[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 45 (Tuesday, March 8, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12693-12694]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-5133]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Office of the Secretary


Notice of an Opportunity To Serve on the Innovation Advisory 
Board Advising the Department of Commerce in the Development of a Study 
on the Economic Competitiveness and Innovative Capacity of the United 
States

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce is inviting expressions of interest 
to service on the Innovation Advisory Board from individuals with 
interest in advising the Department of Commerce as it develops a study 
on the economic competitiveness and innovative capacity of the United 
States. The Department is particularly interested in businesses 
leaders, economic or innovation policy experts, and State and local 
government officials active in technology-based economic development.

DATES: All information must be received by the Office of the Secretary 
at the e-mail or postal address below by close of business (EDT) on 
March 22, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Please submit relevant information via e-mail to 
[email protected] or by mail to John Connor, Office of the 
Secretary, U.S. Department of Commerce, Room 5835, 1401 Constitution 
Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 (COMPETES) was 
signed into law on January 4, 2011. Section 604 of that Act requires 
that the Secretary of Commerce complete a comprehensive study of the 
economic competitiveness and

[[Page 12694]]

innovative capacity of the United States by January 4, 2012. This study 
is to be conducted in consultation with the National Economic Council, 
Federal agencies as the Secretary considers appropriate, and an 
Innovation Advisory Board.
    COMPETES directs that the study shall include the following:
    (A) An analysis of the United States economy and innovation 
infrastructure.
    (B) An assessment of the following:
    (i) The current competitive and innovation performance of the 
United States economy relative to other countries that compete 
economically with the United States.
    (ii) Economic competitiveness and domestic innovation in the 
current business climate, including tax and Federal regulatory policy.
    (iii) The business climate of the United States and those of other 
countries that compete economically with the United States.
    (iv) Regional issues that influence the economic competitiveness 
and innovation capacity of the United States, including--
    (I) the roles of State and local governments and institutions of 
higher education; and
    (II) regional factors that contribute positively to innovation.
    (v) The effectiveness of the Federal Government in supporting and 
promoting economic competitiveness and innovation, including any 
duplicative efforts of, or gaps in coverage between, Federal agencies 
and departments.
    (vi) Barriers to competitiveness in newly emerging business or 
technology sectors, factors influencing underperforming economic 
sectors, unique issues facing small and medium enterprises, and 
barriers to the development and evolution of start-ups, firms, and 
industries.
    (vii) The effects of domestic and international trade policy on the 
competitiveness of the United States and the United States economy.
    (viii) United States export promotion and export finance programs 
relative to export promotion and export finance programs of other 
countries that compete economically with the United States, including 
Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, and the United Kingdom, 
with noting of export promotion and export finance programs carried out 
by such countries that are not analogous to any programs carried out by 
the United States.
    (ix) The effectiveness of current policies and programs affecting 
exports, including an assessment of Federal trade restrictions and 
State and Federal export promotion activities.
    (x) The effectiveness of the Federal Government and Federally 
funded research and development centers in supporting and promoting 
technology commercialization and technology transfer.
    (xi) Domestic and international intellectual property policies and 
practices.
    (xii) Manufacturing capacity, logistics, and supply chain dynamics 
of major export sectors, including access to a skilled workforce, 
physical infrastructure, and broadband network infrastructure.
    (xiii) Federal and State policies relating to science, technology, 
and education and other relevant Federal and State policies designed to 
promote commercial innovation, including immigration policies.

Selection Criteria

    COMPETES directs the Secretary of Commerce to appoint a 15 member 
Innovation Advisory Board representing all major industry sectors for 
purposes of obtaining advice with respect to the conduct of the study 
described above. The majority of Board members must be comprised of 
representatives from private industry, including large and small firms, 
representing both advanced technology sectors and more traditional 
sectors that use technology. The Board may include economic or 
innovation policy experts, State and local government officials active 
in technology-based economic development, and representatives from 
higher education.
    Board members will serve until the completion of the study, which, 
under the Act must be completed by January 4, 2012.
    Members are required to meet to provide input to the study at two 
critical development points: Development of the extended outline and 
review of draft. In addition, members may be called upon to participate 
in events around the country designed to solicit additional information 
regarding specific issues related to the economic competitiveness and 
innovative capacity of the United States.
    Board members are not considered Federal government employees by 
virtue of their service as a member of the Board and will receive no 
compensation from the Federal government for their participation in 
Board activities. Members participating in Board meetings and events 
will be not be compensated for travel or other expenses.
    To be considered for membership, please provide the following:
    1. Name, title, and personal resume of the individual requesting 
consideration;
    2. A brief statement of why the person should be considered for 
membership on the Board. This statement should address the individual's 
relevant expertise in factors impacting the economic competitiveness 
and innovative capacity of the United States; and
    3. A brief biography.
    Appointments of members to the Board will be made by the Secretary 
of Commerce.

    Dated: March 2, 2011.
John Connor,
Office of the Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2011-5133 Filed 3-7-11; 8:45 am]
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