[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 176 (Wednesday, September 11, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47941-47942]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-19640]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


Establishment of the National Quantum Initiative Advisory 
Committee

AGENCY: Office of Science, Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice; solicitation of nominations.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) or (the Department) 
announces the establishment of the National Quantum Initiative Advisory 
Committee (Committee), pursuant to, the National Quantum Initiative 
Act, and in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), 
as delegated to the Department by the President under Executive Order 
13885. The Committee will provide advice and recommendations to the 
President, Secretary of Energy, and the National Science and Technology 
Council's Subcommittee on Quantum Information Science (SCQIS) on the 
National Quantum Initiative (NQI). This advice will include assessments 
of trends and developments in quantum information science and 
technology (QIST), implementation and management of the NQI, whether 
NQI activities are helping to maintain United States leadership in 
QIST, whether program revisions are necessary, what opportunities exist 
for international collaboration and open standards, and whether 
national security and economic considerations are adequately addressed 
by the NQI. The Secretary of Energy is requesting nominations for 
membership to the Committee. The Secretary of Energy, with input from 
the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy or the 
Director's designee (as co-chair of the Committee), will consider 
nominations received in response to this notice.

DATES: All nominations for members must be received by midnight Eastern 
Time on October 4, 2019.

ADDRESSES: Submit nominations electronically by email to 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: [email protected] or Corey 
Stambaugh at email: [email protected] or phone: (202) 456-
3606.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. The National Quantum Initiative Advisory Committee

    Quantum information science (QIS) has the opportunity to 
revolutionize our scientific knowledge, improve our industrial base, 
and provide substantial economic and national security benefits. Many 
recognize that QIS technologies will likely underpin almost every 
aspect of technology two decades from now, as can be seen by the strong 
increase in industrial investment from both established firms and a 
host of new startups.
    This base science and technology matters. Think to the impact of 
atomic clocks, an early quantum technology, on enabling the Global 
Positioning System and modern telecommunications. We are witnessing a 
second information technology (IT) revolution with quantum devices 
enabling previously undreamt of possibilities. Fundamentally, new 
technologies of this nature can come to underpin significant aspects of 
the national economic and defense ecosystem.
    The National Quantum Initiative Act calls for the establishment of 
a whole-of-Government approach to QIST research and development--the 
NQI. This effort will leverage the leadership position of the United 
States in this area to expand our global edge in the face of increasing 
international and multinational pressure. This notice announces the 
establishment, as required by Statute, of the Committee to advise the 
President and the SCQIS on the direction and implementation of the NQI. 
One of the Committee's activities will be to provide biennial reports 
on the NQI to ensure that recommendations for improvements and changes 
are developed and promulgated on a regular basis, enabling research on 
the cutting edge of scientific discovery, the next generation 
workforce, the next generation industry, international collaboration, 
and economic and national security.
    Unless otherwise extended, the Committee will terminate December 
21, 2030, 11 years after the date of the NQIA signing, according to the 
exception to section 14 of the FACA in the NQIA. The Department of 
Energy shall provide the Committee with funding and administrative 
support as may be necessary for the performance of the Committee's 
functions.

II. Description of Committee Member Duties

    The Committee will advise the President, the Secretary of Energy 
(Secretary), and the SCQIS in their efforts to maintain United States 
leadership in QIS.
    Members must be able to actively participate in the tasks of the 
Committee including, but not limited to regularly attending and 
participating in meetings, reviewing materials, and participating in 
conference calls, working groups, and formal subcommittees. The 
Committee may advise the SCQIS in any of its efforts, so the Secretary 
will consider nominees who can best support, in an advisory capacity, 
any of the following functions:
     Devising a national strategy for maintaining leadership in 
QIS, including enabling new scientific discovers, empowering quantum-
related industry, utilizing existing and new infrastructure, enabling 
international collaborations, and providing for improved economic and 
national security;
     Fostering close coordination, cooperation, and information 
exchange within the Federal government and between the government and 
non-Federal stakeholders as related to issues concerning the NQI;
     Examining and providing feedback on the technical and 
administrative aspects of the NQI;
     Developing biennial reports on findings that can provide 
the basis for future action, revision, or improvements

[[Page 47942]]

of the United States efforts in quantum information science and related 
technologies;
     Developing plans for working with companies, universities, 
non-profits, and other educational institutions that demonstrate 
excellence in building and employing the quantum-smart workforce; and
     Examining how the Federal government can work with non-
Federal stakeholders to support the implementation of the National 
Quantum Initiative Act.

III. Structure of Advisory Committee

    The Committee will be made up of two co-chairs--the Director of the 
Office of Science and Technology Policy or the Director's designee (the 
Director) and one Committee member designated by the Secretary and up 
to 21 additional members. The Secretary will, in consultation with the 
Director, appoint members and they will serve at the pleasure of the 
Secretary. Potential nominees will represent a cross-section of QIS-
related sectors, including but not limited to the private sector, non-
profits, Federal laboratories, educational institutions, and other 
federal government agencies. The nominees will be prominent in their 
fields, recognized for their professional and other relevant 
achievements, and from diverse backgrounds.
    As necessary, the Committee may establish, with the consent of or 
at the direction of the SCQIS, such subcommittees or ad hoc groups, 
including technical advisory groups, as it considers necessary for the 
performance of its functions. All subcommittees and other groups must 
report back to the full Committee; members and subcommittees must not 
provide advice or work products directly to any Federal agency or 
official not on the Committee.
    Appointed Committee members will serve for a term of up to two 
years. Members serve at the pleasure of the Secretary. Members shall be 
eligible for reappointment. When vacancies occur, the Secretary will, 
in consultation with the Director, identify for appointment nominees 
who can address the Committee's needs per the National Quantum 
Initiative Act.

IV. Compensation for Members of the Advisory Committee

    Members of the Committee shall serve without any compensation for 
their work on the Committee. Members of the Committee, while engaged in 
the work of the Committee, will, upon request, be reimbursed for travel 
expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, to the extent 
permitted by law for persons serving intermittently in government 
service (5 U.S.C. 5701-5707), consistent with the availability of 
funds.

V. Solicitation of Nominations

    The Secretary will, in consultation with the Director, consider 
nominations of all qualified individuals to ensure that the Committee 
includes the areas of experience noted above. Individuals may nominate 
themselves or other individuals, and professional associations and 
organizations may nominate one or more qualified persons for membership 
on the Committee. Nominations shall state that the nominee is willing 
to serve as a member and carry out the duties of the Committee.
    A nomination package should include the following information for 
each nominee: (1) A letter of nomination stating the name, affiliation, 
and contact information for the nominee, the basis for the nomination 
(i.e., what specific attributes recommend him/her for service in this 
capacity), and the nominee's field(s) of experience; (2) a biographical 
sketch of the nominee and a copy of his/her curriculum vitae; and (3) 
the name, return address, email address, and daytime telephone number 
at which the nominator can be contacted.
    Nominations are open to all individuals without regard to race, 
color, religion, sex, national origin, age, mental or physical 
handicap, marital status, or sexual orientation. The Secretary and the 
Director also encourage geographic diversity in the composition of the 
Committee. All nomination information should be provided in a single, 
complete package by midnight Eastern Time on October 4, 2019. 
Interested applicants should send their nomination package to 
[email protected].

    Signed in Washington, DC, on September 5, 2019.
Chris Fall,
Director, Office of Science, Department of Energy.
[FR Doc. 2019-19640 Filed 9-10-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6450-01-P