2013-26834. Request for Nominations of Members To Serve on the Census Scientific Advisory Committee

AGENCY:

Bureau of the Census, Commerce.

ACTION:

Notice of request for nominations.

SUMMARY:

The Bureau of the Census (Census Bureau) is requesting nominations of individuals and organizations to the Census Scientific Advisory Committee. The Census Bureau will consider nominations received in response to this notice, as well as from other sources. The SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice provides committee and membership criteria.

DATES:

Please submit nominations by December 9, 2013.

ADDRESSES:

Please submit nominations to Jeri Green, Chief, Office of External Engagement, U.S. Census Bureau, Room 8H182, 4600 Silver Hill Road, Washington, DC 20233. Nominations also may be submitted via fax at 301-763-8609 or by email to [e-mail].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Jeri Green, Chief, Office of External Engagement, U.S. Census Bureau, Room 8H182, 4600 Silver Hill Road, Washington, DC 20233, telephone [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Census Scientific Advisory Committee was established in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Title 5, United States Code (U.S.C.), Appendix 2). The following provides information about the committee, membership, and the nomination process.

Objectives and Duties

1. The Census Scientific Advisory Committee advises the Director of the Census Bureau on the uses of scientific developments in statistical data collection, statistical analysis, survey methodology, geospatial analysis, econometrics, cognitive psychology, and computer science as they pertain to the full range of Census Bureau programs and activities (including: communications, decennial, demographic, economic, field operations, geographic, information technology, and statistics).

2. The Census Scientific Advisory Committee provides scientific and technical expertise from the following disciplines: demography, economics, geography, psychology, statistics, survey methodology, social and behavioral sciences, Information Technology and computing, marketing, communications, and other fields of expertise, as appropriate, to address Census Bureau program needs and objectives. This expertise is necessary to ensure that the Census Bureau continues to provide relevant and timely statistics used by federal, state, and local governments as well as business and industry in an increasingly technologically-oriented society.

3. The Census Scientific Advisory Committee functions solely as an advisory body under the Federal Advisory Committee Act.

4. The Census Scientific Advisory Committee reports to the Director of the Census Bureau.

Membership

1. The Census Scientific Advisory Committee consists of up to 20 members and one Chair appointed by the Director of the Census Bureau.

2. Members are appointed for a two or three-year term with staggered term-end dates.

3. Members shall serve as either Special Government Employees (SGEs) or Representatives. SGEs will be subject to the ethical standards applicable to SGEs. Members will be individually advised of the capacity in which they serve through appointment letters. Committee membership will be reevaluated at the conclusion of the two or three-year term with the prospect of member renewal, active attendance and participation in meetings, administrative compliance, Census Bureau needs, and the Director's concurrence will also be factors in renewals.

4. Committee members are selected in accordance with applicable Department of Commerce guidelines. The Census Scientific Advisory Committee aims to have balanced representation, considering such factors as geography, technical, and scientific expertise. The Advisory Committee will include members from diverse backgrounds, including academia and private enterprise, which are further diversified by business type or industry, geography, and other factors.

5. No employee of the federal government can serve as a member of the Census Scientific Advisory Committee.

Miscellaneous

1. Members of the Census Scientific Advisory Committee serve without compensation, but receive reimbursement for committee-related travel and lodging expenses.

2. The Census Scientific Advisory Committee meets at least once a year, budget permitting, but additional meetings may be held as deemed necessary by the Census Director or Designated Federal Official. All Advisory Committee meetings are open to the public in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act.

Nomination Information

1. Nominations are requested as described above.

2. Nominees must have scientific and technical expertise in such areas as demography, economics, geography, psychology, statistics, survey methodology, social and behavioral sciences, Information Technology, computing, or marketing. Such knowledge and expertise are needed to provide advice and recommendations to the Director of the Census Bureau on the trends, uses, and application of scientific innovations and developments in relation to the full range of Census Bureau programs and activities.

3. Individuals, groups, and/or organizations may submit nominations on behalf of individual candidates. A summary of the candidate's qualifications (resumé or curriculum vitae) must be included along with the nomination letter. Nominees must be able to actively participate in the tasks of the Census Scientific Advisory Committee, including, but not limited to, regular meeting attendance, committee meeting discussant responsibilities, review of materials, as well as participation in conference calls, webinars, working groups, and/or special committee activities.

4. Nominations of organizations may come from individuals or organizations. Organizations also may self-nominate. A summary of the organization's qualifications and the experience that qualifies it for membership should be included in the nomination letter. Nominated organizations must be able to participate actively in the tasks of the Census Scientific Advisory Committee, including, but not limited to, regular meeting attendance, review of materials, and participation in conference calls, webinars, working groups, and special committee activities.

5. The Department of Commerce is committed to equal opportunity in the workplace and seeks diverse Advisory Committee membership.

Dated: November 1, 2013.

John H. Thompson,

Director, Bureau of the Census.