[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 165 (Thursday, August 26, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52507-52508]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-21205]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Annual Capital 
Expenditures Survey

AGENCY: U.S. Census Bureau.

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 October 25, 2010.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 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, Census Bureau, Room 6K171--South 
Building, Washington, DC 20233 (or via the Internet at 
[email protected]).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The U.S. Census Bureau plans to conduct the 2010 through 2012 
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

[[Page 52508]]

States. Both employer and nonemployer companies are included in the 
survey.
    The Bureau of Economic Analysis, the primary Federal user of the 
ACES data, 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 elimination of detailed 
capital expenditures by type of structure and type of equipment. These 
data, collected once every five years, were collected in the 2008 ACES 
and will not be collected again until the 2013 ACES, which is not 
included in the scope of the present requests for comments.

II. Method of Collection

    The Census Bureau will primarily use mail out/mail back survey 
forms to collect data. Companies can respond via Centurion (The 
Bureau's online reporting system), by mail, or by using our toll-free 
number to reply via secure facsimile machine. Companies will be asked 
to respond to the survey within 30 days of the initial mailing. Letters 
and/or telephone calls encouraging participation will be directed to 
respondents that have not responded by the designated time.
    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 nonemployer companies 
will receive an ACE-2 form.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0607-0782.
    Form Number: 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, non-
profit institutions, small businesses or organizations, and self-
employed individuals.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: Approximately 77,000 (47,000 
employer companies, and 30,000 nonemployer companies).
    Estimated Time per Response: The average for all respondents is 
1.99 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: 153,300.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: $4.4 million.
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
    Legal Authority: Title 13 U.S.C. 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: August 20, 2010.
Glenna Mickelson,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2010-21205 Filed 8-25-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P