FR 2021-00851

The recent notice from the Department of Commerce, published in the Federal Register, outlines a plan to continue the Small Business Pulse Survey. This survey aims to gather critical data on how small businesses in the United States are being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. By capturing information on business operations, financial situations, and supply chain disruptions through a weekly survey, the Census Bureau seeks to provide valuable insights that can guide national responses to ongoing economic challenges.

Summary

The Small Business Pulse Survey serves as a tool to understand the evolving landscape for small businesses during the pandemic. With the intent to conduct this survey weekly, covering over 738,000 respondents, the Census Bureau aims to track real-time economic conditions faced by small businesses. This proactive approach is intended to help inform policymakers and stakeholders in addressing issues as they arise.

Significant Issues and Concerns

There are several issues within the notice that warrant attention. Firstly, the large number of projected respondents (738,000) raises questions about whether such an expansive data collection effort is essential and whether the results justify the potential burden on participants. With an estimated 73,920 burden hours, it's critical to evaluate if the benefits of the survey justify the time and resources expended by both respondents and the Census Bureau.

The complexity of the survey's phases and cycles, such as "Phase 3 cycle 1" and "Phase 3 cycle 2," may be difficult for some to follow and could benefit from simplification to ensure clarity. Moreover, while the survey is designed with flexibility in mind—allowing for changes to the questionnaire—the criteria for such changes are not clearly defined, which could lead to concerns about consistency and reliability of the data collected.

Further, the document invites public comments but does not clarify how this feedback will be factored into the survey's development, potentially leading to public skepticism about the genuine consideration of their input. The absence of detailed expected outcomes from the survey also makes it challenging to evaluate its potential impact and effectiveness.

Lastly, the document does not address data privacy concerns, a topic of significant importance to respondents, which could affect participant willingness and honesty in their responses.

Impact on the Public and Stakeholders

The continuation of the Small Business Pulse Survey could have substantial impacts. For the general public, the survey may help shape policies that directly or indirectly affect daily economic conditions, such as employment opportunities and consumer prices.

For small business owners, while the survey could offer a valuable platform for highlighting their challenges, there could be concerns about the time required to participate, especially if the benefits of the survey are not immediately apparent. Nevertheless, the survey results have the potential to positively influence support and resource allocation to small businesses.

Policy makers and government bodies, as stakeholders, benefit from the insight provided by the survey. However, ensuring that the survey's methodology and execution are transparent and scientifically sound is critical to maintaining trust and reliance on its findings.

In conclusion, while the intent of the Small Business Pulse Survey is commendable in its attempt to offer timely data amidst a crisis, addressing the concerns about burden, clarity, and transparency will be key to maximizing its effectiveness and acceptance among participants and stakeholders.

The document discusses the ongoing efforts of the U.S. Census Bureau to conduct the Small Business Pulse Survey, a national survey developed in response to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This survey aims to capture the effects of the pandemic on the operations and finances of small, single-location employer businesses across the United States.

Financial Reference and Burden Hours

The primary financial reference in the document is the allocation of 73,920 burden hours, dedicated to collecting data from an anticipated 738,000 respondents over a period of 36 weeks each year. This time allocation includes 73,800 hours for the survey responses and an additional 120 hours allocated for cognitive testing. Though not monetary in the traditional sense, these figures reflect the estimated labor cost of conducting the survey, converting time into a quantifiable resource dedicated to data collection. Critically, there is no explicit financial appropriation discussed in terms of funding required or budget allocations for conducting this survey.

Relevance to Identified Issues

The significant number of 73,920 burden hours implies a substantial commitment of time resources from respondents, which translates indirectly into a cost for participating businesses. This raises the issue of whether the depth and breadth of the survey's data justify such extensive resource allocation. Respondents may question if the value derived from the data sufficiently compensates for the time invested, which is a concern often raised in comments solicited from the public and other federal agencies.

Moreover, the survey is described as a tool for capturing data on economic impacts—"dollar volume outputs"—and detailing how the pandemic affects business finances. While the document states that the survey does not directly measure monetary outputs, it provides insight into the financial effects on small business operations, which is crucial for informing policy decisions.

Financial Context within Survey Scope

The survey aims to delve into areas like revenues, business closings, employment shifts, and changes in operational capacities, providing crucial feedback on how financial conditions are shifting for small businesses due to the pandemic.

However, the document lacks specificity around financial metrics or expected outcomes that could lend clarity to the expense or effort involved. A more precise explanation of expected financial insights or economic benefits from this data might help justify the substantial resource allocation in terms of burden hours. Furthermore, while the Census Bureau plans to disseminate findings as part of their "Experimental Data Products," explicit explanations regarding anticipated monetary impacts or outcomes would enhance transparency and bolster confidence in the value of the initiative.

In summary, while the document outlines detailed operational inputs in terms of survey burden hours, the linkage between these inputs and direct financial allocations or expected monetary outcomes remains implicit. Providing explicit connections between survey results and influential policies or economic decisions could better communicate the necessity and value of this substantial investment of time and resources.