Office of the Secretary October 2015 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Office of the Secretary of Defense proposes to add a new system of records, DMDC 20, entitled ``Personnel Security Breach Notification and Mitigation Services Records''. The Department of Defense is providing notification and facilitating the provision of breach mitigation services to individuals affected by the breach of information in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) background investigation databases the Department must establish this system in order to provide notification to and facilitate the provision of breach mitigation services. Due to the number and proportion of affected individuals belonging to the DoD, DoD entered into agreements with OPM to handle the breach notification and mitigation services. DoD will also use these records to respond to breach verification inquiries. Individuals may go to OPM's Web site and click on a link that will redirect them to a DoD Web site where they can enter their information to find out if they have been affected by this breach. These records may also be used for tracking, reporting, measuring, and improving The Department's effectiveness in implementing this data breach notification.

This notice provides the updated TRICARE Young Adult program premiums for Calendar Year (CY) 2016.

The Department of Defense has submitted to OMB for clearance, the following proposal for collection of information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act.

The Office of the Secretary, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU), invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval to renew a collection. This collection renewal request includes one Short Term Lending Program (STLP) application used for both new loan guarantee applicants and renewal loan guarantee applicants. The information collected in the STLP application will determine the applicant's eligibility and is necessary to approve or deny a loan. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13.

The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting the employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) sponsored information collection request (ICR) titled, ``Foreign Currency Transactions, Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption 1994-20,'' to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval for continued use, without change, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. Public comments on the ICR are invited.

Notice is hereby given that the Office of Research Integrity (ORI) has taken final action in the following case: Dr. Maria C.P. Geraedts, University of Maryland, Baltimore: Based on the report of an investigation conducted by the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) and analysis conducted by ORI in its oversight review, ORI and UMB found that Dr. Maria C.P. Geraedts, former postdoctoral fellow, Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, UMB, engaged in research misconduct in research supported by National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), National Institutes of Health (NIH), grant R01 DC010110. ORI found falsified and/or fabricated data included in the following two (2) publications: Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 303:E464-E474, 2012 (hereafter referred to as ``AJP 2012'') Journal of Neuroscience 33(17):7559-7564, 2013 (hereafter referred to as ``JN 2013'') As a result of the UMB investigation, JN 2013 and AJP 2012 have been retracted. ORI found that Respondent falsified and/or fabricated bar graphs in AJP 2012, by changing ELISA-based measurements to produce the desired result for secretion of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) from intestinal explants from various mouse strains in: Figure 2 for GLP-1 release from duodenum (2A & D), jejunum (2B & E), and ileum (2C & F). Figure 3 for GLP-1 release from colon (3A & C) and rectum (3D). Figure 4 for GLP-1 release from ileum (4A) and colon (4C) in the presence or absence of an ATP-sensitive K+ channel inhibitor. ORI found that Respondent falsified and/or fabricated bar graphs in Figure 1, JN 2013 by changing ELISA-based measurements to produce the desired result for the secretion of peptides found in taste buds (GLP- 1, glucagon, or neuropeptide Y) from mouse lingual epithelium exposed to various concentrations of stimuli (glucose, sucralose, MSG, polycose). These bar graphs also were included as Figure 7 in grant application R01 DC010110-06. Both the Respondent and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) want to conclude this matter without further expenditure of time or other resources and have entered into a Voluntary Settlement Agreement (Agreement) to resolve this matter. Respondent stated that she is not currently involved in U.S. Public Health Service (PHS)- supported research and has no intention of applying for or engaging in PHS-supported research or otherwise working with PHS. Dr. Geraedts has entered into a Voluntary Settlement Agreement with ORI and UMB, in which she voluntarily agreed to the administrative actions set forth below. The administrative actions are required for three (3) years beginning on the date of Dr. Geraedts employment in a position in which she receives or applies for PHS support on or after the effective date of the Agreement (September 22, 2015). If the Respondent has not obtained employment in a research position in which she receives or applies for PHS support within one (1) year of the effective date of the Agreement, the administrative actions set forth below will no longer apply. Dr. Geraedts has voluntarily agreed: (1) To have her research supervised as described below and notify her employer(s)/institution(s) of the terms of this supervision; Respondent agreed that prior to the submission of an application for PHS support for a research project on which her participation is proposed and prior to her participation in any capacity on PHS- supported research, Respondent shall ensure that a plan for supervision of her duties is submitted to ORI for approval; the supervision plan must be designed to ensure the scientific integrity of her research contribution; Respondent agreed that she will not participate in any PHS-supported research until such a supervision plan is submitted to and approved by ORI; Respondent agreed to maintain responsibility for compliance with the agreed upon supervision plan; (2) that any institution employing her shall submit in conjunction with each application for PHS funds, or report, manuscript, or abstract involving PHS-supported research in which Respondent is involved, a certification to ORI that the data provided by Respondent are based on actual experiments or are otherwise legitimately derived, and that the data, procedures, and methodology are accurately reported in the application, report, manuscript, or abstract; and (3) to exclude herself voluntarily from serving in any advisory capacity to PHS including, but not limited to, service on any PHS advisory committee, board, and/or peer review committee, or as a consultant for period of three (3) years beginning on September 22, 2015.

On October 30, 2015, the Department of Labor (DOL) will submit the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) sponsored information collection request (ICR) revision titled, ``H-2B Foreign Labor Certification Program,'' to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval for use in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). Public comments on the ICR are invited.

The Office of the Secretary of Defense proposes to add a new system of records, DUSDA 15, entitled ``AT&L External Account Creation System (EACS)'' to validate eligibility, and maintain an official registry that identifies individuals who apply for, and are granted access privileges to AT&L products, services and electronic information systems.

The Office of the Secretary of Defense is deleting a system of records notice from its existing inventory of record systems subject to the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended. The system of records notice is WUSU 19, entitled ``Travel Records'' (February 22, 1993, 58 FR 10920).

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Defense Logistics Agency announces a proposed public information collection and seeks public comment on the provisions thereof. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the information collection on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

The Defense Travel Management Office is publishing Civilian Personnel Per Diem Bulletin Number 299. This bulletin lists revisions in the per diem rates prescribed for U.S. Government employees for official travel in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands and Possessions of the United States when applicable. AEA changes announced in Bulletin Number 194 remain in effect. Bulletin Number 299 is being published in the Federal Register to assure that travelers are paid per diem at the most current rates.

The Department of Defense is publishing the unclassified text of a section 36(b)(1) arms sales notification. This is published to fulfill the requirements of section 155 of Public Law 104-164 dated July 21, 1996.

The Department of Defense is publishing the unclassified text of a section 36(b)(1) arms sales notification. This is published to fulfill the requirements of section 155 of Public Law 104-164 dated July 21, 1996.

This final rule updates and clarifies procedures regarding the review and accessibility to records and information in the custody of the Secretary of Defense and the OSD Components. The purpose of this rule is to provide such guidance to former Cabinet level officials and former Presidential appointees (FPAs), including their personnel, aides, and official researchers.

On Friday, October 16, 2015 (80 FR 62523), the Department of Defense published a notice titled ``Proposed Collection; Comment Request'' for National Language Service Corps; DD Forms 2932, 2933, and 2934; OMB Control Number 0704-0449. Subsequent to the publication of the notice, the Department of Defense discovered that the notice was unnecessary as public comment had already been solicited in the preamble of the proposed rule that published in the Federal Register on Tuesday, February 24, 2015 (80 FR 9669-9673).

This notice provides the updated regional per-diem rates for low-volume mental health providers; the update factor for hospital- specific per-diems; the updated cap per-diem for high-volume providers; the beneficiary per-diem cost-share amount for low-volume providers; and, the updated per-diem rates for both full-day and half-day TRICARE Partial Hospitalization Programs for Fiscal Year 2016.

The Defense Finance and Accounting Service proposes to add a new system of records, T4500c, entitled ``DFAS Transportation Incentive Program System (TIPS)'' to manage the mass transportation program for DFAS civilian and DFAS NAF employees applying for and in receipt of mass transit subsidies.

The Defense Health Agency proposes to alter an existing system of records, EDTMA 04, entitled ``Medical/Dental Claim History Files'' in its inventory of record systems subject to the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended. The Defense Health Agency and its contractors and DoD staff (including Military Treatment Facilities, clinics and TRICARE Regional Offices Staff) use the information to control and process health care benefits available under TRICARE and the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA), including the processing of medical or dental claims, the control and approval of medical or dental treatments, issuance of deductible certificates, and necessary interface with providers of health care. The system also supports audits of contractor-processed claims to determine payment and occurrence accuracy of the contractor's adjudication process.

The Office of the Secretary of Defense proposes to add a new system of records, DPA 02, entitled ``AFNConnect (AFNC)'' which will document the eligibility and continued validation of authorized individuals Outside the Continental United States (OCONUS) who register an American Forces Network satellite decoder. AFNConnect provides U.S. military commanders worldwide a means to communicate internal information to OCONUS users. Records may also be used as a management tool for statistical analysis, tracking, reporting, evaluating program effectiveness, and conducting research.

The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) sponsored information collection request (ICR) titled, ``Acquisition and Sale of Trust Real Estate Investment Trust Shares by Individual Account Plans Sponsored by Trust Real Estate Investment Trusts,'' to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval for continued use, without change, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. Public comments on the ICR are invited.

The Department of Defense is publishing this notice to announce the following Federal Advisory Committee meeting of the Judicial Proceedings since Fiscal Year 2012 Amendments Panel (``the Judicial Proceedings Panel'' or ``the Panel''). The meeting is open to the public.

The Department of Defense is publishing this notice to announce that the following Federal Advisory Committee meeting of the Defense Health Board will take place.

The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) sponsored information collection request (ICR) titled, ``Prohibited Transaction Exemption 1990-1, Insurance Company Pooled Separate Accounts,'' to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval for continued use, without change, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. Public comments on the ICR are invited.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended), the Department of Transportation's Office of the Secretary is forwarding the Information Collection Request (ICR) described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval. The ICR describes the nature of the information and the expected burden. OST published a Federal Register notice with a 60- day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information on April 16, 2015. The purpose of this notice is to allow the public an additional 30 days from the date of this notice to submit comments to the recently published application to renew ICR 2105-0551, ``Reporting Requirements for Disability-Related Complaints.''