[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 104 (Friday, May 30, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31087-31088]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-12513]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

U.S. Census Bureau


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; 2014 Business 
R&D and Innovation 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 or on-line comments must be 
submitted on or before July 29, 2014.

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 Mary Potter, U.S. Census Bureau, MCD HQ-7K157, 
4600 Silver Hill Rd., Suitland, MD 20746, (301) 763-4207 (or via the 
internet at [email protected]).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The U.S. Census Bureau, with support from the National Science 
Foundation (NSF), plans to conduct the Business R&D and Innovation 
Survey (BRDIS). The BRDIS covers all domestic for-profit businesses 
that have 5 or more paid employees and are classified in certain 
industries. The BRDIS provides the only comprehensive data on R&D costs 
and detailed expenses by type and industry.
    The Census Bureau has conducted an R&D survey since 1957 (the 
Survey of Industrial Research and Development (SIRD) from 1957-2007 and 
BRDIS from 2008-present), collecting primarily financial information on 
the systematic work companies were undertaking with the goal of 
discovering new knowledge or using existing knowledge to develop new or 
improved goods and services. The 2014 BRDIS will continue to collect 
the following types of information:
     R&D expense based on accounting standards.
     Worldwide R&D of domestic companies.
     Business segment detail.
     R&D related capital expenditures.
     Detailed data about the R&D workforce.
     R&D strategy and data on the potential impact of R&D on 
the market.
     R&D directed to application areas of particular national 
interest.
     Data measuring innovation, intellectual property 
protection activities and technology transfer.
    The BRDIS utilizes a booklet instrument that facilitates the 
obtaining of information from various contacts within each company that 
have the best understanding of the concepts and definitions being 
presented as well as access to the information necessary to provide the 
most accurate response. The sections of the booklet have been defined 
by grouping questions based on subject matter areas within the company 
and currently include: A company information section that includes 
detailed innovation questions; a financial section focused on company 
R&D expenses; a human resources section; an R&D strategy and management 
section; an IP and technology transfer section; and a section focused 
on R&D that is funded or paid for by third parties. A web instrument is 
also available to the companies. The web instrument incorporates the 
use of Excel spreadsheets that are provided to facilitate the 
electronic collection of information within the companies. Companies 
have the capability to download the spreadsheets from the Census 
Bureau's Web site; Census Bureau also provides a spreadsheet that is 
programmed to consolidate the information for the companies so the 
company can simply upload this

[[Page 31088]]

information into the web instrument for both form types.

II. Method of Collection

    The Census Bureau implements a dual-mode collection methodology 
that utilizes both web based and paper instruments. The BRDI-1 
respondents will receive a letter at the initial mail out that 
instructs them to go to the Census Bureau's Business Help Site. Once 
the respondents are at the Web site they can print a copy of the form, 
download a PDF version, download Excel versions of each section of the 
form or they can request that the booklet be mailed to them. They can 
also access the web-based instrument to submit their data on-line using 
the username and password that are supplied in the letter. The BRDI-1 
is the more detailed collection instrument. This form or booklet is 48 
pages in length; it is mailed to companies with known R&D activity 
greater than $1 mil. The BRD-1(S) respondents receive the booklet 
instrument at the initial mail out. They also receive an informational 
flyer that provides instructions on how to use the web based 
instrument. The BRD-1(S) is a much shorter version (8 pages). It is 
mailed to the majority of the sampled companies where the Census Bureau 
has no information about the companies' R&D activity. Companies are 
asked to respond within 60 days of the initial mail out.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0607-0912.
    Form Number(s): BRDI-1 & BRD-1(S).
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: For-profit (public or private), domestic 
businesses that have 5 or more paid employees and are classified in 
certain industries.
    Estimated Number of Respondents:

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BRDI-1--(Long Form)............................................    7,000
BRD-1(S)--(Short Form).........................................   38,000
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    Total......................................................   45,000
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    Estimated Time per Response:

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BRDI-1--(Long Form)........................  14.85 hrs.
BRD-1(S)--(Short Form).....................  1.015 hrs.
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    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 142,540.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0.
    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: May 23, 2014.
Glenna Mickelson,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2014-12513 Filed 5-29-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P