DOC Small Business Paperwork Reduction Act

Commerce and the Small Business Paperwork Reduction Act (SBPRA)

The Department of Commerce understands that a vibrant small business sector is critical to creating new jobs in a dynamic and growing economy, and provides substantial assistance through a variety of media to help small businesses comply with enforcement regulations and paperwork requirements.

Additional information about SBPRA and its implementation is on the Office of Management and Budget Web site.

Department of Commerce operating units with paperwork requirements that affect small businesses have established Web sites, e-mail addresses, and toll free phone numbers dedicated to assisting small businesses in responding to their paperwork requirements.

Census Bureau
The Census Bureau serves as the leading source of quality data about the nation’s people and the economy. To assist small businesses in responding to economic surveys and other data collection requirements, the Census Bureau recently appointed a single point of contact for this purpose.

• Small Business Ombudsman: census.ombudsman@census.gov

• Ombudsman Toll-Free Phone: 1-866-564-5431

As part of its mission to collect and disseminate economic data about businesses of all sizes, the Census Bureau maintains the Foreign Trade Statistics Web site. This site provides small businesses and other exporters with the Automated Export System (AES), a paperless way to file the Shipper’s Export Declaration (SED).

Bureau of Economic Analysis

The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) promotes a better understanding of the U.S. economy by providing the most timely, relevant, and accurate economic accounts data in an objective and cost-efficient manner. The electronic information survey tool that BEA developed to collect economic survey data from the public and ease the reporting burden is on the BEA Web site.

• E-Mail Address for Small Businesses: CustomerService@bea.gov

Bureau of Industry and Security

The mission of the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is to advance U.S. national security, foreign policy, and economic interests. BIS's activities include regulating the export of sensitive goods and technologies in an effective and efficient manner; enforcing export control, antiboycott, and public safety laws; cooperating with and assisting other countries on export control and strategic trade issues; assisting U.S. industry to comply with international arms control agreements; and monitoring the viability of the U.S. defense industrial base and seeking to ensure that it is capable of satisfying U.S. national and homeland security needs. Additional information and links are on the BIS Web site.

Phone numbers that may be useful to small businesses include:

• BIS Export Enforcement Hotline: 1-800-424-2980
• Office of Export Enforcement Intelligence: (202) 482-1208
• Exporter Counseling Division: (202) 482-4811

The Office of Antiboycott Compliance (OAC) within BIS advises small businesses on compliance with the antiboycott regulations through its telephone advice line. Callers can seek compliance advice before engaging in transactions and obtain assistance in resolving boycott issues.

• Antiboycott Advice: (202) 482-2381.

International Trade Administration
Small and medium-sized businesses can access vital information about trade and exporting, including paperwork requirements and forms, on the International Trade Administration (ITA) Web site at www.export.gov, which provides online trade resources and one-on-one assistance for companies interested in international business.

• Trade Information Center Toll-Free Phone: 1-800-USA-TRADE
• Trade Information Center E-Mail Address: tic@ita.doc.gov

Minority Business Development Agency

The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) was created to foster the establishment and growth of minority-owned businesses in America. The MBDA Web site features an easily accessed login that provides members with access to MBDA tools and services. There is also an online e-mail “contact us” that may be used without registering as a member. Additionally, small businesses may contact MBDA by phone.

• MBDA Toll-Free Phone: 1-888-324-1551

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) operates a forms portal where small businesses can obtain electronic copies of forms and permits, streamlining their ability to comply with fisheries enforcement regulations. A continually increasing number of forms can be completed and permits applied for and renewed online through interactive web-based applications.

The NOAA Office of Law Enforcement provides several venues for obtaining regulatory enforcement information:

• NOAA Toll-Free Enforcement Hotline: 1-800-853-1964

• NOAA Office for Law Enforcement

• NOAA Law Enforcement Contacts

U.S. Patent & Trademark Office
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) publishes resources for inventors and entrepreneurs on its Inventor Resources Web site.

The USPTO Office of Procurement awards and administers a wide variety of contracts and simplified purchases for the acquisition of goods and services required throughout the agency. An Internet Purchasing Application and vendor information is available at the Office of Procurement Web site.

• Small Business Liaison: muriel.brown@uspto.gov.
• Paperwork Reduction Act Officer: susan.brown@uspto.gov.

The Department of Commerce Single Point of Contact for SBPRA is:

Karen Hogan
Office of the Chief Information Officer
U.S. Department of Commerce
14th St. and Constitution Ave.
Washington, D.C. 20230
(202) 482-4797