83 FR 17369 - Recruitment of First Responder Network Authority Board Members

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Telecommunications and Information Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 76 (April 19, 2018)

Page Range		17369-17370
FR Document		2018-08224

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) issues this Notice on behalf of the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) to initiate the annual process to seek expressions of interest from individuals who would like to serve on the FirstNet Board. One of the 12 appointments of nonpermanent members to the FirstNet Board, expiring August 2019, is currently vacant. Additionally, four of the 12 appointments of nonpermanent members to the FirstNet Board expire in August 2018, creating a total of five available appointments to the FirstNet Board. NTIA issues this Notice to obtain expressions of interest in being selected by the Secretary to the FirstNet Board.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 76 (Thursday, April 19, 2018)

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 76 (Thursday, April 19, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17369-17370]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-08224]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Telecommunications and Information Administration


Recruitment of First Responder Network Authority Board Members

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The National Telecommunications and Information Administration 
(NTIA) issues this Notice on behalf of the First Responder Network 
Authority (FirstNet) to initiate the annual process to seek expressions 
of interest from individuals who would like to serve on the FirstNet 
Board. One of the 12 appointments of nonpermanent members to the 
FirstNet Board, expiring August 2019, is currently vacant. 
Additionally, four of the 12 appointments of nonpermanent members to 
the FirstNet Board expire in August 2018, creating a total of five 
available appointments to the FirstNet Board. NTIA issues this Notice 
to obtain expressions of interest in being selected by the Secretary to 
the FirstNet Board.

DATES: Expressions of interest must be postmarked or electronically 
transmitted on or before May 21, 2018.

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

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background and Authority

    The Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (Act) 
created the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) as an 
independent authority within NTIA and charged it with ensuring the 
building, deployment, and operation of a nationwide, interoperable 
public safety broadband network, based on a single, national network

[[Page 17370]]

architecture.\1\ FirstNet is responsible for ensuring nationwide 
standards for use and access of the network; issuing open, transparent, 
and competitive requests for proposals (RFPs) to build, operate, and 
maintain the network; encouraging these RFPs to leverage, to the 
maximum extent economically desirable, existing commercial wireless 
infrastructure to speed deployment of the network; and managing and 
overseeing contracts with non-federal entities to build, operate, and 
maintain the network.\2\ FirstNet holds the single public safety 
license granted for wireless public safety broadband deployment. The 
FirstNet Board is responsible for providing overall policy direction 
and oversight of FirstNet to ensure the success of the nationwide 
network.
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    \1\ 47 U.S.C. 1422(b).
    \2\ 47 U.S.C. 1426(b)(1).
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II. Structure

    The FirstNet Board is composed of 15 voting members. The Act names 
the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, the Attorney 
General of the United States, and the Director of the Office of 
Management and Budget as permanent members of the FirstNet Board. The 
Secretary of Commerce appoints the twelve nonpermanent members of the 
FirstNet Board.\3\ The Act requires each Board member to have 
experience or expertise in at least one of the following substantive 
areas: Public safety, network, technical, and/or financial.\4\ 
Additionally, the composition of the FirstNet Board must satisfy the 
other requirements specified in the Act, including that: (i) At least 
three Board members have served as public safety professionals; (ii) at 
least three members represent the collective interests of states, 
localities, tribes, and territories; and (iii) its members reflect 
geographic and regional, as well as rural and urban, representation.\5\ 
An individual Board member may satisfy more than one of these 
requirements. The current nonpermanent FirstNet Board members are 
(noting length of term):
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    \3\ 47 U.S.C. 1424(b).
    \4\ 47 U.S.C. 1424(b)(2)(B).
    \5\ 47 U.S.C. 1424(b)(2)(A).
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     Susan Swenson (Chairwoman), Telecommunications/technology 
executive (Term expires: August 2019)
     Jeffrey Johnson (Vice Chairman), Fire Chief, retired; CEO 
Western Fire Chiefs Association; Former Chair, State Interoperability 
Council, State of Oregon (Term expires: August 2019)
     Neil E. Cox, Telecommunications/technology executive (Term 
Expires: August 2018)
     Edward Horowitz, Venture capital/technology executive 
(Term Expires: August 2018)
     Kevin McGinnis, Chief/CEO, North East Mobile Health 
Services (Term Expires: August 2018)
     Robert Tipton Osterthaler (Term Expires: January 2021)
     Annise D. Parker, Former Mayor, Houston, Texas (Term 
Expires: August 2018)
     Richard Ross, Jr., Police Commissioner, City of 
Philadelphia (Term Expires: January 2021)
     Richard W. Stanek, Sheriff, Hennepin County, Minnesota 
(Term expires: January 2021)
     Teri Takai, Government information technology expert; 
former CIO, states of Michigan and California (Term expires: August 
2019)
     David Zolet, CEO, LMI (Term expires: January 2021)
     Vacant (Term expires: August 2019)
    More information about the FirstNet Board is available at 
www.firstnet.gov/about/Board. Board members are appointed for a term of 
three years, and Board members may not serve more than two consecutive 
full three-year terms.\6\
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    \6\ 47 U.S.C. 1424(c)(2)(A)(ii).
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III. Compensation and Status as Government Employees

    FirstNet Board members are appointed as special government 
employees. FirstNet Board members are compensated at the daily rate of 
basic pay for level IV of the Executive Schedule (approximately 
$161,900 per year).\7\ Each Board member must be a United States 
citizen, cannot be a registered lobbyist, and cannot be a registered 
agent of, employed by, or receive payments from a foreign 
government.\8\
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    \7\ 47 U.S.C. 1424(g).
    \8\ See, Revised Guidance on Appointment of Lobbyists to Federal 
Advisory Committees, Boards, and Commissions, Office of Management 
and Budget, 79 FR 47482 (Aug. 13, 2014).
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IV. Financial Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest

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

V. Selection Process

    At the direction of the Secretary of Commerce, NTIA, in 
consultation with FirstNet, will conduct outreach to the public safety 
community, state and local organizations, and industry to solicit 
nominations for candidates to the Board who satisfy the statutory 
requirements for membership. In addition, by this Notice, the Secretary 
of Commerce, through NTIA, will accept expressions of interest until 
May 21, 2018 from any individual, or any organization that wishes to 
propose a candidate, who satisfies the statutory requirements for 
membership on the FirstNet Board.\9\
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    \9\ Incumbent Board members whose terms expire in August 2018, 
who are eligible for reappointment, and who wish to be considered 
for reappointment, do not need to submit an expression of interest 
in response to this Notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    All parties wishing to be considered should submit their full name, 
address, telephone number, email address, a current resume, and a 
statement of qualifications that references how the candidate satisfies 
the Act's expertise, representational, and geographic requirements for 
FirstNet Board membership, as described in this Notice, along with a 
statement describing why they want to serve on the FirstNet Board and 
affirming their ability and availability to take a regular and active 
role in the Board's work. The Secretary of Commerce will select 
FirstNet Board candidates based on the eligibility requirements in the 
Act and recommendations submitted by NTIA, in consultation with the 
FirstNet Board's Governance and Personnel Committee. NTIA will 
recommend candidates based on an assessment of their qualifications as 
well as their demonstrated ability to work in a collaborative way to 
achieve the goals and objectives of FirstNet as set forth in the Act. 
Board candidates will be vetted through the Department of Commerce and 
are subject to an appropriate background check for security clearance.

    Dated: April 16, 2018.
Kathy D. Smith,
Chief Counsel, National Telecommunications and Information 
Administration.
[FR Doc. 2018-08224 Filed 4-18-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-10-P

Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 76 / Thursday, April 19, 2018 / Notices 17369

(FACA), 5 U.S.C. App. 2, and pursuant The committee’s membership will be ACTION: Notice.
to Section 105(b) of the National fairly balanced in terms of the points of
Telecommunications and Information view represented by members and the SUMMARY: The National
Administration Organization Act, as functions to be performed. Accordingly, Telecommunications and Information
amended, 47 U.S.C. 904(b). The its membership will reflect a cross- Administration (NTIA) issues this
committee will continue as provided in section of interests in spectrum Notice on behalf of the First Responder
Executive Order 13811 effective management and policy, including non- Network Authority (FirstNet) to initiate
September 30, 2017. The Department of federal spectrum users; state, regional, the annual process to seek expressions
Commerce re-chartered the CSMAC on and local sectors; technology developers of interest from individuals who would
September 30, 2017, for a two-year and manufacturers; academia; civil like to serve on the FirstNet Board. One
period. The CSMAC advises the society; and service providers with of the 12 appointments of
Assistant Secretary of Commerce for customers in both domestic and nonpermanent members to the FirstNet
Communications and Information on a international markets. A description of Board, expiring August 2019, is
broad range of issues regarding factors that will be considered to currently vacant. Additionally, four of
spectrum policy. In particular, the determine each applicant’s expertise is the 12 appointments of nonpermanent
current charter provides that the contained in the committee’s members to the FirstNet Board expire in
committee will provide advice and Membership Balance Plan (available at August 2018, creating a total of five
recommendations on needed reforms to http://www.ntia.doc.gov/other- available appointments to the FirstNet
domestic spectrum policies and publication/2017/csmac-membership- Board. NTIA issues this Notice to obtain
management in order to: License radio balance-plan). expressions of interest in being selected
frequencies in a way that maximizes In particular, NTIA seeks applicants by the Secretary to the FirstNet Board.
their public benefit; keep wireless with strong technical and engineering DATES: Expressions of interest must be
networks as open to innovation as knowledge and experience, familiarity postmarked or electronically
possible; and make wireless services with commercial or private wireless transmitted on or before May 21, 2018.
available to all Americans. The CSMAC technologies and associated businesses, ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to submit
functions solely as an advisory body in or expertise with specific applications expressions of interest as described
compliance with the FACA. Additional of wireless technologies. The Secretary below should send that information to:
information about the CSMAC and its may consider factors including, but not Marsha MacBride, Associate
activities may be found at http:// limited to, educational background, past Administrator of NTIA’s Office of Public
www.ntia.doc.gov/category/csmac. work or academic accomplishments, Safety Communications, by email to
Under the terms of the committee’s and the industry sector in which a FirstNetBoardApplicant@ntia.doc.gov;
charter, it will have no fewer than five member is currently or previously or by U.S. mail or commercial delivery
(5) members and no more than thirty employed. All appointments are made service to: Office of Public Safety
(30) members. The members serve on without discrimination on the basis of Communications, National
the CSMAC in the capacity of Special age, ethnicity, gender, sexual Telecommunications and Information
Government Employee (SGE). As SGEs, orientation, disability, cultural, Administration, 1401 Constitution
members must comply with certain religious, or socioeconomic status. Avenue NW, Room 4078, Washington,
federal conflict of interest statutes and Each application must include the DC 20230; or by facsimile transmission
ethics regulations, including some applicant’s full name, address, to (202) 482–5802. Please note that all
financial disclosure requirements. telephone number, and email address, material sent via the U.S. Postal Service
Members will not receive compensation along with a summary of the applicant’s (including ‘‘Overnight’’ or ‘‘Express
or reimbursement for travel or for per qualifications that identifies, with Mail’’) is subject to delivery delays of up
diem expenses. No member may be a specificity, how his or her education, to two weeks due to mail security
registered federal lobbyist pursuant to training, experience, expertise, or other procedures.
the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 factors would support the CSMAC’s
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
(codified at 2 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.). See work and how his or her participation
Marsha MacBride, Associate
Office of Management and Budget, would help achieve the balance factors
Administrator, Office of Public Safety
Revised Guidance on Appointment of described above. Each application must
Communications, National
Lobbyists to Federal Advisory also include a detailed resume or
Telecommunications and Information
Committees, Boards, and Commissions, curriculum vitae.
Administration, U.S. Department of
79 FR 47482 (Aug. 13, 2014). No Dated: April 16, 2018. Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue
member may be an agent of a foreign Kathy D. Smith, NW, Room 4078, Washington, DC
principal required to register pursuant Chief Counsel, National Telecommunications 20230; telephone: (202) 482–5802;
to the Foreign Agents Registration Act of and Information Administration. email: mmacbride@ntia.doc.gov. Please
1938, as amended (codified at 22 U.S.C. [FR Doc. 2018–08225 Filed 4–18–18; 8:45 am] direct media inquiries to NTIA’s Office
611 et seq.). BILLING CODE 3510–10–P of Public Affairs, (202) 482–7002.
The Secretary of Commerce appoints SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
members of the committee who serve at
the Secretary’s pleasure and discretion DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE I. Background and Authority
for up to a two-year term and may be The Middle Class Tax Relief and Job
reappointed for additional terms. NTIA National Telecommunications and Creation Act of 2012 (Act) created the
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES

currently seeks applicants for new two- Information Administration First Responder Network Authority
year terms that will commence in (FirstNet) as an independent authority
Recruitment of First Responder
October 2018 and continue through within NTIA and charged it with
Network Authority Board Members
September 2020, subject to the ensuring the building, deployment, and
anticipated timely renewal of the AGENCY: National Telecommunications operation of a nationwide, interoperable
committee’s charter or its termination and Information Administration, U.S. public safety broadband network, based
by proper authority. Department of Commerce. on a single, national network

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17370 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 76 / Thursday, April 19, 2018 / Notices

architecture.1 FirstNet is responsible for • Edward Horowitz, Venture capital/ V. Selection Process
ensuring nationwide standards for use technology executive (Term Expires: At the direction of the Secretary of
and access of the network; issuing open, August 2018) Commerce, NTIA, in consultation with
transparent, and competitive requests • Kevin McGinnis, Chief/CEO, North FirstNet, will conduct outreach to the
for proposals (RFPs) to build, operate, East Mobile Health Services (Term public safety community, state and local
and maintain the network; encouraging Expires: August 2018) organizations, and industry to solicit
these RFPs to leverage, to the maximum • Robert Tipton Osterthaler (Term nominations for candidates to the Board
extent economically desirable, existing Expires: January 2021) who satisfy the statutory requirements
commercial wireless infrastructure to • Annise D. Parker, Former Mayor, for membership. In addition, by this
speed deployment of the network; and Houston, Texas (Term Expires: August Notice, the Secretary of Commerce,
managing and overseeing contracts with 2018) through NTIA, will accept expressions
non-federal entities to build, operate, • Richard Ross, Jr., Police of interest until May 21, 2018 from any
and maintain the network.2 FirstNet Commissioner, City of Philadelphia individual, or any organization that
holds the single public safety license (Term Expires: January 2021) wishes to propose a candidate, who
granted for wireless public safety satisfies the statutory requirements for
• Richard W. Stanek, Sheriff,
broadband deployment. The FirstNet membership on the FirstNet Board.9
Hennepin County, Minnesota (Term
Board is responsible for providing All parties wishing to be considered
expires: January 2021)
overall policy direction and oversight of should submit their full name, address,
FirstNet to ensure the success of the • Teri Takai, Government information
telephone number, email address, a
nationwide network. technology expert; former CIO, states of
current resume, and a statement of
Michigan and California (Term expires:
II. Structure qualifications that references how the
August 2019)
candidate satisfies the Act’s expertise,
The FirstNet Board is composed of 15 • David Zolet, CEO, LMI (Term representational, and geographic
voting members. The Act names the expires: January 2021) requirements for FirstNet Board
Secretary of the Department of • Vacant (Term expires: August 2019) membership, as described in this
Homeland Security, the Attorney More information about the FirstNet Notice, along with a statement
General of the United States, and the Board is available at www.firstnet.gov/ describing why they want to serve on
Director of the Office of Management about/Board. Board members are the FirstNet Board and affirming their
and Budget as permanent members of appointed for a term of three years, and ability and availability to take a regular
the FirstNet Board. The Secretary of Board members may not serve more and active role in the Board’s work. The
Commerce appoints the twelve than two consecutive full three-year Secretary of Commerce will select
nonpermanent members of the FirstNet terms.6 FirstNet Board candidates based on the
Board.3 The Act requires each Board eligibility requirements in the Act and
member to have experience or expertise III. Compensation and Status as
Government Employees recommendations submitted by NTIA,
in at least one of the following in consultation with the FirstNet
substantive areas: Public safety, FirstNet Board members are Board’s Governance and Personnel
network, technical, and/or financial.4 appointed as special government Committee. NTIA will recommend
Additionally, the composition of the employees. FirstNet Board members are candidates based on an assessment of
FirstNet Board must satisfy the other compensated at the daily rate of basic their qualifications as well as their
requirements specified in the Act, pay for level IV of the Executive demonstrated ability to work in a
including that: (i) At least three Board Schedule (approximately $161,900 per collaborative way to achieve the goals
members have served as public safety year).7 Each Board member must be a and objectives of FirstNet as set forth in
professionals; (ii) at least three members United States citizen, cannot be a the Act. Board candidates will be vetted
represent the collective interests of registered lobbyist, and cannot be a through the Department of Commerce
states, localities, tribes, and territories; registered agent of, employed by, or and are subject to an appropriate
and (iii) its members reflect geographic receive payments from a foreign background check for security
and regional, as well as rural and urban, government.8 clearance.
representation.5 An individual Board Dated: April 16, 2018.
member may satisfy more than one of IV. Financial Disclosure and Conflicts
of Interest Kathy D. Smith,
these requirements. The current
Chief Counsel, National Telecommunications
nonpermanent FirstNet Board members FirstNet Board members must comply and Information Administration.
are (noting length of term): with certain federal conflict of interest
• Susan Swenson (Chairwoman), statutes and ethics regulations,
[FR Doc. 2018–08224 Filed 4–18–18; 8:45 am]
Telecommunications/technology BILLING CODE 3510–10–P
including some financial disclosure
executive (Term expires: August 2019) requirements. A FirstNet Board member
• Jeffrey Johnson (Vice Chairman), will generally be prohibited from
Fire Chief, retired; CEO Western Fire participating on any particular matter COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING
Chiefs Association; Former Chair, State that will have a direct and predictable COMMISSION
Interoperability Council, State of Oregon effect on his or her personal financial
(Term expires: August 2019) Sunshine Act Meetings
interests or on the interests of the
• Neil E. Cox, Telecommunications/ appointee’s spouse, minor children, or FEDERAL REGISTER CITATION OF PREVIOUS
technology executive (Term Expires:
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES

non-federal employer. ANNOUNCEMENT: 83 FR 16060, April 13,
August 2018) 2018.
6 47 U.S.C. 1424(c)(2)(A)(ii).
1 47 U.S.C. 1422(b). 7 47 U.S.C. 1424(g). 9 Incumbent Board members whose terms expire
2 47 U.S.C. 1426(b)(1). 8 See, Revised Guidance on Appointment of in August 2018, who are eligible for reappointment,
3 47 U.S.C. 1424(b).
Lobbyists to Federal Advisory Committees, Boards, and who wish to be considered for reappointment,
4 47 U.S.C. 1424(b)(2)(B).
and Commissions, Office of Management and do not need to submit an expression of interest in
5 47 U.S.C. 1424(b)(2)(A). Budget, 79 FR 47482 (Aug. 13, 2014). response to this Notice.

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Document Created: 2018-04-19 00:40:57
Document Modified: 2018-04-19 00:40:57

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice.
Dates		Expressions of interest must be postmarked or electronically transmitted on or before May 21, 2018.
Contact		Marsha MacBride, Associate Administrator, Office of Public Safety Communications, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Room 4078, Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482-5802; email: [email protected] Please direct media inquiries to NTIA's Office of Public Affairs, (202) 482-7002.
FR Citation		83 FR 17369

83 FR 17369 - Recruitment of First Responder Network Authority Board Members

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCENational Telecommunications and Information Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 76 (April 19, 2018)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Telecommunications and Information Administration