[Federal Register: October 22, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 204)]
[Notices]
[Page 60335-60336]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr22oc03-35]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Census Bureau
Annual Capital Expenditures Survey
ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general
[[Page 60336]]
public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment
on proposed collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of
1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506 (c)(2)(A)).
DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before December 22,
2003.
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 Charles Funk, U.S. Census Bureau, Room 1285-3,
Washington, DC 20233-6400, (301) 763-3331 or via the Internet at charles.allen.funk@census.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
The U.S. Census Bureau plans the continuing information collection
for the 2003 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 by
domestic, private, nonfarm businesses operating in the United States.
Industrial sectors covered by the survey are based on the 1997 North
American Industrial Classification System. Both employer and
nonemployer companies are included in the survey.
The Bureau of Economic Analysis, the primary Federal user of our
annual program statistics, uses the information 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 the data to improve estimates of investment
indicators for monetary policy. The Bureau of Labor Statistics uses the
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.
The major change from previous ACES is the collection of detailed
capital expenditures by type of structure and type of equipment for the
2003 ACES from employer companies. Beginning with the 1998 ACES, these
detailed data are collected together every five years. These data are
critical to evaluate the comprehensiveness of capital expenditures
statistics collected in years for which types of structures and
equipment detail are not collected. The detailed structures data will
provide a 5-year benchmark for estimates of new construction put in
place. The detailed equipment data will provide a periodic measure of
expenditures by type of equipment and assist in evaluating estimates of
private equipment and software component of nonresidential fixed
investment. Discussions are currently taking place with data users on
the level of detailed type of structures and type of equipment data to
be collected.
II. Method of Collection
The Census Bureau will use mail out/mail back survey forms to
collect data. Employer companies will be mailed one of three forms
based on their diversity of operations and number of industries with
payroll. Companies that operate in only one industry will receive an
ACE-1 (S) form. Companies operating in more than one, but less than
nine industries will receive an ACE-1 (M) form. And, companies that
operate in nine or more industries will receive an ACE-1 (L). All
nonemployer companies will receive ACE-2 forms. Respondent companies
are permitted to respond via facsimile machine using our toll-free
number. Companies will be asked to respond to the survey within 30 days
of the initial mailing. Letters and/or telephone calls encouraging
participation will be directed to companies that have not responded by
the designated time.
III. Data
OMB Number: 0607-0782.
Form Number: ACE-1(S), ACE-1(M), ACE-1(L), and ACE-2.
Type of Review: Regular Review.
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations, non-
profit institutions, small businesses or organizations, and self-
employed individuals.
Estimated Number of Respondents: Approximately 61,000 (46,000
employer companies, and 15,000 nonemployer businesses).
Estimated Time Per Response: The average for all respondents is
3.33 hours. For employer companies completing form ACE-1, the range is
from 2 to 28 hours, averaging 4.09 hours. For nonemployer companies
completing form ACE-2, the range is less than 1 hour to 2 hours,
averaging 1 hour.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 203,000 hours.
Estimated Total Annual Cost to Respondents: $4 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: October 18, 2003.
Madeleine Clayton,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 03-26663 Filed 10-21-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P