[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 130 (Monday, July 9, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37186-37187]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-13245]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Annual Capital 
Expenditures Survey

ACTION: Notice.

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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: To ensure consideration written comments must be submitted on or 
before September 7, 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 Valerie Strang, U.S. Census Bureau, Room HQ-
6K171, Washington, DC 20233; (301) 763-3317.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

[[Page 37187]]

I. Abstract

    The U.S. Census Bureau plans to conduct the 2007 through 2009 
Annual Capital Expenditures Survey (ACES). The annual survey collects 
data on fixed assets and depreciation, sales and receipts, capitalized 
computer software, and capital expenditures for new and used structures 
and equipment. The ACES is the sole source of detailed comprehensive 
statistics on actual business spending for non-farm, non-governmental 
companies, organizations, and associations operating in the United 
States. Both employer and non-employer companies are included in the 
survey.
    The Bureau of Economic Analysis, the primary Federal user of our 
annual program statistics, uses these data in refining and evaluating 
annual estimates of investment in structures and equipment in the 
national income and product accounts, compiling annual input-output 
tables, and computing gross domestic product by industry. The Federal 
Reserve Board uses these data to improve estimates of investment 
indicators for monetary policy. The Bureau of Labor Statistics uses 
these data to improve estimates of capital stocks for productivity 
analysis. Industry analysts use these data for market analysis, 
economic forecasting, identifying business opportunities, product 
development, and business planning.
    Changes from the previous ACES are the collection of capital 
expenditures by type of structure and type of equipment in the 2008 
ACES, and the incorporation of the 2007 North American Industry 
Classification System (NAICS) in the 2009 ACES.
    Capital expenditures by type of structure and type of equipment 
were last collected from employer companies in the 2003 ACES. These 
data, collected together once every five years, will again be collected 
in the 2008 ACES. These data are critical to evaluating the 
comprehensiveness of capital expenditures statistics in years detailed 
data on types of structures and equipment are not collected. The 
detailed structures data will provide a 5-year benchmark for estimates 
of new construction put in place. The detailed equipment data will 
provide a periodic measure of expenditures by type of equipment and 
assist in evaluating estimates of the private equipment and software 
components of nonresidential fixed investment.
    Through the 2008 ACES, data will be based on the 2002 NAICS. 
Beginning with the 2009 ACES, we will collect and publish data based on 
the 2007 NAICS. Industries in the survey will comprise 3-digit and 4-
digit 2007 NAICS codes.

II. Method of Collection

    The Census Bureau will primarily use mail out/mail back survey 
forms to collect data. Companies will be asked to respond to the survey 
within 30 days of the initial mailing. Companies can respond via a 
secure facsimile machine by using our toll-free number. Letters and/or 
telephone calls encouraging participation will be directed to 
respondents that have not responded by the designated time.
    Beginning with the 2006 ACES, we introduced an encrypted Internet 
Data Collection System (Census Taker) for optional use as a substitute 
for the paper form mailed to all companies. Census Taker is an 
electronic version of the paper data collection instrument. It provides 
improved quality with automatic data checks and is context-sensitive to 
assist the data provider in identifying potential reporting problems 
before submission, thus reducing the need for follow-up. Census Taker 
is completed via the internet eliminating the need for downloading 
software and increasing the integrity and confidentiality of these 
data.
    The employer companies will be mailed one of three forms based on 
their diversity of operations and number of industries with payroll. 
Companies operating in only one industry will receive an ACE-1(S) form. 
Companies operating in more than one, but less than nine industries 
will receive an ACE-1(M) form. And, companies that operate in nine or 
more industries will receive an ACE-1(L). All non-employer companies 
will receive an ACE-2 form.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0607-0782.
    Form Numbers: ACE-1(S), ACE-1(M), ACE-1(L) and ACE-2.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profit organizations, not-
for-profit institutions, self-employed individuals.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: Approximately 61,000 (46,000 
employer companies, and 15,000 non-employer businesses).
    Estimated Time per Response: The average for all respondents is 
2.18 hours. For employer companies completing form ACE-1, the range is 
2 to 16 hours, averaging 2.56 hours. For companies completing form ACE-
2, the range is less than 1 hour to 2 hours, averaging 1 hour.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 132,980.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: $3.3 million.
    Respondents' 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: July 2, 2007.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
 [FR Doc. E7-13245 Filed 7-6-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P