72 FR 206 pgs. 60627-60628 - Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Manufacturers' Shipments, Inventories, and Orders to the Department of Defense
Type: NOTICEVolume: 72Number: 206Pages: 60627 - 60628
FR document: [FR Doc. E7-20985 Filed 10-24-07; 8:45 am]
Agency: Commerce Department
Sub Agency: Census Bureau
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Census Bureau
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Manufacturers' Shipments, Inventories, and Orders to the Department of Defense
AGENCY:
U.S. Census Bureau, Department of Commerce.
ACTION:
Notice.
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 24, 2007.
ADDRESSES:
Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at DHynek@doc.gov ).
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, Room 7K071, Washington, DC 20233-6900, (301) 763-4832, or via the Internet at John.C.Savage@census.gov .
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
The Manufacturers' Shipments, Inventories, and Orders (M3) survey collects monthly data on shipments, inventories, and orders from domestic manufacturing companies. The purpose of the M3 survey is to provide early broad-based monthly statistical data on current economic conditions and indications of future production commitments in the manufacturing sector. The orders, as well as the shipments and inventory data, are used widely and are valuable tools for analysis of business cycle conditions. Major data users include: Members of the Council of Economic Advisers, Bureau of Economic Analysis, Federal Reserve Board, Conference Board, Treasury Department, and the business community.
The monthly M3 reflects primarily the month-to-month changes of companies within the survey. The M3 survey collects data for 89 industry categories of which 13 provide non-defense and defense allocations. Those industries include: Small Arms and Ordnance; Communications Equipment; Search and Navigation Equipment; Aircraft; Aircraft Engine and Parts; Missile, Space Vehicle, and Parts Manufacturing Defense; and Ship and Boat Building.
There is a clear need to perform a periodic benchmark of the M3 estimates to reflect the manufacturing universe levels. The Annual Survey of Manufactures (ASM) provides annual benchmarks for the shipments and inventory data for the M3 survey, however, the ASM does not distinguish between non-defense and defense activities. The last collection instrument used to benchmark non-defense and defense data was the Shipments to Federal Agencies Benchmark Survey (MA-9675) conducted in 1992. Since the defense industries have dramatically changed, it is necessary to have a benchmark instrument to obtain a current allocation of data between non-defense and defense manufacturing activities for the M3 universe levels.
The U.S. Census Bureau is planning a new collection to benchmark the M3 universe levels for the non-defense and defense industries listed above as of the end of 2006 and 2007. The Manufacturers' Shipments, Inventories, and Orders to the Department of Defense (M3DOD) survey will collect shipments, inventories, and unfilled orders data from domestic manufacturing companies that encompass defense manufacturing activities. M3 data will be adjusted based on the M3DOD results on the NAICS basis. This survey will be conducted every five years to provide correct benchmark levels and preserve the integrity of the estimates for the M3 survey, especially for the closely watched non-defense capital goods series.
II. Method of Collection
The U.S. Census Bureau will use mail out/mail back survey forms to collect the data. Companies will be asked to respond to the survey within 45 days of receipt. Survey analysts will telephone non-respondents who have not reported by the deadline for preparing the final survey results.
III. Data
OMB Number: None.
Form Number: M-3DOD.
Type of Review: Regular submission.
Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profit organizations.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 5,000.
Estimated Time Per Response: 30 minutes.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 2,500.
Estimated Total Annual Cost: $65,650.
Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
Legal Authority: Title 13, U.S.C., Sections 131 and 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 19, 2007.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. E7-20985 Filed 10-24-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P