81 FR 61183 - Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; 2016-2018 Business R&D and Innovation Surveys
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
U.S. Census Bureau Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 172 (September 6, 2016)
U.S. Census Bureau
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 172 (September 6, 2016)
| Page Range | 61183-61184 | |
| FR Document | 2016-21281 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 172 (Tuesday, September 6, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 61183-61184] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-21281] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE U.S. Census Bureau Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; 2016-2018 Business R&D and Innovation Surveys AGENCY: U.S. Census Bureau, Commerce. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 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 or on-line comments must be submitted on or before November 7, 2016. ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at [email protected]). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions should be directed to Michael Flaherty, U.S. Census Bureau, HQ-6H149, 4600 Silver Hill Rd., Suitland, MD 20746 (301) 763-7699 (or via the internet at [email protected]). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Abstract The U.S. Census Bureau, with support from the National Science Foundation (NSF), plans to conduct the Business R&D and Innovation Survey (BRDIS) for the 2016-2018 survey years. The BRDIS covers all domestic, non-farm, for-profit businesses with at least one paid employee. The BRDIS provides the only comprehensive data on research and development costs and detailed expenses by type and industry. The Census Bureau has conducted an R&D survey since 1957 (the Survey of Industrial Research and Development (SIRD) from 1957-2007 and BRDIS from 2008-present), collecting primarily financial information on the systematic [[Page 61184]] work companies undertake to discover new knowledge or use existing knowledge to develop new or improved goods and services. Prior to 2016, only companies with a minimum of five employees were in scope to the BRDIS. Beginning in 2016, the BRDIS will increase it's scope to include microbusinesses, or firms with fewer than five employees. Sampled companies in this target population will receive a BRDI-M form. Companies with five or more employees will receive the standard form (BRDI-1) or if selected for the screener questionnaire, the BRDI-1(S) form. Expanding the coverage of the BRDIS will help policymakers address issues such as how small businesses are affected by the rapid changes in our economy and what the smallest businesses are doing to be competitive. The 2016-2018 BRDIS will continue to collect the following types of information:R&D expense based on accepted accounting standards. Worldwide R&D of domestic companies. Business segment detail. R&D-related capital expenditures. Detailed data about the R&D workforce. R&D strategy and data on the potential impact of R&D on the market. R&D directed to application areas of particular national interest. Data measuring innovation, intellectual property protection activities and technology transfer. The BRDI-1 form utilizes a booklet instrument that facilitates the collection of information from various contacts within each company who have the best understanding of the concepts and definitions being presented as well as access to the information necessary to provide the most accurate response. The sections of the booklet correspond to areas within the company and currently include: A company information section that includes detailed innovation questions; a financial section focused on company R&D expenses; a human resources section; an R&D strategy and management section; an IP and technology transfer section; and a section focused on R&D that is funded or paid for by third parties. A web instrument is also available to respondents. The web instrument for the BRDI-1 form incorporates Excel spreadsheets that are provided to facilitate the electronic collection of information from various areas of the companies. Respondents have the capability to download the spreadsheets from the Census Bureau's Web site. A consolidator spreadsheet is also available to assist companies that need to gather information from business units and then compile the information into one company report. Domestic and foreign researchers in academia, business, and government analyze and cite data from the BRDIS. Among the federal government users are the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) and the White House's Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). BEA includes R&D in the system of national accounts that measures the economic well-being of the country. BRDIS data are key inputs into these accounts, which feed into the calculation of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The White House, in 2006, issued the American Competitiveness Initiative to ``increase investments in research and development, strengthen education, and encourage entrepreneurship.'' In support of this initiative and in response to legislative mandates, data on R&D are delivered to OSTP, primarily in the biennial National Science Board report Science and Engineering Indicators. Also, the National Science Foundation (NSF) produces a series of publications containing R&D data including the National Patterns of R&D Resources series, the S&E State Profile series, and the annual Business R&D and Innovation series. Special reports and other publications are also prepared. II. Method of Collection The Census Bureau will use a paperless strategy for the standard form (BRDI-1). Respondents will be mailed a letter referring them to the Census Bureau's Business Help Site where they can report online. Some companies selected for the screener form [BRDI-1(S)] will receive a letter only in initial mail out, directing them to report online. Others will receive a paper form in initial mailout that they can mail back. The microbusiness form (BRDI-M) is a mail out/mail back survey form. Respondents to all form types will have the option to report electronically. The due date for the standard form will be approximately 60 days from receipt. The due date for all other form types will be approximately 30 days from receipt. III. Data OMB Control Number: 0607-0912. Form Number: BRDI-1, BRDI-1(S), and BRDI-M. Type of Review: Regular submission. Affected Public: All domestic, non-farm, for-profit (public or private) businesses with at least one paid employee. Estimated Number of Respondents: BRDI-1--(Standard Form)...................................... 7,000 BRDI-1(S)--(Screener Form)................................... 38,000 BRDI-M--(Microbusiness Form)................................. 200,000 Total...................................................... 245,000 Estimated Time per Response: BRDI-1--(Standard Form).................. 14.85 hours. BRDI-1(S)--(Screener Form)............... 0.59 hours. BRDI-M--(Microbusiness Form)............. 0.25 hours. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 176,370. Estimated Total Annual Cost: $0. Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory. Legal Authority: Title 13, United States Code, Sections 8(b), 131, and 182, and Title 42, United States Code, Sections 1861-76 (National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as amended). 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: August 31, 2016 Glenna Mickelson, Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. 2016-21281 Filed 9-2-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-07-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 172 / Tuesday, September 6, 2016 / Notices 61183
gondola (Bashor Gondola, located on Responsible Official Dated: August 10, 2016.
private lands), construction of the The Responsible Official is Dennis Carolyn Upton,
Bashor Children’s Facility and Jaeger, Forest Supervisor for the Acting Forest Supervisor.
Restaurant (located on private lands), MBRTB. [FR Doc. 2016–21236 Filed 9–2–16; 8:45 am]
removal of the existing Bashor Pavilion BILLING CODE 3411–15–P
and bathroom facilities, installation of Nature of Decision To Be Made
multiple moving carpet lifts, installation Based on the analysis that will be
of a fixed grip chairlift (Rough Rider documented in the forthcoming EIS, the DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
lift), removal of the existing Rough Responsible Official will decide
Rider platter lift, construction of a new whether or not to implement, in whole U.S. Census Bureau
skier bypass from Boulevard to the or in part, the Proposed Action or
another alternative that may be Proposed Information Collection;
Rough Rider Learning Center, re-grading
developed by the Forest Service as a Comment Request; 2016–2018
of associated novice and beginner
result of scoping. The Responsible Business R&D and Innovation Surveys
terrain, and installation of snowmaking
Official will also decide what, if any,
infrastructure. AGENCY: U.S. Census Bureau,
mitigation measures, and monitoring
Proposed improvements within requirements should be made part of the Commerce.
Bashor Bowl include replacement and decision. ACTION: Notice.
realignment of the outdated Bashor lift
Scoping Process SUMMARY: The Department of
(located on both private and NFS lands),
This notice of intent initiates the Commerce, as part of its continuing
construction of two new skiways from
scoping process, which guides the effort to reduce paperwork and
the realigned Bashor lift top terminal, respondent burden, invites the general
grading at the base of Bashor Bowl, development of the environmental
impact statement. The Forest Service is public and other Federal agencies to
expansion of the Rabbit Ears Terrain comment on proposed and/or
Park, removal of the Mavericks soliciting comments from Federal, State
and local agencies and other individuals continuing information collections, as
Superpipe, construction of a new novice required by the Paperwork Reduction
or organizations that may be interested
trail connecting Yoo Hoo to Big Foot, Act of 1995, Public Law 104–13 (44
in or affected by implementation of the
and reconfiguration of existing proposed projects. A public open house U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)).
snowmaking infrastructure. for this proposal will be held at the DATES: To ensure consideration, written
Pony Express Steamboat Springs Community Center or on-line comments must be submitted
located at 1605 Lincoln Avenue, on or before November 7, 2016.
Proposed improvements within the Steamboat Springs, CO 80427 on August ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments
Pony Express area include: 25 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental
Enhancements to trail corridors through Representatives from the MBRTB, Paperwork Clearance Officer,
vegetation removal, grading, and rock Hahns Peak Bears Ears Ranger District, Department of Commerce, Room 6616,
blasting; increased capacity of the Pony and SSRC will be present to answer 14th and Constitution Avenue NW.,
Express lift by adding carriers to the questions and provide additional project Washington, DC 20230 (or via the
existing lift; construction of a ski patrol information. Internet at jjessup@doc.gov).
and restroom facility near the top To be most helpful, comments should
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
be specific to the project area and
terminal of the Pony Express lift; Requests for additional information or
should identify resources or effects that
installation of winch cat anchors; copies of the information collection
should be considered by the Forest
construction of a ski-way from the Service. Submitting timely, specific instrument(s) and instructions should
junction of Lower Middle Rib and Chaps written comments during this scoping be directed to Michael Flaherty, U.S.
ski trails to the Storm Peak Express period or any other official comment Census Bureau, HQ–6H149, 4600 Silver
chairlift; and installation of period establishes standing for filing Hill Rd., Suitland, MD 20746 (301) 763–
snowmaking infrastructure and coverage objections under 36 CFR 218 subparts A 7699 (or via the internet at
to Upper and Lower Middle Rib, the and B. Additional information and maps michael.j.flaherty@census.gov).
Crux, Upper and Lower Longhorn, of this proposal can be found at: http:// SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Lower Pony Express lift line, Upper and www.fs.usda.gov/project/ I. Abstract
Lower Storm Peak Express Connectors, ?project=48246.
BC Ski Way, and Chaps. It is important that reviewers provide The U.S. Census Bureau, with support
their comments at such times and in from the National Science Foundation
Pioneer Ridge such manner that they are useful to the (NSF), plans to conduct the Business
agency’s preparation of the R&D and Innovation Survey (BRDIS) for
Steamboat proposes to expand the
environmental impact statement. the 2016–2018 survey years. The BRDIS
operational boundary by approximately covers all domestic, non-farm, for-profit
Therefore, comments should be
355 acres to encompass Pioneer Ridge, businesses with at least one paid
provided prior to the close of the
construct a new detachable quad chair comment period and should clearly employee. The BRDIS provides the only
lift (Pioneer 2 lift), create 95 acres of articulate the reviewer’s concerns and comprehensive data on research and
gladed skiing, conduct 40 acres of development costs and detailed
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
contentions.
hazard tree removal and vegetation Comments received in response to expenses by type and industry.
management, install a bridge over this solicitation, including names and The Census Bureau has conducted an
Burgess Creek and construct an addresses of those who comment, will R&D survey since 1957 (the Survey of
associated collector skiway, and define be part of the public record for this Industrial Research and Development
multiple gladed trails and egress routes proposed action. Comments submitted (SIRD) from 1957–2007 and BRDIS from
to connect with existing and proposed anonymously will be accepted and 2008–present), collecting primarily
terrain and facilities. considered. financial information on the systematic
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![61184 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 172 / Tuesday, September 6, 2016 / Notices
work companies undertake to discover available to assist companies that need BRDI–1(S)—(Screener Form) ...... 38,000
new knowledge or use existing to gather information from business BRDI–M—(Microbusiness Form) 200,000
knowledge to develop new or improved units and then compile the information Total .......................................... 245,000
goods and services. into one company report. Estimated Time per Response:
Prior to 2016, only companies with a Domestic and foreign researchers in BRDI–1—(Standard Form) ..... 14.85 hours.
minimum of five employees were in academia, business, and government BRDI–1(S)—(Screener Form) 0.59 hours.
scope to the BRDIS. Beginning in 2016, analyze and cite data from the BRDIS. BRDI–M—(Microbusiness 0.25 hours.
the BRDIS will increase it’s scope to Among the federal government users are Form).
include microbusinesses, or firms with the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA)
and the White House’s Office of Science Estimated Total Annual Burden
fewer than five employees. Sampled
and Technology Policy (OSTP). BEA Hours: 176,370.
companies in this target population will
includes R&D in the system of national Estimated Total Annual Cost: $0.
receive a BRDI–M form. Companies
accounts that measures the economic Respondent’s Obligation: Mandatory.
with five or more employees will Legal Authority: Title 13, United
receive the standard form (BRDI–1) or if well-being of the country. BRDIS data
are key inputs into these accounts, States Code, Sections 8(b), 131, and 182,
selected for the screener questionnaire, and Title 42, United States Code,
the BRDI–1(S) form. Expanding the which feed into the calculation of the
U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The Sections 1861–76 (National Science
coverage of the BRDIS will help Foundation Act of 1950, as amended).
policymakers address issues such as White House, in 2006, issued the
how small businesses are affected by the American Competitiveness Initiative to IV. Request for Comments
rapid changes in our economy and what ‘‘increase investments in research and
Comments are invited on: (a) Whether
the smallest businesses are doing to be development, strengthen education, and
the proposed collection of information
competitive. encourage entrepreneurship.’’ In
is necessary for the proper performance
The 2016–2018 BRDIS will continue support of this initiative and in
of the functions of the agency, including
to collect the following types of response to legislative mandates, data
whether the information shall have
information: on R&D are delivered to OSTP,
practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the
• R&D expense based on accepted primarily in the biennial National
agency’s estimate of the burden
accounting standards. Science Board report Science and
• Worldwide R&D of domestic (including hours and cost) of the
Engineering Indicators. Also, the
companies. proposed collection of information; (c)
National Science Foundation (NSF)
• Business segment detail. ways to enhance the quality, utility, and
produces a series of publications
• R&D-related capital expenditures. clarity of the information to be
containing R&D data including the
• Detailed data about the R&D National Patterns of R&D Resources
collected; and (d) ways to minimize the
workforce. burden of the collection of information
series, the S&E State Profile series, and
• R&D strategy and data on the the annual Business R&D and
on respondents, including through the
potential impact of R&D on the market. use of automated collection techniques
Innovation series. Special reports and
• R&D directed to application areas of or other forms of information
other publications are also prepared.
particular national interest. technology.
• Data measuring innovation, II. Method of Collection Comments submitted in response to
intellectual property protection The Census Bureau will use a this notice will be summarized and/or
activities and technology transfer. paperless strategy for the standard form included in the request for OMB
The BRDI–1 form utilizes a booklet (BRDI–1). Respondents will be mailed a approval of this information collection;
instrument that facilitates the collection letter referring them to the Census they also will become a matter of public
of information from various contacts Bureau’s Business Help Site where they record.
within each company who have the best can report online. Some companies Dated: August 31, 2016
understanding of the concepts and selected for the screener form [BRDI– Glenna Mickelson,
definitions being presented as well as 1(S)] will receive a letter only in initial Management Analyst, Office of the Chief
access to the information necessary to mail out, directing them to report Information Officer.
provide the most accurate response. The online. Others will receive a paper form [FR Doc. 2016–21281 Filed 9–2–16; 8:45 am]
sections of the booklet correspond to in initial mailout that they can mail BILLING CODE 3510–07–P
areas within the company and currently back. The microbusiness form (BRDI–M)
include: A company information section is a mail out/mail back survey form.
that includes detailed innovation Respondents to all form types will have DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
questions; a financial section focused on the option to report electronically. The
company R&D expenses; a human due date for the standard form will be Foreign-Trade Zones Board
resources section; an R&D strategy and approximately 60 days from receipt. The
management section; an IP and [B–30–2016]
due date for all other form types will be
technology transfer section; and a approximately 30 days from receipt. Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 125—South
section focused on R&D that is funded
III. Data Bend, Indiana; Authorization of
or paid for by third parties. A web
Proposed Production Activity;
instrument is also available to OMB Control Number: 0607–0912. LionsHead Specialty Tire & Wheel, LLC
respondents. The web instrument for Form Number: BRDI–1, BRDI–1(S), (Wheel Assemblies for Specialty
the BRDI–1 form incorporates Excel
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
and BRDI–M. Applications); Goshen, Indiana
spreadsheets that are provided to Type of Review: Regular submission.
facilitate the electronic collection of Affected Public: All domestic, non- On May 3, 2016, LionsHead Specialty
information from various areas of the farm, for-profit (public or private) Tire & Wheel, LLC, submitted a
companies. Respondents have the businesses with at least one paid notification of proposed production
capability to download the spreadsheets employee. activity to the Foreign-Trade Zones
from the Census Bureau’s Web site. A Estimated Number of Respondents: (FTZ) Board for its facility within FTZ
consolidator spreadsheet is also BRDI–1—(Standard Form) .......... 7,000 125—Site 3, in Goshen, Indiana.
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Document Created: 2018-02-09 12:04:15
Document Modified: 2018-02-09 12:04:15
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice. | |
| Dates | To ensure consideration, written or on-line comments must be submitted on or before November 7, 2016. | |
| Contact | Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions should be directed to Michael Flaherty, U.S. Census Bureau, HQ-6H149, 4600 Silver Hill Rd., Suitland, MD 20746 (301) 763-7699 (or via the internet at [email protected]). | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 61183 |
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