.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: Approximately 61,000 (46,000 
employer companies, and 15,000 nonemployer businesses).
    Estimated Time Per Response: The average for all respondents is 
3.33 hours. For employer companies completing form ACE-1, the range is 
from 2 to 28 hours, averaging 4.09 hours. For nonemployer companies 
completing form ACE-2, the range is less than 1 hour to 2 hours, 
averaging 1 hour.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 203,000 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Respondents: $4 million.
    Respondents' 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: October 18, 2003.
Madeleine Clayton,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 03-26663 Filed 10-21-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P