Census is
strongly encouraged to pursue response improvement strategies as
described in the May 9 passback response to OMB. These strategies
should include developing various letters to convert refusals,
obtaining endorsements from trade associations, and experimenting
with different mailing or faxing options. Census shall report to
OMB annually the response rates achieved by month. This report
should be provided no later than June 30 of each year for the prior
calendar year response rates.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
05/31/2008
05/31/2008
07/31/2005
48,000
0
45,600
5,600
0
5,320
0
0
0
This survey representing firms
primarily engaged in merchant wholesale trade in the United States
by selected kinds of business provides the only continuous measure
of monthly wholesale sales, end-of-month inventories, method of
inventory valuation, and inventories/sales ratios. The Bureau of
Economic Analysis (BEA) uses this information on methods of
valuation and changes in these methods to improve the inventory
valuation adjustments applied to estimates of the gross domestic
product (GDP). The Bureau of Labor Statistic (BLS) uses the data as
input to the Producer Price Indexes and in developing
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.