[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 239 (Friday, December 11, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 80229-80230]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-27257]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS


Solicitation of Nominations for Appointment to the Advisory 
Committee on Structural Safety of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) 
Facilities

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Office of 
Construction and Facilities Management, is seeking nominations of 
qualified candidates to be considered for appointment to the Advisory 
Committee on Structural Safety of Department Facilities (``the 
Committee'').

DATES: Nominations for membership on the Committee must be received no 
later than 5:00 p.m. EST on December 31, 2020.

ADDRESSES: All nominations should be submitted to Mr. Juan Archilla by 
email at [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Juan Archilla, Office of 
Construction & Facilities Management (CFM), Department of Veterans 
Affairs, via email at [email protected], or via telephone at (202) 
632-5967. A copy of the Committee charter and list of the current 
membership can be obtained by contacting Mr. Archilla or by accessing 
the website: http://www.va.gov/ADVISORY/Advisory_Committee_on_Structural_Safety_of_Department_of_Veterans_Affairs_facilities_Statutory.asp.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In carrying out the duties set forth, the 
Committee responsibilities include:
    (1) Providing advice to the Secretary of VA on all matters of 
structural safety in the construction and altering of medical 
facilities and recommending standards for use by VA in the construction 
and alteration of facilities.
    (2) Reviewing of appropriate State and local laws, ordinances, 
building codes, climatic and seismic conditions, relevant existing 
information, and current research.
    (3) Recommending changes to the current VA standards for structural 
safety, on a state or regional basis.
    (4) Recommending the engagement of the services of other experts or 
consultants to assist in preparing reports on present knowledge in 
specific technical areas.
    (5) Reviewing of questions regarding the application of codes and 
standards and making recommendations regarding new and existing 
facilities when requested to do so by VA.
    Authority: The Committee was established in accordance with 38 
U.S.C. 8105, to provide advice to the Secretary on all matters of 
structural safety in the construction and altering of medical 
facilities and recommends standards for use by VA in the construction 
and alteration of facilities. Nominations of qualified candidates are 
being sought to fill current and upcoming vacancies on the Committee.
    Membership Criteria and Professional Qualifications: CFM is 
requesting nominations for current and upcoming vacancies on the 
Committee. The Committee is composed of five members, in addition to 
ex-officio members. The Committee is required to include at least one 
architect and one structural engineer who are experts in structural 
resistance to fire, earthquake, and other natural disasters and who are 
not employees of the Federal Government. To satisfy this requirement 
and ensure the Committee has the expertise to fulfill its statutory 
objectives, VA seeks nominees from the following professions at this 
time:
    (1) Architect: Candidate must be a licensed Architect experienced 
in the design requirements of health care facilities. Expert knowledge 
in codes and standards for health care and life safety is required;
    (2) Practicing Structural Engineer: Candidate must have experience 
in both

[[Page 80230]]

new building seismic analysis and design and strengthening of existing 
buildings in high seismic regions. Expert knowledge of building codes 
and standards, with a focus on seismic safety, is required. Experience 
designing for structural resistance to other natural disasters is 
desired. A licensed Structural Engineer or Professional Engineer with a 
focus on structural engineering is required;
    (3) Research Structural Engineer: Candidate must have experience 
leading experimental and/or computational research in the field of 
structural engineering to advance building structural performance and/
or design methods against natural disasters, such as earthquakes, fire, 
hurricanes, tornados, etc.;
    Prior experience serving on nationally recognized professional and 
technical committees is also desired.
    Requirements for Nomination Submission: Nominations should be type 
written (one nomination per nominator). Nomination package should 
include: (1) A letter of nomination that clearly states the name and 
affiliation of the nominee, the basis for the nomination (i.e. specific 
attributes which qualify the nominee for service in this capacity), and 
a statement from the nominee indicating a willingness to serve as a 
member of the Committee; (2) the nominee's contact information, 
including name, mailing address, telephone numbers, and email address; 
(3) the nominee's curriculum vitae, and (4) a summary of the nominee's 
experience and qualification relative to the professional 
qualifications criteria listed above.
    Membership Terms: Individuals selected for appointment to the 
Committee shall be invited to serve a two-year term. At the Secretary's 
discretion, members may be reappointed to serve an additional term. All 
members will receive travel expenses and a per diem allowance in 
accordance with the Federal Travel Regulation for any travel made in 
connection with their duties as members of the Committee. The 
Department makes every effort to ensure that the membership of its 
Federal advisory committees is fairly balanced in terms of points of 
view represented and the committee's function. Every effort is made to 
ensure that a broad representation of geographic areas, gender, racial 
and ethnic minority groups, and the disabled are given consideration 
for membership. Appointment to this Committee shall be made without 
discrimination because of a person's race, color, religion, sex 
(including gender identity, transgender status, sexual orientation, and 
pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, or genetic information. 
Nominations must state that the nominee is willing to serve as a member 
of the Committee and appears to have no conflict of interest that would 
preclude membership. An ethics review is conducted for each selected 
nominee.

    Dated: December 8, 2020.
Jelessa M. Burney,
Federal Advisory Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 2020-27257 Filed 12-10-20; 8:45 am]
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