Search Results for keywords:"Commerce Department"

The Department of Commerce is collecting public comments on the Annual Business Survey (ABS), which gathers data to better understand business dynamics in the U.S. The survey, conducted by the Census Bureau, includes information on business owners' demographics, and research and development activities, particularly aiming to improve minority and disadvantaged groups' access to resources. For 2021, the survey will expand to cover more nonprofit organizations, adding to its 308,000 respondents. The collected data will support government programs and agencies, enhance business support services, and contribute to national economic analyses.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is seeking public comments on the renewal of an information collection related to patent petitions and reexamination processing fees. This collection is crucial for the USPTO to manage the impact of its information requirements and lessen the burden on the public. On average, individuals may spend between five minutes to 12 hours completing each response, depending on complexity, which generates a total annual burden of about 72,958 hours. Interested parties can review or comment on this collection through specified online resources within 30 days of the notice's publication.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), part of the Department of Commerce, is collecting public comments on its information collection activities for the Aleutian Islands pollock fishery. This notice is part of a routine renewal request under the Paperwork Reduction Act, seeking to gauge the impact and necessity of the reporting requirements, which help in managing the fishery. Specifically, the collection involves selecting and approving vessels and processors by The Aleut Corporation, as specified by Federal regulations. Public comments are invited until February 3, 2025, and will be used to assess and possibly improve the collection process.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) of the Commerce Department has issued a notice about the mandatory Quarterly Survey of Ocean Freight Revenues and Foreign Expenses of U.S. Carriers (BE-30). This survey helps measure trade in transport services and its impact on both the U.S. and foreign economies. U.S. ocean carriers with revenues or expenses of $500,000 or more must report their information each quarter. Survey forms can be submitted electronically, or by mail or fax, and are due 30 days after each quarter ends.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is seeking public comments on the extension of a current information collection related to floating marine debris. This involves a Shipboard Observation Form used by organizations and vessels to report visible debris on the ocean. The goal is to improve the understanding and management of marine debris's impact on the U.S. economy and environment. Public comments on the proposed data collection, aimed at refining methods and reducing burden on respondents, will be accepted until March 30, 2021.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), part of the Department of Commerce, has issued a notice regarding the mandatory Quarterly Survey of Transactions in Selected Services and Intellectual Property with Foreign Persons (BE-125). This survey collects data to measure the U.S.'s trade in services and its impact on the economy. U.S. individuals or organizations meeting certain sales or purchase thresholds with foreign persons are required to report. The survey must be submitted within 30 days after each fiscal quarter ends, except for the final quarter, which has a 45-day deadline. The survey process is approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 0608-0067.

The National Marine Fisheries Service is announcing the standard prices and the fee percentage for cost recovery for the Central Gulf of Alaska Rockfish Program for the 2024 fishing year, which runs from May 1 to November 15. The fee percentage is set at 3.00 percent, which is the maximum allowable by law, even though the calculated cost recovery rate was higher. These fees are used to cover management and enforcement costs and must be paid by February 15, 2025. The significant increase in program costs and the decrease in fishery value led to the higher calculated recovery rate.

The Department of Commerce is proposing to continue its information collection via the Business Trends and Outlook Survey (BTOS). This survey helps gather detailed, frequent, and timely data on U.S. economic conditions and trends. With a target of 795,000 respondents, the survey will be conducted biweekly and seeks to include more multi-unit businesses for comprehensive economic representation. The department is also revising the survey to focus on core questions and plans to extend it for another three years, along with a possibility of including updated questions on artificial intelligence. Public comments are invited within 30 days on the proposed collection.

The U.S. Department of Commerce has issued a final rule concerning the review of transactions involving information and communications technology and services (ICTS) linked to foreign adversaries. This rule establishes procedures to evaluate such transactions for risks to national security, potentially prohibiting them or requiring mitigation measures if they pose undue threats. The rule includes new definitions and procedural updates to clarify transaction reviews, address public comments, and streamline processes. The measures aim to safeguard the ICTS supply chain from foreign threats, enhance transparency, and provide guidelines for penalties if regulations are violated.

The U.S. Department of Commerce issued an order denying Siddharth Bhatt's export privileges for ten years because he was convicted of illegally trying to export a thermal imaging camera to the UAE without the necessary license. Bhatt, who has addresses in Chicago and Mumbai, was sentenced to probation and fined. The order prohibits him and others acting on his behalf from participating in any transactions involving items subject to export regulations from the U.S. Bhatt can appeal this order within 45 days, but this denial takes immediate effect.