[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 178 (Monday, September 15, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48278-48280]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-24413]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-5888-2]
Privacy Act of 1974; ORD Peer Review Panelist Information System
(PRPIS) System of Records
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed new Privacy Act system of records.
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SUMMARY: The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is
publishing a notice for public comment on a system of records subject
to the Privacy Act of 1974, 5 U.S.C. 552a. This system is entitled
``ORD Peer Review Panelist Information System (PRPIS).'' Additional
information on this system is described in the Supplementary
Information section of this notice.
EFFECTIVE DATE: This proposed action will be effective, without further
notice on October 27, 1997, unless comments are received which result
in a contrary determination.
ADDRESSES: Comments should be addressed to Director, National Center
for Environmental Research and Quality Assurance (Mail Code 8701), U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW. Washington, DC 20460.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Robert E. Menzer, Senior Science
Advisor, National Center for Environmental Research and Quality
Assurance (Mail Code 8701), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M
St., SW. Washington, DC 20460. Telephone: (202) 260-5779.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EPA uses the services of peer reviewers from
the scientific community to assist in selecting the most meritorious
applications from pools of applications or assessing the quality and
performance of awarded grants, cooperative agreements, and fellowships.
The purpose of this system of records is to assist EPA in conducting
and documenting the review of applications through the use of
[[Page 48279]]
contracted peer reviewers. The system includes reviewer files and
computer-generated records developed in connection with the review and
decision process for awarding grants under the terms of the Federal
Grant and Cooperative Agreement Act of 1977. Reviewer files are
comprised of (1) personal data about potential reviewers, who are
scientists and engineers in the academic and private sectors, (2)
information about their educational background and expertise, (3)
records of their employment, (4) records of their publications and
other accomplishments, (5) conflict of interest and confidentially
certifications, and (6) records of panel participation. Computer-
generated records include data regarding the administrative management
of the peer review process. This system of records contains records
retrieved by the names of the peer reviewers, universities, not-for-
profit research organizations, and other organizations. Only
information retrievable by the names of individuals is covered by this
Privacy Act notice.
Dated: August 28, 1997.
Alvin M. Pesachowitz,
Acting Assistant Adminstrator for Administration and Resources
Management and Chief Information Officer.
EPA-37
SYSTEM NAME:
ORD Peer Review Panelist Information System (PRPIS) System of
Records.
security classification:
None.
SYSTEM LOCATION:
National Center for Environmental Research and Quality Assurance,
Office of Research and Development, Waterside Mall, 401 M St., SW.
Washington, DC 20460.
CATEGORIES OF INDIVIDUALS COVERED BY THE SYSTEM:
Peer reviewers who evaluate grant, fellowship, and cooperative
agreement applicants and their applications.
CATEGORIES OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM:
The names of the peer reviewers, supporting data about the academic
institutions or other institutional affiliations of the peer reviewers,
proposal evaluations from peer reviewers, review records, contract and
financial data, committee or panel discussion summaries, and other
agency records containing or reflecting comments on the applications or
the applicants from peer reviewers.
AUTHORITY FOR MAINTENANCE OF THE SYSTEM:
44 U.S.C. 3101; Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreement Act, 41
U.S.C. 501 et seq.; the Clean Air Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 1857 et
seq.; the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended, 33 U.S.C.
1254 et seq.; the Public Health Service Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 241
et seq.; the Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended by the Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, 42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.; the
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, as amended, 7
U.S.C. 136 et seq.; and the Grant Act, 42 U.S.C. 1891 et seq.
PURPOSE(S):
The purpose of this system of records is to assist EPA in
conducting and documenting the review of applications for research
grants, cooperative agreements, and fellowships through the use of peer
reviewers from the scientific community.
ROUTINE USES OF RECORDS MAINTAINED IN THE SYSTEM, INCLUDING CATEGORIES
OF USERS AND THE PURPOSES OF SUCH USES:
Disclosure of information from this system of records may be made
as follows:
1. To a Member of Congress or a congressional office from the
record of an individual in response to an inquiry from that Member or
office made at the request of the individual to whom the record
pertains.
2. To EPA contractors, grantees, volunteers, and other individuals
who have been engaged to assist the Federal Government in the
performance of a contract, grant, cooperative agreement, or other
activity related to this system of records and who need to have access
to the records in order to perform that activity.
3. To a Federal agency which has requested information relevant to
its decision in connection with the hiring or retention of an employee;
the reporting of an investigation on an employee; the letting of a
contract; or the issuance of a security clearance, license, grant, or
other benefit.
4. To a Federal, State, or local agency where necessary to enable
EPA to obtain information relevant to an EPA decision concerning the
hiring or retention of an employee; the letting of a contract; or the
issuance of a security clearance, license, grant, or other benefit.
5. To an appropriate Federal, State, local, or foreign agency
responsible for investigating, prosecuting, enforcing, or implementing
a statute, rule, regulation, or order, where there is an indication of
a violation or potential violation of the statute, rule, regulation, or
order and the information disclosed is relevant to the matter.
6. To the Department of Justice to the extent that each disclosure
is compatible with the purpose for which the record was collected and
is relevant and necessary to litigation or anticipated litigation in
which one of the following is a party or has an interest: (a) EPA or
any of its components, (b) an EPA employee in his or her official
capacity, (c) an EPA employee in his or her individual capacity where
the Department of Justice is representing or considering representation
of the employee, or (d) the United States where EPA determines that the
litigation is likely to affect the agency.
7. In a proceeding before a court, other adjudicative body or grand
jury, or in an administrative or regulatory proceeding, to the extent
that each disclosure is compatible with the purpose for which the
record was collected and is relevant and necessary to the proceeding in
which one of the following is a party or has an interest: (a) EPA or
any of its components, (b) an EPA employee in his or her official
capacity, (c) an EPA employee in his or her individual capacity where
the Department of Justice is representing or considering representation
of the employee, or (d) the United States where EPA determines that the
litigation is likely to affect the agency. Such disclosures include,
but are not limited to, those made in the course of presenting
evidence, conducting settlement negotiations, and responding to
subpoenas and requests for discovery.
8. To representatives of the General Services Administration and
the National Archives and Records Administration who are conducting
records management inspections under the authority of 44 U.S.C. 2904
and 2906.
9. To Federal government agencies with whom EPA cooperates in joint
grant programs.
POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR STORING, RETRIEVING, ACCESSING, RETAINING,
AND DISPOSING OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM:
STORAGE :
Various parts of the system are maintained on computer and/or in
hard copy files.
RETRIEVABILITY:
Information is retrieved from hard copy and computer files by the
names of peer reviewers. Computer records may also be retrieved by non-
personal data elements.
[[Page 48280]]
SAFEGUARDS:
All records are maintained in secured areas with restricted access
or are accessed by unique passwords or log-in procedures. Only EPA
personnel and agency contractors with a need-to-know in order to
perform their duties may access the information.
RETENTION AND DISPOSAL:
File is cumulative and is maintained indefinitely.
SYSTEM MANAGER(s) AND ADDRESS:
Director, Peer Review Division, National Center for Environmental
Research and Quality Assurance Mail (Code 8703), USEPA, 401 M St., SW,
Washington, DC 20460.
NOTIFICATION PROCEDURE:
Contact the system manager at the above address. You may be
required to provide information to verify your identity.
RECORD ACCESS PROCEDURE:
Same as ``Notification Procedure,'' above. In addition, please
specify the record you wish to access.
CONTESTING RECORD PROCEDURES:
Same as ``Notification Procedure,'' above. In addition, please
specify the record you wish corrected, the requested correction, and
justification for the correction.
RECORD SOURCE CATEGORIES:
Information is obtained from the individual reviewers and EPA and
other Federal agency personnel.
SYSTEMS EXEMPTED FROM CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE ACT:
None.
[FR Doc. 97-24413 Filed 9-12-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50P