SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

This meeting is being held under the provisions of chapter 10 of title 5 United States Code (U.S.C.) (commonly known as the “Federal Advisory Committee Act” or “FACA”), 5 U.S.C. 552b(c); and 41, Code of Federal Regulations CFR 102-3.140 and 102-3.150.

Purpose of the Meetings: The STIB's mission is to provide independent advice and recommendations on matters supporting DoW's scientific, technological, and innovative enterprises. The objective of the meeting is to obtain, review, and evaluate classified information related to the STIB's mission. The STIB will meet with DoW Leadership to receive classified remarks regarding current and future objectives of the DoW and will meet for plenary sessions where the STIB members will have classified discussions regarding a potential Digital Solutions study and a potential Difficult Target Defeat study that may be tasked ( printed page 66694) to the STIB, as well as having a classified discussion regarding other potential topics of study based on the remarks made by leadership during the meeting.

Agenda: The meeting will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 4th. Ms. Elizabeth Kowalski, Designated Federal Officer and Dr. Mitch Nikolich, Chair of the STIB, will provide opening remarks and a classified overview of potential topics that are likely to be tasked to the STIB for study. At 9:30 a.m., the Honorable Steve Feinberg, Deputy Secretary of War, will meet with the STIB to provide classified remarks regarding current and future objectives of the Department. Next, from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., the Honorable Michael Duffy will meet with the STIB to provide classified remarks regarding modernization efforts for acquisition and sustainment. The Board will have a break from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. From 1:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., the Honorable Elbridge Colby will meet with the STIB to provide classified remarks regarding National Defense strategy and strategic prioritization. From 1:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., Mr. David Lorch will meet with the STIB to provide classified remarks regarding integrating and transitioning advanced technologies. This will be followed by a 15-minute break. From 2:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m., the Board will meet in plenary session to hold a classified discussion regarding study topics currently under consideration by leadership to task the board and to discuss potential studies based on the remarks made by leadership during the meeting. At 4:15 p.m., Dr. Mitch Nikolich will provide closing remarks. The meeting will adjourn at 4:30 p.m.

Meeting Accessibility: In accordance with section 5 U.S.C. 1009(d) and 41 CFR 102-3.155, the DoW has determined that this STIB meeting will be closed to the public. Specifically, the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering, in consultation with the DoW Office of General Counsel, has determined in writing that the meeting will be closed to the public because it will consider matters covered by 5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(1). The determination is based on the consideration it is expected that discussions throughout will involve classified matters of national security concern. Such classified material is so intertwined with the unclassified material that it cannot reasonably be segregated into separate discussions without defeating the effectiveness and meaning of the overall meetings. To permit the meeting to be open to the public would preclude discussion of such matters and would greatly diminish the ultimate utility of the STIB's findings and recommendations to the Secretary of War and to the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering.

Written Statements: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 1009(a)(3) and 41 CFR 102-3.140, interested persons may submit a written statement for consideration by the STIB at any time. Individuals submitting a written statement should submit their statement to the STIB DFO at the email address provided above in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section. If a written statement for consideration at a meeting is not received at least three calendar days prior to the meeting, which is the subject of this notice, then it may not be provided to, or considered by, the STIB until a later date. Please note that all submitted comments and statements will be treated as public documents and will be made available for public inspection.

91 FR 66693