81 FR 88658 - Solicitation of Veterinary Shortage Situation Nominations for the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP)
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
National Institute of Food and Agriculture Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 236 (December 8, 2016)
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 236 (December 8, 2016)
| Page Range | 88658-88661 | |
| FR Document | 2016-29424 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 236 (Thursday, December 8, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 88658-88661] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-29424] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE National Institute of Food and Agriculture Solicitation of Veterinary Shortage Situation Nominations for the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP) AGENCY: National Institute of Food and Agriculture, USDA. ACTION: Notice and solicitation for nominations. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is soliciting nominations of veterinary service shortage situations for the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP) for fiscal year (FY) 2017, as authorized under the National Veterinary Medical Services Act (NVMSA), 7 U.S.C. 3151a. This notice initiates the nomination period and prescribes the procedures and criteria to be used by States, Insular Areas, DC and Federal Lands to nominate veterinary shortage situations. Each year all eligible nominating entities may submit nominations, up to the maximum indicated for each entity in this notice. NIFA is conducting this solicitation of veterinary shortage situation nominations under a previously approved information collection (OMB Control Number 0524-0046). DATES: Shortage situation nominations must be submitted on or before February 8, 2017. ADDRESSES: Submissions must be made by clicking the submit button on the Veterinarian Shortage Situation nomination form provided in the VMLRP Shortage Situations section at www.nifa.usda.gov/vmlrp. This form is sent as a data file directly to the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program; National Institute of Food and Agriculture; U.S. Department of Agriculture. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Danielle Tack; Program Coordinator, Veterinary Science; National Institute of Food and Agriculture; U.S. Department of Agriculture; STOP 2220; 1400 Independence Avenue SW.,Washington, DC 20250-2220; Voice: 202-401-6802; Fax: 202-401-6156; Email: vmlrp@nifa.usda.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background and Purpose Food supply veterinary medicine embraces a broad array of veterinary professional activities, specialties and responsibilities, and is defined as the full range of veterinary medical practices contributing to the production of a safe and wholesome food supply and to animal, human, and environmental health. A series of studies and reports 1-6 have drawn attention to maldistributions in the veterinary workforce leaving some communities, especially rural areas, with insufficient access to food supply veterinary services. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ Government Accountability Office, Veterinary Workforce: Actions Are Needed to Ensure Sufficient Capacity for Protecting Public and Animal Health, GAO-09-178: Feb 18, 2009). \2\ National Academies of Science, Workforce Needs in Veterinary Medicine, 2013. \3\ Andrus DM, Gwinner KP, Prince, JB. Food Supply Veterinary Medicine Coalition Report: Estimating FSM Demand and Maintaining the Availability of Veterinarians in Food Supply Related Disciplines in the United States and Canada, 2016. https://www.avma.org/KB/Resources/Reference/Pages/Food-Supply-Veterinary-Medicine-Coalition-Report.aspx. \4\ Andrus DM, Gwinner KP, Prince, JB. Future demand, probable shortages and strategies for creating a better future in food supply veterinary medicine. 2006, JAVMA 229(1):57-69. \5\ Andrus DM, Gwinner KP, Prince, JB. Attracting students to careers in food supply veterinary medicine. 2006, JAVMA 228(1):16931704. \6\ Andrus DM, Gwinner KP, Prince, JB. Job satisfaction, changes in occupational area and commitment to a career in food supply veterinary medicine. 2006, JAVMA 228(12):1884-1893. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Two programs, born out of this concern, aim to mitigate the maldistribution of the veterinary workforce: The Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP) and Veterinary Services Grant Program (VSGP), both administered by USDA--NIFA. VMLRP addresses increasing veterinary school debt by offering veterinary school debt payments in exchange for service in shortage situations, while VSGP addresses other factors contributing to the maldistribution of veterinarians serving the agricultural sector. Specifically, the VSGP promotes availability and access to (1) specialized education and training which will enable veterinarians and veterinary technicians to provide services in designated veterinarian shortage situations, and (2) practice-enhancing equipment and personnel resources to enable veterinary practices to expand or improve access to veterinary services. Paperwork Reduction Act In accordance with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations (5 CFR part 1320) that implement the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the information collection and recordkeeping requirements imposed by the implementation of these guidelines have been approved by OMB Control Number 0524-0046. [[Page 88659]] List of Subjects in Guidelines for Veterinary Shortage Situation Nominations I. Preface and Authority II. Nomination of Veterinary Shortage Situations A. General 1. Eligible Shortage Situations 2. Authorized Respondents and Use of Consultation 3. State Allocation of Nominations 4. FY 2017 Shortage Situation Nomination Process 5. Submission and Due Date 6. Period Covered 7. Definitions B. Nomination Form C. NIFA Review of Shortage Situation Nominations 1. Review Panel Composition and Process 2. Review Criteria Guidelines for Veterinary Shortage Situation Nominations I. Preface and Authority In January 2003, the National Veterinary Medical Service Act (NVMSA) was passed into law adding section 1415A to the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1997 (NARETPA). This law established a new Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (7 U.S.C. 3151a) authorizing the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out a program of entering into agreements with veterinarians under which they agree to provide veterinary services in veterinarian shortage situations. In FY 2010, NIFA announced the first funding opportunity for the VMLRP. Section 7104 of the 2014 Farm Bill (Pub. L. 113-79) added section 1415B to NARETPA, as amended, (7 U.S.C. 3151b) to establish the Veterinary Services Grant Program (VSGP). This amendment authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to make competitive grants to qualified entities and individual veterinarians that carry out programs in veterinarian shortage situations and for the purpose of developing, implementing, and sustaining veterinary services. Funding for the VSGP was first appropriated in 2016 through the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 (Pub. L. 114-113). Pursuant to the requirements enacted in the NVMSA of 2004 (as revised), and the implementing regulation for this Act, part 3431 subpart A of the VMLRP Final Rule [75 FR 20239-20248], NIFA hereby implements guidelines for authorized State Animal Health Officials (SAHO) to nominate veterinary shortage situations for the FY 2017 program cycle. II. Nomination of Veterinary Shortage Situations A. General 1. Eligible Shortage Situations Section 1415A of NARETPA, as amended and revised by Section 7105 of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act, directs determination of veterinarian shortage situations for the VMLRP to consider (1) geographical areas that the Secretary determines have a shortage of veterinarians; and (2) areas of veterinary practice that the Secretary determines have a shortage of veterinarians, such as food animal medicine, public health, epidemiology, and food safety. This section also added that priority should be given to agreements with veterinarians for the practice of food animal medicine in veterinarian shortage situations. While the NVMSA (as amended) specifies priority be given to food animal medicine shortage situations, and that consideration also be given to specialty areas such as public health, epidemiology and food safety, the Act does not identify any areas of veterinary practice as ineligible. Accordingly, all nominated veterinary shortage situations will be considered eligible for submission. However, assessment of submitted nominations by the external review panel convened by NIFA will reflect that priority be given to certain types of veterinary service shortage situations. NIFA therefore anticipates that the more competitive nominations will be those directly addressing food supply veterinary medicine shortage situations. A subset of the shortages designated for VMLRP applicants are also available to satisfy requirements, as applicable, for VSGP applicants. In addition, a shortage situation under the VSGP Rural Practice Enhancement program area must also be designated rural as defined in section 343(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1991(a)). NIFA adopted definitions for the practice of veterinary medicine and the practice of food supply medicine that are broadly inclusive of the critical roles veterinarians serve in both public practice and private practice situations. Nominations describing either public or private practice veterinary shortage situations are eligible for submission. 2. State Respondents and Use of Consultation The only authorized respondent on behalf of each State is the chief SAHO, as duly authorized by the Governor or the Governor's designee in each State. The chief SAHO must submit nominations using the Veterinarian Shortage Situation Nomination Form (OMB Control Number 0524-0046), which is available in the VMLRP Shortage Situations section on the VMLRP Web site at www.nifa.usda.gov/vmlrp. One form must be submitted for each nominated shortage situation. When ``SUBMIT'' is selected on the form a data file will be sent directly to NIFA. NIFA strongly encourages the SAHO to involve leading health animal experts in the State in the identification and prioritization of shortage situation nominations. 3. State Allocation of Nominations NIFA will accept the number of nominations equivalent to the maximum number of designated shortage areas for each state. For historical background and more information on the rationale for capping nominations and state allocation method, please visit www.nifa.usda.gov/vmlrp. The maximum number of nominations (and potential designations) is based on data from the 2012 Agricultural Census conducted by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Awards from previous years have no bearing on a state's maximum number of allowable shortage nomination submissions or designations in any given year, or number of nominations or designations allowed for subsequent years. NIFA reserves the right in the future to proportionally adjust the maximum number of designated shortage situations per state to ensure a balance between available funds and the requirement to ensure that priority is given to mitigating veterinary shortages corresponding to situations of greatest need. Nomination Allocation tables for FY 2017 are available under the VMLRP Shortage Situations section of the VMLRP Web site at www.nifa.usda.gov/vmlrp. Table I lists the maximum nomination allocations by state. Table II lists ``Special Consideration Areas'' which include any State or Insular Area not reporting data to NASS, reporting less than $1,000,000 in annual Livestock and Livestock Products Total Sales ($), and/or possessing less than 500,000 acres. One nomination is allocated to any State or Insular Area classified as a Special Consideration Area. Table III shows the values and quartile ranks of States for two variables broadly correlated with demand for food supply veterinary services: ``Livestock and Livestock Products Total Sales ($)'' (LPTS) and ``Land Area (acres)'' (LA). [[Page 88660]] The maximum number of NIFA-designated shortage situations per state is based on the sum of quartile rankings for LPTS and LA for each state and can be found in Table IV. While Federal Lands are widely dispersed within States and Insular Areas across the country, they constitute a composite total land area over twice the size of Alaska. If the 200-mile limit U.S. coastal waters and associated fishery areas are included, Federal Land total acreage would exceed 1 billion. Both State and Federal Animal Health officials have responsibilities for matters relating to terrestrial and aquatic food animal health on Federal Lands. Interaction between wildlife and domestic livestock, such as sheep and cattle, is particularly common in the plains states where significant portions of Federal lands are leased for grazing. Therefore, both SAHOs and the Chief Federal Animal Health Officer (Deputy Administrator of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service or designee) may submit nominations to address shortage situations on or related to Federal Lands. NIFA emphasizes that the shortage nomination allocation is set to broadly balance the number of designated shortage situations across states prior to the nomination and award phases of the VMLRP and VSGP. Awards will be made based strictly on the peer review panels' assessment according to each program's review criteria; thus no state will be given a preference for placement of awardees. Additionally, each designated shortage situation will be limited to one award per program. 4. FY 2017 Shortage Situation Nomination Process For the FY 2017 program cycle, all eligible submitting entities may: (1) Request to retain designated status for any shortage situation successfully designated in 2016 and/or (2) submit new nominations. Any shortage from FY 2016 not retained or submitted as a new nomination will not be considered a shortage situation in 2017. The total number of new nominations plus designated nominations retained (carried over) may not exceed the maximum number of nominations each entity is permitted. ALL nominations, new and retained, will be evaluated by the 2017 review panel. The following process is the mechanism for retaining a designated nomination: Each SAHO should review the map of VMLRP designated shortage situations for FY 2016 (http://go.usa.gov/xkFD3) and download a PDF copy of the nomination form for each designated area that remains open (not awarded) in FY 2016. If the SAHO wishes to retain (carry over) one or more designated nomination(s), the SAHO shall copy and paste the prior year information into the current year's nomination form and select ``SUBMIT.'' Both new and retained nominations must be submitted on the Veterinary Shortage Situation Nomination form provided in the VMLRP Shortage Situations section at www.nifa.usda.gov/vmlrp. 5. Submission and Due Date Submissions must be made by clicking the submit button on the Veterinarian Shortage Situation nomination form provided in the VMLRP Shortage Situations section at www.nifa.usda.gov/vmlrp. This form is sent as a data file directly to the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program; National Institute of Food and Agriculture; U.S. Department of Agriculture; Shortage situation nominations. Both new and retained (carry-over) nominations must be submitted on or before February 8, 2017. 7. Period Covered Each shortage situation is approved for one program year cycle only. However, any previously approved shortage situation not filled in a given program year may be resubmitted as a retained (carry-over) nomination. Retained (carry-over) shortage nominations will be required to undergo panel merit review for 2017. Starting in 2018 retained shortages (without any revisions) will be automatically approved for up to three years before requiring another merit review. By resubmitting a carry-over nomination, the SAHO is affirming that in his or her professional judgment the original case made for shortage status, and the original description of needs, remain current and accurate. 8. Definitions For the purpose of implementing the solicitation for veterinary shortage situations, the definitions provided in 7 CFR part 3431 are applicable. B. Nomination Form The VMLRP Shortage Nomination Form must be used to nominate Veterinarian Shortage Situations. Once designated as a shortage situation, VMLRP applicants will use the information to select shortage situations they are willing and qualified to fill, and to guide the preparation of their applications. NIFA will use the information to assess contractual compliance of awardees. The form is available in the VMLRP Shortage Situations section at www.nifa.usda.gov/vmlrp. The completed form must be sent to NIFA by selecting ``SUBMIT'' on the nomination form. Detailed directions for each field can be found at http://go.usa.gov/xkFDY. C. NIFA Review of Shortage Situation Nominations 1. Review Panel Composition and Process NIFA will convene a panel of food supply veterinary medicine experts from Federal and State agencies, as well as institutions receiving Animal Health and Disease Research Program funds under section 1433 of NARETPA, to review the nominations and make recommendations to the NIFA Program Manager. NIFA will review the panel's recommendations and designate the VMLRP shortage situations. The list of approved shortage situations will be made available on the VMLRP Web site at www.nifa.usda.gov/vmlrp. 2. Review Criteria Criteria used by the shortage situation nomination review panel and NIFA for certifying a veterinary shortage situation will be consistent with the information requested in the shortage situations nomination form. NIFA understands the process for defining the risk landscape associated veterinary service shortages within a state may require consideration of many qualitative and quantitative factors. In addition, each shortage situation will be characterized by a different array of subjective and objective supportive information that must be developed into a cogent case identifying, characterizing, and justifying a given geographic or disciplinary area as deficient in certain types of veterinary capacity or service. To accommodate the uniqueness of each shortage situation, the nomination form provides opportunities to present a case using both supportive metrics and narrative explanations to define and explain the proposed need. While NIFA anticipates some arguments made in support of a given shortage situation will be qualitative, respondents are encouraged to present verifiable quantitative and qualitative evidentiary information wherever possible. Absence of quantitative data such as animal and veterinarian census data for the proposed shortage area(s) may lead the panel to recommend disapproval of the shortage nomination. The maximum point value that panelists may award for each element is as follows: [[Page 88661]] 20 points: Describe the objectives of a veterinarian to meet the needs of the shortage situation in the community, area, state/insular area, or position requested above. 20 points: Describe the activities required of a veterinarian to meet the needs of the shortage situation located in the community, area, state/insular area, or position requested above. 5 points: Describe any past efforts to recruit and retain a veterinarian to achieve the objectives and activities in the shortage situation identified above. 35 points: Describe the risk of this veterinarian position not being filled or retained. Include the risk(s) to the production of a safe and wholesome food supply and/or to animal, human, and environmental health not only in the community but in the region, state/insular area, nation, and/or international community. An additional 20 points will be used to evaluate overall merit/ quality of the case made for each nomination. Done in Washington, DC, this 30th day of November, 2016. Sonny Ramaswamy, Director, National Institute of Food and Agriculture. [FR Doc. 2016-29424 Filed 12-7-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-22-P
![88658 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 236 / Thursday, December 8, 2016 / Notices
(TDD) may call the Federal Information DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE of a safe and wholesome food supply
Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 and to animal, human, and
between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., National Institute of Food and environmental health. A series of
Eastern Standard Time, Monday Agriculture studies and reports 1–6 have drawn
through Friday. attention to maldistributions in the
Solicitation of Veterinary Shortage veterinary workforce leaving some
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Forest Situation Nominations for the communities, especially rural areas,
Plan Amendment lays the foundation to Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment with insufficient access to food supply
address and balance the need for more Program (VMLRP) veterinary services.
stable contributions to the economic AGENCY: National Institute of Food and Two programs, born out of this
and social sustainability of Southeast Agriculture, USDA. concern, aim to mitigate the
Alaska. It supports both transitioning to ACTION: Notice and solicitation for maldistribution of the veterinary
a more economically, socially and nominations. workforce: The Veterinary Medicine
ecologically sustainable timber program Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP) and
on the Tongass and promoting more SUMMARY: The National Institute of Food Veterinary Services Grant Program
sustainable and diverse local economies and Agriculture (NIFA) is soliciting (VSGP), both administered by USDA—
by encouraging renewable energy nominations of veterinary service NIFA. VMLRP addresses increasing
production. shortage situations for the Veterinary veterinary school debt by offering
Medicine Loan Repayment Program veterinary school debt payments in
The Forest Plan Amendment amends (VMLRP) for fiscal year (FY) 2017, as
the 2008 Tongass Land and Resource exchange for service in shortage
authorized under the National situations, while VSGP addresses other
Management Plan (2008 Forest Plan) Veterinary Medical Services Act
and describes resource management factors contributing to the
(NVMSA), 7 U.S.C. 3151a. This notice maldistribution of veterinarians serving
practices, levels of resource production initiates the nomination period and
and management, and the availability the agricultural sector. Specifically, the
prescribes the procedures and criteria to VSGP promotes availability and access
and suitability of lands for different be used by States, Insular Areas, DC and to (1) specialized education and training
kinds of resource management. The Federal Lands to nominate veterinary which will enable veterinarians and
Forest Plan Amendment guides all shortage situations. Each year all veterinary technicians to provide
natural resource management projects eligible nominating entities may submit services in designated veterinarian
and activities and establishes nominations, up to the maximum shortage situations, and (2) practice-
management direction for the Tongass indicated for each entity in this notice. enhancing equipment and personnel
National Forest. The Forest Plan NIFA is conducting this solicitation of resources to enable veterinary practices
Amendment was developed using the veterinary shortage situation to expand or improve access to
current Planning Rule, issued in 2012 nominations under a previously veterinary services.
and embodies the provisions of the approved information collection (OMB
National Forest Management Act, the Control Number 0524–0046). Paperwork Reduction Act
implementing regulations, and other DATES: Shortage situation nominations
In accordance with the Office of
guiding documents. must be submitted on or before February
Management and Budget (OMB)
8, 2017.
The Forest Plan Amendment was regulations (5 CFR part 1320) that
ADDRESSES: Submissions must be made implement the Paperwork Reduction
shaped by best available science,
by clicking the submit button on the Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the
current laws, and public participation
Veterinarian Shortage Situation information collection and
including participation of a cooperating nomination form provided in the
agency (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service); recordkeeping requirements imposed by
VMLRP Shortage Situations section at the implementation of these guidelines
consultation with Alaska Native tribes www.nifa.usda.gov/vmlrp.
and Alaska Native Corporations; advice have been approved by OMB Control
This form is sent as a data file directly Number 0524–0046.
and recommendations from the Tongass to the Veterinary Medicine Loan
Advisory Committee, a Federal Repayment Program; National Institute 1 Government Accountability Office, Veterinary
Advisory Committee established by the of Food and Agriculture; U.S. Workforce: Actions Are Needed to Ensure Sufficient
U.S. Department of Agriculture; and Department of Agriculture. Capacity for Protecting Public and Animal Health,
significant public contributions from FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: GAO–09–178: Feb 18, 2009).
2 National Academies of Science, Workforce
nine open house meetings, nine Danielle Tack; Program Coordinator,
Needs in Veterinary Medicine, 2013.
subsistence hearings, and the receipt of Veterinary Science; National Institute of 3 Andrus DM, Gwinner KP, Prince, JB. Food
over 165,000 public comments. Food and Agriculture; U.S. Department Supply Veterinary Medicine Coalition Report:
Dated: November 30, 2016. of Agriculture; STOP 2220; 1400 Estimating FSM Demand and Maintaining the
Independence Avenue SW.,Washington, Availability of Veterinarians in Food Supply
M. Earl Stewart, Related Disciplines in the United States and
DC 20250–2220; Voice: 202–401–6802; Canada, 2016. https://www.avma.org/KB/Resources
Forest Supervisor, Tongass National Forest. Fax: 202–401–6156; Email: vmlrp@ /Reference/Pages/Food-Supply-Veterinary-
[FR Doc. 2016–29188 Filed 12–7–16; 8:45 am] nifa.usda.gov. Medicine-Coalition-Report.aspx.
4 Andrus DM, Gwinner KP, Prince, JB. Future
BILLING CODE 3411–15–P
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
demand, probable shortages and strategies for
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
Background and Purpose creating a better future in food supply veterinary
medicine. 2006, JAVMA 229(1):57–69.
Food supply veterinary medicine 5 Andrus DM, Gwinner KP, Prince, JB. Attracting
embraces a broad array of veterinary students to careers in food supply veterinary
professional activities, specialties and medicine. 2006, JAVMA 228(1):16931704.
6 Andrus DM, Gwinner KP, Prince, JB. Job
responsibilities, and is defined as the satisfaction, changes in occupational area and
full range of veterinary medical commitment to a career in food supply veterinary
practices contributing to the production medicine. 2006, JAVMA 228(12):1884–1893.
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List of Subjects in Guidelines for II. Nomination of Veterinary Shortage The chief SAHO must submit
Veterinary Shortage Situation Situations nominations using the Veterinarian
Nominations Shortage Situation Nomination Form
A. General
(OMB Control Number 0524–0046),
I. Preface and Authority
1. Eligible Shortage Situations which is available in the VMLRP
II. Nomination of Veterinary Shortage
Section 1415A of NARETPA, as Shortage Situations section on the
Situations
amended and revised by Section 7105 of VMLRP Web site at www.nifa.usda.gov/
A. General
vmlrp. One form must be submitted for
1. Eligible Shortage Situations the Food, Conservation and Energy Act,
each nominated shortage situation.
2. Authorized Respondents and Use of directs determination of veterinarian
When ‘‘SUBMIT’’ is selected on the
Consultation shortage situations for the VMLRP to
form a data file will be sent directly to
3. State Allocation of Nominations consider (1) geographical areas that the
NIFA. NIFA strongly encourages the
4. FY 2017 Shortage Situation Nomination Secretary determines have a shortage of
SAHO to involve leading health animal
Process veterinarians; and (2) areas of veterinary
5. Submission and Due Date
experts in the State in the identification
practice that the Secretary determines
6. Period Covered
and prioritization of shortage situation
have a shortage of veterinarians, such as
7. Definitions
nominations.
food animal medicine, public health,
B. Nomination Form epidemiology, and food safety. This 3. State Allocation of Nominations
C. NIFA Review of Shortage Situation section also added that priority should NIFA will accept the number of
Nominations be given to agreements with nominations equivalent to the
1. Review Panel Composition and Process veterinarians for the practice of food maximum number of designated
2. Review Criteria animal medicine in veterinarian shortage areas for each state. For
Guidelines for Veterinary Shortage Situation shortage situations. historical background and more
Nominations While the NVMSA (as amended) information on the rationale for capping
I. Preface and Authority specifies priority be given to food nominations and state allocation
animal medicine shortage situations, method, please visit www.nifa.usda.gov/
In January 2003, the National and that consideration also be given to vmlrp.
Veterinary Medical Service Act specialty areas such as public health, The maximum number of
(NVMSA) was passed into law adding epidemiology and food safety, the Act nominations (and potential
section 1415A to the National does not identify any areas of veterinary designations) is based on data from the
Agricultural Research, Extension, and practice as ineligible. Accordingly, all 2012 Agricultural Census conducted by
Teaching Policy Act of 1997 nominated veterinary shortage the USDA National Agricultural
(NARETPA). This law established a new situations will be considered eligible for Statistics Service (NASS). Awards from
Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment submission. However, assessment of previous years have no bearing on a
Program (7 U.S.C. 3151a) authorizing submitted nominations by the external state’s maximum number of allowable
the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out review panel convened by NIFA will shortage nomination submissions or
a program of entering into agreements reflect that priority be given to certain designations in any given year, or
with veterinarians under which they types of veterinary service shortage number of nominations or designations
agree to provide veterinary services in situations. NIFA therefore anticipates allowed for subsequent years. NIFA
veterinarian shortage situations. In FY that the more competitive nominations reserves the right in the future to
2010, NIFA announced the first funding will be those directly addressing food proportionally adjust the maximum
opportunity for the VMLRP. supply veterinary medicine shortage number of designated shortage
situations. situations per state to ensure a balance
Section 7104 of the 2014 Farm Bill
A subset of the shortages designated between available funds and the
(Pub. L. 113–79) added section 1415B to
for VMLRP applicants are also available requirement to ensure that priority is
NARETPA, as amended, (7 U.S.C.
to satisfy requirements, as applicable, given to mitigating veterinary shortages
3151b) to establish the Veterinary
for VSGP applicants. In addition, a corresponding to situations of greatest
Services Grant Program (VSGP). This
shortage situation under the VSGP Rural need. Nomination Allocation tables for
amendment authorizes the Secretary of
Practice Enhancement program area FY 2017 are available under the VMLRP
Agriculture to make competitive grants
must also be designated rural as defined Shortage Situations section of the
to qualified entities and individual
in section 343(a) of the Consolidated VMLRP Web site at www.nifa.usda.gov/
veterinarians that carry out programs in
Farm and Rural Development Act (7 vmlrp.
veterinarian shortage situations and for Table I lists the maximum nomination
U.S.C. 1991(a)).
the purpose of developing, NIFA adopted definitions for the allocations by state. Table II lists
implementing, and sustaining veterinary practice of veterinary medicine and the ‘‘Special Consideration Areas’’ which
services. Funding for the VSGP was first practice of food supply medicine that include any State or Insular Area not
appropriated in 2016 through the are broadly inclusive of the critical roles reporting data to NASS, reporting less
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 veterinarians serve in both public than $1,000,000 in annual Livestock and
(Pub. L. 114–113). practice and private practice situations. Livestock Products Total Sales ($), and/
Pursuant to the requirements enacted Nominations describing either public or or possessing less than 500,000 acres.
in the NVMSA of 2004 (as revised), and private practice veterinary shortage One nomination is allocated to any State
the implementing regulation for this
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
situations are eligible for submission. or Insular Area classified as a Special
Act, part 3431 subpart A of the VMLRP Consideration Area.
Final Rule [75 FR 20239–20248], NIFA 2. State Respondents and Use of Table III shows the values and
hereby implements guidelines for Consultation quartile ranks of States for two variables
authorized State Animal Health The only authorized respondent on broadly correlated with demand for food
Officials (SAHO) to nominate veterinary behalf of each State is the chief SAHO, supply veterinary services: ‘‘Livestock
shortage situations for the FY 2017 as duly authorized by the Governor or and Livestock Products Total Sales ($)’’
program cycle. the Governor’s designee in each State. (LPTS) and ‘‘Land Area (acres)’’ (LA).
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20 points: Describe the objectives of a In 2004, the National Academy of contact and company status information
veterinarian to meet the needs of the Sciences’ Committee on National (merger, acquisition, etc.) from
shortage situation in the community, Statistics (CNSTAT) reviewed the approximately 500 of the largest R&D
area, state/insular area, or position National Center for Science and companies.
requested above. Engineering Statistics’ (NCSES) The forms used in the BRDIS are:
20 points: Describe the activities portfolio of R&D surveys and Form BRDI–M. This form will be
required of a veterinarian to meet the recommended that NCSES explore ways mailed to approximately 200,000 small
needs of the shortage situation located to measure firm innovation and businesses with less than 10 employees.
in the community, area, state/insular investigate the incidence of R&D In addition to general business
area, or position requested above. activities in growing sectors, such as information—primary business activity
5 points: Describe any past efforts to small business enterprises not currently (NAICS code), year business was
recruit and retain a veterinarian to covered by BRDIS. As a result, Census formed, and number of employees—this
achieve the objectives and activities in plans to expand BRDIS to include very form would collect data on R&D,
the shortage situation identified above. small businesses or microbusinesses innovation, employment, related
35 points: Describe the risk of this through the use of the BRDI–M activities (such as sales of significantly
veterinarian position not being filled or questionnaire. improved goods and services; operating
retained. Include the risk(s) to the The National Science Foundation Act agreements and licensing activities;
production of a safe and wholesome of 1950 as amended authorizes and technology transfer; patents and
food supply and/or to animal, human, directs the National Science Foundation intellectual property; and sources of
and environmental health not only in (NSF) through the National Center for technical knowledge), measures of
the community but in the region, state/ Science and Engineering Statistics entrepreneurial strategies, and
insular area, nation, and/or (NCSES) ‘‘. . . to provide a central demographic characteristics of the
international community. clearinghouse for the collection, entrepreneur.
An additional 20 points will be used interpretation, and analysis of data on Form BRDI–1. This form will be
scientific and engineering resources and mailed to approximately 7,000
to evaluate overall merit/quality of the
to provide a source of information for companies with a history of significant
case made for each nomination.
policy formulation by other agencies of R&D and contains the full complement
Done in Washington, DC, this 30th day of of BRDIS data items.
November, 2016. the Federal government.’’ One of the
Form BRDI–1(S). This form will be
Sonny Ramaswamy, methods used by NCSES to fulfill this
mailed to approximately 38,000
mandate is the Business R&D and
Director, National Institute of Food and companies and contains only the most
Agriculture. Innovation Survey (BRDIS)—the
high-level BRDIS data items.
primary federal source of information Information from BRDIS will continue
[FR Doc. 2016–29424 Filed 12–7–16; 8:45 am]
on R&D in the business sector. to support the America COMPETES
BILLING CODE 3410–22–P
BRDIS will continue to collect the
Reauthorization Act of 2010 as well as
following types of information:
other R&D-related initiatives introduced
• R&D expense based on accounting
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE during the clearance period. Other
standards.
• Worldwide R&D of domestic initiatives that have used BRDIS
Submission for OMB Review; companies. statistics include: The Innovation
Comment Request • Business segment detail. Measurement-Tracking the State of
• R&D related capital expenditures. Innovation in the American Economy
The Department of Commerce will • Detailed data about the R&D (U.S. Department of Commerce);
submit to the Office of Management and workforce. Science of Science and Innovation
Budget (OMB) for clearance the • R&D strategy and data on the Policy (NSF); and Rising Above the
following proposal for collection of potential impact of R&D on the market. Gathering Storm (National Research
information under the provisions of the • R&D directed to application areas of Council).
Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. particular national interest. Policy officials from many Federal
chapter 35). • Data measuring innovation and agencies rely on BRDIS statistics for
Agency: U.S. Census Bureau. intellectual property protection essential information. For example, the
Title: Business Research and activities. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA)
Development and Innovation Survey. In addition to adding the BRDI–M now incorporates R&D as fixed
OMB Control Number: 0607–0912. form, the following changes will be investment in the National Income and
Form Number(s): BRDI–1, BRDI–1S, made to the 2016–2017 BRDIS Product Accounts (NIPAs). Businesses
and BRDI–M. compared to the 2015 BRDIS: and trade organizations also rely on
Type of Request: Revision of a • Add item in type-of-cost questions BRDIS data to benchmark their
currently approved collection. to collect Royalty and licensing industries’ performance against others.
Number of Respondents: 245,000. payments. Each BRDIS data item is intended to
Average Hours Per Response: 43 • Add questions collecting Basic- address specific data user needs
minutes. Applied-Development split of Total identified by NCSES through research,
Burden Hours: 176,500. R&D paid for by the company and Total workshops, and regular interaction with
Needs and Uses: The Census Bureau R&D paid for by others. data users.
requests a revision to the currently • Delete question on intellectual In previous years, BRDIS statistics
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
cleared Business R&D and Innovation property protection. were limited to companies with five or
Survey (BRDIS) information collection. • Add two Yes/No questions to help more U.S. employees. With the addition
This revision adds a form type [BRDI– separately identify intellectual property of BRDI–M, all companies with U.S.
M] to collect data on research and transfer transactions with U.S. persons employees will be eligible for inclusion
development (R&D) and innovation and foreign persons. in providing statistics on R&D and
activities from small businesses with • Discontinue the pre-survey letter. innovation regardless of company size.
fewer than 10 employees. This letter was planned to collect Expanding the coverage of the BRDIS
VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:28 Dec 07, 2016 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\08DEN1.SGM 08DEN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/81_FR_88894/page/4.svg)
Document Created: 2016-12-08 00:26:57
Document Modified: 2016-12-08 00:26:57
| 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 and solicitation for nominations. | |
| Dates | Shortage situation nominations must be submitted on or before February 8, 2017. | |
| Contact | Danielle Tack; Program Coordinator, Veterinary Science; National Institute of Food and Agriculture; U.S. Department of Agriculture; STOP 2220; 1400 Independence Avenue SW.,Washington, DC 20250-2220; Voice: 202-401-6802; Fax: 202-401-6156; Email: [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 88658 |
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