Notice Designating the Northeastern University as a DHS Center of Excellence for Explosives Detection Mitigation and Response as Research Lead Institution, 33828-33829 [E8-13287]
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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 115 / Friday, June 13, 2008 / Notices
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 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 Jackson State
University to be the Education Lead
Institution for the Natural Disasters,
Coastal Infrastructure and Emergency
Management Center of Excellence, in
partnership with the University of North
Carolina at Chapel Hill (the Research
Lead), Louisiana State University and
other affiliates.
Jackson State University 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
damages from floods, hurricanes, and
other natural disasters.
Jay M. Cohen,
Under Secretary for Science and Technology,
Department of Homeland Security.
[FR Doc. E8–13296 Filed 6–12–08; 8:45 am]
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES
BILLING CODE 4410–10–P
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND
SECURITY
Office of the Secretary
Notice Designating the Northeastern
University as a DHS Center of
Excellence for Explosives Detection
Mitigation and Response as Research
Lead Institution
Office of the Secretary,
Department of Homeland Security.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The Department of Homeland
Security has designated the
Northeastern University as a DHS
Center of Excellence for Explosives
Detection Mitigation and Response,
Research Lead Institution.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Douglas Bauer, Program Manager,
University Programs, Science and
Technology Directorate, Department of
Homeland Security, Washington, DC
20528; telephone 202–254–6040,
facsimile 202–254–6179; e-mail
doug.bauer@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
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;
PO 00000
Frm 00028
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
(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 for Explosives
Detection Mitigation and Response
(EDMR)is demonstrated expertise in
conducting fundamental research in
explosives-related science and
engineering. S&T is establishing the
EDMR COE to conduct research to
enhance the Nation’s technical
capabilities to detect, prepare for,
prevent damages from, respond to, and
recover from terrorist attacks involving
explosives. The EDMR COE will
collaborate closely with the DHS/
Science and Technology (S&T)
Directorate’s Explosives Division, which
manages a full-spectrum research and
E:\FR\FM\13JNN1.SGM
13JNN1
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 115 / Friday, June 13, 2008 / Notices
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES
development (R&D) program from
fundamental research to advanced
technologies. The EDMR COE will
provide enabling basic research that will
advance the technical tools and
information that S&T’s customers will
need in the future. The EDMR COE will
develop relevant educational curricula
for both matriculated students and
career professionals. The EDMR COE
also will participate in S&T’s University
Network, a consortium of COEs that
share resources and data and collaborate
on research projects to provide costeffective results to support DHS’s
mission.
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) 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 https://
www.grants.gov on February 4, 2007, as
required by the Office of Management
and Budget. In the area of Explosives
Detection Mitigation and Response,
DHS received 19 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 5 full
proposals by the closing date of July 30,
2007. The 5 full proposals were
reviewed by subject matter experts
external to DHS S&T. All 5 full
proposals were referred to an internal
review panel of S&T subject matter
experts for evaluation, who
recommended site visits at 3 sites.
Based on information collected on these
site visits, DHS selected Northeastern
University to be the Research Lead
Institution for the Explosives Detection
Mitigation and Response Center of
Excellence, in partnership with the
University of Rhode Island (the
Education Lead), New Mexico Institute
of Mining and Technology and other
affiliated universities.
Northeastern University and its
partners will conduct basic and
transformational research and develop
educational programs on explosivesrelated issues including explosives
properties, formulation, and
characterization; detection of explosives
and explosive devices; sensor materials;
VerDate Aug<31>2005
16:18 Jun 12, 2008
Jkt 214001
unconventional approaches to identify
threats, and other countermeasures.
These programs will include the
development and use of explosives
research and educational capabilities at
minority-serving institutions.
This team of institutions 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
damages from floods, hurricanes, and
other natural disasters.
Jay M. Cohen,
Under Secretary for Science and Technology,
Department of Homeland Security.
[FR Doc. E8–13287 Filed 6–12–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410–10–P
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND
SECURITY
Office of the Secretary
Notice Designating Stevens Institute of
Technology as a DHS Center of
Excellence for the Study of Maritime,
Island and Extreme/Remote
Environment Security as Research CoLead Institution
Office of the Secretary,
Department of Homeland Security.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The Department of Homeland
Security has designated Stevens
Institute of Technology as a DHS Center
of Excellence for the Study of Maritime,
Island and Extreme/Remote
Environment Security, Research CoLead 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
PO 00000
Frm 00029
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
33829
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. Border
Security and Immigration, and 4.
Maritime, Island and Extreme/Remote
Environment Security. Research in these
E:\FR\FM\13JNN1.SGM
13JNN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 115 (Friday, June 13, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33828-33829]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-13287]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Office of the Secretary
Notice Designating the Northeastern University as a DHS Center of
Excellence for Explosives Detection Mitigation and Response as Research
Lead Institution
AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Department of Homeland Security.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Department of Homeland Security has designated the
Northeastern University as a DHS Center of Excellence for Explosives
Detection Mitigation and Response, Research Lead Institution.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Douglas Bauer, Program Manager,
University Programs, Science and Technology Directorate, Department of
Homeland Security, Washington, DC 20528; telephone 202-254-6040,
facsimile 202-254-6179; e-mail doug.bauer@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 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 for
Explosives Detection Mitigation and Response (EDMR)is demonstrated
expertise in conducting fundamental research in explosives-related
science and engineering. S&T is establishing the EDMR COE to conduct
research to enhance the Nation's technical capabilities to detect,
prepare for, prevent damages from, respond to, and recover from
terrorist attacks involving explosives. The EDMR COE will collaborate
closely with the DHS/Science and Technology (S&T) Directorate's
Explosives Division, which manages a full-spectrum research and
[[Page 33829]]
development (R&D) program from fundamental research to advanced
technologies. The EDMR COE will provide enabling basic research that
will advance the technical tools and information that S&T's customers
will need in the future. The EDMR COE will develop relevant educational
curricula for both matriculated students and career professionals. The
EDMR COE also will participate in S&T's University Network, a
consortium of COEs that share resources and data and collaborate on
research projects to provide cost-effective results to support DHS's
mission.
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) 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
https://www.grants.gov on February 4, 2007, as required by the Office of
Management and Budget. In the area of Explosives Detection Mitigation
and Response, DHS received 19 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 5 full proposals by the
closing date of July 30, 2007. The 5 full proposals were reviewed by
subject matter experts external to DHS S&T. All 5 full proposals were
referred to an internal review panel of S&T subject matter experts for
evaluation, who recommended site visits at 3 sites. Based on
information collected on these site visits, DHS selected Northeastern
University to be the Research Lead Institution for the Explosives
Detection Mitigation and Response Center of Excellence, in partnership
with the University of Rhode Island (the Education Lead), New Mexico
Institute of Mining and Technology and other affiliated universities.
Northeastern University and its partners will conduct basic and
transformational research and develop educational programs on
explosives-related issues including explosives properties, formulation,
and characterization; detection of explosives and explosive devices;
sensor materials; unconventional approaches to identify threats, and
other countermeasures. These programs will include the development and
use of explosives research and educational capabilities at minority-
serving institutions.
This team of institutions 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 damages from
floods, hurricanes, and other natural disasters.
Jay M. Cohen,
Under Secretary for Science and Technology, Department of Homeland
Security.
[FR Doc. E8-13287 Filed 6-12-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-10-P
