National Science Board; Sunshine Act Meetings; Notice, 72450-72451 [2011-30371]

Download as PDF 72450 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 226 / Wednesday, November 23, 2011 / Notices sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Section 1605(a) of the Recovery Act, the Buy American provision, states that none of the funds appropriated by the Act ‘‘may be used for a project for the construction, alteration, maintenance, or repair of a public building or public work unless all of the iron, steel, and manufactured goods used in the project are produced in the United States.’’ Subsections 1605(b) and (c) of the Recovery Act authorize the head of a Federal department or agency to waive the Buy American provision if the head of the agency finds that: (1) Applying the provision would be inconsistent with the public interest; (2) the relevant goods are not produced in the United States in sufficient and reasonably available quantities and of a satisfactory quality; or (3) the inclusion of the goods produced in the United States will increase the cost of the project by more than 25 percent. If the head of the Federal department or agency waives the Buy American provision, then the head of the department or agency is required to publish a detailed justification in the Federal Register. Finally, section 1605(d) of the Recovery Act states that the Buy American provision must be applied in a manner consistent with the United States’ obligations under international agreements. II. Finding That Individual Exemptions for Incidental Items Are Not in the Public Interest Recovery Act projects funded by the Academic Research Infrastructure— Recovery and Reinvestment Program (ARI) typically involve the use of literally thousands of miscellaneous, generally low-cost items that are essential for, but incidental to, the construction, alteration, maintenance or repair of a public building or public work and are incorporated into the physical structure of the project, such as nuts, bolts, wires, cables, and switches. For many of these incidental items, the country of manufacture and the availability of alternatives are not always readily or reasonably identifiable in the normal course of business. More importantly, the miscellaneous character of these items, together with their low cost (both individually and when procured in bulk), characterize them as incidental to the project. Requiring individual waivers for incidental items would be time prohibitive and overly burdensome for both awardees and for the National Science Foundation (NSF) in carrying out the Recovery Act. Therefore, a nationwide limited de minimis waiver of incidental items up to a limit of no more than 5 percent of the total cost of VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:03 Nov 22, 2011 Jkt 226001 the iron, steel, and manufactured goods used in and incorporated into a project is justified in the public interest. Issuance of this limited projectspecific exemption recognizes NSF’s commitment to expeditious expenditure of Recovery Act dollars, by balancing the need for expeditious and efficient implementation of the Recovery Act while still applying the Buy American provisions for materials that are greater than a de minimis part of the projects. With a similar purpose, on July 26, 2011, NSF published a de minimis exemption from the Buy American requirement for incidental items in a ship construction project [76 FR 44613]. III. Exemption On July, 20, 2011, and under the authority of section 1605(b)(1) of the Public Law 111n5 and delegation order dated 27 May 2010, with respect to the Academic Research Infrastructure— Recovery and Reinvestment Program awards funded by NSF, the NSF Chief Financial Officer granted a limited exemption (a waiver under the Recovery Act Buy American provisions) for incidental items that comprise, in total, a de minimis amount of the project; that is, any such incidental items up to a limit of no more than 5 percent of the total cost of the iron, steel, and manufactured goods used in and incorporated into a project that is funded under the Academic Research Infrastructure—Recovery and Reinvestment Program. Other Federal agencies have issued similar de minimis exemptions. For example, the Department of Energy issued a de minimis exemption relating to its Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy [75 FR 35447 (June 22, 2010)]. National Science Board business and other matters specified, as follows: DATE AND TIME: November 29, 2011; 4 p.m.–5 p.m. EST. SUBJECT MATTER: (1) Discussion of the proposed revision to the Task Force on Unsolicited Mid-Scale Research (MS) Task Force Charge timeline; (2) Discussion of the revised MS Task Force report outline; (3) Discussion of NSF mid-scale award data analysis. STATUS: Open. LOCATION: This meeting will be held by teleconference at the National Science Board Office, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22230. A public listening room will be available for this teleconference meeting. All visitors must contact the Board Office [call (703) 292–7000 or send an email message to nationalsciencebrd@nsf.gov] at least 24 hours prior to the teleconference for the public room number and to arrange for a visitor’s badge. All visitors must report to the NSF visitor desk located in the lobby at the 9th and N. Stuart Streets entrance on the day of the teleconference to receive a visitor’s badge. UPDATES AND POINT OF CONTACT: Please refer to the National Science Board Web site https://www.nsf.gov/nsb for additional information and schedule updates (time, place, subject matter or status of meeting) may be found at https://www.nsf.gov/nsb/notices/. Point of contact for this meeting is: Matthew B. Wilson, National Science Board Office, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22230. Telephone: (703) 292–7000. Ann Bushmiller, Senior Counsel to the National Science Board. [FR Doc. 2011–30321 Filed 11–21–11; 11:15 am] BILLING CODE 7555–01–P Dated: November 14, 2011. Lawrence Rudolph, General Counsel. [FR Doc. 2011–30289 Filed 11–22–11; 8:45 am] NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION BILLING CODE 7555–01–P National Science Board; Sunshine Act Meetings; Notice NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION The National Science Board’s Task Force on Merit Review, pursuant to NSF regulations (45 CFR part 614), the National Science Foundation Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 1862n–5), and the Government in the Sunshine Act (5 U.S.C. 552b), hereby gives notice in regard to the scheduling of a meeting for the transaction of National Science Board business, as follows: DATE AND TIME: Monday, November 28, 2011, from 1 to 2 p.m., EST. SUBJECT MATTER: Discussion of the draft Merit Review Criteria report. STATUS: Open. National Science Board; Sunshine Act Meetings; Notice The National Science Board’s Committee on Programs and Plans (CPP) Task Force on Unsolicited Mid-Scale Research (MS), pursuant to NSF regulations (45 CFR Part 614), the National Science Foundation Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 1862n–5), and the Government in the Sunshine Act (5 U.S.C. 552b), hereby gives notice in regard to the scheduling of a teleconference for the transaction of PO 00000 Frm 00064 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\23NON1.SGM 23NON1 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 226 / Wednesday, November 23, 2011 / Notices This meeting will be held by teleconference originating at the National Science Board Office, National Science Foundation, 4201Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22230. A room will be available for the public and NSF staff to listen-in on this teleconference meeting. All visitors must contact the Board Office at least one day prior to the meeting to arrange for a visitor’s badge and obtain the room number. Call (703) 292–7000 to request your badge, which will be ready for pick-up at the visitor’s desk on the day of the meeting. All visitors must report to the NSF visitor desk at the 9th and N. Stuart Streets entrance to receive their visitor’s badge on the day of the teleconference. Please refer to the National Science Board Web site (https://www.nsf.gov/nsb/ notices/) for information or schedule updates, or contact: Kim Silverman, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22230. Telephone: (703) 292–7000. Ann Bushmiller, Senior Counsel to the National Science Board. [FR Doc. 2011–30371 Filed 11–21–11; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 7555–01–P NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION Notice of Permit Applications Received Under the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978 (Pub. L. 95–541) National Science Foundation. Notice of Permit Applications Received under the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978, Public Law 95–541. AGENCY: ACTION: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is required to publish a notice of permit applications received to conduct activities regulated under the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978. NSF has published regulations under the Antarctic Conservation Act at title 45 part 670 of the Code of Federal Regulations. This is the required notice of permit applications received. DATES: Interested parties are invited to submit written data, comments, or views with respect to this permit application by December 23, 2011. This application may be inspected by interested parties at the Permit Office, address below. ADDRESSES: Comments should be addressed to Permit Office, Room 755, Office of Polar Programs, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia 22230. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Polly A. Penhale at the above address or (703) 292–7420. sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:03 Nov 22, 2011 Jkt 226001 The National Science Foundation, as directed by the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978 (Pub. L. 95–541), as amended by the Antarctic Science, Tourism and Conservation Act of 1996, has developed regulations for the establishment of a permit system for various activities in Antarctica and designation of certain animals and certain geographic areas requiring special protection. The regulations establish such a permit system to designate Antarctic Specially Protected Areas. The applications received are as follows: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 1. Applicant Permit Application: 2012–011. Daniel P. Costa, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California—Santa Cruz, Long Marine Lab, 100 Shaffer Road, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. Activity for Which Permit Is Requested Take and Enter Antarctic Specially Protected Areas. The applicant plans to enter the Antarctic Specially Protected Areas of Cape Evans (ASPA 155), Backdoor Bay (ASPA 157), and Hut Point (ASPA 158) to collect 1 cm2 samples of skin and fur, and 1 whisker from up to 50 dead seals caught during the early 1900s by the explorers and are found in and around the historic huts located in these protected areas. Naturally occurring stable isotopes of carbon (d 13C) and nitrogen (d 15N) have been increasingly used to study trophic relationships and feeding habits of marine mammals, based on the demonstration that isotopic ratios in tissue samples from a given species are correlated with those of the prey items included in the diet. As stable isotope composition does not change over time, the isotope signature of seals collected by the historic explorers early in the 20th century will reflect the diet of Weddell seals at that time. These data will be compared to the isotopic signature of Weddell seals in the Ross Sea today. Such data may provide evidence of a potential shift in the diet of this apex predator that might be indicative of ecosystem change. Location Cape Evans (ASPA 155), Backdoor Bay (ASPA 157), and Hut Point (ASPA 158). PO 00000 Frm 00065 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 72451 Dates December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2012. Nadene G. Kennedy, Permit Officer, Office of Polar Programs. [FR Doc. 2011–30169 Filed 11–22–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7555–01–P NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards (ACRS); Meeting of the ACRS Subcommittee on Materials, Metallurgy & Reactor Fuels; Notice of Meeting The ACRS Subcommittee on Materials, Metallurgy & Reactor Fuels will hold a meeting on December 15, 2011, Room T–2B1, 11545 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland. The entire meeting will be open to public attendance. The agenda for the subject meeting shall be as follows: Thursday, December 15, 2011—8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. The Subcommittee will review the proposed rule for 50.46c, ‘‘Emergency Core Cooling System Performance During Loss-of-Coolant Accidents.’’ The Subcommittee will hear presentations by and hold discussions with the NRC staff and other interested persons regarding this matter. The Subcommittee will gather information, analyze relevant issues and facts, and formulate proposed positions and actions, as appropriate, for deliberation by the Full Committee. Members of the public desiring to provide oral statements and/or written comments should notify the Designated Federal Official (DFO), Christopher Brown (Telephone (301) 415–7111 or Email: Christopher.Brown@nrc.gov) five days prior to the meeting, if possible, so that appropriate arrangements can be made. Thirty-five hard copies of each presentation or handout should be provided to the DFO thirty minutes before the meeting. In addition, one electronic copy of each presentation should be emailed to the DFO one day before the meeting. If an electronic copy cannot be provided within this timeframe, presenters should provide the DFO with a CD containing each presentation at least thirty minutes before the meeting. Electronic recordings will be permitted only during those portions of the meeting that are open to the public. Detailed procedures for the conduct of and participation in ACRS meetings were E:\FR\FM\23NON1.SGM 23NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 226 (Wednesday, November 23, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 72450-72451]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-30371]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


National Science Board; Sunshine Act Meetings; Notice

    The National Science Board's Task Force on Merit Review, pursuant 
to NSF regulations (45 CFR part 614), the National Science Foundation 
Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 1862n-5), and the Government in the Sunshine 
Act (5 U.S.C. 552b), hereby gives notice in regard to the scheduling of 
a meeting for the transaction of National Science Board business, as 
follows:

DATE AND TIME: Monday, November 28, 2011, from 1 to 2 p.m., EST.

SUBJECT MATTER: Discussion of the draft Merit Review Criteria report.

STATUS: Open.

[[Page 72451]]

    This meeting will be held by teleconference originating at the 
National Science Board Office, National Science Foundation, 4201Wilson 
Blvd., Arlington, VA 22230. A room will be available for the public and 
NSF staff to listen-in on this teleconference meeting. All visitors 
must contact the Board Office at least one day prior to the meeting to 
arrange for a visitor's badge and obtain the room number. Call (703) 
292-7000 to request your badge, which will be ready for pick-up at the 
visitor's desk on the day of the meeting. All visitors must report to 
the NSF visitor desk at the 9th and N. Stuart Streets entrance to 
receive their visitor's badge on the day of the teleconference.
    Please refer to the National Science Board Web site (https://www.nsf.gov/nsb/notices/) for information or schedule updates, or 
contact: Kim Silverman, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Blvd., 
Arlington, VA 22230. Telephone: (703) 292-7000.

Ann Bushmiller,
Senior Counsel to the National Science Board.
[FR Doc. 2011-30371 Filed 11-21-11; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P
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