Annual Capital Expenditures Survey

I. Abstract

The Census Bureau plans the continuing information collection for the 1999 through 2001 Annual Capital Expenditures Survey (ACES). The basic annual survey collects data on fixed assets and depreciation, sales and

receipts, 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. Employer and nonemployer businesses are included in the survey. The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), 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 (GDP) by industry. The Federal Reserve Board (FRB) uses the data to improve estimates of investment indicators for monetary policy. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 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 detailed capital expenditures by type of structure and type of equipment, the incorporation of the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) into the ACES, and a supplemental questionnaire requesting information on electronic business (E-business) processes used by businesses. Detailed capital expenditures by type of structure and type of equipment data were collected last year in the 1998 ACES. These data, collected together once every five years, are not scheduled to be requested again until the 2003 ACES. Previous year's estimates of capital expenditures were published on the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) basis. Beginning with the 1999 ACES, we will publish data on the NAICS. Due to the major restructuring of industries that occurred under the NAICS, we will collect and publish data for approximately 132 industries. This is an increase from 97 industries under the SIC system. We are planning a supplemental questionnaire requesting information on E-business processes used by businesses. Although questions are not yet finalized, we anticipate collecting check-box information on whether businesses use or plan to use E-business processes for activities such as procurement, production control, automated stock replenishment, marketing, electronic selling, payment processing, customer management and support, automated employee services, training, information sharing, video conferencing, and recruiting.

II. Method of Collection

The Census Bureau will use mail out/mail back survey forms to collect data. Respondent companies are permitted to respond via facsimile machine to 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 respondents that have not responded by the designated time.

III. Data

OMB Number: 0607-0782. Form Number: ACE-1 (Sent to employer companies reporting payroll to the Internal Revenue Service), ACE-2 (Sent to nonemployer businesses), and ACE-B (Sent to employer and nonemployer businesses for E-business information). Type of Review: Regular Review. Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profit organizations, non- profit institutions, small businesses or organizations, and self- employed individuals. Estimated Number of Respondents: There are 57,000 (42,000 employer companies, and 15,000 nonemployer businesses) under NAICS for the basic annual survey. The increase of 11,000 respondents is due to the expansion of industries under the NAICS. All 57,000 businesses will receive the E-business supplement. Estimated Time Per Response: The average for all respondents is 1.234 hours. For companies completing form ACE-1, the range is 2 to 16 hours, averaging 2.857 hours. For companies completing form ACE-2, the range is less than 1 hour to 2 hours, averaging 1 hour. For companies completing the ACE-B, the range is estimated at less than five minutes to ten minutes, averaging six minutes (.10 hours). Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: The total annual burden is 140,700 hours. Estimated Total Annual Cost: The total cost to all respondents is estimated to be $1,968,393 based on the hourly salary of $13.99 for entry level accountants and auditors. (Occupational Employment Statistics--Bureau of Labor Statistics 1997 National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates for Professional, Paraprofessional, and Technical Occupations). stats.bls.gov/oes/national/oes__prof.htm 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.

Dated: August 13, 1999. Linda Engelmeier, Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. 99-21464 Filed 8-17-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-07-P