[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 182 (Friday, September 18, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58395-58396]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-20604]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Bureau of Labor Statistics


Technical Advisory Committee; Request for Nominations

AGENCY: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Department of Labor.

ACTION: Request for nominations for membership on the BLS Technical 
Advisory Committee.

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SUMMARY: The BLS is soliciting new members for the Technical Advisory 
Committee (TAC) to address five member terms expiring on April 12, 
2021, and any vacancy that may occur on the TAC between the date of 
publication of this notice and April 12, 2021. The TAC provides advice 
to the Bureau of Labor Statistics on technical aspects of data 
collection and the formulation of economic measures and makes 
recommendations on areas of research. On some technical issues there 
are differing views, and receiving feedback at public meetings provides 
BLS with the opportunity to consider all viewpoints. The Committee 
consists of 16 members chosen from a cross-section of economists, 
statisticians, and behavioral scientists who represent a balance of 
expertise. The economists have research experience with technical 
issues related to BLS data and are familiar with employment and 
unemployment statistics, price index numbers, compensation measures, 
productivity measures, occupational and health statistics, or other 
topics relevant to BLS data series. The statisticians are familiar with 
sample design, data analysis, computationally intensive statistical 
methods, non-sampling errors, or other areas which are relevant to BLS 
work. The behavioral scientists are familiar with questionnaire design, 
usability, or other areas of survey development. BLS invites persons 
interested in serving on the TAC to submit their names for 
consideration for committee membership. Economists and statisticians 
with an expertise in data science will receive special consideration. 
Typically, TAC members are appointed to three-year terms, and serve as 
Special Government Employees.

DATES: Nominations for the TAC membership should be postmarked or 
transmitted by October 19, 2020.

ADDRESSES: Nominations for the TAC membership should be emailed to 
[email protected]. Email nominations are preferred, but may also be mailed 
to Lucy Eldridge, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2 Massachusetts 
Avenue NE, Room 2150, Washington, DC 20212.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lucy Eldridge, Associate Commissioner, 
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2 Massachusetts Avenue NE, Office of 
Productivity and Technology, Room 2150, Washington, DC 20212. 
Telephone: 202-691-5600. This is not a toll free number. Email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Bureau often faces highly technical 
issues while developing and maintaining the accuracy and relevancy of 
its data on employment and unemployment, prices, productivity, and 
compensation and working conditions. These issues range from how to 
develop new measures to how to make sure that existing measures account 
for the ever-changing economy. BLS presents issues and then draws on 
the specialized expertise of Committee members representing specialized 
fields within the academic disciplines of economics, statistics and 
survey design. Committee members are also invited to bring to the 
attention of BLS issues that have been identified in the academic 
literature or in their own research.
    The TAC was established to provide advice to the Commissioner of 
Labor Statistics on technical topics selected by the BLS. 
Responsibilities include, but

[[Page 58396]]

are not limited to providing comments on papers and presentations 
developed by BLS research and program staff, conducting research on 
issues identified by BLS on which an objective technical opinion or 
recommendation from outside of BLS would be valuable, recommending BLS 
conduct internal research projects to address technical problems with 
BLS statistics that have been identified in the academic literature, 
participating in discussions of areas where the types or coverage of 
economic statistics could be expanded or improved and areas where 
statistics are no longer relevant, and establishing working 
relationships with professional associations with an interest in BLS 
statistics, such as the American Statistical Association and the 
American Economic Association.
    Nominations: BLS is looking for committed TAC members who have a 
strong interest in, and familiarity with, BLS data. The Agency is 
looking for nominees who use and have a comprehensive understanding of 
economic statistics. BLS is committed to bringing greater diversity of 
thought, perspective, and experience to its advisory committees. 
Nominees from all races, gender, age, and disabilities are encouraged 
to apply. Interested persons may nominate themselves or may submit the 
name of another person who they believe to be interested in and 
qualified to serve on the TAC. Nominations may also be submitted by 
organizations. Nominations should include the name, address, and 
telephone number of the candidate. Each nomination should include a 
summary of the candidate's training or experience relating to BLS data 
specifically, or economic statistics more generally and a curriculum 
vitae. In selecting TAC members, BLS will consider individuals 
nominated in response to this notice, as well as other qualified 
individuals. Candidates should not submit information they do not want 
publicly disclosed. BLS will conduct a basic background check of 
candidates before their appointment to the TAC. The background check 
will involve accessing publicly available, internet-based sources. BLS 
will contact nominees for information on their status as registered 
lobbyists. Anyone currently subject to federal registration 
requirements as a lobbyist is not eligible for appointment to the TAC. 
Nominees should be aware of the time commitment for attending meetings 
and actively participating in the work of the TAC. Historically, this 
has meant a commitment of at least two days per year.

    Authority:  This notice was prepared in accordance with the 
provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), 5 U.S.C. 
App. 2.

    Signed at Washington, DC, this 14th day of September 2020.
Mark Staniorski,
Chief, Division of Management Systems, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
[FR Doc. 2020-20604 Filed 9-17-20; 8:45 am]
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