[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 199 (Tuesday, October 19, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57849-57850]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-22767]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Office of the Secretary

[DOI-2021-0009]


Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities 
Through Procurement and Contracting Opportunities

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of listening session and request for public comments.

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SUMMARY: As part of its implementation of an Executive order, Advancing 
Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the 
Federal Government, the Department of the Interior (DOI) is conducting 
five virtual listening sessions and inviting public comments to obtain 
stakeholder input on barriers that underserved communities and 
individuals may face in taking advantage of DOI procurement and 
contracting opportunities.

DATES: DOI will hold five virtual listening sessions on the following 
dates:

--October 19, 2021 from 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. ET
--October 20, 2021 from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. ET
--October 21, 2021 from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. ET
--October 25, 2021 from 8:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. ET
--October 26, 2021 from 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. ET

    Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before 
November 18, 2021.

ADDRESSES: We invite you to submit comments on this notice. You may 
submit comments online at https://www.regulations.gov by entering 
``DOI-2021-0009'' in the Search bar and clicking ``Search'' or by mail 
to U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of Policy Analysis--Mailstop 
3530, ATTN: E.O. 13985 Contracting Comments, 1849 C Street NW, 
Washington, DC 20240. You may respond to some or all of the questions 
listed in the ``Supplementary Information--Questions'' section of this 
document. All public comments received are subject to the Freedom of 
Information Act and will be posted in their entirety at https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal or business confidential 
information provided. Do not include any information you would not like 
to be made publicly available.
    If you plan to attend one of the virtual listening sessions and 
need assistance in a language other than English or if you are a person 
with disabilities who needs a reasonable accommodation, please contact 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kim Oliver, D&I Strategist, Office of 
Diversity, Inclusion, and Civil Rights, [email protected]. 202-208-7301.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On January 20, 2021, President Joseph R. Biden issued Executive 
Order 13985 on Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved 
Communities through the Federal Government. In response to Executive 
Order 13985, DOI is consulting with members of communities who have 
been historically underrepresented in the Federal Government and 
underserved by, or subject to discrimination, in Federal policies and 
programs. The term ``underserved communities'' refers to populations 
sharing a particular characteristic, as well as geographic communities, 
that have been systematically denied a full opportunity to participate 
in aspects of economic, social, and civic life, such as Black, Latino, 
and Indigenous and Native American persons, Asian Americans and Pacific 
Islanders and other persons of color; members of religious minorities; 
lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning/queer and related 
identities (LGBTQ+) persons; persons with disabilities; persons who 
live in rural areas; and persons otherwise adversely affected by 
persistent poverty or inequality. In addition to identifying barriers, 
DOI seeks recommendations on how to update processes, policies, 
regulations, and guidance to address inequities in DOI procurement and 
contracting opportunities. While all members of the public are invited 
to submit comments, the target audience for listening sessions is 
members of the underserved communities identified in Executive Order 
13985, which includes:
     Black, Latino, and Indigenous and Native American persons, 
Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and other persons of color;
     LGBTQ+ persons;
     Persons with disabilities;
     Persons who live in rural areas; and

[[Page 57850]]

     Persons otherwise adversely affected by persistent poverty 
or inequality.

Questions

    The Department of the Interior is generally interested in input on 
the following questions, where applicable:
    1. Have you applied for or accessed procurement and contracting 
opportunities with DOI in the past? If so, please describe what you 
liked and did not like about the process. If not, why not? What would 
have made it easier for you to apply or access procurement and 
contracting opportunities with DOI?
    2. What are the barriers to applying for procurement and 
contracting opportunities with DOI? How can DOI remove or reduce 
barriers (e.g., update policies, practices, or programs) that 
underserved communities and individuals face when they participate or 
attempt to participate in agency procurement and contracting 
opportunities?
    3. How can DOI establish and maintain connections to a wider and 
more diverse set of stakeholders representing underserved communities? 
How can DOI better share information with underserved stakeholders 
about procurement and contracting opportunities? What are the best ways 
to notify and engage underserved stakeholders about new opportunities?
    4. What have been your experience(s) interacting with DOI when 
trying to access procurement and contracting opportunities using the 
following tools/mechanisms:

[cir] One-on-one interactions with DOI staff, offices, programs, and/or 
leadership in person, by email or phone
[cir] DOI websites, including Bureau web pages and the Office of Small 
and Disadvantaged Business Utilization's web page
[cir] DOI-hosted industry days and/or matching-making event(s)
[cir] DOI Forecast of Contracting Opportunities

    Consider how you became aware of the tool/mechanism, if the tool/
mechanism was helpful, if you were able to obtain useful and/or 
relevant information, what could be improved upon, if you would use or 
have used the tool/mechanism again, and other tools/mechanisms you have 
utilized or would like to have available to utilize to support your 
efforts.
    5. Are there sources of data and metrics that DOI should use to 
evaluate the effects of DOI procurement and contracting policies or 
regulations on underserved communities? If so, please identify or 
describe them.
    Comments received in response to this notice and from listening 
sessions will be evaluated and, as appropriate, incorporated into DOI's 
efforts to improve support to underserved communities through 
procurement and contracting opportunities.

Listening Session Registration Information

    Advanced registration for individuals and groups is strongly 
encouraged. For additional information about the listening sessions and 
to register for a listening session, please visit https://www.doi.gov/ppa/equity/13985. Details for the sessions will be posted to the 
website and additional information will be emailed to registered 
participants in advance of the sessions.

Eric Werwa,
Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary--Policy, Management and 
Budget.
[FR Doc. 2021-22767 Filed 10-15-21; 11:15 am]
BILLING CODE 4334-63-P