[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 35 (Wednesday, February 23, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8765-8766]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-3391]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau


Annual Trade 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 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,

[[Page 8766]]

Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before April 25, 2005.

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 John Trimble, Bureau of the Census, Room 2682-FOB 
3, Washington, DC 20233-6500, (301) 763-2703.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Census Bureau plans to expand the currently approved Annual 
Trade Survey (ATS) to include agents, brokers and electronic markets 
(AGBR). The expanded survey will include a selected sample of firms 
operating offices facilitating sales between businesses in the United 
States. Data will be collected annually on sales, commissions, value of 
sales arranged for others, e-commerce sales, and operating expenses. 
Initially, we will request two years of data for the AGBR. Afterwards, 
we will request one year of data. The expanded survey will be mailed to 
a sample of firms on a company basis to reduce respondent burden. In 
order to set up reporting arrangements for companies we will contact 
them by phone and by mail. We will request data for calendar year. Two 
report forms will be developed to collect AGBR data. Two forms are 
needed to accommodate both large and small firms. The mailings will be 
conducted in January following the survey year requested. Respondents 
will have thirty days to complete the report form before a follow-up 
form is sent. Later, as needed, an additional follow-up form will be 
sent, and a telephone follow-up will be conducted.
    This expansion of the ATS survey is being conducted to obtain a 
missing component of wholesale data. The current ATS collects data for 
merchant wholesalers, and MSBO, but does not obtain data for AGBRs. The 
Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) has made repeated requests for these 
data that they consider vital to accurately measuring sales for 
wholesale trade, and important inputs to BEA's preparation of National 
Income and Product accounts and their annual input-output tables. This 
expansion to ATS will provide annual data for the entire wholesale 
sector. Data will be published at the United States summary level for 
selected wholesale industries.

II. Method of Collection

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

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0607-0195.
    Additional Form Numbers: SA-42(AGBR) and SA-42A(AGBR).
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Estimated Number of Additional Respondents: 659.
    Estimated Time for Additional Response: 23 minutes (avg.).
    Estimated Additional Annual Burden Hours: 253.
    Estimated Additional Annual Cost: The cost to the respondent is 
estimated to be $5,968 based on an annual response burden of 253 hours 
and a rate of $23.59 per hour to complete the form.
    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: February 16, 2005.
Madeleine Clayton,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 05-3391 Filed 2-22-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P