[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 175 (Tuesday, September 12, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Page 42781]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-19337]


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 Notices
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  Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 175 / Tuesday, September 12, 2017 / 
Notices  

[[Page 42781]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Office of the Secretary


Improving Customer Service

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, USDA.

ACTION: Request for Information (RFI).

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SUMMARY: Consistent with Executive Order 13781, ``Comprehensive Plan 
for Reorganizing the Executive Branch,'' and using the authority of the 
Secretary to reorganize the Department under section 4(a) of 
Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1953 the U.S. Department of Agriculture 
(USDA) is soliciting public comment on the proposed reorganization 
announced by Secretary Perdue on September 7, 2017. The proposed 
reorganizations follow a previous reorganization announced on May 11, 
2017.

DATES: Comments and information are requested on or before October 7, 
2017.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments regarding 
this notice. All submissions must refer to ``Improving Customer 
Service'' to ensure proper delivery.
     Electronic Submission of Comments. Interested persons may 
submit comments electronically through the Federal eRulemaking Portal: 
http://www.regulations.gov. USDA strongly encourages commenters to 
submit comments electronically. Electronic submission of comments 
allows the commenter maximum time to prepare and submit a comment, and 
ensures timely receipt by USDA. Commenters should follow the 
instructions provided on that site to submit comments electronically.
     Submission of Comments by Mail, Hand delivery, or Courier. 
Paper, disk, or CD-ROM submissions should be submitted to the Office of 
Budget and Program Analysis, USDA, Jamie L. Whitten Building, Room 101-
A, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20250.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Donald Bice, Telephone Number: (202) 
720-3291.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: USDA is committed to operating efficiently, 
effectively, and with integrity, and minimizing the burdens on 
individuals businesses, and communities for participation in and 
compliance with USDA programs. USDA works to support the American 
agricultural economy to strengthen rural communities; to protect and 
conserve our natural resources; and to provide a safe, sufficient, and 
nutritious food supply for the American people. The Department's wide 
range of programs and responsibilities touches the lives of every 
American every day.

I. Executive Orders 13781

    Executive Order 13781, ``Comprehensive Plan for Reorganizing the 
Executive Branch'', is intended to improve the efficiency, 
effectiveness, and accountability of the executive branch. The 
principles in the Executive Order provide the basis for taking actions 
to enhance and strengthen the delivery of USDA programs. The Department 
will continue to work within the Administration on the government-wide 
reform plan and additional reform efforts.

II. Reorganization Actions

    On September 7, 2017, Secretary Perdue announced his intent to take 
actions to strengthen customer service and improve efficiencies at USDA 
by taking the following actions:
     Merging the Center for Nutrition and Policy Promotion into 
the Food and Nutrition Service;
     Consolidating the Grain Inspection, Packers, and 
Stockyards Administration into the Agricultural Marketing Service 
(AMS);
     Realigning the Farm Service Agency (FSA) Warehouse 
function and the International Food Commodity Procurement program into 
AMS;
     Moving the Codex Alimentarius program from the Food Safety 
and Inspection Service into the Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign 
Agricultural Affairs;
     Realigning the Office of Pesticide Management Policy out 
of the Agricultural Research Service and into the Office of the Chief 
Economist;
     Establishing the Office of Partnerships and Public 
Engagement through the merger of the Office of Advocacy and Outreach, 
the Office of Tribal Relations, the Center for Faith Based and 
Neighborhood Partnerships, and the Military Veterans Liaison;
     Creating an Office of Innovation within Rural Development; 
and
     Consolidating mission support activities, including 
information technology, finance, property, procurement, and human 
resources, at the mission area level. (https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases)

III. Request for Information

    USDA is seeking public comment on the actions identified in the 
September 7, 2017, announcement.
    USDA notes that this notice is issued solely for information and 
program-planning purposes. While responses to this notice do not bind 
USDA to any further actions, all submissions will be reviewed by the 
appropriate program office, and made publicly available on http://www.regulations.gov.

    Dated: September 7, 2017.
Donald Bice,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Administration.
[FR Doc. 2017-19337 Filed 9-11-17; 8:45 am]
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