[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 175 (Friday, September 10, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49149-49150]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-23512]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Census Bureau
Manufacturers' Shipments, Inventories and Orders (M3) Supplement:
Unfilled Orders Benchmark 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 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, Pub. L. 104-13 (44 U.S.C.
3506(c)(2)(A)).
DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before November 9,
1999.
ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room
5033, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230 (or via
the Internet at LE[email protected]).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should
be directed to Lee Wentela, U.S. Census Bureau, Room 2232 FB-4,
Washington, DC 20233, on (301) 457-4832.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
The Census Bureau presently conducts the Manufacturers' Shipments,
Inventories, and Orders (M3) survey under Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) control number 0607-0008. The M3 survey collects monthly
data on shipments, inventories, and new and unfilled orders from
manufacturing companies. The orders, as well as the shipments and
inventory data, are used widely and are valuable tools for analysts of
business cycle conditions, including members of the Council of Economic
Advisers, the Treasury Department, and the business community. The
proposed supplement for unfilled orders will collect value of unfilled
orders at the end of 1999. Estimates of unfilled orders will be made
for industries classified according to the new North American Industry
Classification System (NAICS). These estimates will provide benchmark
levels of unfilled orders by NAICS industries for the monthly M3
indicator series.
The monthly M3 estimates are based on a relatively small sample and
reflect primarily the month-to-month changes of large companies. There
is a clear need for periodic benchmarking of the M3 estimates to
reflect the entire manufacturing universe. The Annual Survey of
Manufactures (OMB control number 0607-0449) provides annual benchmarks
for the shipments and inventory data collected in this monthly survey.
However, there is no annual benchmark for new and unfilled orders
estimates. Because of the methodology used for the monthly indicator,
any discrepancy between the indicator series and statistically derived
measures can become exaggerated over time and the results can be
misleading to policy makers. The last benchmark survey for unfilled
orders estimates was for the year 1986. In addition to the long period
between benchmark estimates, the conversion from the Standard
Industrial Classification system to NAICS further exacerbates any
discrepancy and makes the need for the benchmark survey more critical.
II. Method of Collection
The 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. Letters encouraging participation will be
mailed to companies that have not responded by the designated time.
III. Data
OMB Number: 0607-0561 (to be reinstated).
Form Number: MA-300.
Type of Review: Regular.
Affected Public: Businesses, large and small, or other for profit
organizations.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 10,000.
Estimated Time Per Response: .5 hours.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 5,000.
Estimated Total Annual Cost: $66,200.
Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
Legal Authority: Title 13 U.S.C., Section 182.
IV. Request for Comments
Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of
information is necessary for the proper performance
[[Page 49150]]
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: September 3, 1999.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief Information
Officer.
[FR Doc. 99-23512 Filed 9-9-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P