SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

U.S. IOOS ( ioos.noaa.gov) is an integrated network of people and technology gathering coastal data and developing tracking and predictive tools to benefit the economy, the environment, and public safety at home, across the nation, and around the globe. U.S. IOOS promotes research to develop, test, and deploy innovations and improvements in coastal and ocean observation technologies and modeling systems, addresses regional and national needs for ocean information, gathers data on key coastal, ocean, and Great Lakes variables and ensures timely and sustained dissemination and availability of these data for societal benefits. U.S. IOOS benefits national safety, the economy, and the environment through support for national defense, marine commerce and forecasting, navigation safety, weather, economic development, ecosystem-based management of marine and coastal areas, conservation of ocean and coastal resources and public safety. This notice responds to the Act (Pub. L. 111-11, section 12304), which requires the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere to solicit nominations for Committee membership. The Committee advises the NOAA Administrator and Interagency Ocean Observation Committee on matters related to the responsibilities and authorities set forth in section 12302 of the Act and other appropriate matters as the Under Secretary refers to the Committee for review and advice. The Committee has approximately fifteen voting members. For additional information about the Committee responsibilities, see ioos.noaa.gov/​community/​u-s-ioos-advisory-committee/​.

II. Eligibility and Criteria

Membership is open to individuals from academia; local, state or tribal government; industry; non-governmental not-for-profit, and other ocean-related institutions. Full-time officers or employees of the United States are not eligible. Race or sex shall not be considered in selection of Committee members. Members shall be qualified by education, training, and experience to evaluate scientific, technical, and programmatic information related to the design, operation, maintenance, or use of the U.S. IOOS, or use of data products provided through the U.S. IOOS.

III. Terms of Service

The NOAA Administrator shall appoint new Committee members for three-year terms, renewable once for an additional three-year term. The next term will begin on September 14, 2027.

IV. Expectations

The Committee will meet at least once each year in-person, with additional virtual meetings throughout the year. In a typical year, a committee member is expected to attend at least one in-person meeting (2-4 days including travel) and commit approximately 20-25 additional hours to attend virtual meetings and draft recommendation reports. Members of the Committee will not be compensated for service on the Committee, but they may be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code.

V. Application

To apply for membership, applicants must submit the following items. The entire package should not exceed eight pages.

(1) A cover letter that serves as a statement of interest to serve on the Committee and provides the requested information listed below.

(a) Applicant's area(s) of expertise, as aligned with the expertise requested in the SUMMARY section above.

(b) The geographic region(s) of the country most closely associated with the applicant's area of expertise. This does not need to be the region the applicant currently resides in.

(c) Previous/current leadership or professional experience that may contribute to the effectiveness of the Committee.

(d) Familiarity and experience with U.S. IOOS data, products, and services.

(e) Breadth and scope of knowledge of stakeholders, users, or other groups who interact with NOAA or other U.S. IOOS agencies and whose views and input applicant believes they can share with the panel.

(2) A short biography of 300 to 400 words.

(3) A current resume.

(4) The nominee's full name, title, institutional affiliation, mailing address, email, and phone.

VI. Selection

Nominations will be reviewed and evaluated based on expertise, Committee needs, and balance considerations. Final appointments are made by the NOAA Administrator. Individuals selected for membership become a Special Government ( printed page 70065) Employee (SGE) of the United States Government. An SGE is an officer or employee of an agency who is retained, designated, appointed, or employed to perform temporary duties, with or without compensation, for not to exceed 130 days during any period of 365 consecutive days, either on a full- time or intermittent basis. Applicants who are selected to serve on the Committee must complete the following actions before they can serve as a committee member:

(1) Security Clearance (on-line Background Check and fingerprinting).

(2) Confidential Financial Disclosure Report—SGEs are required to file annually a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report to avoid involvement in a real or apparent conflict of interest.

(3) Attend annual ethics briefings to comply with government ethics standards.

Authority: Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act, part of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-11), and the Coordinated Ocean Observations and Research Act of 2020 (Public Law 116-271).

91 FR 70064