[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 237 (Thursday, December 10, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 68283]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-32885]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[OPPTS-140275; FRL-6048-9]


Access to Confidential Business Information by Optimus 
Corporation

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: EPA has authorized its contractor Optimus Corporation 
(Optimus), of Silver Spring, Maryland, and its subcontractor Garcia 
Consulting, Incorporated (GCI) access to information which has been 
submitted to EPA under sections 4, 5, 6, 7 and 12 of the Toxic 
Substances Control Act (TSCA). Some of the information may be claimed 
or determined to be confidential business information (CBI).

DATES: Access to the confidential data by Optimus and GCI occurred as a 
result of an approved waiver dated November 12, 1998, which requested 
granting Optimus and GCI immediate access to TSCA CBI. This waiver was 
necessary to allow Optimus and GCI to process 12(b) export notices 
submitted under sections 4, 5, 6, 7 and 12 of TSCA; and to issue 
notification letters to foreign governments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan Hazen, Director, Environmental 
Assistance Division (7408), Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, 
Environmental Protection Agency, Rm. E-545, 401 M St., SW., Washington, 
DC 20460, (202) 554-1404, TDD: (202) 554-0551; e-mail: TSCA-
H[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under contract number 68-W-98-232, 
contractor Optimus Corporation of 8601 Georgia Avenue, Suite 700, 
Silver Spring, MD and subcontractor Garcia Consulting Incorporated of 
7927 Jones Branch Drive, Suite 400, McLean, VA, will assist the Office 
of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT) in processing 12(b) export 
notices submitted under sections 4, 5, 6, 7 and 12 of TSCA; and issuing 
notification letters to foreign governments.
    In accordance with 40 CFR 2.306(j), EPA has determined that under 
EPA contract number 68-W-98-232, Optimus and GCI will require access to 
CBI submitted to EPA under sections 4, 5, 6, 7 and 12 of TSCA to 
perform successfully the duties specified under the contract. Optimus 
and GCI personnel will be given access to information submitted to EPA 
under sections 4, 5, 6, 7 and 12 of TSCA. Some of the information may 
be claimed or determined to be CBI.
    EPA is issuing this notice to inform all submitters of information 
under sections 4, 5, 6, 7 and 12 of TSCA that EPA may provide Optimus 
and GCI access to these CBI materials on a need-to-know basis only.
    All access to TSCA CBI under this contract will take place at U.S. 
EPA Headquarters and at Optimus and GCI's Technical Assistance 
Information Service (TAIS) office, located at Waterside Mall, Garage 
Level, Room G0102, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460.
    Optimus and GCI will be authorized access to TSCA CBI at their 
office under the EPA TSCA Confidential Business Information Security 
Manual. Before access to TSCA CBI is authorized at Optimus and GCI's 
office site, EPA will perform the required inspection of its facility 
and ensure that the facility is in compliance with the Manual. Upon 
completing review of the CBI materials, Optimus and GCI will return all 
transferred materials to EPA. Clearance for access to TSCA CBI under 
this contract may continue until March 31, 2003.
    Optimus and GCI personnel will be required to sign nondisclosure 
agreements and will be briefed on appropriate security procedures 
before they are permitted access to TSCA CBI.

List of Subjects

    Environmental protection, Access to confidential business 
information.

    Dated: November 28, 1998.

Oscar Morales,

Acting Director, Information Management Division, Office of Pollution 
and Prevention and Toxics.

[FR Doc. 98-32885 Filed 12-9-98; 8:45 am]
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