83 FR 28439 - Office for Interoperability and Compatibility Seeks Nominations for the Project 25 Compliance Assessment Program (P25 CAP) Advisory Panel

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 118 (June 19, 2018)

Page Range		28439-28440
FR Document		2018-13095

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is seeking nominations and expressions of interest for filling two open positions on the Project 25 (P25) Compliance Assessment Program (CAP) Advisory Panel (AP). The P25 CAP AP holds quarterly meetings with the public on topics related to P25 CAP. The next meeting is scheduled for August 2018 timeframe.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 118 (Tuesday, June 19, 2018)

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 118 (Tuesday, June 19, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28439-28440]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-13095]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

[Docket No. DHS-2018-0031]


Office for Interoperability and Compatibility Seeks Nominations 
for the Project 25 Compliance Assessment Program (P25 CAP) Advisory 
Panel

AGENCY: Science and Technology Directorate, DHS.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is seeking 
nominations and expressions of interest for filling two open positions 
on the Project 25 (P25) Compliance Assessment Program (CAP) Advisory 
Panel (AP). The P25 CAP AP holds quarterly meetings with the public on 
topics related to P25 CAP. The next meeting is scheduled for August 
2018 timeframe.

DATES: All responses must be received by July 19, 2018 at the address 
listed below.

ADDRESSES: Expressions of interest and nominations shall be submitted 
to [email protected].
    Instructions: All submissions received must include the words 
``Department of Homeland Security'' and DHS-2018-0031.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sridhar Kowdley, Program Manager, 
Office for Interoperability and Compatibility, Science and Technology 
Directorate, Department of Homeland Security, 202-254-8804, 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    P25 is a standards development process for the design, manufacture, 
and evaluation of interoperable digital two-way land mobile radio 
communications products created by and for public safety professionals. 
The goal of P25 is to specify formal standards for interfaces and 
features between the various components of a land mobile radio system 
commonly used by public safety agencies in portable handheld and mobile 
vehicle-mounted devices. The P25 standard enables interoperability 
among different suppliers' products.
    P25 CAP was developed by DHS to test equipment designed to comply 
with P25 standards. P25 CAP ensures that communications equipment that 
is declared by the supplier to be P25-compliant, in fact, is tested 
against the standards with publicly published results. The program 
provides public safety agencies with evidence that the communications 
equipment they are purchasing is tested against and complies with the 
P25 standards for performance, conformance, and interoperability. The 
P25 CAP AP provides a resource by which DHS gains insight into the 
collective interest of organizations that procure P25-compliant 
equipment and a resource for DHS to continue to establish the policies 
of the P25 CAP, along with assisting the DHS Office for 
Interoperability and Compatibility (OIC) in the administration of the 
program.
    P25 CAP is a voluntary program that provides a mechanism for the 
recognition of testing laboratories based on internationally accepted 
standards. It identifies competent P25 CAP testing laboratories for 
DHS-recognition through a robust assessment process and promotes the 
acceptance of compliant test results from these laboratories.
    As a voluntary program, P25 CAP allows suppliers to publicly attest 
to their products' compliance with a selected group of requirements 
through Summary Test Report (STR) and Supplier's Declaration of 
Compliance (SDOC) documents based on the Detailed Test Report (DTR) 
from the DHS-recognized laboratory (ies) that performed the product 
testing. In turn, DHS makes these documents available to the first 
response community to inform their purchasing decisions via the 
dhs.gov/science-and-technology/p25-cap website.

Membership

    The Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) of DHS formed the P25 
CAP AP to provide S&T with the views of active local, state, tribal, 
territorial and Federal government officials who use or whose offices 
use portable handheld and mobile vehicle-mounted radios. Those 
government officials selected to participate in the P25 CAP AP are 
selected based on their experience with the management and procurement 
of land mobile radio systems or knowledge of conformity assessment 
programs and methods. The OIC selection process balances viewpoints 
required to effectively address P25 CAP issues under consideration. To 
fill two open positions on the P25 CAP AP, OIC is particularly 
interested in receiving nominations and expressions of interest from 
individuals in the following categories:
     State, tribal, territorial, or local government agencies 
and organizations with expertise in communications issues and 
technologies.
     Federal government agencies with expertise in 
communications or homeland security matters.
    While OIC can call for a meeting of the P25 CAP AP as it deems 
necessary and appropriate, for member commitment and planning purposes, 
it is anticipated that the P25 CAP AP will meet approximately 3-4 times 
annually in their role of providing guidance and support to the P25 
CAP.
    Those selected to serve on the P25 CAP AP will be required to sign 
a gratuitous services agreement and will not be paid or reimbursed for 
their participation; however, DHS S&T will, subject to the availability 
of funds, reimburse the travel expenses associated with the 
participation of non-Federal members in accordance with Federal Travel 
Regulations. OIC reserves the right to select primary and alternate 
members to the P25 CAP AP for terms appropriate for the accomplishment 
of the Board's mission. Members serve at the pleasure of the OIC 
Director.
    Registered lobbyists pursuant to the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 
1995 are not eligible for membership on the P25 CAP AP and will not be 
considered.

Roles and Responsibilities

    The duties of the P25 CAP AP will include providing recommendations 
of its individual members to OIC regarding actions and steps OIC could 
take to promote the P25 CAP. The duties of the P25 CAP AP may include 
but are not limited to its members reviewing, commenting on, and 
advising on:
    a. The laboratory component of the P25 CAP under established, 
documented laboratory recognition guidelines.
    b. Proposed Compliance Assessment Bulletins (CABs).
    c. Proposed updates to previously approved CABs, as Notices of 
Proposed CABs, to enable comment and input on the proposed CAB 
modifications.
    d. OIC updates to existing test documents or establishing new test 
documents for new types of P25 equipment.
    e. Best practices associated with improvement of the policies and 
procedures by which the P25 CAP operates.

[[Page 28440]]

    f. Existing test documents including but not limited to SDOCs and 
STRs posted on the dhs.gov/science-and-technology/p25-cap website.
    g. Proposed P25 user input for improving functionality through the 
standards-making process.

Nominations/Expressions of Interest Procedures and Deadline

    Nominations and expressions of interest shall be received by OIC no 
later than July 19, 2018 at the address [email protected]. Nominations 
and expressions of interest received after this date shall not be 
considered. All submissions received must include the words 
``Department of Homeland Security'' and DHS-2018-0031. Each nomination 
and expression of interest must provide the following information as 
part of the submission:
     A cover letter that highlights a history of proven 
leadership within the public safety community including, if applicable, 
a description of prior experience with law enforcement, fire response, 
emergency medical services, emergency communications, National Guard, 
or other first responder roles and how the use of communications in 
those roles qualifies the nominee to participate on the P25 CAP AP.
     Name, title, and organization of the nominee.
     A resume summarizing the nominee's contact information 
(including the mailing address, phone number, facsimile number, and 
email address), qualifications, and expertise to explain why the 
nominee should be appointed to the P25 CAP AP.
     The resume must demonstrate a minimum of ten years (10) 
years of experience directly using P25 systems in an operational 
environment in support of established public safety communications or 
from a system implementer/administrator perspective; a bachelor's or 
associate degree with an emphasis in communications and engineering may 
be substituted for three (3) years, a master's/professional 
certification for seven (7) years, and a Ph.D. for ten (10) years of 
the requirement.
     The resume must discuss the nominee's familiarity with the 
current P25 CAP, including documents that are integral to the process 
such as the SDOCs, STRs, and CABs referenced in this notice.
     A letter from the nominee's supervisor indicating the 
nominee's agency's support for the nominee to participate on the P25 
CAP AP as a representative from their respective agency.
     Disclosure of Federal boards, commissions, committees, 
task forces, or work groups on which the nominee currently serves or 
has served within the past 12 months.
     A statement confirming that the nominee is not registered 
as a lobbyist pursuant to the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995.
    Additional information can be found as follows: Project 25 
Compliance Assessment Program and Compliance Assessment Bulletins 
https://www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology/bulletins.

William N. Bryan,
Senior Official Performing the Duties of Under Secretary for Science 
and Technology, Department of Homeland Security.
[FR Doc. 2018-13095 Filed 6-18-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-9F-P

Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 118 / Tuesday, June 19, 2018 / Notices 28439

and Households; 97.050 Presidentially The P25 standard enables consideration. To fill two open
Declared Disaster Assistance to Individuals interoperability among different positions on the P25 CAP AP, OIC is
and Households—Other Needs; 97.036, suppliers’ products. particularly interested in receiving
Disaster Grants—Public Assistance P25 CAP was developed by DHS to nominations and expressions of interest
(Presidentially Declared Disasters); 97.039, test equipment designed to comply with
Hazard Mitigation Grant.
from individuals in the following
P25 standards. P25 CAP ensures that categories:
Brock Long, communications equipment that is • State, tribal, territorial, or local
Administrator, Federal Emergency declared by the supplier to be P25- government agencies and organizations
Management Agency. compliant, in fact, is tested against the with expertise in communications
[FR Doc. 2018–13093 Filed 6–18–18; 8:45 am] standards with publicly published issues and technologies.
BILLING CODE 9111–23–P results. The program provides public • Federal government agencies with
safety agencies with evidence that the expertise in communications or
communications equipment they are homeland security matters.
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND purchasing is tested against and While OIC can call for a meeting of
SECURITY complies with the P25 standards for the P25 CAP AP as it deems necessary
performance, conformance, and and appropriate, for member
[Docket No. DHS–2018–0031] interoperability. The P25 CAP AP commitment and planning purposes, it
Office for Interoperability and provides a resource by which DHS gains is anticipated that the P25 CAP AP will
Compatibility Seeks Nominations for insight into the collective interest of meet approximately 3–4 times annually
the Project 25 Compliance Assessment organizations that procure P25- in their role of providing guidance and
Program (P25 CAP) Advisory Panel compliant equipment and a resource for support to the P25 CAP.
DHS to continue to establish the Those selected to serve on the P25
AGENCY: Science and Technology policies of the P25 CAP, along with CAP AP will be required to sign a
Directorate, DHS. assisting the DHS Office for gratuitous services agreement and will
ACTION: Notice. Interoperability and Compatibility (OIC) not be paid or reimbursed for their
in the administration of the program. participation; however, DHS S&T will,
SUMMARY: The Department of Homeland P25 CAP is a voluntary program that
Security (DHS) is seeking nominations subject to the availability of funds,
provides a mechanism for the
and expressions of interest for filling reimburse the travel expenses associated
recognition of testing laboratories based
two open positions on the Project 25 with the participation of non-Federal
on internationally accepted standards. It
(P25) Compliance Assessment Program identifies competent P25 CAP testing members in accordance with Federal
(CAP) Advisory Panel (AP). The P25 laboratories for DHS-recognition Travel Regulations. OIC reserves the
CAP AP holds quarterly meetings with through a robust assessment process and right to select primary and alternate
the public on topics related to P25 CAP. promotes the acceptance of compliant members to the P25 CAP AP for terms
The next meeting is scheduled for test results from these laboratories. appropriate for the accomplishment of
August 2018 timeframe. As a voluntary program, P25 CAP the Board’s mission. Members serve at
allows suppliers to publicly attest to the pleasure of the OIC Director.
DATES: All responses must be received
their products’ compliance with a Registered lobbyists pursuant to the
by July 19, 2018 at the address listed
selected group of requirements through Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 are not
below.
Summary Test Report (STR) and eligible for membership on the P25 CAP
ADDRESSES: Expressions of interest and AP and will not be considered.
Supplier’s Declaration of Compliance
nominations shall be submitted to (SDOC) documents based on the
P25CAP@hq.dhs.gov. Roles and Responsibilities
Detailed Test Report (DTR) from the
Instructions: All submissions received The duties of the P25 CAP AP will
DHS-recognized laboratory (ies) that
must include the words ‘‘Department of include providing recommendations of
performed the product testing. In turn,
Homeland Security’’ and DHS–2018– its individual members to OIC regarding
DHS makes these documents available
0031. actions and steps OIC could take to
to the first response community to
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: inform their purchasing decisions via promote the P25 CAP. The duties of the
Sridhar Kowdley, Program Manager, the dhs.gov/science-and-technology/ P25 CAP AP may include but are not
Office for Interoperability and p25-cap website. limited to its members reviewing,
Compatibility, Science and Technology commenting on, and advising on:
Directorate, Department of Homeland Membership a. The laboratory component of the
Security, 202–254–8804, The Science and Technology P25 CAP under established,
Sridhar.Kowdley@hq.dhs.gov. Directorate (S&T) of DHS formed the documented laboratory recognition
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: P25 CAP AP to provide S&T with the guidelines.
views of active local, state, tribal, b. Proposed Compliance Assessment
Background territorial and Federal government Bulletins (CABs).
P25 is a standards development officials who use or whose offices use c. Proposed updates to previously
process for the design, manufacture, and portable handheld and mobile vehicle- approved CABs, as Notices of Proposed
evaluation of interoperable digital two- mounted radios. Those government CABs, to enable comment and input on
way land mobile radio communications officials selected to participate in the the proposed CAB modifications.
products created by and for public P25 CAP AP are selected based on their d. OIC updates to existing test
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES

safety professionals. The goal of P25 is experience with the management and documents or establishing new test
to specify formal standards for procurement of land mobile radio documents for new types of P25
interfaces and features between the systems or knowledge of conformity equipment.
various components of a land mobile assessment programs and methods. The e. Best practices associated with
radio system commonly used by public OIC selection process balances improvement of the policies and
safety agencies in portable handheld viewpoints required to effectively procedures by which the P25 CAP
and mobile vehicle-mounted devices. address P25 CAP issues under operates.

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28440 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 118 / Tuesday, June 19, 2018 / Notices

f. Existing test documents including • Disclosure of Federal boards, • Mail: Written comments and
but not limited to SDOCs and STRs commissions, committees, task forces, questions about this Information
posted on the dhs.gov/science-and- or work groups on which the nominee Collection Request should be forwarded
technology/p25-cap website. currently serves or has served within to DHS/NPPD/IP, ATTN: 1670—NEW,
g. Proposed P25 user input for the past 12 months. 245 Murray Lane SW, Mail Stop 0608,
improving functionality through the • A statement confirming that the Bill Schweigart, Arlington, VA 20528.
standards-making process. nominee is not registered as a lobbyist Instructions: All submissions received
pursuant to the Lobbying Disclosure Act must include the words ‘‘Department of
Nominations/Expressions of Interest Homeland Security’’ and the docket
of 1995.
Procedures and Deadline number for this action. Comments
Additional information can be found
Nominations and expressions of as follows: Project 25 Compliance received will be posted without
interest shall be received by OIC no later Assessment Program and Compliance alteration at http://www.regulations.gov,
than July 19, 2018 at the address Assessment Bulletins https:// including any personal information
P25CAP@hq.dhs.gov. Nominations and www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology/ provided.
expressions of interest received after bulletins. Comments submitted in response to
this date shall not be considered. All this notice may be made available to the
William N. Bryan,
submissions received must include the public through relevant websites. For
words ‘‘Department of Homeland Senior Official Performing the Duties of Under this reason, please do not include in
Secretary for Science and Technology,
Security’’ and DHS–2018–0031. Each your comments information of a
Department of Homeland Security.
nomination and expression of interest confidential nature, such as sensitive
[FR Doc. 2018–13095 Filed 6–18–18; 8:45 am]
must provide the following information personal information or proprietary
BILLING CODE 9110–9F–P
as part of the submission: information. If you send an email
• A cover letter that highlights a comment, your email address will be
history of proven leadership within the automatically captured and included as
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND
public safety community including, if part of the comment that is placed in the
SECURITY
applicable, a description of prior public docket and made available on the
experience with law enforcement, fire internet. Please note that responses to
[Docket No. DHS–2018–0022]
response, emergency medical services, this public comment request containing
emergency communications, National Soft Target Countermeasure Surveys any routine notice about the
Guard, or other first responder roles and confidentiality of the communication
how the use of communications in those AGENCY: Office of Infrastructure will be treated as public comments that
roles qualifies the nominee to Protection (IP), National Protection and may be made available to the public
participate on the P25 CAP AP. Programs Directorate (NPPD), notwithstanding the inclusion of the
• Name, title, and organization of the Department of Homeland Security routine notice.
nominee. (DHS). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
• A resume summarizing the ACTION: 60-Day notice and request for specific questions related to collection
nominee’s contact information comments; new collection, 1670—NEW. activities, please contact Bill Schweigart
(including the mailing address, phone at 703–603–5148 or at Bill.Schweigart@
number, facsimile number, and email SUMMARY: DHS NPPD IP will submit the HQ.DHS.GOV.
address), qualifications, and expertise to following information collection request SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title II of
explain why the nominee should be (ICR) to the Office of Management and the Homeland Security Act of 2002
appointed to the P25 CAP AP. Budget (OMB) for review and clearance (Pub. L. 107–296), as amended (2006),
• The resume must demonstrate a in accordance with the Paperwork directs the DHS to coordinate all
minimum of ten years (10) years of Reduction Act of 1995. NPPD IP is Federal homeland security activities,
experience directly using P25 systems contracting a study to analyze a broad including infrastructure protection. On
in an operational environment in set of business security measures in behalf of DHS, NPPD IP manages the
support of established public safety terms of their costs and spillover effects, Department’s program to protect and
communications or from a system with an emphasis on identifying enhance the resilience of the Nation’s
implementer/administrator perspective; security measures that had a positive physical and cyber infrastructure within
a bachelor’s or associate degree with an effect. Additionally, NPPD IP will the 16 critical infrastructure sectors
emphasis in communications and survey the businesses’ customers to designated by Presidential Policy
engineering may be substituted for three evaluate the public’s perceptions of the Directive 21 Critical Infrastructure
(3) years, a master’s/professional security measures, and evaluate the Security and Resilience (PPD–21)
certification for seven (7) years, and a enhanced security measures on business (February 2013) by implementing the
Ph.D. for ten (10) years of the operations and customers’ responses. National Infrastructure Protection Plan
requirement. DATES: Comments are encouraged and (NIPP) 2013: Partnering for Critical
• The resume must discuss the will be accepted until August 20, 2018. Infrastructure Security and Resilience.
nominee’s familiarity with the current ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, NPPD IP accomplishes their mission by
P25 CAP, including documents that are identified by docket number DHS– building sustainable partnerships with
integral to the process such as the 2018–0022, by one of the following its public and private sector
SDOCs, STRs, and CABs referenced in methods: stakeholders to enable more effective
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES

this notice. • Federal eRulemaking Portal: http:// sector coordination, information
• A letter from the nominee’s www.regulations.gov. Please follow the sharing, and program development and
supervisor indicating the nominee’s instructions for submitting comments. implementation.
agency’s support for the nominee to • Email: Bill.Schweigart@ The Homeland Security Act of 2002,
participate on the P25 CAP AP as a HQ.DHS.GOV. Please include docket as amended (2006), also grants DHS the
representative from their respective number DHS–2018–0022 in the subject authority to create university-based
agency. line of the message. Centers of Excellence (COEs) using

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Document Created: 2018-07-02 11:21:49
Document Modified: 2018-07-02 11:21:49

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.
Contact		Sridhar Kowdley, Program Manager, Office for Interoperability and Compatibility, Science and Technology Directorate, Department of Homeland Security, 202-254-8804, [email protected]
FR Citation		83 FR 28439