Activity$-$based costing $($ABC$)$ is used widely within the U$.$S$.$ government. One example is the Department of

Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service $($APHIS$).$ APHIS helps to protect U$.$S$.$ agriculture from exotic

pests and diseases, to minimize wildlife and agriculture conflicts, and to protect the welfare of animals used for

research or sold wholesale for pets. APHIS performs its services for a variety of users, some of whom pay a user fee.

ABC was adopted to provide an accurate basis for determining these fees, and also for analysis of the effectiveness

and efficiency of its programs in meeting the service's overall goals. Other examples of ABC use are noted in the

text, including the U$.$S$.$ Postal Service and the U$.$S$.$ Patent and Trademark Office.

Required:

Identify an example or two of a governmental entity that you think could benefit from the application of activity$-$

based costing $(ABC)$ or activity$-$based management $($ ABM $),$ and explain why.

Identify some of the resources, activities, and cost drivers you would expect to see in this application.