2012-16722. Request for Nominations for Members To Serve on National Institute of Standards and Technology Federal Advisory Committees

AGENCY:

National Institute of Standards and Technology, Department of Commerce.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) invites and requests nomination of individuals for appointment to eight existing Federal Advisory Committees: Board of Overseers of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, Judges Panel of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, Information Security and Privacy Advisory Board, Manufacturing Extension Partnership Advisory Board, National Construction Safety Team Advisory Committee, Advisory Committee on Earthquake Hazards Reduction, NIST Smart Grid Advisory Committee, and Visiting Committee on Advanced Technology. NIST will consider nominations received in response to this notice for appointment to the Committees, in addition to nominations already received. Registered Federal lobbyists may not serve on NIST Federal Advisory Committees.

DATES:

Nominations for all committees will be accepted on an ongoing basis and will be considered as and when vacancies arise.

ADDRESSES:

See below.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Board of Overseers of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award

Addresses: Please submit nominations to Harry Hertz, Director, Baldrige Performance Excellence Program, NIST, 100 Bureau Drive, Mail Stop 1020, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-1020. Nominations may also be submitted via fax to 301-975-4967. Additional information regarding the Committee, including its charter, current membership list, and executive summary, may be found at: http://www.nist.gov/​baldrige/​community/​overseers.cfm.

For Further Information Contact: Harry Hertz, Director, Baldrige Performance Excellence Program and Designated Federal Officer, NIST, 100 Bureau Drive, Mail Stop 1020, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-1020; telephone [phone]; fax [phone]; or via email at [e-mail].

Committee Information

The Board of Overseers of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (Board) was established in accordance with 15 U.S.C. 3711a(d)(2)(B), pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, 5 U.S.C. App.

Objectives and Duties

1. The Board shall review the work of the private sector contractor(s), which assists the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in administering the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (Award). The Board will make such suggestions for the improvement of the Award process as it deems necessary.

2. The Board shall make an annual report on the results of Award activities to the Director of NIST, along with its recommendations for the improvement of the Award process.

3. The Board will function solely as an advisory committee under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, 5 U.S.C. App.

4. The Board will report to the Director of NIST.

Membership

1. The Board will consist of approximately eleven members selected on a clear, standardized basis, in accordance with applicable Department of Commerce guidance, and for their preeminence in the field of organizational performance excellence. There will be a balanced representation from U.S. service and manufacturing industries as well as from education, health care, and nonprofit. The Board will include members familiar with the quality improvement operations and competitiveness issues of manufacturing companies, service companies, small businesses, health care providers, and educational institutions. Members will also be chosen who have broad experience in for-profit and nonprofit areas.

2. Board members will be appointed by the Secretary of Commerce for three-year terms and will serve at the discretion of the Secretary. All terms will commence on March 1 and end on February 28 of the appropriate year.

Miscellaneous

1. Members of the Board shall serve without compensation, but may, upon request, be reimbursed travel expenses, including per diem, as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 5701 et seq.

2. The Board will meet annually, except that additional meetings may be called as deemed necessary by the NIST Director or by the Chairperson. Meetings are usually one day in duration. Historically, the Board has met twice per year.

3. Board meetings are open to the public. Board members do not have access to classified or proprietary information in connection with their Board duties.

Nomination Information

1. Nominations are sought from the private and public sector as described above.

2. Nominees should have established records of distinguished service and shall be familiar with the quality improvement operations of manufacturing companies, service companies, small businesses, educational institutions, health care providers, and nonprofits. The category (field of eminence) for which the candidate is qualified should be specified in the nomination letter. Nominations for a particular category should come from organizations or individuals within that category. A summary of the candidate's qualifications should be included with the nomination, including (where applicable) current or former service on Federal advisory boards and Federal employment. In addition, each nomination letter should state that the person agrees to the nomination, acknowledges the responsibilities of serving on the Board, and will actively participate in good faith in the tasks of the Board. Besides participation at meetings, it is desired that members be able to devote the equivalent of seven days between meetings to either developing or researching topics of potential interest, and so forth, in furtherance of their Board duties.

3. The Department of Commerce is committed to equal opportunity in the workplace and seeks a broad-based and diverse Board membership.

Judges Panel of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award

Addresses: Please submit nominations to Harry Hertz, Director, Baldrige Performance Excellence Program, NIST, 100 Bureau Drive, Mail Stop 1020, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-1020. Nominations may also be submitted via fax to 301-975-4967. Additional information regarding the Committee, including its charter, current membership list, and executive summary, may be found at: http://patapsco.nist.gov/​BoardofExam/​Examiners_​Judge2.cfm.

For Further Information Contact: Harry Hertz, Director, Baldrige Performance Excellence Program and Designated Federal Official, NIST, 100 Bureau Drive, Mail Stop 1020, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-1020; telephone [phone]; fax [phone]; or via email at [e-mail].

Committee Information

The Judges Panel of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (Panel) was established in accordance with 15 U.S.C. 3711a(d)(1) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, 5 U.S.C. App.

Objectives and Duties

1. The Panel will ensure the integrity of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (Award) selection process. Based on a review of results of examiners' scoring of written applications, Panel members will vote on which applicants merit site visits by examiners to verify the accuracy of quality improvements claimed by applicants.

2. The Panel will ensure that individual judges will not participate in the review of applicants as to which they have any potential conflict of interest. The Panel will also review recommendations from site visits, and recommend Award recipients.

3. The Panel will function solely as an advisory body, and will comply with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, 5 U.S.C. App.

4. The Panel will report to the Director of NIST.

Membership

1. The Panel is composed of approximately nine, and not more than twelve, members selected on a clear, standardized basis, in accordance with applicable Department of Commerce guidance. There will be a balanced representation from U.S. service, manufacturing, nonprofit, education, and health care industries. The Panel will include members familiar with the quality improvement operations and competitiveness issues of manufacturing companies, service companies, small businesses, health care providers, and educational institutions. Members will also be chosen who have broad experience in for-profit and nonprofit areas.

2. Panel members will be appointed by the Secretary of Commerce for three-year terms and will serve at the discretion of the Secretary. All terms will commence on March 1 and end on February 28 of the appropriate year.

Miscellaneous

1. Members of the Panel shall serve without compensation, but may, upon request, be reimbursed travel expenses, including per diem, as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 5701 et seq.

2. The Panel will meet three times per year. Additional meetings may be called as deemed necessary by the NIST Director or by the Chairperson. Meetings are usually one to four days in duration. In addition, each Judge must attend an annual three-day Examiner training course.

3. When approved by the Department of Commerce Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary for Administration, Panel meetings are closed to the public.

Nomination Information

1. Nominations are sought from all U.S. service and manufacturing industries, education, health care, and nonprofits as described above.

2. Nominees should have established records of distinguished service and shall be familiar with the quality improvement operations of manufacturing companies, service companies, small businesses, educational institutions, health care providers, and nonprofit organizations. The category (field of eminence) for which the candidate is qualified should be specified in the nomination letter. Nominations for a particular category should come from organizations or individuals within that category. A summary of the candidate's qualifications should be included with the nomination, including (where applicable) current or former service on federal advisory boards and federal employment. In addition, each nomination letter should state that the person agrees to the nomination, acknowledges the responsibilities of serving on the Panel, and will actively participate in good faith in the tasks of the Panel. Besides participation at meetings, it is desired that members be either developing or researching topics of potential interest, reading Baldrige applications, and so forth, in furtherance of their Panel duties.

3. The Department of Commerce is committed to equal opportunity in the workplace and seeks a broad-based and diverse Panel membership.

Information Security and Privacy Advisory Board (ISPAB)

Addresses: Please submit nominations to Annie Sokol, NIST, 100 Bureau Drive, Mail Stop 8930, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8930. Nominations may also be submitted via fax to 301-975-8670, Attn: ISPAB Nominations. Additional information regarding the ISPAB, including its charter and current membership list, may be found on its electronic home page at: http://csrc.nist.gov/​ispab/​.

For Further Information Contact: Annie Sokol, ISPAB Designated Federal Official, NIST, 100 Bureau Drive, Mail Stop 8930, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8930; telephone [phone]; fax: [phone]; or via email at [e-mail].

Committee Information

The ISPAB was originally chartered as the Computer System Security and Privacy Advisory Board (CSSPAB) by the Department of Commerce pursuant to the Computer Security Act of 1987 (Pub. L. 100-235). The Federal Information Security Management Act of 2002 (Pub. L. 107-347, Title III), amended Section 21 of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278g-4), including changing the committee's name, and the charter was amended accordingly.

Objectives and Duties

The objectives and duties of the ISPAB are:

1. To identify emerging managerial, technical, administrative, and physical safeguard issues relative to information security and privacy.

2. To advise NIST, the Secretary of Commerce, and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget on information security and privacy issues pertaining to Federal government information systems, including thorough review of proposed standards and guidelines developed by NIST.

3. To annually report its findings to the Secretary of Commerce, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, the Director of the National Security Agency, and the appropriate committees of the Congress.

4. To function solely as an advisory body, in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, 5 U.S.C. App.

Membership

The Director of NIST will appoint the members of the ISPAB, and members serve at the discretion of the Secretary of Commerce. Members will be selected on a clear, standardized basis, in accordance with applicable Department of Commerce guidance. The ISPAB is comprised of twelve members, in addition to the Chairperson. The membership of the Board includes:

1. Four members from outside the Federal Government eminent in the technology industries, at least one of whom is representative of small or medium sized companies in such industries.

2. Four members from outside the Federal Government who are eminent in the field of information technology, or related disciplines, but who are not employed by or representative of a producer of information technology; and

3. Four members from the Federal Government who have information system management experience, including experience in information security and privacy, at least one whom shall be from the National Security Agency.

Miscellaneous

Members of the ISPAB who are not full-time employees of the Federal Government are not paid for their service, but will, upon request, be allowed travel expenses in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 5701 et seq., while otherwise performing duties at the request of the ISPAB Chairperson, while away from their homes or a regular place of business.

Meetings of the ISPAB are usually two to three days in duration and are usually held quarterly. ISPAB meetings are open to the public and members of the press usually attend. Members do not have access to classified or proprietary information in connection with their ISPAB duties.

Nomination Information

Nominations are being accepted in all three categories described above.

Nominees should have specific experience related to information security or privacy issues, particularly as they pertain to Federal information technology. Letters of nomination should include the category of membership for which the candidate is applying and a summary of the candidate's qualifications for that specific category. Also include (where applicable) current or former service on Federal advisory boards and any Federal employment. Each nomination letter should state that the person agrees to the nomination, acknowledges the responsibilities of serving on the ISPAB, and that they will actively participate in good faith in the tasks of the ISPAB.

Besides participation at meetings, it is desired that members be able to devote a minimum of two days between meetings to developing draft issue papers, researching topics of potential interest, and so forth in furtherance of their ISPAB duties.

Selection of ISPAB members will not be limited to individuals who are nominated. Nominations that are received and meet the requirements will be kept on file to be reviewed as ISPAB vacancies occur.

Nominees must be U.S. citizens.

The Department of Commerce is committed to equal opportunity in the workplace and seeks a broad-based and diverse ISPAB membership.

Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Advisory Board

Addresses: Please submit nominations to Ms. Karen Lellock, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, Mail Stop 4800, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-4800. Nominations may also be submitted via fax to 301-963-6556. Additional information regarding the Board, including its charter may be found on its electronic home page at: http://www.nist.gov/​mep/​advisory-board.cfm.

For Further Information Contact: Ms. Karen Lellock, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, Mail Stop 4800, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-4800; telephone [phone], fax [phone]; or via email at [e-mail].

Committee Information

The MEP Advisory Board (Board) is authorized under Section 3003(d) of the America COMPETES Act (Pub. L. 110-69) in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, 5 U.S.C. App.

Objectives and Duties

1. The Board will provide advice on MEP programs, plans, and policies.

2. The Board will assess the soundness of MEP plans and strategies.

3. The Board will assess current performance against MEP program plans.

4. The Board will function solely in an advisory capacity, and in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act.

5. The Board shall transmit an annual report through the NIST Director to the Secretary of Commerce for transmittal to Congress within 30 days after the submission to Congress of the President's annual budget request each year. The report will address the status of the MEP and comment on the relevant sections of the programmatic planning document and updates thereto transmitted to Congress by the Director under 15 U.S.C. 278i(c) and (d).

Membership

1. The Board shall consist of 10 members, broadly representative of stakeholders, appointed by the NIST Director. At least 2 members shall be employed by or on an advisory board for the MEP Centers, and at least 5 other members shall be from U.S. small businesses in the manufacturing sector. No member shall be an employee of the Federal Government.

2. The Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) shall appoint the members of the Board. Members shall be selected on a clear, standardized basis, in accordance with applicable Department of Commerce guidance. Members serve at the discretion of the NIST Director.

3. Committee members from the manufacturing industry and those representing specific stakeholder groups shall serve in a representative capacity. Committee members from the academic community shall serve as experts, will be considered Special Government Employees (SGEs), and will be subject to all ethical standards and rules applicable to SGEs.

4. The term of office of each member of the Board shall be three years, except that vacancy appointments shall be for the remainder of the unexpired term of the vacancy. Any person who has completed two consecutive full terms of service on the Board shall be ineligible for a third term during the one year period following the expiration of the second term.

Miscellaneous

1. Members of the Board will not be compensated for their services but will, upon request, be allowed travel and per diem expenses as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 5701 et seq., while attending meetings of the Board or subcommittees thereof, or while otherwise performing duties at the request of the Chair, while away from their homes or regular places of business.

2. The Board will meet at least two times a year. Additional meetings may be called by the NIST Director.

3. Committee meetings are open to the public.

Nomination Information

Nominations are being accepted in all categories described above.

Nominees should have specific experience related to manufacturing and industrial extension services. Letters of nomination should include the category of membership for which the candidate is applying and a summary of the candidate's qualifications for that specific category. Each nomination letter should state that the person agrees to the nomination and acknowledges the responsibilities of serving on the MEP Advisory Board.

Selection of MEP Advisory Board members will not be limited to individuals who are nominated. Nominations that are received and meet the requirements will be kept on file to be reviewed as Board vacancies occur.

The Department of Commerce is committed to equal opportunity in the workplace and seeks a broad-based and diverse MEP Advisory Board membership.

National Construction Safety Team Advisory Committee

Addresses: Please submit nominations to Eric Letvin, National Construction Safety Team Advisory Committee, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, Mail Stop 8611, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8611. Nominations may also be submitted via fax to 301-975-4032. Additional information regarding the committee, including its charter may be found on its electronic home page at: http://www.nist.gov/​el/​disasterstudies/​ncst.

For Further Information Contact: Eric Letvin, National Construction Safety Team Advisory Committee, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, Mail Stop 8611, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8611, telephone [phone], fax [phone]; or via email at [e-mail].

Committee Information

The National Construction Safety Team Advisory Committee (Committee) was established in accordance with the National Construction Safety Team Act, Pub. L. 107-231 and the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, 5 U.S.C. App.

Objectives and Duties

1. The Committee shall advise the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) on carrying out the National Construction Safety Team Act (Act), review and provide advice on the procedures developed under section 2(c)(1) of the Act, and review and provide advice on the reports issued under section 8 of the Act.

2. The Committee functions solely as an advisory body, in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, 5 U.S.C. App.

3. The Committee shall report to the Director of NIST.

4. On January 1 of each year, the Committee shall transmit, through the Director of the NIST Engineering Laboratory (EL) and the Director of NIST to the Secretary of Commerce, for submission to the Committee on Science and Technology of the House of Representatives and to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report that includes: (1) An evaluation of National Construction Safety Team activities, along with recommendations to improve the operation and effectiveness of National Construction Safety Teams, and (2) an assessment of the implementation of the recommendations of the National Construction Safety Teams and of the advisory committee.

Membership

1. The Committee shall consist of not fewer than five nor more than ten members. Members shall reflect a balance of the wide diversity of technical disciplines and competencies involved in the National Construction Safety Teams investigations. Members shall be selected on the basis of established records of distinguished service in their professional community and their knowledge of issues affecting the National Construction Safety Teams.

2. The Director of the NIST shall appoint the members of the Committee, and they will be selected on a clear, standardized basis, in accordance with applicable Department of Commerce guidance.

Miscellaneous

1. Members of the Committee will not be compensated for their services but will be reimbursed, upon request, for travel and per diem expenses in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 5701 et seq., while attending meetings of the Committee or of its subcommittees, or while otherwise performing duties at the request of the Chair, while away from their homes or a regular place of business.

2. Members of the Committee shall serve as Special Government Employees (SGEs), will be subject to the ethics standards applicable to SGEs, and are required to file an annual Executive Branch Confidential Financial Disclosure Report.

3. The Committee shall meet at least once per year at the call of the Chair. Additional meetings may be called whenever one-third or more of the members so request it in writing or whenever the Chair or the Director of NIST requests a meeting.

Nomination Information

1. Nominations are sought from industry and other communities having an interest in the National Construction Safety Teams investigations.

2. Nominees should have established records of distinguished service. The field of expertise that the candidate represents should be specified in the nomination letter. Nominations for a particular field should come from organizations or individuals within that field. A summary of the candidate's qualifications should be included with the nomination, including (where applicable) current or former service on federal advisory boards and federal employment. In addition, each nomination letter should state that the nominee agrees to the nomination, acknowledges the responsibilities of serving on the Committee, and will actively participate in good faith in the tasks of the Committee.

3. The Department of Commerce is committed to equal opportunity in the workplace and seeks a broad-based and diverse Committee membership.

Advisory Committee on Earthquake Hazards Reduction (ACEHR)

Addresses: Please submit nominations to Tina Faecke, Management and Program Analyst, National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, Mail Stop 8604, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8604. Nominations may also be submitted via fax to 301-975-4032 or email at [e-mail]. Additional information regarding the Committee, including its charter and executive summary may be found on its electronic home page at: http://www.nehrp.gov.

For Further Information Contact: Jack Hayes, Director, National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, Mail Stop 8604, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8604, telephone [phone], fax [phone]; or via email at [e-mail].

Committee Information

The Advisory Committee on Earthquake Hazards Reduction (Committee) was established on June 27, 2006 in accordance with the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act, Public Law 108-360 and the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, 5 U.S.C. App.

Objectives and Duties

1. The Committee will act in the public interest to assess trends and developments in the science and engineering of earthquake hazards reduction, effectiveness of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program in carrying out the activities under section (a)(2) of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977, as amended, (42 U.S.C. 7704(b)(a)(2)), the need to revise the Program, the management, coordination, implementation, and activities of the Program.

2. The Committee will function solely as an advisory body, in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act.

3. The Committee shall report to the Director of NIST.

4. Not later than one year after the date of enactment of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act of 2004, and at least once every two years thereafter, the Committee shall report to the Director of NIST, on its findings of the assessments and its recommendations for ways to improve the Program. In developing recommendations, the Committee shall consider the recommendations of the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Scientific Earthquake Studies Advisory Committee (SESAC).

Membership

1. The Committee shall consist of not fewer than 11, nor more than 17 members. Members shall reflect the wide diversity of technical disciplines, competencies, and communities involved in earthquake hazards reduction. Members shall be selected on the basis of established records of distinguished service in their professional community and their knowledge of issues affecting the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program.

2. The Director of NIST shall appoint the members of the Committee. Members shall be selected on a clear, standardized basis, in accordance with applicable Department of Commerce guidance.

3. The term of office of each member of the Committee shall be three years, except that vacancy appointments shall be for the remainder of the unexpired term of the vacancy and that members shall have staggered terms such that the Committee will have approximately one-third new or reappointed members each year.

4. No Committee member may be an “employee” as defined in subparagraphs (A) through (F) of section 7342(a)(1) of Title 5 of the United States Code.

Miscellaneous

1. Members of the Committee shall not be compensated for their services, but may, upon request, be allowed travel and per diem expenses in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 5701 et seq., while attending meetings of the Committee or of its subcommittees thereof, or while otherwise performing duties at the request of the Chair, while away from their homes or regular places of business.

2. Members of the Committee shall serve as Special Government Employees (SGEs), will be subject to the ethics standards applicable to SGEs, and are required to file an annual Executive Branch Confidential Financial Disclosure Report.

3. The Committee shall meet face-to-face at least once per year. Additional meetings may be called whenever requested by the NIST Director or the Chair; such meetings may be in the form of telephone conference calls and/or videoconferences.

4. Committee meetings are open to the public.

Nomination Information

1. Nominations are sought from industry and other communities having an interest in the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program, such as, but not limited to, research and academic institutions, industry standards development organizations, state and local government bodies, and financial communities, who are qualified to provide advice on earthquake hazards reduction and represent all related scientific, architectural, and engineering disciplines.

2. Nominees should have established records of distinguished service. The field of expertise that the candidate represents should be specified in the nomination letter. Nominations for a particular field should come from organizations or individuals within that field. A summary of the candidate's qualifications should be included with the nomination, including (where applicable) current or former service on federal advisory boards and federal employment. In addition, each nomination letter should state that the nominee agrees to the nomination, acknowledges the responsibilities of serving on the Committee, and will actively participate in good faith in the tasks of the Committee.

3. The Department of Commerce is committed to equal opportunity in the workplace and seeks a broad-based and diverse Committee membership.

NIST Smart Grid Advisory Committee

Addresses: Please submit nominations to Dr. George W. Arnold, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, Mail Stop 8200, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8200. Nominations may also be submitted via email to [e-mail]. Information about the committee may be found at: http://www.nist.gov/​smartgrid/​committee.cfm.

For Further Information Contact: Dr. George W. Arnold, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, Mail Stop 8200, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8200; telephone [phone], fax [phone]; or via email at [e-mail].

Committee Information

The Smart Grid Advisory Committee (Committee) was established in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, 5 U.S.C. App.

Objectives and Duties

1. The Committee shall advise the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) on carrying out duties authorized by section 1305 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (Pub. L. 110-140).

2. The Committee functions solely as an advisory body in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act.

3. The Committee shall report to the Director of NIST.

4. The Committee shall provide input to NIST on the Smart Grid Standards, Priorities, and Gaps. The Committee shall provide input on the overall direction, status and health of the Smart Grid implementation by the Smart Grid industry, including identification of issues and needs. The Committee shall provide input to NIST on Smart Grid Interoperability Panel activities and on the direction of research and standards activities.

5. Upon request of the Director of NIST, the Committee will prepare reports on issues affecting Smart Grid activities.

Membership

1. The Committee shall consist of no less than 10 and no more than 15 members. Members shall reflect the wide diversity of technical disciplines and competencies involved in the Smart Grid deployment and operations and will come from a cross section of organizations. Members shall be selected on the basis of established records of distinguished service in their professional community and their knowledge of issues affecting Smart Grid deployment and operations.

2. The Director of NIST shall appoint the members of the Committee, and they will be selected on a clear, standardized basis, in accordance with applicable Department of Commerce guidance.

Miscellaneous

1. Members of the Committee shall not be compensated for their services, but will, upon request, be allowed travel and per diem expenses, in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 5701 et seq., while attending meetings of the Committee or subcommittees thereof, or while otherwise performing duties at the request of the Chair, while away from their homes or regular places of business.

2. The Committee shall meet approximately two times per year at the call of the Designated Federal Officer (DFO). Additional meetings may be called by the DFO whenever one-third or more of the members so request in writing or whenever the Director of NIST requests a meeting.

Nomination Information

1. Nominations are sought from all fields involved in issues affecting the Smart Grid.

2. Nominees should have established records of distinguished service. The field of expertise that the candidate represents should be specified in the nomination letter. Nominations for a particular field should come from organizations or individuals within that field. A summary of the candidate's qualifications should be included with the nomination, including (where applicable) current or former service on federal advisory boards and federal employment. In addition, each nomination letter should state that the person agrees to the nomination, acknowledges the responsibilities of serving on the Committee, and will actively participate in good faith in the tasks of the Committee. The Department of Commerce is committed to equal opportunity in the workplace and seeks a broad-based and diverse Committee membership.

Authority: Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, 5 U.S.C. App.

Visiting Committee on Advanced Technology (VCAT or Committee)

Addresses: Please submit nominations to Gail Ehrlich, Executive Director, Visiting Committee on Advanced Technology, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, Mail Stop 1060, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-1060. Nominations may also be submitted via fax to 301-216-0529 or via email at [e-mail]. Additional information regarding the Committee, including its charter, current membership list, and executive summary may be found on its electronic homepage at: http://www.nist.gov/​director/​vcat/​vcat.htm.

For Further Information Contact: Gail Ehrlich, Executive Director, Visiting Committee on Advanced Technology, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, Mail Stop 1060, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-1060, telephone [phone], fax [phone]; or via email at [e-mail].

Committee Information

The VCAT was established in accordance with 15 U.S.C. 278 and the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, 5 U.S.C. App.

Objectives and Duties

1. The Committee shall review and make recommendations regarding general policy for NIST, its organization, its budget, and its programs, within the framework of applicable national policies as set forth by the President and the Congress.

2. The Committee will function solely as an advisory body, in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act.

3. The Committee shall report to the Director of NIST.

4. The Committee shall provide an annual report, through the Director of NIST, to the Secretary of Commerce for submission to the Congress not later than 30 days after the submittal to Congress of the President's annual budget request in each year. Such report shall deal essentially, though not necessarily exclusively, with policy issues or matters which affect NIST, or with which the Committee in its official role as the private sector policy advisor of NIST is concerned. Each such report shall identify areas of program emphasis for NIST of potential importance to the long-term competitiveness of the United States industry. Each such report shall identify areas of program emphasis for NIST of potential importance to the long-term competitiveness of United States industry. Such report also shall comment on the programmatic planning document and updates thereto submitted to Congress by the Director under subsections (c) and (d) of section 23 of the NIST Act (15 U.S.C. 278i). The Committee shall submit to the Secretary and Congress such additional reports on specific policy matters as it deems appropriate.

Membership

1. The Committee shall consist of fifteen members. Members shall be selected solely on the basis of established records of distinguished service; shall provide representation of a cross-section of traditional and emerging United States industries; and shall be eminent in such fields as business, research, new product development, engineering, labor, education, management consulting, environment, and international relations. No employee of the Federal Government shall serve as a member of the Committee.

2. The Director of the NIST shall appoint the members of the Committee. Members shall be selected on a clear, standardized basis, in accordance with applicable Department of Commerce guidance.

3. The term of the office of each member of the Committee shall be three years, except that vacancy appointments shall be for the remainder of the unexpired term of the vacancy.

Miscellaneous

1. Members of the VCAT will not be compensated for their services, but will, upon request, be allowed travel expenses in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 5701 et seq., while attending meetings of the Committee or of its subcommittees, or while otherwise performing duties at the request of the chairperson, while away from their homes or a regular place of business.

2. Members of the Committee shall serve as Special Government Employees (SGEs) and will be subject to the ethics standards applicable to SGEs. As SGEs, the members are required to file an annual Executive Branch Confidential Financial Disclosure Report.

3. Meetings of the VCAT usually take place at the NIST headquarters in Gaithersburg, Maryland, and may be held periodically at the NIST site in Boulder, Colorado. Meetings are usually two days in duration and are held at least twice each year.

4. Generally, Committee meetings are open to the public.

Nomination Information

1. Nominations are sought from all fields described above.

2. Nominees should have established records of distinguished service and shall be eminent in fields such as business, research, new product development, engineering, labor, education, management consulting, environment and international relations. The category (field of eminence) for which the candidate is qualified should be specified in the nomination letter. Nominations for a particular category should come from organizations or individuals within that category. A summary of the candidate's qualifications should be included with the nomination, including (where applicable) current or former service on federal advisory boards and federal employment. In addition, each nomination letter should state that the candidate agrees to the nomination, acknowledges the responsibilities of serving on the VCAT, and will actively participate in good faith in the tasks of the VCAT. Besides participation in two-day meetings held at least twice each year, it is desired that members be able to devote the equivalent of two days between meetings to either developing or researching topics of potential interest, and so forth in furtherance of the Committee duties.

3. The Department of Commerce is committed to equal opportunity in the workplace and seeks a broad-based and diverse VCAT membership.

Dated: July 2, 2012.

Willie E. May,

Associate Director for Laboratory Programs.