Service Annual Survey

Attachment 2

Cover Letters

Form

Description

SA-L1-A

Initial cover letter

SA-L2-A

First follow-up cover letter

SA-L3-A

Second follow-up cover letter

SA-L4-A

Third/Final follow-up cover letter

SA-C-L1-A

Initial cover letter for consolidated reporters

SA-C-L2-A

First follow-up cover letter for consolidated reporters

SA-C-L3-A

Second follow-up cover letter for consolidated reporters

SA-C-L4-A

Third/Final follow-up cover letter for consolidated
reporters

SA-C-L1
(DRAFT)

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Economics and Statistics Administration
U.S. Census Bureau
Washington, DC 20233-0001
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR

FROM THE DIRECTOR
U.S. CENSUS BUREAU
The U.S. Census Bureau has selected your firm to participate in the Service Annual Survey. Prior to our
mailout, you were contacted by a Census Bureau representative and agreed to report a consolidated form
electronically to help ease your reporting burden. Data compiled in the Census Bureau's annual business
surveys are part of the official statistics used to measure current economic performance in the United
States.
Please complete your 2011 Annual Services Report online by March 2, 2012. Your timely response
will help minimize costly follow-up efforts by mail and/or telephone if we do not receive your response by
March 2, 2012. To make reporting easier, we will accept estimates when book figures are not available. The
Web address to complete this report electronically is census.gov/econhelp/sas.
Your Username and Password are:
Username:

Password:

We realize that participating in this survey is a burden for your company. However, we have taken steps
to minimize this burden. For example, we have changed the survey materials to incorporate business
suggestions, selected the fewest possible number of representative businesses to participate, and limited
our requests to data normally found in business records. We also re-designed and re-selected the sample
of firms used for the Annual Services Report to redistribute reporting burden for small and medium-sized
companies. Please note: We are asking you to provide data for 2011 and 2010, even if you were in
the prior sample. Providing both years of data will help to properly link estimates from the prior and new
samples and ensure that the published estimates are reliable and consistent over time. Report forms for
future years will request only one year of data until a new sample is selected.
Your participation is required by law (Title 13, United States Code, Sections 182, 224, and 225). Your
report is completely confidential under Title 13 and is seen only by persons sworn to uphold the
confidentiality of Census Bureau information. Data provided will be used only for statistical purposes, and
published summary statistics will not identify individual firms. Title 13 provides that copies retained in your
files are immune from legal process. In addition, your reported data are exempt from requests made under
the Freedom of Information Act.
If you have any questions or need assistance, call us toll-free at 1-800-772-7851 weekdays between
8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Eastern time. You can also refer to the Frequently Asked Questions Web site at
census.gov/econhelp/sas/.
Thank you for your cooperation with this important program.
Sincerely,

Robert M. Groves
Director
Enclosures

SA-C-L2
(DRAFT)

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Economics and Statistics Administration
U.S. Census Bureau
Washington, DC 20233-0001

SECOND REQUEST

FROM THE U.S. CENSUS BUREAU
Several weeks ago we asked you to complete a mandatory 2011 Annual Services Report. Our
records show we have not received it. If you have already submitted your report, you may
disregard this notice.
The information you provide enables the Census Bureau to develop reliable and timely measures
of current economic conditions. Many businesses like yours use the survey results to conduct
market research, investment analysis, and planning activities. To view prior year Service Annual
Survey results, visit census.gov/services/index.html.
Prior to our mailout, you were contacted by a Census Bureau representative and agreed to report
a consolidated form electronically to help ease your reporting burden.
Your timely response will help minimize costly follow-up efforts with your company. To make
reporting easier, we will accept estimates when book figures are not available. The Web address
to complete this report electronically is census.gov/econhelp/sas.
Your Username and Password are:
Username:

Password:

Your participation is required by law (Title 13, United States Code, Sections 182, 224, and
225). Your report is completely confidential under Title 13 and is seen only by persons sworn
to uphold the confidentiality of Census Bureau information. Data provided will be used only for
statistical purposes, and published summary statistics will not identify individual firms. Title 13
provides that copies retained in your files are immune from legal process.
If you have any questions or need assistance, call us toll-free at 1-800-772-7851
weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Eastern time. You can also refer to the Frequently
Asked Questions Web site at census.gov/econhelp/sas/.
Thank you for your cooperation with this important program.
Sincerely,

Mark E. Wallace
Chief, Service Sector Statistics Division
Enclosures

SA-C-L3
(DRAFT)

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Economics and Statistics Administration
U.S. Census Bureau
Washington, DC 20233-0001

THIRD REQUEST

FROM THE U.S. CENSUS BUREAU
Two months ago, we requested that you participate in a mandatory national survey by
completing the 2011 Annual Services Report. We have made repeated attempts to obtain your
firm's data and still have not received your response. Your participation is vital to the success of
the survey.
Your response is required by law. Title 13, United States Code, requires businesses and other
organizations that receive this questionnaire to answer the questions and return the report to the
Census Bureau. By the same law, your report is confidential. It may be seen only by persons
sworn to uphold the confidentiality of Census Bureau information and may be used only for
statistical purposes. Further, copies retained in your files are immune from legal process.
Prior to our initial mailout, you were contacted by a Census Bureau representative and agreed
to report a consolidated form electronically to help ease your reporting burden. Your failure to
comply may result in a penalty. To remove your firm from delinquent status, we ask that you
take the time to complete the survey.
The Web address to complete this report electronically is census.gov/econhelp/sas.
Your Username and Password are:
Username:

Password:

To make reporting easier, we will accept estimates when book figures are not available. Your
prompt response will alleviate the need for future mail and/or telephone follow-up.
If you have any questions or need assistance, call us toll-free at 1-800-772-7851
weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Eastern time. You can also refer to the Frequently
Asked Questions Web site at census.gov/econhelp/sas/.
Thank you for your cooperation with this important program.
Sincerely,

Mark E. Wallace
Chief, Service Sector Statistics Division
Enclosures

SA-C-L4
(DRAFT)

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Economics and Statistics Administration
U.S. Census Bureau
Washington, DC 20233-0001

PAST DUE

FROM THE U.S. CENSUS BUREAU
Several months ago, we requested that you participate in a mandatory national survey by
completing the 2011 Annual Services Report. We have made repeated attempts to obtain your
firm's data and still have not received your response. Your participation is vital to the success of
the survey.
Your response is required by law. Title 13, United States Code, requires businesses and other
organizations that receive this questionnaire to answer the questions and return the report to the
Census Bureau. By the same law, your report is confidential. It may be seen only by persons
sworn to uphold the confidentiality of Census Bureau information and may be used only for
statistical purposes. Further, copies retained in your files are immune from legal process.
Prior to our initial mailout, you were contacted by a Census Bureau representative and agreed
to report a consolidated form electronically to help ease your reporting burden. Your continued
failure to respond opens your firm to public prosecution and civil penalties. To remove your
firm from delinquent status, we ask that you take the time to complete the survey
within the next five business days.
The Web address to complete this report electronically is census.gov/econhelp/sas.
Your Username and Password are:
Username:

Password:

To make reporting easier, we will accept estimates when book figures are not available. Your
prompt response will alleviate the need for future mail and/or telephone follow-up.
If you have any questions or need assistance, call us toll-free at 1-800-772-7851
weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Eastern time. You can also refer to the Frequently
Asked Questions Web site at census.gov/econhelp/sas/.
Thank you for your cooperation with this important program.
Sincerely,

Mark E. Wallace
Chief, Service Sector Statistics Division
Enclosures

SA-L1_A
(DRAFT)

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Economics and Statistics Administration
U.S. Census Bureau
Washington, DC 20233-0001
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR

FROM THE DIRECTOR
U.S. CENSUS BUREAU
The U.S. Census Bureau has selected your firm to participate in the Service Annual Survey,
and we have enclosed a form for your firm to complete. Data compiled in the Census Bureau's
annual business surveys are part of the official statistics used to measure current economic
performance in the United States. Please complete and return your 2011 Annual Services
Report by the due date shown on the form. Your timely response will help minimize costly
follow-up efforts by mail and/or telephone if we do not receive your response by the specified
date.
We realize that participating in this survey is a burden for your company. However, we have
taken steps to minimize this burden. For example, we have changed the survey materials
to incorporate business suggestions, selected the fewest possible number of representative
businesses to participate, and limited our requests to data normally found in business records.
We also re-designed and re-selected the sample of firms used for the Annual Services Report
to redistribute reporting burden for small and medium-sized companies. Please note: We
are asking you to provide data for 2011 and 2010, even if you were in the prior sample.
Providing both years of data will help to properly link estimates from the prior and new samples
and ensure that the published estimates are reliable and consistent over time. Report forms for
future years will request only one year of data until a new sample is selected.
To make reporting easier, we will accept estimates when book figures are not available. We
encourage you to report online on our secure web site. The Web address, your Username, and
Password are on the form beneath the address label. If you prefer to use standard mail, postagepaid envelopes are provided so that you can return each form as soon as it is completed.
Your participation is required by law (Title 13, United States Code, Sections 182, 224, and
225). Your report is completely confidential under Title 13 and is seen only by persons sworn
to uphold the confidentiality of Census Bureau information. Data provided will be used only for
statistical purposes, and published summary statistics will not identify individual firms.
Title 13 provides that copies retained in your files are immune from legal process. In addition,
your reported data are exempt from requests made under the Freedom of Information Act.
If you have any questions or need assistance, call us toll-free at 1-800-772-7851
weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Eastern time. You can also refer to the Frequently
Asked Questions Web site at census.gov/econhelp/sas/. In written correspondence, please refer
to the survey name in the upper left corner of the address section on the form.
Thank you for your cooperation with this important program.
Sincerely,

Robert M. Groves
Director
Enclosures

SA-L2_A
(DRAFT)

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Economics and Statistics Administration
U.S. Census Bureau
Washington, DC 20233-0001

SECOND REQUEST

FROM THE U.S. CENSUS BUREAU
Several weeks ago we asked you to complete a mandatory 2011 Annual Services Report. Our
records show we have not received it. If you have already submitted your report, you may
disregard this notice.
The information you provide enables the Census Bureau to develop reliable and timely measures
of current economic conditions. Many businesses like yours use the survey results to conduct
market research, investment analysis, and planning activities. To view prior year Service Annual
Survey results, visit census.gov/services/index.html.
In case you did not receive the form or have misplaced it, we are enclosing another copy. Please
complete the report and submit it to us within the next 5 business days. We encourage
you to report online on our secure web site. The Web address, your Username, and Password
are on the form beneath the address label. If book figures are not available, your best estimates
are acceptable. Your prompt response will alleviate the need for future mail and/or telephone
follow-up.
Your response is required by law. Title 13, United States Code, requires businesses and other
organizations that receive this questionnaire to answer the questions and return the report to the
Census Bureau. By the same law, your report is confidential. It may be seen only by persons
sworn to uphold the confidentiality of Census Bureau information and may be used only for
statistical purposes. Further, copies retained in your files are immune from legal process.
If you have any questions or need assistance, call us toll-free at 1-800-772-7851
weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Eastern time. You can also refer to the Frequently
Asked Questions Web site at census.gov/econhelp/sas/. In written correspondence, please refer
to the survey name in the upper left corner of the address section on the form.
Thank you for your cooperation with this important program.
Sincerely,

Mark E. Wallace
Chief, Service Sector Statistics Division
Enclosures

SA-L3_A
(DRAFT)

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Economics and Statistics Administration
U.S. Census Bureau
Washington, DC 20233-0001

THIRD REQUEST

FROM THE U.S. CENSUS BUREAU
Two months ago, we requested that you participate in a mandatory national survey by
completing the 2011 Annual Services Report. We have made repeated attempts to obtain your
firm's data by mail and still have not received your response. Your participation is vital to the
success of this survey.
Your response is required by law. Title 13, United States Code, requires businesses and other
organizations that receive this questionnaire to answer the questions and return the report to the
Census Bureau. By the same law, your report is confidential. It may be seen only by persons
sworn to uphold the confidentiality of Census Bureau information and may be used only for
statistical purposes. Further, copies retained in your files are immune from legal process.
Your failure to comply may result in a penalty. To remove your firm from delinquent status,
we ask that you take the time to complete the enclosed form. We encourage you to
report online on our secure web site. The Web address, your Username, and Password are on
the form beneath the address label. If book figures are not available, your best estimates are
acceptable. Your prompt response will alleviate the need for future mail and/or telephone followup.
If you have any questions or need assistance, call us toll-free at 1-800-772-7851
weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Eastern time. You can also refer to the Frequently
Asked Questions Web site at census.gov/econhelp/sas/. In written correspondence, please refer
to the survey name in the upper left corner of the address section on the form.
Thank you for your cooperation with this important program.
Sincerely,

Mark E. Wallace
Chief, Service Sector Statistics Division
Enclosures

SA-L4_A
(DRAFT)

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Economics and Statistics Administration
U.S. Census Bureau
Washington, DC 20233-0001

PAST DUE

FROM THE U.S. CENSUS BUREAU
Several months ago, we requested that you participate in a mandatory national survey by
completing the 2011 Annual Services Report. We have made repeated attempts to obtain your
firm's data by mail and still have not received your response. Your participation is vital to the
success of this survey.
Your response is required by law. Title 13, United States Code, requires businesses and other
organizations that receive this questionnaire to answer the questions and return the report to the
Census Bureau. By the same law, your report is confidential. It may be seen only by persons
sworn to uphold the confidentiality of Census Bureau information and may be used only for
statistical purposes. Further, copies retained in your files are immune from legal process.
Your continued failure to respond opens your firm to public prosecution and civil penalties. To
remove your firm from delinquent status, we ask that you take the time to complete
the enclosed report within the next 5 business days. We encourage you to report online
on our secure web site. The Web address, your Username, and Password are on the form
beneath the address label. If book figures are not available, your best estimates are acceptable.
Your prompt response will alleviate the need for future mail and/or telephone follow-up.
If you have any questions or need assistance, call us toll-free at 1-800-772-7851
weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Eastern time. You can also refer to the Frequently
Asked Questions Web site at census.gov/econhelp/sas/. In written correspondence, please refer
to the survey name in the upper left corner of the address section on the form.
Thank you for your cooperation with this important program.
Sincerely,

Mark E. Wallace
Chief, Service Sector Statistics Division
Enclosures