[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 28 (Friday, February 10, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 7133]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-3168]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Advisory Committee on Supply Chain Competitiveness Solicitation 
of Nominations for Membership

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of 
Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of an Opportunity for Representatives of Public or Semi-
Public Organizations or Entities, Including Ports, To Apply for 
Membership on the Advisory Committee on Supply Chain Competitiveness.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce is currently seeking applications 
for public or semi-public organizations or entities, including ports, 
to serve as members of the Advisory Committee on Supply Chain 
Competitiveness (Committee). Representatives of ports are particularly 
encouraged to apply. The purpose of the Committee is to advise the 
Secretary on the necessary elements of a comprehensive, holistic 
national freight infrastructure and a national freight policy designed 
to support U.S. export growth and competitiveness, foster national 
economic competitiveness, and improve U.S. supply chain competitiveness 
in the domestic and global economy.

DATES: Nominations for membership must be received on or before 
February 24, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Richard Boll, Office of Service Industries, Room CC307, U.S. 
Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 
20230; phone 202-482-1135; email: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard Boll, Office of Service 
Industries, Room CC307, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution 
Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230; phone 202-482-1135; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Secretary of Commerce invites 
nominations to the Committee of representatives of ports for the 
charter term that began November 21, 2011, for appointments for a two-
year term concurrent with the charter term. The Committee charter was 
recently amended to allow for representatives of public or semi-public 
organizations or entities, including ports, to serve as members of the 
Committee, and nominations of such representatives are being sought 
through this notice. Representatives of ports are particularly 
encouraged to apply.
    All Committee members will be selected in accordance with 
applicable Department of Commerce guidelines, based upon their ability 
to advise the Secretary of Commerce on the necessary elements of a 
comprehensive, holistic national freight infrastructure and a national 
freight policy designed to support U.S. export growth and 
competiveness, foster national economic competitiveness, and improve 
U.S. supply chain competitiveness in the domestic and global economy. 
Members shall represent a balanced and broad range of interests, 
including representatives from supply chain firms or their associations 
(including shippers and all modes of freight transportation (trucking, 
rail, maritime, and air)), ports, stakeholders, community 
organizations, and others directly affected by the supply chain as well 
as experts from academia. ITA previously solicited nominations for 
representatives of other points of view and academia. See 76 FR 77778 
(Dec. 14, 2011) for more information.
    The membership should reflect the general composition of the U.S. 
supply chain industry.
    Other than the experts from academia, all members shall serve in a 
representative capacity, expressing their views and interests of a U.S. 
entity or organization, as well as its particular sector. Members 
serving in such a representative capacity are not Special Government 
Employees. The members from academia serve as experts and therefore are 
Special Government Employees (SGEs) and shall be subject to the ethical 
standards applicable to SGEs.
    Each member of the Committee must be a U.S. citizen, not a 
federally registered lobbyist, and not registered as a foreign agent 
under the Foreign Agents Registration Act. All appointments are made 
without regard to political affiliation. Self-nominations will be 
accepted.
    Members of the Committee will not be compensated for their services 
or reimbursed for their travel expenses. The Committee shall meet as 
often as necessary as determined by the DFO, but not less than once per 
year.
    Members shall serve at the pleasure of the Secretary from the date 
of appointment to the Committee to the date on which the Committee's 
charter terminates.
    Nominations for membership on the Committee to represent public or 
semi-public organizations or entities, including ports, should provide 
the following information:
    (1) Name, title, and relevant contact information (including phone, 
fax, and email address) of the individual requesting consideration;
    (2) An affirmative statement that the applicant is not required to 
register as a foreign agent under the Foreign Agents Registration Act 
of 1938;
    (3) An affirmative statement that the applicant is not a federally 
registered lobbyist, and that the applicant understands that if 
appointed, the applicant will not be allowed to continue to serve as a 
Committee member if the applicant becomes a federally registered 
lobbyist;
    (4) A sponsor letter on the sponsoring entity's letterhead 
containing a brief description why the nominee should be considered for 
membership;
    (5) Short biography of nominee including credentials;
    (6) Brief description of the entity to be represented and its 
activities and size (number of employees or members and annual sales, 
if applicable); and
    (7) An affirmative statement that the applicant meets all Committee 
eligibility requirements for representative members, including that the 
applicant represents a U.S. company or U.S. organization.
    a. For purposes of Committee eligibility, a U.S. company is at 
least 51 percent owned by U.S. persons.
    b. For purposes of Committee eligibility, a U.S. organization is 
controlled by U.S. persons, as determined based on its board of 
directors (or comparable governing body), membership, and funding 
sources, as applicable.
    Nominations may be emailed to: [email protected] or faxed to 
the attention of Richard Boll at 202-482-0316, or mailed to Richard 
Boll, Office of Service Industries, Room CC118, U.S. Department of 
Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230, and must 
be received on or before February 24, 2012. Nominees selected for 
appointment to the Committee will be notified.

    Dated: February 6, 2012.
David Long,
Director, Office of Service Industries.
[FR Doc. 2012-3168 Filed 2-9-12; 8:45 am]
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