[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 167 (Wednesday, August 28, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68934-68942]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-19375]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Request for Information (RFI) on Science Research Goals/
Objectives Affecting Proposed U.S. Antarctic Science Monitoring and 
Reliable Telecommunications (SMART) Cable and Route Design

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Request for information.

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SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) requests input from the 
full range of institutions and organizations across all relevant 
sectors--industry, academia, non-profits, government, venture capital, 
and others--to inform the development of a proposed subsea 
telecommunications cable capable of being equipped with sensors to 
support science research that would connect the largest U.S. research 
facility in Antarctica, McMurdo Station, with either the South Island 
of New Zealand or Southeast Australia. The proposed cable is expected 
to host the point science sensor concept promoted by the UN IOC/UNESCO 
Joint Task Force on Science Monitoring And Reliable Telecommunications 
(https://www.smartcables.org/) (``SMART'') Cables. NSF requests 
information regarding the proposed McMurdo SMART Cable project 
including the cable route that maximizes science output and science 
sensor and technologies to be considered in designing the project. NSF 
will provide project information and updates at https://www.nsf.gov/geo/opp/ail/subsea_cable.

DATES: Interested persons or organizations are invited to submit 
responses to this notice on or before 11:59 p.m. (EDT) on November 5, 
2024.

ADDRESSES: Options for Responses to this notice are as follows:

     Electronic On-line Submission: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/subseacable.
     Email: [email protected]. Email submissions 
should be machine-readable and not be copy-protected. Submissions 
should include ``RFI Response: Antarctic SMART Cable'' in the subject 
line of the message.
     Letter Mail: U.S. National Science Foundation, Geosciences 
Directorate, Office of Polar Programs, 2415 Eisenhower Ave., Suite 
W7251, Alexandria, VA 22314.
    Attn: Patrick D. Smith, Antarctic SMART Cable RFI Response.
     Telephone: Antarctic Infrastructure and Logistics Section, 
(703) 292-8032.
    The preferred method of response is the Electronic On-line 
Submission.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patrick D. Smith, Technology 
Development Manager for Polar Research Support, National Science 
Foundation, Geosciences Directorate, Office of Polar Programs, 2415 
Eisenhower Ave., Suite W7251, Alexandria, VA 22314; telephone (703) 
292-7455.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Introduction

    Over 500 subsea fiber optic telecommunications cables, including 
both installed and planned cables, cover nearly all ocean regions 
including multiple high Arctic cables. NSF is investigating the 
implementation of a modern subsea fiber optic telecommunications cable 
connecting the largest U.S. Antarctic Program (https://www.usap.gov/) 
research facility, McMurdo Station (77[deg]50'47'' S, 166[deg]40'06'' 
E) (https://www.usap.gov/videoclipsandmaps/mcmwebcam.cfm?t=1), with 
either New Zealand or Australia. Although the main scope of the 
installation is to provide advanced high-speed, low delay 
telecommunications, this cable will contain additional point sensors 
(e.g., SMART--Science Monitoring And Reliable Telecommunications) and/
or distributed sensing infrastructure, enabling for the first time 
myriad investigations across a broad range of scientific disciplines.
    The NSF Directorates for Geosciences (GEO), Computer and 
Information Science and Engineering (CISE), and Technology, Innovation, 
and Partnerships (TIP) have identified the potential subsea cable as an 
opportunity for transformational changes in the conduct of science, 
vast improvements in telecommunications capability supporting 
Antarctica, and innovative public-private partnerships linking science 
and technology.
    Additionally, the cable would have the ability to accommodate 
additional, multiple forms of distributed fiber optic sensing that are 
advancing rapidly in technology maturity (e.g., Distributed Acoustic 
Sensing, Distributed Temperature Sensing, State of Polarization, etc.). 
Preliminary cable routes have been established using standard subsea 
cable industry best practices that avoid areas posing high geophysical 
risk, as well as initial feedback from the scientific community via a 
virtual workshop in 2021, producing a broad corridor where 
opportunities exist to adjust the final route to best align with Earth 
science areas of high science research interest.
    Further, science research supported by the cable sensors is of 
societal relevance on a global scale for a number of reasons, such as 
(1) filling significant knowledge gaps of key global ocean processes 
and trends for improved understanding and monitoring climate change, 
including ocean heat transport, CO2 sequestration, and sea 
level rise; (2) regional seismic monitoring and early warning of 
potential tsunami seismic events; (3) global measurements of 
geophysical Earth structure; and (4) developing the technological 
capabilities to enhance other global telecommunications infrastructure 
for scientific research and human benefit.

Science Workshop

    In late June 2021, the NSF Directorate for Geosciences, Office of 
Polar Programs (GEO/OPP) (https://www.nsf.gov/div/index.jsp?div=OPP) 
and Directorate for Computer Information Science and Engineering, 
Office of Advanced Cyberinfrastructure (CISE/OAC) (https://new.nsf.gov/
cise/

[[Page 68935]]

oac), jointly funded a research community-led science workshop (https://www.pgc.umn.edu/workshops/antarctic-cable/) to review the scientific 
benefits of a sensor-enabled subsea fiber cable. The Workshop endorsed 
the cable concept and noted that existing technology and cable systems 
make it feasible. The Workshop concluded that the proposed activity 
would benefit Antarctic science research by both increasing 
telecommunications capacity and including new science sensors in the 
cable design.
    The Workshop's Executive Summary captured four primary findings:
    Finding 1: Existing and future Antarctic research would be 
significantly enhanced if bandwidth limitations were eliminated through 
the availability of a modern submarine cable system.
    Finding 2: A new submarine cable could be constructed with embedded 
instrumentation (a Scientific Monitoring And Reliable 
Telecommunications, or SMART, cable) that would itself enable 
meaningful new research and understanding of the region.
    Finding 3: Robust bandwidth for interpersonal connectivity for 
scientists and staff, if thoughtfully approached, could be 
transformative for research and work functions, participation in 
Antarctic science, education, engagement, and community wellbeing.
    Finding 4: Construction of a new SMART cable that provides 
essentially unlimited bandwidth to McMurdo is feasible and could also 
serve as the platform to extend connectivity to deep-field research 
sites as well as critical research programs at Amundsen-Scott South 
Pole Station. This level of connectivity can transform the science and 
research platforms for future generations.

Feasibility Study

    In response to the 2021 Science Workshop, NSF contracted a 
comprehensive preliminary concept/feasibility study (known as a Desktop 
Study, or DTS https://gbs1.com/desktop-studies/), incorporating the 
unique attributes of implementing a sensor-enabled cable to Antarctica. 
The public version of the McMurdo Cable DTS (https://www.nsf.gov/geo/opp/documents/NSF_PublicReleaseDTS_Final.pdf) was released in October 
2023. NSF also provided a summary and news release (https://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=308774&org=OPP).
    The DTS addresses two proposed routes for comparison: (1) McMurdo 
Station to Sydney, Australia and (2) McMurdo Station to Invercargill, 
New Zealand. It includes brief assessments of optional extensions from 
the main cable routes to Macquarie Island for potential interconnection 
to the Australian research station located there and to nearby 
international research stations located in the Western Ross Sea/Terra 
Nova Bay area. More details on the proposed routes including landing 
sites and relevant diagrams can be found in section 2 of the DTS.
    The study Executive Summary summarizes the key study results in a 
comparison of the two routes considered.
    Both routes were considered technically feasible with the following 
observations:
    (1) The NZ route is 1,500 km shorter and thus considerably more 
economical.
    (2) The Australian route has additional geophysical risk to the 
cable arising from a crossing of the seismically active Macquarie Ridge 
Complex to the north of Macquarie Island.
    (3) The New Zealand route covers more regions of science interest 
as indicated by science researcher input to the study. Seismologist 
interests obtained during the study proposed cable branching units 
located at 60[deg] S and 50[deg] S for future sea bottom seismometer 
instruments tapping the cable's power and communications.
    (4) The risk from ice scour appears reasonable based upon detailed 
near-shore bathymetry--the Antarctic SMART Cable landing risk 
mitigation uses standard subsea cable landing techniques called 
Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD). Bathymetry and iceberg keel 
depth studies pertaining to the cable route transit across the Ross Sea 
continental shelf yield a similar low risk assessment.
    (5) Environmental assessments and permitting will be a significant 
component of future work, as is the case with all subsea cable 
projects, and will include the Antarctic Treaty Committee on 
Environmental Protection protocols. Coordination with the Committee for 
the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) will be 
needed as the proposed cable route transits the CCAMLR governed Marine 
Protected Areas in the Ross Sea region.

Subsea Cable Industry Considerations

    A subsea cable installation represents a substantial economic 
investment. As such, modern subsea telecommunications cables are 
designed with a 25-year or greater lifetime and thus are designed for 
high reliability and low maintenance. The introduction of SMART sensors 
into commercial subsea telecommunications cables is a new phenomenon, 
with the Government of Portugal-sponsored Atlantic CAM cable (https://www.infraestruturasdeportugal.pt/pt-pt/ip-e-asn-assinam-contrato-para-construcao-de-novo-anel-cam) and the TAMTAM cable connecting New 
Caledonia and Vanuatu (https://www.soest.hawaii.edu/soestwp/announce/news/contract-signed-vanuatu-new-caledonia/) being the first examples. 
The introduction of sensors into a standard telecommunications cable 
meeting scientific requirements and inherent cable design life/
reliability requirements represents both a new market opportunity and a 
new technical frontier for industry that will influence the design and 
adoption of SMART sensors. Point sensors also complement and enhance 
commercially available cable sensing technologies such as distributed 
fiber sensing.

Resources

NSF, United States Antarctic Program Portal; https://www.usap.gov/
NSF, Office of Polar Programs; https://www.nsf.gov/div/index.jsp?div=OPP
NSF, Office of Advanced Cyberinfrastructure; https://new.nsf.gov/cise/oac
NSF, McMurdo Station Webcams; https://www.usap.gov/
videoclipsandmaps/mcmwebcam.cfm
Joint Task Force on Science Monitoring And Reliable 
Telecommunications, SMART Cables; https://www.smartcables.org/
Neff, P.D., Andreasen, J.R., Roop, H.A., Pundsack, J., Howe, B., 
Jacobs, G., Lassner, D., Yoshimi, G., and Timm, K. (2021). 2021 
Antarctic Subsea Cable Workshop Report: High-Speed Connectivity 
Needs to Advance US Antarctic Science. October 1, 2021. University 
of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, USA; https://www.pgc.umn.edu/workshops/antarctic-cable/
ICPC, Minimum Technical Requirements for a Desktop Study (6 March 
2012), Recommendation No. 9, at pp. 4-8; www.iscpc.org/publications/recommendations
NSF, Connecting the Last Continent: New desktop study on 
Antarctica's potential subsea telecommunications cable, with link to 
study, 27 December 2023; https://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=308774&org=OPP
Infraestruturas de Portugal, IP and ASN sign contract for the 
construction of a New CAM Ring, 13 March 2024; https://www.infraestruturasdeportugal.pt/pt-pt/ip-e-asn-assinam-contrato-para-construcao-de-novo-anel-cam
University of Hawai'i, Contract signed for world's first SMART 
subsea cable, connecting Vanuatu, New Caledonia, School of Ocean and 
Earth Science and Technology, 29 February 2024; https://www.soest.hawaii.edu/soestwp/announce/news/contract-signed-vanuatu-new-caledonia/

Definition of Terms/References

[[Page 68936]]

2021 Antarctic Subsea Cable Workshop: https://www.pgc.umn.edu/workshops/antarctic-cable/
Branching Unit (BU): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Submarine_branching_unit
Ocean Bottom Pressure A-0-A Technology: https://
oceanobservatories.org/pi-instrument/a-0-a-calibrated-pressure-
instrument/
#:~:text=TheAD0DAmethod,pressureinsidetheinstrumenthousing.
Repeater: S. Lentz and B. Howe, ``Scientific Monitoring And Reliable 
Telecommunications (SMART) Cable Systems: Integration of Sensors 
into Telecommunications Repeaters,'' 2018 OCEANS--MTS/IEEE Kobe 
Techno-Oceans (OTO), Kobe, Japan, 2018, pp. 1-7, doi: 10.1109/
OCEANSKOBE.2018.8558862. (pg. 2) https://www.researchgate.net/publication/329618575_Scientific_Monitoring_And_Reliable_Telecommunications_SMART_Cable_Systems_Integration_of_Sensors_into_Telecommunications_Repeaters
SMART Cables: https://www.smartcables.org/smart
Technology Readiness Level (TRL): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technology_readiness_level

Information Requested

    Through this notice, NSF seeks information from the public to 
evolve the development of the Antarctic SMART Cable. NSF requests 
information regarding the subsea cable route that both minimizes the 
risk to the cable and maximizes science research potential, the range 
of potential science sensors to include, as well as their geographic 
distribution, the locations of powered cable branching units for future 
sensor cable build-out or undersea observatory-style point sensor 
arrays, concepts for the incorporation of existing or promising 
distributed fiber sensing techniques, and suggested paths to catalyze 
the necessary technology to develop such a cable system. Additionally, 
NSF seeks information relevant to partnership opportunities with the 
public (U.S., international) and private (academia, for-profit and non-
profit) sectors that will facilitate the conceptualization, 
development, deployment and sustainment of the cable system and related 
scientific infrastructure.
    The information requested here will be used to inform the proposed 
Antarctic SMART Cable project via the NSF Major Research Equipment 
Facilities and Construction (MREFC) program that funds the development 
of facility infrastructure. MREFC projects are funded via a separate 
appropriation intended for large capital-intensive investments, 
distinct from the NSF appropriations funding research and related 
activities.
    Responses submitted via Email and Letter Mail are requested to 
follow the Electronic On-line Submission data capture questions and 
format for ease in analyzing responses. These responses may address one 
or as many topics as desired from the enumerated list provided in this 
RFI, noting the corresponding number of the topic(s) to which the 
response pertains. Written submissions must be type-written and not 
exceed 3 pages (exclusive of cover page and accompanying graphics) in 
11-point or larger font, single spacing and with a page number provided 
on each page.
    Comments containing references, studies, research, and other 
empirical data that are not widely published or widely available should 
include copies or electronic links of the referenced materials; these 
materials, as well as a list of references, do not count toward the 3-
page limit. No business proprietary information, copyrighted 
information, or personally identifiable information (aside from 
optional information requested below) should be submitted in response 
to this RFI. Comments submitted in response to this RFI will be used 
internally at NSF and may be shared with other Federal agencies and NSF 
contractors assigned to process the responses.
    Responders are asked to answer one or more of the following 
questions in responses to the RFI. There are no known risks to 
participating, and participation is voluntary. Unless provided by you, 
no identifying information will be collected; therefore, all responses 
will remain confidential, anonymous, and reported in the aggregate. 
While there is no sensitive content, you may skip a question at any 
time.

Demographic Questions

    1. In which sector do you currently work?

(a) Academia
(b) Private or publicly traded company
(c) Government agency/public sector
(d) Non-governmental organization/non-profit
(e) Venture capital/private equity
(f) Other (Please specify)

    2. Please select up to three (3) areas of expertise/interest:

(a) Physical Oceanography
(b) Cryosphere
(c) Biochemistry
(d) Science Education
(e) Geodesy
(f) Hydrology
(g) Climate Change Research
(h) Marine Geology/Geophysics
(i) Natural Hazards
(j) Solid Earth Geophysics
(k) Subsea Fiber Optic Cable Systems
(l) Sensor/Instrumentation Development
(m) Data Management
(n) Distributed Fiber Sensing
(o) Other (Please specify)

    3. For how long have you been working in your current field(s)?

(a) Less than five years
(b) Five to less than ten years
(c) Ten to less than twenty years
(d) Twenty years or more
(e) Prefer not to answer

SMART Cables and Antarctic SMART Cable Science Objectives

    4. How familiar are you with the overall SMART Cable concept?

Very familiar
Familiar
Somewhat familiar
Not very familiar
Not at all familiar

    5. Prior to the NSF Federal Register Notice and this Electronic On-
Line Submission, how familiar were you with the nascent Antarctic SMART 
Cable project?
Very familiar
Familiar
Somewhat familiar
Not very familiar
Not at all familiar

    6. Which of the following major research areas do you see the 
observational capability of the cable supporting? Select all that 
apply.

Climate Change Research
Acoustic Monitoring
Long-Term Global Ocean Observations (general)
Seismology Research
Earthquake/Tsunami Monitoring
Sea Level Research
Deep Ocean Circulation Research
Southern Ocean Research
Other (Please specify)
None of the above

    7. If you selected ``NONE OF THE ABOVE'' in the previous question, 
please elaborate here:

[[Page 68937]]

Current and Future Sensors

    The initial SMART Cable sensor concept incorporates three basic 
measurements: Ocean Bottom Pressure, Ocean Bottom Temperature, and 
Seismic Ground Motion (seismic acceleration and/or velocity). At the 
time of the release of this survey, the supplier for the two commercial 
SMART Cable systems under development is finalizing their sensor and 
vendor selection process, but future systems--like the Antarctic SMART 
Cable--may have some limited flexibility in the types of sensors which 
can be incorporated. The following questions explore the range of 
potential sensor capabilities under consideration for inclusion in the 
Antarctic SMART Cable.
    8. How important is it for the sensor to measure each of the 
following?
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[[Page 68938]]

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    9. If you'd like, please use this space to elaborate on your 
answers to Question 8.
    10. How important is it for the sensor to measure each of the 
following?
    11. If you'd like, please use this space to elaborate on your 
answers to Question 10.

[[Page 68939]]

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    12. How important is it for the sensor to measure each of the 
following?
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    13. If you'd like, please use this space to elaborate on your 
answers to Question 12.
    14. How important is it to include the following additional sensors 
in the cable?

[[Page 68940]]

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    15. In the previous question, for any selections you indicated were 
``important'' or ``very important,'' please explain why you feel these 
sensor types should be included on the cable:
    16. In question #14, for any selections you indicated were ``not 
very important'' or ``not important at all,'' please explain why you 
feel these sensor types are not needed:
    17. In your view, how do SMART and distributed fiber sensing (i.e., 
DAS and DTS) complement one another?
    18. What new scientific discoveries or breakthroughs do you 
anticipate as a direct result of having access to the long-term 
measurement data collected by the cable's sensors?

New Sensor Technologies

    To catalyze rapid sensor development and increase their Technology 
Readiness Levels (TRLs) for inclusion in the Antarctic SMART Cable, a 
range of organizational approaches may be necessary.
    19. Should NSF facilitate further development for SMART Cable 
sensors? If so, how (i.e., research labs/institutions/industry/
partnerships, etc.)?

Yes
No
Don't know

    20. If you'd like, please use this space to elaborate on your 
answer to question 19.

Location of the SMART Cable, Sensors, and Future Cable Expansion

    For some segments of the cable, it may be possible to shift the 
cable's path slightly in some locations to accommodate additional 
science or enable long-term monitoring of specific scientific targets. 
Further, depending upon the final technological solution(s) for how 
sensor units will be incorporated into the cable, there may be 
opportunities to select the locations of some of the sensor modules. 
Finally, the cable may be able to include one or more Branching Units 
(BUs). A BU can be used for multiple purposes, such as adding another 
cable branch, attaching a localized device, or providing an entry point 
for including a localized network of sensors focused on a specific area 
or areas.
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[[Page 68941]]

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Figure Caption: Potential routes for the Antarctica SMART Cable system 
based on the 2023 Desktop Study (https://www.nsf.gov/geo/opp/documents/NSF_Public%20Release%20DTS_Final.pdf). Thick white dashed lines 
represent primary McMurdo Trunk and three proposed cable segments with 
optional landings at (a) Macquarie Island, (b) Invercargill, New 
Zealand, and (c) Sydney, Australia. Proposed Cable Landing Stations are 
marked by white circles. Vulnerable Marine Ecosystem (VME) areas near 
McMurdo Station are shaded dark gray. The dark gray zone around trunk 
and cable options shows buffer zones where Branching Unit (BU) stubs 
could extend. Tectonic plate boundaries (AU: Indo-Australian Plate; AN: 
Antarctic Plate; PA: Pacific Plate) are denoted by thin black lines.

    21. Referring to the above Figure and noting the region of 
potential cable locations, would you shift the position of the proposed 
cable route within the buffer zone (dark gray area in the figure)? If 
so, where? Note that cable path shifts will be minimal without 
additional engineering evaluations for deployment feasibility and cable 
safety.


[[Page 68942]]


Yes
No
Don't know

    22. If you'd like, please use this space to elaborate on your 
answer to question 21.
    23. How valuable would it be to your research to be able to select 
the specific locations of the SMART sensor modules along the cable?

Very valuable
Valuable
Somewhat valuable
Not very valuable
Not valuable at all

    24. How important is it to include one or more Branching Units?

Very important
Important
Somewhat important
Not very important
Not important at all

    25. In terms of current and future research, in your view what are 
potential uses for Branching Units?
    26. Referring again to the above Figure and noting the corridor 
available around the trunk lines to deploy stubs from Branching Units 
(dark gray shaded areas surrounding the white dotted lines), would you 
place additional BUs?
Yes
No
Don't Know

    27. If you'd like, please use this space to elaborate on your 
answers to question 26. If you answered yes, please indicate where and 
why.
    28. What potential do you see for the cable to enable the vision of 
the networked ocean as a relay platform for an ``internet of Underwater 
Things'', such as subsea gliders, submersible float sensors, ROVs and 
similar submersible autonomous instrumentation systems?

Partnerships and the Project

    The Whitepaper (https://goosocean.org/news/un-ocean-decade-challenge-7-white-paper-a-roadmap-for-the-observing-system-we-need/) 
addressing Challenge 7 (``Expand the Global Ocean Observing System'') 
from the UN IOC/UNESCO Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable 
Development (2021-2030) (``Ocean Decade 2030'') program indicates that 
significant investments will be needed to meet the challenges for 
global ocean observation goals while current investments and mechanisms 
are inadequate. There is a clear call for multi-sector engagements such 
as public-private partnerships and international collaborations for a 
``new economic thinking'' to provide the resources needed.
    29. What private and/or public sector groups (e.g., academic, non-
profit, industry, etc.) do you think may have an active interest in 
partnership activities with NSF for aspects of the cable system 
development?

Contribution of the Antarctic SMART Cable To Resolve Global Challenges

    30. Beyond the potential direct benefits to support science in the 
Antarctic and the region covered directly by the Antarctic SMART Cable, 
there may be broader benefits to developing the Antarctic SMART Cable. 
In your view, what are the global, national, and societal benefits of 
this cable?

Future Science Workshop

    31. A successor science workshop is being considered for 2025 to 
build upon and extend the work of the June 2021 workshop and this 
Electronic On-Line Submission. How interested would you be in attending 
virtually or in-person, provided full or partial travel expenses could 
be provided?
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Final Thoughts

    32. If there is anything else you'd like to share or elaborate upon 
regarding the topics mentioned here, please provide them here.
    33. Please complete the form below to indicate your interest in 
future participation in this project. This is completely voluntary, and 
your responses collected will be included in the analysis regardless of 
your response below.

Name-------------------------------------------------------------------
Affiliation------------------------------------------------------------
Title/Position---------------------------------------------------------
Email address----------------------------------------------------------

(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 1861, et al.)

    Dated: August 23, 2024.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2024-19375 Filed 8-27-24; 8:45 am]
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