Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; National Security and Critical Technology Assessments of the U.S. Industrial Base

AGENCY:

Bureau of Industry and Security.

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 take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

DATES:

Written comments must be submitted on or before May 6, 2019.

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 PRAcomments@doc.gov).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should be directed to Mark Crace, BIS ICB Liaison, (202) 482-8093, mark.crace@bis.doc.gov.

The link below clarifies the policies and procedures of the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) for conducting surveys to obtain information in order to perform industry studies assessing the U.S. industrial base to support the national defense pursuant to the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended.

https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2015/07/15/2015-17388/us-industrial-base-surveys-pursuant-to-the-defense-production-act-of-1950 .

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

The Department of Commerce, in coordination with the Department of Defense and other Federal agencies, conducts survey assessments of U.S. industrial base sectors deemed critical to U.S. national security. The information gathered is necessary to determine the health and competitiveness as well as the needs of these critical market segments in order to maintain a strong U.S. industrial base.

II. Method of Collection

Electronically.

III. Data

OMB Control Number: 0694-0119.

Form Number(s): N/A.

Type of Review: Regular submission extension.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 28,000.

Estimated Time per Response: 8 to 14 hours per response.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 308,000 hours.

Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0.

Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.

Legal Authority: Section 705 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended, Executive Orders 12656 and 13603.

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.