[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 103 (Wednesday, May 30, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29958-29959]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-10330]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau


Survey of Industrial Research and Development

ACTION: Proposed information 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 July 30, 2007.

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 7K145, 
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 U.S. Census Bureau plans to extend the current OMB clearance 
for the Survey of Industrial Research and Development (R&D). The survey 
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.
    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 National 
Science Foundation (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 Census Bureau will use mail out/mail back survey forms to 
collect the data and will also offer an electronic version of the form 
via the Internet. Companies will be asked to respond within 30 days 
(RD-1A) or 60 days (RD-1) of initial mailing. This due date will be 
imprinted at the top of the form. Letters encouraging participation 
will be mailed to companies that have not responded by the designated 
time.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0607-0912.
    Form Number: RD-1 (long form); RD-1A (abbreviated form).
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: RD-1, 3,600; and RD-1A, 28,500.
    Estimated Time Per Response: RD-1--8 hours; RD-1A--1 hour.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 57,300.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: $1,056,039.
    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

[[Page 29959]]

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: May 23, 2007.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. E7-10330 Filed 5-29-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P