[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 178 (Wednesday, September 15, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56056-56057]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-22968]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Manufacturers' 
Shipments, Inventories, and Orders Benchmark Supplement

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 November 15, 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 Chris Savage, U.S. Census Bureau, Room 7K071, 
Washington, DC 20233-6900, (301) 763-4832, or via the internet at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Manufacturers' Shipments, Inventories, and Orders (M3) survey 
collects monthly data on shipments, inventories, and orders from 
domestic manufacturing companies. The purpose of the M3 survey is to 
provide early broad-based monthly statistical data on current economic 
conditions and indications of future production commitments in the 
manufacturing sector. The orders, as well as the shipments and 
inventory data, are used widely and are valuable tools for analysis of 
business cycle conditions. Major data users include: Members of the 
Council of Economic Advisers, Bureau of Economic Analysis, Federal 
Reserve Board, Conference Board, Treasury Department, and the business 
community.
    The monthly M3 Survey data reflect primarily the month-to-month 
changes of companies within the survey. The M3 survey collects data for 
89 industry categories of which 13 provide non-

[[Page 56057]]

defense and defense allocations. Those industries include: Small Arms 
and Ordnance; Communications Equipment; Search and Navigation 
Equipment; Aircraft; Aircraft Engine and Parts; Missile, Space Vehicle, 
and Parts Manufacturing Defense; and Ship and Boat Building.
    There is a clear need to perform a periodic benchmark of the M3 
estimates to reflect the manufacturing universe levels. The Annual 
Survey of Manufactures (ASM) provides annual benchmarks for the 
shipments and inventory data for the M3 survey, however, the ASM does 
not distinguish between non-defense and defense activities. The U.S. 
Census Bureau plans a reinstatement to an expired collection 
``Manufacturers' Shipments, Inventories, and Orders to the Department 
of Defense Supplement: 2006-2007,'' (M-3DOD) to be renamed 
``Manufacturers' Shipments, Inventories, and Orders Benchmark 
Supplement'' (MA-3001). This form will be cognitive tested before being 
mailed out in 2011, which may include a title change. After analyzing 
the results of the 2008 survey, the Census Bureau ascertained the need 
for an annual data collection for non-defense and defense manufacturing 
activities. The last collection instrument used to benchmark defense 
and non-defense data before the ``Manufacturers' Shipments, 
Inventories, and Orders to the Department of Defense Supplement: 2006-
2007'' was the Shipments to Federal Agencies Benchmark Survey (MA-9675) 
conducted in 1992.
    The ``Manufacturers' Shipments, Inventories, and Orders Benchmark 
Supplement'' will be used as a benchmark for the M3 Survey each year. 
The Census Bureau will use these data to develop an accurate defense/
non-defense split among the 13 industry categories in the M3 Survey.

II. Method of Collection

    To ease respondent burden, we permit companies to submit their data 
through an Internet Reporting System or by fax. Companies will be asked 
to respond to the survey within 30 days of receipt. Letters encouraging 
participation will be mailed to companies that have not responded by 
the designated time. Telephone follow-up will be conducted to obtain 
response from delinquent companies.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0607-0949.
    Form Number: MA-3001.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 4,000.
    Estimated Time per Response: 30 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 2,000.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: $64,840.
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
    Legal Authority: Title 13, U.S.C., Sections 131 and 182.

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: September 10, 2010.
Glenna Mickelson,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2010-22968 Filed 9-14-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P