[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 43 (Monday, March 5, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 13129]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-5200]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES


Meeting of the National Biodefense Science Board

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Department of Health and Human 
Services.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: As stipulated by the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the U.S. 
Department of Health and Human Services is hereby giving notice that 
the National Biodefense Science Board (NBSB) will be holding two closed 
sessions by teleconference under exemption 9(B) of the Government in 
Sunshine Act, 5 U.S.C. section 552b(c).

DATES: The March 29, 2012, and April 30, 2012, NBSB closed sessions by 
teleconference are tentatively scheduled from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The 
agenda and time are subject to change as priorities dictate.

ADDRESSES: The closed sessions will occur by teleconference and will 
not be open to the public as stipulated under exemption 9(B) of the 
Government in Sunshine Act, 5 U.S.C. section 552b(c).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: MacKenzie Robertson, Acting Executive 
Director, NBSB, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and 
Response, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to section 319M of the Public 
Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d-7f) and section 222 of the Public 
Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 217a), the Department of Health and Human 
Services established the National Biodefense Science Board. The Board 
shall provide expert advice and guidance to the Secretary on 
scientific, technical, and other matters of special interest to the 
Department of Health and Human Services regarding current and future 
chemical, biological, nuclear, and radiological agents, whether 
naturally occurring, accidental, or deliberate. The Board may also 
provide advice and guidance to the Secretary and/or the Assistant 
Secretary for Preparedness and Response on other matters related to 
public health emergency preparedness and response.
    Background: The Board is being asked to review and evaluate the 
2012 Public Health Emergency Medical Countermeasures Enterprise 
(PHEMCE) Strategy and Implementation Plan (SIP). Until a final document 
is approved by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human 
Services (HHS), the development of PHEMCE SIP requires consideration 
and discussion of procurement-sensitive information that should not be 
released to the public prior to the Secretary's final decision. 
Premature public disclosure of the draft PHEMCE SIP would limit the 
Secretary's decision-making ability to effectively prioritize HHS 
expenditures on critical medical countermeasures. Therefore, the 
Board's deliberations on the new task will be conducted in closed 
sessions in accordance with provisions set forth under exemption 9(B) 
of the Government in Sunshine Act, 5 U.S.C. section 552b(c), and with 
approval by the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response.
    Availability of Materials: All public materials will be posted on 
the NBSB Web site at www.phe.gov/nbsb.
    Procedures for Providing Public Input: All written comments should 
be sent by email to [email protected] with ``NBSB Public Comment'' as the 
subject line.

    Dated: February 27, 2012.
Nicole Lurie,
Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response.
[FR Doc. 2012-5200 Filed 3-2-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4150-37-P