[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 207 (Wednesday, October 26, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66312-66313]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-27636]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

[Docket No. DHS-2011-0079]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for Review; 
Information Collection Request for the Department of Homeland Security 
(DHS), Science and Technology, Biodefense Knowledge Center (BKC)

AGENCY: Science and Technology Directorate, DHS.

ACTION: 30-day Notice and request for comment.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Science & 
Technology (S&T) Directorate invites the general public to comment on 
data collection forms for the Biodefense Knowledge Center (BKC) 
program. BKC is responsible for coordinating the collection of Life 
Sciences Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) information with the Office of 
the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), which operates under the 
authority of the National Security act of 1947, as amended by the 
Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004. These 
authorities charge the ODNI with responsibility to coordinate and 
rationalize the activities of the Intelligence Community components. 
The SME information is necessary to understand who can provide 
scientific expertise for peer review of life science programs. In 
addition, the directory makes it easier to identify scientific 
specialty areas for which there is a shortage of Subject Matter Experts 
(SMEs) with appropriate security clearances.
    The DHS invites interested persons to comment on the following form 
and instructions (hereinafter ``Forms Package'') for the S&T BKC: (1) 
Subject Matter Expert Registration Form (DHS FORM 10043 (2/08)). 
Interested persons may receive a copy of the Forms Package by 
contacting the DHS S&T PRA Coordinator. This notice and request for 
comments is required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 
104-13, 44 U.S.C. chapter 35).

DATES: Comments are encouraged and will be accepted until November 25, 
2011.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments on 
the proposed information collection to the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget. Comments should be 
addressed to: Desk Officer for the Department of Homeland Security, 
Science and Technology Directorate, and sent via electronic mail to 
[email protected] or faxed to (202) 395-6974. Please include 
docket number DHS-2011-0079 in the subject line of the message.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: DHS S&T PRA Coordinator Millie Ives 
(202) 254-6828 (Not a toll free number).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The information is collected via the DHS S&T 
BKC secure Web site at https://bkms.llnl.gov/sme. The BKC Web site only 
employs secure web-based technology (i.e., electronic registration 
form) to collect information from users to both reduce the burden and 
increase the efficiency of this collection.
    The Department is committed to improving its information collection 
and urges all interested parties to suggest how these materials can 
further reduce burden while seeking necessary information under the 
Act.
    DHS is particularly interested in comments that:
    (1) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
    (2) Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of 
the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used;
    (3) Suggest ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information to be collected; and
    (4) Suggest ways to minimize the burden of the collection of 
information on those who are to respond, including through the use of 
appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., 
permitting electronic submissions of responses.

Overview of This Information Collection

    (1) Type of Information Collection: Renewal of information 
collection
    (2) Title of the Form/Collection: Science and Technology, 
Biodefense Knowledge Center (BKC) program.
    (3) Agency Form Number, if any, and the applicable component of the 
Department of Homeland Security sponsoring the collection: Department 
of Homeland Security, Science &

[[Page 66313]]

Technology Directorate--(1) Subject Matter Expert Registration Form 
(DHS FORM 10043 (2/08)).
    (4) Affected public who will be asked or required to respond, as 
well as a brief abstract: The Subject Matter Experts (SME) information 
is necessary to understand who can provide scientific expertise for 
peer review of life science programs. The directory makes it easier to 
identify scientific specialty areas for which there is a shortage of 
SMEs with appropriate security clearances. SME contact information, 
scientific expertise, and level of education is collected 
electronically through a web portal developed by DHS S&T. The SME 
information is shared with U.S. Government program managers and other 
members of the biodefense community who have a legitimate need to 
identify life sciences SMEs. Cleared SMEs are necessary to accomplish 
scientific reviews and attend topical meetings.
    (5) An estimate of the total number of respondents and the amount 
of time estimated for an average respondent to respond:
    a. Estimate of the total number of respondents: 4000.
    b. An estimate of the time for an average respondent to respond: 
0.25 burden hours.
    c. An estimate of the total public burden (in hours) associated 
with the collection: 1000 burden hours.

    Dated: October 19, 2011.
Tara O'Toole,
Under Secretary for Science and Technology.
[FR Doc. 2011-27636 Filed 10-25-11; 8:45 am]
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