0694.0047.suppstmt.112707

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

U.S. Department of Commerce

Bureau of Industry and Security

Technology Letter of Explanation

OMB CONTROL NO. 0694-0047

A. JUSTIFICATION

1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary.

The collection is necessary under section 748.8(o) and Supplement 2 section (o) to Part 748

of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Licensing officers must make decisions on licensing the export of United States commodities and technical data to foreign countries.

The license application is approved under collection OMB 0694-0088 "Multipurpose Application." When an export involves certain technical data or knowhow described under these sections, additional information is required to fully understand the transaction and make a licensing decision. The additional information is necessary to evaluate technology exports as covered under this collection.

Section 15(b) of the Export Administration Act (EAA) of 1979, as amended, authorizes the President and the Secretary of Commerce to issue regulations to implement the EAA including those provisions authorizing the control of exports of U.S. goods and technology to all foreign destinations, as necessary for the purpose of national security, foreign policy and short supply, and the provision prohibiting U.S. persons from participating in certain foreign boycotts. Export control authority has been assigned directly to the Secretary of Commerce by the EAA and delegated by the President to the Secretary of Commerce. This authority is administered by the Bureau of Industry and Security through the Export Administration Regulations (EAR).

The EAA is not permanent legislation, and when it has lapsed due to the failure to enact a timely extension, Presidential executive orders under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) have directed and authorized the continuation in force of the EAR.

2. Explain how, by whom, how frequently, and for what purpose the information will be used. If the information collected will be disseminated to the public or used to support information that will be disseminated to the public, then explain how the collection complies with all applicable Information Quality Guidelines.

Section 748.8(o) and Supplement 2 section (o) to Part 748 of the EAR codifies the how, who, frequency and purpose of this collection. Supplement 2 section (o) to Part 748 is in ROCIS and attached for reference purposes.

Technology Letter of Explanation

The Technology Letter of Explanation provides a written description of the technology proposed for export sufficient to allow BIS technical staff to evaluate the impact of licensing the export on United States national security and foreign policy. The Technology Letter of Explanation is submitted along with a Multipurpose Application (OMB 0694-0088) when the export involves technology described in Section 748. Commodities are usually identified on the license application by stating the basic ingredients, composition, electrical parameters, size, gauge, grade, horsepower, model numbers, etc. The nature of technology, however, is such that it requires a precise definition of the data whether it be in a tangible or an intangible form. Tangible data would include writings, drawings, or recordings on media or devices such as disks, tapes, or read-only memory. Intangible data encompasses such things as oral instructions, oral training, working knowledge, application of skills, consulting services, electronic transmissions, satellite transmissions, or telephonic transmissions. The broad range and unique quality of technology demand a letter of explanation to determine the exact nature of the data to be exported.

The information contained in the Letter of Explanation describes the transaction and fixes the scope of technology to be exported, the parties to the transaction, their roles, the purpose for the export and the methods authorized to be used in exporting the technology. This data is essential in the licensing officers’ review and disposition of the case.

Letter of Assurance

Unlike commodities, which can be seen and tracked, the export of technology requires additional safeguards to insure that that advanced U.S. knowhow is not permitted to end up in the wrong hands. The letter of assurance puts the consignee on notice that the technology is subject to U.S. export controls and causes him to certify that he will not release the data or the direct product of the data to certain specified country group nationals; thus providing assurance that U.S. national security data will be safeguarded and used only for the stated end use.

Marine Nuclear Propulsion Systems

Technical data related to marine nuclear propulsion systems requires special certifications, safeguards and assurances, as described in Supplement 2 section (o)(2)(iii).

The Section 515 Information Quality Guidelines apply to this information collection and comply with all applicable information quality guidelines, i.e., OMB, Department of Commerce, and specific operating unit guidelines.

3. Describe whether, and to what extent, the collection of information involves the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological techniques or other forms of information technology.

BIS is not aware of any technology which could be adopted to further reduce the collection burden.

4. Describe efforts to identify duplication.

The information required by this collection is only available from the respondent and is not provided under any other collection authority.

5. If the collection of information involves small businesses or other small entities, describe the methods used to minimize burden.

This collection of information must be adhered to by all affected parties regardless of the size of the business. Anything less than the complete information required under the letter of explanation would result in officials being unable to adequately evaluate the requested technology transfer in the statutory time periods. Letters of assurance are necessary to assure that the consignee understands and certifies that he will abide by the rules under which he is receiving the U.S. controlled technical data.

6. Describe the consequences to the Federal program or policy activities if the collection is not conducted or is conducted less frequently.

Conducting this collection less frequently would be a violation of the EAR. It would also jeopardize the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States.

7. Explain any special circumstances that require the collection to be conducted in a manner inconsistent with OMB guidelines.

There are no special circumstances that require the collection to be conducted in a manner inconsistent with OMB guidelines.

8. Provide the information of the PRA Federal Register notice that solicited public comments on the information collection prior to this submission. Summarize the public comments received in response to that notice and describe the actions taken by the agency in response to those comments. Describe the efforts to consult with persons outside the agency to obtain their views on the availability of data, frequency of collection, the clarity of instructions and recordkeeping, disclosure, or reporting format (if any), and on the data elements to be recorded, disclosed, or reported.

The notice requesting public comment was published in the Federal Register on August 8, 2007, Vol. 72, pg. 44489. No comments were received.

9. Explain any decisions to provide payments or gifts to respondents, other than remuneration of contractors or grantees.

There are no plans to provide payments or gifts to respondents.

10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy.

Export licensing information submitted to the Department is protected from release to the public under article 12(c) of the EAA.

11. Provide additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature, such as sexual behavior and attitudes, religious beliefs, and other matters that are commonly considered private.

There are no questions of a sensitive nature.

12. Provide an estimate in hours of the burden of the collection of information.

There are 10,964 burden hours associated with this collection.

This collection of information consisted of approximately 5,205 technology letters of explanation and 1,108 additional reporting requirements annually (Letters of Assurance and Other Commodities).

Letters of Explanation - 5,205 x 2 hours = 10,410 hours

Letters of Assurance - 1,108 x 30 minutes = 554 hours

Other Commodities (i.e. Marine Nuclear Propulsion Plant Technical Data) had no respondents/response during the three-year cycle.

TOTAL = 10,964 hours

The annual cost to the respondent is estimated to be $383,740. This is based on an average salary of $35 per hour.

13. Provide an estimate of the total annual cost burden to the respondents or record-keepers resulting from the collection (excluding the value of the burden hours in #12 above).

Since no special equipment is required for this activity, there are no capitalized costs associated with this collection of information.

14. Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal government.

The estimated annual cost to the Federal Government is approximately $94,695. This figure is based on an average time of 30 minutes each to review 5,205 technology letters of explanation and 1,108 additional reporting requirements outlined in the EAR in Supp no. 2 to Part 748 (0)(3) (ii) at a salary of $30 per hour.

15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments reported in Items 13 or 14 of the OMB 83-I.

United States exports of technology have increased approximately 25% as a result of a weak U.S. dollar abroad. This increase is an adjustment.

16. For collections whose results will be published, outline the plans for tabulation and publication.

There are no plans to publish information obtained under this collection.

17. If seeking approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of the information collection, explain the reasons why display would be inappropriate.

Not applicable.

18. Explain each exception to the certification statement identified in Item 19 of the

OMB 83-I.

Not applicable.

B. COLLECTIONS OF INFORMATION EMPLOYING STATISTICAL METHODS

This collection does not utilize statistical methods.

Supplement 2

(o) Technology

(1) License application instructions. If you are submitting a license application for the export or reexport of technology you must check the box labeled "Letter of Explanation" in Block 6, enter the word "Technology" in Block 9, leave Blocks 22(e) and (i) blank, and include a general statement that specifies the technology (e.g., blueprints, manuals, etc.) in Block 22(j).

(2) Letter of explanation. Each license application to export or reexport technology must be supported by a comprehensive letter of explanation. This letter must describe all the facts for a complete disclosure of the transaction including, if applicable, the following information:

(i) The identities of all parties to the transaction;

(ii) The exact project location where the technology will be used;

(iii) The type of technology to be exported or reexported;

(iv) The form in which the export or reexport will be made;

(v) The uses for which the data will be employed;

(vi) An explanation of the process, product, size, and output capacity of all items to be produced with the technology, if applicable, or other description that delineates, defines, and limits the data to be transmitted (the "technical scope"); and

(vii) The availability abroad of comparable foreign technology.

(3) Special provisions.

i) Technology controlled for national security reasons. If you are submitting a license application to export technology controlled for national security reasons to a country not listed in Country Group D:1 or E:2 (see Supplement No. 1 to part 740 of the EAR), upon request, you must provide BIS a copy of the written letter from the ultimate consignee assuring that, unless prior authorization is obtained from BIS, the consignee will not knowingly reexport the technology to any destination, or export the direct product of the technology, directly or indirectly, to a country listed in Country Group D:1 or E:2 (see Supplement No. 2 to part 740 of the EAR). If you are unable to obtain this letter of assurance from your consignee, you must state in your license application why the assurances could not be obtained.

(ii) Maritime nuclear propulsion plants and related items. If you are submitting a license application to export or reexport technology relating to maritime nuclear propulsion plants and related items including maritime (civil) nuclear propulsion plants, their land prototypes, and special facilities for their construction, support, or maintenance, including any machinery, device, component, or equipment specifically developed or designed for use in such plants or facilities you must include the following information in your license application: (A) A description of the foreign project for which the technology will be furnished; (B) A description of the scope of the proposed services to be offered by the applicant, his consultant(s), and his subcontractor(s), including all the design data that will be disclosed; (C) The names, addresses and titles of all personnel of the applicant, the applicant's consultant(s) and subcontractor(s) who will discuss or disclose the technology or be involved in the design or development of the technology; (D) The beginning and termination dates of the period of time during which the technology will be discussed or disclosed and a proposed time schedule of the reports the applicant will submit to BIS, detailing the technology discussed or disclosed during the period of the license; (E) The following certification: I (We) certify that if this license application is approved, I (we) and any consultants, subcontractors, or other persons employed or retained by us in connection with the project licensed will not discuss with or disclose to others, directly or indirectly, any technology relating to U.S. naval nuclear propulsion plants. I (We) further certify that I (we) will furnish to the Bureau of Industry and Security all reports and information it may require concerning specific transmittals or disclosures of technology under any license granted as a result of this license application. (F) A statement of the steps that you will take to assure that personnel of the applicant, the applicant's consultant(s) and subcontractor(s) will not discuss or disclose to others technology relating to U.S. naval nuclear propulsion plants; and (G) A written statement of assurance from the foreign importer as described in paragraph (o)(3)(i) of this Supplement.

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