80 FR 22717 - Recruitment of First Responder Network Authority Board Members

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Telecommunications and Information Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 78 (April 23, 2015)

Page Range		22717-22718
FR Document		2015-09527

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) issues this Notice on behalf of the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) as part of the annual process to seek expressions of interest from individuals who would like to serve on the FirstNet Board.\1\ Four of the 12 appointments of non-permanent members to the FirstNet Board are expiring in August 2015. The Secretary of Commerce may reappoint individuals to serve on the FirstNet Board provided they have not served two consecutive full three-year terms.\2\ NTIA issues this Notice to obtain expressions of interest in the event the Secretary must fill any vacancies arising on the Board. Expressions of interest will be accepted until May 15, 2015. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 78 (Thursday, April 23, 2015)

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 78 (Thursday, April 23, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22717-22718]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-09527]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Telecommunications and Information Administration


Recruitment of First Responder Network Authority Board Members

AGENCY: National Telecommunications and Information Administration, 
U.S. Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The National Telecommunications and Information Administration 
(NTIA) issues this Notice on behalf of the First Responder Network 
Authority (FirstNet) as part of the annual process to seek expressions 
of interest from individuals who would like to serve on the FirstNet 
Board.\1\ Four of the 12 appointments of non-permanent members to the 
FirstNet Board are expiring in August 2015. The Secretary of Commerce 
may reappoint individuals to serve on the FirstNet Board provided they 
have not served two consecutive full three-year terms.\2\ NTIA issues 
this Notice to obtain expressions of interest in the event the 
Secretary must fill any vacancies arising on the Board. Expressions of 
interest will be accepted until May 15, 2015.
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    \1\ The Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 
(Act) created FirstNet as an independent authority within NTIA, 
directing it to establish a single nationwide interoperable 
broadband network. Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 
2012, Public Law 112-96, 126 Stat. 156 (``Act''), to be codified at 
47 U.S.C. 1401 et. seq. The Act requires that FirstNet be led by a 
15-person Board, with the Secretary of Homeland Security, the 
Attorney General, and the Director of the Office of Management and 
Budget serving as permanent members of the Board. 47 U.S.C. 
1424(b)(1).
    \2\ 47 U.S.C. 1424(c)(2)(A)(ii).

DATES: Expressions of Interest must be postmarked or electronically 
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transmitted on or before May 15, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to submit expressions of interest as 
described below should send that information to: Marsha MacBride, 
Acting Associate Administrator of NTIA's Office of Public Safety 
Communications by email to FirstNetBoard@ntia.doc.gov; by U.S. mail or 
commercial delivery service to: Office of Public Safety Communications, 
National Telecommunications and Information Administration, 1401 
Constitution Avenue NW., Room 7324, Washington, DC 20230; or by 
facsimile transmission to (202) 501-0536. Please note that all material 
sent via the U.S. Postal Service (including ``Overnight'' or ``Express 
Mail'') is subject to delivery delays of up to two weeks due to mail 
security procedures.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marsha MacBride, Acting Associate 
Administrator, Office of Public Safety Communications, National 
Telecommunications and Information Administration, U.S. Department of 
Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW., Room 7324, Washington, DC 
20230; telephone: (202) 482-1150; email: mmacbride@ntia.doc.gov. Please 
direct media inquiries to NTIA's Office of Public Affairs, (202) 482-
7002.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background and Authority

    The Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (Act) 
created the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) as an 
independent authority within NTIA and charged it with establishing and 
overseeing a nationwide, interoperable public safety broadband network, 
based on a single, national network architecture.\3\ FirstNet is 
responsible for, at a minimum, ensuring nationwide standards for use 
and access of the network; issuing open, transparent, and competitive 
requests for proposals (RFPs) to build, operate, and maintain the 
network; encouraging these RFPs to leverage, to the maximum extent 
economically desirable, existing commercial wireless infrastructure to 
speed deployment of the network; and managing and overseeing contracts 
with non-federal entities to build, operate, and maintain the 
network.\4\ FirstNet holds the single public safety license granted for 
wireless public safety broadband deployment. The FirstNet Board is 
responsible for making strategic decisions about FirstNet's operations

[[Page 22718]]

and ensuring the success of the nationwide network.
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    \3\ 47 U.S.C. 1422(b).
    \4\ 47 U.S.C. 1426(b)(1).
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II. Structure

    The FirstNet Board is composed of 15 voting members. The Act names 
the U.S. Attorney General, the Director of the Office of Management and 
Budget, and the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security as 
permanent members of the Board. The Secretary of Commerce appoints the 
twelve non-permanent members of the FirstNet Board.\5\ The Act requires 
each Board member to have experience or expertise in at least one of 
the following substantive areas: public safety, network, technical, 
and/or financial.\6\ Additionally, the composition of the FirstNet 
Board must satisfy the other requirements specified in the Act, 
including that: (i) at least three Board members have served as public 
safety professionals; (ii) at least three members represent the 
collective interests of states, localities, tribes, and territories; 
and (iii) its members reflect geographic and regional, as well as rural 
and urban, representation.\7\ An individual Board member may satisfy 
more than one of these requirements. The current non-permanent FirstNet 
Board members are (noting length of term):
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    \5\ 47 U.S.C. 1424(b).
    \6\ 47 U.S.C. 1424(b)(2)(B).
    \7\ 47 U.S.C. 1424(b)(2)(A).

 Barry Boniface, telecommunications executive and private 
equity investor (Term expires: August 2016)
 Tim Bryan, CEO, National Rural Telecom Cooperative (Term 
expires: August 2015)
 Chris Burbank, Chief, Salt Lake City Police Department (Term 
expires: August 2017)
 James Douglas, Former Governor of Vermont (Term expires: 
August 2017)
 Jeffrey Johnson (Vice Chair), Fire Chief (retired); CEO, 
Western Fire Chiefs Association; former Chair, Oregon State 
Interoperability Council (Term expires: August 2016)
 Kevin McGinnis, Chief/Community Paramedicine, North East 
Mobile Health Services (Term expires: August 2015)
 Annise Parker, Mayor, City of Houston, Texas (Term expires: 
August 2015)
 Frank Plastina, telecommunications/technology executive (Term 
expires: August 2015)
 Ed Reynolds, telecommunications executive (retired) (Term 
expires: August 2017)
 Richard Stanek, Sheriff of Hennepin County, Minnesota and 
National Sheriffs' Association Executive Committee Member (Term 
expires: August 2017)
 Susan Swenson (Chair), telecommunications/technology executive 
(Term expires: August 2016)
 Teri Takai, government information technology expert; former 
CIO, States of Michigan and California (Term expires: August 2016)

    More information about the FirstNet Board is available at 
www.firstnet.gov/about/Board. Board members are appointed for a term of 
three years, and Board members may not serve more than two consecutive 
full three-year terms.

III. Compensation and Status as Government Employees

    FirstNet Board members are appointed as special government 
employees. FirstNet Board members are compensated at the daily rate of 
basic pay for level IV of the Executive Schedule (approximately 
$155,000 per year).\8\ Each Board member must be a United States 
citizen, cannot be a registered lobbyist, and cannot be a registered 
agent of, employed by, or receive payments from a foreign 
government.\9\
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    \8\ 47 U.S.C. 1424(g).
    \9\ See, Revised Guidance on Appointment of Lobbyists to Federal 
Advisory Committees, Boards, and Commissions, Office of Management 
and Budget, 79 FR 47482 (Aug. 13, 2014).
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IV. Financial Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest

    FirstNet Board members must comply with certain federal conflict of 
interest statutes and ethics regulations, including some financial 
disclosure requirements. A FirstNet Board member will generally be 
prohibited from participating on any particular matter that will have a 
direct and predictable effect on his or her personal financial 
interests or on the interests of the appointee's spouse, minor 
children, or non-federal employer.

V. Selection Process

    At the direction of the Secretary of Commerce, NTIA, in 
consultation with FirstNet, will conduct outreach to the public safety 
community, state and local organizations, and industry to solicit 
nominations for candidates to the Board who satisfy the statutory 
requirements for membership. In addition, by this Notice, the Secretary 
of Commerce, through NTIA, will accept expressions of interest until 
May 15, 2015 from any individual, or any organization that wishes to 
propose a candidate, who satisfies the statutory requirements for 
membership on the FirstNet Board.\10\
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    \10\ Incumbent Board members whose terms expire in August 2015, 
and who wish to be considered for reappointment, do not need to 
submit an expression of interest in response to this Notice.
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    All parties wishing to be considered should submit their full name, 
address, telephone number, email address, a current resume, and a 
statement of qualifications that references how the candidate satisfies 
the Act's expertise, representational, and geographic requirements for 
FirstNet Board membership, as described in this Notice, along with a 
statement describing why they want to serve on the FirstNet Board and 
affirming their ability to take a regular and active role in the 
Board's work.
    The Secretary of Commerce will select FirstNet Board candidates 
based on the eligibility requirements in the Act and recommendations 
submitted by NTIA, in consultation with the FirstNet Board's Governance 
and Personnel Committee. NTIA will recommend candidates based on an 
assessment of their qualifications as well as their demonstrated 
ability to work in a collaborative way to achieve the goals and 
objectives of FirstNet as set forth in the Act. Board candidates will 
be vetted through the Department of Commerce and are subject to an 
appropriate background check for security clearance.

    Dated: April 20, 2015.
Lawrence E. Strickling,
Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information.
[FR Doc. 2015-09527 Filed 4-22-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-60-P

Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 78 / Thursday, April 23, 2015 / Notices 22717

on killer (Orcinus orca) and beluga In compliance with the National DATES:Expressions of Interest must be
(Delphinapterus leucas) whales. Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 postmarked or electronically
DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), an initial transmitted on or before May 15, 2015.
comments must be received on or before determination has been made that the ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to submit
May 26, 2015. activity proposed is categorically expressions of interest as described
excluded from the requirement to below should send that information to:
ADDRESSES: These documents are also
prepare an environmental assessment or Marsha MacBride, Acting Associate
available upon written request or by
environmental impact statement. Administrator of NTIA’s Office of Public
appointment in the Permits and
Concurrent with the publication of Safety Communications by email to
Conservation Division, Office of
this notice in the Federal Register, FirstNetBoard@ntia.doc.gov; by U.S.
Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-
NMFS is forwarding copies of the mail or commercial delivery service to:
West Highway, Room 13705, Silver
application to the Marine Mammal Office of Public Safety Communications,
Spring, MD 20910; phone (301) 427–
Commission and its Committee of National Telecommunications and
8401; fax (301) 713–0376.
Scientific Advisors. Information Administration, 1401
Written comments on this application
should be submitted to the Chief, Dated: April 20, 2015. Constitution Avenue NW., Room 7324,
Permits and Conservation Division, at Julia Harrison, Washington, DC 20230; or by facsimile
the address listed above. Comments may Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, transmission to (202) 501–0536. Please
also be submitted by facsimile to (301) Office of Protected Resources, National note that all material sent via the U.S.
713–0376, or by email to Marine Fisheries Service. Postal Service (including ‘‘Overnight’’
NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov. Please [FR Doc. 2015–09477 Filed 4–22–15; 8:45 am] or ‘‘Express Mail’’) is subject to delivery
include File No. 19444 in the subject BILLING CODE 3510–22–P delays of up to two weeks due to mail
line of the email comment. security procedures.
Those individuals requesting a public FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
hearing should submit a written request DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Marsha MacBride, Acting Associate
to the Chief, Permits and Conservation Administrator, Office of Public Safety
National Telecommunications and
Division at the address listed above. The Communications, National
Information Administration
request should set forth the specific Telecommunications and Information
reasons why a hearing on this Recruitment of First Responder Administration, U.S. Department of
application would be appropriate. Network Authority Board Members Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: NW., Room 7324, Washington, DC
Carrie Hubard or Brendan Hurley, (301) AGENCY: National Telecommunications 20230; telephone: (202) 482–1150;
427–8401. and Information Administration, U.S. email: mmacbride@ntia.doc.gov. Please
Department of Commerce. direct media inquiries to NTIA’s Office
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
subject permit is requested under the ACTION: Notice. of Public Affairs, (202) 482–7002.
authority of the Marine Mammal SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
SUMMARY: The National
Protection Act of 1972, as amended
Telecommunications and Information I. Background and Authority
(MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) and the
Administration (NTIA) issues this
regulations governing the taking and The Middle Class Tax Relief and Job
Notice on behalf of the First Responder
importing of marine mammals (50 CFR Creation Act of 2012 (Act) created the
Network Authority (FirstNet) as part of
part 216). First Responder Network Authority
the annual process to seek expressions
The applicant proposes to film killer of interest from individuals who would (FirstNet) as an independent authority
and beluga whales, focusing on their like to serve on the FirstNet Board.1 within NTIA and charged it with
relationship with salmon. Filming Four of the 12 appointments of non- establishing and overseeing a
would occur in Bristol Bay, Nushagak permanent members to the FirstNet nationwide, interoperable public safety
and Kvichak Bays, Kenai Fjords, Board are expiring in August 2015. The broadband network, based on a single,
Resurrection Bay, Aialik Bay, Harris Bay Secretary of Commerce may reappoint national network architecture.3 FirstNet
and Blying Sound, Alaska. A maximum individuals to serve on the FirstNet is responsible for, at a minimum,
of 45 killer whales and 25 belugas Board provided they have not served ensuring nationwide standards for use
would be approached for filming. In two consecutive full three-year terms.2 and access of the network; issuing open,
addition, 25 harbor seals (Phoca NTIA issues this Notice to obtain transparent, and competitive requests
vitulina), 20 gray whales (Eschrichtius expressions of interest in the event the for proposals (RFPs) to build, operate,
robustus), 25 Dall’s porpoises Secretary must fill any vacancies arising and maintain the network; encouraging
(Phocoenoides dalli), and 25 harbor on the Board. Expressions of interest these RFPs to leverage, to the maximum
porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) may be will be accepted until May 15, 2015. extent economically desirable, existing
incidentally harassed during filming commercial wireless infrastructure to
operations. Filming would occur from 1 The Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation
speed deployment of the network; and
boats, a kayak, and an underwater diver. Act of 2012 (Act) created FirstNet as an managing and overseeing contracts with
Hydrophones would be used to record independent authority within NTIA, directing it to non-federal entities to build, operate,
sounds. Researchers familiar with the establish a single nationwide interoperable and maintain the network.4 FirstNet
broadband network. Middle Class Tax Relief and
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

key species are working with the holds the single public safety license
Job Creation Act of 2012, Public Law 112–96, 126
applicant as advisors. Footage would be Stat. 156 (‘‘Act’’), to be codified at 47 U.S.C. 1401 granted for wireless public safety
used in a feature film for theatrical et. seq. The Act requires that FirstNet be led by a broadband deployment. The FirstNet
release and related projects, all focusing 15-person Board, with the Secretary of Homeland Board is responsible for making strategic
on salmon and their environment. Security, the Attorney General, and the Director of decisions about FirstNet’s operations
the Office of Management and Budget serving as
Filming would occur in the summer and permanent members of the Board. 47 U.S.C.
fall of 2015. The permit would be valid 1424(b)(1). 3 47 U.S.C. 1422(b).
until October 31, 2015. 2 47 U.S.C. 1424(c)(2)(A)(ii). 4 47 U.S.C. 1426(b)(1).

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22718 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 78 / Thursday, April 23, 2015 / Notices

and ensuring the success of the Committee Member (Term expires: satisfies the statutory requirements for
nationwide network. August 2017) membership on the FirstNet Board.10
II. Structure • Susan Swenson (Chair), All parties wishing to be considered
telecommunications/technology should submit their full name, address,
The FirstNet Board is composed of 15 executive (Term expires: August telephone number, email address, a
voting members. The Act names the 2016) current resume, and a statement of
U.S. Attorney General, the Director of qualifications that references how the
• Teri Takai, government information
the Office of Management and Budget, candidate satisfies the Act’s expertise,
technology expert; former CIO, States
and the Secretary of the Department of representational, and geographic
of Michigan and California (Term
Homeland Security as permanent requirements for FirstNet Board
expires: August 2016)
members of the Board. The Secretary of membership, as described in this
Commerce appoints the twelve non- More information about the FirstNet Notice, along with a statement
permanent members of the FirstNet Board is available at www.firstnet.gov/ describing why they want to serve on
Board.5 The Act requires each Board about/Board. Board members are the FirstNet Board and affirming their
member to have experience or expertise appointed for a term of three years, and ability to take a regular and active role
in at least one of the following Board members may not serve more in the Board’s work.
substantive areas: public safety, than two consecutive full three-year The Secretary of Commerce will select
network, technical, and/or financial.6 terms. FirstNet Board candidates based on the
Additionally, the composition of the III. Compensation and Status as eligibility requirements in the Act and
FirstNet Board must satisfy the other Government Employees recommendations submitted by NTIA,
requirements specified in the Act, in consultation with the FirstNet
including that: (i) at least three Board FirstNet Board members are Board’s Governance and Personnel
members have served as public safety appointed as special government Committee. NTIA will recommend
professionals; (ii) at least three members employees. FirstNet Board members are candidates based on an assessment of
represent the collective interests of compensated at the daily rate of basic their qualifications as well as their
states, localities, tribes, and territories; pay for level IV of the Executive demonstrated ability to work in a
and (iii) its members reflect geographic Schedule (approximately $155,000 per collaborative way to achieve the goals
and regional, as well as rural and urban, year).8 Each Board member must be a and objectives of FirstNet as set forth in
representation.7 An individual Board United States citizen, cannot be a the Act. Board candidates will be vetted
member may satisfy more than one of registered lobbyist, and cannot be a through the Department of Commerce
these requirements. The current non- registered agent of, employed by, or and are subject to an appropriate
permanent FirstNet Board members are receive payments from a foreign background check for security
(noting length of term): government.9 clearance.
• Barry Boniface, telecommunications IV. Financial Disclosure and Conflicts Dated: April 20, 2015.
executive and private equity investor of Interest Lawrence E. Strickling,
(Term expires: August 2016) Assistant Secretary for Communications and
• Tim Bryan, CEO, National Rural FirstNet Board members must comply
Information.
Telecom Cooperative (Term expires: with certain federal conflict of interest
[FR Doc. 2015–09527 Filed 4–22–15; 8:45 am]
August 2015) statutes and ethics regulations,
• Chris Burbank, Chief, Salt Lake City including some financial disclosure BILLING CODE 3510–60–P

Police Department (Term expires: requirements. A FirstNet Board member
August 2017) will generally be prohibited from
• James Douglas, Former Governor of participating on any particular matter DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Vermont (Term expires: August 2017) that will have a direct and predictable
• Jeffrey Johnson (Vice Chair), Fire effect on his or her personal financial Office of the Secretary
Chief (retired); CEO, Western Fire interests or on the interests of the [Docket ID: DoD–2015–OS–0037]
Chiefs Association; former Chair, appointee’s spouse, minor children, or
Oregon State Interoperability Council non-federal employer. Proposed Collection; Comment
(Term expires: August 2016) Request
• Kevin McGinnis, Chief/Community V. Selection Process
AGENCY: Defense Technical Information
Paramedicine, North East Mobile At the direction of the Secretary of Center (DTIC), DoD.
Health Services (Term expires: August Commerce, NTIA, in consultation with ACTION: Notice.
2015) FirstNet, will conduct outreach to the
• Annise Parker, Mayor, City of public safety community, state and local SUMMARY: In compliance with the
Houston, Texas (Term expires: August organizations, and industry to solicit Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the
2015) nominations for candidates to the Board Defense Technical Information Center
• Frank Plastina, telecommunications/ who satisfy the statutory requirements (DTIC), DoD announces a proposed
technology executive (Term expires: for membership. In addition, by this public information collection and seeks
August 2015) Notice, the Secretary of Commerce, public comment on the provisions
• Ed Reynolds, telecommunications through NTIA, will accept expressions thereof. Comments are invited on: (a)
executive (retired) (Term expires: of interest until May 15, 2015 from any Whether the proposed collection of
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

August 2017) individual, or any organization that information is necessary for the proper
• Richard Stanek, Sheriff of Hennepin wishes to propose a candidate, who performance of the functions of the
County, Minnesota and National agency, including whether the
Sheriffs’ Association Executive 8 47U.S.C. 1424(g).
9 See,Revised Guidance on Appointment of 10 Incumbent Board members whose terms expire
5 47 U.S.C. 1424(b). Lobbyists to Federal Advisory Committees, Boards, in August 2015, and who wish to be considered for
6 47 U.S.C. 1424(b)(2)(B).
and Commissions, Office of Management and reappointment, do not need to submit an expression
7 47 U.S.C. 1424(b)(2)(A). Budget, 79 FR 47482 (Aug. 13, 2014). of interest in response to this Notice.

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Document Created: 2015-12-16 08:41:43
Document Modified: 2015-12-16 08:41:43

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice.
Dates		Expressions of Interest must be postmarked or electronically
Contact		Marsha MacBride, Acting Associate Administrator, Office of Public Safety Communications, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW., Room 7324, Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482-1150; email: [email protected] Please direct media inquiries to NTIA's Office of Public Affairs, (202) 482- 7002.
FR Citation		80 FR 22717

80 FR 22717 - Recruitment of First Responder Network Authority Board Members

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCENational Telecommunications and Information Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 78 (April 23, 2015)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Telecommunications and Information Administration