Advocacy Questionnaire

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

Advocacy Questionnaire

ACTION: 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, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before August 17, 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; Phone

number: (202) 482-3272.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Request for additional information or

copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should

be directed to: Jay Brandes, The Advocacy Center, Room 3814A, the

Department of Commerce, 14th and Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, DC

20230; Phone number: (202) 482-3896, and fax number: (202) 482-3508.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

The International Trade Administration's Advocacy Center marshals

federal resources to assist U.S. firms competing for foreign government

procurements worldwide. The Advocacy Center is under the umbrella of

the Trade Promotion Coordination Committee (TPCC), which is chaired by

the Secretary of Commerce and includes 19 federal agencies involved in

export promotion. The TPCC is tasked with assessing the U.S. Government

(USG) advocacy in order to achieve a maximum increase in exports and to

maximize job creation for American workers. The purpose of the

questionnaire is to collect the necessary information to make an

evaluation as to whether a U.S. firm qualifies for USG advocacy

assistance. There are clear, well-established USG Advocacy Guidelines

that describe the various situations in which the USG can provide

advocacy support for a U.S. firm. The questionnaire was developed to

collect only the information necessary to determine if the U.S. firm

meets the conditions set forth in the guidelines. The Advocacy Center,

appropriate ITA officials, our U.S. Embassies worldwide, and other

federal government agencies that provide advocacy support to U.S. firms

(Advocacy Network), will request U.S. firm(s) seeking USG advocacy

support to complete the questionnaire. Without this information we will

be unable to determine if a U.S. firm is eligible for U.S. Government

advocacy assistance.

II. Method of Collection

Form ITA-4133P is sent to U.S. firms that request USG advocacy

assistance.

III. Data

OMB Number: 0625-0220.

Form Number: ITA-4133P.

Type of Review: Revision-Regular Submission.

Affected Public: Companies who desire USG advocacy.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 400.

Estimated Time Per Response: 15 minutes.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 105.

Estimated Total Annual Costs: The estimated annual cost for this

collection is $6,300. ($2,625 for federal government and $3,675 for

respondents).

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: June 11, 1998.

Linda Engelmeier,

Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and

Organization.

[FR Doc. 98-16007 Filed 6-16-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P