[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 240 (Wednesday, December 15, 2010)] [Notices] [Page 78210] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2010-31406] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request The Department of Commerce will submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance the following proposal for collection of information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. chapter 35). Agency: U.S. Census Bureau. Title: Information and Communication Technology Survey. Form Number(s): ICT-1(S), ICT-1(M), ICT-1(L). OMB Control Number: 0607-0909. Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection. Burden Hours: 84,610. Number of Respondents: 47,250. Average Hours per Response: 1.8 hours. Needs and Uses: Economic policymakers are concerned about the lack of available data related to e-business infrastructure investment. Such data are critical for evaluating productivity growth, changes in industrial capacity, and current economic developments. Rapid advances in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) equipment have resulted in these assets having short useful lives and being replaced much more faster than other types of equipment. Companies are expensing the full cost of such assets during the current annual period rather than capitalizing the value of such assets and expensing the cost over two or more years. In some cases this is due not only to the short useful life of the asset, but also to the fact that companies have varying dollar levels for capitalization. The Annual Capital Expenditures Survey (ACES) (OMB Project 0607- 0782) currently collects summary data on business capital expenditures annually and detailed data on types of structures and equipment every five years. The fact that the ACES program does not include non- capitalized expenditures for e-business infrastructure and infrequently collects detailed data on types of structures and equipment creates serious data gaps. To fill these gaps and as a supplement to the ACES survey, the Census Bureau created the Information and Communication Technology Survey (ICTS). The ICTS uses the ACES sampling, follow-up and estimation methodologies including mailing to the same employer companies. This request is for a continuation of a currently approved collection and will cover the 2010 through 2012 ICTS (conducted in fiscal years 2011 through 2013). The ICTS is an important part of the Federal Government's effort to improve and supplement ongoing statistical programs. The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), Federal Reserve Board, Bureau of Labor Statistics and industry analysts use these data to evaluate productivity and economic growth prospects. In addition, the ICTS provides improved source data significant to BEA's estimate of the investment component of Gross Domestic Product, capital stock estimates, and capital flow tables. Affected Public: Business or other for-profit, Not-for-profit institutions. Frequency: Annually. Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory. Legal Authority: Title 13 U.S.C., Sections 182, 224, and 225. OMB Desk Officer: Brian Harris-Kojetin, (202) 395-7314. Copies of the above information collection proposal can be obtained by calling or writing Diana Hynek, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, (202) 482-0266, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at [email protected]). Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to Brian Harris-Kojetin, OMB Desk Officer either by fax (202-395-7245) or e-mail ([email protected]). Dated: December 9, 2010. Glenna Mickelson, Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. 2010-31406 Filed 12-14-10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-07-P