[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 69 (Tuesday, April 13, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19222-19227]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-07504]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Institute of Standards and Technology


Request for Nominations for Members To Serve on National 
Institute of Standards and Technology Federal Advisory Committees

AGENCY: National Institute of Standards and Technology, Department of 
Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST or 
Institute) invites and requests nomination of individuals for 
appointment to seven existing Federal Advisory Committees (Committees): 
Board of Overseers of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award; 
Judges Panel of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award; 
Information Security and Privacy Advisory Board; Manufacturing 
Extension Partnership Advisory Board; National Construction Safety Team 
Advisory Committee; Advisory Committee on Earthquake Hazards Reduction; 
and Visiting Committee on Advanced Technology. NIST will consider 
nominations received in response to this notice for appointment to the 
Committees, in addition to nominations already received. Registered 
Federal lobbyists may not serve on NIST Federal Advisory Committees in 
an individual capacity.

DATES: Nominations for all Committees will be accepted on an ongoing 
basis and will be considered as and when vacancies arise.

ADDRESSES: See below.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Board of Overseers of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award

    Address: Please submit nominations to Robert Fangmeyer, Director, 
Baldrige Performance Excellence Program, NIST, 100 Bureau Drive, Mail 
Stop 1020, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-1020. Nominations may also be 
submitted via email to [email protected]. Additional 
information regarding the Committee, including its charter, current 
membership list, and executive summary, may be found at http://www.nist.gov/baldrige/community/overseers.cfm.
    Contact Information: Robyn Verner, Designated Federal Officer, 
Baldrige Performance Excellence Program, NIST, 100 Bureau Drive, Mail 
Stop 1020, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-1020; telephone 301-975-2361 or via 
email at [email protected].

Committee Information

    The Board of Overseers of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality 
Award (Board) was established in accordance with 15 U.S.C. 
3711a(d)(2)(B), pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as 
amended, 5 U.S.C. App.
Objectives and Duties
    1. The Board shall review the work of the private sector 
contractor(s), which assists the Director of NIST in administering the 
Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (Award). The Board will make 
such suggestions for the improvement of the Award process as it deems 
necessary.
    2. The Board shall make an annual report on the results of Award 
activities to the Director of NIST, along with its recommendations for 
the improvement of the Award process.
    3. The Board will function solely as an advisory committee under 
the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, 5 U.S.C. App.
    4. The Board will report to the Director of NIST.
Membership
    1. The Board will consist of at least five and approximately 12 
members selected on a clear, standardized basis, in accordance with 
applicable Department of Commerce guidance, and for their preeminence 
in the field of organizational performance excellence. There will be a 
balanced representation from U.S. service, manufacturing, nonprofit, 
education, and health care industries. The Board will include members 
familiar with the quality, performance improvement operations, and 
competitiveness issues of manufacturing companies, service companies, 
small businesses, nonprofits, health care providers, and educational 
institutions.
    2. Board members will be appointed by the Secretary of Commerce for 
three-year terms and will serve at the discretion of the Secretary. All 
terms will commence on March 1 and end on the last day of February of 
the appropriate years.
Miscellaneous
    1. Members of the Board shall serve without compensation, but may, 
upon request, be reimbursed travel expenses, including per diem, as 
authorized by 5 U.S.C. 5701 et seq.
    2. The Board will meet at least annually, but usually two times a 
year. Additional meetings may be called as deemed necessary by the NIST 
Director or by the Chairperson. Meetings are usually one day in 
duration.
    3. Board meetings are open to the public. Board members do not have 
access to classified or proprietary information in connection with 
their Board duties.

Nomination Information

    1. Nominations are sought from the private and public sector as 
described above.
    2. Nominees should have established records of distinguished 
service and shall be familiar with the quality improvement operations 
and competitiveness issues of manufacturing companies, service 
companies, small businesses, educational institutions, health care 
providers, and nonprofit organizations. The category (field of 
eminence) for which the candidate is qualified should be specified in 
the nomination letter. Nominations for a particular category should 
come from organizations or individuals within that category. A summary 
of the candidate's qualifications should be included with the 
nomination, including (where applicable) current or former service on 
Federal advisory boards and Federal

[[Page 19223]]

employment. In addition, each nomination letter should state that the 
person agrees to the nomination, acknowledges the responsibilities of 
serving on the Board, and will actively participate in good faith in 
the tasks of the Board. Besides participation at meetings, it is 
desired that members be able to devote the equivalent of seven days 
between meetings to either developing or researching topics of 
potential interest, and so forth, in furtherance of their Board duties.
    3. The Department of Commerce is committed to equal opportunity in 
the workplace and seeks a broad-based and diverse Board membership.

Judges Panel of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award

    Address: Please submit nominations to Robert Fangmeyer, Director, 
Baldrige Performance Excellence Program, NIST, 100 Bureau Drive Mail 
Stop 1020, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-1020. Nominations may also be 
submitted via email [email protected]. Additional information 
regarding the Committee, including its charter, current membership 
list, and executive summary, may be found at https://www.nist.gov/baldrige/how-baldrige-works/baldrige-community/judges-panel.
    Contact Information: Robyn Verner, Designated Federal Officer, 
Baldrige Performance Excellence Program, NIST, 100 Bureau Drive, Mail 
Stop 1020, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-1020; telephone 301-975-2361 or via 
email at [email protected].

Committee Information

    The Judges Panel of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award 
(Panel) was established in accordance with 15 U.S.C. 3711a(d)(1) and 
the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, 5 U.S.C. App.
Objectives and Duties
    1. The Panel will ensure the integrity of the Malcolm Baldrige 
National Quality Award (Award) selection process. Based on a review of 
results of examiners' scoring of written applications, Panel members 
will vote on which applicants' merit site visits by examiners to verify 
the accuracy of quality improvements claimed by applicants. The Panel 
will also review results and findings from site visits, and recommend 
Award recipients.
    2. The Panel will ensure that individual judges will not 
participate in the review of applicants as to which they have any real 
or perceived conflict of interest.
    3. The Panel will function solely as an advisory body, and will 
comply with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as 
amended, 5 U.S.C. App.
    4. The Panel will report to the Director of NIST.
Membership
    1. The Panel will consist of no less than 9, and not more than 12, 
members selected on a clear, standardized basis, in accordance with 
applicable Department of Commerce guidance. There will be a balanced 
representation from U.S. service, manufacturing, small business, 
nonprofit, education, and health care industries. The Panel will 
include members familiar with the quality improvement operations and 
competitiveness issues of manufacturing companies, service companies, 
small businesses, nonprofits, health care providers, and educational 
institutions.
    2. Panel members will be appointed by the Secretary of Commerce for 
three-year terms and will serve at the discretion of the Secretary. All 
terms will commence on March 1 and end on the last day of February of 
the appropriate year.
Miscellaneous
    1. Members of the Panel shall serve without compensation, but may, 
upon request, be reimbursed travel expenses, including per diem, as 
authorized by 5 U.S.C. 5701 et seq.
    2. The Panel will meet three times per year. Additional meetings 
may be called as deemed necessary by the NIST Director or by the 
Chairperson. Meetings are usually one to four days in duration. In 
addition, each Judge must attend an annual three-day Examiner training 
course.
    3. When approved by the Department of Commerce Chief Financial 
Officer and Assistant Secretary for Administration, Panel meetings are 
closed or partially closed to the public.

Nomination Information

    1. Nominations are sought from all U.S. service and manufacturing 
industries, small businesses, education, health care, and nonprofits as 
described above.
    2. Nominees should have established records of distinguished 
service and shall be familiar with the quality improvement operations 
and competitiveness issues of manufacturing companies, service 
companies, small businesses, health care providers, educational 
institutions, and nonprofit organizations. The category (field of 
eminence) for which the candidate is qualified should be specified in 
the nomination letter. Nominations for a particular category should 
come from organizations or individuals within that category. A summary 
of the candidate's qualifications should be included with the 
nomination, including (where applicable) current or former service on 
federal advisory boards and federal employment. In addition, each 
nomination letter should state that the person agrees to the 
nomination, acknowledges the responsibilities of serving on the Panel, 
and will actively participate in good faith in the tasks of the Panel. 
Besides participation at meetings, it is desired that members be either 
developing or researching topics of potential interest, reading 
Baldrige applications, and so forth, in furtherance of their Panel 
duties.
    3. The Department of Commerce is committed to equal opportunity in 
the workplace and seeks a broad-based and diverse Panel membership.

Information Security and Privacy Advisory Board (ISPAB)

    Address: Please submit nominations to Jeffrey Brewer, NIST, 100 
Bureau Drive, Mail Stop 8930, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8930. Nominations 
may also be submitted via email at [email protected], Attn: ISPAB 
Nominations. Additional information regarding the ISPAB, including its 
charter and current membership list, may be found on its electronic 
home page at http://csrc.nist.gov/groups/SMA/ispab/index.html.
    Contact Information: Jeffrey Brewer, ISPAB Designated Federal 
Officer (DFO), NIST, 100 Bureau Drive, Mail Stop 8930, Gaithersburg, MD 
20899-8930; telephone 301-975-2489; or via email at 
[email protected].

Committee Information

    The ISPAB (Committee or Board) was originally chartered as the 
Computer System Security and Privacy Advisory Board by the Department 
of Commerce pursuant to the Computer Security Act of 1987 (Pub. L. 100-
235). The E-Government Act of 2002 (Pub. L. 107-347, Title III), 
amended Section 21 of the National Institute of Standards and 
Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278g-4), including changing the Committee's 
name, and the charter was amended accordingly.
Objectives and Duties
    1. The Board will identify emerging managerial, technical, 
administrative, and physical safeguard issues relative to information 
security and privacy.
    2. The Board will advise NIST, the Secretary of Homeland Security, 
and the Director of the Office of Management

[[Page 19224]]

and Budget (OMB) on information security and privacy issues pertaining 
to Federal Government information systems, including through review of 
proposed standards and guidelines developed by NIST.
    3. The Board shall report to the Director of NIST.
    4. The Board reports annually to the Secretary of Commerce, the 
Secretary of Homeland Security, the Director of OMB, the Director of 
the National Security Agency, and the appropriate committees of the 
Congress.
    5. The Board will function solely as an advisory body, in 
accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 
as amended, 5 U.S.C. App.
Membership
    1. The Director of NIST will appoint the Chairperson and the 
members of the ISPAB, and members serve at the discretion of the NIST 
Director. Members will be selected on a clear, standardized basis, in 
accordance with applicable Department of Commerce guidance.
    2. The ISPAB will consist of a total of 12 members and a 
Chairperson, for a total of 13.
     The Board will include four members from outside the 
Federal Government who are eminent in the information technology 
industry, at least one of whom is representative of small or medium 
sized companies in such industries.
     The Board will include four members from outside the 
Federal Government who are eminent in the fields of information 
technology, or related disciplines, but who are not employed by or 
representative of a producer of information technology.
     The Board will include four members from the Federal 
Government who have information system management experience, including 
experience in information security and privacy, at least one of whom 
shall be from the National Security Agency.
Miscellaneous
    1. Members of the Board, other than full-time employees of the 
Federal government, will not be compensated for their services, but 
will, upon request, be allowed travel expenses pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 
5701 et seq., while otherwise performing duties at the request of the 
Board Chairperson, while away from their homes or a regular place of 
business.
    2. Meetings of the ISPAB are usually two to three days in duration 
and are usually held quarterly. ISPAB meetings are open to the public, 
including the press. Members do not have access to classified or 
proprietary information in connection with their ISPAB duties.

Nomination Information

    1. Nominations are being accepted in all three categories described 
above.
    2. Nominees should have specific experience related to information 
security or privacy issues, particularly as they pertain to Federal 
information technology. Letters of nomination should include the 
category of membership for which the candidate is applying and a 
summary of the candidate's qualifications for that specific category. 
Also include (where applicable) current or former service on Federal 
advisory boards and any Federal employment. Each nomination letter 
should state that the person agrees to the nomination, acknowledges the 
responsibilities of serving on the ISPAB, and that they will actively 
participate in good faith in the tasks of the ISPAB.
    3. Besides participation at meetings, it is desired that members be 
able to devote a minimum of two days between meetings to developing 
draft issue papers, researching topics of potential interest, and so 
forth in furtherance of their ISPAB duties.
    4. Selection of ISPAB members will not be limited to individuals 
who are nominated. Nominations that are received and meet the 
requirements will be kept on file to be reviewed as ISPAB vacancies 
occur.
    5. The Department of Commerce is committed to equal opportunity in 
the workplace and seeks a broad-based and diverse ISPAB membership.

Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Advisory Board

    Address: Please submit nominations to Ms. Cheryl Gendron, NIST, 100 
Bureau Drive, Mail Stop 4800, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-4800. Nominations 
may also be submitted via email at [email protected]. Additional 
information regarding MEP, including its charter, may be found on its 
electronic home page at http://www.nist.gov/mep/advisory-board.cfm.
    Contact Information: Ms. Cheryl Gendron, Designated Federal 
Officer, NIST, 100 Bureau Drive, Mail Stop 4800, Gaithersburg, MD 
20899-4800; telephone 301-975-4919, fax 301-963-6556; or via email at 
[email protected].

Committee Information

    The MEP Advisory Board (Board) is authorized under section 501 of 
the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act (Pub. L. 114-329); 
codified at 15 U.S.C. 278k(m), as amended, in accordance with the 
provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, 5 U.S.C. 
App.
Objectives and Duties
    1. The Board will provide advice on MEP activities, plans, and 
policies.
    2. The Board will assess the soundness of MEP plans and strategies.
    3. The Board will assess current performance against MEP program 
plans.
    4. The Board will function solely in an advisory capacity, and in 
accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 
as amended, 5 U.S.C. App.
    5. The Board shall transmit through the Director of NIST an annual 
report to the Secretary of Commerce for transmittal to Congress not 
later than 30 days after the submission to Congress of the President's 
annual budget request each year. The report shall address the status of 
the MEP program.
Membership
    1. The Board shall consist of not fewer than 10 members, appointed 
by the Director of NIST and broadly representative of stakeholders. At 
least 2 members shall be employed by or on an advisory board for a MEP 
Center, at least 5 members shall be from U.S. small businesses in the 
manufacturing sector, and at least 1 member shall represent a community 
college. No member shall be an employee of the Federal Government.
    2. The Director of NIST shall appoint the members of the Board. 
Members shall be selected on a clear, standardized basis, in accordance 
with applicable Department of Commerce guidance. Board members serve at 
the discretion of the Director of NIST.
    3. The term of office of each member of the Board shall be three 
years, except that vacancy appointments shall be for the remainder of 
the unexpired term of the vacancy. Any person who has completed two 
consecutive full terms of service on the Board shall thereafter be 
ineligible for appointment during the one-year period following the 
expiration of the second term.
Miscellaneous
    1. Members of the Board will not be compensated for their services 
but will, upon request, be allowed travel and per diem expenses as 
authorized by 5 U.S.C. 5701 et seq., while attending meetings of the 
Board or subcommittees thereof, or while otherwise performing duties at 
the request of the Chair, while away from their homes or regular places 
of business.

[[Page 19225]]

    2. The Board will meet at least biannually. Additional meetings may 
be called by the Director of NIST or the Designated Federal Officer 
(DFO) or his or her designee.
    3. Committee meetings are open to the public.

Nomination Information

    1. Nominations are being accepted in all categories described 
above.
    2. Nominees should have specific experience related to 
manufacturing and industrial extension services. Letters of nomination 
should include the category of membership for which the candidate is 
applying and a summary of the candidate's qualifications for that 
specific category. Each nomination letter should state that the person 
agrees to the nomination and acknowledges the responsibilities of 
serving on the MEP Advisory Board.
    3. Selection of MEP Advisory Board members will not be limited to 
individuals who are nominated. Nominations that are received and meet 
the requirements will be kept on file to be reviewed as Board vacancies 
occur.
    4. The Department of Commerce is committed to equal opportunity in 
the workplace and seeks a broad-based and diverse MEP Advisory Board 
membership.

National Construction Safety Team (NCST) Advisory Committee

    Address: Please submit nominations to Benjamin Davis, Designated 
Federal Officer, NIST, 100 Bureau Drive, Mail Stop 8615, Gaithersburg, 
MD 20899-8604 or via email at [email protected]. Additional 
information regarding the NCST, including its charter, may be found on 
its electronic home page at https://www.nist.gov/el/disaster-resilience/disaster-and-failure-studies/national-construction-safety-team-ncst/advisory.
    Contact Information: Maria Dillard, Acting Director, Disaster and 
Failure Studies Program, NIST, 100 Bureau Drive, Mail Stop 8615, 
Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8604, telephone 301-975-4953; or via email at 
[email protected].

Committee Information

    The NCST Advisory Committee (Committee) was established in 
accordance with the National Construction Safety Team Act, Public Law 
107-231, and the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, 5 U.S.C. 
App.
Objectives and Duties
    1. The Committee shall advise the Director of NIST on carrying out 
the National Construction Safety Team Act (Act), review the procedures 
developed under section 2(c)(1) of the Act, and review the reports 
issued under section 8 of the Act.
    2. The Committee functions solely as an advisory body, in 
accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act.
    3. The Committee shall report to the Director of NIST.
    4. On January 1 of each year, the Committee shall transmit to the 
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
Representatives and to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate a report that includes: (1) An evaluation 
of National Construction Safety Team (Team) activities, along with 
recommendations to improve the operation and effectiveness of Teams, 
and (2) an assessment of the implementation of the recommendations of 
Teams and of the Committee.
Membership
    1. The Committee shall consist of no less than 4 and no more than 
12 members. Members shall reflect the wide diversity of technical 
disciplines and competencies involved in the National Construction 
Safety Teams investigations. Members shall be selected on the basis of 
established records of distinguished service in their professional 
community and their knowledge of issues affecting the National 
Construction Safety Teams.
    2. The Director of NIST shall appoint the members of the Committee, 
and they will be selected on a clear, standardized basis, in accordance 
with applicable Department of Commerce guidance.
Miscellaneous
    1. Members of the Committee shall not be compensated for their 
services but may, upon request, be allowed travel and per diem expenses 
in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 5703.
    2. Members of the Committee shall serve as Special Government 
Employees (SGEs), will be subject to the ethics standards applicable to 
SGEs, and are required to file an annual Executive Branch Confidential 
Financial Disclosure Report.
    3. The Committee shall meet at least once per year. Additional 
meetings may be called whenever requested by the NIST Director or the 
Designated Federal Officer (DFO); such meetings may be in the form of 
telephone conference calls and/or videoconferences.

Nomination Information

    1. Nominations are sought from industry and other communities 
having an interest in the National Construction Safety Teams 
investigations.
    2. Nominees should have established records of distinguished 
service. The field of expertise that the candidate represents should be 
specified in the nomination letter. Nominations for a particular field 
should come from organizations or individuals within that field. A 
summary of the candidate's qualifications should be included with the 
nomination, including (where applicable) current or former service on 
federal advisory boards and federal employment. In addition, each 
nomination letter should state that the nominee agrees to the 
nomination, acknowledges the responsibilities of serving on the 
Committee, and will actively participate in good faith in the tasks of 
the Committee.
    3. The Department of Commerce is committed to equal opportunity in 
the workplace and seeks a broad-based and diverse Committee membership.

Advisory Committee on Earthquake Hazards Reduction (ACEHR)

    Address: Please submit nominations to Tina Faecke, Management and 
Program Analyst, National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program, NIST, 
100 Bureau Drive, Mail Stop 8604, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8604. 
Nominations may also be submitted via email at [email protected]. 
Additional information regarding the ACEHR, including its charter and 
executive summary may be found on its electronic home page at https://www.nehrp.gov.
    Contact Information: Steven McCabe, Director, National Earthquake 
Hazards Reduction Program, NIST, 100 Bureau Drive, Mail Stop 8604, 
Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8604, telephone 301-975-8549 or via email at 
[email protected].

Committee Information

    The Advisory Committee on Earthquake Hazards Reduction (Committee) 
was established in accordance with the National Earthquake Hazards 
Reduction Program Reauthorization Act of 2004, Public Law 108-360 (42 
U.S.C. 7704(a)(5)) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, 
5 U.S.C. App.
Objectives and Duties
    1. The Committee will act in the public interest to assess trends 
and developments in the science and engineering of earthquake hazards 
reduction; effectiveness of the National

[[Page 19226]]

Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (Program) in carrying out the 
activities under section (a)(2) of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act 
of 1977, as amended (42 U.S.C. 7704(a)(2)); the need to revise the 
Program; and the management, coordination, implementation, and 
activities of the Program.
    2. The Committee will function solely as an advisory body, in 
accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act.
    3. The Committee shall report to the Director of NIST.
    4. The Committee shall report to the Director of NIST at least once 
every two years on its findings of the assessments and its 
recommendations for ways to improve the Program. In developing 
recommendations, the Committee shall consider the recommendations of 
the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Scientific Earthquake 
Studies Advisory Committee (SESAC).
Membership
    1. The Committee shall consist of not fewer than 11, nor more than 
17 members. Members shall reflect the wide diversity of technical 
disciplines, competencies, and communities involved in earthquake 
hazards reduction. Members shall be selected on the basis of 
established records of distinguished service in their professional 
community and their knowledge of issues affecting the National 
Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program.
    2. The Director of NIST shall appoint the members of the Committee. 
Members shall be selected on a clear, standardized basis, in accordance 
with applicable Department of Commerce guidance.
    3. The term of office of each member of the Committee shall be 
three years, except that vacancy appointments shall be for the 
remainder of the unexpired term of the vacancy and that members shall 
have staggered terms such that the Committee will have approximately 
one-third new or reappointed members each year.
Miscellaneous
    1. Members of the Committee shall not be compensated for their 
services, but may, upon request, be allowed travel and per diem 
expenses in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 5701 et seq., while attending 
meetings of the Committee or subcommittees thereof, or while otherwise 
performing duties at the request of the Chairperson, while away from 
their homes or regular places of business.
    2. Members of the Committee shall serve as Special Government 
Employees (SGEs) and will be subject to the ethics standards applicable 
to SGEs and are required to file an annual Executive Branch 
Confidential Financial Disclosure Report.
    3. The Committee members shall meet face-to-face at least once per 
year. Additional meetings may be called whenever requested by the NIST 
Director; such meetings may be in the form of telephone conference 
calls and/or videoconferences.
    4. Committee meetings are open to the public.

Nomination Information

    1. Members will be drawn from industry and other communities having 
an interest in the Program, such as, but not limited to, research and 
academic institutions, industry standards development organizations, 
state and local government, and financial communities, who are 
qualified to provide advice on earthquake hazards reduction and 
represent all related scientific, architectural, and engineering 
disciplines.
    2. Any person who has completed two consecutive full terms of 
service on the Committee shall be ineligible for appointment for a 
third term during the two-year period following the expiration of the 
second term.
    3. Nominees should have established records of distinguished 
service. The field of expertise that the candidate represents should be 
specified in the nomination letter. Nominations for a particular field 
should come from organizations or individuals within that field. A 
summary of the candidate's qualifications should be included with the 
nomination, including (where applicable) current or former service on 
federal advisory boards and federal employment. In addition, each 
nomination letter should state that the nominee agrees to the 
nomination, acknowledges the responsibilities of serving on the 
Committee, and will actively participate in good faith in the tasks of 
the Committee.
    4. The Department of Commerce is committed to equal opportunity in 
the workplace and seeks a broad based and diverse Committee membership.

Visiting Committee on Advanced Technology (VCAT)

    Address: Please submit nominations to Stephanie Shaw, Designated 
Federal Officer, VCAT, NIST, 100 Bureau Drive, Mail Stop 1060, 
Gaithersburg, MD 20899-1060. Nominations may also be submitted via 
email at [email protected]. Additional information regarding the 
VCAT, including its charter, current membership list, and past reports 
may be found on its electronic homepage at http://www.nist.gov/director/vcat/.
    Contact Information: Stephanie Shaw, Designated Federal Officer, 
VCAT, NIST, 100 Bureau Drive, Mail Stop 1060, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-
1060, telephone 301-975-2667 or via email at [email protected].

Committee Information

    The VCAT (Committee) was established in accordance with 15 U.S.C. 
278 and the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, 5 U.S.C. App.
Objectives and Duties
    1. The Committee shall review and make recommendations regarding 
general policy for NIST, its organization, its budget, and its 
programs, within the framework of applicable national policies as set 
forth by the President and the Congress. 15 U.S.C. 278(a).
    2. The Committee shall provide an annual report, through the 
Director of NIST, to the Secretary of Commerce for submission to the 
Congress not later than 30 days after the submittal to Congress of the 
President's annual budget request in each year. Such report shall deal 
essentially, though not necessarily exclusively, with policy issues or 
matters which affect NIST, or with which the Committee in its official 
role as the private sector policy adviser of NIST is concerned. Each 
such report shall identify areas of research and research techniques of 
the Institute of potential importance to the long-term competitiveness 
of United States industry, in which the Institute possesses special 
competence, which could be used to assist United States enterprises and 
United States industrial joint research and development ventures. 15 
U.S.C. 278(h)(1). The Committee shall submit, through the Director of 
NIST, to the Secretary and the Congress such additional reports on 
specific policy matters as it deems appropriate. 15 U.S.C. 278(h)(2).
    3. The Committee will function solely as an advisory body, in 
accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 
as amended, 5 U.S.C. App.
    4. The Committee shall report to the Director of NIST.
Membership
    1. The Director of NIST shall appoint the members of the Committee. 
Members shall be selected on a clear, standardized basis, in accordance 
with applicable Department of Commerce

[[Page 19227]]

guidance. 15 U.S.C. 278(a). Members shall be selected solely on the 
basis of established records of distinguished service; shall provide 
representation of a cross-section of traditional and emerging United 
States industries; and shall be eminent in fields such as business, 
research, new product development, engineering, labor, education, 
management consulting, environment, and international relations. No 
employee of the Federal Government shall serve as a member of the 
Committee. 15 U.S.C. 278(b).
    2. Members of the Committee shall serve as Special Government 
Employees (SGEs) and will be subject to the ethics standards applicable 
to SGEs.
    3. The Committee shall consist of not fewer than nine members 
appointed by the Director of NIST, a majority of whom shall be from 
United States industry. 15 U.S.C. 278(a). The term of office of each 
member of the Committee shall be three years, except that vacancy 
appointments shall be for the remainder of the unexpired term of the 
vacancy. 15 U.S.C. 278(c)(1). Members shall serve at the discretion of 
the Director of NIST.
    4. Any person who has completed two consecutive full terms of 
service on the Committee shall be ineligible for appointment for a 
third term during the one-year period following the expiration of the 
second term. 15 U.S.C. 278(c)(1).
    5. Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 278(f), the Committee chairperson and vice 
chairperson shall be elected by the members of the Committee at each 
annual meeting occurring in an even-numbered year. The vice chairperson 
shall perform the duties of the chairperson in his or her absence. In 
case a vacancy occurs in the position of the chairperson or vice 
chairperson, the Committee shall elect a member to fill such vacancy.
    6. Members of the Committee will not be compensated for their 
services, but will, upon request, be allowed travel expenses in 
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 5701 et seq., while attending meetings of the 
Committee or of its subcommittees, or while otherwise performing duties 
at the request of the chairperson, while away from their homes or a 
regular place of business.
    7. Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 278(g), the Committee may, with the 
concurrence of a majority of its members, permit the appointment of a 
staff consisting of not more than four professional staff members and 
such clerical staff members as may be necessary. Such staff members 
shall be appointed by the Director after consultation with the 
chairperson of the Committee and assigned at the direction of the 
Committee.
    8. Subcommittees: Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 278(e), the Committee shall 
have an executive committee, and may delegate to it such powers and 
functions of the Committee as it deems appropriate. The Committee and/
or the Director of NIST may establish such other subcommittees, task 
forces, and working groups consisting of members from the parent 
Committee as may be necessary, subject to the provisions of FACA, the 
FACA implementing regulations, and applicable Department of Commerce 
guidance. Subcommittees must report back to the Committee and any 
recommendations based on their work will be deliberated and agreed upon 
by the Committee prior to dissemination to NIST.
Miscellaneous
    1. Meetings of the VCAT usually take place at the NIST headquarters 
in Gaithersburg, Maryland. The Committee will meet at least twice each 
year at the call of the chairperson or whenever one-third of the 
members so request in writing. The Committee shall not act in the 
absence of a quorum, which shall consist of a majority of the members 
of the Committee not having a conflict of interest in the matter being 
considered by the Committee. 15 U.S.C. 278(d).
    2. Generally, Committee meetings are open to the public.

Nomination Information

    1. Nominations are sought from all fields described above.
    2. Nominees should have established records of distinguished 
service and shall be eminent in fields such as business, research, new 
product development, engineering, labor, education, management 
consulting, environment and international relations. The category 
(field of eminence) for which the candidate is qualified should be 
specified in the nomination letter. Nominations for a particular 
category should come from organizations or individuals within that 
category. A summary of the candidate's qualifications should be 
included with the nomination, including (where applicable) current or 
former service on Federal advisory boards and Federal employment. In 
addition, each nomination letter should state that the candidate agrees 
to the nomination, acknowledges the responsibilities of serving on the 
VCAT, and will actively participate in good faith in the tasks of the 
VCAT.
    3. The Department of Commerce is committed to equal opportunity in 
the workplace and seeks a broad-based and diverse VCAT membership.

Kevin Kimball,
NIST Chief of Staff.
[FR Doc. 2021-07504 Filed 4-12-21; 8:45 am]
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