Annual Capital Expenditures Survey

ACTION:

Proposed collection; comment request.

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 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 October 12, 2004.

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 2004 through 2006 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. 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.

Changes from the previous ACES are the elimination of the collection of detailed capital expenditures by type of structure and type of equipment, and the incorporation of the 2002 North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) into the ACES.

Detailed capital expenditures by type of structure and type of equipment data were collected in the 2003 ACES. These data, collected together once every five years, will not be requested again until the 2008 ACES.

Previous year's estimates of capital expenditures were published on the 1997 NAICS basis. Beginning with the 2004 ACES, we will collect and publish data on the 2002 NAICS. Industries in the survey will be comprised of 3-digit and selected 4-digit 2002 NAICS codes.

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 2.18 hours. For employer companies completing form ACE-1, the range is from 2 to 16 hours, averaging 2.56 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: 132,980 hours.

Estimated Total Annual Cost to Respondents: $3 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.