[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 70 (Tuesday, April 14, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17147-17148]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-8463]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Service Annual 
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 June 15, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 7845, 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 Ron Farrar, U.S. Census Bureau, 8K145, 
Washington, DC 20233-6500, (301) 763-6782 or Jeff Barnett, U.S. Census 
Bureau, 8K045, Washington, DC 20233-6500, (301) 763-2787.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    The Service Annual Survey (SAS) produces annual nationwide 
estimates of revenue and expenses for selected service industries. 
Selected service industries include all or portions of the following 
North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) sectors: 
Transportation and Warehousing (NAICS 48 and 49); Information, Finance 
and Insurance (NAICS 51 and 52); Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 
(NAICS 53); Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (NAICS 54); 
Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation 
Services (NAICS 56); Health Care and Social Assistance (NAICS 62); 
Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (NAICS 71); and Other Services 
(NAICS 81).
    For selected industries in Finance, Information, Professional, 
Scientific and Technical Services, and Administrative Support and Waste 
Management and

[[Page 17148]]

Remediation Services, SAS produces estimates of revenue by detailed 
North American Product Classification System (NAPCS) products. 
Inventory estimates for selected industries in the Information sector 
are produced, as well as estimates of expanded revenues for selected 
industries across multiple sectors. For industries with a significant 
non-profit component, separate estimates are developed for taxable 
firms and organizations exempt from Federal income tax.
    These data are needed to provide a sound statistical basis for the 
formation of policy by various governmental agencies. The Census Bureau 
is authorized by Title 13, United States Code, to conduct surveys 
necessary to furnish current data on subjects covered by the major 
censuses. These surveys provide continuing and timely national 
statistical data for the period between economic censuses.
    The Bureau of Economic Analysis, the primary Federal user of these 
annual program statistics, uses the information in developing the 
national income and product accounts, compiling benchmark and annual 
input-output tables, and computing Gross Domestic Product by industry. 
The Bureau of Labor Statistics uses the data as inputs to its Producer 
Price Indexes and in developing productivity measurements. The Centers 
for Medicare and Medicaid Services use the data in the development of 
the National Health Expenditure Accounts. The Federal Communications 
Commission uses the data as a means for assessing FCC policy. The 
Census Bureau uses the data to provide new insight into changing 
structural and cost conditions that will impact the planning and design 
of future economic census questionnaires. Private industry also uses 
the data as a tool for marketing analysis.
    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. The samples are reselected periodically, generally 
at 5-year intervals. The largest firms continue to be canvassed when 
the sample is re-drawn, while nearly all of the small- and medium-sized 
firms from the prior sample are replaced. We collect these data by 
using a mail-out/mail-back and online survey questionnaire.
    The Census Bureau is expanding the industry coverage of the SAS to 
include Utilities (NAICS 22) and Educational Services (NAICS 61); and 
the rest of Transportation (NAICS 48); Finance and Insurance (NAICS 
52); and Real Estate and Rental and Leasing (NAICS 53) not currently 
covered by SAS. For expanded industries, the survey will produce 
estimates of total operating revenue and both total and detailed 
operating expenses. This expansion will increase the size of the survey 
sample by about 30 percent.

II. Method of Collection

    The Census Bureau collects this information by mail, Internet, fax, 
and telephone follow-up.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0607-0422.
    Form Numbers: The SAS program consists of 81 unique forms, which 
are too extensive to list here.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profit organizations, not-
for-profit institutions, Government hospitals and Federal Government.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 78,730.
    Estimated Time per Response: 3 hours and 27 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 271,619.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: $7,450,509.
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
    Legal Authority: Title 13 U.S.C., 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: April 9, 2009.
Glenna Mickelson,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. E9-8463 Filed 4-13-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P