81 FR 22059 - Recruitment of First Responder Network Authority Board Members

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Telecommunications and Information Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 72 (April 14, 2016)

Page Range		22059-22060
FR Document		2016-08664

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) issues this Notice on behalf of the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) to initiate the annual process to seek expressions of interest from individuals who would like to serve on the FirstNet Board.\1\ Four of the 12 appointments of non-permanent members to the FirstNet Board expire in August 2016. The Secretary of Commerce may reappoint individuals to serve on the FirstNet Board provided they have not served two consecutive full three-year terms.\2\ NTIA issues this Notice to obtain expressions of interest in the event the Secretary must fill any vacancies arising on the Board. Expressions of interest will be accepted until May 20, 2016. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 72 (Thursday, April 14, 2016)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 72 (Thursday, April 14, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22059-22060]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-08664]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Telecommunications and Information Administration


Recruitment of First Responder Network Authority Board Members

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The National Telecommunications and Information Administration 
(NTIA) issues this Notice on behalf of the First Responder Network 
Authority (FirstNet) to initiate the annual process to seek expressions 
of interest from individuals who would like to serve on the FirstNet 
Board.\1\ Four of the 12 appointments of non-permanent members to the 
FirstNet Board expire in August 2016. The Secretary of Commerce may 
reappoint individuals to serve on the FirstNet Board provided they have 
not served two consecutive full three-year terms.\2\ NTIA issues this 
Notice to obtain expressions of interest in the event the Secretary 
must fill any vacancies arising on the Board. Expressions of interest 
will be accepted until May 20, 2016.
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    \1\ The Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 
(Act) created FirstNet as an independent authority within NTIA, 
directing it to ensure the building, deployment, and operation of a 
single nationwide interoperable broadband network. Middle Class Tax 
Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012, Public Law 112-96, 126 Stat. 
156 (``Act''), codified at 47 U.S.C. 1401 et. seq. FirstNet must 
exercise, through the actions of its Board, all powers specifically 
granted by the provisions of the Act and such incidental powers as 
shall be necessary. 47 U.S.C. 1424(b)(1). The Secretary of Commerce 
shall appoint 12 non-permanent members of the Board, with the 
Secretary of Homeland Security, the Attorney General of the United 
States, and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget 
serving as permanent members of the Board. 47 U.S.C. 1424(b)(1).
    \2\ 47 U.S.C. 1424(c)(2)(A)(ii).

DATES: Expressions of interest must be postmarked or electronically 
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transmitted on or before May 20, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to submit expressions of interest as 
described below should send that information to: Marsha MacBride, 
Acting Associate Administrator of NTIA's Office of Public Safety 
Communications, by email to [email protected]; or by 
U.S. mail or commercial delivery service to: Office of Public Safety 
Communications, National Telecommunications and Information 
Administration, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW., Room 4078, Washington, DC 
20230; or by facsimile transmission to (202) 482-5802. Please note that 
all material sent via the U.S. Postal Service (including ``Overnight'' 
or ``Express Mail'') is subject to delivery delays of up to two weeks 
due to mail security procedures.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marsha MacBride, Acting Associate 
Administrator, Office of Public Safety Communications, National 
Telecommunications and Information Administration, U.S. Department of 
Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW., Room 4078, Washington, DC 
20230; telephone: (202) 482-5802; email: [email protected]. Please 
direct media inquiries to NTIA's Office of Public Affairs, (202) 482-
7002.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background and Authority

    The Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (Act) 
created the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) as an 
independent authority within NTIA and charged it with ensuring the 
building, deployment, and operation of a nationwide, interoperable 
public safety broadband network, based on a single, national network 
architecture.\3\ FirstNet is responsible for, at a minimum, ensuring 
nationwide standards for use and access of the network; issuing open, 
transparent, and competitive requests for proposals (RFPs) to build, 
operate, and maintain the network; encouraging these RFPs to leverage, 
to the maximum extent economically desirable, existing commercial 
wireless infrastructure to speed deployment of the network; and 
managing and overseeing contracts with non-federal entities to build, 
operate, and maintain the network.\4\ FirstNet holds the single public 
safety license granted for wireless public safety broadband deployment. 
The FirstNet Board is responsible for providing overall policy 
direction and oversight of FirstNet to ensure the success of the 
nationwide network.
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    \3\ 47 U.S.C. 1422(b).
    \4\ 47 U.S.C. 1426(b)(1).
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II. Structure

    The FirstNet Board is composed of 15 voting members. The Act names 
the

[[Page 22060]]

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

 Barry Boniface, Private equity investor and telecommunications 
executive
    (Term expires: August 2016)
 Chris Burbank, Chief of Police, Salt Lake City, Utah (retired)
    (Term expires: August 2017)
 Neil E. Cox, Telecommunications/technology executive (Term 
expires: August 2018)
 James H. Douglas, Former Governor, Vermont (Term expires: 
August 2017)
 Edward Horowitz, Venture capital/technology executive (Term 
expires: August 2018)
 Jeffrey Johnson (Vice Chair), Fire Chief (retired); CEO, 
Western Fire Chiefs Association; Former Chair, State Interoperability 
Council, State of Oregon (Term expires: August 2016)
 Kevin McGinnis, Chief/CEO, North East Mobile Health Services 
(Term expires: August 2018)
 Annise Parker, Former Mayor, City of Houston, Texas (Term 
expires: August 2018)
 Ed Reynolds, Telecommunications executive (retired) (Term 
expires: August 2017)
 Richard Stanek, Sheriff, Hennepin County, Minnesota and 
National Sheriffs' Association Executive Committee Member (Term 
expires: August 2017)
 Susan Swenson (Chair), Telecommunications/technology executive 
(Term expires: August 2016)
 Teri Takai, Government information technology expert; former 
CIO, States of Michigan and California (Term expires: August 2016)

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

III. Compensation and Status as Government Employees

    FirstNet Board members are appointed as special government 
employees. FirstNet Board members are compensated at the daily rate of 
basic pay for level IV of the Executive Schedule (approximately 
$160,300 per year).\8\ Each Board member must be a United States 
citizen, cannot be a registered lobbyist, and cannot be a registered 
agent of, employed by, or receive payments from a foreign 
government.\9\
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    \8\ 47 U.S.C. 1424(g).
    \9\ See, Revised Guidance on Appointment of Lobbyists to Federal 
Advisory Committees, Boards, and Commissions, Office of Management 
and Budget, 79 FR 47482 (Aug. 13, 2014).
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IV. Financial Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest

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

V. Selection Process

    At the direction of the Secretary of Commerce, NTIA, in 
consultation with FirstNet, will conduct outreach to the public safety 
community, state and local organizations, and industry to solicit 
nominations for candidates to the Board who satisfy the statutory 
requirements for membership. In addition, by this Notice, the Secretary 
of Commerce, through NTIA, will accept expressions of interest until 
May 20, 2016 from any individual, or any organization that wishes to 
propose a candidate, who satisfies the statutory requirements for 
membership on the FirstNet Board.\10\
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    \10\ Incumbent Board members whose terms expire in August 2016, 
and who wish to be considered for reappointment, do not need to 
submit an expression of interest in response to this Notice.
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    All parties wishing to be considered should submit their full name, 
address, telephone number, email address, a current resume, and a 
statement of qualifications that references how the candidate satisfies 
the Act's expertise, representational, and geographic requirements for 
FirstNet Board membership, as described in this Notice, along with a 
statement describing why they want to serve on the FirstNet Board and 
affirming their ability and availability to take a regular and active 
role in the Board's work.
    The Secretary of Commerce will select FirstNet Board candidates 
based on the eligibility requirements in the Act and recommendations 
submitted by NTIA, in consultation with the FirstNet Board's Governance 
and Personnel Committee. NTIA will recommend candidates based on an 
assessment of their qualifications as well as their demonstrated 
ability to work in a collaborative way to achieve the goals and 
objectives of FirstNet as set forth in the Act. Board candidates will 
be vetted through the Department of Commerce and are subject to an 
appropriate background check for security clearance.

     Dated: April 11, 2016.
Lawrence E. Strickling,
Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information.
[FR Doc. 2016-08664 Filed 4-13-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-60-P

Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 72 / Thursday, April 14, 2016 / Notices 22059

program. The purpose of this notice is Hot Topics at http:// Administrator of NTIA’s Office of Public
to provide the final agenda and remote www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/. Safety Communications, by email to
access information for the public Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq. FirstNetBoardApplicant@ntia.doc.gov;
meeting. or by U.S. mail or commercial delivery
Dated: April 8, 2016.
DATES: The meeting will be held service to: Office of Public Safety
Angela Somma, Communications, National
Tuesday April 19, 2016, through Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office
Thursday April 21, 2016, at 9 a.m. Telecommunications and Information
of Protected Resources, National Marine Administration, 1401 Constitution
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at Fisheries Service.
Avenue NW., Room 4078, Washington,
the NOAA Science Center, 1301 East- [FR Doc. 2016–08561 Filed 4–13–16; 8:45 am] DC 20230; or by facsimile transmission
West Highway, Silver Spring, MD BILLING CODE 3510–22–P to (202) 482–5802. Please note that all
20910; phone: 301–713–1010. material sent via the U.S. Postal Service
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: (including ‘‘Overnight’’ or ‘‘Express
Therese Conant, NMFS Office of DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Mail’’) is subject to delivery delays of up
Protected Resources, 301–427–8456. to two weeks due to mail security
National Telecommunications and
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We, Information Administration procedures.
NMFS, announced a public meeting of FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
a review of our recovery program under Recruitment of First Responder Marsha MacBride, Acting Associate
the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as Network Authority Board Members Administrator, Office of Public Safety
amended (ESA) on March 4, 2016 (81 Communications, National
FR 11518). Under the ESA, section 4(f) AGENCY: National Telecommunications
and Information Administration, U.S. Telecommunications and Information
requires the Secretary to develop and Administration, U.S. Department of
implement recovery plans for the Department of Commerce.
Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue
conservation and survival of endangered ACTION: Notice.
NW., Room 4078, Washington, DC
and threatened species. Those recovery SUMMARY: The National 20230; telephone: (202) 482–5802;
plans must include objective, Telecommunications and Information email: mmacbride@ntia.doc.gov. Please
measurable criteria which, when met, Administration (NTIA) issues this direct media inquiries to NTIA’s Office
would lead to a determination that the Notice on behalf of the First Responder of Public Affairs, (202) 482–7002.
species be removed from the list, site- Network Authority (FirstNet) to initiate SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
specific management actions necessary the annual process to seek expressions
to achieve the plan’s goal for the of interest from individuals who would I. Background and Authority
conservation of the species, and like to serve on the FirstNet Board.1 The Middle Class Tax Relief and Job
estimates of the time and costs to carry Four of the 12 appointments of non- Creation Act of 2012 (Act) created the
out the measures identified in the plan. permanent members to the FirstNet First Responder Network Authority
We currently have final recovery Board expire in August 2016. The (FirstNet) as an independent authority
plans for 47 species and draft recovery Secretary of Commerce may reappoint within NTIA and charged it with
plans for five species. Recovery plans individuals to serve on the FirstNet ensuring the building, deployment, and
are not started or are under Board provided they have not served operation of a nationwide, interoperable
development for 39 species. The two consecutive full three-year terms.2 public safety broadband network, based
objective of the recovery program NTIA issues this Notice to obtain on a single, national network
review is to determine if the current expressions of interest in the event the architecture.3 FirstNet is responsible for,
recovery planning process results in Secretary must fill any vacancies arising at a minimum, ensuring nationwide
recovery plans that are effective on the Board. Expressions of interest standards for use and access of the
roadmaps for recovering the species as will be accepted until May 20, 2016. network; issuing open, transparent, and
evidenced by whether the plans are competitive requests for proposals
DATES: Expressions of interest must be
being implemented by NMFS and (RFPs) to build, operate, and maintain
postmarked or electronically
stakeholders, resulting in progress the network; encouraging these RFPs to
transmitted on or before May 20, 2016.
towards meeting the recovery criteria so leverage, to the maximum extent
ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to submit
that the species may be delisted. This economically desirable, existing
review will evaluate, within the context expressions of interest as described
below should send that information to: commercial wireless infrastructure to
of current budget constraints, the speed deployment of the network; and
efficacy of the recovery planning Marsha MacBride, Acting Associate
managing and overseeing contracts with
process, including the quality of the 1 The Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation non-federal entities to build, operate,
recovery plans, the implementation of Act of 2012 (Act) created FirstNet as an and maintain the network.4 FirstNet
recovery actions, and the monitoring of independent authority within NTIA, directing it to holds the single public safety license
recovery progress. This review will ensure the building, deployment, and operation of
granted for wireless public safety
provide recommendations to improve a single nationwide interoperable broadband
network. Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation broadband deployment. The FirstNet
recovery plans and the recovery Act of 2012, Public Law 112–96, 126 Stat. 156 Board is responsible for providing
planning and implementation process to (‘‘Act’’), codified at 47 U.S.C. 1401 et. seq. FirstNet overall policy direction and oversight of
increase the likelihood of recovering must exercise, through the actions of its Board, all
FirstNet to ensure the success of the
powers specifically granted by the provisions of the
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

species. nationwide network.
Act and such incidental powers as shall be
The meeting is open to the public all necessary. 47 U.S.C. 1424(b)(1). The Secretary of
day, and the public will have an Commerce shall appoint 12 non-permanent II. Structure
opportunity to provide verbal or written members of the Board, with the Secretary of The FirstNet Board is composed of 15
comments in one-hour sessions each Homeland Security, the Attorney General of the
United States, and the Director of the Office of voting members. The Act names the
day. See agenda for remote access Management and Budget serving as permanent
information and timing for public members of the Board. 47 U.S.C. 1424(b)(1). 3 47 U.S.C. 1422(b).
comments at under Recent News and 2 47 U.S.C. 1424(c)(2)(A)(ii). 4 47 U.S.C. 1426(b)(1).

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22060 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 72 / Thursday, April 14, 2016 / Notices

Secretary of the Department of executive (Term expires: August All parties wishing to be considered
Homeland Security, the Attorney 2016) should submit their full name, address,
General of the United States, and the • Teri Takai, Government information telephone number, email address, a
Director of the Office of Management technology expert; former CIO, States current resume, and a statement of
and Budget as permanent members of of Michigan and California (Term qualifications that references how the
the FirstNet Board. The Secretary of expires: August 2016) candidate satisfies the Act’s expertise,
Commerce appoints the twelve non- More information about the FirstNet representational, and geographic
permanent members of the FirstNet Board is available at www.firstnet.gov/ requirements for FirstNet Board
Board.5 The Act requires each Board about/Board. Board members are membership, as described in this
member to have experience or expertise appointed for a term of three years, and Notice, along with a statement
in at least one of the following Board members may not serve more describing why they want to serve on
substantive areas: Public safety, than two consecutive full three-year the FirstNet Board and affirming their
network, technical, and/or financial.6 terms. ability and availability to take a regular
Additionally, the composition of the and active role in the Board’s work.
FirstNet Board must satisfy the other III. Compensation and Status as The Secretary of Commerce will select
requirements specified in the Act, Government Employees FirstNet Board candidates based on the
including that: (i) At least three Board FirstNet Board members are eligibility requirements in the Act and
members have served as public safety appointed as special government recommendations submitted by NTIA,
professionals; (ii) at least three members employees. FirstNet Board members are in consultation with the FirstNet
represent the collective interests of compensated at the daily rate of basic Board’s Governance and Personnel
states, localities, tribes, and territories; pay for level IV of the Executive Committee. NTIA will recommend
and (iii) its members reflect geographic Schedule (approximately $160,300 per candidates based on an assessment of
and regional, as well as rural and urban, year).8 Each Board member must be a their qualifications as well as their
representation.7 An individual Board United States citizen, cannot be a demonstrated ability to work in a
member may satisfy more than one of registered lobbyist, and cannot be a collaborative way to achieve the goals
these requirements. The current non- registered agent of, employed by, or and objectives of FirstNet as set forth in
permanent FirstNet Board members are receive payments from a foreign the Act. Board candidates will be vetted
(noting length of term): government.9 through the Department of Commerce
and are subject to an appropriate
• Barry Boniface, Private equity IV. Financial Disclosure and Conflicts background check for security
investor and telecommunications of Interest clearance.
executive
(Term expires: August 2016) FirstNet Board members must comply Dated: April 11, 2016.
• Chris Burbank, Chief of Police, Salt with certain federal conflict of interest Lawrence E. Strickling,
Lake City, Utah (retired) statutes and ethics regulations, Assistant Secretary for Communications and
(Term expires: August 2017) including some financial disclosure Information.
• Neil E. Cox, Telecommunications/ requirements. A FirstNet Board member [FR Doc. 2016–08664 Filed 4–13–16; 8:45 am]
technology executive (Term expires: will generally be prohibited from BILLING CODE 3510–60–P
August 2018) participating on any particular matter
that will have a direct and predictable
• James H. Douglas, Former Governor,
effect on his or her personal financial CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND
Vermont (Term expires: August 2017)
interests or on the interests of the
• Edward Horowitz, Venture capital/ COMMUNITY SERVICE
appointee’s spouse, minor children, or
technology executive (Term expires:
non-federal employer. Proposed Information Collection;
August 2018)
• Jeffrey Johnson (Vice Chair), Fire V. Selection Process Comment Request
Chief (retired); CEO, Western Fire At the direction of the Secretary of AGENCY: Corporation for National and
Chiefs Association; Former Chair, Commerce, NTIA, in consultation with Community Service.
State Interoperability Council, State of FirstNet, will conduct outreach to the ACTION: Notice.
Oregon (Term expires: August 2016) public safety community, state and local
• Kevin McGinnis, Chief/CEO, North organizations, and industry to solicit SUMMARY: The Corporation for National
East Mobile Health Services (Term nominations for candidates to the Board and Community Service (CNCS), as part
expires: August 2018) who satisfy the statutory requirements of its continuing effort to reduce
• Annise Parker, Former Mayor, City of for membership. In addition, by this paperwork and respondent burden,
Houston, Texas (Term expires: August Notice, the Secretary of Commerce, conducts a pre-clearance consultation
2018) through NTIA, will accept expressions program to provide the general public
• Ed Reynolds, Telecommunications of interest until May 20, 2016 from any and federal agencies with an
executive (retired) (Term expires: individual, or any organization that opportunity to comment on proposed
August 2017) wishes to propose a candidate, who and/or continuing collections of
• Richard Stanek, Sheriff, Hennepin satisfies the statutory requirements for information in accordance with the
County, Minnesota and National membership on the FirstNet Board.10 Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
Sheriffs’ Association Executive (PRA95) (44 U.S.C. Sec. 3506(c)(2)(A)).
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

Committee Member (Term expires: 8 47 U.S.C. 1424(g).
This program helps to ensure that
August 2017) 9 See, Revised Guidance on Appointment of requested data can be provided in the
• Susan Swenson (Chair), Lobbyists to Federal Advisory Committees, Boards, desired format, reporting burden (time
Telecommunications/technology and Commissions, Office of Management and and financial resources) is minimized,
Budget, 79 FR 47482 (Aug. 13, 2014). collection instruments are clearly
10 Incumbent Board members whose terms expire
5 47 U.S.C. 1424(b). in August 2016, and who wish to be considered for
understood, and the impact of collection
6 47 U.S.C. 1424(b)(2)(B). reappointment, do not need to submit an expression requirement on respondents can be
7 47 U.S.C. 1424(b)(2)(A). of interest in response to this Notice. properly assessed.

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Document Created: 2018-02-07 13:48:09
Document Modified: 2018-02-07 13:48:09

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice.
Dates		Expressions of interest must be postmarked or electronically
Contact		Marsha MacBride, Acting Associate Administrator, Office of Public Safety Communications, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW., Room 4078, Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482-5802; email: [email protected] Please direct media inquiries to NTIA's Office of Public Affairs, (202) 482- 7002.
FR Citation		81 FR 22059

81 FR 22059 - Recruitment of First Responder Network Authority Board Members

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCENational Telecommunications and Information Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 72 (April 14, 2016)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Telecommunications and Information Administration