[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 128 (Tuesday, July 6, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38773-38774]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-16293]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

    The Department of Commerce will submit to the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) for clearance the following proposal for collection of 
information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 
U.S.C. chapter 35).
    Agency: U.S. Census Bureau.
    Title: Business and Professional Classification Report.
    OMB Control Number: 0607-0189.
    Form Number(s): SQ-CLASS(00).
    Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Burden Hours: 14,519.
    Number of Respondents: 67,000.
    Average Hours per Response: 13 minutes.
    Needs and Uses: The Economic Census and current business surveys 
represent the primary source of facts about the structure and function 
of the U.S. economy, providing essential information to government and 
the business community in making sound decisions. This information 
helps build the foundation for the calculation of Gross Domestic 
Product (GDP) and other economic indicators. Crucial to its success is 
the accuracy and reliability of the Business Register data, which 
provides the Economic Census and current business surveys with their 
establishment lists.
    Critical to the quality of data in the Business Register is that 
establishments are assigned an accurate economic classification, based 
on the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). The 
primary purpose of the ``Business and Professional Classification 
Report'' or SQ-CLASS(00), is to meet this need for the services sector 
of the economy. The services sector includes establishments classified 
in retail trade; wholesale trade; finance and insurance; real estate 
and rental and leasing; transportation and utilities; and other 
services-related industries. Establishments will be mailed five-year 
Economic Census forms specifically tailored to their industry based on 
the classification information we collect from the SQ-CLASS survey. In 
addition, the SQ-CLASS report is used to collect information needed to 
update the services sector sampling frame.
    To keep current with rapid changes in the marketplace caused by 
businesses births, deaths, and changes in company organization, the 
Census Bureau samples establishments with newly assigned Employer 
Identification Numbers (EINs) obtained from the Internal Revenue 
Service (IRS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA). Each EIN 
unit can only be selected once for the survey. EIN units selected for 
the sample are asked to provide data on the establishment(s) associated 
with the new EIN. The completed SQ-CLASS form provides sales, receipts, 
or revenue data; company organization status; new or refined NAICS 
codes; and other key information needed to maintain proper coverage of 
the business universe.
    Based on information collected on the SQ-CLASS form, EIN units 
meeting the criteria for inclusion in the Census Bureau's current 
services sector surveys are eligible for a second phase of sampling. 
The retail and wholesale EIN units selected in this second sampling are 
placed on a panel to report on monthly surveys. Additional selected 
units are included on a panel to report on annual surveys. The other 
selected services sector EIN units report on an annual and/or quarterly 
basis.
    There are minimal changes to the SQ-CLASS form. An inquiry will be 
added to determine not-for-profit status, which will be used for data 
collection purposes. This will ensure that the proper current survey 
form is sent to the business if it is selected into a survey. Minimal 
changes will be made to the wording and organization of existing 
questions and instructions. Also, for the first time, respondents will 
have the option to respond electronically via the Internet.
    The Census Bureau selects a first phase sample of EINs recently 
assigned by the IRS. Selected EIN units are mailed a SQ-CLASS form to 
determine measure of size (based on sales, receipts, or revenue); 
industry classification; company organization; wholesale inventories 
and type of operation data; not-for-profit status; and other useful 
information. EIN units not affiliated with previously selected units 
are eligible for second phase sampling, with selected sampling units 
added to a survey panel. This methodology updates the current surveys' 
sampling frame with a sample of new firms entering the services sector. 
The information obtained from the SQ-CLASS form is also used in 
tabulating data for small businesses in succeeding economic censuses 
(because small businesses are not mailed an economic census report 
form), and for the Census Bureau's County Business Patterns program, 
which is conducted on an annual basis.
    Although no statistical tables are prepared or published, the 
operations of this business birth survey directly and critically affect 
the quality of the estimates published for the Advance Monthly Retail 
Trade and Food Services Survey (OMB Approval 0607-0104); Monthly 
Wholesale Trade Survey (OMB 0607-0190); Services Annual Survey (OMB 
Approval 0607-0422); Annual Retail Trade Survey (OMB Approval 0607-
0013); Annual Wholesale Trade Survey (OMB Approval 0607-0195); and 
Quarterly Service Survey (OMB Approval 0607-0907), since this business 
birth survey keeps the sample universe current.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit; Not-for-profit 
Institutions.
    Frequency: One time.
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
    Legal Authority: Title 13, United States Code, Sections 182 and 
193.
    OMB Desk Officer: Brian Harris-Kojetin, (202) 395-7314.
    Copies of the above information collection proposal can be obtained 
by calling or writing Diana Hynek, Departmental Paperwork Clearance 
Officer, (202) 482-0266, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th and 
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at 
[email protected]).
    Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information 
collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this

[[Page 38774]]

notice to Brian Harris-Kojetin, OMB Desk Officer either by fax (202-
395-7245) or e-mail ([email protected]).

    Dated: June 29, 2010.
Glenna Mickelson,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2010-16293 Filed 7-2-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P