[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 206 (Tuesday, October 25, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 73404-73405]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-25731]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)


Request for Nominations of Candidates To Serve on the World Trade 
Center Health Program Scientific/Technical Advisory Committee (the STAC 
or the Committee), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 
Department of Health and Human Services

    The CDC is soliciting nominations for membership on the World Trade 
Center (WTC) Health Program Scientific/Technical Advisory Committee 
(STAC).
    Title I of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 
2010, Pub. L. 111-347 (Jan. 2, 2011), amended by Pub. L. 114-113 (Dec. 
18, 2015), added Title XXXIII to the Public Health Service Act (PHS 
Act), establishing the WTC Health Program within HHS (42 U.S.C. 300mm 
to 300mm-61). Section 3302(a) of the PHS Act established the WTC Health 
Program STAC. The STAC is governed by the provisions of the Federal 
Advisory Committee Act, as amended (Pub. L. 92-463, 5 U.S.C. App.), 
which sets forth standards for the formation and use of advisory 
committees in the Executive Branch. PHS Act Section 3302(a)(1) 
establishes that the STAC will review scientific and medical evidence 
and make recommendations to the WTC Program Administrator on additional 
WTC Health Program eligibility criteria and on additional WTC-related 
health conditions. Section 3341(c) of the PHS Act requires the WTC 
Program Administrator to also consult with the STAC on research 
regarding certain health conditions related to the September 11, 2001 
terrorist attacks. The STAC may also be consulted on other matters 
related to implementation and improvement of the WTC Health Program, as 
outlined in the PHS Act, at the discretion of the WTC Program 
Administrator.
    In accordance with Section 3302(a)(2) of the PHS Act, the WTC 
Program Administrator will appoint the members of the committee, which 
must include at least:
     4 occupational physicians, at least two of whom have 
experience treating WTC rescue and recovery workers;
     1 physician with expertise in pulmonary medicine;
     2 environmental medicine or environmental health 
specialists;
     2 representatives of WTC responders;
     2 representatives of certified-eligible WTC survivors;
     1 industrial hygienist;
     1 toxicologist;
     1 epidemiologist; and
     1 mental health professional.
    At this time the Administrator is seeking nominations for members 
fulfilling the following categories:
     Mental Health Professional
     Occupational physician who has experience treating WTC 
rescue and recovery workers;
     Industrial Hygienist;
     Representative of WTC responders;
     Representative of certified-eligible WTC survivors
    Additional members may be appointed at the discretion of the WTC 
Program Administrator.
    A STAC member's term appointment may last 3 years. If a vacancy 
occurs, the WTC Program Administrator may appoint a new member who 
fulfills the same membership category as the predecessor. STAC members 
may be appointed to successive terms. The frequency of committee 
meetings shall be determined by the WTC Program Administrator based on 
program needs. Meetings may occur up to four times a year. Members are 
paid the Special Government Employee rate of $250 per day, and travel 
costs and per diem are included and based on the Federal Travel 
Regulations.
    Any interested person or organization may self-nominate or nominate 
one or more qualified persons for membership.
    Nominations must include the following information:
     The nominee's contact information and current occupation 
or position;
     The nominee's resume or curriculum vitae, including prior 
or current membership on other National Institute for Occupational 
Safety and Health (NIOSH), CDC, or HHS advisory committees or other 
relevant organizations, associations, and committees;
     The category of membership (environmental medicine or 
environmental health specialist, occupational physician, pulmonary

[[Page 73405]]

physician, representative of WTC responders, or certified-eligible WTC 
survivor representative) that the candidate is qualified to represent;
     A summary of the background, experience, and 
qualifications that demonstrates the nominee's suitability for the 
nominated membership category;
     Articles or other documents the nominee has authored that 
indicate the nominee's knowledge and experience in relevant subject 
categories; and
     A statement that the nominee is aware of the nomination, 
is willing to regularly attend and participate in STAC meetings, and 
has no known conflicts of interest that would preclude membership on 
the Committee.
    STAC members will be selected upon the basis of their relevant 
experience and competence in their respective categorical fields. The 
information received through this nomination process, in addition to 
other relevant sources of information, will assist the WTC Program 
Administrator in appointing members to serve on the STAC. In selecting 
members, the WTC Program Administrator will consider individuals 
nominated in response to this Federal Register notice, as well as other 
qualified individuals.
    The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services policy stipulates 
that Committee membership be balanced in terms of points of view 
represented, and the committee's function. Appointments shall be made 
without discrimination on the basis of age, race, ethnicity, gender, 
sexual orientation, gender identity, HIV status, disability, and 
cultural, religious, or socioeconomic status. Nominees must be U.S. 
citizens, and cannot be full-time employees of the U.S. Government. 
Current participation on federal workgroups or prior experience serving 
on a federal advisory committee does not disqualify a candidate; 
however, HHS policy is to avoid excessive individual service on 
advisory committees and multiple committee memberships. Committee 
members are Special Government Employees, requiring the filing of 
financial disclosure reports at the beginning and annually during their 
terms. CDC reviews potential candidates for the STAC membership each 
year, and provides a slate of nominees for consideration to the 
Secretary of HHS for final selection.
    Candidates invited to serve will be asked to submit the 
``Confidential Financial Disclosure Report,'' OGE Form 450. This form 
is used by CDC to determine whether there is a financial conflict 
between that person's private interests and activities and their public 
responsibilities as a Special Government Employee as well as any 
appearance of a loss of impartiality, as defined by Federal regulation. 
The form may be viewed and downloaded at http://www.oge.gov/Forms-
Library/OGE-Form-450--Confidential-Financial-Disclosure-Report/. This 
form should not be submitted as part of a nomination.
    Dates: Nominations must be submitted (postmarked or electronically 
received) by December 15, 2016.
    Submissions must be electronic or by mail. Submissions should 
reference docket 229-E. Electronic submissions: You may electronically 
submit nominations, including attachments, to [email protected]. 
Attachments in Microsoft Word are preferred. Regular, Express, or 
Overnight Mail: Written nominations may be submitted (one original and 
two copies) to the following address only: NIOSH Docket 229-E, c/o Mia 
Wallace, Committee Management Specialist, National Institute for 
Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd. NE., MS: E-20, Atlanta, Georgia 30329. 
Telephone and facsimile submissions cannot be accepted.
    For Further Information Contact: Paul Middendorf, Acting Deputy 
Associate Director for Science, 1600 Clifton Rd. NE., MS: E-20, 
Atlanta, GA 30329-4027; telephone (404)498-2500 (this is not a toll-
free number); email [email protected].
    The Director, Management Analysis and Services Office, has been 
delegated the authority to sign Federal Register notices pertaining to 
announcements of meetings and other committee management activities for 
both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Agency for 
Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.

Elaine L. Baker,
Director, Management Analysis and Services Office, Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2016-25731 Filed 10-24-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4163-18-P