[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 47 (Friday, March 10, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12340-12341]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-3410]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau


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

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before May 9, 2006.

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 David Lassman, U.S. Census Bureau, Room 2744-FOB 
3, Washington, DC 20233-6500, and (301) 763-7202.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    The U.S. Census Bureau conducts a quarterly survey of service 
industry production--the Quarterly Services Survey (QSS). The QSS is a 
principal economic indicator series that produces, for selected service 
industries, quarterly estimates of total operating revenue and the 
percentage of revenue by class of customer. The survey also produces 
estimates of total operating expenses from tax-exempt firms in 
industries that have a large not-for-profit component. In addition, for 
hospital services, the survey estimates the number of inpatient days 
and discharges. Current selected service industries include information 
services; professional scientific and technical services; hospitals; 
nursing and residential care facilities; and administrative and support 
and waste management and remediation services.
    Data are collected from all of the largest firms and from a sample 
of small- and medium-sized businesses selected using a stratified 
sampling procedure. Each quarter the sample is updated to reflect the 
addition of new business births and firms and organizations that have 
gone out-of-business.
    We release estimates from the QSS no later than 75 days after the 
end of the quarter.
    The Bureau of Economic Analysis uses data gathered in this survey 
in developing its quarterly Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and GDP by 
industry estimates. The data provide the Federal Reserve Board and 
Council of Economic advisors with timely information to assess current 
economic performance. Other government and private stakeholders also 
benefit from a better understanding of important cyclical components of 
our economy.
    We plan to expand the industry coverage of the QSS to include truck 
transportation; couriers and messengers; warehousing and storage; 
rental and leasing; ambulatory health care services; social assistance; 
arts, entertainment, and recreation services; repair and maintenance 
services; personal and laundry services; and, grant-making, civic, 
professional and similar organizations. For expanded industries, the 
survey will produce estimates of total operating revenue and operating 
expenses from tax-exempt firms in industries that have a large not-for-
profit component. The expansion will include two new forms, QSS-4(A) 
and QSS-4(E).

II. Method of Collection

    We will collect this information by mail, fax, internet, and a 
telephone follow-up.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0607-0907.
    Form Number: QSS-1(A), QSS-1(E), QSS-2(A), QSS-2(E), QSS-3(A), QSS-
3(E), QSS-4(A), QSS-4(E).
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profit organizations, not-
for-profit institutions, and government hospitals.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 6,000 currently; 13,000 with 
industry expansion.
    Estimated Time Per Response:
    Form Number: QSS-1(A), QSS-1(E), QSS-2(A), QSS-2(E), QSS-3 (A), 
QSS-3(E): 15 minutes.
    Form Number: QSS-4(A), QSS-4(E): 10 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 6,000 hours currently; 11,922 
hours after expansion.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: The current cost to the respondents is 
estimated to be $148,020. The cost to the respondents for fiscal year 
2007, after industry expansion, is estimated to be $294,116. Both 
figures are based on the median hourly salary of $24.67 for accountants 
and auditors. (Occupational Employment Statistics-Bureau of Labor 
Statistics ``2004 National Occupational Employment and Wage 
Estimates'') http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_13Bu.htm.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    Legal Authority: Title 13 , United States Code, Section 182.

[[Page 12341]]

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 6, 2006.
Madeleine Clayton,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. E6-3410 Filed 3-9-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P