[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 37 (Monday, February 25, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 9989]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-3505]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

U.S. Census Bureau


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Pre-Canvass for 
the 2008 Business Research and Development Survey

AGENCY: U.S. Census Bureau, Commerce.

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 April 25, 2008.

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 Richard S. Hough, 301-763-4823 (or via the 
Internet at [email protected]).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Census Bureau, with support from the National Science 
Foundation, plans to conduct a pre-canvass for the 2008 Business 
Research and Development Survey (formerly the Survey of Industrial 
Research and Development).
    The pre-canvass will be conducted to improve the efficiency and 
accuracy of the sample frame for the 2008 Business Research and 
Development Survey. It will contain a small number of questions 
(approximately 3 to 5), in the form of check boxes, to determine if the 
company has research and development expenditures and if so, a range of 
the volume of those expenditures. Census will eliminate, from the 
sample frame, companies that do not have R&D expenditures, improving 
the resulting sample for the 2008 survey.

II. Method of Collection

    The Census Bureau will use mail out/ mail back survey forms and a 
web-based collection for the pre-canvass. Companies will be asked to 
respond within 30 days of the initial mail out.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0607-0912.
    Form Number: BRD-08S.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Manufacturing, mining, construction and services 
companies.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 30,000.
    Estimated Time per Response: 15 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 7,500.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: $120,000.
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
    Legal Authority: Title 13 U.S.C. Section 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 20, 2008.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. E8-3505 Filed 2-22-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P