80 FR 53928 - Solicitation of Nomination for Appointment to the Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 173 (September 8, 2015)

Page Range		53928-53929
FR Document		2015-22057

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is seeking nominees to be considered for membership on the Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses (Committee). The Committee is authorized by Public Law 105-368, Sec. 104 (the statute), to provide advice to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (Secretary) on the proposed research studies, plans, and strategies related to understanding and treating the health consequences of military service in the Southwest Asia theatre of operations during the 1990-1991 Gulf War. In accordance with the statute and the Committee's current charter, the majority of the membership shall consist of non-Federal employees, appointed by the Secretary from the general public, serving as Special Government Employees. The Committee provides, not later than December 1 of each year, an annual report summarizing its activities for the preceding year. The Committee reports to the Secretary through the Under Secretary for Health. The Secretary appoints Committee members for a period of 2 to 3 years. A term of service for any member may not exceed 3 years. The Secretary may reappoint members for additional terms. Self-nominations and nominations of non-Veterans will be accepted. Any letters of nomination from organizations or other individuals should accompany the package when it is submitted. In accordance with OMB guidance, federally-registered lobbyists may not serve on Federal advisory committees in their individual capacity. Additional information regarding this issue can be found at: www.federalregister.gov/articles/2014/08/13/2014-19140/revised- guidance-on-appointment-of- lobbyists-to-federal-advisory-committees-boards-and-commissions.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 173 (Tuesday, September 8, 2015)

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 173 (Tuesday, September 8, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53928-53929]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-22057]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS


Solicitation of Nomination for Appointment to the Research 
Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is seeking nominees to 
be considered for membership on the Research Advisory Committee on Gulf 
War Veterans' Illnesses (Committee). The Committee is authorized by 
Public Law 105-368, Sec.  104 (the statute), to provide advice to the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs (Secretary) on the proposed research 
studies, plans, and strategies related to understanding and treating 
the health consequences of military service in the Southwest Asia 
theatre of operations during the 1990-1991 Gulf War. In accordance with 
the statute and the Committee's current charter, the majority of the 
membership shall consist of non-Federal employees, appointed by the 
Secretary from the general public, serving as Special Government 
Employees. The Committee provides, not later than December 1 of each 
year, an annual report summarizing its activities for the preceding 
year. The Committee reports to the Secretary through the Under 
Secretary for Health. The Secretary appoints Committee members for a 
period of 2 to 3 years. A term of service for any member may not exceed 
3 years. The Secretary may reappoint members for additional terms.
    Self-nominations and nominations of non-Veterans will be accepted. 
Any letters of nomination from organizations or other individuals 
should accompany the package when it is submitted.
    In accordance with OMB guidance, federally-registered lobbyists may 
not serve on Federal advisory committees in their individual capacity. 
Additional information regarding this issue can be found at: 
www.federalregister.gov/articles/2014/08/13/2014-19140/revised-
guidance-on-appointment-of-

[[Page 53929]]

lobbyists-to-federal-advisory-committees-boards-and-commissions.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    In accordance with the statute, the members of the Committee are 
appointed by the Secretary from the general public, including but not 
limited to:
    (1) Gulf War Veterans;
    (2) Representatives of such Veterans;
    (3) Members of the medical and scientific communities representing 
disciplines, such as, but not limited to, epidemiology, immunology, 
environmental health, neurology, and toxicology.
    The Committee meets at least once and up to three times annually. 
In accordance with Federal Travel Regulation, VA will cover travel 
expenses--to include per diem--for all members of the Committee, for 
any travel associated with official Committee duties. A copy of the 
Committee's most recent charter and a list of the current membership 
can be found at www.va.gov/ADVISORY/ or www.va.gov/rac-gwvi/.
    The Department makes every effort to ensure that the membership of 
its advisory committees is fairly balanced, in terms of points of view 
represented. In the review process, consideration is given to nominees' 
potential to address the Committee's demographic needs (regional 
representation, race/ethnicity representation, professional expertise, 
war era service, gender, former enlisted or officer status, branch of 
service, etc.). Other considerations to promote a balanced membership 
include longevity of military service, significant deployment 
experience, ability to handle complex issues, experience running large 
organizations, and ability to contribute to the health care and 
benefits needs of Gulf War Veterans.

Nomination Package Requirements

    Nomination packages must be typed (12 point font) and include: (1) 
A cover letter from the nominee, and (2) a current resume that is no 
more than four pages in length. The cover letter must summarize: The 
nominees' interest in serving on the committee and contributions she/he 
can make to the work of the committee; any relevant Veterans service 
activities she/he is currently engaged in; the military branch 
affiliation and timeframe of military service (if applicable). To 
promote a balanced membership, please provide information about your 
personal and professional qualifications and background that would give 
you a diverse perspective on Gulf War Veterans' matters. Finally, 
please include in the cover letter the nominee's complete contact 
information (name, address, email address, and phone number); and a 
statement confirming that she/he is not a Federally-registered 
lobbyist. The resume should show professional work experience, and 
Veterans service involvement, especially service that involves Gulf War 
Veterans' issues.
    Nominations for membership on the Committee must be received by 
October 9, 2015, no later than 4:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time. All 
nomination packages should be sent to:

Dr. Victor Kalasinsky, Veterans Health Administration, Department of 
Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20420.

    Should you need additional information, you may contact Dr. 
Kalasinsky at the address above or by phone at (202) 443-5600. (NOTE: 
This is not a toll-free number.) You may also email the nomination 
package to victor.kalasinsky@va.gov or fax to (202) 495-6155.

    Dated: September 1, 2015.
Rebecca Schiller,
Federal Advisory Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 2015-22057 Filed 9-4-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8320-01-P

53928 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 173 / Tuesday, September 8, 2015 / Notices

• Record of time expended assisting Notice of New Post-Award Reporting whether action will be taken to recover
with the provision of transportation Requirements the grant funds. When VA determines
services. Applicants should anticipate that all action will be taken to recover grant
• Record of grant funds expended recipients (excluding an individual funds from the grantee, the grantee is
assisting with the provision of recipient of Federal assistance) of then prohibited under § 17.730(b) from
transportation services. awards of $25,000 or more under this receipt of any further grant funds.
• Trips completed. solicitation, consistent with the Federal Approved: September 2, 2015.
• Total distance covered. Funding Accountability and William F. Russo,
• Veterans served. Transparency Act of 2006 (FFATA), Acting Director, Office of Regulation Policy
• Locations which received Public Law 109–282 (Sept. 26, 2006) and Management, Office of General Counsel.
transportation services. will be required to report award [FR Doc. 2015–22576 Filed 9–4–15; 8:45 am]
information on the subaward reporting
• Results of veteran satisfaction BILLING CODE P
system of any first-tier subawards
survey
totaling $25,000 or more, and, in certain
Program Monitoring cases, to report information on the DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS
names and total compensation of the AFFAIRS
The Veterans Transportation Program
five most highly compensated
is responsible for program monitoring. Solicitation of Nomination for
executives of the recipient and first-tier
All awardees will be required to Appointment to the Research Advisory
subrecipients. Each applicant entity
cooperate in providing the necessary Committee on Gulf War Veterans’
must ensure that it has the necessary
data elements to the VTP. The goal of Illnesses
processes and systems in place to
program monitoring is to ensure
comply with the reporting requirements
program requirements are met; this will ACTION: Notice.
should it receive funding.
be accomplished by tracking It is expected that reports regarding
performance and identifying quality and subawards will be made through the SUMMARY: The Department of Veterans
compliance problems through early FFATA Subaward Reporting System Affairs (VA) is seeking nominees to be
detection. Methods of program (FSRS) found at https://www.fsrs.gov. considered for membership on the
monitoring may include: Monitoring the The FFATA Subaward Reporting Research Advisory Committee on Gulf
performance of a grantee’s or System is the reporting tool Federal War Veterans’ Illnesses (Committee).
subrecipient’s personnel, procurements, prime awardees (i.e. prime contractors The Committee is authorized by Public
and/or use of grant-funded property; and prime grants recipients) use to Law 105–368, § 104 (the statute), to
collecting, analyzing data, and assessing capture and report subaward and provide advice to the Secretary of
program implementation and executive compensation data regarding Veterans Affairs (Secretary) on the
effectiveness; assessing costs and their first-tier subawards to meet the proposed research studies, plans, and
utilization; and providing technical FFATA reporting requirements. Prime strategies related to understanding and
assistance when needed. Site visit contract awardees will report against treating the health consequences of
monitoring will include the above- sub-contracts awarded and prime grant military service in the Southwest Asia
described activities, in addition to the awardees will report against sub-grants theatre of operations during the 1990–
conduct of safety assessments and, if awarded. Prime Contractors awarded a 1991 Gulf War. In accordance with the
applicable, verification of both current Federal contract or order that is subject statute and the Committee’s current
driver’s licenses and vehicle insurance to Federal Acquisition Regulation clause charter, the majority of the membership
coverage. 52.204–10 (Reporting Executive shall consist of non-Federal employees,
Compensation and First-Tier appointed by the Secretary from the
Federal Financial Report
Subcontract Awards) are required to file general public, serving as Special
Awardees are required to submit the a FFATA subaward report by the end of Government Employees. The Committee
FFR SF 425 on quarterly basis. More the month following the month in provides, not later than December 1 of
details will be announced in the Notice which the prime contractor awards any each year, an annual report
of Award. subcontract greater than $25,000. summarizing its activities for the
Please note also that applicants preceding year. The Committee reports
Audit Requirements
should anticipate that no subaward of to the Secretary through the Under
Awardees must comply with the audit an award made under this solicitation Secretary for Health. The Secretary
requirements of Office of Management may be made to a subrecipient that is appoints Committee members for a
and Budget (OMB) Uniform Guidance 2 subject to the terms of FFATA unless period of 2 to 3 years. A term of service
CFR part 200, subpart F. Information on the potential subrecipient acquires and for any member may not exceed 3 years.
the scope, frequency and other aspects provides a Data Universal Numbering The Secretary may reappoint members
of the audits can be found on the System (DUNS) number. for additional terms.
Internet at https://federalregister.gov/a/ Self-nominations and nominations of
2013–30465. Other Information non-Veterans will be accepted. Any
Pursuant to § 17.730(a), VA may letters of nomination from organizations
Program Variations
recover from the grantee any funds that or other individuals should accompany
Any changes in a grantee’s program are not used in accordance with a grant the package when it is submitted.
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

activities which result in deviations agreement. If VA decides to recover In accordance with OMB guidance,
from the grant renewal agreement must funds, VA will issue to the grantee a federally-registered lobbyists may not
be reported to VA. notice of intent to recover grant funds, serve on Federal advisory committees in
and the grantee will then have 30 days their individual capacity. Additional
Additional Reporting
to submit documentation demonstrating information regarding this issue can be
Additional reporting requirements why the grant funds should not be found at: www.federalregister.gov/
may be requested by VA to allow VA to recovered. After review of all submitted articles/2014/08/13/2014-19140/
fully assess program effectiveness. documentation, VA will determine revised-guidance-on-appointment-of-

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$Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 173 / Tuesday, September 8, 2015 / Notices 53929 lobbyists-to-federal-advisory- (regional representation, race/ethnicity complete contact information (name, committees-boards-and-commissions. representation, professional expertise, address, email address, and phone SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: war era service, gender, former enlisted number); and a statement confirming In accordance with the statute, the or officer status, branch of service, etc.). that she/he is not a Federally-registered members of the Committee are Other considerations to promote a lobbyist. The resume should show appointed by the Secretary from the balanced membership include longevity professional work experience, and general public, including but not of military service, significant Veterans service involvement, limited to: deployment experience, ability to especially service that involves Gulf (1) Gulf War Veterans; handle complex issues, experience War Veterans’ issues. (2) Representatives of such Veterans; running large organizations, and ability (3) Members of the medical and Nominations for membership on the to contribute to the health care and Committee must be received by October scientific communities representing benefits needs of Gulf War Veterans. disciplines, such as, but not limited to, 9, 2015, no later than 4:00 p.m., Eastern epidemiology, immunology, Nomination Package Requirements Standard Time. All nomination environmental health, neurology, and packages should be sent to: toxicology. Nomination packages must be typed (12 point font) and include: (1) A cover Dr. Victor Kalasinsky, Veterans Health The Committee meets at least once Administration, Department of and up to three times annually. In letter from the nominee, and (2) a current resume that is no more than four Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont accordance with Federal Travel Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20420. Regulation, VA will cover travel pages in length. The cover letter must expenses—to include per diem—for all summarize: The nominees’ interest in Should you need additional members of the Committee, for any serving on the committee and information, you may contact Dr. travel associated with official contributions she/he can make to the Kalasinsky at the address above or by Committee duties. A copy of the work of the committee; any relevant phone at (202) 443–5600. (NOTE: This Committee’s most recent charter and a Veterans service activities she/he is is not a toll-free number.) You may also list of the current membership can be currently engaged in; the military email the nomination package to found at www.va.gov/ADVISORY/ or branch affiliation and timeframe of victor.kalasinsky@va.gov or fax to (202) www.va.gov/rac-gwvi/. military service (if applicable). To 495–6155. The Department makes every effort to promote a balanced membership, please ensure that the membership of its provide information about your Dated: September 1, 2015. advisory committees is fairly balanced, personal and professional qualifications Rebecca Schiller, in terms of points of view represented. and background that would give you a Federal Advisory Committee Management In the review process, consideration is diverse perspective on Gulf War Officer. given to nominees’ potential to address Veterans’ matters. Finally, please [FR Doc. 2015–22057 Filed 9–4–15; 8:45 am] the Committee’s demographic needs include in the cover letter the nominee’s BILLING CODE 8320–01–P asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:18 Sep 04, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00171 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\08SEN1.SGM 08SEN1$

Document Created: 2018-02-26 10:13:16
Document Modified: 2018-02-26 10:13:16

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.
FR Citation		80 FR 53928