[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 13 (Friday, January 21, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3186-3187]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E5-197]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Advocacy Questionnaire

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, DOC.

ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burdens, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the 
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 March 22, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th & 
Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20230, or e-mail [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Request for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to: Joe Enright, TheAdvocacy Center, Room 3814A, Department 
of Commerce, 14th and Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20230; 
Phone number: (202) 482-3896, and fax number; (202) 501-2895.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The U.S. Department of Commerce invites the general public and 
other Federal agencies to comment on the proposed extension of the use 
of the advocacy questionnaire by the Trade Promotion Coordination 
Committee's (TPCC) Advocacy Network. The questionnaire is used to 
evaluate requests for United States Government (USG) advocacy in 
connection with overseas commercial bids, offers, and proposals. The 
International Trade Administration's Advocacy Center marshals federal 
resources to assist U.S. commercial interests competing for foreign 
government commercial projects, procurements, investments, business 
ventures worldwide. The mission of the Advocacy Center is to coordinate 
USG commercial advocacy in order to promote U.S. exports, trade which 
both creates and sustains U.S. employment. The Advocacy Center works 
with and coordinates activities within TPCC which is chaired by the 
Secretary of Commerce and includes 19 federal agencies involved in 
export promotion. The purpose of the advocacy questionnaire is to 
collect the information necessary to evaluate a commercial I interest's 
(e.g., a company's) eligibility for USG advocacy assistance. There are 
clear, well-established USG advocacy guidelines that describe the 
various situations in which the USG can provide advocacy support for a 
specific commercial interest. The questionnaire was developed to 
collect only the information necessary to determine if a commercial 
interest meets the eligibility requirements set forth in the advocacy 
guidelines. The Advocacy Center, appropriate ITA officials, U.S. 
Embassy/Consulate officials worldwide, and other federal government 
agencies (the Advocacy Network) that provide advocacy support, will 
require firms seeking USG advocacy support to complete the 
questionnaire. Without the information, the USG would be unable

[[Page 3187]]

to determine the eligibility of commercial interests seeking USG 
advocacy support.

II. Method of Collection

    When U.S. commercial interests request USG advocacy assistance, 
they are either sent Form ITA-4133P or referred to the Advocacy 
Center's Web site from which Form ITA-4133P may be down-loaded 
completed, signed, and filed.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0625-0220.
    Form Number: ITA-4133P.
    Type of Review: Regular Submission.
    Affected Public: Commercial Interests seeking USG advocacy.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 200.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 30 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 205.
    Estimated Total Annual Costs: $15,300.00 ($9,175.00 for respondents 
and $6,125.00 for federal government).

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 costs) 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 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: January 13, 2005.
Madeleine Clayton,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
 [FR Doc. E5-197 Filed 1-19-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-FP-P