Nonsubstantive Change Request -- Informing Respondents of Internet Based Reporting

Request for a Non-Substantive Change to the

U.S. Department of Commerce / U.S. Census Bureau

Construction Progress Reporting Surveys

OMB Control Number 0607-0153

The Census Bureau uses four survey forms to collect information on the dollar value of construction put in place for both private and publicly owned projects. The Construction Progress Reporting Surveys (CPRS) consists of the following survey forms: C-700, C-700(R),

C-700(SL), and the C-700(F). Form C-700 is used to collect information on the dollar value of construction put in place for nonresidential projects owned by private companies or individuals. Form C-700 is mailed to about 6,500 places monthly and 78,000 places annually. The Census Bureau uses the Form C-700(R) to collect information on the dollar value of construction put in place for private multi-family residential buildings. Form C-700(R) is mailed to about 1,500 places monthly and 18,000 places annually. Form C-700(SL) is used to collect information on the dollar value of construction put in place for projects owned by state and local agencies. Form C-700(SL) is mailed to about 10,500 places monthly and 126,000 places annually. The Census Bureau uses the Form C-700(F) to collect information on the dollar value of construction put in place for projects owned by the federal government. Form C-700(F) is mailed to about 2,500 places monthly and 30,000 places annually.

The data from these voluntary surveys produces statistics that provide the only comprehensive measure of construction activity at the national level. The current information collection for these forms (all OMB Control Number 0607-0153) is approved through 05/31/2013. The Census Bureau’s request for the extension of the approval through that date described, plans to provide an option for web-based reporting for all respondents, using the Census Bureau’s “Centurion” Internet reporting system. Development of this system for CPRS is underway and web-based reporting will be offered to respondents in early 2012.

Because respondents will be able to begin using web-based reporting at any time, each questionnaire mailed to respondents will need to provide information about how to respond via the Internet and to supply the respondent’s unique User ID and Password for the Internet reporting system. Therefore the Census Bureau is requesting minor non-substantive changes to the questionnaires to add this information. No changes are requested to any of the data items on the form, and the information collected on the Internet will be identical to that on the paper questionnaire.

The ability to report via Internet is supported by many respondents who have requested this option and has been discussed with a group of the survey’s key data users. The changes will not affect the respondent burden for the survey. The proposed version of the questionnaires to be used when Internet reporting becomes available are shown in Attachments A-D.

Initial respondents will be informed about the new reporting option in L1 letters enclosed with their questionnaires. Attachments E-G show the L1 notices that will be mailed to the respondents in the first month of contact for each project.

The contact person for questions relating to this collection is Mr. Mike Davis, Chief of the Construction Expenditures Branch in the Census Bureau’s Manufacturing and Construction Division. He can be reached on (301) 763-4590.

Attachments:

1. Proposed updated version of Form C-700, “Construction Project Report, Private Construction Projects”

2. Proposed updated version of Form C-700(R), “Construction Project Report, Multi-Family Residential”

3. Proposed updated version of Form C-700(SL), “Construction Project Report, State and Local Governments”

4. Proposed updated version of Form C-700(F), “Construction Project Report, Federal Government”

5. Proposed updated version of C-700-L1A to be mailed with the initial C-700 and C-700(R) questionnaires

6. Proposed updated version of C-700-L1B to be mailed with the initial C-700(SL) questionnaires

7. Proposed updated version of C-700-L1C to be mailed with the initial C-700(F) questionnaires

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