Product CharacteristicsDesign Check-Off Lists; Proposed Collection; Comment Request

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

Product Characteristics--Design Check-Off Lists; Proposed

Collection; Comment Request

SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort

to reduce paperwork and respondent burdens, invites the general public

and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the

continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork

Reduction Act of 1995, Pub. L. 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before July 31, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier,

Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room

5327, 14th & Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Request for additional information or

copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should

be directed to: John Klingelhut, U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service,

Export Promotion Services, Room 2810, 14th & Constitution Avenue, NW,

Washington, DC 20230; Phone number: (202) 482-4403, and fax number:

(202) 482-0872.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

The International Trade Administration (ITA) sponsors up to 120

overseas trade fair events each fiscal year. In addition, there is a

Matchmaker Program of approximately 20 events annually, which is a

combination of multi-stop trade missions and small equipment

presentations. Trade fairs involve U.S. firms exhibiting their goods

and services at American pavilions at internationally recognized events

worldwide. In the case of Matchmakers, ITA organizes U.S. company

missions, traveling to 2 or 3 foreign locations. Matchmakers combine an

exhibit booth/product presentation orientation and by-appointment-only

meetings in facilities capable of accommodating 20-40 U.S. Firms. The

Product Characteristics-Design Check Off List seeks from participating

U.S. firms information on the physical nature, power (utility) and

graphic requirements of the products and services to be displayed, and

to ensure the availability of utilities active product demonstrations.

This form also allows U.S. firms to identify special installation

instructions that can be critical to the proper placement and hookup of

their equipment and/or graphics. Without the timely and accurate

submission of the Form ITA-426P, Product Characteristics--Design Check-

Off Lists, ITA would be unable to provide a pavilion facility that

would effectively support the sales/marketing and presentation

objectives of the U.S. participants. The anticipated result: diminished

program productivity, declining participation by U.S. firms, reduced

private sector funds, and possibly the discontinuation of this type of

U.S. international trade event program.

II. Method of Data Collection

Form ITA-426P is sent by request to U.S. firms. Applicant firms

complete the form and forward it to the Department of Commerce

exhibition manager at the close of the event upon request.

III. Data

OMB Number: 0625-0035.

Form Number: ITA-426P.

Type of Review: Regular Submission.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit companies applying to

participate in Commerce Department trade promotion events.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 2,000.

Estimated Time Per Response: 30 minutes.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,000 hours.

Estimated Total Annual Costs: The estimated annual cost for this

collection is $31,480.00 ($18,900.00 for respondents and $12,580.00 for

federal government).

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 costs) 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 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: May 26, 1998.

Linda Engelmeier,

Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and

Organization.

[FR Doc. 98-14418 Filed 5-29-98; 8:45 am]

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