Executive Office of the President June 2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Federal Government is starting the process of developing a new Joint Strategic Plan on Intellectual Property Enforcement. By committing to common goals, the U.S. Government will more effectively and efficiently combat intellectual property infringement. In this request for comments, the U.S. Government, through the Office of the U.S. Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator (``IPEC''), invites public input and participation in shaping the Administration's intellectual property enforcement strategy. The Office of the U.S. Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator was established within the Executive Office of the President pursuant to the Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property Act of 2008, Public Law 110-403 (Oct. 13, 2008) (the ``PRO IP Act''). Pursuant to the PRO IP Act, IPEC is charged with developing the Administration's Joint Strategic Plan on Intellectual Property Enforcement for submission to Congress every three years. In carrying out this mandate, IPEC chairs an interagency intellectual property enforcement advisory committee comprised of Federal departmental and agency heads whose respective departments and agencies are involved in intellectual property enforcement. This request for comments and recommendations as IPEC develops a new enforcement strategy is divided into three parts. In the first section titled ``Strategy Recommendations,'' IPEC requests detailed recommendations from the public regarding specific recommendations for improving the U.S. Government's intellectual property enforcement efforts. In the second section titled ``Threat Assessment,'' IPEC seeks written submissions from the public regarding existing and emerging threats to the protection of intellectual property rights and the identification of threats to public health and safety and the U.S. economy resulting from intellectual property infringement. In the third section titled ``Optional Questions,'' IPEC seeks written submissions from the public to assist IPEC and agencies in the development of specific action items. Responses to this request for comments may be directed to either, or both, of the two sections described above.

The Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is proposing to revise OMB Circular A- 131, Value Engineering, to update and reinforce policies associated with the consideration and use of Value Engineering (VE). VE is an effective technique for cutting waste and inefficiencyhelping Federal agencies save billions of dollars in program and acquisition costs, improve performance, enhance quality, and foster the use of innovation. The proposed revisions are designed to ensure that the Federal Government has the capabilities and tools to consider and apply VE techniques to the maximum extent appropriate.