2023-19855. Defense Science Board; Notice of Federal Advisory Committee Meeting

AGENCY:

Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, Defense Science Board, Department of Defense (DoD).

ACTION:

Notice of Federal advisory committee meeting.

SUMMARY:

The DoD is publishing this notice to announce that the following Federal Advisory Committee meeting of the Defense Science Board (DSB) will take place.

DATES:

Closed to the public Thursday, September 28, 2023 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.

ADDRESSES:

The address of the closed meeting is 4075 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mr. Kevin Doxey, Designated Federal Officer (DFO), (703) 571–0081 (Voice), (703) 697–1860 (Facsimile), [e-mail] (Email). Mailing address is Defense Science Board, 3140 Defense Pentagon, Room 3B888A, Washington, DC 20301–3140. Website: http://www.acq.osd.mil/​dsb/​. The most up-to-date changes to the meeting agenda can be found on the website.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

This meeting is being held under the provisions of chapter 10 of title 5, United States Code (U.S.C.) (commonly known as the “Federal Advisory Committee Act” or “FACA”), 5 U.S.C. 552b (commonly known as the “Government in the Sunshine Act”), and sections 102–3.140 and 102–3.150 of title 41, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).

Purpose of the Meeting: The mission of the DSB is to provide independent advice and recommendations on matters relating to the DoD's scientific and technical enterprise. The objective of the meeting is to obtain, review, and evaluate classified information related to the DSB's mission. DSB membership will meet with DoD Leadership to discuss classified current and future national security challenges and priorities within the DoD.

Agenda: The meeting will begin on September 28, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. with administrative opening remarks from Mr. Kevin Doxey, the DFO, followed by classified opening remarks regarding ongoing studies and by Dr. Eric Evans, DSB Chair. Next, Dr. Katherine McGrady and Dr. Robert Wisnieff will provide a classified briefing on the Defense Science Board Task Force to Advise Implementation and Prioritization of National Security Innovation Activities' findings and recommendations followed by a DSB (“board”) vote. Following a break, Dr. Miriam John and Hon. Judith Miller will provide a classified briefing on the Defense Science Board Task Force on Department of Defense Dependencies on Critical Infrastructure's findings and recommendations followed by a board vote. After a break, Mr. Jim Shields and Dr. Daniel Hastings will provide a classified briefing on the Defense Science Board Task Force on Position Navigation & Timing Control's findings and recommendations followed by a board vote. This will be followed by Dr. Eric Evans, who will provide classified closing remarks regarding ongoing studies. The meeting will adjourn at 3:45 p.m.

Meeting Accessibility: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 1009(d) and 41 CFR 102–3.155, the DoD has determined that the DSB meeting will be closed to the public. Specifically, the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, in consultation with the DoD Office of the General Counsel, has determined in writing that the meeting will be closed to the public because it will consider matters covered by 5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(1). The determination is based on the consideration that it is expected that discussions throughout will involve classified matters of national security concern. Such classified material is so intertwined with the unclassified material that it cannot reasonably be segregated into separate discussions without defeating the effectiveness and meaning of the overall meeting. To permit the meeting to be open to the public would preclude discussion of such matters and would greatly diminish the ultimate utility of the DSB's findings and recommendations to the Secretary of Defense and to the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering.

Written Statements: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 1009(a)(3) and 41 CFR 102–3.105(j) and 102–3.140, interested persons may submit a written statement for consideration by the DSB at any time regarding its mission or in response to the stated agenda of a planned meeting. Individuals submitting a written statement must submit their statement to the DSB DFO at the email address provided in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section at any point; however, if a written statement is not received at least three calendar days prior to the meeting, which is the subject of this notice, then it may not be provided to or considered by the DSB until a later date.

Dated: September 7, 2023.

Aaron T. Siegel,

Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.