[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 223 (Wednesday, November 19, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65242-65243]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-28936]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau


State and Local Construction Coverage Study

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 January 20, 
2004.

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 Thuy Trang Nguyen, U.S. Census Bureau, Room 2136-
4, Washington, DC 20233-6900 (or via telephone at (301) 763-4640).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The U.S. Census Bureau collects monthly Value in Place (VIP) data 
on State and local government construction in the Construction Progress 
Reporting Surveys (CPRS) (OMB  0607-0153). We also collect 
fiscal year data on similar construction in the Annual Survey of 
Government Finance (ASGF) (OMB  0607-0585). It is expected 
that these estimates should be comparable on a fiscal basis; 
nevertheless, they have continued to differ significantly during the 
past decades. One major source of the differences is the undercoverage 
of the desired universe by the sampling frame used in the CPRS. The 
F.W. Dodge Division of McGraw-Hill Information Systems Company 
identifies and lists projects started by State and local governments 
nationwide. We select a sample of projects from this list for the VIP 
survey. Due to the differences in the level of coverage by value and 
geographical area, various projects have no chance of being selected 
for the VIP survey.
    The most recent evaluation of this coverage was done in 1988, 
producing an undercoverage estimate of 18 percent. The continuing 
difference on the fiscal year basis between the CPRS and the ASGF 
indicates the need for a reevaluation of the sampling frame coverage.
    We will conduct this study on a one time basis. The Census Bureau 
will use the information collected for evaluation purposes and survey 
improvement through the correction of the State and local construction 
VIP estimate by the estimated coverage rate. The consequence for not 
conducting an undercoverage evaluation will be that the Census Bureau 
will produce less accurate estimates for the State and local government 
construction VIP. The Bureau of Economic Analysis uses the Construction 
Progress Reporting Survey estimates to develop the construction 
components for input to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) accounts. 
Other government agencies such as the Council of Economics Advisers, 
the Federal Reserve Bank Board, and the Department of Treasury use 
these estimates in making policy decisions.

II. Method of Collection

    We selected our respondents from the sample of State and local 
governments in the ASGF. We sampled 4,026 agencies from the sample of 
16,986 agencies with construction expenditures.
    We will utilize a mailout/mailback strategy to collect the data. 
Questionnaires will be mailed out in two waves (wave 1 to half of the 
sampled agencies and wave 2 to the other half) three months apart. 
Nonresponse followup will be conducted by telephone beginning 30 days 
after the initial mailout.

III. Data

    OMB Number: None.
    Form Number: SLUE-007(SS).
    Type of Review: New collection.
    Affected Public: State or local governments.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 4,026.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 1 hour.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 4,026.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: $67,000.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    Legal Authority: Title 13, United States Code, Sections 161 and 
182.

[[Page 65243]]

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 will 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: November 14, 2003.
Madeleine Clayton,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 03-28936 Filed 11-18-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P