National Security Assessment of the U.S. Maritime Industry

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Bureau of Export Administration

National Security Assessment of the U.S. Maritime Industry

ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.

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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, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C.

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

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before November 24,

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 Stephen Baker, Trade & Industry Analyst, Bureau

of Export Administration (BXA), Department of Commerce, Room 3876, 14th

and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230 (telephone no. (202)

482-2017 or 3795).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

Commerce/BXA, in coordination with the Department of the Navy,

Carderock Division, and the Department of Transportation, Maritime

Administration is conducting a survey of the U.S. maritime industry in

order to assess the health and competitiveness as well as the

technology requirements of the forms that comprise this critical

sector.

II. Method of Collection

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

survey. It will be collected in written form.

III. Data

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; competitiveness issues and

technology requirements.

OMB Number: N/A.

Form Number: N/A.

Type of Review: Regular Submission.

Affected Public: The vendor, supplier and manufacturer base of the

U.S. Maritime industry.

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: $210,080 for respondents--no equipment

or other materials will need to be purchased to comply with the

requirement.

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: September 22, 1998.

Linda Engelmeier,

Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and

Organization.

[FR Doc. 98-25674 Filed 9-24-98; 8:45 am]

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