[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 179 (Wednesday, September 16, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55607-55608]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-23253]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

 Patent and Trademark Office

[Docket No.: PTO-C-2015-0054]


National Medal of Technology and Innovation Nomination Evaluation 
Committee

AGENCY: United States Patent and Trademark Office, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice and request for nominations for the National Medal of 
Technology and Innovation Nomination Evaluation Committee.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce (United States Patent and Trademark 
Office) is requesting nominations of individuals to serve on the 
National Medal of Technology and Innovation Nomination Evaluation 
Committee. The United States Patent and Trademark Office will consider 
all timely nominations received in response to this notice as well as 
from other sources.

DATES: To ensure full consideration, nominations must be postmarked, 
faxed or electronically transmitted no later than October 16, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Nominations must be submitted to, Program Manager, National 
Medal of Technology and Innovation Program, United States Patent and 
Trademark Office, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450. 
Nominations also may be submitted via fax: (571) 273-9821 or by 
electronic mail to: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Palafoutas, Program Manager, 
National Medal of Technology and Innovation Program, United States 
Patent and Trademark Office, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, Virginia 22313-
1450, telephone (571) 272-9821, or electronic mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    The National Medal of Technology and Innovation Nomination 
Evaluation Committee was established in accordance with the Federal 
Advisory Committee Act (FACA) (Title 5, United States Code, Appendix 
2). The following provides information about the committee and 
membership:
     Committee members are appointed by and serve at the 
discretion of the Secretary of Commerce. The committee provides advice 
to the Secretary on the implementation of Section 12 of the Stevenson-
Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980, Public Law 96-480 (15 U.S.C. 
3711), as amended by Public Law 110-69, Title I, Sec.  1003, August 9, 
2007.
     The committee functions solely as an advisory body under 
the FACA. Members are appointed to the approximately 12-member 
committee for a term of three years. At the conclusion of the three-
year term, a member may be eligible for appointment to one additional 
term, pending advisory committee needs. Selection of membership is made 
in accordance with applicable Department of Commerce guidelines.
     Members are responsible for reviewing nominations and 
making recommendations for the Nation's highest honor for technological 
innovation, awarded periodically by the President of the United States. 
Members of the committee must have an understanding of, and experience 
in, developing and utilizing technological innovation and/or be 
familiar with the education, training, employment and management of 
technological manpower.
     The Department is seeking additional nominations of 
candidates from small, medium-sized, and large businesses and academia, 
with expertise in sub-sectors of the technology enterprise, including: 
Medical Innovations/Bioengineering and Biomedical Technology; 
Technology Management/Computing/IT/Manufacturing Innovation; 
Technological Manpower/Workforce Training/Education. Under the FACA, 
membership on a committee must be balanced in background and expertise. 
In order to maximize the balance of background and expertise on the 
current committee, nominations of individuals with backgrounds in the 
following areas are particularly sought: Computer science, information 
technology, and medicine.
     Committee members generally are Chief Executive Officers 
or former Chief Executive Officers; former winners of the National 
Medal of Technology and Innovation; presidents or distinguished faculty 
of universities; or senior executives of non-profit organizations. As 
such, they not only offer the stature of their positions but also 
possess intimate knowledge of the forces determining future directions 
for their organizations and industries. The committee as a whole is 
balanced in representing geographical, professional, and diverse 
interests.

Nomination Information

     Nominees must be United States citizens, must be able to 
fully participate in meetings pertaining to the review and selection of 
finalists for the National Medal of Technology and Innovation, and must 
uphold the

[[Page 55608]]

confidential nature of an independent peer review and competitive 
selection process.
     The United States Patent and Trademark Office is committed 
to equal opportunity in the workplace and seeks a broad-based and 
diverse committee membership.
     Committee members are Special Government Employees within 
the meaning of Section 202 of Title 18, United States Code. Each member 
will be required to file a confidential financial disclosure form 
within thirty (30) days of appointment. 5 CFR 2634.201(b).

    Dated: September 10, 2015.
Michelle K. Lee,
Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of 
the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
[FR Doc. 2015-23253 Filed 9-15-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-16-P