Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records, 70020-70022 [2013-27968]
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70020
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 226 / Friday, November 22, 2013 / Notices
Agency. An applicant who has been
charged criminally or civilly (e.g.,
issued a Notice of Violation and
Assessment (NOVA) or Notice of Permit
Sanction) for any HMS-related violation
will not be considered for participation
in the shark research fishery. In
addition, applicants who were selected
to carry an observer in the previous 2
years for any HMS fishery, but failed to
contact NMFS to arrange the placement
of an observer as required per 50 CFR
635.7, will not be considered for
participation in the 2014 shark research
fishery. Applicants who were selected
to carry an observer in the previous 2
years for any HMS fishery and failed to
comply with all the observer regulations
per 50 CFR 635.7 will also not be
considered. Exceptions will be made for
vessels that were selected for HMS
observer coverage but did not fish in the
quarter when selected and thus did not
require an observer. Applicants who do
not possess a valid USCG safety
inspection decal when the application is
submitted will not be considered.
Applicants who have been noncompliant with any of the HMS observer
program regulations in the previous 2
years, as described above, may be
eligible for future participation in shark
research fishery activities by
demonstrating 2 subsequent years of
compliance with observer regulations at
50 CFR 635.7.
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Selection Process
The HMS Management Division will
review all submitted applications and
develop a list of qualified applicants
from those applications that are deemed
complete. A qualified applicant is an
applicant that has submitted a complete
application by the deadline (see DATES)
and has met the selection criteria listed
above. Qualified applicants are eligible
to be selected to participate in the shark
research fishery for 2014. The HMS
Management Division will provide the
list of qualified applicants without
identifying information to the SEFSC.
The SEFSC will then evaluate the list of
qualified applicants and, based on the
temporal and spatial needs of the
research objectives, the availability of
observers, the availability of qualified
applicants, and the available quota for a
given year, will randomly select
qualified applicants to conduct the
prescribed research. Where there are
multiple qualified applicants that meet
the criteria, permittees will be randomly
selected through a lottery system. If a
public meeting is deemed necessary,
NMFS will announce details of a public
selection meeting in a subsequent
Federal Register notice.
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Once the selection process is
complete, NMFS will notify the selected
applicants and issue the shark research
fishery permits. The shark research
fishery permits will be valid only in
calendar year 2014. If needed, NMFS
will communicate with the shark
research fishery permit holders to
arrange a captain’s meeting to discuss
the research objectives and protocols.
The shark research fishery permit
holders must contact the NMFS
observer coordinator to arrange the
placement of a NMFS-approved
observer for each shark research trip.
A shark research fishery permit will
only be valid for the vessel and owner(s)
and terms and conditions listed on the
permit, and, thus, cannot be transferred
to another vessel or owner(s). Issuance
of a shark research permit does not
guarantee that the permit holder will be
assigned a NMFS-approved observer on
any particular trip. Rather, issuance
indicates that a vessel may be issued a
NMFS-approved observer for a
particular trip, and on such trips, may
be allowed to harvest Atlantic sharks,
including sandbar sharks, in excess of
the retention limits described in 50 CFR
635.24(a). These retention limits will be
based on available quota, number of
vessels participating in the 2014 shark
research fishery, the research objectives
set forth by the shark board, the extent
of other restrictions placed on the
vessel, and may vary by vessel and/or
location. When not operating under the
auspices of the shark research fishery,
the vessel would still be able to land
LCS, SCS, and pelagic sharks subject to
existing retention limits on trips
without a NMFS-approved observer.
The shark research permit may be
revoked or modified at any time and
does not confer the right to engage in
activities beyond those listed on the
shark research fishery permit.
NMFS annually invites commercial
shark permit holders (directed and
incidental) to submit an application to
participate in the shark research fishery.
Permit applications can be found on the
HMS Management Division’s Web site
at https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/
index.htm or by calling (301) 427–8503.
Final decisions on the issuance of a
shark research fishery permit will
depend on the submission of all
required information by the deadline
(see DATES), and NMFS’ review of
applicant information as outlined above.
The 2014 shark research fishery will
start after the opening of the shark
fishery and under available quotas as
published in a separate Federal Register
final rule.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
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Dated: November 18, 2013.
Kelly Denit,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2013–28101 Filed 11–21–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Patent and Trademark Office
Privacy Act of 1974; System of
Records
United States Patent and
Trademark Office, Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of proposed new Privacy
Act system of records.
AGENCY:
In accordance with the
requirements of the Privacy Act of 1974,
as amended, the United States Patent
and Trademark Office (USPTO) gives
notice of a proposed new system of
records entitled ‘‘COMMERCE/PAT–
TM–24 Background Investigations.’’ We
invite the public to comment on the
system announced in this publication.
DATES: Written comments must be
received no later than December 23,
2013. The proposed system of records
will be effective on December 23, 2013,
unless the USPTO receives comments
that would result in a contrary
determination.
SUMMARY:
You may submit written
comments by any of the following
methods:
• Email: Joseph.Burns@uspto.gov.
Include ‘‘Privacy Act PAT–TM–24
comment’’ in the subject line of the
message.
• Fax: (571) 273–1537, marked to the
attention of Joseph Burns, Office of
Security and Safety, Office of
Administrative Services.
• Mail: Joseph Burns, Director, Office
of Security and Safety, Office of
Administrative Services, United States
Patent and Trademark Office, P.O. Box
1450, Alexandria, VA 22313–1450.
• Federal Rulemaking Portal: https://
www.regulations.gov.
All comments received will be available
for public inspection at the Federal
rulemaking portal located at
www.regulations.gov.
ADDRESSES:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Joseph Burns, Director, Office of
Security and Safety, Office of
Administrative Services, United States
Patent and Trademark Office, P.O. Box
1450, Alexandria, VA 22313–1450, (571)
272–1537.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
United States Patent and Trademark
Office (USPTO) is giving notice of a new
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 226 / Friday, November 22, 2013 / Notices
system of records that is subject to the
Privacy Act of 1974. This system of
records maintains information on
individuals who undergo a personnel
background investigation for the
purpose of determining suitability for
USPTO employment, contractor
employee fitness, eligibility for access to
classified information, and/or access to
a federal facility or information
technology system.
The proposed new system of records,
‘‘COMMERCE/PAT–TM–24 Background
Investigations,’’ is published in its
entirety below.
COMMERCE/PAT–TM–24
SYSTEM NAME:
Background Investigations.
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION:
None for the system. However, items
or records within the system may have
national security/foreign policy
classifications up through Secret.
SYSTEM LOCATION:
Office of Security and Safety, Office of
Administrative Services, United States
Patent and Trademark Office, 600
Dulany Street, Alexandria, VA 22314.
CATEGORIES OF INDIVIDUALS COVERED BY THE
SYSTEM:
Applicants and employees or
government contractors, experts,
instructors, and consultants who
undergo a personnel background
investigation for the purpose of
determining suitability for USPTO
employment, contractor employee
fitness, eligibility for access to classified
information, and/or access to a federal
facility or information technology
system.
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with NOTICES
CATEGORIES OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM:
a. Name; address; date and place of
birth; Social Security Number;
citizenship; physical characteristics;
employment and military service
history; credit references and credit
records; education; medical history;
arrest records; Federal employee
relatives; dates and purpose of visits to
foreign countries; passport numbers;
names of spouses, relatives, references,
and personal associates; activities; and
security; and suitability materials. This
system does not include records of EEO
investigations. Such records are covered
in a government-wide system noticed by
the Office of Personnel Management and
now the responsibility of the Equal
Employment Opportunity Commission.
b. Summaries of personal and third
party interviews conducted during the
course of the background investigation.
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c. Records of personnel background
investigations conducted by other
Federal agencies.
d. Records of adjudicative and HSPD
12 decisions by other Federal agencies,
including clearance determinations and/
or polygraph results.
AUTHORITY FOR MAINTENANCE OF THE SYSTEM:
Executive Orders 10450, 11478,
12065; 5 U.S.C. 301 and 7531–7533; 15
U.S.C. 1501 et seq.; 28 U.S.C. 533–535;
44 U.S.C. 3101; and Equal Employment
Act of 1972.
Executive Orders 9397, as amended
by 13478, 10450, 10577, 10865, 12968,
and 13470; Section 2, Civil Service Act
of 1883; Public Laws 82–298 and 92–
261; Title 5, U.S.C., sections 1303, 1304,
3301, 7301, and 9101; Title 22, U.S.C.,
section 2519; Title 42 U.S.C. sections
1874(b)(3), 2165, 2201, and 2455; Title
50 U.S.C. section 435b(e); Title 5 CFR
sections 731, 732 and 736; Homeland
Security Presidential Directive 12
(HSPD 12) and OMB Circular No. A–
130.
PURPOSE(S):
The records in this system may be
used to provide investigatory
information for determinations
concerning whether an individual is
suitable or fit for agency employment;
eligible for logical and physical access
to federally controlled facilities and
information systems; eligible to hold
sensitive positions (including but not
limited to eligibility for access to
classified information); fit to perform
work for or on behalf of the agency as
a contractor employee; qualified for
government service; qualified to
perform contractual services for the
agency; and loyal to the United States.
The system is also used to document
such determinations and to otherwise
comply with mandates and Executive
Orders.
These records may also be used to
locate individuals for personnel
research.
The records may be used to help
streamline and make more efficient the
investigations and adjudications
processes generally.
ROUTINE USES OF RECORDS MAINTAINED IN THE
SYSTEM, INCLUDING CATEGORIES OF USERS AND
THE PURPOSES OF SUCH USES:
The USPTO will use the information
contained in this system of records to
conduct background investigations on
applicants and employees.
Information concerning nominees,
members and former members of public
advisory committees may be disclosed:
(a) To OMB in connection with its
committee management responsibilities;
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70021
(b) to other Federal agencies which have
joint responsibility for advisory
committees or which receive or utilize
advice of the committees; and (c) to a
Federal, state or local agency, private
organization or individual as necessary
to obtain information in connection
with a decision concerning appointment
or reappointment of an individual to
committee membership.
Information concerning (1) current
employees, former employees, and
prospective employees; (2) interns and
externs; (3) employees of contractors
used, or which may be used, by the
agency on national security classified
projects; (4) and principal officers of
some contractors used, or which may be
used, by the agency; and (5) principal
officers and some employees of
organizations, firms or institutions
which are recipients or beneficiaries or
prospective recipients or beneficiaries of
grants, loans, guarantee or other
assistance programs of the agency;—
may be disclosed to a private
organization or individual as necessary
to obtain information in connection
with a decision concerning the
assignment, hiring or retention of an
individual, the issuance of a security
clearance, the letting of a contract, or
the issuance of a license, grant or other
benefit. Disclosure of information from
this system of records may also be made
to commercial contractors (debt
collection agencies) for the purpose of
collecting delinquent debts as
authorized by the Debt Collection Act
(31 U.S.C. 3718).
In addition to the routine uses in the
Prefatory Statement of General Routine
Uses, as found at 46 FR 63501–63502
(December 31, 1981):
(1) Routine uses will include
disclosure for law enforcement purposes
to the appropriate agency or other
authority, whether federal, state, local,
foreign, international or tribal, charged
with the responsibility of enforcing,
investigating, or prosecuting a violation
of any law, rule, regulation, or order in
any case in which there is an indication
of a violation or potential violation of
law (civil, criminal, or regulatory in
nature).
(2) Routine uses will include
disclosure to an agency, organization, or
individual for the purpose of performing
audit or oversight operations as
authorized by law, but only such
information as is necessary and relevant
to such audit or oversight function.
(3) Routine uses will include
disclosure to contractors and their
agents, grantees, experts, consultants,
and others performing or working on a
contract, service, grant, cooperative
agreement, or other work assignment for
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70022
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 226 / Friday, November 22, 2013 / Notices
the USPTO, when necessary to
accomplish an agency function related
to this system of records. Individuals
provided information under this routine
use are subject to the same Privacy Act
requirements and limitations on
disclosure as are applicable to the
USPTO employees.
DISCLOSURE TO CONSUMER REPORTING
AGENCIES:
Disclosures pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
552a(b)(12): Disclosures may be made
from this system to ‘‘consumer reporting
agencies’’ as defined in the Fair Credit
Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1681a(f)), and
the Federal Claims Collection Act of
1966 (31 U.S.C. 3701(a)(3)).
POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR STORING,
RETRIEVING, ACCESSING, RETAINING, AND
DISPOSING OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM:
SYSTEM MANAGER(S) AND ADDRESS:
Director of Security and Safety,
United States Patent and Trademark
Office, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA
22313–1450.
Records are maintained in paper
format in file folders, as digital images,
and in electronic databases. Background
investigation forms are maintained in
the Electronic Questionnaires for
Investigations Processing (e-QIP)
automated system, which was
developed for the U.S. Office of
Personnel Management (OPM), Federal
Investigative Services Division.
RETRIEVABILITY:
Records are retrieved by name, social
security number and/or other unique
identifier of the individual on whom
they are maintained. The files are
searchable in a database available only
to authorized employee and contractor
staff members of the Office of Human
Resources and Office of Security and
Safety.
BILLING CODE 3510–16–P
Information about the records
contained in this system may be
obtained by sending a request in
writing, signed, to the system manager
at the address above or to the address
provided in 37 CFR 102 subpart B for
making inquiries about records covered
by the Privacy Act. Requesters should
provide their name, address, and record
sought in accordance with the
procedures for making inquiries
appearing in 37 CFR part 102 subpart B.
Requests from individuals should be
addressed as stated in the notification
section above.
CONTESTING RECORD PROCEDURES:
The general provisions for access,
contesting contents, and appealing
initial determinations by the individual
concerned appear in 37 CFR part 102
subpart B. Requests from individuals
should be addressed as stated in the
notification section above.
RECORD SOURCE CATEGORIES:
Subject individuals; OPM, FBI and
other Federal, state and local agencies;
individuals and organizations that have
pertinent knowledge about the subject
individual; and those authorized by the
individual to furnish information.
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with NOTICES
EXEMPTIONS CLAIMED FOR THE SYSTEM:
Records are located in secured rooms
with retained background investigative
security files being housed in security
containers with access limited to those
whose official duties require access.
Electronic files are password protected
and can only be accessed by authorized
personnel.
The e-QIP system is subject to federal
law governing records maintained on
individuals. Unauthorized attempts to
access the e-QIP system, as well as any
use of data in the system for
unauthorized purposes, are a violation
of federal law and/or regulation.
Violators are subject to disciplinary
action and prosecution.
Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a (k)(1), (k)(2)
and (k)(5), all investigatory information
and material in the record which meets
the criteria of these subsections are
exempted from the notice, access, and
contest requirements under 5 U.S.C.
552a (c)(3), (d), (e)(1), (e)(4) (G), (H), and
(I), and (f) of the agency regulations
because of the necessity to exempt this
information and material in order to
accomplish the law enforcement
function of the agency, to prevent
disclosure of classified information as
required by Executive Order 12065, to
prevent subjects of investigation from
frustrating the investigatory process, to
prevent the disclosure of investigative
techniques, to fulfill commitments made
to protect the confidentiality of
information, and to avoid endangering
these sources and law enforcement
personnel.
Records retention and disposal is in
accordance with the series record
schedules.
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COMMITTEE FOR PURCHASE FROM
PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND OR
SEVERELY DISABLED
Procurement List; Proposed Additions
and Deletions
Committee for Purchase From
People Who Are Blind or Severely
Disabled.
ACTION: Proposed Additions to and
Deletions from the Procurement List.
AGENCY:
The Committee is proposing
to add products and a service to the
Procurement List that will be furnished
by nonprofit agencies employing
persons who are blind or have other
severe disabilities, and deletes services
previously provided by such agencies.
Comments Must Be Received on or
Before: 12/23/2013.
ADDRESSES: Committee for Purchase
From People Who Are Blind or Severely
Disabled, 1401 S. Clark Street, Suite
10800, Arlington, Virginia, 22202–4149.
For Further Information or To Submit
Comments Contact: Barry S. Lineback,
Telephone: (703) 603–7740, Fax: (703)
603–0655, or email CMTEFedReg@
AbilityOne.gov.
SUMMARY:
SAFEGUARDS:
RETENTION AND DISPOSAL:
[FR Doc. 2013–27968 Filed 11–21–13; 8:45 am]
NOTIFICATION PROCEDURE:
RECORD ACCESS PROCEDURES:
STORAGE:
Dated: November 18, 2013.
Susan K. Fawcett,
Records Officer, USPTO, Office of the Chief
Information Officer.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
This notice is published pursuant to
41 U.S.C 8503 (a)(2) and 41 CFR 51–2.3.
Its purpose is to provide interested
persons an opportunity to submit
comments on the proposed actions.
Additions
If the Committee approves the
proposed additions, the entities of the
Federal Government identified in this
notice will be required to procure the
products and service listed below from
nonprofit agencies employing persons
who are blind or have other severe
disabilities.
The following products and service
are proposed for addition to the
Procurement List for production by the
nonprofit agencies listed:
Products
Kit, Paint, Professional Grade
NSN: 8020–00–NIB–0051—6PC
NSN: 8020–00–NIB–0052—14PC
NSN: 8020–00–NIB–0054—4PC
NPA: Industries for the Blind, Inc., West
Allis, WI
Contracting Activity: GENERAL SERVICES
ADMINISTRATION, TOOLS
E:\FR\FM\22NON1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 226 (Friday, November 22, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70020-70022]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-27968]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Patent and Trademark Office
Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records
AGENCY: United States Patent and Trademark Office, Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of proposed new Privacy Act system of records.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In accordance with the requirements of the Privacy Act of
1974, as amended, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
gives notice of a proposed new system of records entitled ``COMMERCE/
PAT-TM-24 Background Investigations.'' We invite the public to comment
on the system announced in this publication.
DATES: Written comments must be received no later than December 23,
2013. The proposed system of records will be effective on December 23,
2013, unless the USPTO receives comments that would result in a
contrary determination.
ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments by any of the following
methods:
Email: Joseph.Burns@uspto.gov. Include ``Privacy Act PAT-
TM-24 comment'' in the subject line of the message.
Fax: (571) 273-1537, marked to the attention of Joseph
Burns, Office of Security and Safety, Office of Administrative
Services.
Mail: Joseph Burns, Director, Office of Security and
Safety, Office of Administrative Services, United States Patent and
Trademark Office, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450.
Federal Rulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov.
All comments received will be available for public inspection at the
Federal rulemaking portal located at www.regulations.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph Burns, Director, Office of
Security and Safety, Office of Administrative Services, United States
Patent and Trademark Office, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450,
(571) 272-1537.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The United States Patent and Trademark
Office (USPTO) is giving notice of a new
[[Page 70021]]
system of records that is subject to the Privacy Act of 1974. This
system of records maintains information on individuals who undergo a
personnel background investigation for the purpose of determining
suitability for USPTO employment, contractor employee fitness,
eligibility for access to classified information, and/or access to a
federal facility or information technology system.
The proposed new system of records, ``COMMERCE/PAT-TM-24 Background
Investigations,'' is published in its entirety below.
COMMERCE/PAT-TM-24
System name:
Background Investigations.
Security classification:
None for the system. However, items or records within the system
may have national security/foreign policy classifications up through
Secret.
System location:
Office of Security and Safety, Office of Administrative Services,
United States Patent and Trademark Office, 600 Dulany Street,
Alexandria, VA 22314.
Categories of individuals covered by the system:
Applicants and employees or government contractors, experts,
instructors, and consultants who undergo a personnel background
investigation for the purpose of determining suitability for USPTO
employment, contractor employee fitness, eligibility for access to
classified information, and/or access to a federal facility or
information technology system.
Categories of records in the system:
a. Name; address; date and place of birth; Social Security Number;
citizenship; physical characteristics; employment and military service
history; credit references and credit records; education; medical
history; arrest records; Federal employee relatives; dates and purpose
of visits to foreign countries; passport numbers; names of spouses,
relatives, references, and personal associates; activities; and
security; and suitability materials. This system does not include
records of EEO investigations. Such records are covered in a
government-wide system noticed by the Office of Personnel Management
and now the responsibility of the Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission.
b. Summaries of personal and third party interviews conducted
during the course of the background investigation.
c. Records of personnel background investigations conducted by
other Federal agencies.
d. Records of adjudicative and HSPD 12 decisions by other Federal
agencies, including clearance determinations and/or polygraph results.
Authority for maintenance of the system:
Executive Orders 10450, 11478, 12065; 5 U.S.C. 301 and 7531-7533;
15 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.; 28 U.S.C. 533-535; 44 U.S.C. 3101; and Equal
Employment Act of 1972.
Executive Orders 9397, as amended by 13478, 10450, 10577, 10865,
12968, and 13470; Section 2, Civil Service Act of 1883; Public Laws 82-
298 and 92-261; Title 5, U.S.C., sections 1303, 1304, 3301, 7301, and
9101; Title 22, U.S.C., section 2519; Title 42 U.S.C. sections
1874(b)(3), 2165, 2201, and 2455; Title 50 U.S.C. section 435b(e);
Title 5 CFR sections 731, 732 and 736; Homeland Security Presidential
Directive 12 (HSPD 12) and OMB Circular No. A-130.
Purpose(s):
The records in this system may be used to provide investigatory
information for determinations concerning whether an individual is
suitable or fit for agency employment; eligible for logical and
physical access to federally controlled facilities and information
systems; eligible to hold sensitive positions (including but not
limited to eligibility for access to classified information); fit to
perform work for or on behalf of the agency as a contractor employee;
qualified for government service; qualified to perform contractual
services for the agency; and loyal to the United States. The system is
also used to document such determinations and to otherwise comply with
mandates and Executive Orders.
These records may also be used to locate individuals for personnel
research.
The records may be used to help streamline and make more efficient
the investigations and adjudications processes generally.
Routine uses of records maintained in the system, including categories
of users and the purposes of such uses:
The USPTO will use the information contained in this system of
records to conduct background investigations on applicants and
employees.
Information concerning nominees, members and former members of
public advisory committees may be disclosed: (a) To OMB in connection
with its committee management responsibilities; (b) to other Federal
agencies which have joint responsibility for advisory committees or
which receive or utilize advice of the committees; and (c) to a
Federal, state or local agency, private organization or individual as
necessary to obtain information in connection with a decision
concerning appointment or reappointment of an individual to committee
membership.
Information concerning (1) current employees, former employees, and
prospective employees; (2) interns and externs; (3) employees of
contractors used, or which may be used, by the agency on national
security classified projects; (4) and principal officers of some
contractors used, or which may be used, by the agency; and (5)
principal officers and some employees of organizations, firms or
institutions which are recipients or beneficiaries or prospective
recipients or beneficiaries of grants, loans, guarantee or other
assistance programs of the agency;--may be disclosed to a private
organization or individual as necessary to obtain information in
connection with a decision concerning the assignment, hiring or
retention of an individual, the issuance of a security clearance, the
letting of a contract, or the issuance of a license, grant or other
benefit. Disclosure of information from this system of records may also
be made to commercial contractors (debt collection agencies) for the
purpose of collecting delinquent debts as authorized by the Debt
Collection Act (31 U.S.C. 3718).
In addition to the routine uses in the Prefatory Statement of
General Routine Uses, as found at 46 FR 63501-63502 (December 31,
1981):
(1) Routine uses will include disclosure for law enforcement
purposes to the appropriate agency or other authority, whether federal,
state, local, foreign, international or tribal, charged with the
responsibility of enforcing, investigating, or prosecuting a violation
of any law, rule, regulation, or order in any case in which there is an
indication of a violation or potential violation of law (civil,
criminal, or regulatory in nature).
(2) Routine uses will include disclosure to an agency,
organization, or individual for the purpose of performing audit or
oversight operations as authorized by law, but only such information as
is necessary and relevant to such audit or oversight function.
(3) Routine uses will include disclosure to contractors and their
agents, grantees, experts, consultants, and others performing or
working on a contract, service, grant, cooperative agreement, or other
work assignment for
[[Page 70022]]
the USPTO, when necessary to accomplish an agency function related to
this system of records. Individuals provided information under this
routine use are subject to the same Privacy Act requirements and
limitations on disclosure as are applicable to the USPTO employees.
Disclosure to consumer reporting agencies:
Disclosures pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(b)(12): Disclosures may be
made from this system to ``consumer reporting agencies'' as defined in
the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1681a(f)), and the Federal
Claims Collection Act of 1966 (31 U.S.C. 3701(a)(3)).
Policies and practices for storing, retrieving, accessing, retaining,
and disposing of records in the system:
Storage:
Records are maintained in paper format in file folders, as digital
images, and in electronic databases. Background investigation forms are
maintained in the Electronic Questionnaires for Investigations
Processing (e-QIP) automated system, which was developed for the U.S.
Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Federal Investigative Services
Division.
Retrievability:
Records are retrieved by name, social security number and/or other
unique identifier of the individual on whom they are maintained. The
files are searchable in a database available only to authorized
employee and contractor staff members of the Office of Human Resources
and Office of Security and Safety.
Safeguards:
Records are located in secured rooms with retained background
investigative security files being housed in security containers with
access limited to those whose official duties require access.
Electronic files are password protected and can only be accessed by
authorized personnel.
The e-QIP system is subject to federal law governing records
maintained on individuals. Unauthorized attempts to access the e-QIP
system, as well as any use of data in the system for unauthorized
purposes, are a violation of federal law and/or regulation. Violators
are subject to disciplinary action and prosecution.
Retention and disposal:
Records retention and disposal is in accordance with the series
record schedules.
System manager(s) and address:
Director of Security and Safety, United States Patent and Trademark
Office, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450.
Notification procedure:
Information about the records contained in this system may be
obtained by sending a request in writing, signed, to the system manager
at the address above or to the address provided in 37 CFR 102 subpart B
for making inquiries about records covered by the Privacy Act.
Requesters should provide their name, address, and record sought in
accordance with the procedures for making inquiries appearing in 37 CFR
part 102 subpart B.
Record access procedures:
Requests from individuals should be addressed as stated in the
notification section above.
Contesting record procedures:
The general provisions for access, contesting contents, and
appealing initial determinations by the individual concerned appear in
37 CFR part 102 subpart B. Requests from individuals should be
addressed as stated in the notification section above.
Record source categories:
Subject individuals; OPM, FBI and other Federal, state and local
agencies; individuals and organizations that have pertinent knowledge
about the subject individual; and those authorized by the individual to
furnish information.
Exemptions claimed for the system:
Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a (k)(1), (k)(2) and (k)(5), all
investigatory information and material in the record which meets the
criteria of these subsections are exempted from the notice, access, and
contest requirements under 5 U.S.C. 552a (c)(3), (d), (e)(1), (e)(4)
(G), (H), and (I), and (f) of the agency regulations because of the
necessity to exempt this information and material in order to
accomplish the law enforcement function of the agency, to prevent
disclosure of classified information as required by Executive Order
12065, to prevent subjects of investigation from frustrating the
investigatory process, to prevent the disclosure of investigative
techniques, to fulfill commitments made to protect the confidentiality
of information, and to avoid endangering these sources and law
enforcement personnel.
Dated: November 18, 2013.
Susan K. Fawcett,
Records Officer, USPTO, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2013-27968 Filed 11-21-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-16-P
