83 FR 26073 - Private Sector Clearance Program Request Form

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 108 (June 5, 2018)

Page Range		26073-26074
FR Document		2018-11966

DHS NPPD will submit the following information collection request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. NPPD previously published this ICR in the Federal Register on Thursday, February 1, 2018 for a 60-day public comment period. One comment was received by NPPD. The purpose of this notice is to allow an additional 30 days for public comments.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 108 (Tuesday, June 5, 2018)

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 108 (Tuesday, June 5, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26073-26074]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-11966]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY


Private Sector Clearance Program Request Form

AGENCY: National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD), Department 
of Homeland Security (DHS).

ACTION: 30-Day notice and request for comments; revised information 
collection request: 1670-0013.

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SUMMARY: DHS NPPD will submit the following information collection 
request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review 
and clearance in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. 
NPPD previously published this ICR in the Federal Register on Thursday, 
February 1, 2018 for a 60-day public comment period. One comment was 
received by NPPD. The purpose of this notice is to allow an additional 
30 days for public comments.

DATES: Comments are encouraged and will be accepted until July 5, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments on 
the proposed information collection to the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs, OMB. Comments should be addressed to OMB Desk 
Officer, Department of Homeland Security and sent via electronic mail 
to [email protected]. All submissions must include the words 
``Department of Homeland Security'' and the OMB Control Number 1670-
0013.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice may be made available 
to the public through relevant websites. For this reason, please do not 
include in your comments information of a confidential nature, such as 
sensitive personal information or proprietary information. Please note 
that responses to this public comment request containing any routine 
notice about the confidentiality of the communication will be treated 
as public comments that may be made available to the public 
notwithstanding the inclusion of the routine notice.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For specific questions related to 
collection activities, please contact Quintin Whitaker at 703-235-9485 
or at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Partnerships between the U.S. Government and 
the private sector at times necessitate the sharing of classified 
information. The Private Sector Clearance Program (PSCP) facilitates 
this sharing by sponsoring security clearances for ``appropriate 
representatives of sector coordinating counsels, sector information 
sharing and analysis organizations [(ISAOs),] owners and operators of 
critical infrastructure, and any other person that the Secretary 
determines appropriate.'' 6 U.S.C. 150. In order to begin this process 
of approving an applicant to participate in the clearance program, the 
applicant's employment information and Personally Identifiable 
Information (PII) is collected. Their association/SCC membership or 
employment information is reviewed for approval, and their PII is input 
into e-QIP, the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) secure portal 
for investigation processing.
    The U.S. Government is authorized to ask for this information under 
Sections 201 and 229 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (Pub. L. 107-
296, 6 U.S.C. 121, 150), and Executive Orders 12968, 13526, 13549, 
13636, and 13691 which authorize the collection of this information.
    The PSCP is designed to process security clearances for private 
sector personnel who have been sponsored for access to classified 
information by a Federal Agency. In 2010, through Executive Order 
13549, the President established the Classified National Security 
Information Program (otherwise known as the Private Sector Clearance 
Program) to ``safeguard and govern access to classified national 
security information shared by the Federal Government with State, 
local, tribal, and private sector (SLTPS) entities. 75 FR 51609, 1.1 
(2010). In 2013, in a subsequent Executive Order 16363, the President 
directed the Secretary of Homeland Security, as Executive Agent for 
PSCP, to ``expedite the processing of security clearances to 
appropriate personnel employed by critical infrastructure owners and 
operators, prioritizing the critical infrastructure identified in 
section 9 of this order.'' 78 FR 11739, 11740 4(d) (2013). Section 9 of 
Executive Order 13636 refers to ``critical infrastructure where a 
cybersecurity incident could reasonably result in catastrophic regional 
or national effects on public health or safety, economic security, or 
national security.'' Id. at Section 9. In 2014 and 2015, Congress 
codified PSCP in section 229 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, 
authorizing the Secretary of Homeland Security to ``make available the 
process of application for security clearances under Executive Order 
13549 . . . or any successor Executive Order to appropriate 
representatives of sector coordinating councils, sector information 
sharing and analysis organizations . . . , owners and operators of 
critical infrastructure, and any other persons that the Secretary 
determines appropriate.'' 6 U.S.C. 150. Also in 2015, through Executive 
Order 13691, the President designated the National Cybersecurity and 
Communications Integration Center (NCCIC) as a critical infrastructure 
protection program and required the Department to manage the sharing of 
classified cybersecurity information under this designation. E.O. 
13691, 80 FR 9349 4(a) (2015); see 6 U.S.C. 132. These partners are 
subject matter experts within specific industries and have specialized 
knowledge not available within DHS. Private citizens do not receive 
monetary compensation for their time. DHS has created this program to 
facilitate clearances for these individuals who are not employed by an 
agency of the Federal government or otherwise have a contract, license 
or grant with an agency of the Federal government pursuant to E.O. 
12829 (the traditional means of obtaining a clearance) and must have 
clearances.

[[Page 26074]]

    Program changes require a revision of the existing collection. 
These changes include: Updating the title of the collection and updates 
to the form itself and reflects the potential for increased sponsorship 
and associated justifications articulated in section 229 of the 
Homeland Security Act of 2002 and Presidential direction through the 
2013 and 2015 Executive Orders.
    The form will accommodate an increase in potential sponsorships and 
be used by additional programs in the same manner to sponsor private 
sector entities and individuals for security clearances. The additional 
sponsorships and programs will increase the burden totals by 360 
responses, 60 burden hours, and $6,155 annual burden cost. For current 
programs using the form, the burden estimates have decreased by 200 
responses, 33 burden hours and $706 annual burden cost based on actual 
responses received. As a result, the total burden estimates will 
increase overall by 160 responses, 27 burden hours, $5,448 annual 
burden costs.
    The changes to the form itself include: Updating the title; adding 
a program type field, adding justification guidance to the back of the 
form, and updating the wording of the field titles and instructions to 
improve clarity. A redlined mockup of the form changes will be included 
as a supplement to this supporting statement. The changes to the form 
itself will not change the burden estimates as the only field being 
added is an open text field to distinguish the justification for the 
nomination.
    The annual government cost for the collection has increased by 
$91,998, from $150,852 to $242,850, due to updated wage rates.
    This ICR was previously published at 83 FR 4670 for 60-day comment, 
and NPPD is soliciting public comment for another 30 days. OMB is 
particularly interested in comments that:
    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 
submissions of responses.
    Title of Collection: Private Sector Clearance Program Request Form.
    OMB Control Number: 1670-0013.
    Frequency: Annually.
    Affected Public: Private and Public Sector.
    Number of Respondents: 660 respondents.
    Estimated Time per Respondent: 10 minutes.
    Total Burden Hours: 110 annual burden hours.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $0.
    Total Recordkeeping Burden: $0.

David Epperson,
Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2018-11966 Filed 6-4-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-9P-P

Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 108 / Tuesday, June 5, 2018 / Notices 26073

Current Actions: CBP proposes to ADDRESSES: Interested persons are personnel who have been sponsored for
extend the expiration date of this invited to submit written comments on access to classified information by a
information collection with no change the proposed information collection to Federal Agency. In 2010, through
to the burden hours. There is no change the Office of Information and Regulatory Executive Order 13549, the President
to the information collected. Affairs, OMB. Comments should be established the Classified National
Type of Review: Extension (without addressed to OMB Desk Officer, Security Information Program
change). Department of Homeland Security and (otherwise known as the Private Sector
Affected Public: Businesses. sent via electronic mail to dhsdesk Clearance Program) to ‘‘safeguard and
Abstract: CBP Form 1303, Ship’s officer@omb.eop.gov. All submissions govern access to classified national
Stores Declaration, is used by the must include the words ‘‘Department of security information shared by the
carriers to declare articles to be retained Homeland Security’’ and the OMB Federal Government with State, local,
on board the vessel, such as sea stores, Control Number 1670–0013. tribal, and private sector (SLTPS)
ship’s stores (e.g. alcohol and tobacco Comments submitted in response to entities. 75 FR 51609, 1.1 (2010). In
products), controlled narcotic drugs or this notice may be made available to the 2013, in a subsequent Executive Order
bunker fuel in a format that can be public through relevant websites. For 16363, the President directed the
readily audited and checked by CBP. this reason, please do not include in Secretary of Homeland Security, as
This form collects information about the your comments information of a Executive Agent for PSCP, to ‘‘expedite
ship, the ports of arrival and departure, confidential nature, such as sensitive the processing of security clearances to
and the articles on the ship. CBP Form personal information or proprietary appropriate personnel employed by
1303 form is provided for by 19 CFR 4.7, information. Please note that responses critical infrastructure owners and
4.7a, 4.81, 4.85 and 4.87 and is to this public comment request operators, prioritizing the critical
accessible at: https://www.cbp.gov/ containing any routine notice about the infrastructure identified in section 9 of
newsroom/publications/ confidentiality of the communication this order.’’ 78 FR 11739, 11740 4(d)
forms?title=1303&=Apply. will be treated as public comments that (2013). Section 9 of Executive Order
Estimated Number of Respondents: may be made available to the public 13636 refers to ‘‘critical infrastructure
8,000. notwithstanding the inclusion of the where a cybersecurity incident could
Estimated Number of Responses per routine notice. reasonably result in catastrophic
Respondent: 13.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For regional or national effects on public
Estimated Number of Total Annual
specific questions related to collection health or safety, economic security, or
Responses: 104,000.
Estimated Total Annual Burden activities, please contact Quintin national security.’’ Id. at Section 9. In
Hours: 26,000. Whitaker at 703–235–9485 or at PSCP@ 2014 and 2015, Congress codified PSCP
HQ.DHS.GOV. in section 229 of the Homeland Security
Dated: May 30, 2018. Act of 2002, authorizing the Secretary of
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Seth D. Renkema, Partnerships between the U.S. Homeland Security to ‘‘make available
Branch Chief, Economic Impact Analysis Government and the private sector at the process of application for security
Branch, U.S. Customs and Border Protection. times necessitate the sharing of clearances under Executive Order 13549
[FR Doc. 2018–11970 Filed 6–4–18; 8:45 am] classified information. The Private . . . or any successor Executive Order to
BILLING CODE 9111–14–P Sector Clearance Program (PSCP) appropriate representatives of sector
facilitates this sharing by sponsoring coordinating councils, sector
security clearances for ‘‘appropriate information sharing and analysis
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND representatives of sector coordinating organizations . . . , owners and
SECURITY counsels, sector information sharing and operators of critical infrastructure, and
analysis organizations [(ISAOs),] owners any other persons that the Secretary
Private Sector Clearance Program
and operators of critical infrastructure, determines appropriate.’’ 6 U.S.C. 150.
Request Form
and any other person that the Secretary Also in 2015, through Executive Order
AGENCY: National Protection and determines appropriate.’’ 6 U.S.C. 150. 13691, the President designated the
Programs Directorate (NPPD), In order to begin this process of National Cybersecurity and
Department of Homeland Security approving an applicant to participate in Communications Integration Center
(DHS). the clearance program, the applicant’s (NCCIC) as a critical infrastructure
ACTION: 30-Day notice and request for employment information and Personally protection program and required the
comments; revised information Identifiable Information (PII) is Department to manage the sharing of
collection request: 1670–0013. collected. Their association/SCC classified cybersecurity information
membership or employment under this designation. E.O. 13691, 80
SUMMARY: DHS NPPD will submit the information is reviewed for approval, FR 9349 4(a) (2015); see 6 U.S.C. 132.
following information collection request and their PII is input into e-QIP, the These partners are subject matter
(ICR) to the Office of Management and Office of Personnel Management’s experts within specific industries and
Budget (OMB) for review and clearance (OPM) secure portal for investigation have specialized knowledge not
in accordance with the Paperwork processing. available within DHS. Private citizens
Reduction Act of 1995. NPPD The U.S. Government is authorized to do not receive monetary compensation
previously published this ICR in the ask for this information under Sections for their time. DHS has created this
Federal Register on Thursday, February 201 and 229 of the Homeland Security program to facilitate clearances for these
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1

1, 2018 for a 60-day public comment Act of 2002 (Pub. L. 107–296, 6 U.S.C. individuals who are not employed by an
period. One comment was received by 121, 150), and Executive Orders 12968, agency of the Federal government or
NPPD. The purpose of this notice is to 13526, 13549, 13636, and 13691 which otherwise have a contract, license or
allow an additional 30 days for public authorize the collection of this grant with an agency of the Federal
comments. information. government pursuant to E.O. 12829 (the
DATES: Comments are encouraged and The PSCP is designed to process traditional means of obtaining a
will be accepted until July 5, 2018. security clearances for private sector clearance) and must have clearances.

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Document Created: 2018-11-02 11:45:55
Document Modified: 2018-11-02 11:45:55

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		30-Day notice and request for comments; revised information collection request: 1670-0013.
Dates		Comments are encouraged and will be accepted until July 5, 2018.
Contact		For specific questions related to collection activities, please contact Quintin Whitaker at 703-235-9485 or at [email protected]
FR Citation		83 FR 26073