Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Manufacturers' Unfilled Orders Survey, 37583 [2015-16158]

Agencies

• Census Bureau
• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 126 (Wednesday, July 1, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Page 37583]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-16158]



[[Page 37583]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Manufacturers' 
Unfilled Orders Survey

AGENCY: U.S. Census Bureau, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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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.

DATES: To ensure consideration, written comments must be submitted on 
or before August 31, 2015.

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 jjessup@doc.gov).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to Mary Catherine Potter, U.S. Census Bureau, 
Economic Indicators Division, 4600 Silver Hill Road, Room 7K157, 
Washington, DC 20233-6913, (301) 763-4207, or (via the internet at 
mary.catherine.potter@census.gov.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    The Manufacturers' Shipments, Inventories, and Orders (M3) survey 
collects monthly data on the value of shipments, inventories, and new 
and unfilled orders from manufacturing companies. The orders, as well 
as the shipments and inventory data, are valuable tools for analysts of 
business cycle conditions. The Bureau of Economic Analysis, the Counsel 
of Economic Advisors, the Federal Reserve Board, the Conference Board, 
and members of the business community such as the National Association 
of Manufacturers, Wall Street Journal, Market Watch, and Bloomberg 
business analysts, use the data.
    The monthly M3 Survey estimates are based on a relatively small 
sample that primarily reflects the month-to-month changes of large 
companies. There is a clear need for periodic benchmarking of the M3 
estimates to reflect the manufacturing universe. The Economic Census 
covering the manufacturing sector and the Annual Survey of Manufactures 
(ASM) provide annual benchmarks for the shipments and inventory data in 
this monthly survey. The Manufacturers' Unfilled Orders Survey, the 
subject of this notice, provides an annual benchmark for unfilled 
orders.
    The Census Bureau uses this data to develop universe estimates of 
unfilled orders as of the end of the calendar year and to adjust the 
monthly M3 data on unfilled orders to these levels on the North 
American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) basis. The 
benchmarked unfilled orders levels are used to derive estimates of new 
orders received by manufacturers. The survey data are also used to 
determine whether it is necessary to collect unfilled orders data for 
specific industries on a monthly basis; some industries are not 
requested to provide unfilled orders data on the M3 Survey.
    There are no changes to the MA-3000 form.

II. Method of Collection

    The Census Bureau will use mail out/mail back survey forms to 
collect the data with online reporting encouraged. Online response for 
the survey is typically just under 60 percent. Companies are asked to 
respond to the survey within 30 days of receipt. Letters encouraging 
participation are mailed to companies that have not responded by the 
designated time. Telephone follow-up is conducted to obtain response 
from delinquent companies.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0607-0561.
    Form Number(s): MA-3000.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Manufacturing Businesses, large and small, or 
other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 6,000.
    Estimated Time per Response: .50 hour.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 3,000.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0.
    Respondents Obligation: Mandatory.
    Legal Authority: Title 13 U.S.C., Sections 131, 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.

Sheleen Dumas,
Departmental PRA Lead, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2015-16158 Filed 6-30-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P