Critical Technology Assessment; U.S. Assistive Technologies Industry

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Bureau of Export Administration

Critical Technology Assessment; U.S. Assistive Technologies

Industry

ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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, Pub. L. 104-13 (44 U.S.C.

3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before August 3, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier,

Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or

copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions

should be directed to Margaret Cahill, Trade and Industry Analyst,

Bureau of Export Administration (BXA), Department of Commerce, Room

3876, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230 (telephone

no. (202) 482-3795).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

Commerce/BXA is conducting an assessment of the domestic assistive

technologies industry in order to determine the competitiveness of the

U.S. industry and to facilitate the transfer of technologies from

federal laboratories to firms in the industry.

The survey will collect information on the nature of the business

performed by each firm; estimated sales and employment data; financial

information; research and development expenditures and funding sources;

capital expenditures and funding sources; and competitiveness issues.

II. Method of Collection

The information will be collected using a non-recurring, mandatory

[[Page 30183]]

survey. It will be collected in written form.

III. Data

OMB Number: N/A.

Form Number: N/A.

Type of Review: Regular Submission.

Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profit organizations.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 2,000.

Estimated Time Per Response: 4.0 hours.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 8,000 hours.

Estimated Total Annual Cost: No cost other than the respondents'

time to complete the survey.

IV. Request for Comments

Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of

information is necessary for the proper performance of the function 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: May 29, 1998.

Linda Engelmeier,

Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and

Organization.

[FR Doc. 98-14728 Filed 6-2-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3510-33-P