[Federal Register: October 1, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 190)]
[Notices]               
[Page 49922-49923]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr01oc01-41]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

 
Advocacy Questionnaire

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 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 November 30, 
2001.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Madeleine Clayton, 
Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, (202) 482-3129, Email 
MClayton@doc.gov., Department of Commerce, Room 6086, 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: Jay Brandes, The Advocacy Center, Room 3814A, U.S. 
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 U.S. Department of Commerce invites the general public and 
other

[[Page 49923]]

Federal agencies to comment on the proposed extension of the use of the 
advocacy questionnaire by the Trade Promotion Coordination Committee's 
(TPCC) Advocacy Network. The questionnaire is used to evaluate requests 
for United States' Government (USG) commercial advocacy in connection 
with overseas bids and proposals. The International Trade 
Administration's Advocacy Center marshals federal resources to assist 
U.S. business interests competing for foreign government procurements 
worldwide. The mission of the Advocacy Center is to coordinate USG 
commercial advocacy in order to promote U.S. exports and create U.S. 
jobs. The Advocacy Center is under the umbrella of the TPCC, which is 
chaired by the Secretary of Commerce and includes 19 federal agencies 
involved in export promotion. The purpose of the advocacy questionnaire 
is to collect the information necessary to make an evaluation about a 
company's eligibility 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 firm. 
The questionnaire was developed to collect only the information 
necessary to determine if the firm meets the eligibility requirements 
set forth in these guidelines. The Advocacy Center, appropriate ITA 
officials, our U.S. Embassies worldwide, and other federal government 
agencies (the Advocacy Network) that provide advocacy support, will 
require firms seeking USG advocacy support to complete the 
questionnaire. Without this information, the USG would be unable to 
make eligibility determinations.

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: Regular Submission.
    Affected Public: Companies who desire USG advocacy.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 200.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 30 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 205.
    Estimated Total Annual Costs: The estimated annual cost for this 
collection is $12,300.00 ($7,175.00 for respondents and $5,125.00 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: September 26, 2001.
Madeleine Clayton,
Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief 
Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 01-24462 Filed 9-28-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P