Federal Register Vol. 82, No.130,

Background

On April 17, 2017, the Department published the Final Results of the 2014-2015 administrative review in the Federal Register.1 On April 18, 2017, petitioner Maverick Tube Corporation (Maverick) and respondent NEXTEEL Co., Ltd. (NEXTEEL) timely filed ministerial error allegations concerning the Final Results and requested, pursuant to 19 CFR 351.224, that the Department correct the alleged ministerial errors. On April 24, 2017, both Maverick and NEXTEEL submitted rebuttal comments.

The merchandise covered by the order is certain OCTG, which are hollow steel products of circular cross-section, including oil well casing and tubing, of iron (other than cast iron) or steel (both carbon and alloy), whether seamless or welded, regardless of end finish (e.g., whether or not plain end, threaded, or threaded and coupled) whether or not conforming to American Petroleum Institute (API) or non-API specifications, whether finished (including limited service OCTG products) or unfinished (including green tubes and limited service OCTG products), whether or not thread protectors are attached. The scope of the order also covers OCTG coupling stock.2

Section 751(h) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act), defines “ministerial errors” as including “errors in addition, subtraction, or other arithmetic function, clerical errors resulting from inaccurate copying, duplication, or the like, and any other type of unintentional error which the administering authority considers ministerial.” 3 After analyzing parties' comments, we have determined, in accordance with section 751(h) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.224(f), that we made certain ministerial errors in the Final Results with respect to our treatment of certain sales expenses for NEXTEEL.4 For a detailed discussion of these ministerial errors, as well as the Department's analysis of these errors, see the Ministerial Error Memorandum.

In accordance with section 751(h) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.224(e), we are amending the Final Results of this administrative review of OCTG from Korea. The rate for the companies not selected for individual examination is equal to the simple average 5 of the weighted-average dumping margin calculated for NEXTEEL in these amended final results and the weigthed-average dumping margin calculated for respondent SeAH Steel Corporation (SeAH) (i.e., 2.76 percent) in the Final Results. 6 The dumping margins calculated for these amended final results are as follows:

The Department intends to disclose the calculations performed for these amended final results of review within five days of the date of publication of this notice in the Federal Register, in accordance with 19 CFR 351.224(b).

Pursuant to section 751(a)(2)(C) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.212(b), the Department shall determine, and CBP shall assess, antidumping duties on all appropriate entries of subject merchandise covered by this review. The Department intends to issue assessment instructions to CBP 15 days after the date of publication of these amended final results in the Federal Register.

Where the respondent reported reliable entered values, we calculated importer- (or customer-) specific ad valorem rates by aggregating the dumping margins calculated for all U.S. sales to each importer (or customer) and dividing this amount by the total entered value of the sales to each importer (or customer).8 Where the Department calculated a weighted-average dumping margin by dividing the total amount of dumping for reviewed sales to that party by the total sales quantity associated with those transactions, the Department will direct CBP to assess importer- (or customer-) specific assessment rates based on the resulting per-unit rates.9 Where an importer- (or customer-) specific ad valorem or per-unit rate is greater than de minimis (i.e., 0.50 percent), the Department will instruct CBP to collect the appropriate duties at the time of liquidation.10 Where an importer- (or customer-) specific ad valorem or per-unit rate is zero or de minimis, the Department will instruct CBP to liquidate appropriate entries without regard to antidumping duties.11

For the companies which were not selected for individual examination, we will assign an assessment rate based on the methodology described in the section “Amended Final Results,” above.

Consistent with the Department's assessment practice, for entries of subject merchandise during the POR produced by SeAH, NEXTEEL, or the non-examined companies for which the producer did not know that its merchandise was destined for the United States, we will instruct CBP to liquidate unreviewed entries at the all-others rate if there is no rate for the intermediate company(ies) involved in the transaction.12

The following cash deposit requirements will be effective retroactively for all shipments of subject merchandise entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after the April 17, 2017, the date of publication of the Final Results of this administrative review, as provided for by section 751(a)(2)(C) of the Act: (1) The cash deposit rates for the companies listed in these amended final results will be equal to the weighted-average dumping margins established in the section “Amended Final Results,” above; (2) for merchandise exported by producers or exporters not covered in this review but covered in a prior segment of this proceeding, the cash deposit rate will continue to be the company-specific rate published for the most recently completed segment in which the company was reviewed; (3) if the exporter is not a firm covered in this review or the original less-than-fair-value (LTFV) investigation, but the producer is, the cash deposit rate will be the rate established for the most recently completed segment of this proceeding for the producer of the subject merchandise; and (4) the cash deposit rate for all other producers or exporters will continue to be 5.24 percent,13 the all-others rate established in the LTFV investigation. These cash deposit requirements, when imposed, shall remain in effect until further notice.

This notice serves as a final reminder to importers of their responsibility under 19 CFR 351.402(f)(2) to file a certificate regarding the reimbursement of antidumping duties prior to liquidation of the relevant entries during this POR. Failure to comply with this requirement could result in the Department's presumption that reimbursement of antidumping duties occurred and the subsequent assessment of double antidumping duties.

This notice also serves as the only reminder to parties subject to administrative protective order (APO) of their responsibility concerning the disposition of proprietary information disclosed under APO in accordance with 19 CFR 351.305(a)(3), which continues to govern business proprietary information in this segment of the proceeding. Timely written notification of the return or destruction of APO materials or conversion to judicial protective order is hereby requested. Failure to comply with the regulations and the terms of an APO is a sanctionable violation.

These amended final results and notice are issued and published in accordance with sections 751(h) and 777(i) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.224(e).

Background

OMB Circular A-25 requires the recovery of an appropriate share of the full cost through user fees for goods and services provided to recipients of benefits beyond those accruing to the general public. Specifically, section 6 of Circular A-25 states that “when a service (or privilege) provides special benefits to an identifiable recipient beyond those that accrue to the general public, a charge will be imposed (to recover the full cost to the Federal Government for providing the special benefit, or the market price).” A “user fee” is the amount paid by a recipient of a special benefit beyond those benefits accruing to the general public. A “special benefit” may accrue and a user fee be imposed when a government service: (a) enables the beneficiary to obtain more immediate or substantial gains or values than those that accrue to the general public; (b) is performed at the request or for the convenience of the recipient, and is beyond the services regularly received by members of the same industry or group or by the general public; or (c) provides business stability or contributes to public confidence in the business activity of the beneficiary. For a summary of the export and investment promotion services pricing determination and business size standards, please refer to Federal Register notice 81 FR 93660.

ITA solicited public comment on the proposed revisions to the user fees during a 30-day period from December 21, 2016 to January 21, 2017. Almost 100 comments were received in response to the proposal. The individual comments can be viewed on the Federal eRulemaking Portal: www.Regulations.gov. The identification number is ITA-2016-0012. All comments received during this time were reviewed and considered with respect to the final user fee schedule. A summary of the comments is provided below:

Comments that generally support ITA's export and investment promotion services:

• Government programs and export assistance are important as competitor nations offer similar trade programs and assistance to their domestic companies. ITA provides invaluable assistance to small and medium size enterprises (SMEs), allowing them to access a network of foreign markets, generate export sales, and gain a competitive edge in the international marketplace, which they could not otherwise do on their own.

• The current fees for services are affordable.

Response: ITA appreciates the support for its export and investment promotion services and is continuing to offer and enhance the menu of services.

General opposition to price increases based on the following reasons:

• Respondents indicated that fees should not be charged at all for government benefits and services. In the international marketplace, U.S. companies face competition from foreign companies who receive comparable services from their governments for little to no fee. Some expressed that the Government should increase appropriated funds and not charge businesses fees.

Response: Federal regulation requires user fees for ITA's export and investment promotion services. Per OMB Circular A-25, fees must be assessed to cover the cost for government services that convey special benefits to recipients beyond those accrued to the general public. Therefore, services provided by ITA beyond general counseling and publically available information are considered to be special benefits and therefore subject to this federal rule.

• Small business opposition to price increases:

○ Small companies already encounter a variety of barriers when exporting.

○ Could discourage small businesses from using investment and promotion services.

Response: ITA has minimized the fee increases for small and medium-sized enterprises. ITA has conducted survey research and focus groups in order to set the fees for SMEs based on their level of price sensitivity in order to minimize the impact on their usage of export promotion and investment services. As a result, the percentage increase in fees to be charged SMEs for such services is below the percentage increase in ITA's costs to deliver the service. For example, the cost to deliver a Gold Key Service for large entities increased by 48% since 2007 ($3,400 versus $2,300) whereas the fee set for small companies in 2007 is proposed to increase by 36% ($950 versus $700).

• Small businesses generally disagree with the increased cost of the International Company Profile (ICP) and Gold Key Service (GKS).

Response: ITA has introduced new services to help reduce the costs for SMEs. Many companies utilize the Gold Key Service and other services that involve international travel as a means of exploring the potential of a foreign market. To minimize the expense of traveling for this purpose, ITA's recently launched Initial Market Check service enables a company to explore their market potential without incurring the travel expenses. As a result, companies can minimize their travel expenditures by only pursuing those markets that have significant potential for their products/services. In addition, ITA is introducing a new service called the International Company Profile (ICP) Partial. The ICP Partial allows companies to opt for a less in-depth background check on a foreign company, and is proposed at a fee that is significantly lower than the full ICP. This will enable companies to access less in-depth information on a potential foreign business partner at a lower cost. The IMC and ICP Partial enable U.S. companies, particularly SMEs, to access market intelligence at a lower cost.

A few respondents support increased fees based on the following reasons:

○ The value of the services is worth the cost as it yields successful outcomes.

○ Only if the fees are used for promoting trade and specifically supporting staffing and resources.

○ Only if the increase in fees improves the quality and timeliness of services.

○ Moderate increases are acceptable as the current fees do not reflect inflation over the past several years.

○ Moderate increases are acceptable as the current fees are quite reasonable.

Response: ITA appreciates the feedback and will continue to provide quality services with reasonable fees.

In response to received feedback and to ensure SME usage of services, the following changes were made to the original proposal:

• Reduced the fee for the Initial Market Check for SMEs (from $450 to $350 for small companies and from $1,000 to $900 for medium companies) to ensure affordability of pursuing a foreign market. This reduction is in compliance with the annual waiver provided by OMB that allows ITA an exemption from charging SMEs the fully allocated cost in order to ensure accessibility of services.

• Introduced annual renewal fees, lower than the initial fees, for the Business Service Provider and Featured U.S. Exporter services in light of the reduced level of effort required to deliver the service after a company's initial enrollment.

The ITA offers export and investment promotion services to U.S. businesses that consist of Standardized Fee Services and Customized Fee Services. For each of these services, fees are collected according to the User Fee Schedule that is made available on the http://2016.export.gov/csuserfees/ Web site and agency publications. The “Standardized Fee Services” listed in the User Fee Schedule are services that are performed in the same general manner by all field units. Other “Customized Services,” not shown in the user fee schedule, entail substantive variation of the scope of work with fees based on the level of effort required and direct costs incurred. As part of its revisions to the user fee schedule, ITA turns more Customized Fee Services into Standardized Fee Services to improve the consistency and clarity of fees to be charged.

ITA is also modifying the user fees for both Standardized Fee Services and Customized Fee Services. The final User Fee Schedule provided below lists each standardized fee service. To determine the large company fee for any service, a flat hourly rate of $46 for locally employed staff, $150 for commercial officers and $80 for U.S.-based staff is multiplied by the estimated workload hours for each employee type. To determine the fees for a small business and medium-sized business, price sensitivity survey results were analyzed to determine the discount to be applied. Direct costs, such as transportation or an interpreter, will be discussed with the client and assessed in addition to the user fee. For Customized Fee Services, the estimated workload hours will vary, but the user fee is calculated based on the weighted average hourly rate of $90 per hour for large companies, $70 per hour for medium-sized enterprises, and $30 per hour for small businesses. The services included in this schedule are described below.

1. Business Service Provider: A listing of U.S. and foreign business service providers that offer export/investment assistance; such as consultants, lawyers, freight forwarders, etc. The fee is paid for by the business service provider to be listed on ITA Web sites.

2. Certified Trade/Investment Mission: Provides a group of U.S. companies or economic development organizations with a market briefing, networking reception and Gold Key Service (see description below) in-country as part of a mission organized by an economic development organization or CS office/team. The fees for these missions are separate from Department of Commerce Executive-led Missions, which are organized by Industry and Analysis/Trade Promotion Programs.

3. Featured U.S. Exporter: Provides U.S. companies with an opportunity to enhance their international marketing efforts through improved search engine optimization via .gov link-backs to their company's Web site. The service entails listing their goods/services overseas on a trusted U.S. government Web site with a brief description and contact information.

4. Gold Key Service: Provides U.S. companies with matchmaking appointments with up to five interested partners in a foreign market. The service includes identification and outreach to potential matching firms, sending client's information to identified matching firms, preparing a profile of interested firms, and providing a report with the profile and contact information for interested firms.

5. Initial Market Check: Provides U.S. firms with a report containing information needed to evaluate the potential of their product or service offering in a specific target market, including a snapshot of the market potential of the product/service; feedback from up to five local contacts on their level of interest in the product/service; and analysis and recommendations for next steps.

6. International Company Profile—Full Report: Provides U.S. companies and economic development organizations with a comprehensive background report on a specific foreign company, including information on company size, sales data, business activities, corporate structure, shareholders and directors, references, financial data creditworthiness and market outlook; site visit and interviews with principals; information sources consulted in preparing the report; and analysis of information collected.

7. International Company Profile—Partial Report: Provides U.S. companies and economic development organizations with a partial background report on a specific foreign company, including information on company size, sales data, business activities, references, corporate structure, and shareholders/directors; information sources consulted in preparing the report; and brief analysis of information collected.

8. International Partner Search: Provides U.S. companies with a list of up to five partners/distributors that have expressed an interest in the client's goods/services. The service includes identification and outreach to potential matching firms, sending client's information to identified matching firms, preparing a profile of interested firms, and providing a report with the profile and contact information for interested firms.

9. International Partner Search + Virtual Introductions: Provides the same as above, but also includes virtual introductions via conference calls with up to five of the contacts identified.

10. Other Customized Services/Events: Includes all other services/events not listed.

11. Single Company or Location Promotion: Provides a U.S. firm or locality with a promotional event (such as a technical seminar, press conference, luncheon, dinner, cocktail reception, etc.) to help increase awareness of their locality or existing/new products/services in a specific market, including organizing the event logistics/venue; conducting a targeted direct mail or email campaigns; managing the promotional campaign and event-related logistics; providing logistical and promotional support on-site during the event; and providing a post-event de-briefing to discuss next steps.

12. Trade Show Representation: Provides U.S. companies and economic development organizations with the ability to increase their marketing exposure at a trade show when they are unable to attend in-person. The service entails conducting pre-trade show promotions via Internet/social media/email campaign, representing the client at the trade show, displaying the client's promotional materials at the trade show, conducting outreach to foreign buyers/distributors in attendance at the trade show, and providing contact information for each overseas company that expressed interest in the client's products/services at the trade show.

13. Verified Contact List: Provides U.S. firms with a basic contact list of up to five to 10 agents, distributors and partners in a foreign market. The information included in the contact list will have been reviewed and verified for accuracy only and no information will be provided on the level of interest in the client's products/services.

14. Webinar: Provides U.S. firms and economic development organizations with export knowledge and/or market intelligence from experts located around the globe via an online webinar. The webinars are archived on export.gov.

15. Web Site Globalization: provides U.S. companies with services to enhance the strength of their Web site for attracting foreign partners/business.

The revised user fee schedule eliminates the SME incentive program, which offered an additional discount for first-time users of services. As part of the revised pricing, small businesses, economic development organizations and non-profit education institutions will benefit from an average approximate ~70 percent discount and medium-sized enterprises are provided an average approximate 30 percent discount.

The final user fee schedule for export and investment promotion services are listed below.

Notes:

• Business Service Provider: Individual category fee. To be listed in more than one category, there is an additional fee per category of $30 for small businesses, $50 for medium-sized enterprises and $70 for large companies. The annual renewal fee is $75 for small businesses, $125 for medium-sized enterprises and $175 for large companies.

• Certified Trade Mission: The fee is assessed on a per Post/city basis. Applicants will be charged a fee for an Initial Market Check if staff is uncertain about their market potential. The fee paid by the applicant is then applied to their Certified Trade Mission fee if they participate in the mission.

• Featured U.S. Exporter: Listings are typically provided for up to 5 markets. However, they an additional individual market can be provided for $30 for small businesses, $50 for medium-sized enterprises and $70 for large companies. The annual renewal fee is $75 for small businesses, $175 for medium-sized enterprises and $250 for large companies.

• Initial Market Check: Is a required precursor for more time intensive services if staff is uncertain about a client's market potential. Fees paid for the Initial Market Check will then be applied to any follow-on service if the results are positive. The fee is assessed on a per country basis.

• International Company Profile—Partial: Does not include a site visit.

• Webinars will be archived and made available to the general public, so the requirement to recover ITA's costs does not apply; however, a minimal fee is required to help ensure the suitability of participants and cover the cost of any special benefit that may derive from attending in real-time, such as question and answer opportunities. Uniform pricing is listed because the enforcement of pricing by size standards for each registrant creates an administrative burden. Some webinars will be provided at no charge when the purpose is primarily to promote ITA or other United States Government events, activities, etc.

The cost of service methodology developed by ITA was designed to bring the organization closer to full cost recovery guidance set forth in OMB Circular A-25. To set user fees that are “self-sustaining,” ITA had to determine the true cost of providing various export and investment promotion services.

Federal Accounting Standards permit ITA to use an activity-based costing model to determine the true cost of services listed in the proposed User Fee Schedule. The activities were defined in accordance with the list of services offered by ITA, including both standard and customized services.

As part of the cost of service study, ITA conducted a workload survey to obtain a more accurate estimate of the true cost for delivery of specific services. The workload survey was designed and distributed to all ITA international and domestic field units. The data submitted by various field units was then aggregated to determine the global average of workload for each standard or customized service. Using FY2015 ITA budget data, fringe benefits and non-labor related costs (e.g., materials, supplies, rent, utilities, and equipment) were prorated to determine the burdening rate that was to be added to the hourly rate. This resulted in an hourly rate that accounts for all applicable labor and non-labor costs specifically related to the delivery of services, which is consistent with federal accounting standards.

Based on the information provided above, ITA believes its fee schedules are consistent with both the mission to promote “exports of goods and services from the United States, particularly by small businesses and medium-sized businesses,” and the objective of OMB Circular A-25 to “promote efficient allocation of the nation's resources by establishing charges for special benefits provided to the recipient that are at least as great as the cost to the U.S. Government of providing the special benefits.” Public comments were reviewed, and addressed through amendments to the original proposal and are reflected in the current fee schedule. ITA will reassess the fee schedule after the first year of implementation and, in accordance with OMB Circular A-25, at least every two years thereafter.

Background

The Department published the antidumping duty order on fresh garlic from the PRC in the Federal Register on November 16, 1994.1 On May 19, 2017, the Department received a timely request for a NSR from Doo Won.2 Doo Won certified that it is the exporter and producer of the fresh garlic upon which the request for a NSR is based. Pursuant to section 751(a)(2)(B)(i)(I) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.214(b)(2)(i), Doo Won certified that it did not export fresh garlic for sale to the United States during the period of investigation (POI).3 Moreover, pursuant to section 751(a)(2)(B)(i)(II) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.214(b)(2)(iii)(A), Doo Won certified that, since the investigation was initiated, it never has been affiliated with any exporter or producer who exported the subject merchandise to the United States during the POI, including those not individually examined during the investigation.4 Further, as required by 19 CFR 351.214(b)(2)(iii)(B), it certified that its export activities are not controlled by the central government of the PRC.5 Doo Won also certified it had no subsequent shipments of subject merchandise.6

In addition to the certifications described above, pursuant to 19 CFR 351.214(b)(2)(iv), Doo Won submitted documentation establishing the following: (1) The date of its first sale to an unaffiliated customer in the United States; (2) the date on which the fresh garlic was first entered; and (3) the volume of that shipment.7

The Department queried the database of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in an attempt to confirm that the shipment reported by Doo Won had entered the United States for consumption and that liquidation had been properly suspended for antidumping duties. The information which the Department examined was consistent with that provided by Doo Won in its request.8 In particular, the CBP data confirmed the price and quantity reported by Doo Won for the sale that forms the basis for this NSR request.

Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.214(c), an exporter or producer may request a NSR within one year of the date on which its subject merchandise was first entered. Moreover, 19 CFR 351.214(d)(1) states that if the request for the review is made during the six-month period ending with the end of the semiannual anniversary month, the Secretary will initiate a NSR in the calendar month immediately following the semiannual anniversary month. Further, 19 CFR 315.214(g)(1)(i)(B) states that if the NSR was initiated in the month immediately following the semiannual anniversary month, the POR will be the six-month period immediately preceding the semiannual anniversary month. Doo Won made the request for a NSR, which included all documents and information required by the statute and regulations, within one year of the date on which its fresh garlic first entered. Its request was filed in May, which is the semiannual anniversary month of the order. Therefore, the POR is November 1, 2016, through April 30, 2017.9

Pursuant to section 751(a)(2)(B) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.214(b), and the information on the record, the Department finds that Doo Won's request meets the threshold requirements for initiation of a NSR and, therefore, is initiating a NSR of Doo Won. The Department intends to issue the preliminary results within 180 days after the date on which this review is initiated and the final results within 90 days after the date on which we issue the preliminary results.10

It is the Department's usual practice in cases involving non-market economies to require that a company seeking to establish eligibility for an antidumping duty rate separate from the country-wide rate (i.e., a separate rate) provide evidence of de jure and de facto absence of government control over the company's export activities.11 Accordingly, the Department will issue questionnaires to Doo Won, which will include a section requesting information with regard to its export activities for the purpose of establishing its eligibility for a separate rate. The review will proceed if the responses provide sufficient indication that Doo Won is not subject to either de jure or de facto government control with respect to its exports of fresh garlic.

On February 24, 2016, the President signed into law the “Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015,” H.R. 644, which made several amendments to section 751(a)(2)(B) of the Act. We will conduct this new shipper review in accordance with section 751(a)(2)(B) of the Act, as amended by the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015.12

Interested parties requiring access to proprietary information in this proceeding should submit applications for disclosure under administrative protective order in accordance with 19 CFR 351.305 and 351.306.

This initiation and notice are in accordance with section 751(a)(2)(B) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.214 and 351.221(c)(1)(i).

Authority:

15 U.S.C. 3711a(d)(1) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, 5 U.S.C. App.

Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, 5 U.S.C. App., notice is hereby given that the Judges Panel of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award will meet on Wednesday, August 23, 2017, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Eastern time. The Judges Panel is composed of twelve members, appointed by the Secretary of Commerce, with a balanced representation from U.S. service, manufacturing, nonprofit, education, and health care industries. Members are selected for their familiarity with quality improvement operations and competitiveness issues of manufacturing companies, service companies, small businesses, health care providers, and educational institutions. Members are also chosen who have broad experience in for-profit and nonprofit areas. The purpose of this meeting is to review the results of examiners' scoring of written applications. Panel members will vote on which applicants merit site visits by examiners to verify the accuracy of quality improvements claimed by applicants. The meeting is closed to the public in order to protect the proprietary data to be examined and discussed.

The Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary for Administration, with the concurrence of the Assistant General Counsel for Administration and Transactions, formally determined on March 21, 2017, pursuant to Section 10(d) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, in accordance with Section 5(c) of the Government in the Sunshine Act, Public Law 94-409, that the meeting of the Judges Panel may be closed to the public in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(4) because the meeting is likely to disclose trade secrets and commercial or financial information obtained from a person which is privileged or confidential and 5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(9)(B) because the meeting is likely to disclose information the premature disclosure of which would, in the case of any agency, be likely to significantly frustrate implementation of a proposed agency action. The meeting, which involves examination of current Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (Award) applicant data from U.S. organizations and a discussion of these data as compared to the Award criteria in order to recommend Award recipients, will be closed to the public.

Location: Hilton Long Beach, 701 West Ocean Boulevard, Long Beach, CA 90831; telephone: (562) 983-3400; fax: (562) 983- 1200.

Location: DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Seattle Airport—Southcenter, 16500 Southcenter Parkway, Seattle, WA 98188; telephone: (206) 575-8220; fax: (206) 575-4743.

Location: Renaissance Newark Airport Hotel, 1000 Spring Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07201; telephone: (908) 436-4600; fax: (908) 436-4610.

Location: Hilton Miami Airport, 5101 Blue Lagoon Drive, Miami, FL 33126; telephone: (305) 262-1000; fax: (305) 267-0038.

Additional public meetings in the U.S. and abroad may be added and will be announced online at least one week in advance of the meeting(s) at www.iuufishing.noaa.gov.

All meetings will discuss facets of implementing the Seafood Import Monitoring Program, including:

• Overview of the Seafood Import Monitoring Program.

• Implementation Timeline.

• Pilot Testing in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) for U.S. Importers.

• Traceability Data Requirements for Reporting.

• Supply Chain Data Requirements for Recordkeeping.

• Question and Answer Session.

As part of NOAA's ongoing efforts to provide industry awareness of and support for compliance with the Seafood Import Monitoring Program's traceability data reporting and recordkeeping requirements, NMFS will hold public meetings to discuss the implementation of the U.S. Seafood Import Monitoring Program and address questions from participants.

The meetings will address issues relevant to both foreign exporters and U.S. domestic importers of seafood species whose products are covered by the Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP). The mandatory compliance date for SIMP is January 1, 2018. Please note, however, that the rule has been challenged in Federal court and the resolution of that case may impact implementation of the rule, including the compliance date.

The Seafood Import Monitoring Program is the first phase of a risk-based traceability program, which establishes the reporting and recordkeeping requirements needed to prevent illegally harvested and misrepresented seafood from entering into U.S. Commerce. In the development of the SIMP rule, 13 “priority” species were identified as being most at risk for Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing and misrepresentation, and are the only species currently subject to this program.

Importers of the 13 priority species (Abalone*, Atlantic Cod, Atlantic Blue Crab, Dolphinfish (Mahi Mahi), Grouper, Red King Crab, Pacific Cod, Red Snapper, Sea Cucumber, Sharks, Shrimp*, Swordfish, and Tunas: Albacore, Bigeye, Skipjack, Yellowfin, and Bluefin) will be required to submit harvest and landing information on those products through the International Trade Data System (ITDS) prior to entry into U.S. Commerce, and maintain supply chain records from the point of harvest to the point of entry into U.S Commerce for a period of two years after entry. *Note that the mandatory compliance date for Abalone and Shrimp has been stayed until further notice.

Information on future SIMP implementation meetings and transcripts of prior meetings and webinars can be found at: http://www.iuufishing.noaa.gov/RecommendationsandActions/RECOMMENDATION1415/FinalRuleTraceability.aspx.

The meetings are physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Celeste Leroux at (202) 816-0661 prior to the meeting.

An electronic copy of Point Blue's application and supporting documents, as well as a list of the references cited in this document, may be obtained online at: www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental/research.htm. In case of problems accessing these documents, please call the contact listed above (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).

Sections 101(a)(5)(A) and (D) of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) direct the Secretary of Commerce to allow, upon request, the incidental, but not intentional, taking of small numbers of marine mammals by U.S. citizens who engage in a specified activity (other than commercial fishing) within a specified geographical region if certain findings are made and either regulations are issued or, if the taking is limited to harassment, a notice of a proposed authorization is provided to the public for review.

An authorization for incidental takings will be granted if NMFS finds that the taking will have a negligible impact on the species or stock(s), will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the availability of the species or stock(s) for subsistence uses (where relevant), and if the permissible methods of taking and requirements pertaining to the mitigation, monitoring and reporting of such takings are set forth.

NMFS has defined “negligible impact” in 50 CFR 216.103 as an impact resulting from the specified activity that cannot be reasonably expected to, and is not reasonably likely to, we adversely affect the species or stock through effects on annual rates of recruitment or survival.

The MMPA states that the term “take” means to harass, hunt, capture, kill or attempt to harass, hunt, capture, or kill any marine mammal.

Except with respect to certain activities not pertinent here, the MMPA defines “harassment” as: Any act of pursuit, torment, or annoyance which (i) has the potential to injure a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild (Level A harassment); or (ii) has the potential to disturb a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild by causing disruption of behavioral patterns, including, but not limited to, migration, breathing, nursing, breeding, feeding, or sheltering (Level B harassment).

NMFS received a request from Point Blue for an IHA to take marine mammals incidental to seabird and marine mammal monitoring at three locations in central California. Point Blue's request was for harassment only and NMFS concurs that mortality is not expected to result from this activity. Therefore, an IHA is appropriate.

On March 7, 2017, NMFS received an application from Point Blue requesting the taking by harassment of marine mammals incidental to conducting seabird research activities on Southeast Farallon Island (SEFI), Año Nuevo Island (ANI), and Point Reyes National Seashore (PRNS). Point Blue, along with partners Oikonos Ecosystem Knowledge and PRNS, plan to conduct the proposed activities for one year. These partners are conducting this research under cooperative agreements with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in consultation with the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary. We considered the application adequate and complete on April 7, 2017.

These proposed activities would occur in the vicinity of pinniped haul-out sites and could result in the incidental take of marine mammals. Species with the expected potential to be present include California sea lions (Zalophus californianus), Pacific harbor seals (Phoca vitulina), northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris), and Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus).

We provided a description of the proposed action in our Federal Register notice announcing the proposed authorization (82 FR 22504; May 16, 2017). Please refer to that document; we provide only summary information here.

Point Blue proposes to monitor and census seabird colonies; observe seabird nesting habitat; restore nesting burrows; and resupply a field station annually in central California (i.e., SEFI, ANI, and PRNS). The purpose of the seabird research is to continue a 30-year monitoring program of the region's seabird populations. Level B take may occur due to incidental disturbance of pinnipeds by researchers during monitoring.

The authorization would be effective from July 7, 2017 through July 6, 2018. Surveys are conducted year-round at the specified locations. At SEFI, seabird monitoring sites are visited ~1-3 times per day for a maximum of 500 visits per year. Most seabird monitoring visits are brief (~15 minutes), though seabird observers are present from 2-5 hours daily at North Landing from early April to early August each year to conduct observational studies on breeding common murres. Boat landings to re-supply the field station, lasting one-three hours, are conducted once every two weeks at one of these locations. At ANI, research is conducted once/week April-August, with occasional intermittent visits made during the rest of the year. The maximum number of visits per year would be 20. Research at PRNS is conducted year round, with an emphasis during the seabird nesting season with occasional intermittent visits the rest of the year. The maximum number of visits per year is 20. Nesting habitat restoration and monitoring activities require sporadic visits from September-November, between the seabird breeding season and the elephant seal pupping season. Landings and visits to nest boxes are brief (~15 minutes).

Point Blue will conduct their research activities within the vicinity of pinniped haul-out sites in the following locations:

• South Farallon Islands: The South Farallon Islands consist of SEFI located at 37°41′54.32″ N.; 123°0′8.33″ W. and West End Island. The South Farallon Islands have a land area of approximately 120 acres (0.49 square kilometers (km2)) and are part of the Farallon National Wildlife Refuge. The islands are located near the edge of the continental shelf 28 miles (mi) (45.1 km) west of San Francisco, CA, and lie within the waters of the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary;

• Año Nuevo Island: ANI is located at 37°6′29.25″ N.; 122°20′12.20″ W. is one-quarter mile (402 meters m) offshore of Año Nuevo Point in San Mateo County, CA. The island lies within the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and the Año Nuevo State Marine Conservation Area; and

• Point Reyes National Seashore: PRNS is approximately 40 miles (64.3 km) north of San Francisco Bay and also lies within the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary.

A notice of NMFS's proposal to issue an IHA to Point Blue was published in the Federal Register on May 16, 2017 (82 FR 22504). That notice described, in detail, Point Blue's activity, the marine mammal species that may be affected by the activity, and the anticipated effects on marine mammals. During the 30-day public comment period, NMFS received only one comment letter, from the Marine Mammal Commission (Commission). The Commission's recommendations and our responses are provided here, and the comments have been posted online at: www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental/construction.htm. Please see the Commission's letter for background and rationale regarding the recommendations, which are listed below.

Comment: The Commission clarified with NMFS that it should be authorizing, and Point Blue should be reporting, only takes of pinn peds incidental to conducting the various seabird research and resupply activities. All directed taking to prevent damage to critical infrastructure and to ensure human safety (including moving pinnipeds from paths, parking lots, and boat ramps) should be conducted in accordance with the authorities available under sections 101(a)(4) or 109(h) of the MMPA.

Response: NMFS agrees with this assessment and confirmed that Point Blue will only be only reporting takes that are incidental to seabird research and resupply activities. Directed takes are not authorized and will not be reported under this IHA.

There are four marine mammal species known to occur in the vicinity of the project area. We reviewed Point Blue's detailed species descriptions, including life history information, for accuracy and completeness and refer the reader to Section 3 of Point Blue's application as well as our notice of proposed IHA published in the Federal Register (82 FR 22504; May 16, 2017). Please also refer to NMFS' Web site (www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/mammals) for generalized species accounts that provide information regarding the biology and behavior of the marine resources that occur in proximity to the project area.

Table 1 lists all species with expected potential for occurrence at SEFI, ANI, and PRNS and summarizes information related to the population or stock, including potential biological removal (PBR), where known. For taxonomy, we follow Committee on Taxonomy (2016). PBR, defined by the MMPA as the maximum number of animals, not including natural mortalities, that may be removed from a marine mammal stock while allowing that stock to reach or maintain its optimum sustainable population, is considered in concert with known sources of ongoing anthropogenic mortality to assess the population-level effects of the anticipated mortality from a specific project (as described in NMFS's SARs). While no mortality is anticipated or authorized here, PBR and annual serious injury and mortality are included here as gross indicators of the status of the species and other threats. For status of species, we provide information regarding U.S. regulatory status under the MMPA and the Endangered Species Act (ESA). California (southern) sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis), listed as threatened under the ESA and categorized as depleted under the MMPA, usually range in coastal waters within two km of shore. Marine mammal abundance estimates presented in this document represent the total number of individuals that make up a given stock or the total number estimated within a particular study area. NMFS's stock abundance estimates for most species represent the total estimate of individuals within the geographic area, if known, that comprises that stock.

All managed stocks in this region are assessed in NMFS's 2015 U.S. Pacific Stock Assessment Report (Carretta et al., 2016) or the 2015 Alaska Stock Assessment Report (Muto et al., 2016). The most recent information regarding Steller sea lions may be found in 2016 Draft Alaska Stock Assessment Report (Muto et al., 2016b). Four species have the potential to be incidentally taken during the proposed survey activities and are listed in Table 1. Values presented in Table 1 are from the 2015 SARs and draft 2016 SARs (available online at: www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/sars/).

This meeting is being held under the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) of 1972 (5 U.S.C., Appendix, as amended), the Government in the Sunshine Act of 1976 (5 U.S.C. 552b, as amended), and 41 CFR 102-3.140 and 102-3.150.

Purpose of the Meeting: The purpose of the meeting of the Board is to provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary of Defense, through the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, on academic and administrative matters critical to the full accreditation and successful operation of the University. These actions are necessary for the University to pursue its mission, which is to educate, train and comprehensively prepare uniformed services health professionals, officers, scientists and leaders to support the Military and Public Health Systems, the National Security and National Defense Strategies of the United States, and the readiness of our Uniformed Services.

Agenda: The actions scheduled to occur include the review of the minutes from the Board meeting held on May 19, 2017; recommendations regarding the awarding of post-baccalaureate degrees; recommendations regarding the approval of faculty appointments and promotions; and recommendations regarding award nominations. The University President will provide a report on recent actions affecting academic and operational aspects of the University. Member reports will include an Academics Summary consisting of reports from the Dean of the F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Dean of the Daniel K. Inouye Graduate School of Nursing, Executive Dean of the Postgraduate Dental College, Dean of the College of Allied Health Sciences, and the Vice President for Research. Member Reports will also include a Finance and Administration Summary consisting of reports from the Senior Vice President, Southern Region; Senior Vice President, Western Region; Vice President for Finance and Administration; University Brigade Commander; and University General Counsel. There will be reports from the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute and the University Faculty Senate. There will also be reports on the University Strategic Framework, Council of University Centers and the University Organizational Structure. A closed session will be held, after the open session, to discuss active investigations and personnel actions.

Meeting Accessibility: Pursuant to Federal statutes and regulations (5 U.S.C., Appendix, 5 U.S.C. 552b, and 41 CFR 102-3.140 through 102-3.165) and the availability of space, the meeting is open to the public from 8:00 a.m. to 10:25 a.m. Seating is on a first-come basis. Members of the public wishing to attend the meeting should contact Jennifer Nuetzi James, Designated Federal Officer, no later than five business days prior to the meeting, at 4301 Jones Bridge Road, A1020, Bethesda, Maryland 20814; telephone 301-295-3066; email [email protected]. Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(2, 5-7), the Department of Defense has determined that the portion of the meeting from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. shall be closed to the public. The Under Secretary of Defense (Personnel and Readiness), in consultation with the Office of the Department of Defense General Counsel, has determined in writing that this portion of the Board's meeting will be closed as the discussion will disclose sensitive personnel information, will include matters that relate solely to the internal personnel rules and practices of the agency, will involve allegations of a person having committed a crime or censuring an individual, and may disclose investigatory records compiled for law enforcement purposes.

Written Statements: Pursuant to section 10(a)(3) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 and 41 CFR 102-3.140, the public or interested organizations may submit written comments to the Board about its approved agenda pertaining to this meeting or at any time regarding the Board's mission. Individuals submitting a written statement must submit their statement to the Designated Federal Officer at [email protected]. Written statements that do not pertain to a scheduled meeting of the Board may be submitted at any time. However, if individual comments pertain to a specific topic being discussed at the planned meeting, then these statements must be received at least 5 calendar days prior to the meeting; otherwise, the comments may not be provided to or considered by the Board until a later date. The Designated Federal Officer will compile all timely submissions with the Board's Chair and ensure such submissions are provided to Board Members before the meeting.

Purpose of the Board: The purpose of the Board is to make recommendations to DOE-EM and site management in the areas of environmental restoration, waste management, and related activities.

Public Participation: The EM SSAB, Northern New Mexico, welcomes the attendance of the public at its advisory committee meetings and will make every effort to accommodate persons with physical disabilities or special needs. If you require special accommodations due to a disability, please contact Menice Santistevan at least seven days in advance of the meeting at the telephone number listed above. Written statements may be filed with the Board either before or after the meeting. Individuals who wish to make oral statements pertaining to agenda items should contact Menice Santistevan at the address or telephone number listed above. Requests must be received five days prior to the meeting and reasonable provision will be made to include the presentation in the agenda. The Deputy Designated Federal Officer is empowered to conduct the meeting in a fashion that will facilitate the orderly conduct of business. Individuals wishing to make public comments will be provided a maximum of five minutes to present their comments.

Minutes: Minutes will be available by writing or calling Menice Santistevan at the address or phone number listed above. Minutes and other Board documents are on the Internet at: http://energy.gov/em/nnmcab/northern-new-mexico-citizens-advisory-board.

You may be potentially affected by this action if you are an agricultural producer, food manufacturer, or pesticide manufacturer. The following list of North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) codes is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather provides a guide to help readers determine whether this document applies to them. Potentially affected entities may include:

• Crop production (NAICS code 111).

• Animal production (NAICS code 112).

• Food manufacturing (NAICS code 311).

• Pesticide manufacturing (NAICS code 32532).

1. Submitting CBI. Do not submit this information to EPA through www.regulations.gov or email. Clearly mark the part or all of the information that you claim to be CBI. For CBI information in a disk or CD-ROM that you mail to EPA, mark the outside of the disk or CD-ROM as CBI and then identify electronically within the disk or CD-ROM the specific information that is claimed as CBI. In addition to one complete version of the comment that includes information claimed as CBI, a copy of the comment that does not contain the information claimed as CBI must be submitted for inclusion in the public docket. Information so marked will not be disclosed except in accordance with procedures set forth in 40 CFR part 2.

2. Tips for preparing your comments. When preparing and submitting your comments, see the commenting tips at http://www.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets#tips.

3. Environmental justice. EPA seeks to achieve environmental justice, the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of any group, including minority and/or low income populations, in the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. To help address potential environmental justice issues, the Agency seeks information on any groups or segments of the population who, as a result of their location, cultural practices, or other factors, may have atypical or disproportionately high and adverse human health impacts or environmental effects from exposure to the pesticide discussed in this document, compared to the general population.

Under section 18 of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) (7 U.S.C. 136p), at the discretion of the EPA Administrator, a Federal or State agency may be exempted from any provision of FIFRA if the EPA Administrator determines that emergency conditions exist which require the exemption. The Washington State Department of Agriculture has requested the EPA Administrator to issue a specific exemption for the use of lambda-cyhalothrin on asparagus to control the European asparagus aphid. Information in accordance with 40 CFR part 166 was submitted as part of the request.

As part of the request, the applicant asserts that the cancellation of the previously relied-upon tool, disulfoton, has left asparagus growers in the state of Washington with no adequate alternatives to control the European asparagus aphid, and significant economic losses will occur without sufficient control.

The Applicant proposes to make no more than 3 applications at a maximum rate of 0.03 pounds (lb.) (total of 0.09 lb.) per acre of lambda-cyhalothrin on up to 7,000 acres of asparagus grown in the state of Washington from June 15 to October 30, 2017. Treatment of the maximum acreage at the maximum rate would result in a total use of lambda-cyhalothrin of 630 lbs.

This notice does not constitute a decision by EPA on the application itself. The regulations governing FIFRA section 18 at 40 CFR 166.32(a)(7), require publication of a notice of receipt of an application for a specific exemption proposing a use which is supported by the Inter-Regional Project Number 4 (IR-4) program and has been requested in 5 or more previous years, and a petition for tolerance has not yet been submitted to the Agency.

The notice provides an opportunity for public comment on the application. The Agency will review and consider all comments received during the comment period in determining whether to issue the specific exemption requested by the Washington State Department of Agriculture.

This meeting of the Board will be open to the public (limited space available). Please send an email to [email protected] at least 24 hours before the meeting. In your email include: Name, postal address, entity you are representing (if applicable), and telephone number. You will receive an email confirmation from us. Please be prepared to show a photo identification when you arrive. If you need assistance for accessibility reasons, or if you have any questions, contact Dale L. Aultman, Secretary to the Farm Credit Administration Board, at (703) 883-4009. The matters to be considered at the meeting are:

Agenda: The committee will discuss supplemental new drug applications (sNDAs) 203214 supplement 17, for XELJANZ (tofacitinib) tablets and 208246 supplement 3, for XELJANZ XR (tofacitinib) extended release tablets submitted by Pfizer Inc., for the treatment of adult patients with active psoriatic arthritis. The committee will discuss the efficacy and safety data and benefit-risk considerations.

FDA intends to make background material available to the public no later than 2 business days before the meeting. If FDA is unable to post the background material on its Web site prior to the meeting, the background material will be made publicly available at the location of the advisory committee meeting, and the background material will be posted on FDA's Web site after the meeting. Background material is available at https://www.fda.gov/AdvisoryCommittees/Calendar/default.htm. Scroll down to the appropriate advisory committee meeting link.

Procedure: Interested persons may present data, information, or views, orally or in writing, on issues pending before the committee. All electronic and written submissions submitted to the Docket (see the ADDRESSES section) on or before August 2, 2017, will be provided to the committee. Oral presentations from the public will be scheduled between approximately 10:45 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. Those individuals interested in making formal oral presentations should notify the contact person and submit a brief statement of the general nature of the evidence or arguments they wish to present, the names and addresses of proposed participants, and an indication of the approximate time requested to make their presentation on or before July 12, 2017. Time allotted for each presentation may be limited. If the number of registrants requesting to speak is greater than can be reasonably accommodated during the scheduled open public hearing session, FDA may conduct a lottery to determine the speakers for the scheduled open public hearing session. The contact person will notify interested persons regarding their request to speak by July 13, 2017.

Persons attending FDA's advisory committee meetings are advised that the Agency is not responsible for providing access to electrical outlets.

FDA welcomes the attendance of the public at its advisory committee meetings and will make every effort to accommodate persons with disabilities. If you require accommodations due to a disability, please contact Philip Bautista at least 7 days in advance of the meeting.

FDA is committed to the orderly conduct of its advisory committee meetings. Please visit our Web site at https://www.fda.gov/AdvisoryCommittees/AboutAdvisoryCommittees/ucm111462.htm for procedures on public conduct during advisory committee meetings.

Notice of this meeting is given under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. app. 2).

In the Federal Register of Friday, June 30, 2017, in FR Doc. 2017-13720, on page 29866, the following correction is made:

1. On page 29866, in the first column, in the headings section at the beginning of the document, the docket number is corrected to read “FDA-2016-N-1486”.

Intellectual Property

• United States Provisional Patent Application No. 61/045,088, filed April 15, 2008, titled “Composition and methods for delivering inhibitory oligonucleotides”, [HHS Reference No. E-051-2008/0-US-01], status: expired;

• International Patent Application No. PCT/US2009/040607, filed April 15, 2009, titled “Composition and methods for delivering inhibitory oligonucleotides”, [HHS Reference No. E-051-2008/0-PCT-02], status: converted;

• Canadian Patent Application No. 2,720,363, filed April 15, 2009, titled “Composition and methods for delivering inhibitory oligonucleotides”, [HHS Reference No. E-051-2008/0-CA-04], status: pending;

• United States Patent Application No. 12/988,148, filed March 8, 2011, titled “Compositions and methods for delivering inhibitory oligonucleotides” [HHS Reference No. E-051-2008/0-US-07], status: issued as Patent No. 8,703,921;

• United States Patent Application No. 14/220,726, filed March 20, 2014, titled “Compositions and Methods for delivering inhibitory oligonucleotides” [HHS Reference No. E-051-2008/0-US-08], status: issued as Patent No. 9,415,116; and

• United States Patent Application No. 15,204,789, filed July 7, 2016, titled “Compositions and Methods for delivering inhibitory oligonucleotides” [HHS Reference No. E-051-2008/0-US-11], status: pending.

The patent rights in these inventions have been assigned to the government of the United States of America.

The prospective exclusive license territory may be worldwide and the field of use may be limited to the use of Licensed Patent Rights for the following: “Treatment of pancreatic cancer by targeting regulatory T cells using complexes or fusion molecules comprising inhibitory nucleic acids, a nucleic acid binding moiety and a targeting polypeptide, wherein the targeting polypeptide contains either the TARC/CCL17 or RANTES/CCL5 cell surface receptor ligand.”

Despite significant attractiveness of anti-sense oligonucleotide technology, its clinical application has been precluded by a lack of methods for targeted delivery and transduction of primary immune cells in vivo. Novel complexes and methods for delivering inhibitory nucleic acids to cells in a targeted and efficient manner are disclosed in this invention. The complexes and methods are based on utilizing a cell surface receptor targeting ligand and a nucleic acid binding domain that binds an inhibitory nucleic acid, to efficiently deliver the inhibitory oligonucleotide to the cell that expresses the cell surface receptor targeting ligand. The compositions can be used to silence gene expression in a cell or to deliver agents to a target cell, thereby treating or preventing a disease or disorder.

The invention has broad utility as the cell surface receptor targeting ligand could be any molecule such as, cytokines, chemokines, antibodies or growth factors, that binds to a unique cellular receptor or cell surface antigen. Cytokines are small secreted proteins which mediate and regulate immunity, inflammation, and hematopoiesis. Chemokines are a family of small cytokines that are secreted by cells. They act on their target cells by binding specific membrane receptors. TARC/CCL17 and RANTES/CCL5 are examples of chemokines whose receptors are CCR4 and CCR5, respectively.

The complexes of this invention could inactivate immune cells by delivering oligonucleotides. For example, the TARC-nucleic acid binding domain complex referred to as TARC-arp, has been shown to deliver si-FoxP3 oligonucleotide into CCR4-expressing cancer cells that will specifically only inactivate FoxP3 expression. Chemokine-based gene silencing can be therapeutically used to modulate immune cells and improve outcome of diseases, such as by inactivating Tregs to block cancer escape and metastasis.

This notice is made in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 209 and 37 CFR part 404. The prospective Exclusive Patent License will be royalty bearing and may be granted unless within fifteen (15) days from the date of this published notice, the National Cancer Institute receives written evidence and argument that establishes that the grant of the license would not be consistent with the requirements of 35 U.S.C. 209 and 37 CFR part 404.

Complete applications for a license in the prospective field of use that are filed in response to this notice will be treated as objections to the grant of the contemplated Exclusive Patent License Agreement. Comments and objections submitted to this notice will not be made available for public inspection and, to the extent permitted by law, will not be released under the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 552.

Written comments and suggestions from the public and affected agencies concerning the proposed collection of information are encouraged. Your comments should address one or more of the following four points:

(1) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility;

(2) Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

(3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

(4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses.

(1) Type of Information Collection: Extension of a currently approved collection.

(2) Title of the Form/Collection: Certification of Compliance with the Statutory Eligibility Requirements of the Violence Against Women Act as Amended and the Prison Rape Elimination Act for Applicants to the STOP Formula Grant Program.

(3) Agency form number, if any, and the applicable component of the Department of Justice sponsoring the collection: Form Number: 1122-0029. U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women.

(4) Affected public who will be asked or required to respond, as well as a brief abstract: Primary: The affected public includes STOP formula grantees (50 states, the District of Columbia and five territories (Guam, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Virgin Islands, Northern Mariana Islands). The STOP Violence Against Women Formula Grant Program was authorized through the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 and reauthorized and amended by the Violence Against Women Act of 2000, the Violence Against Women Act of 2005 and the Violence Against Women Act of 2013. The purpose of the STOP Formula Grant Program is to promote a coordinated, multi-disciplinary approach to improving the criminal justice system's response to violence against women. It envisions a partnership among law enforcement, prosecution, courts, and victim advocacy organizations to enhance victim safety and hold offenders accountable for their crimes of violence against women. The Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) administers the STOP Formula Grant Program funds which must be distributed by STOP state administrators according to statutory. As a result of VAWA 2013 and the penalty provision of the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), States are required to certify compliance with PREA. If States cannot certify compliance, they have the option of forfeiting five percent of covered funds or executing an assurance that five percent of covered funds will be used towards coming into compliance with PREA.

(5) An estimate of the total number of respondents and the amount of time estimated for an average respondent to respond/reply: It is estimated that it will take the approximately 56 respondents (state administrators from the STOP Formula Grant Program) 10 minutes to complete a Certification of Compliance with the Statutory Eligibility Requirements of the Violence Against Women Act, as amended and the Prison Rape Elimination Act.

(6) An estimate of the total public burden (in hours) associated with the collection: The total annual hour burden to complete the Certification is less than 10 hours.

If additional information is required contact: Melody Braswell, Deputy Clearance Officer, United States Department of Justice, Justice Management Division, Policy and Planning Staff, Two Constitution Square, 145 N Street NE., 3E, 405B, Washington, DC 20530.

Written comments and suggestions from the public and affected agencies concerning the proposed collection of information are encouraged. Your comments should address one or more of the following four points:

(1) Type of Information Collection: New collection.

(2) Title of the Form/Collection: Supplemental Fraud Survey (SFS) to the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) 2017.

(3) Agency form number, if any, and the applicable component of the Department sponsoring the collection: The form number for the questionnaire is SFS-1. The applicable component within the Department of Justice is the Bureau of Justice Statistics, in the Office of Justice Programs.

(4) Affected public who will be asked or required to respond, as well as a brief abstract: Respondents will be persons age 18 or older living in households located throughout the United States sampled for the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS). The SFS will be conducted as a supplement to the NCVS in all sampled households for a three (3) month period. The SFS is an effort to measure the prevalence of financial fraud victimization among persons 18 or older, characteristics of fraud victims, and patterns of reporting fraud victimization to the police and other agencies. BJS plans to publish this information in reports and reference it when responding to queries from the U.S. Congress, Executive Office of the President, the U.S. Supreme Court, state officials, international organizations, researchers, students, the media, and others interested in criminal justice statistics.

(5) An estimate of the total number of respondents and the amount of time estimated for an average respondent to respond/reply: An estimate of the total number of respondents is 79,832. About 88% (70,252) will have no fraud victimization and will complete the short interview with an average burden of five (5) minutes. Among the 12% of respondents (9,580) who experience fraud victimization, the time to ask the detailed questions regarding the aspects of their fraud victimization is estimated to take an additional 10 minutes. Respondents will be asked to respond to this survey only once during the three month period.

(6) An estimate of the total public burden (in hours) associated with the collection: There are an estimated 8,015 total burden hours associated with this collection.

If additional information is required contact: Melody Braswell, Department Clearance Officer, United States Department of Justice, Justice Management Division, Policy and Planning Staff, Two Constitution Square, 145 N Street NE., Suite 3E.405B, Washington, DC 20530.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) intends to conduct an operations test of a Quick Business Survey (QBS). The BLS will conduct the test to evaluate QBS survey processes and operations in a possible production environment. If successful, a QBS would permit BLS to collect information about the U.S. economy more efficiently than is currently possible. This would allow data users to be able to understand the impact of specific events on the economy in a timely manner. Relevancy is one of BLS's main missions, and a QBS would allow BLS to provide information to the public in a more timely way that would be far more relevant to data users.

Each year, the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) Program conducts the Annual Refiling Survey (ARS) by reaching out to approximately 1.2 million establishments requesting verification of their main business activity, and their mailing and physical location addresses. The fully web-based ARS provides a low-cost platform for conducting the QBS. The QBSs accompanying the ARS would have little data collection overhead, leveraging the address refinement, printing, and mailing efforts that are undertaken as part of the production ARS. Respondents already logged into the ARS secure Web site could be directed to a QBS and asked to answer a limited number of additional survey questions after completing the ARS.

Office of Management and Budget clearance is being sought for the Quick Business Survey (QBS) Operations Test.

A QBS would allow BLS to leverage the multitude of information already known about the sample units to allow for targeted sampling. Samples could be selected based on different characteristics such as monthly employment, quarterly wages, industry codes, non-profit vs for profit status, etc. A QBS would permit BLS to target only the units meeting the specific set of characteristics desired allowing BLS to delve into specific areas of economic interest without burdening establishments which do not meet the specific targeted features. The QBS is designed to encourage a fast response and minimize respondent burden. In this manner, BLS can provide information that is needed quickly and is not collected elsewhere.

The goals of the test are to develop and evaluate a QBS system, to understand the extent to which ARS respondents have access to different types of information in order to provide parameters for future QBS, and to estimate response rates.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics is particularly interested in comments that:

• Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility.

• Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used.

• Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected.

• Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submissions of responses.

Type of Review: New Collection.

Agency: Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Title: Quick Business Survey Operations Test.

OMB Number: 1220—NEW.

Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profit institutions, not-for-profit institutions, and farms.

Total Respondents: 10,520.

Frequency: One time.

Total Responses: 10,520.

Average Time per Response: Five minutes.

Estimated Total Burden Hours: 877 hours.

Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.

Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $0.

Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget approval of the information collection request; they also will become a matter of public record.

I. Background

The American Time Use Survey (ATUS) is the Nation's first federally administered, continuous survey on time use in the United States. It measures, for example, time spent providing childcare, working, sleeping, or doing leisure activities. In the United States, several existing Federal surveys collect income and wage data for individuals and families, and analysts often use such measures of material prosperity as proxies for quality of life. Time-use data substantially augment these quality-of-life measures. The data also can be used in conjunction with wage data to evaluate the contribution of non-market work to national economies. This enables comparisons of production between nations that have different mixes of market and non-market activities.

The ATUS is used to develop nationally representative estimates of how people spend their time. This is done by collecting a time diary about the activities survey respondents did over a 24-hour period “yesterday,” from 4 a.m. on the day before the interview until 4 a.m. on the day of the interview. In the one-time interview, respondents also report who was with them during the activities, where they were, how long each activity lasted, and if they were paid. All of this information has numerous practical applications for sociologists, economists, educators, government policymakers, businesspersons, health researchers, and others.

The Leave Supplement supports the mission of the Bureau of Labor Statistics by providing relevant information on economic and social issues. The data from the Leave Supplement can be used for research on the relationships between work schedules, job flexibilities, access to leave, and time use. These data enhance the understanding of people's overall well-being. The supplement surveys employed wage and salary workers, except those who are self-employed, aged 15 and up, from a nationally representative sample of approximately 2,060 sample households each month.

The Leave Supplement collects data about workers' access to and use of paid and unpaid leave, job flexibility, and their work schedules. The Leave Supplement also includes questions about shift work, advance notice of work schedules, workers' control over their schedules, flexible start and stop times, and work at home arrangements. These questions provide an additional dimension to analyses of workers' job flexibility data.

Office of Management and Budget approval is being sought for the Leave Supplement to the American Time Use Survey. An extension without change of a currently approved collection is needed to continue collecting data on workers' access to and use of paid and unpaid leave, job flexibility, and their work schedules.

Collecting the Leave Supplement in 2018 will add significant information beyond what has been collected in 2017. An additional year of the Leave Supplement provides researchers with a larger sample by combining data across years. For some subpopulations, the number of observations needed to make valid statistical inferences exceeds the annual sample size.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics is particularly interested in comments that:

• Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility.

• Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used.

• Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected.

• Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submissions of responses.

Type of Review: Extension without change of a currently approved collection.

Agency: Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Title: Leave Supplement to the American Time Use Survey.

OMB Number: 1220-0191.

Affected Public: Individuals or Households.

Total Respondents: 5,490.

Frequency: One time.

Total Responses: 5,490.

Average Time per Response: 5 minutes.

Estimated Total Burden Hours: 458 hours.

Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.

Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $0.

Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget approval of the information collection request; they also will become a matter of public record.

I. Abstract

The information submitted by recipients is an annual report of Government-owned property in the possession of Educational or Nonprofit institutions holding NASA grants. In addition the annual report, a property report may also be required at the end of the grant, or on the occurrence of certain events. The collected information is used by NASA to effectively maintain an appropriate internal control system for equipment and property provided or acquired under grants and cooperative agreements with institutions of higher education and other nonprofit organizations, and to comply with statutory requirements.

NASA is participating in Federal efforts to extend the use of information technology to more Government processes via Internet.

Title: Property Inventory Report—Grants with Educational and Nonprofit Entities (formerly titled: NASA Inventory Report: Property Management & Control, Grants).

OMB Number: 2700-0047.

Type of review: Reinstatement with Change/Previously Approved Information Collection.

Affected Public: Educational institutions and Not-for-profit institutions.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 255.

Estimated Time per Response: 2 hours per submission, and 8 hours of annual recordkeeping.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 2,014 hours.

Estimated Total Annual Cost: $78,104.60.

Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of NASA, including whether the information collected has practical utility; (2) the accuracy of NASA's estimate of the burden (including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including automated collection techniques or the use of other forms of information technology.

Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval of this information collection. They will also become a matter of public record.

The Endowment requests the review of its application guidelines. This entry is issued by the Endowment and contains the following information: (1) The title of the form; (2) how often the required information must be reported; (3) who will be required or asked to report; (4) what the form will be used for; (5) an estimate of the number of responses; (6) the average burden hours per response; (7) an estimate of the total number of hours needed to prepare the form. This entry is not subject to 44 U.S.C. 3504(h).

Agency: National Endowment for the Arts.

Title: Application for Domestic Indemnification.

OMB Number: 3135-0123.

Frequency: Renewed every three years.

Affected Public: Non-profit, tax exempt organizations, and governmental units.

Number of Respondents: 18 per year.

Estimated Time per Respondent: 40 hours.

Estimate Cost per Respondent: $2,097.

Total Burden Hours: 720.

Total Annualized Capital/Startup Costs: 0.

Total Annual Costs (Operating/Maintaining Systems or Purchasing Services): $121,200.

Description: This application form is used by non-profit, tax-exempt organizations (primarily museums), and governmental units to apply to the Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities (through the National Endowment for the Arts) for indemnification of eligible works of art and artifacts, borrowed from lenders in the United States for exhibition in the United States. The indemnity agreement is backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. In the event of loss or damage to an indemnified object, the Federal Council certifies the validity of the claim and requests payment from Congress. 20 U.S.C. 973 et seq. requires such an application and specifies information which must be supplied. This statutory requirement is implemented by regulation at 45 CFR ll60.4.

Table of Contents I. Introduction II. Docketed Proceeding(s) I. Introduction

The Commission gives notice that the Postal Service filed request(s) for the Commission to consider matters related to negotiated service agreement(s). The request(s) may propose the addition or removal of a negotiated service agreement from the market dominant or the competitive product list, or the modification of an existing product currently appearing on the market dominant or the competitive product list.

Section II identifies the docket number(s) associated with each Postal Service request, the title of each Postal Service request, the request's acceptance date, and the authority cited by the Postal Service for each request. For each request, the Commission appoints an officer of the Commission to represent the interests of the general public in the proceeding, pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505 (Public Representative). Section II also establishes comment deadline(s) pertaining to each request.

The public portions of the Postal Service's request(s) can be accessed via the Commission's Web site (http://www.prc.gov). Non-public portions of the Postal Service's request(s), if any, can be accessed through compliance with the requirements of 39 CFR 3007.40.

The Commission invites comments on whether the Postal Service's request(s) in the captioned docket(s) are consistent with the policies of title 39. For request(s) that the Postal Service states concern market dominant product(s), applicable statutory and regulatory requirements include 39 U.S.C. 3622, 39 U.S.C. 3642, 39 CFR part 3010, and 39 CFR part 3020, subpart B. For request(s) that the Postal Service states concern competitive product(s), applicable statutory and regulatory requirements include 39 U.S.C. 3632, 39 U.S.C. 3633, 39 U.S.C. 3642, 39 CFR part 3015, and 39 CFR part 3020, subpart B. Comment deadline(s) for each request appear in section II.

1. Docket No(s).: MC2017-154 and CP2017-218; Filing Title: Request of the United States Postal Service to Add Priority Mail & First-Class Package Service Contract 47 to Competitive Product List and Notice of Filing (Under Seal) of Unredacted Governors' Decision, Contract, and Supporting Data; Filing Acceptance Date: July 3, 2017; Filing Authority: 39 U.S.C. 3642 and 39 CFR 3020.30 et seq.; Public Representative: Christopher C. Mohr; Comments Due: July 12, 2017.

This notice will be published in the Federal Register.

The Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act of 1988 (Public Law (Pub. L.) 100-503), amended the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a) by describing the conditions under which computer matching involving the Federal government could be performed and adding certain protections for persons applying for, and receiving, Federal benefits. Section 7201 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 (Pub. L. 101-508) further amended the Privacy Act regarding protections for such persons.

The Privacy Act, as amended, regulates the use of computer matching by Federal agencies when records in a system of records are matched with other Federal, State, or local government records. It requires Federal agencies involved in computer matching programs to:

(1) Negotiate written agreements with the other agency or agencies participating in the matching programs;

(2) Obtain approval of the matching agreement by the Data Integrity Boards of the participating Federal agencies;

(3) Publish notice of the computer matching program in the Federal Register;

(4) Furnish detailed reports about matching programs to Congress and OMB;

(5) Notify applicants and beneficiaries that their records are subject to matching; and

(6) Verify match findings before reducing, suspending, terminating, or denying a person's benefits or payments.

We have taken action to ensure that all of our computer matching programs comply with the requirements of the Privacy Act, as amended.

A. Background

The GSP program provides for the duty-free treatment of designated articles when imported from beneficiary developing countries. The GSP program is authorized by Title V of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2461 et seq.), as amended, and is implemented in accordance with Executive Order 11888 of November 24, 1975, as modified by subsequent Executive Orders and Presidential Proclamations.

In the 2016/2017 Annual GSP Review, the TPSC reviewed (1) petitions to add seven products to the list of those eligible for duty-free treatment under GSP; (2) a petition to remove the GSP eligibility of one product; (3) a petition to waive the CNL for a product from a beneficiary country; (4) products eligible for de minimis waivers of CNLs; and (5) requests for re-designation of products previously excluded from GSP eligibility for certain beneficiary countries.

In Presidential Proclamation 9625 of June 29, 2017, the President implemented his decisions regarding GSP product eligibility issues arising out of the 2016/2017 Annual GSP Review, including CNL waivers and product re-designations. This notice provides further information on the results of the 2016/2017 Annual GSP Review. You can view these results, comprising five lists, https://www.regulations.gov in docket USTR-2016-0009, under “Supporting and Related Materials” and at https://ustr.gov/issue-areas/preference-programs/generalized-system-preferences-gsp/current-reviews/gsp-20162017.

The President added 23 travel and luggage goods products to the list of products eligible for duty-free treatment for all beneficiary developing countries (BDCs). The President also added rolled or flaked grains of cereals, other than barley or oats (HTS 1104.19.90); saturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids (HTS 2915.90.18); finishing agents, dye carriers and other preparations used in leather and like industries, <5% by weight aromatic (mod.) substance(s) (HTS 3809.93.50); cellulose nitrates (including collodions), in primary forms (also referred to as nitrocellulose) (HTS 3912.20.00); and essential oils of lemon (HTS 3301.13.00), to the list of products eligible for duty-free treatment for all BDCs. The last product was deferred from the 2015/2016 annual review. The petitions to make pineapples, otherwise prepared or preserved (HTS 2008.20.00) eligible for duty free treatment under GSP and to make high-carbon ferromanganese (HTS 7202.11.50) eligible for duty free treatment under GSP for all BDCs were denied. See List I (Decisions on Petitions to Add a Product to the List of Eligible Products for GSP).

The President removed glycine (HTS 2922.49.40.20) from GSP eligibility for all BDCs. See List II (Decision on Petition to Remove a Product from GSP eligibility). To reflect this change, glycine imported into the United States now falls under the new HTS 2922.49.43. Articles that exceeded the CNLs in 2016 and that, effective July 1, 2017, are excluded from GSP eligibility when imported from a specific beneficiary country are described in List III (Products Newly Subject to Exclusion by Competitive Need Limitation). These products are HTS 2933.99.22, other heterocyclic aromatic or modified aromatic pesticides with nitrogen hetero-atom(s) only, from India; and 6801.00.00 setts, curbstones and flagstones, of natural stone (except slate) from Turkey.

The President granted a petition for a waiver of the CNL for coniferous wood continuously shaped along any of its ends, whether or not also continuously shaped along any of its edges or faces (HTS 4409.10.05) from Brazil. See List IV (Products Receiving a Waiver of the Competitive Need Limitation).

The President granted de minimis waivers to 100 articles that exceeded the 50-percent import-share CNL but for which the aggregate value of all U.S. imports of that article was below the 2016 de minimis level of $23 million. See List V (Decisions on Products Eligible for De Minimis Waivers). The articles for which de minimis waivers were granted will continue to be eligible for duty-free treatment under GSP when imported from the associated countries. No products previously excluded from GSP eligibility for certain countries were re-designated as eligible for GSP as a result of the 2016/2017 Annual Review.

The GSP Subcommittee of the TPSC will lead a review of the eligibility of Bolivia for benefits under the GSP. The GSP Subcommittee will review Bolivia's implementation of its commitments to eliminate the worst forms of child labor, and the steps it has taken to afford internationally recognized worker rights, including a minimum age for the employment of children pursuant to the Trade Act of 1974, 19 U.S.C. 2462(b)(2)(H) and 19 U.S.C. 2462(b)(2)(G), respectively. The country practice review is undertaken on the recommendation of the TPSC pursuant to 15 CFR 2007.0(f). According to public reporting by the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of State, the Government of Bolivia, in 2014, adopted a new Code for Children and Adolescents, which amended the previous code to lower the working age for children to 10 years old for self-employed workers, and to 12 years old for those in an employment relationship, under certain situations. U.S. government reporting also notes concerns about Bolivia's efforts to enforce its national labor laws and to make effective protections for working children as provided for in its labor laws. According to the U.S. Department of Labor's 2015 Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor, https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/resources/reports/child-labor/bolivia, the Offices of the Child Advocate, which are required by the Code for Children and Adolescents to authorize child work and assist victims of child labor, are absent or underfunded in many municipalities, leaving some children potentially unprotected and vulnerable to the worst forms of child labor. Additionally, the report questions whether the number of labor inspectors is sufficient to inspect for violations of child labor laws nationwide. Bolivia's changes to its labor laws, and the extent of Bolivia's efforts to combat child labor and eliminate the worst forms of child labor, raise questions about the compliance of Bolivia's laws and practices with mandatory country eligibility criteria as defined in 19 U.S.C. 2462(b)(2)(H)-(G).

In undertaking the review, the TPSC also notes discussions held in international fora, such as the International Labor Organization, public media reporting, and public reporting by non-governmental organizations. The goal of this action is to review Bolivia's child labor laws and practices to determine whether Bolivia's current law and practices meet the GSP eligibility criteria.

The GSP Subcommittee will hold a hearing on September 26, 2017, beginning at 10:00 a.m., to receive information regarding the country practice review of Bolivia. The hearing will be held in Rooms 1 and 2, 1724 F Street NW., Washington, DC 20508 and will be open to the public and to the press. We will make a transcript of the hearing available on https://www.regulations.gov within approximately two weeks after the date of the hearing.

All interested parties wishing to make an oral presentation at the hearing must submit, following the “Requirements for Submissions” set out below, the name, address, telephone number, and email address, if available, of the witness(es) representing their organization by midnight on September 5, 2017. Requests to present oral testimony must be accompanied by a written brief or summary statement, in English. The GSP Subcommittee will limit oral testimony before the GSP Subcommittee to five-minute presentations that summarize or supplement information contained in briefs or statements submitted for the record. The GSP Subcommittee will accept post-hearing briefs or statements if they conform with the requirements set out below and are submitted in English, by midnight on October 17, 2017. Parties not wishing to appear at the public hearing may submit pre-hearing and post-hearing briefs or comments by these deadlines.

In order to be assured of consideration, you must submit all post-hearing briefs or statements by the October 17, 2017 deadline to docket number USTR-2017-0009 via https://www.regulations.gov/. However, if there are new developments or information that parties wish to share with the GSP Subcommittee after this date, the regulations.gov docket will remain open until a final decision is made. Post all comments, letters, or other submissions related to Bolivia's eligibility review to docket number USTR-2017-0009 via https://www.regulations.gov/.

All submissions in response to this notice must conform to the GSP regulations set forth at 15 CFR part 2007 (https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=271bd12a5ef9cae0c4c178d1131ac292&mc=true&node=pt15.3.2007&rgn=div5), except as modified below.

The GSP Subcommittee strongly encourages on-line submissions, using the https://www.regulations.gov Web site. All submissions must be in English and must be transmitted electronically via www.regulations.gov using docket number USTR-2017-0009. To make a submission via www.regulations.gov, enter docket number USTR-2017-0009 on the home page and click “search.” The site will provide a search-results page listing all documents associated with this docket. Find a reference to this notice and click on the link entitled “Comment Now!” For further information on using the www.regulations.gov Web site, please consult the resources provided on the Web site by clicking on “How to Use Regulations.gov” on the bottom of the home page. We will not accept hand-delivered submissions.

The https://www.regulations.gov Web site allows users to provide comments by filling in a “Type Comment” field, or by attaching a document using an “Upload File” field. The GSP Subcommittee prefers that you provide submissions as an attached document. If a document is attached, please type “GSP Review of Bolivia” in the “Type Comment” field. USTR prefers submissions in Microsoft Word (.doc) or Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format. If the submission is in another file format, please indicate the name of the software application in the “Type Comment” field. File names should reflect the name of the person or entity submitting the comments. Please do not attach separate cover letters to electronic submissions; rather, include any information that might appear in a cover letter in the comments themselves. Similarly, to the extent possible, please include any exhibits, annexes, or other attachments in the same file as the comment itself, rather than submitting them as separate files. Submissions should not exceed 30 single-spaced, standard letter-size pages in 12-point type, including attachments.

For any comments submitted electronically containing business confidential information, the file name of the business confidential version should begin with the characters “BC”. Any page containing business confidential information must be clearly marked “BUSINESS CONFIDENTIAL” on the top of that page and the submission should clearly indicate, via brackets, highlighting, or other means, the specific information that is business confidential. A filer requesting business confidential treatment must certify that the information is business confidential and would not customarily be released to the public by the submitter. Additionally, the submitter should type “Business Confidential GSP Review of Bolivia” in the “Type Comment” field. Filers of submissions containing business confidential information also must submit a public version of their comments that we will place in the docket for public inspection. The file name of the public version should begin with the character “P”. The “BC” and “P” should be followed by the name of the person or entity submitting the comments. Filers submitting comments containing no business confidential information should name their file using the name of the person or entity submitting the comments.

You will receive a submission tracking number upon completion of the submissions procedure at https://www.regulations.gov. The tracking number is your confirmation that the submission was received into https://www.regulations.gov. The GSP Subcommittee is not able to provide technical assistance for the Web site. The GSP Subcommittee may not consider documents that are not submitted in accordance with these instructions.

As noted, the GSP Subcommittee strongly urges submitters to file comments through www.regulations.gov. You must make any alternative arrangements with Naomi Freeman in advance of transmitting a comment. You can contact Ms. Freeman at (202) 395-2974.

We will post comments in the docket for public inspection, except business confidential information. You can view comments on the https://www.regulations.gov Web site by entering the relevant docket number in the search field on the home page.

I. Public Participation and Request for Comments

FMCSA encourages you to participate by submitting comments and related materials.

If you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this notice (FMCSA-2017-0175), indicate the specific section of this document to which the comment applies, and provide a reason for suggestions or recommendations. You may submit your comments and material online or by fax, mail, or hand delivery, but please use only one of these means. FMCSA recommends that you include your name and a mailing address, an email address, or a phone number in the body of your document so the Agency can contact you if it has questions regarding your submission.

To submit your comments online, go to www.regulations.gov and put the docket number, “FMCSA-2017-0175” in the “Keyword” box, and click “Search.” When the new screen appears, click on “Comment Now!” button and type your comment into the text box in the following screen. Choose whether you are submitting your comment as an individual or on behalf of a third party and then submit. If you submit your comments by mail or hand delivery, submit them in an unbound format, no larger than 81/2 by 11 inches, suitable for copying and electronic filing. If you submit comments by mail and would like to know that they reached the facility, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard or envelope. FMCSA will consider all comments and material received during the comment period and may grant or not grant this application based on your comments.

FMCSA has authority under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315 to grant exemptions from certain parts of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). FMCSA must publish a notice of each exemption request in the Federal Register (49 CFR 381.315(a)). The Agency must provide the public an opportunity to inspect the information relevant to the application, including any safety analyses that have been conducted. The Agency must also provide an opportunity for public comment on the request.

The Agency reviews safety analyses and public comments submitted, and determines whether granting the exemption would likely achieve a level of safety equivalent to, or greater than, the level that would be achieved by the current regulation (49 CFR 381.305). The decision of the Agency must be published in the Federal Register (49 CFR 381.315(b)) with the reasons for denying or granting the application and, if granted, the name of the person or class of persons receiving the exemption, and the regulatory provision from which the exemption is granted. The notice must also specify the effective period and explain the terms and conditions of the exemption. The exemption may be renewed (49 CFR 381.300(b)).

The PLCA is an industry trade association that negotiates labor agreements, encourages safe practices in pipeline construction, and seeks the resolution of problems common to those in the pipeline construction industry. PLCA has been in existence since 1948 and currently has 77 members who employ approximately 30,000 to 40,000 workers depending upon the level of pipeline work in any year.

Pipeline jobs range from construction of major interstate and intrastate pipelines to maintenance and repair work for utilities. In 2016, their contractors worked on over 750 pipeline projects across the U.S. PLCA contractors hire workers on a project-by-project basis, with workers often employed on multiple jobs each year in different states. Pipeline projects are often short-duration projects lasting for only 4-6 weeks. Pipeline contractors hire dozens of different short-term personnel to support any given project.

PLCA contractors own different types of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs), including flatbed trucks that haul heavy equipment, dump trucks, skid trucks, water trucks, pilot cars, and buses that transport workers from the daily assembly points to the pipeline right-of-way. A significant number of the vehicles owned by pipeline contractors require a commercial driver's license (CDL) to operate. The standard practice is for workers to begin each workday at a designated assembly point, which typically is 10-50 miles away from a pipeline right-of-way. The workers who operate heavy equipment typically are transported by bus to the pipeline right-of-way. The drivers of the flatbed trucks move the heavy equipment along the pipeline right-of-way as they complete work on segments of the pipeline. As pipeline contractor drivers work off-road along the length of the pipelines, they typically do not spend much of their work days operating on public roads.

The employees who work on pipelines and drive the subject vehicles typically stay in hotels or campers at locations along the pipeline right-of-way. They relocate as they advance in their work along the right-of-way. As they complete work on a segment of the pipeline, they sometimes do not return to the assembly point. Instead, they may end the work day where they finish work and spend the night at a new location farther down the right-of-way. The following day they would meet at a new assembly point.

The drivers who would be covered under the exemption operate flatbed trucks that haul heavy equipment, dump trucks, skid trucks, water trucks, pilot cars and buses that transport workers from the daily assembly point to the pipeline right-of-way. These drivers possess CDLs and almost always operate within 100 miles of their assembly point, and meet the other requirements of the short-haul exception in Section 395.1(e)(1). However, the drivers may not return within the 12 hours required for use of the short-haul exemption.

While pipeline contractor drivers typically do not exceed the requirements of the short-haul exception more than 8 days in a 30-day period, there may be occasions when they do so. Because pipeline contractors typically hire temporary employees to work on short-term jobs, it would be onerous for contractors to have to purchase ELDs, provide them to temporary employees, train the employees in their usage, and monitor and ensure compliance with the ELD requirement. Pipeline contractors would have to monitor the number of days their drivers exceed the requirements of the short-haul exception, including if a driver exceeded the short haul exception on any days in a rolling 30-day period immediately before the employer hired the driver. PLCA states that ELDs do not offer a safety benefit for pipeline drivers since the drivers spend very little time on public roads and would have to use paper logs to record their duty status in any event. This is in stark contrast to long-haul truck drivers who spend most of their on-duty hours driving their vehicles on public roads.

According to PLCA, exempting pipeline contractors from the ELD requirement would have no impact on safety for several reasons. First, drivers would continue to maintain written RODS on any day that they exceed the requirements of the short-haul exemption. Second, pipeline contractor drivers typically spend very little time operating on public roads. Third, pipeline contractors are required to maintain time records for their drivers. Finally, pipeline contractors and drivers otherwise must comply with all the HOS regulations.

PLCA states that granting this exemption will result in a level of safety that is equal to or greater than the level of safety achieved by complying with the ELD rule. The exemption is requested for pipeline contractor drivers of CMVs. Drivers of pipeline contractor CMVs that require HOS compliance represent a small percentage of trucks on the road; however, the requirements of the ELD rule would impose significant burden on the industry and its customers. By allowing pipeline contractor drivers to continue to operate with paper RODS, PLCA's members and their customers would be able to comply with all Federal and State HOS regulations while continuing to operate efficiently and safely.

A copy of PLCA's application for exemption is available for review in the docket for this notice.

I. Public Participation and Request for Comments

FMCSA encourages you to participate by submitting comments and related materials.

If you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this notice (FMCSA-2017-0166), indicate the specific section of this document to which the comment applies, and provide a reason for suggestions or recommendations. You may submit your comments and material online or by fax, mail, or hand delivery, but please use only one of these means. FMCSA recommends that you include your name and a mailing address, an email address, or a phone number in the body of your document so the Agency can contact you if it has questions regarding your submission.

To submit your comments online, go to www.regulations.gov and put the docket number, “FMCSA-2017-0166” in the “Keyword” box, and click “Search.” When the new screen appears, click on “Comment Now!” button and type your comment into the text box in the following screen. Choose whether you are submitting your comment as an individual or on behalf of a third party and then submit. If you submit your comments by mail or hand delivery, submit them in an unbound format, no larger than 81/2 by 11 inches, suitable for copying and electronic filing. If you submit comments by mail and would like to know that they reached the facility, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard or envelope. FMCSA will consider all comments and material received during the comment period and may grant or not grant this application based on your comments.

FMCSA has authority under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315 to grant exemptions from certain parts of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). FMCSA must publish a notice of each exemption request in the Federal Register (49 CFR 381.315(a)). The Agency must provide the public an opportunity to inspect the information relevant to the application, including any safety analyses that have been conducted. The Agency must also provide an opportunity for public comment on the request.

The Agency reviews safety analyses and public comments submitted, and determines whether granting the exemption would likely achieve a level of safety equivalent to, or greater than, the level that would be achieved by the current regulation (49 CFR 381.305). The decision of the Agency must be published in the Federal Register (49 CFR 381.315(b)) with the reasons for denying or granting the application and, if granted, the name of the person or class of persons receiving the exemption, and the regulatory provision from which the exemption is granted. The notice must also specify the effective period and explain the terms and conditions of the exemption. The exemption may be renewed (49 CFR 381.300(b)).

MBI (USDOT 261829) is a provider of water management logistics and well-intervention services in North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, and Colorado. The requested exemption would affect 65 MBI Energy Services drivers operating 42 single-cab vehicles classified in North Dakota as Special Mobile Equipment (SME). These vehicles meet the definition of a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) in 49 CFR 390.5 and therefore are subject to the ELD or AOBRD mandate. These specialized vehicles perform various work activities in an environment where connectivity is limited, working and road conditions are rough, and the necessity for driving on public roads is sporadic and incidental to the overall work being performed. The vehicles may sit on work locations for long periods of time, up to weeks or even months. These vehicles are typically oversize and overweight requiring special permits for transport. Many States do not require registration, as they build the registration fees into the permit process.

Examples of SMEs meeting the definition of a CMV having a single cab include cranes, workover rigs, and swab units. Single cabs have reduced space for installing rough-terrain-capable AOBRDs or ELDs. The devices used must be capable of satellite communication where cell communication is poor to non-existent. The installation of rugged logging units, weighing more than typical units used in highway applications, would reduce driver visibility in an already large vehicle due to the limited space found in single-cab vehicles. Additionally, the installation and rough terrain upon which the vehicles travel may require a unit being installed over the driver's head, increasing the risk of the unit falling on the driver resulting in injury or a vehicle accident involving the travelling public.

While these vehicles normally travel little, business demand may require MBI vehicles to move more often than 8 days in a 30-day period, the maximum frequency allowed by 49 CFR 395.8(a)(1)(iii)(A)(1) for the use of paper RODS instead of ELDs. According to MBI, the current regulations do not address circumstances where the vehicle's exemption status is sporadic in nature, thus requiring MBI to install an ELD to remain compliant during times not covered by the exemption. While alternatives exist to industrial-grade logging units, the alternatives usually involve cell phones or cell-capable tablets where the terrain or remote locations of work may inhibit logging device communication for extended periods of time. Many worksites prohibit cell phone usage due to safety concerns. Additionally, installations in special vehicles will increase costs substantially due to the unusual configurations of single cab vehicles requiring specialized wiring harnesses and custom installation kits.

MBI states that the exemption would involve no additional costs since current regulations require drivers to manually record duty status, and that would not change under the exemption. Companies operating single-cab special mobile equipment would realize savings compared to the costs incurred to install custom hardware required for industrial-grade logging units meeting the ELD mandate and the subsequent monthly communication costs. MBI requests a 5-year exemption.

MBI states that it would continue to use paper logs if granted the exemption and would require the driver to document on-duty and driving times to ensure compliance with the requirements of 49 CFR part 395. According to MBI, paper logs would be reviewed daily by supervisory personnel to ensure regulatory compliance and appropriate fatigue management. Because the vehicles are rarely driven and highly regulated by States when being transported, with minimal highway exposure, the driving public would not be adversely affected, and the safety of these specialized vehicles would not be compromised due to unwieldy device installations in an already cramped operator's compartment.

A copy of MBI's application for exemption is available for review in the docket for this notice.

Funding appropriated to FTA's public transportation assistance programs under the Further Continuing and Security Assistance Appropriations Act, 2017 (Pub. L. 114-254) expired on April 28, 2017. Since that time, Congress has enacted the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017, Public Law 115-31 on May 5, 2017 (Appropriations Act, 2017) that allows FTA to continue its current program funding through September 30, 2017.

The Appropriations Act, 2017 gave FTA appropriated resources for Administrative Expenses, Formula, Competitive and Research Programs, Capital Investment Grants (CIG), Technical Assistance and Training Programs, grants to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority, and other FTA programs totaling $12,414,502,043. The Appropriations Act, 2017 provides an obligation limitation of $9,733,706,043 of contract authority for FTA programs funded from the Mass Transit Account of the Highway Trust Fund, $2,680,796,000 funded from General Fund accounts and an additional $117,839,000 of prior year recovered funds for CIG.

On January 19, 2017, FTA published an apportionments notice that apportioned approximately 7/12ths of the FY 2017 authorized contract authority among potential program recipients based on contract authority that was available from October 1, 2016 through April 28, 2017 (82 FR 12). That notice also provided relevant information about the FY 2017 funding available and grant management and application procedures. A copy of that notice and accompanying tables can be found on the FTA Web: www.transit.dot.gov/funding/apportionments.

This document provides notice to stakeholders that FTA is apportioning the remainder of the full-year FY 2017 authorized contract authority through September 30, 2017—among potential program recipients according to statutory formulas in 49 U.S.C. Chapter 53. FTA has posted tables displaying the funds available to eligible states and urbanized areas on the FTA Web: www.transit.dot.gov/funding/apportionments. In addition, the National Transit Database (NTD) and Census Data used in the funding formulas can be found at the same location.

FTA's full-year FY 2017 formula apportionment tables continue to rely on the Census data and National Transit Database (NTD) data that was used to calculate the FY 2017 Continuing Resolution (CR) tables. A detailed description of the NTD and Census data used in the calculations can be found in FTA's Apportionment Notice published in conjunction with the FY 2017 CR tables. (Federal Register Vol. 82, No. 12, January 19, 2017).

FTA's FY 2017 CR tribal transit formula table inadvertently omitted three tribes eligible for formula funding in FY 2017: The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, the Hualapai Indian Tribe, and the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe. Apportionments for these tribes are included in FTA's full year tribal transit formula table.

Federal transit law requires States with rail transit systems operating within their jurisdictions to establish a State Safety Oversight (SSO) program that must be certified by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) by April 15, 2019. The FTA is prohibited by law from awarding any funds to any transit agency within a State that fails to obtain certification by the deadline. The FTA recommends that States submit their complete SSO program certification applications by April 15, 2018, but no later than September 30, 2018. For more information on the certification requirements, please visit the FTA Web: www.transit.dot.gov/regulations-and-guidance/safety/transit-safety-oversight-tso.

Section 165 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017 amended the law governing the special provision for operating assistance under 5307(a)(2), commonly known as the 100-bus special rule, by replacing the exception to the special rule established in the FAST Act with a new alternative method for determining the amounts that may be used for operating assistance. Under 5307(a)(2)(A), transit agencies that operate between 76 and 100 buses in maximum revenue service may use 50 percent of the share of the UZA's apportionment attributable to them based on vehicle revenue hours reported to the NTD. Transit agencies that operate 75 or fewer buses in maximum revenue service may use 75 percent of the share of the UZA's apportionment attributable to them based on vehicle revenue hours reported to the NTD. These amounts are published in Apportionment Table 3-A.

The recently enacted amendment under 5307(a)(2)(B), provides an alternative to these amounts by allowing qualifying recipients with between 76 and 100 buses in maximum revenue service to receive operating assistance in an amount not to exceed 50 percent of the amount allocated to such systems through the local planning process and in the designated recipient's final program of projects. Likewise, recipients with 75 or fewer buses in maximum revenue service may now receive operating assistance in an amount not to exceed 75 percent of the amount allocated to such systems through the local planning process and in the designated recipient's final program of projects. However, in both cases, the resulting amount under this alternative may not exceed the maximum amount based on vehicle revenue hours by more than 10 percent. FTA has published these amounts and related information in Apportionment Table 3-A.

Agencies interested in utilizing the recently enacted alternative are advised that the new alternative operating assistance cap under 5307(a)(2)(B) is only available as a percentage of the actual program funding allocated to their agency for projects. For example, consider an agency that operates 80 buses in maximum service that is permitted to use $100,000 for operating expenses under the original 5307(a)(2)(A) operating assistance cap. If this agency chooses to use the new 5307(a)(2)(B) alternative, it may use up to $110,000 for operating assistance, but to do so it must have been allocated at least $220,000 through the planning process ($220,000 allocation/50 percent = $110,000). The exception to this provision previously authorized at 5307(a)(3), permitting recipients in an urbanized area to agree in writing on an alternative method for allocating funding available for operating assistance, has been repealed and no longer applies.

Section 161 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017 extends the period of availability of FY 2017 Fixed Guideway Capital Investment Grants (CIG) program funds through September 30, 2021. Please note that the President's Budget for FY 2018 proposes no funding for new CIG projects, and thus project sponsors should understand they are undertaking work on projects at their own risk which may not receive CIG funding.

Background

Section 3517 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (NDAA) requires MARAD to convene a Maritime Workforce Working Group (MWWG) to examine and assess the size of the pool of United States citizen mariners necessary to support the United States flag fleet in times of national emergency. The statute requires the MWWG to deliver a report to Congress, with results from the study. To assist in the process, MARAD is seeking public input to focus on the following four (4) issues:

1. Identifying the number of United States citizen mariners;

2. Assessing the impact on the United States merchant marine and United States Merchant Marine Academy if graduates from State Maritime Academies and the United States Merchant Marine Academy were assigned to, or required to fulfill, certain maritime positions based on the overall needs of the United States merchant marine;

3. Assessing the Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Licensing and Documentation System and its accessibility and value to the Maritime Administration for the purposes of evaluating the pool of United States citizen mariners; and

4. Making recommendations to enhance the availability and quality of interagency data, including data from the United States Transportation Command, the Coast Guard, the Navy, and the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, for use by the Maritime Administration for evaluating the pool of United States citizen mariners.

1. We have opened a docket at http://www.regulations.gov to allow for submission of written comments for consideration by the MWWG.

2. You may submit your inputs identified by DOT Docket Number MARAD-2017-0117 by any of the following methods: Web site/Federal eRulemaking Portal, Fax, Mail or Hand Delivery. Please use only one of these means for each submission. All submissions must include the agency name and docket number for this matter. Specific instructions follow.

3. For the Web site/Federal eRulemaking Portal, go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments on the electronic docket site. To submit your input, type the docket number MARAD-2017-0117 in the “SEARCH” box and click “SEARCH.” Click on “Submit a Comment” on the line associated with this Docket Number. If you submit comment via www.regulations.gov, please note that inputs submitted to www.regulations.gov are not immediately posted to the site. It may take several business days before your submission will be posted on the electronic docket.

4. For submission by telefacsimile/FAX, transmit your agenda topic, comment or idea to (202) 493-2251. Be sure to identify the submission by DOT Docket Number MARAD-2017-0117.

5. Submissions by Mail or Hand Delivery should go to Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., West Building, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except on Federal holidays. If you submit your inputs by mail or hand delivery, submit them in an unbound format, no larger than 8 1/2 by 11 inches, suitable for copying and electronic filing. If you submit comments by mail and would like to know that they reached the Facility, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard or envelope.

6. If you FAX, mail, or hand deliver your input we recommend that you include your name and a mailing address, an email address, or a telephone number in the body of your document so that we can contact you if we have questions regarding your submission.

7. Note: All comments submitted for this purpose, including any personal information provided, will be posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov.

8. For access to the docket to read background documents or inputs received, go to http://www.regulations.gov at any time or to Room W12-140 of the Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays. To view the docket electronically, type the docket number “MARAD-2017-0117” in the “SEARCH” box and click “Search.” Click and Open Docket Folder on the line associated with this rulemaking.

In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT posts these comments, without edit, to www.regulations.gov, as described in the system of records notice, DOT/ALL-14 FDMS, accessible through www.dot.gov/privacy. In order to facilitate comment tracking and response, we encourage commenters to provide their name, or the name of their organization; however, submission of names is completely optional. Whether or not commenters identify themselves, all timely comments will be fully considered. If you wish to provide comments containing proprietary or confidential information, please contact the agency for alternate submission instructions.

Notice is hereby given pursuant to Section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. (1988) that a meeting of the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel Special Projects Committee will be held Tuesday, August 8, 2017, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time via teleconference. The public is invited to make oral comments or submit written statements for consideration. Due to limited conference lines, notification of intent to participate must be made with Matthew O'Sullivan. For more information please contact Matthew O'Sullivan at 1-888-912-1227 or (510) 907-5274, or write TAP Office, 1301 Clay Street, Oakland, CA 94612-5217 or contact us at the Web site: http://www.improveirs.org. The agenda will include various IRS issues.

The agenda will include a discussion on various special topics with IRS processes.

Notice is hereby given pursuant to section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. app. (1988) that an open meeting of the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel Tax Forms and Publications Project Committee will be held Tuesday, August 8, 2017, at 12:00 p.m., Eastern Time via teleconference. The public is invited to make oral comments or submit written statements for consideration. Due to limited conference lines, notification of intent to participate must be made with Robert Rosalia. For more information please contact Robert Rosalia at 1-888-912-1227 or (718) 834-2203, or write TAP Office, 2 Metrotech Center, 100 Myrtle Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11201 or contact us at the Web site: http://www.improveirs.org. The agenda will include various IRS issues.

Notice is hereby given pursuant to Section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. (1988) that an open meeting of the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel Toll-Free Phone Line Project Committee will be held Wednesday, August 16, 2017, at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time via teleconference. The public is invited to make oral comments or submit written statements for consideration. Due to limited conference lines, notification of intent to participate must be made with Fred Smith. For more information please contact Fred Smith at 1-888-912-1227 or 202-317-3087, or write TAP Office, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW., Room 1509—National Office, Washington, DC 20224, or contact us at the Web site: http://www.improveirs.org.

The committee will be discussing Toll-free issues and public input is welcomed.

Title: Designated Roth Contributions to Cash or Deferred Arrangements Under Section 401(k).

OMB Number: 1545-1931.

Regulation Project Number: TD 9237.

Abstract: These regulations provide guidance concerning the requirements for designated Roth contributions to qualified cash or deferred arrangements under section 401(k). The IRS needs this information to insure compliance with section 401(k) and (m) and section 402A. Designated Roth contributions are elective contributions under qualified cash or deferred arrangement that, unlike pre-tax elective contributions, are includible in gross income. However, a qualified distribution of designated Roth contributions is excludable from gross income.

Current Actions: There is no change to this existing regulation.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations, not-for-profit institutions and state, local or tribal governments.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 157,500.

Estimated Time per Respondent: 1 hour.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 157,500.

The following paragraph applies to all of the collections of information covered by this notice:

An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless the collection of information displays a valid OMB control number. Books or records relating to a collection of information must be retained as long as their contents may become material in the administration of any internal revenue law. Generally, tax returns and tax return information are confidential, as required by 26 U.S.C. 6103.

Request for Comments: Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of public record. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology; and (e) estimates of capital or start-up costs and costs of operation, maintenance, and purchase of services to provide information.

Notice is hereby given pursuant to Section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. (1988) that a meeting of the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel Taxpayer Assistance Center Improvements Project Committee will be held Tuesday, August 15, 2017, at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The public is invited to make oral comments or submit written statements for consideration. Due to limited conference lines, notification of intent to participate must be made with Lisa Billups. For more information please contact Lisa Billups at 1-888-912-1227 or 214-413-6523, or write TAP Office 1114 Commerce Street, Dallas, TX 75242-1021, or post comments to the Web site: http://www.improveirs.org.

The committee will be discussing various issues related to the Taxpayer Assistance Centers and public input is welcomed.

Notice is hereby given pursuant to Section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. (1988) that an open meeting of the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel Joint Committee will be held Wednesday, August 30, 2017, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time via teleconference. The public is invited to make oral comments or submit written statements for consideration. For more information please contact: Gretchen Swayzer at 1-888-912-1227 or 469-801-0769, TAP Office, 4050 Alpha Rd., Farmers Branch, TX 75244, or contact us at the Web site: http://www.improveirs.org.

The agenda will include various committee issues for submission to the IRS and other TAP related topics. Public input is welcomed.

Notice is hereby given pursuant to Section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. (1988) that a meeting of the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel Notices and Correspondence Project Committee will be held Thursday, August 10, 2017, at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time via teleconference. The public is invited to make oral comments or submit written statements for consideration. Due to limited conference lines, notification of intent to participate must be made with Otis Simpson. For more information please contact Otis Simpson at 1-888-912-1227 or 202-317-3332, or write TAP Office, 1111 Constitution Ave. NW., Room 1509, Washington, DC 20224 or contact us at the Web site: http://www.improveirs.org. The agenda will include various IRS issues. Otis Simpson. For more information please contact Otis Simpson at 1-888-912-1227 or 202-317-3332, or write TAP Office, 1111 Constitution Ave. NW., Room 1509, Washington, DC 20224 or contact us at the Web site: http://www.improveirs.org. The agenda will include various IRS issues.

The agenda will include a discussion on various letters, and other issues related to written communications from the IRS.

Notice is hereby given pursuant to Section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. (1988) that an open meeting of the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel Taxpayer Communications Project Committee will be held Thursday, August 3, 2017, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time via teleconference. The public is invited to make oral comments or submit written statements for consideration. Due to limited conference lines, notification of intent to participate must be made with Antoinette Ross. For more information please contact: Antoinette Ross at 1-888-912-1227 or (202) 317-4110, or write TAP Office, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW., Room 1509-National Office, Washington, DC 20224, or contact us at the Web site: http://www.improveirs.org.

The committee will be discussing various issues related to Taxpayer Communications and public input is welcome.