[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 160 (Monday, August 19, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50373-50374]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-20038]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Annual Capital 
Expenditures 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 October 18, 2013.

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 Valerie Mastalski, U.S. Census Bureau, Room HQ-
6K171, Washington, DC 20233; (301) 763-3317 (or via the Internet at 
[email protected]).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    The U.S. Census Bureau plans to conduct the 2013 through 2015 
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 companies, non-
governmental companies, organizations, and associations operating in 
the United States. Both employer and nonemployer companies are included 
in the survey.
    The Bureau of Economic Analysis, the primary Federal user of the 
ACES data,

[[Page 50374]]

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 2012 ACES 
and will not be collected again until the 2017 ACES, which is not 
included in the scope of the present request for comments.

II. Method of Collection

    For the 2012 and prior ACES data collection; the Census Bureau used 
mail out/mail back survey forms to collect data. Companies were able to 
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 were asked to respond to the survey within 30 days of the 
initial mailing. Letters and/or telephone calls encouraging 
participation were directed to companies that had not responded by the 
designated time.
    Employer companies were mailed one of three forms based on their 
diversity of operations and number of industries with payroll. 
Companies that operated in only one industry received an ACE-1(S) form. 
Companies that operated in more than one, but less than nine industries 
received an ACE-1(M) form. And, companies that operated in nine or more 
industries received an ACE-1(L). All nonemployer companies received an 
ACE-2 form.
    The Census Bureau is considering collecting the 2013 ACES data from 
employer companies primarily through electronic reporting. Employer 
companies would receive a notification letter containing their User ID 
and password, and would be directed to report online through the Census 
Bureau's Business Help Site. The online reporting instrument would be 
an electronic version of the paper data collection instrument and would 
be based on their diversity of operations and number of industries with 
payroll. Companies operating in only one industry would access an ACE-
1(S) form or electronic instrument. Companies operating in more than 
one, but less than nine industries would access an ACE-1(M) form or 
electronic instrument. And, companies that operate in nine or more 
industries would access an ACE-1(L) form or electronic instrument. 
Companies would be able to print the form through online services or 
request a paper form by mail.
    The Census Bureau would continue to use mail out/mail back survey 
forms to collect data from nonemployer companies. All nonemployer 
companies would receive an ACE-2 form. Nonemployer companies would have 
the option to respond by mail or online through the Census Bureau's 
Business Help Site using the User ID and password provided to them on 
their form.
    The Census Bureau would continue to ask both companies with 
employees and nonemployer companies to respond to the survey within 30 
days. Reminder letters and/or telephone calls encouraging participation 
would continue to be directed to all companies that had not responded 
by the designated time.

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 75,000 (45,000 
employer companies, and 30,000 nonemployer businesses).
    Estimated Time per Response: The average for all respondents is 
1.96 hours. For employer companies completing form ACE-1, the range is 
2 to 16 hours, averaging 2.59 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: 147,000.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: The total cost to all respondents is 
estimated to be $4.5 million.
    Respondents' Obligation: Mandatory.
    Legal Authority: Title 13 United States Code, 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: August 13, 2013.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2013-20038 Filed 8-16-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P