[Federal Register: October 25, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 206)]
[Notices]
[Page 60627-60628]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr25oc07-42]
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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.
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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 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.
[[Page 60628]]
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