[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 62 (Wednesday, April 1, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17386-17387]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-07434]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Service Annual 
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 June 1, 2015.

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 Anne Russell, U.S. Census Bureau, 8K155, 
Washington, DC 20233-6500, (301) 763-5173 or via the Internet at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    This request is for extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    The Service Annual Survey (SAS), produces annual nationwide 
estimates of revenue and expenses for service

[[Page 17387]]

industries. These service industries include all or portions of the 
following North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) 
sectors: Utilities (NAICS 22); Transportation and Warehousing (NAICS 48 
and 49); Information (NAICS 51); Finance and Insurance (NAICS 52); Real 
Estate and Rental and Leasing (NAICS 53); Professional, Scientific and 
Technical Services (NAICS 54); Administrative and Support and Waste 
Management and Remediation Services (NAICS 56); Educational Services 
(NAICS 61); Health Care and Social Assistance (NAICS 62); Arts, 
Entertainment, and Recreation (NAICS 71); and Other Services (NAICS 
81). Accommodation and Food Services (NAICS 72) will be collected as 
part of SAS beginning with the 2015 survey year, which will be mailed 
in January 2016. Previously accommodation and food services industry 
was collected as part of the Annual Retail Trade Survey (ARTS), OMB 
number 0607-0013.
    For selected industries in Utilities; Transportation; Finance; 
Information; Professional, Scientific and Technical Services; 
Administrative Support and Waste Management and Remedation Services; 
and Educational Services, SAS produces estimates of revenue by detailed 
North American Product Classification System (NAPCS) products. 
Inventory estimates for selected industries in the Transportation and 
Information sectors are produced, as well as estimates of expanded 
revenues for selected industries across multiple sectors. For 
industries with a significant non-profit component, separate estimates 
are developed for taxable firms and organizations exempt from federal 
income tax.
    These data are used to satisfy a variety of public and business 
needs such as economic market analysis, company performance, and 
forecasting future demands. Results will be available, at the United 
States summary level, for selected service industries approximately 11 
months after the end of the reference year. The Bureau of Economic 
Analysis, the primary Federal user of these annual program statistics, 
uses the information in developing the national income and product 
accounts, compiling benchmark and annual input-output tables, and 
computing Gross Domestic Product by industry. The Bureau of Labor 
Statistics uses the data as inputs to its Producer Price Indexes and in 
developing productivity measurements. The Centers for Medicare and 
Medicaid Services use the data in the development of the National 
Health Expenditure Accounts. The Federal Communications Commission 
(FCC) uses the data as a means for assessing FCC policy. The Coalition 
of Service Industries uses the data for general research and planning. 
Trade and professional organizations use the data to analyze industry 
trends and benchmark their own statistical programs, develop forecasts, 
and evaluate regulatory requirements. The media uses the data for news 
reports and background information. Private businesses use the data to 
measure market share; analyze business potential; and plan investment 
decisions. The Census Bureau uses the data to provide new insight into 
changing structural and cost conditions that will impact the planning 
and design of future economic census questionnaires. Private industry 
also uses the data as a tool for marketing analysis.
    Data are collected from all of the largest firms and from a sample 
of small- and medium-sized businesses selected using a stratified 
sampling procedure. The samples are reselected periodically, generally 
at 5-year intervals. The largest firms continue to be canvassed when 
the sample is re-drawn, while nearly all of the small- and medium-sized 
firms from the prior sample are replaced. The sample is updated 
quarterly to reflect employer business ``births'' and ``deaths''; 
adding new employer businesses identified in the Business and 
Professional Classification Survey (OMB number 0607-0189) and deleting 
firms and Employer Identification Numbers when it is determined they 
are no longer active.
    A new sample will be introduced with the 2016 SAS. In order to link 
estimates from the new and prior samples, we will be asking companies 
to provide data for 2016 and 2015. The 2017 SAS and subsequent years 
will request one year of data until a new sample is once again 
introduced.

II. Method of Collection

    We collect this information online.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0607-0422.
    Form Numbers: The SAS program consists of 162 unique forms, which 
are too extensive to list here.
    Type of Review: Regular (extension of a currently approved 
information collection).
    Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profit organizations, not-
for-profit institutions, Government hospitals and Federal Government.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 83,528.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 3 to 9 hours depending on form and 
year.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 330,810 (3-year average).
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: $0 in recordkeeping/reporting costs.
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
    Legal Authority: Title 13 U.S.C., sections 131, 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: March 27, 2015.
Sarah Brabson,
NOAA PRA Clearance Officer, submitting for Census.
[FR Doc. 2015-07434 Filed 3-31-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-07-P