80 FR 58498 - Office for Interoperability and Compatibility Seeks Nominations for the Project 25 Compliance Assessment Program (P25 CAP) Advisory Panel

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 188 (September 29, 2015)

Page Range		58498-58499
FR Document		2015-24686

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is once again seeking nominations and expressions of interest for membership on the Project 25 Compliance Assessment Program Advisory Panel (P25 CAP AP). DHS is providing the public with additional time to submit nominations because it wants to ensure that it has a broad and qualified pool of candidates to select from for the benefit of the program and its stakeholders. DHS previously made this request through the Federal Register (Docket No. DHS-2015-0041). DHS understands that the previous notice may have provided insufficient time for some to obtain the necessary components for a qualifying nomination package. The activities of the P25 CAP AP are expected to commence in fall 2015. P25 is a standard which enables interoperability among digital two- way land mobile radio communications products created by and for public safety professionals. P25 CAP is a formal, independent process, created by DHS and operated in collaboration with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), for ensuring that communications equipment that is declared by the supplier to be P25 compliant, in fact, is tested against the standards with publicly published results. The P25 CAP AP would provide a resource by which DHS could gain insight into the collective interest of organizations that procure P25- compliant equipment and a resource in DHS's continuing to establish the policies of the P25 CAP along with assisting the DHS Office for Interoperability and Compatibility (OIC) in the administration of the Program.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 188 (Tuesday, September 29, 2015)

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 188 (Tuesday, September 29, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58498-58499]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-24686]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

[Docket No. DHS-2015-0064]


Office for Interoperability and Compatibility Seeks Nominations 
for the Project 25 Compliance Assessment Program (P25 CAP) Advisory 
Panel

AGENCY: Science and Technology Directorate, DHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is once again 
seeking nominations and expressions of interest for membership on the 
Project 25 Compliance Assessment Program Advisory Panel (P25 CAP AP). 
DHS is providing the public with additional time to submit nominations 
because it wants to ensure that it has a broad and qualified pool of 
candidates to select from for the benefit of the program and its 
stakeholders. DHS previously made this request through the Federal 
Register (Docket No. DHS-2015-0041). DHS understands that the previous 
notice may have provided insufficient time for some to obtain the 
necessary components for a qualifying nomination package. The 
activities of the P25 CAP AP are expected to commence in fall 2015.
    P25 is a standard which enables interoperability among digital two-
way land mobile radio communications products created by and for public 
safety professionals. P25 CAP is a formal, independent process, created 
by DHS and operated in collaboration with the National Institute of 
Standards and Technology (NIST), for ensuring that communications 
equipment that is declared by the supplier to be P25 compliant, in 
fact, is tested against the standards with publicly published results. 
The P25 CAP AP would provide a resource by which DHS could gain insight 
into the collective interest of organizations that procure P25-
compliant equipment and a resource in DHS's continuing to establish the 
policies of the P25 CAP along with assisting the DHS Office for 
Interoperability and Compatibility (OIC) in the administration of the 
Program.

DATES: All responses must be received within 15 days from the date of 
this notice at the address listed below.

ADDRESSES: Expressions of interest and nominations should be submitted 
to [email protected].
     Instructions: All submissions received must include the 
words ``Department of Homeland Security'' and DHS-2015-0064, the docket 
number for this action.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Merrill, Director, Office for 
Interoperability and Compatibility, Science and Technology Directorate, 
Department of Homeland Security, 202-254-5604 (O), 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    TIA-102/Project 25 (P25) is a standards development process for the 
design, manufacture, and evaluation of interoperable digital two-way 
land mobile radio communications products created by and for public 
safety professionals. The goal of P25 is to specify formal standards 
for interfaces and features between the various components of a land 
mobile radio system commonly used by public safety agencies in portable 
handheld and mobile vehicle-mounted devices. The P25 standard enables 
interoperability among different suppliers' products.
    P25 CAP was developed by DHS and the National Institute of 
Standards and Technology (NIST) to test equipment designed to comply 
with P25 standards. The program provides public safety agencies with 
evidence that the communications equipment they are purchasing is 
tested against and complies with the P25 standards for performance, 
conformance, and interoperability.
    P25 CAP is a voluntary system that provides a mechanism for the 
recognition of testing laboratories based on internationally accepted 
standards. It identifies competent P25 CAP testing laboratories for 
DHS-recognition through assessments by DHS-authorized accreditation 
bodies and promotes the acceptance of compliant test results from these 
laboratories.
    As a voluntary program, P25 CAP allows suppliers to publicly attest 
to their products' compliance with a selected group of requirements 
through Summary Test Report (STR) and Supplier's Declaration of 
Compliance (SDOC) documents based on the Detailed Test Report (DTR) 
from the DHS-recognized laboratory (ies) that performed the product 
testing. In turn, P25 CAP makes these documents available to the first 
response community to inform their purchasing decisions via the 
FirstResponder.gov/P25CAP Web site.

Membership

    The Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) of the DHS is forming 
the P25 CAP Advisory Panel to provide S&T with the views of active 
local, state, tribal, territorial and Federal government officials who 
use or whose offices use portable handheld and mobile vehicle-mounted 
radios. Those government officials selected to participate in the P25 
CAP AP will be selected based on their experience with the management 
and procurement of land mobile radio systems or knowledge

[[Page 58499]]

of conformity assessment programs and methods. OIC will select 
candidates in light of the desire to balance viewpoints required to 
effectively address P25 CAP issues under consideration. OIC is 
particularly interested in receiving nominations and expressions of 
interest from individuals in the following categories:
     State, tribal, territorial, or local government agencies 
and organizations with expertise in communications issues and 
technologies.
     Federal government agencies with expertise in 
communications or homeland security matters.
    While OIC can call for a meeting of the P25 CAP AP as it deems 
necessary and appropriate, for member commitment and planning purposes, 
it is anticipated that the P25 CAP AP will meet approximately 3-4 times 
annually in their role of providing guidance and support to the P25 
CAP.
    Those selected to serve on the P25 CAP AP will be required to sign 
a gratuitous services agreement and will not be paid or reimbursed for 
their participation; however, DHS S&T will reimburse the travel 
expenses associated with the participation of non-Federal members in 
accordance with Federal Travel Regulations. OIC reserves the right to 
select primary and alternate members to the P25 CAP AP for terms 
appropriate for the accomplishment of the Board's mission. Members 
serve at the pleasure of the OIC Director.
    Registered lobbyists pursuant to the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 
1995 are not eligible for membership on the P25 CAP AP and will not be 
considered.

Roles and Responsibilities

    The duties of the P25 CAP AP will include providing recommendations 
of its individual members to OIC regarding actions and steps OIC could 
take to promote the P25 CAP. The duties of the P25 CAP AP may include 
but are not limited to its members reviewing, commenting on, and 
advising on:
    a. The laboratory component of the P25 CAP under established, 
documented laboratory recognition guidelines.
    b. Proposed Compliance Assessment Bulletins (CABs).
    c. Proposed updates to previously approved CABs, as Notices of 
Proposed CABs, to enable comment and input on the proposed CAB 
modifications.
    d. OIC updates to existing test documents or establishing new test 
documents for new types of P25 equipment.
    e. Best practices associated with improvement of the policies and 
procedures by which the P25 CAP operates.
    f. Existing test documents including but not limited to Supplier 
Declarations of Compliance (SDOCs) and Summary Test Reports (STRs) 
posted on the FirstResponder.gov/P25CAP Web site.
    g. Proposed P25 user input for improving functionality through the 
standards-making process.

Nominations/Expressions of Interest Procedures and Deadline

    Nominations and expressions of interest shall be received by OIC no 
later than 15 days from the date of this notice at the address listed 
above ([email protected]). Nominations and expressions of interest 
received after this date shall not be considered. Each nomination and 
expression of interest must provide the following information as part 
of the submission:
     A cover letter that highlights a history of proven 
leadership within the public safety community including, if applicable, 
a description of prior experience with law enforcement, fire response, 
emergency medical services, emergency communications, National Guard, 
or other first responder roles and how the use of communications in 
those roles qualifies the nominee to participate on the P25 CAP AP.
     Name, title, and organization of the nominee.
     A resume summarizing the nominee's contact information 
(including the mailing address, phone number, facsimile number, and 
email address), qualifications, and expertise to explain why the 
nominee should be appointed to the P25 CAP AP.
     The resume must demonstrate a minimum of ten years (10) 
years of experience directly using P25 systems in an operational 
environment in support of established public safety communications or 
from a system implementer/administrator perspective; a bachelor's or 
associate degree with an emphasis in communications and engineering may 
be substituted for three (3) years, a master's/professional 
certification for seven (7) years, and a Ph.D. for ten (10) years of 
the requirement.
     The resume must discuss the nominee's familiarity with the 
current P25 CAP, including documents that are integral to the process 
such as the SDOCs, STRs, and CABs referenced in this notice
     A letter from the nominee's supervisor indicating the 
nominee's agency's support for the nominee to participate on the P25 
CAP AP.
     Disclosure of Federal boards, commissions, committees, 
task forces, or work groups on which the nominee currently serves or 
has served within the past 12 months.
     A statement confirming that the nominee is not registered 
as a lobbyist pursuant to the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995.
    Additional information can be found as follows:
Project 25 Compliance Assessment Program and Compliance Assessment 
Bulletins
    http://www.firstresponder.gov/P25%20CAP%20Resources/Pages/P25CAPResources.aspx
    http://www.firstresponder.gov/P25%20CAP%20Resources/Pages/Policy.aspx

     Dated: September 23, 2015.
 Reginald Brothers,
Under Secretary, DHS Science and Technology Directorate.
[FR Doc. 2015-24686 Filed 9-28-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-9F-P

58498 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 188 / Tuesday, September 29, 2015 / Notices

TOTAL BURDEN HOURS FOR THE NITT—PROJECT AWARE SITE NOTIFICATION AND RECRUITMENT
[FY2016]

Responses
Number of Total number Hours per Total burden
Respondent per
respondents of responses response hours
respondent

State grantee official ............................................................ 20 1 20 1 20
District official in grantee district .......................................... 90 1 90 1 90
School official in grantee district—treatment school ........... 396 1 396 1 396
School official in grantee district—comparison school ........ 432 1 432 1 432
District official in nongrantee district .................................... 30 1 30 1 30
School official in nongrantee district .................................... 90 1 90 1 90

Total .............................................................................. 1,058 ........................ 1,058 ........................ 1,058

Send comments to Summer King, safety professionals. P25 CAP is a P25 standard enables interoperability
SAMHSA Reports Clearance Officer, formal, independent process, created by among different suppliers’ products.
Room 2–1057, DHS and operated in collaboration with P25 CAP was developed by DHS and
One Choke Cherry Road, Rockville, the National Institute of Standards and the National Institute of Standards and
MD 20857 or email her a copy at Technology (NIST), for ensuring that Technology (NIST) to test equipment
summer.king@samhsa.hhs.gov. Written communications equipment that is designed to comply with P25 standards.
comments should be received by declared by the supplier to be P25 The program provides public safety
November 30, 2015. compliant, in fact, is tested against the agencies with evidence that the
standards with publicly published communications equipment they are
Summer King,
results. The P25 CAP AP would provide purchasing is tested against and
Statistician. complies with the P25 standards for
a resource by which DHS could gain
[FR Doc. 2015–24627 Filed 9–28–15; 8:45 am] performance, conformance, and
insight into the collective interest of
BILLING CODE 4162–20–P organizations that procure P25- interoperability.
compliant equipment and a resource in P25 CAP is a voluntary system that
DHS’s continuing to establish the provides a mechanism for the
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND policies of the P25 CAP along with recognition of testing laboratories based
SECURITY assisting the DHS Office for on internationally accepted standards. It
Interoperability and Compatibility (OIC) identifies competent P25 CAP testing
[Docket No. DHS–2015–0064]
in the administration of the Program. laboratories for DHS-recognition
Office for Interoperability and DATES: All responses must be received
through assessments by DHS-authorized
Compatibility Seeks Nominations for within 15 days from the date of this accreditation bodies and promotes the
the Project 25 Compliance Assessment notice at the address listed below. acceptance of compliant test results
Program (P25 CAP) Advisory Panel from these laboratories.
ADDRESSES: Expressions of interest and
As a voluntary program, P25 CAP
AGENCY: Science and Technology nominations should be submitted to allows suppliers to publicly attest to
Directorate, DHS. SandTFRG@hq.dhs.gov. their products’ compliance with a
• Instructions: All submissions selected group of requirements through
ACTION: Notice.
received must include the words Summary Test Report (STR) and
SUMMARY: The Department of Homeland ‘‘Department of Homeland Security’’ Supplier’s Declaration of Compliance
Security (DHS) is once again seeking and DHS–2015–0064, the docket (SDOC) documents based on the
nominations and expressions of interest number for this action. Detailed Test Report (DTR) from the
for membership on the Project 25 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John DHS-recognized laboratory (ies) that
Compliance Assessment Program Merrill, Director, Office for performed the product testing. In turn,
Advisory Panel (P25 CAP AP). DHS is Interoperability and Compatibility, P25 CAP makes these documents
providing the public with additional Science and Technology Directorate, available to the first response
time to submit nominations because it Department of Homeland Security, 202– community to inform their purchasing
wants to ensure that it has a broad and 254–5604 (O), John.Merrill@hq.dhs.gov. decisions via the FirstResponder.gov/
qualified pool of candidates to select SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: P25CAP Web site.
from for the benefit of the program and
its stakeholders. DHS previously made Background Membership
this request through the Federal TIA–102/Project 25 (P25) is a The Science and Technology
Register (Docket No. DHS–2015–0041). standards development process for the Directorate (S&T) of the DHS is forming
DHS understands that the previous design, manufacture, and evaluation of the P25 CAP Advisory Panel to provide
notice may have provided insufficient interoperable digital two-way land S&T with the views of active local, state,
time for some to obtain the necessary mobile radio communications products tribal, territorial and Federal
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

components for a qualifying nomination created by and for public safety government officials who use or whose
package. The activities of the P25 CAP professionals. The goal of P25 is to offices use portable handheld and
AP are expected to commence in fall specify formal standards for interfaces mobile vehicle-mounted radios. Those
2015. and features between the various government officials selected to
P25 is a standard which enables components of a land mobile radio participate in the P25 CAP AP will be
interoperability among digital two-way system commonly used by public safety selected based on their experience with
land mobile radio communications agencies in portable handheld and the management and procurement of
products created by and for public mobile vehicle-mounted devices. The land mobile radio systems or knowledge

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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 188 / Tuesday, September 29, 2015 / Notices 58499

of conformity assessment programs and procedures by which the P25 CAP or work groups on which the nominee
methods. OIC will select candidates in operates. currently serves or has served within
light of the desire to balance viewpoints f. Existing test documents including the past 12 months.
required to effectively address P25 CAP but not limited to Supplier Declarations • A statement confirming that the
issues under consideration. OIC is of Compliance (SDOCs) and Summary nominee is not registered as a lobbyist
particularly interested in receiving Test Reports (STRs) posted on the pursuant to the Lobbying Disclosure Act
nominations and expressions of interest FirstResponder.gov/P25CAP Web site. of 1995.
from individuals in the following g. Proposed P25 user input for Additional information can be found
categories: improving functionality through the as follows:
• State, tribal, territorial, or local standards-making process.
Project 25 Compliance Assessment
government agencies and organizations Nominations/Expressions of Interest Program and Compliance Assessment
with expertise in communications Procedures and Deadline Bulletins
issues and technologies.
• Federal government agencies with Nominations and expressions of http://www.firstresponder.gov/
expertise in communications or interest shall be received by OIC no later P25%20CAP%20Resources/Pages/
homeland security matters. than 15 days from the date of this notice P25CAPResources.aspx
at the address listed above (SandTFRG@ http://www.firstresponder.gov/
While OIC can call for a meeting of
hq.dhs.gov). Nominations and P25%20CAP%20Resources/Pages/
the P25 CAP AP as it deems necessary
expressions of interest received after Policy.aspx
and appropriate, for member
commitment and planning purposes, it this date shall not be considered. Each Dated: September 23, 2015.
is anticipated that the P25 CAP AP will nomination and expression of interest Reginald Brothers,
meet approximately 3–4 times annually must provide the following information
Under Secretary, DHS Science and
in their role of providing guidance and as part of the submission: Technology Directorate.
• A cover letter that highlights a
support to the P25 CAP. [FR Doc. 2015–24686 Filed 9–28–15; 8:45 am]
history of proven leadership within the
Those selected to serve on the P25 BILLING CODE 9110–9F–P
public safety community including, if
CAP AP will be required to sign a
applicable, a description of prior
gratuitous services agreement and will
experience with law enforcement, fire
not be paid or reimbursed for their DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
response, emergency medical services,
participation; however, DHS S&T will
emergency communications, National
reimburse the travel expenses associated U.S. Geological Survey
Guard, or other first responder roles and
with the participation of non-Federal
how the use of communications in those [GX16LC00BM6BB00]
members in accordance with Federal
roles qualifies the nominee to
Travel Regulations. OIC reserves the Agency Information Collection
participate on the P25 CAP AP.
right to select primary and alternate • Name, title, and organization of the Activities: Request for Comments
members to the P25 CAP AP for terms nominee.
appropriate for the accomplishment of AGENCY: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS),
• A resume summarizing the Interior.
the Board’s mission. Members serve at nominee’s contact information
the pleasure of the OIC Director. ACTION: Notice of a revision of a
(including the mailing address, phone
Registered lobbyists pursuant to the number, facsimile number, and email currently approved information
Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 are not address), qualifications, and expertise to collection (1028–0082).
eligible for membership on the P25 CAP explain why the nominee should be
AP and will not be considered. SUMMARY: We (the U.S. Geological
appointed to the P25 CAP AP. Survey) will ask the Office of
Roles and Responsibilities • The resume must demonstrate a Management and Budget (OMB) to
minimum of ten years (10) years of approve the information collection (IC)
The duties of the P25 CAP AP will experience directly using P25 systems
include providing recommendations of described below. As required by the
in an operational environment in Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of
its individual members to OIC regarding support of established public safety
actions and steps OIC could take to 1995, and as part of our continuing
communications or from a system efforts to reduce paperwork and
promote the P25 CAP. The duties of the implementer/administrator perspective;
P25 CAP AP may include but are not respondent burden, we invite the
a bachelor’s or associate degree with an general public and other Federal
limited to its members reviewing, emphasis in communications and
commenting on, and advising on: agencies to take this opportunity to
engineering may be substituted for three comment on this IC. This collection is
a. The laboratory component of the (3) years, a master’s/professional
P25 CAP under established, scheduled to expire on January 31,
certification for seven (7) years, and a 2016.
documented laboratory recognition Ph.D. for ten (10) years of the
guidelines. requirement. DATES: To ensure that your comments
b. Proposed Compliance Assessment • The resume must discuss the are considered, we must receive them
Bulletins (CABs). nominee’s familiarity with the current on or before November 30, 2015.
c. Proposed updates to previously P25 CAP, including documents that are ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
approved CABs, as Notices of Proposed on this information collection to the
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

integral to the process such as the
CABs, to enable comment and input on SDOCs, STRs, and CABs referenced in Information Collection Clearance
the proposed CAB modifications. this notice Officer, U.S. Geological Survey, 12201
d. OIC updates to existing test • A letter from the nominee’s Sunrise Valley Drive MS 807, Reston,
documents or establishing new test supervisor indicating the nominee’s VA 20192 (mail); (703) 648–7197 (fax);
documents for new types of P25 agency’s support for the nominee to or gs-info_collections@usgs.gov (email).
equipment. participate on the P25 CAP AP. Please reference ‘Information Collection
e. Best practices associated with • Disclosure of Federal boards, 1028–0082, Bird Banding and Recovery
improvement of the policies and commissions, committees, task forces, Reports’ in all correspondence.

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Document Created: 2015-12-15 09:46:32
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 09:46:32

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		All responses must be received within 15 days from the date of
Contact		John Merrill, Director, Office for Interoperability and Compatibility, Science and Technology Directorate, Department of Homeland Security, 202-254-5604 (O), [email protected]
FR Citation		80 FR 58498