2014-03812. Independent Review Panel on Military Medical Construction Standards; Notice of Federal Advisory Committee Meeting

AGENCY:

Department of Defense (DoD).

ACTION:

Notice of meeting.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Defense is publishing this notice to announce the following Federal Advisory Committee meeting of the Independent Review Panel on Military Medical Construction Standards (“the Panel”).

DATES:

Monday, March 3, 2014

8:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. (Administrative Working Meeting)

10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. (Open Session)

12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m. (Administrative Working Meeting)

1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. (Open Session)

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (Administrative Working Meeting)

ADDRESSES:

Defense Health Headquarters (DHHQ), Salon A, 7700 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church, Virginia 22042 (escort required; see guidance in SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION, “Public's Accessibility to the Meeting.”)

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

The Director is Ms. Christine Bader, 7700 Arlington Boulevard, Suite 5101, Falls Church, Virginia 22042, [phone], Fax: [phone], [e-mail]. For meeting information, please contact Ms. Kendal Brown, 7700 Arlington Boulevard, Suite 5101, Falls Church, Virginia 22042, [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

This meeting is being held under the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (5 U.S.C., Appendix, as amended), the Government in the Sunshine Act of 1976 (5 U.S.C. 552b, as amended), and 41 CFR 102-3.150.

Purpose of the Meeting

At this meeting, the Panel will address the Ike Skelton National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2011 (Pub. L. 111-383), Section 2852(b) requirement to provide the Secretary of Defense independent advice and recommendations regarding a construction standard for military medical centers to provide a single standard of care, as set forth below:

a. Reviewing the unified military medical construction standards to determine the standards consistency with industry practices and benchmarks for world class medical construction;

b. Reviewing ongoing construction programs within the DoD to ensure medical construction standards are uniformly applied across applicable military centers;

c. Assessing the DoD approach to planning and programming facility improvements with specific emphasis on facility selection criteria and proportional assessment system; and facility programming responsibilities between the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs and the Secretaries of the Military Departments;

d. Assessing whether the Comprehensive Master Plan for the National Capital Region Medical (“the Master Plan”), dated April 2010, is adequate to fulfill statutory requirements, as required by section 2714 of the Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 (division B of Pub. L. 111-84; 123 Stat. 2656), to ensure that the facilities and organizational structure described in the Master Plan result in world class military medical centers in the National Capital Region; and

e. Making recommendations regarding any adjustments of the Master Plan that are needed to ensure the provision of world class military medical centers and delivery system in the National Capital Region.

Agenda

Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552b, as amended, and 41 CFR 102-3.140 through 102-3.165 and subject to availability of space, the DHB meeting is open to the public from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on March 3, 2014. On March 3, 2014, the Panel will meet with senior Military Health System leaders and receive briefings from the Department to include the various tools the Defense Health Agency utilizes that support military construction standardization.

Availability of Materials for the Meeting

A copy of the agenda or any updates to the agenda for the March 3, 2014 meeting, as well as any other materials presented in the meeting, may be obtained at the meeting.

Public's Accessibility to the Meeting

Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552b, as amended, and 41 CFR 102-3.140 through 102-3.165 and subject to availability of space, this meeting is open to the public. Seating is limited and is on a first-come basis. All members of the public who wish to attend the public meeting must contact Ms. Kendal Brown at the number listed in the section FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT no later than 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 26, 2014 to register and make arrangements for a DHHQ escort, if necessary. Public attendees requiring escort should arrive at the DHHQ Visitor's Entrance with sufficient time to complete security screening no later than 9:30 a.m. on March 3. To complete security screening, please come prepared to present two forms of identification and one must be a picture identification card.

Special Accommodations

Individuals requiring special accommodations to access the public meeting should contact Ms. Kendal Brown at least five (5) business days prior to the meeting so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

Written Statements

Any member of the public wishing to provide comments to the Panel may do so in accordance with 41 CFR 102-3.105(j) and 102-3.140 and section 10(a)(3) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, and the procedures described in this notice.

Individuals desiring to provide comments to the Panel may do so by submitting a written statement to the Director (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). Written statements should address the following details: the issue, discussion, and a recommended course of action. Supporting documentation may also be included, as needed, to establish the appropriate historical context and to provide any necessary background information.

If the written statement is not received at least five (5) business days prior to the meeting, the Director may choose to postpone consideration of the statement until the next open meeting.

The Director will review all timely submissions with the Panel Chairperson and ensure they are provided to members of the Panel before the meeting that is subject to this notice. After reviewing the written comments, the President and the Director may choose to invite the submitter to orally present their issue during an open portion of this meeting or at a future meeting. The Director, in consultation with the Panel Chairperson, may allot time for members of the public to present their issues for review and discussion by the Panel.

Due to difficulties beyond the control of the Designated Federal Officer (DFO), the DFO was unable to approve the Independent Review Panel on Military Medical Construction Standards' meeting agenda for the scheduled meeting of March 3-4, 2014, to ensure compliance with the requirements of 41 CFR 102-3.150(a). Accordingly, the Advisory Committee Management Officer for the Department of Defense, pursuant to 41 CFR 102-3.150(b), waives the 15-calendar day notification requirement.

Dated: February 19, 2014.

Aaron Siegel,

Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.