[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 50 (Monday, March 15, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 12118]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-5734]



[[Page 12118]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau


Survey of Industrial Research and Development

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 May 14, 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 Julius Smith, Jr., Census Bureau, Room 2135, 
Building 4, Washington, DC 20233-6900, 301-763-4683 (or via the 
Internet at [email protected]) and Raymond M. Wolfe, National 
Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 965, Arlington, VA 
22230, 703-292-7789 (or via the Internet at [email protected]).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    The Survey of Industrial Research and Development (R&D), has been 
conducted annually since 1953. The information collection involves the 
estimation of the expenditures on research and development performed 
within the United States by industrial firms. Historically, the survey 
has been sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF), with the 
Census Bureau acting as the collection agent. Under a joint project 
agreement between NSF and the Census Bureau, the Census Bureau plans to 
assume sponsorship and submit the R&D Survey for OMB review as a new 
collection.
    Industry accounts for over 70 percent of total U.S. R&D each year 
and since its inception, the survey has provided continuity of 
statistics on R&D expenditures by major industry groups and by source 
of funds. The survey is the industrial component of the NSF statistical 
program that seeks ``* * * to provide a central clearinghouse for the 
collection, interpretation, and analysis of data on scientific and 
engineering resources and to provide a source of information for policy 
formulation by other agencies of the Federal government,'' as mandated 
in the National Science Foundation Act of 1950. Statistics from the 
survey will be released by the Census Bureau and published in NSF's 
annual publication series Research and Development in Industry. The 
proposed collection will continue the survey for three years.

II. Method of Collection

    The survey will be mailed to a statistical sample of approximately 
31,100 companies to collect information on the amount and sources of 
funds for and character of R&D performed and contracted out by 
industrial firms, and information on sales and employment of the firms 
themselves.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 3145-0027 (NSF).
    Form Number: RD-1 (long form); RD-1A (abbreviated form).
    Type of Review: Regular review.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.

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Estimated Number of Respondents.......................     RD-1    2,600
                                                          RD-1A   28,500
                                                                --------
    Total.............................................  .......   31,100
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    Estimated Time Per Response: RD-1--18 hours; RD-1A--1 hour.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 75,300.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: The estimated cost to the respondents 
is $1,235,673.
    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: March 9, 2004.
Madeleine Clayton,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 04-5734 Filed 3-12-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P