2023-28558. Commerce Spectrum Management Advisory Committee

AGENCY:

National Telecommunications and Information Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce.

ACTION:

Call for applications to serve on a Federal advisory committee.

SUMMARY:

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is seeking applications to serve on the Department of Commerce Spectrum Management Advisory Committee (“CSMAC” or “committee”) for a two-year term. The CSMAC provides advice to the Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator on spectrum policy matters.

DATES:

Applications must be postmarked or electronically transmitted on or before January 31, 2024.

ADDRESSES:

Persons may submit applications, with the information specified below, to Antonio Richardson, Designated Federal Officer, by email to [e-mail], or by U.S. mail or commercial delivery service to Office of Spectrum Management, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Room 4600, Washington, DC 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Antonio Richardson at (202) 482–4156 or [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Commerce Spectrum Management Advisory Committee is chartered by the Department of Commerce under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), 5 U.S.C. app. 2, and pursuant to section 105(b) of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 904(b). The committee will continue as provided in Executive Order 14109, effective September 29, 2023. The Department of Commerce re-chartered the CSMAC on November 21, 2023, for a two-year period. The CSMAC advises the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information on a broad range of issues regarding spectrum policy. In particular, the current charter calls for the committee to provide advice and recommendations on needed reforms to domestic spectrum policies and management to: (1) license radio frequencies in a way that maximizes their public benefit; (2) keep wireless networks as open to innovation as possible; and (3) make wireless services available to all Americans. The CSMAC functions solely as an advisory body in compliance with the FACA. Additional information about the CSMAC and its activities may be found at https://www.ntia.gov/​category/​csmac.

Under the terms of the committee's charter, it will have no fewer than five (5) members and no more than thirty (30) members, who serve in the capacity of Special Government Employee (SGE). As SGEs, members must comply with certain Federal conflict-of-interest statutes and ethics regulations, including some financial disclosure requirements. Members will not receive compensation or reimbursement for travel or for per diem expenses. No member may be a registered Federal lobbyist, pursuant to the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (codified at 2 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.). See Office of Management and Budget, “Revised Guidance on Appointment of Lobbyists to Federal Advisory Committees, Boards, and Commissions”, 79 FR 47482 (Aug. 13, 2014). No member may be an agent of a foreign principal required to register pursuant to the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended (codified at 22 U.S.C. 611 et seq.).

The Secretary of Commerce appoints members of the committee, who serve at the Secretary's pleasure and discretion for up to a two-year term and may be reappointed for additional terms. NTIA currently seeks applicants for a new two-year term that will commence approximately in June 2024 and continue for two years from that date, subject to the anticipated timely renewal of the committee's charter or its termination by proper authority.

The committee's membership will be fairly balanced in terms of the points of view represented by members and the functions to be performed. Accordingly, its membership will reflect a cross-section of interests in spectrum management and policy, including non-Federal spectrum users; State, regional, and local sectors; technology developers and manufacturers; academia; civil society; and service providers with customers in both domestic and international markets. A description of factors to be considered in determining each applicant's expertise is contained in the committee's Membership Balance Plan, available at https://www.ntia.gov/​sites/​default/​files/​2023-12/​csmac-membership_​balance_​plan.pdf.

NTIA seeks applicants with strong technical and engineering knowledge and experience, familiarity with commercial or private wireless technologies and associated businesses, or expertise with specific applications of wireless technologies. The Secretary may consider factors including, but not limited to, educational background, past work or academic accomplishments, and the industry sector in which a member is currently or previously employed. All appointments are made without discrimination on the basis of age, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, cultural, religious, or socioeconomic status. A diverse membership of the Committee assures expertise reflecting the breadth of the Committee's responsibilities and, where possible, the Secretary will also consider the ethnic, racial, and gender diversity and various abilities of the United States population.

Each application must include the applicant's full name, address, telephone number, and email address, along with a summary of the applicant's qualifications that identifies, with specificity, how his or her education, training, experience, expertise, or other factors would support the CSMAC's work and how his or her participation would help achieve the balance factors described above. Each application must also include a detailed resume or curriculum vitae.

Stephanie Weiner,

Chief Counsel, National Telecommunications and Information Administration.