[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 136 (Monday, July 17, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40528-40530]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-11285]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Customs and Border Protection Bureau


Request for Applicants for Appointment to the Departmental 
Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations of Customs and Border 
Protection and Related Homeland Security Functions (COAC)

AGENCY: Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security 
(DHS).

ACTION: Committee Management; request for applicants for appointment to 
the Departmental Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations of Customs 
and Border Protection and Related Homeland Security Functions (COAC).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is requesting individuals 
who are interested in serving on the Departmental Advisory Committee on 
Commercial Operations of Customs and Border Protection and Related 
Homeland Security Functions (formerly known as the ``Commercial

[[Page 40529]]

Operations Advisory Committee'' or ``COAC'') to apply for appointment. 
CBP will continue to use ``COAC'' as the acronym for this Advisory 
Committee. COAC provides advice and makes recommendations to the 
Commissioner of CBP, Secretary of Homeland Security, and Secretary of 
the Treasury on all matters involving the commercial operations of CBP 
and related DHS functions.

DATES: Applications for membership should reach CBP on or before 
September 15, 2006.

ADDRESSES: If you wish to apply for membership, your application should 
be sent to CBP by one of the following methods:
     E-mail: [email protected].
     Facsimile: (202) 344-1969.
     Mail: Ms. Wanda J. Tate, Program Management Specialist, 
Office of Trade Relations, Customs and Border Protection, 1300 
Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Room 4.2A, Washington, DC 20229.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Wanda J. Tate, Program Management 
Specialist, Office of Trade Relations, Customs and Border Protection, 
(202) 344-1440, FAX (202) 344-1969.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Departmental Advisory Committee on 
Commercial Operations of Customs and Border Protection and Related 
Homeland Security Functions (COAC) is an advisory committee established 
in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act 
(FACA), 5 U.S.C. App. 2. ``COAC'' was the acronym for the former 
``Commercial Operations Advisory Committee'' which existed prior to the 
merger of the former U.S. Customs Service into DHS. CBP will continue 
to use ``COAC'' as the acronym for the Departmental Advisory Committee.
    Purpose and Objective: The purpose of the Committee is to provide 
advice to the Commissioner of CBP, the Secretary of Homeland Security, 
and the Secretary of the Treasury on all matters involving the 
commercial operations of CBP and related functions within DHS or 
Treasury. The committee is required to submit an annual report to 
Congress describing its operations and setting forth any 
recommendations. The Committee provides a critical and unique forum for 
distinguished representatives of diverse industry sectors to present 
their views and advice directly to senior Treasury, DHS, and CBP 
officials. This is done on a regular basis in an open and candid 
atmosphere.
    Balanced Membership Plans: The members will be selected by the 
Commissioner of CBP (subject to approval by the Secretary of Homeland 
Security and the Secretary of the Treasury) from representatives of the 
trade and transportation community that does business with CBP, or 
others who are directly affected by CBP commercial operations and 
related functions. In addition, members will represent major regions of 
the country, and, by statute, not more than ten of the committee's 20 
members may be affiliated with the same political party.

Background

    In the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 (Pub. L. 100-203), 
Congress directed the Secretary of the Treasury to create an Advisory 
Committee on Commercial Operations of the Customs Service (now CBP). 
The Committee is to consist of 20 members drawn from industry sectors 
affected by Customs commercial operations with balanced political party 
affiliations. The Committee's first two-year charter was filed on 
October 17, 1988, and the committee has been renewed for subsequent 
two-year terms eight times since then.
    With the creation of DHS, the Secretary of the Treasury delegated a 
joint chair and Committee management role to the Secretary of Homeland 
Security (see Treasury Department Order No. 100-16, 19 CFR part 0 
Appx.). In Delegation Number 7010.3 (May, 2006), the Secretary of 
Homeland Security delegated to the Commissioner of CBP the authority to 
preside jointly with Treasury over the meetings of the Committee, to 
make appointments (subject to approval of the Secretary of Homeland 
Security) to COAC jointly with Treasury, and to receive COAC advice.
    It is expected that, during its tenth two-year term, the Committee 
will consider issues relating to enhanced border and cargo supply chain 
security. COAC will continue to provide advice and report such matters 
as on CBP modernization and automation, informed compliance and 
compliance assessment, account-based processing, commercial enforcement 
and uniformity, international efforts to harmonize customs practices 
and procedures, strategic planning, northern border and southern border 
issues, and relationships with foreign customs authorities.

Committee Meetings

    The Committee meets at least once each quarter, although additional 
meetings may be scheduled. Generally, every other meeting of the 
Committee may be held outside of Washington, DC, usually at a CBP port 
of entry.

Committee Membership

    Membership on the Committee is personal to the appointee and is 
concurrent with the two-year duration of the charter for the tenth 
term. Under the Charter, a member may not send an alternate to 
represent him or her at a Committee meeting. However, since Committee 
meetings are open to the public, another person from a member's 
organization may attend and observe the proceedings in a 
nonparticipating capacity. Regular attendance is essential; the Charter 
provides that a member who is absent for two consecutive meetings or 
two meetings in a calendar year shall be recommended for replacement on 
the Committee.
    No person who is required to register under the Foreign Agents 
Registration Act as an agent or representative of a foreign principal 
may serve on this advisory committee.
    Members who are currently serving on the Committee are eligible to 
re-apply for membership provided that they are not in their second 
consecutive term and that they have met attendance requirements. A new 
application letter (see ADDRESSES above) is required, but it may 
incorporate by reference materials previously filed (please attach 
courtesy copies).
    Members of COAC will be appointed and serve as Special Government 
Employees (SGE) as defined in section 202(a) of title 18, United States 
Code. As a candidate for appointment as a SGE, applicants are required 
to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450). 
CBP, DHS, and Treasury may not release the report or the information in 
it to the public except under an order issued by a Federal court or as 
otherwise provided under the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a).
    Members will not be paid compensation by the Federal Government for 
their services with respect to the COAC.

Application for Advisory Committee Appointment

    There is no prescribed format for the application. Applicants may 
send a letter describing their interest and qualifications and enclose 
a resume. Applicants may state the basis on which they believe they 
qualify for membership, such as their status as stakeholders.
    Any interested person wishing to serve on the (COAC) must provide 
the following:
     Statement of interest and reasons for application;

[[Page 40530]]

     Complete professional biography or resume;
     Political affiliation, in order to ensure balanced 
representation. (If no party registration or allegiance exists, 
indicate ``independent'' or ``unaffiliated'').
    In addition, all applicants must state in their applications that 
they agree to submit to pre-appointment background and tax checks. 
However, a national security clearance is not required for the 
position.
    In support of the policy of the Department of Homeland Security on 
gender and ethnic diversity, qualified women and members of minority 
groups are encouraged to apply for membership.

    Dated: July 12, 2006.
W. Ralph Basham,
Commissioner, Customs and Border Protection.
[FR Doc. E6-11285 Filed 7-14-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9111-14-P