Commerce Department

The U.S.Census Bureau was established as a permanent office by act of March 6, 1902 (32 Stat. 51). The major functions of the Census Bureau are authorized by the Constitution, which provides that a census of population shall be taken every 10 years, and by laws codified as title 13 of the United States Code. The law also provides that the information collected by the Census Bureau from individual persons, households, or establishments be kept strictly confidential and be used only for statistical purposes. The Census Bureau is responsible for the the decennial censuses of population and housing; the quinquennial censuses of State and local governments, manufacturers, mineral industries, distributive trades, construction industries, and transportation; current surveys that provide information on many of the subjects covered in the censuses at monthly, quarterly, annual, or other intervals; the compilation of current statistics on U.S. foreign trade, including data on imports, exports, and shipping; special censuses at the request and expense of State and local government units; publication of estimates and projections of the population; publication of current data on population and housing characteristics; and current reports on manufacturing, retail and wholesale trade, services, construction, imports and exports, State and local government finances and employment, and other subjects.

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-effective manner. BEA's economic statistics are closely watched and provide a comprehensive picture of the U.S. economy. BEA prepares national, regional, industry, and international accounts that present essential information on such issues in the world economy. BEA's national economic statistics provide a comprehensive look at U.S. production, consumption, investment, exports and imports, and income and saving. The international transactions accounts provide information on trade in goods and services (including the balance of payments and trade), investment income, and government and private finances. In addition, the accounts measure the value of U.S. international assets and liabilities and direct investment by multinational companies. The regional accounts provide data on total and per capita personal income by region, State, metropolitan area, and county, and on gross State product. The industry economic account provides a detailed view of the interrelationships between U.S. producers and users and the contribution to production across industries.

The Economic Development Administration (EDA) was created in 1965 under the Public Works and Economic Development Act (42 U.S.C. 3121) as part of an effort to target Federal resources to economically distressed areas and to help develop local economies in the United States. It was mandated to assist rural and urban communities that were outside the mainstream economy and that lagged in economic development, industrial growth, and personal income. EDA provides grants to States, regions, and communities across the Nation to help create wealth and minimize poverty by promoting a favorable business environment to attract private capital investment and higher skill, higher wage jobs through capacity building, planning, infrastructure, research grants, and strategic initiatives. Through its grant program, EDA utilizes public sector resources to create an environment where the private sector risks capital and job opportunities are created.

The Economics and Statistics Administration (ESA) provides broad and targeted economic data, analyses, and forecasts for use by Government agencies, businesses, and others, as well as develops domestic and international economic policy. The Under Secretary is the chief economic adviser to the Secretary and provides leadership and executive management of the Bureau of the Census and the Bureau of Economic Analysis. ESA provides key business, economic, and international trade information products that American business and the public can use to make informed decisions through STAT.USA.

Established as a separate agency within the Department of Commerce on Oct. 1, 1987 (50 U.S.C. app. 2401 et seq. The Bureau directed the Nation’s dual –use export control policy. Major functions included processing license applications and enforcing export control laws. These activities were central not only to fighting proliferation, but also to pursuing other national security, short supply, and foreign policy goals. Renamed the Bureau of Industry and Security by order of April 18, 2002 (67 FR 20630). __________ Source: U.S. Government Manual (1999/2000 ed.), p. 153. U.S. Government Manual (2009/2010 ed.), p. 603.

The Foreign-Trade Zones Board was established under the Foreign-Trade Zones Act of June 18, 1934, as amended (Pub. L. 397, 48 Stat. 998-1003). The FTZB consists of the Secretary of the Department of Commerce (chairman) and the Secretary of the Treasury, or their designated alternates. The Board has the authority to Prescribe rules and regulations concerning zones; issue grants of authority for zones and subzones, and approve modifications to the original zone project; approve manufacturing and processing certain activity in zones and subzones; make determinations on matters requiring Board decisions; decide appeals in regard to certain decisions of the Commerce Department's Assistant Secretary for Import Administration or the Executive Secretary; inspect the premises, operations and accounts of zone grantees and operators; require zone grantees to report on zone operations; report annually to the Congress on zone operations; restrict or prohibit zone operations; impose fines for violations of the Act; revoke grants of authority for cause; and determine, as appropriate, whether zone activity is or would be in the public interest or detrimental to the public interest.

The mission of the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is to advance U.S. national security, foreign policy, and economic objectives by ensuring an effective export control and treaty compliance system and promoting continued U.S. strategic technology leadership. BIS 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.

The International Trade Administration (ITA) was established on January 2, 1980, by the Secretary of Commerce to promote world trade and to strengthen the international trade and investment position of the United States. ITA is responsible for nonagricultural trade operations of the U.S. Government and supports the trade policy negotiation efforts of the U.S. Trade Representative. ITA strengthens the competitiveness of U.S. industry, promotes trade and investment, and ensures fair trade through the rigorous enforcement of our trade laws and agreements. ITA works to improve the global business environment and helps U.S. organizations compete at home and abroad.

The Minority Business Development Agency was established by Executive order in 1969. The Agency develops and coordinates a national program for minority business enterprise. The Agency was created to assist minority businesses in achieving effective and equitable participation in the American free enterprise system and in overcoming social and economic disadvantages that have limited their participation in the past. The Agency provides national policies and leadership in forming and strengthening a partnership of business, industry, and government with the Nation's minority businesses. Business development services are provided to the minority business community through three vehicles: the minority business opportunity committees which disseminate information on business opportunities; the minority business development centers that provide management and technical assistance and other business development services; and electronic commerce which includes a Web page on the Internet that will show how to start a business and use the service to electronically match business with contract opportunities. The Agency promotes and coordinates the efforts of other Federal agencies in assisting or providing market opportunities for minority business. It coordinates opportunities for minority firms in the private sector. Through such public and private cooperative activities, the Agency promotes the participation of Federal, State, and local governments, and business and industry in directing resources for the development of strong minority businesses.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) operates under the authority of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 271), which amends the Organic Act of March 3, 1901 (ch. 872), that created the National Bureau of Standards (NBS) in 1901. In 1988, Congress renamed NBS as NIST and expanded its activities and responsibilities. NIST is a nonregulatory Federal agency within the Commerce Department. Its mission is to promote measurement science, standards, and technology to enhance productivity, facilitate trade, and improve the quality of life. NIST carries out its mission through the NIST laboratories, which conduct research to advance the U.S. technological infrastructure; the Baldrige National Quality Program, which helps U.S. businesses and other organizations improve the performance and quality of their operations; the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership, which helps smaller firms adopt new manufacturing and management technologies; and the Technology Innovative Program, which provides cost-shared awards to industry and other institutions for high-risk, high-reward research in areas of critical national need.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) was formed on October 3, 1970, by Reorganization Plan No. 4 of 1970 (5 U.S.C. app.). NOAA's mission entails environmental assessment, prediction, and stewardship. It is dedicated to monitoring and assessing the state of the environment in order to make accurate and timely forecasts to protect life, property, and natural resources, as well as to promote the economic well-being of the United States and to enhance its environmental security. NOAA is committed to protecting America's ocean, coastal, and living marine resources while promoting sustainable economic development.

A component of Commerce Department.

The National Technical Information Service (NTIS) operates a central clearinghouse of scientific and technical information that is useful to U.S. business and industry. NTIS collects scientific and technical information; catalogs, abstracts, indexes, and permanently archives the information; disseminates products in the forms and formats most useful to its customers; develops electronic and other media to disseminate information; and provides information processing services to other Federal agencies. NTIS receives no appropriations. Its revenue comes from two sources: the sale of technical reports to business and industry, schools and universities, State and local government offices, and the public at large and from services to Federal agencies that help them communicate more effectively with their employees and constituents. The NTIS collection of approximately 2.5 million works covers a broad array of subjects and includes reports on the results of research and development and scientific studies on manufacturing processes, current events, and foreign and domestic trade; business and management studies; social, economic, and trade statistics; computer software and databases; health care reports, manuals, and data; environmental handbooks, regulations, economic studies, and applied technologies; directories to Federal laboratory and technical resources; and global competitive intelligence. The collection also includes audiovisual training materials in such areas as foreign languages, workplace safety and health, law enforcement, and fire services.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) was established in 1978 by Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1977 (5 U.S.C. app.) and Executive Order 12046 of March 27, 1978 (3 CFR, 1978 Comp., p. 158), by combining the Office of Telecommunications Policy of the Executive Office of the President and the Office of Telecommunications of the Department of Commerce to form a new agency reporting to the Secretary of Commerce. NTIA operates under the authority of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act (47 U.S.C. 901). NTIA's principal responsibilities and functions include: --serving as the principal executive branch adviser to the President on telecommunications and information policy; --developing and presenting U.S. plans and policies at international communications conferences and related meetings; --prescribing policies for and managing Federal use of the radio frequency spectrum; --serving as the principal Federal telecommunications research and engineering laboratory, through NTIA's Institute for Telecommunication Sciences, headquartered in Boulder, CO; --administering Federal programs to assist telecommunication facilities, public safety organizations, and the general public with the transition to digital broadcasting; --providing grants through the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program to increase broadband accessibility in underserved areas of the United States; and --providing grants through the Public Telecommunications Facilities Program to extend delivery or public telecommunications services to U.S. citizens, to increase ownership and management by women and minorities, and to strengthen the capabilities of existing public broadcasting stations to provide telecommunications services.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) was established by the act of July 19, 1952 (35 U.S.C. 1) "to promote the progress of science and the useful arts by securing for limited times to inventors the exclusive right to their respective discoveries for a certain period of time'' (Article I, Section 8 of the United States Constitution). The registration of trademarks is based on the commerce clause of the U.S. Constitution. USPTO examines and issues patents. There are three major patent categories: utility patents, design patents, and plant patents. USPTO also issues statutory invention registrations and processes international patent applications. Through the registration of trademarks, USPTO assists businesses in protecting their investments, promoting goods and services, and safeguarding consumers against confusion and deception in the marketplace. A trademark includes any distinctive word, name, symbol, device, or any combination thereof adopted and used or intended to be used by a manufacturer or merchant to identify his goods or services and distinguish them from those manufactured or sold by others. Trademarks are examined by the Office for compliance with various statutory requirements to prevent unfair competition and consumer deception. In addition to the examination of patent and trademark applications, issuance of patents, and registration of trademarks, USPTO advises and assists government agencies and officials in matters involving all domestic and global aspects of intellectual property. USPTO also promotes an understanding of intellectual property protection.

The Technology Administration was established by act of October 24, 1988 (102 Stat. 2593). The role of the Technology Administration was to assist businesses to develop technology that would increase their competitiveness in the marketplace. It identified and attempted to remove governmental barriers to the commercialization of U.S. science and technology; helped to identify priority technologies; monitored foreign competitors' progress in technology; advised the president on issues concerning commercial technology and related policy; and promoted joint efforts among business, government, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations. The office also managed the National Medal of Technology Program, the president's highest technology award. The Technology Administration operated the National Technical Information Service (NTIS), which collected and distributed scientific and technical information generated by the U.S. government and foreign sources. In 2007 the Technology Administration was abolished by act of August 9, 2007 (121 Stat. 587) Functions of the TA were absorbed into the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

The goal of the Office of Travel & Tourism Industries (OTTI) is to enhance the international competitiveness of the U.S. travel and tourism industry and increase its exports, thereby creating U.S. employment and economic growth. The primary functions of OTTI are to manage the travel and tourism statistical system for assessing the economic contribution of the industry and provide the sole source for characteristic statistics on international travel to and from the United States; design and administer export expansion activities, develop and manage tourism policy, strategy and advocacy; and provide technical assistance for expanding international tourism and assist in domestic economic development. __________ Source: http://tinet.ita.doc.gov/about/index.html

The Office of the Under Secretary provides timely economic analysis, disseminates national economic indicators and serves as the administrator of the department’s premier statistical programs. OUS/EA manages the U.S. Census Bureau (Census), the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) and the Office of the Chief Economist (OCE). Census collects, BEA compiles and OCE analyzes the most comprehensive, consistent, confidential, credible and publicly-available socioeconomic data on our nation’s economy, businesses and individuals.