Notice Designating the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as a DHS Center of Excellence for Natural Disasters, Coastal Infrastructure and Emergency Management as Research Lead Institution, 33830-33832 [E8-13276]
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33830
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 115 / Friday, June 13, 2008 / Notices
areas will contribute significantly to the
Department’s ability to enhance
homeland security and the safety of our
citizens from both natural and manmade threats.
The criteria for designation for this
new Center of Excellence (COE) for the
Study of Maritime Island and Extreme/
Remote Environment Security is
demonstrated expertise in conducting
fundamental research into the issues
and challenges of global maritime
domain security technology and policy.
In addition this COE will conduct
research on maritime and security
interests in U.S. islands, territories, and
extreme environments (e.g. Hawaii,
Puerto Rico and Alaska). Research
results will support DHS, other Federal,
and state and local agencies’ missions to
secure national maritime borders and
the U.S. maritime interests. This COE
will collaborate closely with the S&T
Directorate’s Borders & Maritime
Division which manages a full-spectrum
research and development (R&D)
program from fundamental research to
advanced technologies. The COE for the
Study of Maritime, Island and Extreme/
Remote Environment Security will
provide enabling basic research that will
advance the technical tools and
information that S&T’s customers will
need in the future to defend maritime
commerce and the global supply chain,
minimize damage and expedite recovery
from attacks or catastrophic events
impacting the maritime domain, and
protect maritime-related population
centers, critical infrastructure and other
national maritime interests. This COE
will develop relevant educational
curricula for both matriculated students
and career professionals.
The Center of Excellence for the
Study of Maritime, Island and Extreme/
Remote Environment Security will
conduct basic and transformational
research on maritime security issues in
the following areas:
1. Maritime Domain Awareness.
Specifically the COE will research the
best ways—with full regard to legal and
international frameworks, sensitivity to
privacy, effectiveness, and
affordability—of maintaining necessary
and appropriate surveillance over the
U.S. and global maritime domain and its
users, ports of entry and maritime
infrastructure. In addition, the COE will
develop improvements in our ability to
screen and scan cargo, vessels,
passengers, the maritime workforce and
the boating public, so that contraband
does not enter the U.S.
2. Marine Transportation System
Security, Critical Infrastructure
Protection, Resiliency and Recovery.
Research will develop effective and
VerDate Aug<31>2005
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Jkt 214001
feasible ways to imbed security
practices that will enhance supply chain
transparency and protect against
intentional acts of terrorism. Research
will assess the risk and vulnerability of
extreme environments for terrorist
attacks and catastrophic events and
methods to mitigate the consequences of
these events on people, commerce, and
critical infrastructure should they occur.
Research will evaluate the resiliency of
the maritime transportation system to
aid in maritime system recovery
planning.
3. Maritime Risk Management, Policy
Analysis, & International Governance.
Research will develop new technologies
and improved risk assessment
methodologies to prioritize protection
efforts, and best leverage public and
private layered security efforts to protect
critical maritime infrastructure. Policy
and legal analysis will be conducted to
enhance cooperation among nations and
international organizations that share
common interests regarding the security
of the maritime domain.
4. Maritime Enforcement, Operational
Analyses, & Command, Control, and
Communications. In particular the COE
will develop approaches that allow for
multiple layers of security and diverse
forms of surveillance, interdiction, and
enforcement to be effectively integrated.
Research will also facilitate the timely
communication of information and
analysis generated by surveillance and
screening systems.
Announcement of Funding
Opportunities and Competition
In February 2007, the Department
established a competitive process and
requested white papers and proposals
from universities that wished to be
designated as DHS Centers of Excellence
in: 1. Explosives Detection Mitigation
and Response, 2. Explosives Detection,
Mitigation and Response, 3. Border
Security Immigration, or 4. Maritime,
Island and Extreme/Remote
Environment Security. The funding
opportunity announcements for these
four Centers of Excellence were
published at https://www.grants.gov on
February 4, 2007, as required by the
Office of Management and Budget. In
the area of Maritime, Island and
Extreme/Remote Environment Security
DHS received 8 white papers and
evaluated them through a peer-review
panel process that included scientific
expertise from the federal government,
peer-institutional faculty, and the
private sector. Following the white
paper review, DHS received 4 full
proposals by the closing date of July 30,
2007. The 4 full proposals were
reviewed by subject matter experts
PO 00000
Frm 00030
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
external to DHS S&T. Two full
proposals were referred to an internal
review panel of S&T subject matter
experts for evaluation, who
recommended site visits at both sites.
Based on information collected on these
site visits, DHS selected University of
Hawaii and Stevens Institute of
Technology to be Research Co-Lead
Institutions for the Maritime, Island and
Extreme/Remote Environment Security
Center of Excellence.
Stevens Institute of Technology and
its partners will conduct basic and
transformational research on maritime
related issues including Maritime
Domain Awareness; Marine
Transportation System Security, Critical
Infrastructure Protection, Resiliency and
Recovery; Maritime Risk Management,
Policy Analysis, & International
Governance; and Maritime Enforcement,
Operational Analyses, & Command,
Control, and Communications.
Jay M. Cohen,
Under Secretary for Science and Technology,
Department of Homeland Security.
[FR Doc. E8–13290 Filed 6–12–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410–10–P
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND
SECURITY
Office of the Secretary
Notice Designating the University of
North Carolina at Chapel Hill as a DHS
Center of Excellence for Natural
Disasters, Coastal Infrastructure and
Emergency Management as Research
Lead Institution
Office of the Secretary,
Department of Homeland Security.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The Department of Homeland
Security has designated the University
of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as a
DHS Center of Excellence for Natural
Disasters, Coastal Infrastructure and
Emergency Management, Research Lead
Institution.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Bryan Roberts, Program Manager,
University Programs, Science and
Technology Directorate, Department of
Homeland Security, Washington, DC
20528; telephone 202–254–5738,
facsimile 202–254–6179; e-mail
bryan.roberts@dhs.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Section 308 of the Homeland Security
Act of 2002, Public Law 107–296 (the
‘‘Homeland Security Act’’), as amended
by the Consolidated Appropriations
E:\FR\FM\13JNN1.SGM
13JNN1
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 115 / Friday, June 13, 2008 / Notices
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES
Resolution of 2003, Public Law 108–7,
and as codified in Title 6 of the United
States Code, Chapter I, Subchapter III,
Section 188(b)(2) [6 U.S.C. 188(b)(2)],
directs the Department of Homeland
Security (‘‘Department’’) to sponsor
extramural research, development,
demonstration, testing and evaluation
programs relating to homeland security.
As part of this program, the Department
has established a coordinated system of
university-based centers for homeland
security (the ‘‘Centers’’).
The Centers are envisioned to be an
integral component of the Department’s
capability to anticipate, prevent,
respond to, and recover from terrorist
attacks. The Centers will leverage
multidisciplinary capabilities and fill
gaps in current knowledge.
Title 6 U.S.C. 188(b)(2)(B) lists
fourteen areas of substantive expertise
that, if demonstrated, might qualify
universities for designation as
university-based centers. The listed
areas of expertise include: (1) The
training of first responders; (2)
responding to incidents involving
weapons of mass destruction and
biological warfare; (3) emergency and
diagnostic medical services; (4)
chemical, biological, radiological and
nuclear countermeasures or detection;
(5) animal and plant health and
diagnostics; (6) food safety; (7) water
and wastewater operations; (8) port and
waterway security; (9) multi-modal
transportation; (10) information security
and information engineering; (11)
engineering; (12) educational outreach
and technical assistance; (13) border
and transportation security; and (14) the
public policy implications and public
dissemination of homeland security
relevant research and development.
However, the list is not exclusive. 6
U.S.C. 188(b)(2)(C) gives the Secretary
discretion to except certain criteria
specified in 6 U.S.C. 188(b)(2)(B) and
consider additional criteria beyond
those specified in 6 U.S.C. 188(b)(2)(B)
in selecting universities for this
program, as long as the Department
issues a Federal Register notice
explaining the criteria used for the
designation.
Criteria
In response to Congressional direction
contained in the Conference Report for
the Fiscal Year 2007 Department of
Homeland Security Appropriations Act,
the DHS Under Secretary for Science
and Technology developed a plan in
November 2006 to establish new DHS
Centers of Excellence in high priority
science and technology areas which
aligned to the DHS Science and
Technology Directorate’s research
VerDate Aug<31>2005
16:18 Jun 12, 2008
Jkt 214001
portfolios and for which DHS
determined there were significant gaps
in scientific understanding and
technological development. These areas
included: 1. Natural Disasters, Coastal
Infrastructure and Emergency
Management, 2. Explosives Detection,
Mitigation and Response, 3. Maritime,
Island and Remote Environment
Security, and 4. Border Security and
Immigration. Research in these areas
will contribute significantly to the
Department’s ability to enhance
homeland security and the safety of our
citizens from both natural and manmade threats.
The criteria for designation for this
new Center of Excellence (COE) for
Natural Disasters, Coastal Infrastructure
and Emergency Management is
demonstrated expertise in conducting
fundamental research into the issues
and challenges in predicting, preparing
for, preventing damages from,
responding to, and recovering from
natural disasters in coastal areas. The
Center will develop research and
education programs to improve
understanding of, preparation for, and
responses to natural disasters, with a
particular emphasis on flooding and
hurricanes. The Center will align with
DHS S&T’s Infrastructure and
Geophysical Division and will develop
approaches and train future
professionals to reduce serious threats
to of American life and property for
many years. Specifically, the Center will
conduct basic and transformational
research on coastal issues in the
following areas: (1) Natural hazards of
the coastal region (e.g., flooding from
hurricanes or storm surges); (2)
Innovative and comprehensive regional
flood water management, including
technical approaches and options to
prevent damages from, mitigate, and
recover from flooding incidents, and
development of better understanding of
land-water interactions; (3) Approaches
to safeguarding public-sector coastal
infrastructure and meeting other publicsector needs in crises; and (4) Coastal
regional planning, governance,
resilience, and unified comprehensive
risk-based decision support tools,
particularly for natural disasters
warranting emergency measures. These
tools include social, political, and
economic studies on the public sector
workforce and on new networks,
institutions, or associations that might
be devised as test beds to be effective in
the coastal region, tailored to the
region’s socio-economic, governance,
and geographic features.
PO 00000
Frm 00031
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
33831
Announcement of Funding
Opportunities and Competition
In February 2007, the Department
established a competitive process and
requested white papers and proposals
from universities that wished to be
designated as DHS Centers of Excellence
in: 1. Natural Disasters, Coastal
Infrastructure and Emergency
Management, 2. Explosives Detection,
Mitigation and Response, 3. Maritime,
Island and Remote Environment
Security, or 4. Border Security and
Immigration. The funding opportunity
announcements for these four Centers of
Excellence were published at
www.grants.gov on February 4, 2007, as
required by the Office of Management
and Budget. In the area of Natural
Disasters, Coastal Infrastructure and
Emergency Management, DHS received
31 Natural Disasters white papers
proposals and evaluated them through a
peer-review panel process that included
scientific expertise from the federal
government, peer-institutional faculty,
and the private sector. Following the
white paper review, DHS received 13
full proposals by the closing date of July
30, 2007. The 13 full proposals were
reviewed by subject matter experts
external to DHS S&T. Eight full
proposals were referred to an internal
review panel of S&T subject matter
experts for evaluation, who
recommended site visits at four sites.
Based on information collected on these
site visits, DHS selected the University
of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to be
the Research Lead Institution for the
Natural Disasters, Coastal Infrastructure
and Emergency Management Center of
Excellence, in partnership with Jackson
State University (the Education Lead),
Louisiana State University and other
affiliates.
The University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill and its partners will
conduct research and education on
natural hazards—particularly flood and
hurricane modeling, natural and
infrastructure resilience, physical
testing to extend new theoretical and
modeling developments, community
preparedness and regional governance
and natural disaster-related education,
including the development and use of
capabilities at minority-serving
institutions.
This team of institutions is uniquely
well equipped and located to address
issues of hurricane and flood prediction,
preparedness, response and recovery.
They will become an intrinsic part of
the DHS science and technology
portfolio, working closely with DHS and
other federal, state and local
governments to reduce potential
E:\FR\FM\13JNN1.SGM
13JNN1
33832
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 115 / Friday, June 13, 2008 / Notices
damages from floods, hurricanes, and
other natural disasters.
Jay M. Cohen,
Under Secretary for Science and Technology,
Department of Homeland Security.
[FR Doc. E8–13276 Filed 6–12–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410–10–P
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND
SECURITY
Office of the Secretary
Notice Designating the University of
Arizona as a DHS Center of Excellence
for the Study of Border Security and
Immigration, Research Lead Institution
Office of the Secretary,
Department of Homeland Security.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES
SUMMARY: The Department of Homeland
Security has designated the University
of Arizona as a DHS Center of
Excellence for the Study of Border
Security and Immigration, Research
Lead Institution.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Tiffany Lightbourn, Program Manager,
University Programs, Science and
Technology Directorate, Department of
Homeland Security, Washington, DC
20528; telephone 202–254–5843,
facsimile 202–254–6179; e-mail
tiffany.lightbourn@dhs.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Section 308 of the Homeland Security
Act of 2002, Public Law 107–296, (the
‘‘Homeland Security Act’’), as amended
by the Consolidated Appropriations
Resolution 2003, Public Law 108–7, and
as codified in Title 6 of the United
States Code Chapter I Subchapter III
Section 188(b)(2) [6 U.S.C. 188(b)(2)],
directs the Department of Homeland
Security (‘‘Department’’) to sponsor
extramural research, development,
demonstration, testing and evaluation
programs relating to homeland security.
As part of this program, the Department
has established a coordinated system of
university-based centers for homeland
security (the ‘‘Centers’’).
The Centers are envisioned to be an
integral component of the Department’s
capability to anticipate, prevent,
respond to, and recover from terrorist
attacks. The Centers will leverage
multidisciplinary capabilities and fill
gaps in current knowledge.
Title 6 U.S.C. 188(b)(2)(B) lists
fourteen areas of substantive expertise
that, if demonstrated, might qualify
universities for designation as
university-based centers. The listed
VerDate Aug<31>2005
16:18 Jun 12, 2008
Jkt 214001
areas of expertise include: (1) The
training of first responders; (2)
responding to incidents involving
weapons of mass destruction and
biological warfare; (3) emergency and
diagnostic medical services; (4)
chemical, biological, radiological and
nuclear countermeasures or detection;
(5) animal and plant health and
diagnostics; (6) food safety; (7) water
and wastewater operations; (8) port and
waterway security; (9) multi-modal
transportation; (10) information security
and information engineering; (11)
engineering; (12) educational outreach
and technical assistance; (13) border
and transportation security; and (14) the
public policy implications and public
dissemination of homeland security
relevant research and development.
However, the list is not exclusive. 6
U.S.C. 188(b)(2)(C) gives the Secretary
discretion to except certain criteria
specified in 6 U.S.C. 188(b)(2)(B) and
consider additional criteria beyond
those specified in 6 U.S.C. 188(b)(2)(B)
in selecting universities for this
program, as long as the Department
issues a Federal Register notice
explaining the criteria used for the
designation.
Criteria
In response to Congressional direction
contained in the Conference Report for
the Fiscal Year 2007 Department of
Homeland Security Appropriations Act,
the DHS Under Secretary for Science
and Technology developed a plan in
November 2006 to establish new DHS
Centers of Excellence in high priority
science and technology areas which
aligned to the DHS Science and
Technology Directorate’s research
portfolios and for which DHS
determined there were significant gaps
in scientific understanding and
technological development. These areas
included: (1) Natural Disasters, Coastal
Infrastructure and Emergency
Management, (2) Explosives Detection,
Mitigation and Response, (3) Maritime,
Island and Remote Environment
Security, and (4) Border Security and
Immigration. Research in these areas
will contribute significantly to the
Department’s ability to enhance
homeland security and the safety of our
citizens from both natural and manmade threats.
The criteria for designation for this
new Center of Excellence (COE) for the
Study of Border Security and
Immigration) is demonstrated expertise
in conducting fundamental research
into the policy and technological issues
and challenges of U.S. border security,
immigration, and national security.
Research results will support DHS,
PO 00000
Frm 00032
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
other federal, state and local agencies
missions to secure our national borders
while welcoming legitimate visitors and
trade. This COE will collaborate closely
with S&T’s Borders & Maritime Division
which manages a full-spectrum research
and development (R&D) program from
fundamental research to advanced
technologies. The COE for the Study of
Border Security and Immigration will
provide enabling basic research that will
advance the technical tools and
information that S&T’s customers will
need in the future to balance the lawful
movement of people and goods with
effective border security. This COE will
develop relevant educational curricula
for both matriculated students and
career professionals.
The Center of Excellence for the
Study of Border Security and
Immigration will conduct basic and
transformational research on border
security issues in the following areas:
1. Surveillance, Screening, Data
Fusion, and Situational Awareness.
Specifically they will research the best
ways—in terms of legality, sensitivity to
privacy, effectiveness, and
affordability—of maintaining
surveillance over borders and ports of
entry. In addition they will develop
improvements in our ability to screen
cargo, vehicles, and passengers entering
the U.S.
2. Population Dynamics, Immigration
Administration, and Immigration
Enforcement. Research will develop
methods to accurately measure and
reliably predict the size of immigration
flows to the U.S. and improve the
efficiency of our system of immigration
administration and enhance the
enforcement of our immigration laws.
3. Operational Analysis, & Command,
Control, and Communications. In
particular they will develop approaches
that allow for multiple layers of security
and diverse forms of surveillance,
interdiction, and enforcement to be
effectively integrated. Research will also
facilitate the timely communication of
information and analysis generated by
surveillance and screening systems.
4. Immigration Policy, Civic
Integration, & Citizenship. Research will
assess the consequences of immigration
policies on future flows of migrants, the
American labor market, and on the
incorporation of immigrants into
American society.
5. Border Risk Management &
International Governance. Research will
assess new technologies and improved
risk assessment methodologies to
prioritize protection efforts. Research
will also assess strategies that can
enhance cooperation among nationals
and international organizations that
E:\FR\FM\13JNN1.SGM
13JNN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 115 (Friday, June 13, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33830-33832]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-13276]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Office of the Secretary
Notice Designating the University of North Carolina at Chapel
Hill as a DHS Center of Excellence for Natural Disasters, Coastal
Infrastructure and Emergency Management as Research Lead Institution
AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Department of Homeland Security.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Department of Homeland Security has designated the
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as a DHS Center of
Excellence for Natural Disasters, Coastal Infrastructure and Emergency
Management, Research Lead Institution.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bryan Roberts, Program Manager,
University Programs, Science and Technology Directorate, Department of
Homeland Security, Washington, DC 20528; telephone 202-254-5738,
facsimile 202-254-6179; e-mail bryan.roberts@dhs.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Section 308 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, Public Law 107-
296 (the ``Homeland Security Act''), as amended by the Consolidated
Appropriations
[[Page 33831]]
Resolution of 2003, Public Law 108-7, and as codified in Title 6 of the
United States Code, Chapter I, Subchapter III, Section 188(b)(2) [6
U.S.C. 188(b)(2)], directs the Department of Homeland Security
(``Department'') to sponsor extramural research, development,
demonstration, testing and evaluation programs relating to homeland
security. As part of this program, the Department has established a
coordinated system of university-based centers for homeland security
(the ``Centers'').
The Centers are envisioned to be an integral component of the
Department's capability to anticipate, prevent, respond to, and recover
from terrorist attacks. The Centers will leverage multidisciplinary
capabilities and fill gaps in current knowledge.
Title 6 U.S.C. 188(b)(2)(B) lists fourteen areas of substantive
expertise that, if demonstrated, might qualify universities for
designation as university-based centers. The listed areas of expertise
include: (1) The training of first responders; (2) responding to
incidents involving weapons of mass destruction and biological warfare;
(3) emergency and diagnostic medical services; (4) chemical,
biological, radiological and nuclear countermeasures or detection; (5)
animal and plant health and diagnostics; (6) food safety; (7) water and
wastewater operations; (8) port and waterway security; (9) multi-modal
transportation; (10) information security and information engineering;
(11) engineering; (12) educational outreach and technical assistance;
(13) border and transportation security; and (14) the public policy
implications and public dissemination of homeland security relevant
research and development. However, the list is not exclusive. 6 U.S.C.
188(b)(2)(C) gives the Secretary discretion to except certain criteria
specified in 6 U.S.C. 188(b)(2)(B) and consider additional criteria
beyond those specified in 6 U.S.C. 188(b)(2)(B) in selecting
universities for this program, as long as the Department issues a
Federal Register notice explaining the criteria used for the
designation.
Criteria
In response to Congressional direction contained in the Conference
Report for the Fiscal Year 2007 Department of Homeland Security
Appropriations Act, the DHS Under Secretary for Science and Technology
developed a plan in November 2006 to establish new DHS Centers of
Excellence in high priority science and technology areas which aligned
to the DHS Science and Technology Directorate's research portfolios and
for which DHS determined there were significant gaps in scientific
understanding and technological development. These areas included: 1.
Natural Disasters, Coastal Infrastructure and Emergency Management, 2.
Explosives Detection, Mitigation and Response, 3. Maritime, Island and
Remote Environment Security, and 4. Border Security and Immigration.
Research in these areas will contribute significantly to the
Department's ability to enhance homeland security and the safety of our
citizens from both natural and man-made threats.
The criteria for designation for this new Center of Excellence
(COE) for Natural Disasters, Coastal Infrastructure and Emergency
Management is demonstrated expertise in conducting fundamental research
into the issues and challenges in predicting, preparing for, preventing
damages from, responding to, and recovering from natural disasters in
coastal areas. The Center will develop research and education programs
to improve understanding of, preparation for, and responses to natural
disasters, with a particular emphasis on flooding and hurricanes. The
Center will align with DHS S&T's Infrastructure and Geophysical
Division and will develop approaches and train future professionals to
reduce serious threats to of American life and property for many years.
Specifically, the Center will conduct basic and transformational
research on coastal issues in the following areas: (1) Natural hazards
of the coastal region (e.g., flooding from hurricanes or storm surges);
(2) Innovative and comprehensive regional flood water management,
including technical approaches and options to prevent damages from,
mitigate, and recover from flooding incidents, and development of
better understanding of land-water interactions; (3) Approaches to
safeguarding public-sector coastal infrastructure and meeting other
public-sector needs in crises; and (4) Coastal regional planning,
governance, resilience, and unified comprehensive risk-based decision
support tools, particularly for natural disasters warranting emergency
measures. These tools include social, political, and economic studies
on the public sector workforce and on new networks, institutions, or
associations that might be devised as test beds to be effective in the
coastal region, tailored to the region's socio-economic, governance,
and geographic features.
Announcement of Funding Opportunities and Competition
In February 2007, the Department established a competitive process
and requested white papers and proposals from universities that wished
to be designated as DHS Centers of Excellence in: 1. Natural Disasters,
Coastal Infrastructure and Emergency Management, 2. Explosives
Detection, Mitigation and Response, 3. Maritime, Island and Remote
Environment Security, or 4. Border Security and Immigration. The
funding opportunity announcements for these four Centers of Excellence
were published at www.grants.gov on February 4, 2007, as required by
the Office of Management and Budget. In the area of Natural Disasters,
Coastal Infrastructure and Emergency Management, DHS received 31
Natural Disasters white papers proposals and evaluated them through a
peer-review panel process that included scientific expertise from the
federal government, peer-institutional faculty, and the private sector.
Following the white paper review, DHS received 13 full proposals by the
closing date of July 30, 2007. The 13 full proposals were reviewed by
subject matter experts external to DHS S&T. Eight full proposals were
referred to an internal review panel of S&T subject matter experts for
evaluation, who recommended site visits at four sites. Based on
information collected on these site visits, DHS selected the University
of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to be the Research Lead Institution
for the Natural Disasters, Coastal Infrastructure and Emergency
Management Center of Excellence, in partnership with Jackson State
University (the Education Lead), Louisiana State University and other
affiliates.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and its partners
will conduct research and education on natural hazards--particularly
flood and hurricane modeling, natural and infrastructure resilience,
physical testing to extend new theoretical and modeling developments,
community preparedness and regional governance and natural disaster-
related education, including the development and use of capabilities at
minority-serving institutions.
This team of institutions is uniquely well equipped and located to
address issues of hurricane and flood prediction, preparedness,
response and recovery. They will become an intrinsic part of the DHS
science and technology portfolio, working closely with DHS and other
federal, state and local governments to reduce potential
[[Page 33832]]
damages from floods, hurricanes, and other natural disasters.
Jay M. Cohen,
Under Secretary for Science and Technology, Department of Homeland
Security.
[FR Doc. E8-13276 Filed 6-12-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-10-P
