Science and Technology Directorate; Submission for Review; DHS S&T BAA Web Site Registration Form; DHS S&T BAA Registration Form; DHS S&T BAA White Paper and Proposal Submission Form; DHS S&T RFI Response Form, 61662-61663 [E7-21361]

Download as PDF 61662 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 210 / Wednesday, October 31, 2007 / Notices rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES noted that any work involving the introduction of tetracycline resistance into Chlamydia by other investigators would need to be reviewed by the RAC and specifically approved by the NIH Director. Background Information and Response to Comments On May 9, 2007, background on the proposed action, and information on how to submit public comment, was published in the Federal Register (72 FR 26415). On June 20, 2007, the RAC discussed the proposed action at its quarterly public meeting and reviewed the one public comment received. The RAC recommended to the NIH Director that this work be allowed to proceed under Biosafety level (BL) 2+ containment with additional provisions/ stipulations. On September 24, 2007, the NIH Director approved the proposed experiments with the following conditions. (1) Tetracycline resistance will only be introduced into non-ocular strains of C. trachomatis. In conducting this work on tetracycline resistance in C. trachomatis, the following containment standard must be followed: (2) All research involving the introduction of tetracycline resistance into C. trachomatis must be performed at BL 2 using BL3 practices (referred to as BL2+). The NIH Guidelines articulates requirements for BL2 laboratory facilities and equipment in Appendices G–II–B–3 and G–II–B–4 while BL3 practices are described in Appendices G–II–C–1 and C–2 of the NIH Guidelines. Specifically, the following BL3 practices must be followed: (a) Access must be restricted to welltrained personnel whose presence is required for the conduct of this work, and (b) The investigators must use sealed centrifuge rotors and tubes. (3) In addition, the following procedures and practices must be followed: (a) Cup sonication must be used rather than probe sonication to separate the infectious form [elementary bodies (EB)] from the metabolically active [reticulate bodies (RB)] form of the bacterium. (b) If possible, consider using other techniques that do not involve the potential for the generation of aerosols, such as freeze-thaw, to separate EBs from RBs. (c) No work with the Chlamydia serovars A, B, or C, which cause the ocular disease trachoma, may be conducted in the same laboratory in which tetracycline resistance is being VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:45 Oct 30, 2007 Jkt 214001 introduced into C. trachomatis serovars that cause genital disease (L, E and G). (d) An assay to detect the tetracycline resistant genetic element should be developed so that, in the event of a laboratory acquired infection, it will be possible to determine whether the genetically modified strain of Chlamydia is the source of the infection. (e) The following preventive health surveillance steps should be implemented for any member of the laboratory working with tetracycline resistant C. trachomatis: (i) In addition to being trained on proper biosafety practices, laboratory workers must be provided education on the possible clinical manifestations of laboratory acquired chlamydial infection. (ii) Each laboratory must have a detailed, written action plan outlining the specific steps to be taken in the case of a laboratory exposure or infection. This plan should include at a minimum: (1) Identification of key personnel who would provide diagnostic testing and treatment; (2) Instructions on managing exposures or infections discovered during off hours (after close of business, holidays, weekends, etc.); (3) Specific recommendations for managing azithromycin-allergic or sensitive lab workers; and a provision excluding individuals with known macrolide antibiotic allergies from working on these experiments; (4) Specific recommendations for treatment of infected laboratory personnel who develop side effects while being treated with azithromycin, and (5) Specific precautions to be taken by infected laboratory workers with respect to protecting close contacts (e.g. family members) from further infection. (iii) In order to ensure that laboratory members will receive adequate healthcare in the event of infection, an outreach program should be developed to inform healthcare providers who may treat laboratory members about the diagnosis and treatment of tetracyclineresistant Chlamydia. In addition, members of the laboratory should be provided with a medical card that includes at least the following information: (1) Identification of the personnel responsible for providing diagnosis and treatment; (2) A CDC telephone number for reporting the infection and obtaining treatment recommendations, and (3) A twenty-four hour contact number for the principal investigators. (4) Finally, if tetracycline resistant C. trachomatis is transferred to other PO 00000 Frm 00057 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 laboratories, the investigators working with this tetracycline resistant Chlamydia must follow the identical practices and procedures set forth by the NIH Director. It is the responsibility of Dr. Rockey and Dr. Stamm to ensure and document that the investigators to whom they transfer these strains are apprised of and agree to abide by these requirements. As noted, however, since the NIH Director’s approval for the de novo creation of tetracycline resistant strains of non-ocular serovars of C. trachomatis applies only to experiments conducted by Drs. Rockey and Stamm, any work involving the introduction of tetracycline resistance into Chlamydia by other investigators would need to be reviewed by the RAC and specifically approved by the NIH Director. Dated: October 23, 2007. Amy P. Patterson, Director, Office of Biotechnology Activities, National Institutes of Health. [FR Doc. E7–21404 Filed 10–30–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4140–01–P DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY [Docket No. DHS–2007–0072] Science and Technology Directorate; Submission for Review; DHS S&T BAA Web Site Registration Form; DHS S&T BAA Registration Form; DHS S&T BAA White Paper and Proposal Submission Form; DHS S&T RFI Response Form Science and Technology Directorate, DHS. ACTION: 30-day Notice and request for comment. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) invites the general public to comment on new data collection forms for collecting Request for Information (RFI) responses and unclassified white papers and proposals through the Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) Web site. The forms will standardize the collection of information that is both necessary and sufficient for the DHS S&T Directorate to record and track the receipt of RFI responses, unclassified white papers, and proposals. As explained herein, these forms are intended to eliminate cost and delay associated with the submission and review of documents received via non-electronic means and to improve tracking and records keeping. The Department is committed to improving its BAA processes and invites interested persons to comment on the following forms and instructions (hereinafter ‘‘Forms Package’’) for the E:\FR\FM\31OCN1.SGM 31OCN1 rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 210 / Wednesday, October 31, 2007 / Notices (BAA) program: (1) DHS Science and Technology (S&T) BAA Web Site Registration (DHS FORM 10025), (2) DHS S&T BAA Registration (DHS FORM 10027), (3) DHS S&T BAA White Paper and Proposal Submission (DHS FORM 10026), and (4) DHS S&T RFI Response (DHS FORM 10028). This notice and request for comments is required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–13, 44 U.S.C. chapter 35). DATES: Comments are encouraged and will be accepted until November 30, 2007. This process is conducted in accordance with 5 CFR 1320.10. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by docket number [DHS– 2007–0072], by one of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. • E-mail: ken.rogers@dhs.gov. Include docket number [DHS–2007–0072] in the subject line of the message. • Mail: Science and Technology Directorate, ATTN: OCIO/Kenneth D. Rogers, 245 Murray Drive, Bldg 410, Washington, DC 20528. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kenneth D. Rogers (202) 254–6185 (this is not a toll free number). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This request for comment was previously published in the Federal Register on August 17, 2007, for a 60-day public comment period ending October 16, 2007. No comments were received by DHS during the 60-day comment period. The purpose of this notice is to allow an additional 30 days for public comments. This notice and request for comments is required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–13, 44 U.S.C. chapter 35). DHS invites the general public to comment on the new information collection forms, as described below. Interested parties can obtain copies of the Forms Package by calling or writing the point of contact listed above. The DHS S&T Directorate issues RFIs in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 15.201(e) and accepts responses to those RFIs from the public. DHS S&T also issues BAAs in accordance with FAR 6.102(d)(2)(i) and FAR 35.016 and accepts white papers and proposals from the public in response to those BAAs. DHS S&T evaluates white papers and proposals received from the public in response to a DHS S&T BAA using the evaluation criteria specified in the BAA through a peer or scientific review process in accordance with FAR 35.016(d). White paper evaluation determines those research ideas that merit submission of VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:45 Oct 30, 2007 Jkt 214001 a full proposal and proposal evaluation determines those proposals that merit selection for contract award. Unclassified white papers and proposals are typically collected via the DHS S&T BAA secure Web site, while classified white papers and proposals must be submitted via proper classified courier or classified mailing procedures as described in the National Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM). DHS is particularly interested in comments that: (1) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) Evaluate the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) Suggest ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) Suggest ways to minimize the burden of the data collection on those who respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submissions of responses. Overview of this Information Collection: (1) Type of Information Collection: New information collection. (2) Title of the Form/Collection: DHS S&T BAA Web Site Registration Form; DHS S&T BAA Registration Form; DHS S&T BAA White Paper and Proposal Submission Form; DHS S&T RFI Response Form. (3) Agency Form Number, if any, and the applicable component of the Department of Homeland Security sponsoring the collection: DHS Science and Technology (S&T) BAA Web Site Registration Form (DHS FORM 10025), DHS S&T BAA Registration Form (DHS FORM 10027), DHS S&T BAA White Paper and Proposal Submission Form (DHS FORM 10026), and DHS S&T RFI Response Form (DHS FORM 10028). (4) Affected public who will be asked or required to respond, as well as a brief abstract: Individuals or households, Business or other for-profit, Not-forprofit institutions, Federal government, and State, local, or tribal government; the data gathered through the BAA Forms Package will be used to collect RFI responses and unclassified white papers and proposals through the BAA Web site. (5) An estimate of the total number of respondents and the amount of time PO 00000 Frm 00058 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 61663 estimated for an average respondent to respond: a. An estimate of the total number of respondents: 4865 Respondents. b. Amount of time estimated for an average respondent to respond: 1.25 burden hours. (6) An estimate of the total public burden (in hours) associated with the collection: 1,548.75 burden hours. Dated: October 18, 2007. Kenneth D. Rogers, Chief Information Officer, Science and Technology Directorate. [FR Doc. E7–21361 Filed 10–30–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4410–10–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Office of the Secretary Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council; Notice of Meeting Office of the Secretary, Department of the Interior. AGENCY: ACTION: Notice of meeting. SUMMARY: The Department of the Interior, Office of the Secretary is announcing a public meeting of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Public Advisory Committee. DATES: December 6, 2007, at 9 a.m. Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council Office, 441 West 5th Avenue, Suite 500, Anchorage, Alaska. ADDRESSES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Douglas Mutter, Department of the Interior, Office of Environmental Policy and Compliance, 1689 ‘‘C’’ Street, Suite 119, Anchorage, Alaska 99501, (907) 271–5011. The Public Advisory Committee was created by Paragraph V.A.4 of the Memorandum of Agreement and Consent Decree entered into by the United States of America and the State of Alaska on August 27, 1991, and approved by the United States District Court for the District of Alaska in settlement of United States of America v. State of Alaska, Civil Action No. A91–081 CV. The meeting agenda will include review of the draft update to the Injured Resources and Service list and a discussion about recovery objectives and environmental monitoring. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Willie R. Taylor, Director, Office of Environmental Policy and Compliance. [FR Doc. E7–21406 Filed 10–30–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–RG–P E:\FR\FM\31OCN1.SGM 31OCN1

Agencies

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 210 (Wednesday, October 31, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61662-61663]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-21361]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

[Docket No. DHS-2007-0072]


Science and Technology Directorate; Submission for Review; DHS 
S&T BAA Web Site Registration Form; DHS S&T BAA Registration Form; DHS 
S&T BAA White Paper and Proposal Submission Form; DHS S&T RFI Response 
Form

AGENCY: Science and Technology Directorate, DHS.

ACTION: 30-day Notice and request for comment.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) invites the general 
public to comment on new data collection forms for collecting Request 
for Information (RFI) responses and unclassified white papers and 
proposals through the Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) Web site. The 
forms will standardize the collection of information that is both 
necessary and sufficient for the DHS S&T Directorate to record and 
track the receipt of RFI responses, unclassified white papers, and 
proposals. As explained herein, these forms are intended to eliminate 
cost and delay associated with the submission and review of documents 
received via non-electronic means and to improve tracking and records 
keeping. The Department is committed to improving its BAA processes and 
invites interested persons to comment on the following forms and 
instructions (hereinafter ``Forms Package'') for the

[[Page 61663]]

(BAA) program: (1) DHS Science and Technology (S&T) BAA Web Site 
Registration (DHS FORM 10025), (2) DHS S&T BAA Registration (DHS FORM 
10027), (3) DHS S&T BAA White Paper and Proposal Submission (DHS FORM 
10026), and (4) DHS S&T RFI Response (DHS FORM 10028). This notice and 
request for comments is required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 
(Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. chapter 35).

DATES: Comments are encouraged and will be accepted until November 30, 
2007. This process is conducted in accordance with 5 CFR 1320.10.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by docket number [DHS-
2007-0072], by one of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     E-mail: ken.rogers@dhs.gov. Include docket number [DHS-
2007-0072] in the subject line of the message.
     Mail: Science and Technology Directorate, ATTN: OCIO/
Kenneth D. Rogers, 245 Murray Drive, Bldg 410, Washington, DC 20528.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kenneth D. Rogers (202) 254-6185 (this 
is not a toll free number).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This request for comment was previously 
published in the Federal Register on August 17, 2007, for a 60-day 
public comment period ending October 16, 2007. No comments were 
received by DHS during the 60-day comment period. The purpose of this 
notice is to allow an additional 30 days for public comments. This 
notice and request for comments is required by the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. chapter 35).
    DHS invites the general public to comment on the new information 
collection forms, as described below.
    Interested parties can obtain copies of the Forms Package by 
calling or writing the point of contact listed above.
    The DHS S&T Directorate issues RFIs in accordance with Federal 
Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 15.201(e) and accepts responses to those 
RFIs from the public. DHS S&T also issues BAAs in accordance with FAR 
6.102(d)(2)(i) and FAR 35.016 and accepts white papers and proposals 
from the public in response to those BAAs. DHS S&T evaluates white 
papers and proposals received from the public in response to a DHS S&T 
BAA using the evaluation criteria specified in the BAA through a peer 
or scientific review process in accordance with FAR 35.016(d). White 
paper evaluation determines those research ideas that merit submission 
of a full proposal and proposal evaluation determines those proposals 
that merit selection for contract award.
    Unclassified white papers and proposals are typically collected via 
the DHS S&T BAA secure Web site, while classified white papers and 
proposals must be submitted via proper classified courier or classified 
mailing procedures as described in the National Security Program 
Operating Manual (NISPOM).
    DHS is particularly interested in comments that:
    (1) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
    (2) Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of 
the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used;
    (3) Suggest ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information to be collected; and
    (4) Suggest ways to minimize the burden of the data collection on 
those who respond, including the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic 
submissions of responses.
    Overview of this Information Collection:
    (1) Type of Information Collection: New information collection.
    (2) Title of the Form/Collection: DHS S&T BAA Web Site Registration 
Form; DHS S&T BAA Registration Form; DHS S&T BAA White Paper and 
Proposal Submission Form; DHS S&T RFI Response Form.
    (3) Agency Form Number, if any, and the applicable component of the 
Department of Homeland Security sponsoring the collection: DHS Science 
and Technology (S&T) BAA Web Site Registration Form (DHS FORM 10025), 
DHS S&T BAA Registration Form (DHS FORM 10027), DHS S&T BAA White Paper 
and Proposal Submission Form (DHS FORM 10026), and DHS S&T RFI Response 
Form (DHS FORM 10028).
    (4) Affected public who will be asked or required to respond, as 
well as a brief abstract: Individuals or households, Business or other 
for-profit, Not-for-profit institutions, Federal government, and State, 
local, or tribal government; the data gathered through the BAA Forms 
Package will be used to collect RFI responses and unclassified white 
papers and proposals through the BAA Web site.
    (5) An estimate of the total number of respondents and the amount 
of time estimated for an average respondent to respond: a. An estimate 
of the total number of respondents: 4865 Respondents. b. Amount of time 
estimated for an average respondent to respond: 1.25 burden hours.
    (6) An estimate of the total public burden (in hours) associated 
with the collection: 1,548.75 burden hours.

    Dated: October 18, 2007.
Kenneth D. Rogers,
Chief Information Officer, Science and Technology Directorate.
[FR Doc. E7-21361 Filed 10-30-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-10-P

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