[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 161 (Tuesday, August 20, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Page 51141]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-20212]
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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: Business and Professional Classification Report.
Form Number(s): SQ-CLASS(00).
OMB Control Number: 0607-0189.
Type of Request: Revision of a Currently Approved Collection.
Burden Hours: 11,267.
Number of Respondents: 52,000.
Average Hours per Response: 13 minutes.
Needs and Uses: The Economic Census and current business surveys
represent the primary source of facts about the structure and function
of the U.S. economy, providing essential information to government and
the business community in making sound decisions. This information
helps build the foundation for the calculation of Gross Domestic
Product (GDP) and other important measures of the economy. Crucial to
the success of the surveys and the economic census conducted by the
Census Bureau is the accuracy and reliability of the Business Register.
The Business Register (BR) is a multi-relational database that contains
a record for each known establishment that is located in the United
States or one of its territories. This database serves as the primary
source for constructing sampling frames for the economic census and
current business surveys.
The BR is used to identify the set of statistical units that
represents an economic data collection's target population, which is
defined by a specific reference period and scope. Critical to the
quality of information housed in the BR is that each of the statistical
units has an accurate industry classification, measure of size,
activity status, and physical address assigned to it. Furthermore,
linkages between the different types of statistical units, such as
companies, establishments, and Employer Identification Numbers (EINs)
must be accurately maintained over time. The primary purpose of the
Business and Professional Classification Report (SQ-CLASS report) is to
meet these needs for the retail trade, wholesale trade, and services
portions of the economy as defined by the North American Industry
Classification System (NAICS). The data collected by the SQ-CLASS
report are used to update the current business surveys to reflect newly
opened establishments. Additionally, establishments in the five-year
economic census will receive data collection instruments specifically
tailored to their industry based on the classification information
obtained by the SQ-CLASS report.
To keep current with rapid changes in the marketplace caused by new
businesses (a.k.a. births) the Census Bureau samples newly assigned
Employer Identification Numbers (EINs) obtained from the Internal
Revenue Service (IRS). Each EIN can only be selected once for the SQ-
CLASS report. EINs selected for the SQ-CLASS sample are asked to
provide data about the establishment(s) associated with the new EIN
including a more reliable measure of size, consisting of sales in two
recent months, company affiliation information, a new or more detailed
industry classification code, and other key information needed to
maintain proper coverage of the business universe on the BR for the
current business surveys.
Based on information collected on the SQ-CLASS form, EINs meeting
the criteria for inclusion in the Census Bureau's current business
surveys are eligible for a second phase of sampling. The retail and
wholesale EINs selected in this second sampling are asked to report
annually on the annual retail, wholesale, and service surveys. A
subsample of the retail and wholesale EINs are also asked to report
monthly on the monthly retail and wholesale surveys. Similarly, a
subsample of the service EINs are asked to report quarterly on the
Quarterly Services Survey.
There are few changes since the last request was submitted for OMB
clearance in 2010. Most of the changes to the questionnaire are
aesthetic. The questionnaire has been redeveloped using the Census
Bureau's standard questionnaire design software. This gives it a very
similar look and feel when compared to collection instruments for other
Census Bureau economic surveys and the economic census. Some changes
were made to the wording and organization of existing questions and
instructions to ensure consistency across the economic surveys and/or
the economic census. Additionally, the sample size has decreased from
the previous OMB submission due to the availability of more complete
and timely administrative data.
Although no statistical tables are prepared or published, the
outputs of the SQ-CLASS report directly and critically affect the
quality of the estimates published for the Advance Monthly Retail Trade
and Food Services Survey (OMB Approval 0607-0104); Monthly Wholesale
Trade Survey (OMB 0607-0190); Services Annual Survey (OMB Approval
0607-0422); Annual Retail Trade Survey (OMB Approval 0607-0013); Annual
Wholesale Trade Survey (OMB Approval 0607-0195); and Quarterly Service
Survey (OMB Approval 0607-0907), because the SQ-CLASS report is used to
reflect newly opened businesses in the samples for these surveys.
The information obtained from the SQ-CLASS report is also used in
tabulating data for small businesses in succeeding economic censuses
(because many small businesses are not mailed an economic census report
form), and for the Census Bureau's County Business Patterns program,
which is conducted on an annual basis.
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations, Not-
for-profit institutions.
Frequency: One time.
Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
Legal Authority: Title 13, United States Code, Sections 182 and
193.
OMB Desk Officer: Brian Harris-Kojetin, (202) 395-7314.
Copies of the above information collection proposal can be obtained
by calling or writing Jennifer Jessup, Departmental Paperwork Clearance
Officer, (202) 482-0336, 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 email ([email protected]).
Dated: August 14, 2013.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2013-20212 Filed 8-19-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P