80_FR_37856 80 FR 37730 - Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement Open Season

80 FR 37730 - Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement Open Season

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Maritime Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 126 (July 1, 2015)

Page Range37730-37732
FR Document2015-16179

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) announces that the open season for Fiscal Year 2016 applications for participation in the Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement (VISA) program will run for 30 days beginning today and ending July 31, 2015. The purpose of this notice is to invite interested, qualified U.S.-flag vessel operators that are not currently enrolled in the VISA program to apply. This is the only planned enrollment period for carriers to join the VISA program and derive benefits for Department of Defense (DOD) peacetime contracts initiated during the period from October 1, 2015, through September 30, 2016. Any U.S.-flag vessel operator organized under the laws of a state of the United States, or the District of Columbia, who is able and willing to commit militarily useful sealift assets and assume the related consequential risks of commercial disruption, may be eligible to participate in the VISA program. The mission of VISA is to provide commercial sealift and intermodal shipping services and systems, including vessels, vessel space, intermodal systems and equipment, terminal facilities, and related management services, to the Department of Defense (DOD), as necessary, to meet national defense contingency requirements or national emergencies. Carriers enrolled in the VISA program provide DOD with assured access to such services during contingencies. In return for their VISA commitment, DOD gives VISA participants priority for peacetime cargos.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 126 (Wednesday, July 1, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 126 (Wednesday, July 1, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37730-37732]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-16179]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Maritime Administration


Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement Open Season

AGENCY: Maritime Administration, Department of Transportation.

ACTION: Notice of open season for enrollment in the VISA program.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Maritime Administration (MARAD) announces that the open 
season for Fiscal Year 2016 applications for participation in the 
Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement (VISA) program will run for 30 
days beginning today and ending July 31, 2015. The purpose of this 
notice is to invite interested, qualified U.S.-flag vessel operators 
that are not currently enrolled in the VISA program to apply. This is 
the only planned enrollment period for carriers to join the VISA 
program and derive benefits for Department of Defense (DOD) peacetime 
contracts initiated during the period from October 1, 2015, through 
September 30, 2016.
    Any U.S.-flag vessel operator organized under the laws of a state 
of the United States, or the District of Columbia, who is able and 
willing to commit militarily useful sealift assets and assume the 
related consequential risks of commercial disruption, may be eligible 
to participate in the VISA program.
    The mission of VISA is to provide commercial sealift and intermodal 
shipping services and systems, including vessels, vessel space, 
intermodal systems and equipment, terminal facilities, and related 
management services, to the Department of Defense (DOD), as necessary, 
to meet national defense contingency requirements or national 
emergencies. Carriers enrolled in the VISA program provide DOD with 
assured access to such services during contingencies. In return for 
their VISA commitment, DOD gives VISA participants priority for 
peacetime cargos.

DATES: VISA Program applications must be received on or before July 31, 
2015.

ADDRESSES: Submit applications and questions related to this notice to 
William G. Kurfehs, Acting Director, Office of Sealift Support, U.S. 
Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration, 1200 New Jersey 
Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William G. Kurfehs, Acting Director, 
Office of Sealift Support, U.S. Department of Transportation, Maritime 
Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.

[[Page 37731]]

Telephone (202) 366-2318; Fax (202) 366-5904, electronic mail to 
[email protected] or visit http://www.marad.dot.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The VISA program was established pursuant to 
Section 708 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended (DPA). 
The VISA program was created to provide for voluntary agreements for 
emergency preparedness programs. Pursuant to the DPA, voluntary 
agreements for preparedness programs, including the VISA program expire 
five (5) years after the date they became effective.
    The VISA program is open to U.S.-flag vessel operators of 
oceangoing militarily useful vessels, to include tugs and barges. An 
operator is defined as an owner or bareboat charterer of a vessel. Tug 
enrollment alone does not satisfy VISA eligibility. Operators include 
vessel owners and bareboat charter operators if satisfactory signed 
agreements are in place committing the assets of the owner to VISA. 
Voyage and space charterers are not considered U.S.-flag vessel 
operators for purposes of VISA eligibility.

VISA Concept

    The VISA program provides for the staged, time-phased availability 
of participants' shipping services/systems through pre-negotiated 
contracts between the Government and participants. Such arrangements 
are jointly planned with the MARAD, U.S. Transportation Command 
(USTRANSCOM), and participants in peacetime to allow effective and best 
valued use of commercial sealift capacity, provide DOD assured 
contingency access, and to minimize commercial disruption.
    There are three time-phased stages in the event of VISA activation. 
VISA Stages I and II provide for pre-negotiated contracts between DOD 
and participants to provide sealift capacity to meet all projected DOD 
contingency requirements. These contracts are executed in accordance 
with approved DOD contracting methodologies. VISA Stage III provides 
for additional capacity to DOD when Stages I and II commitments or 
volunteered capacity are insufficient to meet contingency requirements, 
and adequate shipping services from non-participants are not available 
through established DOD contracting practices or U.S. Government treaty 
agreements.

Exceptions to This Open Season

    The only exception to this open season period for VISA enrollment 
will be for a non-VISA carrier that reflags a vessel into U.S. 
registry. That carrier may submit an application to participate in the 
VISA program at any time upon completion of reflagging.

Advantages of Peacetime Participation

    In return for their VISA commitment, DOD awards peacetime cargo 
contracts to VISA participants on a priority basis. Award of DOD 
cargoes to meet DOD peacetime and contingency requirements is made on 
the basis of the following priorities: U.S.-flag vessel capacity 
operated by VISA participants and U.S.-flag Vessel Sharing Agreement 
(VSA) capacity held by VISA participants; U.S.-flag vessel capacity 
operated by non-participants; Combination U.S.-flag/foreign-flag vessel 
capacity operated by VISA participants, and combination U.S.-flag/
foreign-flag VSA capacity held by VISA participants; Combination U.S.-
flag/foreign-flag vessel capacity operated by non-participants; U.S.-
owned or operated foreign-flag vessel capacity and VSA capacity held by 
VISA participants; U.S.-owned or operated foreign-flag vessel capacity 
and VSA capacity held by non-participants; and Foreign-owned or 
operated foreign-flag vessel capacity of non-participants.

Participation

    Applicants must provide satisfactory evidence that the vessels 
being committed to the VISA program are operational and are intended to 
be operated by the applicant in the carriage of commercial or 
government preference cargoes. Operator is defined as an ocean common 
carrier or contract carrier that owns, controls or manages vessels by 
which ocean transportation is provided. While vessel brokers, freight 
forwarders, and agents play an important role as a conduit to locate 
and secure appropriate vessels for the carriage of DOD cargo, they are 
not eligible to participate in the VISA program due to lack of 
requisite vessel ownership or operation.

Commitment

    Any U.S.-flag vessel operator desiring to receive priority 
consideration for DOD peacetime contracts must commit no less than 50 
percent of its total U.S.-flag militarily useful capacity in Stage III 
of the VISA program. Participants operating vessels in international 
trade may receive top tier consideration in the award of DOD peacetime 
contracts by committing the minimum percentages of capacity to all 
three stages of VISA or bottom tier consideration by committing the 
minimum percentage of capacity to only Stage III of VISA. USTRANSCOM 
and MARAD will coordinate to ensure that the amount of sealift assets 
committed to Stages I and II will not have an adverse national economic 
impact. To minimize domestic commercial disruption, participants 
operating vessels exclusively in the domestic Jones Act trades are not 
required to commit the capacity of those U.S. domestic trading vessels 
to VISA Stages I and II. Overall VISA commitment requirements are based 
on annual enrollment.
    In order to protect a U.S.-flag vessel operator's market share 
during contingency activation, VISA allows participants to join with 
other vessel operators in Carrier Coordination Agreements (CCAs) to 
satisfy commercial or DOD requirements. VISA provides a defense against 
antitrust laws in accordance with the DPA. CCAs must be submitted to 
the MARAD for coordination with the Department of Justice for approval, 
before they can be utilized.

Vessel Position Reporting

    If VISA applicants have the capability to track their vessels, they 
must include the tracking system used in their VISA application. Such 
applicants are required to provide MARAD access to their vessel 
tracking systems upon approval of their VISA application. If VISA 
applicants do not have a tracking system, they must indicate this in 
their VISA application. The VISA program requires enrolled ships to 
comply with 46 CFR part 307, Establishment of Mandatory Position 
Reporting System for Vessels.

Compensation

    In addition to receiving priority in the award of DOD peacetime 
cargo, a participant will receive compensation during contingency 
activation for that capacity activated under Stage I, II and III. The 
amount of compensation will depend on the Stage at which capacity is 
activated. During enrollment, each participant must select one of 
several compensation methodologies. The compensation methodology 
selection will be completed with the appropriate DOD agency, resulting 
in prices in contingency contracts between DOD and the participant.

Security Clearances

    All VISA applicants accepted for VISA participation, not having a 
Facility Security Clearance (FCL), will be required to pursue the 
clearance process with the Defense Security Service (DSS). If the 
accepted applicant does not have a clearance, MARAD will initiate the 
clearance process with DSS. Participants must have a FCL and individual 
security clearances, at a

[[Page 37732]]

minimum of SECRET level, for key personnel in order for them to 
participate in the VISA Joint Planning Advisory Group (JPAG) meetings 
and to meet VISA contingency contract obligations. One of the 
objectives of the JPAG is to provide the USTRANSCOM, MARAD and VISA 
participants a planning forum to analyze DOD contingency sealift/
intermodal service and resource requirements against industry 
commitments. JPAG meetings are often SECRET classified sessions. 
Eligibility for VISA participation will be terminated if an applicant 
is rejected for a facility clearance or if it fails to progress in a 
timely manner in the clearance process.

Application for VISA Participation

    New applicants may apply to participate by obtaining a VISA 
application package (Form MA-1020 (OMB Approval No. 2133-0532)) from 
the Acting Director, Office of Sealift Support. Form MA-1020 includes 
instructions for completing and submitting the application, blank VISA 
Application forms and a request for information regarding the 
operations and U.S. citizenship of the applicant company. A copy of the 
VISA document as published in the Federal Register on October 29, 2014 
will also be provided with the package. This information is needed in 
order to assist MARAD in making a determination of the applicant's 
eligibility. An applicant company must provide an affidavit that 
demonstrates that the company is qualified to document a vessel under 
46 U.S.C. 12103, and that it owns, or bareboat charters and controls, 
oceangoing, militarily useful vessel(s) for purposes of committing 
assets to the VISA program.
    New VISA applicants are required to submit their applications for 
the VISA program as described in this Notice no later than 30 days 
after the date of publication of this Federal Register notice. 
Applicants must provide the following: U.S. citizenship documentation; 
Copy of their Articles of Incorporation and/or By Laws; Copies of 
loadline documents from a recognized classification society to validate 
oceangoing vessel capability; U.S. Coast Guard Certificates of 
Documentation for all vessels in their fleet; Copy of Bareboat 
Charters, if applicable, valid through the period of enrollment, which 
state that the owner will not interfere with the charterer's obligation 
to commit chartered vessel(s) to the VISA program for the duration of 
the charter; and Copy of Time Charters, valid through the period of 
enrollment, for tug services to barge operators, if sufficient tug 
service is not owned or bareboat chartered by the VISA applicant. Barge 
operators must provide evidence to MARAD that tug service of sufficient 
horsepower will be available for all barges enrolled in the VISA 
program.
    Once MARAD has reviewed the application and determined VISA 
eligibility, MARAD will sign the VISA application document which 
completes the eligibility phase of the VISA enrollment process. 
Approved VISA participants will be responsible for ensuring that 
information submitted with their application remains up to date beyond 
the approval process. If charter agreements are due to expire, 
participants must provide MARAD with charters that extend the charter 
duration for another 12 months or longer.
    After VISA eligibility is approved by MARAD, approved applicants 
are required to execute a VISA Contingency Contract with USTRANSCOM. 
The USTRANSCOM VISA Contingency Contract will specify the following: 
Participant's Stage III commitment, and appropriate Stage I and/or II 
commitments for the period October 1, 2015 through September 30, 2016; 
Drytime Contingency terms and conditions; and Liner Contingency terms 
and conditions, if applicable. If any change is expected in the 
Contractor's U.S. flag fleet during the period of the applicable VISA 
Contingency Contract, a minimum 30-day notice shall be provided to 
MARAD and USTRANSCOM identifying the change and to alter the VISA 
Capacity Commitment indicated on Attachment 1 of the VISA Contingency 
Contract.
    Execution of the USTRANSCOM VISA Contingency Contract completes the 
enrollment process and establishes the approved applicant as a VISA 
Participant. The Maritime Administration reserves the right to 
revalidate all eligibility requirements without notice. USTRANSCOM 
reserves the right to revalidate eligibility for VISA priority for DOD 
business at any time without notice.

    Authority:  49 CFR Sections 1.92 and 1.93.
* * * * *

    By Order of the Maritime Administrator.

    Dated: June 25, 2015.
T. Mitchell Hudson, Jr.,
Secretary, Maritime Administration.
[FR Doc. 2015-16179 Filed 6-30-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-81-P



                                              37730                         Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 126 / Wednesday, July 1, 2015 / Notices

                                              FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:      You               Beyel Brothers Inc.                                    DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
                                              may contact William G. Kurfehs, Acting                  Central Gulf Lines, Inc.
                                              Director, Office of Sealift Support, U.S.               Columbia Coastal Transport, LLC                        Maritime Administration
                                              Department of Transportation, Maritime                  CRC Marine Services, Inc.
                                              Administration, 1200 New Jersey                                                                                Voluntary Intermodal Sealift
                                                                                                      Crimson Shipping Co., Inc.                             Agreement Open Season
                                              Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.                       Crowley Puerto Rico Services, Inc.
                                              Telephone (202) 366–2318. You may                                                                              AGENCY: Maritime Administration,
                                                                                                      Crowley Marine Services, Inc.
                                              send electronic mail to Bill.Kurfehs@                                                                          Department of Transportation.
                                              dot.gov.                                                Curtin Maritime, Corp.
                                                                                                                                                             ACTION: Notice of open season for
                                                                                                      Dann Marine Towing, LC
                                              SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:      Colonel                                                                        enrollment in the VISA program.
                                                                                                      Farrell Lines Incorporated
                                              Martin Chapin, USAF, Deputy Director,
                                                                                                      Fidelio Limited Partnership                            SUMMARY:    The Maritime Administration
                                              Operations and Planning, U.S.
                                              Transportation Command, and Mr.                         Foss International, Inc.                               (MARAD) announces that the open
                                              Kevin Tokarski, Associate                               Foss Maritime Company                                  season for Fiscal Year 2016 applications
                                              Administrator for Strategic Sealift,                    Hapag-Lloyd USA, LLC                                   for participation in the Voluntary
                                              Maritime Administration, welcomed the                   Horizon Lines, LLC                                     Intermodal Sealift Agreement (VISA)
                                              participants. Mr. Tokarski thanked the                  LA Carriers, LLC                                       program will run for 30 days beginning
                                              industry participants for their continued               Laborde Marine, L.L.C.                                 today and ending July 31, 2015. The
                                              support and stated he was pleased with                                                                         purpose of this notice is to invite
                                                                                                      Liberty Global Logistics, LLC
                                              the large number of attendees at the                                                                           interested, qualified U.S.-flag vessel
                                                                                                      Liberty Shipping Group, LLC                            operators that are not currently enrolled
                                              JPAG meeting. He expressed a hope that                  Lockwood Brothers, Inc.
                                              the JPAG TTX would serve to prepare                                                                            in the VISA program to apply. This is
                                                                                                      Lynden Incorporated                                    the only planned enrollment period for
                                              all attendee for what could actually                    Maersk Line, Limited
                                              occur during a VISA activation. Col.                                                                           carriers to join the VISA program and
                                                                                                      Marine Transport Management                            derive benefits for Department of
                                              Chapin remarked that the classified TTX
                                              will focus on VISA participants’ ability                Matson Navigation Company, Inc.                        Defense (DOD) peacetime contracts
                                              to meet DOD requirements for moving                     McAllister Towing and Transportation                   initiated during the period from October
                                              contingency cargo from CONUS Sea                          Co., Inc.                                            1, 2015, through September 30, 2016.
                                                                                                      McCulley Marine Services, Inc.                            Any U.S.-flag vessel operator
                                              Ports of Embarkation to designated
                                                                                                      Moran Towing Corp.                                     organized under the laws of a state of
                                              OCONUS Ports of Debarkation. Col.
                                                                                                      National Shipping of America, LLC                      the United States, or the District of
                                              Chapin also stated that the TTX will
                                                                                                      Northcliffe Ocean Shipping & Trading                   Columbia, who is able and willing to
                                              address mariner availability to support
                                                                                                        Company                                              commit militarily useful sealift assets
                                              VISA activation. Further, both
                                                                                                                                                             and assume the related consequential
                                              gentlemen requested participants                        Pasha Hawaii Transport Lines LLC
                                                                                                                                                             risks of commercial disruption, may be
                                              complete a survey at the end of the TTX                 Patriot Shipping, L.L.C                                eligible to participate in the VISA
                                              and provide recommendations to                          Resolve Towing & Salvage, Inc.                         program.
                                              improve the JPAG.                                       Samson Tug & Barge Company, Inc.                          The mission of VISA is to provide
                                                 The purpose of the JPAG TTX was to:                  Schuyler Line Navigation Company,                      commercial sealift and intermodal
                                              (1) Affirm industry’s ability to meet                     LLC                                                  shipping services and systems,
                                              DOD requirements by exposing them to
                                                                                                      Sea Star Line, LLC                                     including vessels, vessel space,
                                              the most demanding DOD scenario; (2)
                                                                                                      SeaTac Marine Services, LLC                            intermodal systems and equipment,
                                              exercise commercial sealift capacity in
                                                                                                      Seabridge, Inc.                                        terminal facilities, and related
                                              relation to scenario requirements; (3)
                                                                                                      Sealift Inc.                                           management services, to the Department
                                              validate scenario planning assumptions;
                                                                                                      Smith Maritime, Inc.                                   of Defense (DOD), as necessary, to meet
                                              and (4) recommend revisions, as
                                                                                                      Stevens Towing Co., Inc.                               national defense contingency
                                              appropriate, on how we model specified
                                                                                                                                                             requirements or national emergencies.
                                              scenarios and/or other related planning                 Stevens Transportation, LLC
                                                                                                                                                             Carriers enrolled in the VISA program
                                              documents and associated planning                       Superior Maritime Services, Inc.                       provide DOD with assured access to
                                              assumptions. The JPAG TTX was                           Tactical Shipping, LLC                                 such services during contingencies. In
                                              considered a success as industry                        Teras BBC Ocean Navigation Enterprises                 return for their VISA commitment, DOD
                                              participants were able to provide                         Houston, LLC                                         gives VISA participants priority for
                                              capacity and resources to meet DOD                      Totem Ocean Trailer Express                            peacetime cargos.
                                              requirements. However, the participants                 Trailer Bridge, Inc.                                   DATES: VISA Program applications must
                                              identified specific ‘‘lessons learned’’                 TransAtlantic Lines, LLC
                                              that will be addressed to improve the                                                                          be received on or before July 31, 2015.
                                                                                                      Western Towboat Company                                ADDRESSES: Submit applications and
                                              JPAG. The JPAG TTX participants
                                              agreed to work on the lessons learned to                Weeks Marine, Inc.                                     questions related to this notice to
                                              assure that they are adequately                         Waterman Steamship Corporation                         William G. Kurfehs, Acting Director,
                                              addressed for the efficient coordination                Young Brothers Limited                                 Office of Sealift Support, U.S.
                                              of VISA activation procedures.                          AUTHORITY: 49 CFR 1.93(l), Pub. L. 111–                Department of Transportation, Maritime
                                                 The following are VISA participants:                 67.                                                    Administration, 1200 New Jersey
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                              A Way To Move, Inc.                                                                                            Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
                                                                                                        Dated: June 25, 2015.
                                              American International Shipping, LLC                                                                           FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                                                                        By Order of the Maritime Administrator.              William G. Kurfehs, Acting Director,
                                              American Marine Corporation
                                              American President Lines, Ltd.                          T. Mitchell Hudson, Jr.,                               Office of Sealift Support, U.S.
                                              American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier, LLC                  Secretary, Maritime Administration.                    Department of Transportation, Maritime
                                              APL Marine Services, Ltd.                               [FR Doc. 2015–16178 Filed 6–30–15; 8:45 am]            Administration, 1200 New Jersey
                                              Argent Marine Operations, Inc.                          BILLING CODE 4910–81–P                                 Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.


                                         VerDate Sep<11>2014   18:30 Jun 30, 2015   Jkt 235001   PO 00000   Frm 00151   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\01JYN1.SGM   01JYN1


                                                                            Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 126 / Wednesday, July 1, 2015 / Notices                                             37731

                                              Telephone (202) 366–2318; Fax (202)                     vessel into U.S. registry. That carrier                committed to Stages I and II will not
                                              366–5904, electronic mail to                            may submit an application to participate               have an adverse national economic
                                              Bill.Kurfehs@dot.gov or visit http://                   in the VISA program at any time upon                   impact. To minimize domestic
                                              www.marad.dot.gov.                                      completion of reflagging.                              commercial disruption, participants
                                              SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:      The VISA                                                                       operating vessels exclusively in the
                                                                                                      Advantages of Peacetime Participation
                                                                                                                                                             domestic Jones Act trades are not
                                              program was established pursuant to                       In return for their VISA commitment,                 required to commit the capacity of those
                                              Section 708 of the Defense Production                   DOD awards peacetime cargo contracts                   U.S. domestic trading vessels to VISA
                                              Act of 1950, as amended (DPA). The                      to VISA participants on a priority basis.              Stages I and II. Overall VISA
                                              VISA program was created to provide                     Award of DOD cargoes to meet DOD                       commitment requirements are based on
                                              for voluntary agreements for emergency                  peacetime and contingency                              annual enrollment.
                                              preparedness programs. Pursuant to the                  requirements is made on the basis of the                 In order to protect a U.S.-flag vessel
                                              DPA, voluntary agreements for                           following priorities: U.S.-flag vessel                 operator’s market share during
                                              preparedness programs, including the                    capacity operated by VISA participants                 contingency activation, VISA allows
                                              VISA program expire five (5) years after                and U.S.-flag Vessel Sharing Agreement                 participants to join with other vessel
                                              the date they became effective.                         (VSA) capacity held by VISA                            operators in Carrier Coordination
                                                The VISA program is open to U.S.-flag                 participants; U.S.-flag vessel capacity                Agreements (CCAs) to satisfy
                                              vessel operators of oceangoing militarily               operated by non-participants;                          commercial or DOD requirements. VISA
                                              useful vessels, to include tugs and                     Combination U.S.-flag/foreign-flag                     provides a defense against antitrust laws
                                              barges. An operator is defined as an                    vessel capacity operated by VISA                       in accordance with the DPA. CCAs must
                                              owner or bareboat charterer of a vessel.                participants, and combination U.S.-flag/               be submitted to the MARAD for
                                              Tug enrollment alone does not satisfy                   foreign-flag VSA capacity held by VISA                 coordination with the Department of
                                              VISA eligibility. Operators include                     participants; Combination U.S.-flag/                   Justice for approval, before they can be
                                              vessel owners and bareboat charter                      foreign-flag vessel capacity operated by               utilized.
                                              operators if satisfactory signed                        non-participants; U.S.-owned or
                                              agreements are in place committing the                  operated foreign-flag vessel capacity and              Vessel Position Reporting
                                              assets of the owner to VISA. Voyage and                 VSA capacity held by VISA                                If VISA applicants have the capability
                                              space charterers are not considered                     participants; U.S.-owned or operated                   to track their vessels, they must include
                                              U.S.-flag vessel operators for purposes                 foreign-flag vessel capacity and VSA                   the tracking system used in their VISA
                                              of VISA eligibility.                                    capacity held by non-participants; and                 application. Such applicants are
                                              VISA Concept                                            Foreign-owned or operated foreign-flag                 required to provide MARAD access to
                                                                                                      vessel capacity of non-participants.                   their vessel tracking systems upon
                                                The VISA program provides for the                                                                            approval of their VISA application. If
                                              staged, time-phased availability of                     Participation
                                                                                                                                                             VISA applicants do not have a tracking
                                              participants’ shipping services/systems                   Applicants must provide satisfactory                 system, they must indicate this in their
                                              through pre-negotiated contracts                        evidence that the vessels being                        VISA application. The VISA program
                                              between the Government and                              committed to the VISA program are                      requires enrolled ships to comply with
                                              participants. Such arrangements are                     operational and are intended to be                     46 CFR part 307, Establishment of
                                              jointly planned with the MARAD, U.S.                    operated by the applicant in the carriage              Mandatory Position Reporting System
                                              Transportation Command                                  of commercial or government preference                 for Vessels.
                                              (USTRANSCOM), and participants in                       cargoes. Operator is defined as an ocean
                                              peacetime to allow effective and best                   common carrier or contract carrier that                Compensation
                                              valued use of commercial sealift                        owns, controls or manages vessels by                      In addition to receiving priority in the
                                              capacity, provide DOD assured                           which ocean transportation is provided.                award of DOD peacetime cargo, a
                                              contingency access, and to minimize                     While vessel brokers, freight forwarders,              participant will receive compensation
                                              commercial disruption.                                  and agents play an important role as a                 during contingency activation for that
                                                There are three time-phased stages in                 conduit to locate and secure appropriate               capacity activated under Stage I, II and
                                              the event of VISA activation. VISA                      vessels for the carriage of DOD cargo,                 III. The amount of compensation will
                                              Stages I and II provide for pre-                        they are not eligible to participate in the            depend on the Stage at which capacity
                                              negotiated contracts between DOD and                    VISA program due to lack of requisite                  is activated. During enrollment, each
                                              participants to provide sealift capacity                vessel ownership or operation.                         participant must select one of several
                                              to meet all projected DOD contingency                                                                          compensation methodologies. The
                                              requirements. These contracts are                       Commitment
                                                                                                                                                             compensation methodology selection
                                              executed in accordance with approved                       Any U.S.-flag vessel operator desiring              will be completed with the appropriate
                                              DOD contracting methodologies. VISA                     to receive priority consideration for                  DOD agency, resulting in prices in
                                              Stage III provides for additional capacity              DOD peacetime contracts must commit                    contingency contracts between DOD and
                                              to DOD when Stages I and II                             no less than 50 percent of its total U.S.-             the participant.
                                              commitments or volunteered capacity                     flag militarily useful capacity in Stage
                                              are insufficient to meet contingency                    III of the VISA program. Participants                  Security Clearances
                                              requirements, and adequate shipping                     operating vessels in international trade                  All VISA applicants accepted for
                                              services from non-participants are not                  may receive top tier consideration in the              VISA participation, not having a Facility
                                              available through established DOD                       award of DOD peacetime contracts by                    Security Clearance (FCL), will be
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                              contracting practices or U.S.                           committing the minimum percentages of                  required to pursue the clearance process
                                              Government treaty agreements.                           capacity to all three stages of VISA or                with the Defense Security Service (DSS).
                                                                                                      bottom tier consideration by committing                If the accepted applicant does not have
                                              Exceptions to This Open Season                          the minimum percentage of capacity to                  a clearance, MARAD will initiate the
                                                The only exception to this open                       only Stage III of VISA. USTRANSCOM                     clearance process with DSS.
                                              season period for VISA enrollment will                  and MARAD will coordinate to ensure                    Participants must have a FCL and
                                              be for a non-VISA carrier that reflags a                that the amount of sealift assets                      individual security clearances, at a


                                         VerDate Sep<11>2014   18:30 Jun 30, 2015   Jkt 235001   PO 00000   Frm 00152   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\01JYN1.SGM   01JYN1


                                              37732                         Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 126 / Wednesday, July 1, 2015 / Notices

                                              minimum of SECRET level, for key                        tug service is not owned or bareboat                   DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
                                              personnel in order for them to                          chartered by the VISA applicant. Barge
                                              participate in the VISA Joint Planning                  operators must provide evidence to                     National Highway Traffic Safety
                                              Advisory Group (JPAG) meetings and to                   MARAD that tug service of sufficient                   Administration
                                              meet VISA contingency contract                          horsepower will be available for all                   [Docket No. NHTSA–2015–0062]
                                              obligations. One of the objectives of the               barges enrolled in the VISA program.
                                              JPAG is to provide the USTRANSCOM,                                                                             National Emergency Medical Services
                                              MARAD and VISA participants a                              Once MARAD has reviewed the
                                                                                                                                                             Advisory Council; Notice of Federal
                                              planning forum to analyze DOD                           application and determined VISA
                                                                                                                                                             Advisory Committee Meeting
                                              contingency sealift/intermodal service                  eligibility, MARAD will sign the VISA
                                              and resource requirements against                       application document which completes                   AGENCY: National Highway Traffic
                                              industry commitments. JPAG meetings                     the eligibility phase of the VISA                      Safety Administration (NHTSA), U.S.
                                              are often SECRET classified sessions.                   enrollment process. Approved VISA                      Department of Transportation (DOT).
                                              Eligibility for VISA participation will be              participants will be responsible for                   ACTION: Meeting notice—National
                                              terminated if an applicant is rejected for              ensuring that information submitted                    Emergency Medical Services Advisory
                                              a facility clearance or if it fails to                  with their application remains up to                   Council (NEMSAC).
                                              progress in a timely manner in the                      date beyond the approval process. If                   SUMMARY:   The NHTSA announces a
                                              clearance process.                                      charter agreements are due to expire,                  meeting of the NEMSAC to be held in
                                              Application for VISA Participation                      participants must provide MARAD with                   the Metropolitan Washington, DC, area.
                                                                                                      charters that extend the charter duration              This notice announces the date, time,
                                                 New applicants may apply to                          for another 12 months or longer.
                                              participate by obtaining a VISA                                                                                and location of the meeting, which will
                                              application package (Form MA–1020                          After VISA eligibility is approved by               be open to the public, as well as
                                              (OMB Approval No. 2133–0532)) from                      MARAD, approved applicants are                         opportunities for public input to the
                                              the Acting Director, Office of Sealift                  required to execute a VISA Contingency                 NEMSAC. The purpose of NEMSAC, a
                                              Support. Form MA–1020 includes                          Contract with USTRANSCOM. The                          nationally recognized council of
                                              instructions for completing and                         USTRANSCOM VISA Contingency                            emergency medical services
                                              submitting the application, blank VISA                  Contract will specify the following:                   representatives and consumers, is to
                                              Application forms and a request for                     Participant’s Stage III commitment, and                advise and consult with DOT and the
                                              information regarding the operations                                                                           Federal Interagency Committee on EMS
                                                                                                      appropriate Stage I and/or II
                                              and U.S. citizenship of the applicant                                                                          (FICEMS) on matters relating to
                                                                                                      commitments for the period October 1,
                                              company. A copy of the VISA document                                                                           emergency medical services (EMS).
                                                                                                      2015 through September 30, 2016;
                                              as published in the Federal Register on                                                                        DATES: The NEMSAC meeting will be
                                                                                                      Drytime Contingency terms and
                                              October 29, 2014 will also be provided                                                                         held on Thursday, July 30, 2015, from
                                                                                                      conditions; and Liner Contingency
                                              with the package. This information is                                                                          9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EDT, and on Friday,
                                                                                                      terms and conditions, if applicable. If                July 31, 2015, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
                                              needed in order to assist MARAD in                      any change is expected in the
                                              making a determination of the                                                                                  EDT. A public comment period will take
                                                                                                      Contractor’s U.S. flag fleet during the                place on July 30, 2015, at approximately
                                              applicant’s eligibility. An applicant
                                                                                                      period of the applicable VISA                          4 p.m. EDT and on July 31, 2015, at
                                              company must provide an affidavit that
                                              demonstrates that the company is                        Contingency Contract, a minimum 30-                    approximately 10:45 a.m. EDT. Written
                                              qualified to document a vessel under 46                 day notice shall be provided to MARAD                  comments for the NEMSAC from the
                                              U.S.C. 12103, and that it owns, or                      and USTRANSCOM identifying the                         public must be received no later than
                                              bareboat charters and controls,                         change and to alter the VISA Capacity                  July 24, 2015.
                                              oceangoing, militarily useful vessel(s)                 Commitment indicated on Attachment 1                   ADDRESSES: The meetings will both be
                                              for purposes of committing assets to the                of the VISA Contingency Contract.                      held at the Ronald Reagan Building and
                                              VISA program.                                              Execution of the USTRANSCOM                         International Trade Center, 1300
                                                 New VISA applicants are required to                  VISA Contingency Contract completes                    Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington,
                                              submit their applications for the VISA                  the enrollment process and establishes                 DC 20004 in the Polaris Room.
                                              program as described in this Notice no                  the approved applicant as a VISA                       FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                              later than 30 days after the date of                    Participant. The Maritime                              Drew Dawson, Director, U.S.
                                              publication of this Federal Register                                                                           Department of Transportation, National
                                                                                                      Administration reserves the right to
                                              notice. Applicants must provide the                                                                            Highway Traffic Safety Administration,
                                                                                                      revalidate all eligibility requirements
                                              following: U.S. citizenship                                                                                    Office of Emergency Medical Services,
                                              documentation; Copy of their Articles of                without notice. USTRANSCOM reserves
                                                                                                                                                             1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., NTI–140,
                                              Incorporation and/or By Laws; Copies of                 the right to revalidate eligibility for
                                                                                                                                                             Washington, DC 20590, telephone 202–
                                              loadline documents from a recognized                    VISA priority for DOD business at any                  366–9966; email Drew.Dawson@dot.gov.
                                              classification society to validate                      time without notice.
                                                                                                                                                             SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice of
                                              oceangoing vessel capability; U.S. Coast                    Authority: 49 CFR Sections 1.92 and 1.93.          this meeting is given under the Federal
                                              Guard Certificates of Documentation for                 *      *      *       *      *                         Advisory Committee Act, Public Law
                                              all vessels in their fleet; Copy of                                                                            92–463, as amended (5 U.S.C. App.).
                                              Bareboat Charters, if applicable, valid                   By Order of the Maritime Administrator.
                                                                                                                                                             The NEMSAC is authorized under
                                              through the period of enrollment, which                   Dated: June 25, 2015.                                Section 31108 of the Moving Ahead
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                              state that the owner will not interfere                 T. Mitchell Hudson, Jr.,                               with Progress in the 21st Century Act of
                                              with the charterer’s obligation to                      Secretary, Maritime Administration.                    2012.
                                              commit chartered vessel(s) to the VISA                  [FR Doc. 2015–16179 Filed 6–30–15; 8:45 am]
                                              program for the duration of the charter;                                                                       Tentative Agenda of the National EMS
                                              and Copy of Time Charters, valid                        BILLING CODE 4910–81–P                                 Advisory Council Meeting
                                              through the period of enrollment, for tug                                                                        The tentative NEMSAC agenda
                                              services to barge operators, if sufficient                                                                     includes the following:


                                         VerDate Sep<11>2014   18:30 Jun 30, 2015   Jkt 235001   PO 00000   Frm 00153   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\01JYN1.SGM   01JYN1



Document Created: 2015-12-15 13:19:50
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 13:19:50
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice of open season for enrollment in the VISA program.
DatesVISA Program applications must be received on or before July 31, 2015.
ContactWilliam G. Kurfehs, Acting Director, Office of Sealift Support, U.S. Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590. Telephone (202) 366-2318; Fax (202) 366-5904, electronic mail to [email protected] or visit http://www.marad.dot.gov.
FR Citation80 FR 37730 

2025 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR