Update of the National Security Assessment of the U.S. Cartridge and Propellant Actuated Device Industry

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Bureau of Export Administration

Update of the National Security Assessment of the U.S. Cartridge

and Propellant Actuated Device 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, Pub. L. 104-13 (44 U.S.C.

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

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before February 2,

1999.

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 Brad Botwin, Director, Strategic Analysis

Division, Bureau of Export Administration (BXA), Department of

Commerce, Room 3876, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC

20230 (telephone no. (202) 482-4060, fax no. (202) 482-5650, e-mail

address: [email protected]).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

Commerce/BXA, in consultation with Naval Surface Warfare Center/

Indian Head Division (NSWC/IHD) is conducting a follow-on national

security assessment of the domestic cartridge and propellant actuated

device industry in order to re-evaluate the health and competitiveness

of the U.S. industry and its ability to support current and future

defense needs. The original assessment was conducted in 1994 (approved

under OMB Control No. 0694-0080), and NSWC/IHD is interested in

conducting a follow-on assessment in light of recent Navy and industry

actions to maintain and enhance 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; and competitiveness issues.

OMB Number: None.

Form Number: N/A.

Type of Review: Regular submission.

Affected Public: The domestic U.S. cartridge and propellant

actuated device industry.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 40.

Estimated Time Per Response: 5.0 hours.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 200 hours.

Estimated Total Annual Cost: $0 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: November 30, 1998.

Linda Engelmeier,

Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief Information

Officer.

[FR Doc. 98-32337 Filed 12-3-98; 8:45 am]

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