[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 200 (Tuesday, October 16, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63288-63289]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-25326]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

U.S. Census Bureau


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Manufacturers' 
Unfilled Orders 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 December 17, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Jennifer Jessup, 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, Manufacturing 
and Construction Division, 4600 Silver Hill Road, Room 7K071, 
Washington, DC 20233-6913, (301) 763-4834, 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 new and unfilled 
orders from manufacturing companies. The orders, as well as the 
shipments and inventory data, are valuable tools for analysts of 
business cycle

[[Page 63289]]

conditions, including members of the Council of Economic Advisers, the 
Treasury Department, and the business community.
    The monthly M3 Survey estimates are based on a relatively small 
sample and reflect primarily the month-to-month changes of large 
companies. There is a clear need for periodic benchmarking of the M3 
estimates to reflect the manufacturing universe. The Annual Survey of 
Manufactures (ASM) provides annual benchmarks for the shipments and 
inventory data in this monthly survey. There is no benchmark for 
unfilled orders. The U.S. Census Bureau plans a reinstatement to an 
expired collection ``Manufacturers' Shipments, Inventories and Orders 
(M3) Supplement: 2006-2007 Unfilled Orders Benchmark Survey,'' to be 
renamed the ``Manufacturers' Unfilled Orders Survey.'' Over the life of 
the M3 Survey, there have been four surveys specifically designed to 
collect unfilled orders. These surveys were conducted in 1976, 1986, 
2000, and 2008. After analyzing the results of the 2008 survey, the 
Census Bureau ascertained the need for an ongoing data collection of 
unfilled orders data annually.
    The Manufacturers' Unfilled Orders Survey will be used as a 
benchmark for the M3 Survey each year. The Census Bureau will use these 
data to develop universe estimates of unfilled orders as of the end of 
the calendar year and adjust the monthly M3 data on unfilled orders to 
these levels on the NAICS basis. The benchmarked unfilled orders levels 
will be used to derive estimates of new orders received by 
manufacturers. The survey data will also be used to determine whether 
it is necessary to collect unfilled orders data for specific industries 
on a monthly basis; some industries are not requested to provide 
unfilled orders data on the M3 Survey.

II. Method of Collection

    The Census Bureau will use mail out/mail back survey forms to 
collect the data. 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: 0607-0561.
    Form Number: MA-3000.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Businesses, large and small, or other for-profit 
organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 6,000.
    Estimated Time per Response: .50 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 3,000.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: $94,950.
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
    Legal Authority: Title 13 U.S.C. Section 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: October 10, 2012.
Glenna Mickelson,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2012-25326 Filed 10-15-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-09-P