[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 161 (Tuesday, August 20, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Page 51141]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-20212]


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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.
    Form Number(s): SQ-CLASS(00).
    OMB Control Number: 0607-0189.
    Type of Request: Revision of a Currently Approved Collection.
    Burden Hours: 11,267.
    Number of Respondents: 52,000.
    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 important measures of the economy. Crucial to 
the success of the surveys and the economic census conducted by the 
Census Bureau is the accuracy and reliability of the Business Register. 
The Business Register (BR) is a multi-relational database that contains 
a record for each known establishment that is located in the United 
States or one of its territories. This database serves as the primary 
source for constructing sampling frames for the economic census and 
current business surveys.
    The BR is used to identify the set of statistical units that 
represents an economic data collection's target population, which is 
defined by a specific reference period and scope. Critical to the 
quality of information housed in the BR is that each of the statistical 
units has an accurate industry classification, measure of size, 
activity status, and physical address assigned to it. Furthermore, 
linkages between the different types of statistical units, such as 
companies, establishments, and Employer Identification Numbers (EINs) 
must be accurately maintained over time. The primary purpose of the 
Business and Professional Classification Report (SQ-CLASS report) is to 
meet these needs for the retail trade, wholesale trade, and services 
portions of the economy as defined by the North American Industry 
Classification System (NAICS). The data collected by the SQ-CLASS 
report are used to update the current business surveys to reflect newly 
opened establishments. Additionally, establishments in the five-year 
economic census will receive data collection instruments specifically 
tailored to their industry based on the classification information 
obtained by the SQ-CLASS report.
    To keep current with rapid changes in the marketplace caused by new 
businesses (a.k.a. births) the Census Bureau samples newly assigned 
Employer Identification Numbers (EINs) obtained from the Internal 
Revenue Service (IRS). Each EIN can only be selected once for the SQ-
CLASS report. EINs selected for the SQ-CLASS sample are asked to 
provide data about the establishment(s) associated with the new EIN 
including a more reliable measure of size, consisting of sales in two 
recent months, company affiliation information, a new or more detailed 
industry classification code, and other key information needed to 
maintain proper coverage of the business universe on the BR for the 
current business surveys.
    Based on information collected on the SQ-CLASS form, EINs meeting 
the criteria for inclusion in the Census Bureau's current business 
surveys are eligible for a second phase of sampling. The retail and 
wholesale EINs selected in this second sampling are asked to report 
annually on the annual retail, wholesale, and service surveys. A 
subsample of the retail and wholesale EINs are also asked to report 
monthly on the monthly retail and wholesale surveys. Similarly, a 
subsample of the service EINs are asked to report quarterly on the 
Quarterly Services Survey.
    There are few changes since the last request was submitted for OMB 
clearance in 2010. Most of the changes to the questionnaire are 
aesthetic. The questionnaire has been redeveloped using the Census 
Bureau's standard questionnaire design software. This gives it a very 
similar look and feel when compared to collection instruments for other 
Census Bureau economic surveys and the economic census. Some changes 
were made to the wording and organization of existing questions and 
instructions to ensure consistency across the economic surveys and/or 
the economic census. Additionally, the sample size has decreased from 
the previous OMB submission due to the availability of more complete 
and timely administrative data.
    Although no statistical tables are prepared or published, the 
outputs of the SQ-CLASS report 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), because the SQ-CLASS report is used to 
reflect newly opened businesses in the samples for these surveys.
    The information obtained from the SQ-CLASS report is also used in 
tabulating data for small businesses in succeeding economic censuses 
(because many 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.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations, 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 Jennifer Jessup, Departmental Paperwork Clearance 
Officer, (202) 482-0336, 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 notice 
to Brian Harris-Kojetin, OMB Desk Officer either by fax (202-395-7245) 
or email ([email protected]).

    Dated: August 14, 2013.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2013-20212 Filed 8-19-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P