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Code · REGISTER · 2007-08-16 · Defense Finance and Accounting Service, DOD · Notices

Notices. Notice to add a system of records

41,379 words·~188 min read·/register/2007/08/16/07-4010

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BILLING CODE 5001-06-M DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Office of the Secretary [DoD-2007-OS-0088] Privacy Act of 1974; Systems of Records AGENCY: Defense Finance and Accounting Service, DOD. ACTION: Notice to add a system of records. SUMMARY: The Defense Finance and Accounting Service
(DFAS)is proposing to add a system of records notice to its inventory of record systems subject to the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended. DATES: This action will be effective without further notice on September 17, 2007 unless comments are received that would result in a contrary determination. ADDRESSES: Send comments to the FOIA/PA Program Manager, Corporate Communications and Legislative Liaison, Defense Finance and Accounting Service, 6760 E. Irvington Place, Denver, CO 80279-8000. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Linda Krabbenhoft at
(303)676-6045. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Defense Finance and Accounting Service notices for systems of records subject to the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended, have been published in the **Federal Register** and are available from the address above. The proposed system report, as required by 5 U.S.C. 552a(r) of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, was submitted on August 9, 2007, to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs, and the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB)pursuant to paragraph 4c of Appendix I to OMB Circular No. A-130, “Federal Agency Responsibilities for Maintaining Records About Individuals,” dated December 12, 2000, 65 FR 239. Dated: August 10, 2007. L.M. Bynum, Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense. T7905 System Name: Labor Cost and Reporting System. System Location: Defense Information Systems Agency
(DISA)Defense Enterprise Computing Center (DECC)—St Louis, 4300 Goodfellow Boulevard, St Louis, MO 63120-0012. Categories of Individuals Covered by the System: U.S. Army Active duty and Reserve military members and DoD civilian employees. Categories of Records in the System: Individual's name, Social Security Number (SSN), rank, grade, hours, and job orders. Authority for Maintenance of the System: 5 U.S.C. 301 Departmental Regulation; Department of Defense Financial Management Regulation (DODFMR) 7000.14-R, Volume 5; 31 U.S.C. 3511, 3512, and 3513; and E.O. 9397 (SSN). Purpose(s): To compute and distribute employee labor costs and to provide labor reports to management. Routine Uses of Records Maintained in the System, Including Categories of Users and the Purposes of Such Uses: In addition to those disclosures generally permitted under 5 U.S.C. 552a(b) of the Privacy Act, these records or information contained therein may specifically be disclosed outside the DoD as a routine use pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(b)(3) as follows: The DoD ‘Blanket Routine Uses' published at the beginning of the DoD's compilation of systems of records notices apply to this system. Policies and Practices for Storing, Retrieving, Accessing, Retaining, and Disposing of Records in the System: Storage: Paper records in file folders and electronic storage media. Retrievability: Name and Social Security Number (SSN). Safeguards: Records are stored in a building protected by guards, controlled screening, use of visitor registers, electronic access, and/or locks. Access to records is limited to individuals who are properly screened and cleared on a need-to-know basis in the performance of their duties. User IDs and passwords are used to control access to the system data, and procedures are in place to deter and detect browsing and unauthorized access. Retention and Disposal: Records are temporary in nature, cut off at the end of the fiscal year and destroyed 6 years and 3 months after cutoff. Records are destroyed by degaussing, burning, or shredding. System Manager(s) and Address: Standard Operation and Maintenance Army Research and Development System Manager, Defense Finance and Accounting Service—Indianapolis, Accounting Systems Division, 8899 E. 56th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46249-2700. Notification Procedure: Individuals seeking to determine whether information about themselves is contained in this record system should address written inquiries to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service, Freedom of Information/Privacy Act Program Manager, Corporate Communications and Legislative Liaison, 6760 E. Irvington Place, Denver, CO 80279-8000. Requests should contain individual's full name, Social Security Number (SSN), current address, and telephone number. Record Access Procedures: Individuals seeking access to information about themselves contained in this system should address written inquiries to Defense Finance and Accounting Service, Freedom of Information/Privacy Act Program Manager, Corporate Communications and Legislative Liaison, 6760 E. Irvington Place, Denver, CO 80279-8000. Requests should contain individual's full name, Social Security Number (SSN), current address, and telephone number. Contesting Record Procedures: The DFAS rules for accessing records, for contesting contents and appealing initial agency determinations are published in DFAS Regulation 5400.11-R; 32 CFR part 324; or may be obtained from Defense Finance and Accounting Service, Freedom of Information/Privacy Act Program Manager, Corporate Communications and Legislative Liaison, 6760 E. Irvington Place, Denver, CO 80279-8000. Record Source Categories: From the individual concerned and the Department of the Army. Exemptions Claimed for the System: None. [FR Doc. E7-16133 Filed 8-15-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 5001-06-P DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Office of the Secretary [DoD-2007-OS-0065] Privacy Act of 1974; Systems of Records AGENCY: Defense Finance and Accounting Service, DOD. ACTION: Notice to add a system of records. SUMMARY: The Defense Finance and Accounting Service
(DFAS)is proposing to add a system of records notice to its inventory of record systems subject to the Privacy Act of 1974, (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended. DATES: This action will be effective without further notice on September 17, 2007 unless comments are received that would result in a contrary determination. ADDRESSES: Send comments to the FOIA/PA Program Manager, Corporate Communications and Legislative Liaison, Defense Finance and Accounting Service, 6760 E. Irvington Place, Denver, CO 80279-8000. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Linda Krabbenhoft at
(303)676-6045. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Defense Finance and Accounting Service notices for systems of records subject to the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended, have been published in the **Federal Register** and are available from the address above. The proposed system report, as required by 5 U.S.C. 552a(r) of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, was submitted on August 9, 2007, to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs, and the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB)pursuant to paragraph 4c of Appendix I to OMB Circular No. A-130, “Federal Agency Responsibilities for Maintaining Records About Individuals,” dated December 12, 2000, 65 FR 239. Dated: August 10, 2007. L.M. Bynum, Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense. T7906 System Name: Automated Disbursing System. System Location: Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), Defense Enterprise Computing Center
(DECC)Mechanicsburg—Bldg 308, Naval Support Activity (NSA), 5450 Carlisle Pike, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050-2411. Categories of Individuals Covered by the System: Navy civilian employees and active and reserve military members. Categories of Records in the System: Individual's name, Social Security Numbers (SSN), rank, grade, check and electronic fund transfer disbursements, collections of debts or overpayments from entitlement systems, electronic funds transfer rejected transactions, and notice of change information regarding an individual's account from financial institutions. Authority for Maintenance of the System: 5 U.S.C. 301, Departmental Regulations; Department of Defense Financial Management Regulation (DoDFMR) 7000.14-R, Volume 5, Chapter 20; 31 U.S.C. Sections 3511, 3512,and 3513; and E.O. 9397 (SSN). Purpose(s): This system will be the disbursing system of record and the single source for consolidated disbursing information for the U.S. Navy. Routine Uses of Records Maintained in the System, Including Categories of Users and the Purposes of Such Uses: In addition to those disclosures generally permitted under 5 U.S.C. 552a(b) of the Privacy Act, these records or information contained therein may specifically be disclosed outside the DoD as a routine use pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(b)(3) as follows: To the U.S. Department of the Treasury and Federal Reserve Bank for reporting the financial status of the U.S. Navy funds and providing information on check issues and electronic funds transfers. The DoD ‘Blanket Routine Uses' published at the beginning of the DFAS' compilation of systems of records notices apply to this system. Policies and Practices for Storing, Retrieving, Accessing, Retaining, and Disposing of Records in the System: Storage: Paper records in file folders and electronic storage media. Retrievability: Name and Social Security Number (SSN). Safeguards: Records are stored in a building protected by guards, controlled screening, use of visitor registers, electronic access, and/or locks. Access to records is limited to individuals who are properly screened and cleared on a need-to-know basis in the performance of their duties. Passwords are used to control access to the system data, and procedures are in place to detect and deter browsing and unauthorized access. Retention and Disposal: Records are temporary in nature, cut off at the end of the fiscal year and destroyed 6 years and 3 months after cutoff. Records are destroyed by degaussing, burning, of shredding. System Manager(s) and Address: System Manager, Defense Finance and Accounting Service, Information and Technology Directorate, Accounting Systems Division, 1240 East Ninth Street, Cleveland, OH 44199-8002. Notification Procedure: Individuals seeking to determine whether information about themselves is contained in this record system should address written inquiries to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service, Freedom of Information/Privacy Act Program Manager, Corporate Communications and Legislative Liaison, 6760 E. Irvington Place, Denver, CO 80279-8000. Requests should contain individual's full name, Social Security Number (SSN), current address, telephone number, and provide a reasonable description. Record Access Procedures: Individuals seeking access to information about themselves that is contained in this system should address written inquiries to Defense Finance and Accounting Service, Freedom of Information/Privacy Act Program Manager, Corporate Communications and Legislative Liaison, 6760 E. Irvington Place, Denver, CO 80279-8000. Requests should contain individual's full name, Social Security Number (SSN), current address, telephone number, and provide a reasonable description. Contesting Record Procedures: The DFAS rules for accessing records, for contesting contents and appealing initial agency determinations are published in DFAS Regulation 5400.11-R; 32 CFR part 324; or may be obtained from Defense Finance and Accounting Service, Freedom of Information/Privacy Act Program Manager, Corporate Communications and Legislative Liaison, 6760 E. Irvington Place, Denver, CO 80279-8000. Record Source Categories: From the individual and the U.S. Navy. Exemptions Claimed For The System: None. [FR Doc. E7-16136 Filed 8-15-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 5001-06-P DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Office of the Secretary [DoD-2007-OS-0087] Privacy Act of 1974; Systems of Records AGENCY: Defense Logistics Agency, DOD. ACTION: Notice to alter a system of records. SUMMARY: The Defense Logistics Agency proposes to alter a system of records notice in its existing inventory of records systems subject to the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended. DATES: This proposed action will be effective without further notice on September 17, 2007 unless comments are received which result in a contrary determination. ADDRESSES: Send comments to the Privacy Act Officer, Headquarters, Defense Logistics Agency, ATTN: DP, 8725 John J. Kingman Road, Stop 2533, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060-6221. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Jody Sinkler at
(703)767-5045. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Defense Logistics Agency systems of records notices subject to the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended, have been published in the **Federal Register** and are available from the address above. The proposed system reports, as required by 5 U.S.C. 552a(r), of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, were submitted on August 9, 2007, to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, and the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB)pursuant to paragraph 4c of Appendix I to OMB Circular No. A-130, ‘Federal Agency Responsibilities for Maintaining Records About Individuals,’ dated February 8, 1996 (February 20, 1996, 61 FR 6427). Dated: August 10, 2007. L.M. Bynum, Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense. S500.40 CAAS System Name: Police Force Records (September 14, 1999, 64 FR 49780). Changes: System Identifier: Delete “CAAS” from entry. System Name: Delete entry and replace with “DLA Security Force and Staff Records.” System Location: Delete entry and replace with “Public Safety and Security Office, Headquarters, Defense Logistics Agency, 8725 John J. Kingman Road, Suite 3533, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060-6220 and the Public Safety or Security Offices of the DLA Field Activities. Addresses may be obtained from the System manager.” Categories of Individuals Covered by the System: Delete entry and replace with “Defense Logistics Agency
(DLA)security and investigations personnel.” Categories of Records in the System: Delete entry and replace with “Records contain individual's name, Social Security Number (SSN), date of birth, home address, telephone number, emergency notification data, driver's license number and expiration date, security clearance, weapons qualification, education and training data, professional certifications, issuance and receipt of property and equipment (uniforms, shields, credentials, weapons, ammunition), shift assignments, and related papers.” Authority for Maintenance of the System: Delete entry and replace with “10 U.S.C. 136, Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness; section 21 of the Internal Security Act of 1950 (50 U.S.C. 797); 18 U.S.C. 499, Military, Naval, or Official Passes; 18 U.S.C. 701, Official Badges, Identification Cards, Other Insignia; 18 U.S.C. 716, Police Badges; DOD Directive 5200.8, Security of Military Installations and Resources; 10 U.S.C. 1580, Emergency Essential Personnel, designation; 10 U.S.C. 1585, Carrying of Firearms; DOD 5210.56, Use of Deadly Force and the Carrying of Firearms by DOD Personnel Engaged in Law Enforcement and Security Duties; CJCSI 3121.01B, Standing Rules of Engagement/Standing rules for the Use of Force for U.S. Forces; 10 U.S.C. 1593, Uniform allowance: civilian employees; and E.O. 9397 (SSN).” Purpose(s): Delete entry and replace with “Information is maintained and used by DLA Security Managers, Security and Public Safety staffs, and Security Force Supervisors to provide data concerning the professional qualifications, training requirements, and health and readiness of Security Force personnel at DLA Headquarters and Field Activities. Records are also used for identification and emergency notification in case of accident or casualty; to maintain control and accountability of property (i.e., uniforms, shields, credentials, weapons, ammunition, and equipment); to ensure proper training; to develop schedules and procedures to improve efficiency. Records are used to determine if an individual is qualified in the use of firearms and vehicles, and for security clearance to handle classified information.” Routine Uses of Records Maintained in the System, Including Categories of Users and the Purpose of Such Uses: Delete entry and replace with “In addition to those disclosures generally permitted under 5 U.S.C. 552a(b) of the Privacy Act, these records or information contained therein may specifically be disclosed outside the DoD as a routine use pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(b)(3) as follows: To Federal, state or local law enforcement agencies for training or assistance in police or security operations. To local hospitals and medical personnel for emergency treatment in case of accident or casualty. To Federal and non-federal schools, academies, and similar institutions for training or certification purposes. To Federal, state, or local disaster relief agencies for mutual aid. The DOD “Blanket Routine Uses” set forth at the beginning of DLA's compilation of systems of records notices apply to this system.” Retrievability: Delete entry and replace with “Retrieved by individual's name, Social Security Number (SSN), shield or credential number, and/or by duty station.” Safeguards: Delete entry and replace with “Records are maintained in areas accessible only to DLA Headquarters and Field Activities security supervisory and staff personnel who uses the records to perform their duties. All records are maintained on closed military installations with security force personnel performing installation access control and random patrols. Common Access Cards and personal identification numbers are used to authenticate authorized desktop and laptop computer users. Computer servers are scanned quarterly or monthly to assess system vulnerabilities. Systems security updates are accomplished daily. The computer files are password protected with access restricted to authorized users with a need for the information. Records are secured in locked or guarded buildings, locked offices, or locked cabinets during non duty hours, with access restricted during duty hours to authorized users with a need for the information.” Retention and Disposal: Delete entry and replace with “Records are destroyed after 1 year, when no longer needed, superseded or obsolete, or upon termination of record subject, as applicable.” System Manager(s) and Address: Delete entry and replace with “Program Manager, Security Plans and Policy, Headquarters, Defense Logistics Agency, Office of Public Safety, 8725 John J. Kingman Road, Suite 3533, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060-6220, and the Security Managers within the DLA Field Activity responsible for the operation of security forces and staff at the DLA Field Activity.” Notification Procedure: Delete entry and replace with “Individuals seeking to determine whether information about themselves is contained in this system should address written inquiries to the HQ DLA Privacy Act Office, Headquarters, Defense Logistics Agency, ATTN: HQ DLA-GC (FOIA/Privacy), 8725 John J. Kingman Road, STOP 1644, Fort Belvior, VA 22060-6221. Requests should contain the individual's full name, Social Security Number (SSN), and the DLA activity where employed.” Record Access Procedures: Delete entry and replace with “Individuals seeking access to information about themselves contained in this system should address written inquiries to the HQ DLA Privacy Act Office, Headquarters, Defense Logistics Agency, ATTN: HQ DLA-GC (FOIA/Privacy), 8725 John J. Kingman Road, STOP 1644, Fort Belvior, VA 22060-6221. Requests should contain individual's full name, Social Security Number (SSN), and the DLA activity where employed.” Contesting Record Procedures: Delete entry and replace with “The DLA rules for accessing records, for contesting contents, and appealing initial agency determinations are contained in 32 CFR part 323, or may be obtained from the HQ DLA Privacy Act Office, Headquarters, Defense Logistics Agency, ATTN: HQ DLA-GC (FOIA/Privacy), 8725 John J. Kingman Road, STOP 1644, Fort Belvior, VA 22060-6221.” Record Source Categories: Delete entry and replace with “The record subject, DLA Security Managers, Security Staff, Security Force Supervisors, and training and educational institutions.” S500.40 System Name: DLA Security Force and Staff Records. System Location: Public Safety and Security Office, Headquarters, Defense Logistics Agency, 8725 John J. Kingman Road, Suite 3533, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060-6220 and the Public Safety and Security Offices of the DLA Field Activities. Addresses may be obtained from the System manager. Categories of Individuals Covered by the System: Defense Logistics Agency
(DLA)security and investigations personnel. Categories of Records in the System: Records contain individual's name, Social Security Number (SSN), date of birth, home address, telephone number, emergency notification data, driver's license number and expiration date, security clearance, weapons qualification, education and training data, professional certifications, issuance and receipt of property and equipment (uniforms, shields, credentials, weapons, ammunition), shift assignments, and related papers. Authority for Maintenance of the System: 10 U.S.C. 136, Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness; Section 21 of the Internal Security Act of 1950 (50 U.S.C. 797); 18 U.S.C. 499, Military, Naval, or Official Passes; 18 U.S.C. 701, Official Badges, Identification Cards, Other Insignia; 18 U.S.C. 716, Police Badges; DOD Directive 5200.8, Security of Military Installations and Resources; 10 U.S.C. 1580, Emergency Essential Personnel, designation; 10 U.S.C. 1585, Carrying of Firearms; DOD 5210.56, Use of Deadly Force and the Carrying of Firearms by DOD Personnel Engaged in Law Enforcement and Security Duties; CJCSI 3121.01B, Standing Rules of Engagement/Standing rules for the Use of Force for U.S. Forces; 10 U.S.C. 1593, Uniform allowance: civilian employees; and E.O. 9397 (SSN). Purpose(s): Information is maintained and used by DLA Security Managers, Security and Public Safety staffs, and Security Force Supervisors to provide data concerning the professional qualifications, training requirements, and health and readiness of Security Force personnel at DLA Headquarters and Field Activities. Records are also used for identification and emergency notification in case of accident or casualty; to maintain control and accountability of property (i.e. uniforms, shields, credentials, weapons, ammunition, and equipment); to ensure proper training; to develop schedules and procedures to improve efficiency. Records are used to determine if an individual is qualified in the use of firearms and vehicles and for security clearance to handle classified information. Routine Uses of Records Maintained in the System, Including Categories of Users and the Purpose of Such Uses: In addition to those disclosures generally permitted under 5 U.S.C. 552a(b) of the Privacy Act, these records or information contained therein may specifically be disclosed outside the DoD as a routine use pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(b)(3) as follows: To Federal, state or local law enforcement agencies for training or assistance in police or security operations. To local hospitals and medical personnel for emergency treatment in case of accident or casualty. To Federal and non-federal schools, academies, and similar institutions for training or certification purposes. To Federal, state, or local disaster relief agencies for mutual aid. The DOD “Blanket Routine Uses” that appear at the beginning of DLA's compilation of systems of records notices apply to this system. Policies and Practices for Storing, Retrieving, Accessing, Retaining, and Disposing of Records in the System: Storage: Paper records in file folders and electronic storage media. Retrievability: Retrieved by individual's name, Social Security Number (SSN), shield or credential number, and/or by duty station. Safeguards: Records are maintained in areas accessible only to DLA Headquarters and Field Activities security supervisory and staff personnel who use the records to perform their duties. All records are maintained on closed military installations with security force personnel performing installation access control and random patrols. Common Access Cards and personal identification numbers are used to authenticate authorized desktop and laptop computer users. Computer servers are scanned quarterly or monthly to assess system vulnerabilities. Systems security updates are accomplished daily. The computer files are password protected with access restricted to authorized users with a need for the information. Records are secured in locked or guarded buildings, locked offices, or locked cabinets during non duty hours, with access restricted during duty hours to authorized users with a need for the information. Retention and Disposal: Records are destroyed after 1 year, when no longer needed, superseded or obsolete, or upon termination of record subject, as applicable. System Manager(s) and Address: Program Manager, Security Plans and Policy, Headquarters, Defense Logistics Agency, Office of Public Safety, 8725 John J. Kingman Road, Suite 3533, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060-6220, and the Security Managers within the DLA Field Activity responsible for the operation of security forces and staff at the DLA Field Activity. Notification Procedure: Individuals seeking to determine whether information about themselves is contained in this system should address written inquiries to the HQ DLA Privacy Act Office, Headquarters, Defense Logistics Agency, ATTN: HQ DLA-GC (FOIA/Privacy), 8725 John J. Kingman Road, STOP 1644, Fort Belvior, VA 22060-6221. Requests should contain individual's full name, Social Security Number (SSN), and the DLA activity where employed. Record Access Procedures: Individuals seeking access to information about themselves contained in this system should address written inquiries to the HQ DLA Privacy Act Office, Headquarters, Defense Logistics Agency, ATTN: HQ DLA-GC (FOIA/Privacy), 8725 John J. Kingman Road, STOP 1644, Fort Belvior, VA 22060-6221. Request should contain individual's full name, Social Security Number (SSN), and the DLA activity where employed. Contesting Record Procedures: The DLA rules for accessing records, for contesting contents, and appealing initial agency determinations are contained in 32 CFR part 323, or may be obtained from the HQ DLA Privacy Act Office, Headquarters, Defense Logistics Agency, ATTN: HQ DLA-GC (FOIA/Privacy), 8725 John J. Kingman Road, STOP 1644, Fort Belvior, VA 22060-6221. Record Source Categories: The record subject, DLA Security Managers, Security Staff, Security Force Supervisors, and training and educational institutions. Exemptions Claimed for the System: None. [FR Doc. E7-16137 Filed 8-15-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 5001-06-P DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Air Force Air University Board of Visitors Meeting ACTION: Notice of meeting of Air University Board of Visitors. SUMMARY: The purpose of the meeting is to give the board an opportunity to discuss Air University's proposed 2008 new board membership. Due to difficulties beyond the control of the Air University Board of Visitors the Department of the Air Force failed to process the Board's **Federal Register** meeting notice in sufficient time to publish notice of its meeting in the **Federal Register** for the 15-calendar days required by 41 CFR, 102-3.150(a). Accordingly, the Committee Management Officer for the Department of Defense, pursuant to 41 CFR 102-3.150(b), waives the 15-calendar day notification requirement. DATES: The Air University Board of Visitors will hold an open meeting on August 27, 2007, 1 CDT, telephone conference call (electronic meeting), 1-334-953-1945. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Dr. Dorothy Reed, Chief of Academic Affairs, Air University Headquarters, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama 36112-6335, telephone (334)-953-5159. Bao-Anh Trinh, Air Force Federal Register Liaison Officer. [FR Doc. E7-16099 Filed 8-15-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 5001-05-P DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Navy [USN-2007-0047] Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records AGENCY: Department of the Navy, DoD. ACTION: Notice to alter a system of records. SUMMARY: The Department of the Navy proposes to alter a system of records notice in its existing inventory of records systems subject to the Privacy Act of 1974, (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended. DATES: This proposed action will be effective without further notice on September 17, 2007 unless comments are received which result in a contrary determination. ADDRESSES: Send comments to the Department of the Navy, PA/FOIA Policy Branch, Chief of Naval Operations (DNS-36), 2000 Navy Pentagon, Washington, DC 20350-2000. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mrs. Doris Lama at
(202)685-325-6545. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department of the Navy's systems of records notices subject to the Privacy Act of 1974, (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended, have been published in the **Federal Register** and are available from the address above. The proposed system reports, as required by 5 U.S.C. 552a(r), of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, were submitted on August 9, 2007, to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, and the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB)pursuant to paragraph 4c of Appendix I to OMB Circular No. A-130, “Federal Agency Responsibilities for Maintaining Records About Individuals,” dated February 8, 1996 (February 20, 1996, 61 FR 6427). L.M. Bynum, Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense. N01754-4 System name: Navy Family Accountability and Assessment System (NFAAS) (August 4, 2006, 71 FR 44265). Changes: Categories of individuals covered by the system: Delete entry and replace with “Navy personnel (military and civilian) and their families who are involved in a natural or other man-made major disaster; catastrophic event; and/or assigned to a limited term deployment as an ‘Individual Augmentee (IA)’ in support of the Global War on Terrorism.” Categories of records in the system: At beginning of entry, add “NFASS Needs Assessment Survey that includes name; home and duty stations * * *.” Purpose(s): Add new second paragraph that reads: “To support individual readiness for deployment in support of the Global War on Terrorism; to provide individuals selected for deployment and their families necessary information to ensure that they have access to needs including medical, identification of services at installations in their area, housing assistance, storage of personal property, financial assistance/counseling, pay and benefits information, DON Civilian Employees Human Resources services, family employment opportunities, child care options; education/school availability, general legal matters, pastoral care, clinical counseling, casualty/death benefits assistance, general readiness information, and to continue to maintain contact with the family members to ensure they receive all necessary support/assistance.” N01754-4 System name: Navy Family Accountability and Assessment System (NFAAS) System location: Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center, 53560 Hull Street, San Diego, CA 92152-5001. Categories of individuals covered by the system: Navy personnel (military and civilian) and their families who are involved in a natural or other man-made major disaster; catastrophic event; and/or assigned to a limited term deployment as an “Individual Augmentee (IA)” in support of the Global War on Terrorism. Categories of records in the system: NFASS Needs Assessment Survey that includes name; home and duty stations addresses; home, business, and cell telephone numbers; military/civilian status; Social Security Number (SSN); dates of birth; Unit Identification Code (UIC); date of last contact; insurance company; FEMA Number; email address; dependent information; travel orders/vouchers; assessment date; needs assessment information; type of event; category classification; and command information. Authority for maintenance of the system: 10 U.S.C. 5013, Secretary of the Navy and E.O. 9397 (SSN). Purpose(s): To support individual readiness for deployment in support of the Global War on Terrorism; to provide individuals selected for deployment and their families necessary information to ensure that they have access to needs including medical, identification of services at installations in their area, housing assistance, storage of personal property, financial assistance/counseling, pay and benefits information, DON Civilian Employees Human Resources services, family employment opportunities, child care options; education/school availability, general legal matters, pastoral care, clinical counseling, casualty/death benefits assistance, general readiness information, and to continue to maintain contact with the family members to ensure they receive all necessary support/assistance. To assess disaster-related needs (i.e., status of family members, housing, medical, financial assistance, employment, pay and benefits, transportation, child care, pastoral care/counseling, and general legal matters) of Navy personnel and their families who have been involved in a natural or other man-made major disaster or catastrophic event. Routine uses of records maintained in the system, including categories of users and the purposes of such uses: In addition to those disclosures generally permitted under 5 U.S.C. 552a(b) of the Privacy Act, these records or information contained therein may specifically be disclosed outside the DoD as a routine use pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(b)(3) as follows: The DoD “Blanket Routine Uses” set forth at the beginning of the Navy's compilation of systems of records notices also apply to this system. Policies and practices for storing, retrieving, accessing, retaining, and disposing of records in the system: Storage: Electronic storage media. Retrievability: Name, Social Security Number
(SSN)and date of birth. Safeguards: Password controlled system, file, and element access is based on predefined need-to-know. Physical access to terminals, terminal rooms, buildings and activities' grounds are controlled by locked terminals and rooms, guards, personnel screening and visitor registers. Retention and disposal: Records are destroyed two years after all actions are completed. System manager(s) and address: Commander, Navy Installations Command, 2713 Mitscher Road, SW., Ste. 300, Anacostia Annex, DC 20373-5882. Notification procedure: Individuals seeking to determine whether this system of records contains information about themselves should address written inquiries to the Commander, Navy Installations Command, 2713 Mitscher Road, SW., Ste. 300, Anacostia Annex, DC 20373-5882. The request should include individual's full name, Social Security Number (SSN), address, date of birth, and signature. Record access procedures: Individuals seeking access to records about themselves contained in this system of records should address written inquiries to the Commander, Navy Installations Command, 2713 Mitscher Road, SW., Ste. 300, Anacostia Annex, DC 20373-5882. The request should include individual's full name, Social Security Number (SSN), address, date of birth, and signature. Contesting record procedures: The Navy's rules for accessing records, and for contesting contents and appealing initial agency determinations are published in Secretary of the Navy Instruction 5211.5; 32 CFR part 701; or may be obtained from the system manager. Record source categories: Individual; personnel files; Needs Assessment Survey; Defense Manpower Data Center; Defense Civilian Personnel Data System (DCPDS); and command personnel. Exemptions claimed for the system: None. [FR Doc. E7-16129 Filed 8-15-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 5001-06-P DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Notice of Proposed Information Collection Requests AGENCY: Department of Education. SUMMARY: The IC Clearance Official, Regulatory Information Management Services, Office of Management, invites comments on the proposed information collection requests as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before October 15, 2007. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 3506 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35) requires that the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB)provide interested Federal agencies and the public an early opportunity to comment on information collection requests. OMB may amend or waive the requirement for public consultation to the extent that public participation in the approval process would defeat the purpose of the information collection, violate State or Federal law, or substantially interfere with any agency's ability to perform its statutory obligations. The IC Clearance Official, Regulatory Information Management Services, Office of Management, publishes that notice containing proposed information collection requests prior to submission of these requests to OMB. Each proposed information collection, grouped by office, contains the following:
(1)Type of review requested, e.g. new, revision, extension, existing or reinstatement;
(2)Title;
(3)Summary of the collection;
(4)Description of the need for, and proposed use of, the information;
(5)Respondents and frequency of collection; and
(6)Reporting and/or Recordkeeping burden. OMB invites public comment. The Department of Education is especially interested in public comment addressing the following issues:
(1)Is this collection necessary to the proper functions of the Department;
(2)will this information be processed and used in a timely manner;
(3)is the estimate of burden accurate;
(4)how might the Department enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and
(5)how might the Department minimize the burden of this collection on the respondents, including through the use of information technology. Dated: August 10, 2007. Angela C. Arrington, IC Clearance Official, Regulatory Information Management Services, Office of Management. Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services *Type of Review:* Revision. *Title:* Part B, Individuals With Disabilities Education Act Implementation of FAPE Requirements. *Frequency:* Annually. *Affected Public:* State, Local, or Tribal Gov't, SEAs or LEAs. *Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden:* *Responses:* 60. *Burden Hours:* 469,860. *Abstract:* This package provides instructions and forms necessary for States to report the extent to which children with disabilities served under IDEA-B receive special education and related services with their non-disabled peers. The form satisfies reporting requirements and is used by the Office of Special Education Programs
(OSEP)to monitor SEAs and for Congressional reporting. Requests for copies of the proposed information collection request may be accessed from *http://edicsweb.ed.gov* , by selecting the “Browse Pending Collections” link and by clicking on link number 3427. When you access the information collection, click on “Download Attachments” to view. Written requests for information should be addressed to U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Potomac Center, 9th Floor, Washington, DC 20202-4700. Requests may also be electronically mailed to *ICDocketMgr@ed.gov* or faxed to 202-245-6623. Please specify the complete title of the information collection when making your request. Comments regarding burden and/or the collection activity requirements should be electronically mailed to *ICDocketMgr@ed.gov.* Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf
(TDD)may call the Federal Information Relay Service
(FIRS)at 1-800-877-8339. [FR Doc. E7-16023 Filed 8-15-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000-01-P DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request AGENCY: Department of Education. SUMMARY: The IC Clearance Official, Regulatory Information Management Services, Office of Management invites comments on the submission for OMB review as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before September 17, 2007. ADDRESSES: Written comments should be addressed to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attention: Education Desk Officer, Office of Management and Budget, 725 17th Street, NW., Room 10222, Washington, DC 20503. Commenters are encouraged to submit responses electronically by e-mail to *oira_submission@omb.eop.gov* or via fax to
(202)395-6974. Commenters should include the following subject line in their response “Comment: [insert OMB number], [insert abbreviated collection name, e.g., “Upward Bound Evaluation”]. Persons submitting comments electronically should not submit paper copies. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 3506 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35) requires that the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB)provide interested Federal agencies and the public an early opportunity to comment on information collection requests. OMB may amend or waive the requirement for public consultation to the extent that public participation in the approval process would defeat the purpose of the information collection, violate State or Federal law, or substantially interfere with any agency's ability to perform its statutory obligations. The IC Clearance Official, Regulatory Information Management Services, Office of Management, publishes that notice containing proposed information collection requests prior to submission of these requests to OMB. Each proposed information collection, grouped by office, contains the following:
(1)Type of review requested, e.g., new, revision, extension, existing or reinstatement;
(2)Title;
(3)Summary of the collection;
(4)Description of the need for, and proposed use of, the information;
(5)Respondents and frequency of collection; and
(6)Reporting and/or Recordkeeping burden. OMB invites public comment. Dated: August 10, 2007. Angela C. Arrington, IC Clearance Official, Regulatory Information Management Services, Office of Management. Office of Postsecondary Education *Type of Review:* Extension. *Title:* Technological Innovation and Cooperation for Foreign Information Access Program. *Frequency:* Annually. *Affected Public:* Not-for-profit institutions. *Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden:* *Responses:* 50. *Burden Hours:* 813. *Abstract:* This is an application to participate in the Title IV Technological Innovation and Cooperation for Foreign Information Access Program which provides grants to institutions of higher education to support projects that will develop innovative programs using electronic technologies to collect, organize, preserve, and widely disseminate information on world regions and countries other than the United States that address our Nation's teaching and research needs in international education and foreign languages. This information collection is being submitted under the Streamlined Clearance Process for Discretionary Grant Information Collections (1890-0001). Therefore, the 30-day public comment period notice will be the only public comment public notice published for this information collection. Requests for copies of the information collection submission for OMB review may be accessed from *http://edicsweb.ed.gov* , by selecting the “Browse Pending Collections” link and by clicking on link number 3422. When you access the information collection, click on “Download Attachments” to view. Written requests for information should be addressed to U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Potomac Center, 9th Floor, Washington, DC 20202-4700. Requests may also be electronically mailed to *ICDocketMgr@ed.gov* or faxed to 202-245-6623. Please specify the complete title of the information collection when making your request. Comments regarding burden and/or the collection activity requirements should be electronically mailed to *ICDocketMgr@ed.gov* . Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf
(TDD)may call the Federal Information Relay Service
(FIRS)at 1-800-877-8339. [FR Doc. E7-16024 Filed 8-15-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000-01-P DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request AGENCY: Department of Education. SUMMARY: The Acting Leader, Information Management Case Services Team, Regulatory Information Management Services, Office of Management invites comments on the submission for OMB review as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before September 17, 2007. ADDRESSES: Written comments should be addressed to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attention: Education Desk Officer, Office of Management and Budget, 725 17th Street, NW., Room 10222, Washington, DC 20503. Commenters are encouraged to submit responses electronically by e-mail to *oira_submission@omb.eop.gov* or via fax to
(202)395-6974. Commenters should include the following subject line in their response “Comment: [insert OMB number], [insert abbreviated collection name, e.g., “Upward Bound Evaluation”]. Persons submitting comments electronically should not submit paper copies. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 3506 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35) requires that the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB)provide interested Federal agencies and the public an early opportunity to comment on information collection requests. OMB may amend or waive the requirement for public consultation to the extent that public participation in the approval process would defeat the purpose of the information collection, violate State or Federal law, or substantially interfere with any agency's ability to perform its statutory obligations. The Acting Leader, Information Management Case Services Team, Regulatory Information Management Services, Office of Management, publishes that notice containing proposed information collection requests prior to submission of these requests to OMB. Each proposed information collection, grouped by office, contains the following:
(1)Type of review requested, e.g. new, revision, extension, existing or reinstatement;
(2)Title;
(3)Summary of the collection;
(4)Description of the need for, and proposed use of, the information;
(5)Respondents and frequency of collection; and
(6)Reporting and/or Recordkeeping burden. OMB invites public comment. Dated: August 8, 2007. James Hyler, Acting Leader, Information Management Case Services Team, Regulatory Information Management Services, Office of Management. Federal Student Aid *Type of Review:* Extension of a currently approved collection. *Title:* Federal Direct Consolidation Loan Program Application Documents. *Frequency:* On occasion. *Affected Public:* Individuals or households; Businesses or other for-profits. *Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden:* Responses: 920,714. Burden Hours: 680,480. *Abstract:* These forms are the means by which an applicant applies for and promises to repay a Federal Direct Consolidation Loan and a lender verifies that a loan is eligible to be consolidated. Requests for copies of the information collection submission for OMB review may be accessed from *http://edicsweb.ed.gov,* by selecting the “Browse Pending Collections” link and by clicking on link number 3429. When you access the information collection, click on “Download Attachments” to view. Written requests for information should be addressed to U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Potomac Center, 9th Floor, Washington, DC 20202-4700. Requests may also be electronically mailed to *ICDocketMgr@ed.gov* or faxed to 202-245-6623. Please specify the complete title of the information collection when making your request. Comments regarding burden and/or the collection activity requirements should be electronically mailed to *ICDocketMgr@ed.gov.* Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf
(TDD)may call the Federal Information Relay Service
(FIRS)at 1-800-877-8339. [FR Doc. E7-16026 Filed 8-15-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000-01-P DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request AGENCY: Department of Education. SUMMARY: The IC Clearance Official, Regulatory Information Management Services, Office of Management invites comments on the submission for OMB review as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before September 17, 2007. ADDRESSES: Written comments should be addressed to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attention: Education Desk Officer, Office of Management and Budget, 725 17th Street, NW., Room 10222, Washington, DC 20503. Commenters are encouraged to submit responses electronically by e-mail to *oira_submission@omb.eop.gov* or via fax to
(202)395-6974. Commenters should include the following subject line in their response “Comment: [insert OMB number], [insert abbreviated collection name, *e.g.* , “Upward Bound Evaluation”]. Persons submitting comments electronically should not submit paper copies. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 3506 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35) requires that the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB)provide interested Federal agencies and the public an early opportunity to comment on information collection requests. OMB may amend or waive the requirement for public consultation to the extent that public participation in the approval process would defeat the purpose of the information collection, violate State or Federal law, or substantially interfere with any agency's ability to perform its statutory obligations. The IC Clearance Official, Regulatory Information Management Services, Office of Management, publishes that notice containing proposed information collection requests prior to submission of these requests to OMB. Each proposed information collection, grouped by office, contains the following:
(1)Type of review requested, *e.g.* , new, revision, extension, existing or reinstatement;
(2)Title;
(3)Summary of the collection;
(4)Description of the need for, and proposed use of, the information;
(5)Respondents and frequency of collection; and
(6)Reporting and/or Recordkeeping burden. OMB invites public comment. Dated: August 10, 2007. Angela C. Arrington, IC Clearance Official, Regulatory Information Management Services, Office of Management. Office of Elementary and Secondary Education *Type of Review:* Revision. *Title:* Consolidated State Performance Report (CSPR). *Frequency:* Annually. *Affected Public:* State, Local, or Tribal Gov't, SEAs or LEAs. *Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden:* *Responses:* 52. *Burden Hours:* 16,132. *Abstract:* This information collection package contains the Consolidated State Performance Report (CSPR). It collects data that is required under section 1111 of the No Child Left Behind Act
(NCLB)which mandates the requirements for the Secretary's report to Congress and information necessary for the Secretary to report on the Department's Government Performance and Results Act
(GPRA)indicators. Requests for copies of the information collection submission for OMB review may be accessed from *http://edicsweb.ed.gov* , by selecting the “Browse Pending Collections” link and by clicking on link number 3353. When you access the information collection, click on “Download Attachments” to view. Written requests for information should be addressed to U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Potomac Center, 9th Floor, Washington, DC 20202-4700. Requests may also be electronically mailed to *ICDocketMgr@ed.gov* or faxed to 202-245-6623. Please specify the complete title of the information collection when making your request. Comments regarding burden and/or the collection activity requirements should be electronically mailed to *ICDocketMgr@ed.gov.* Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf
(TDD)may call the Federal Information Relay Service
(FIRS)at 1-800-877-8339. [FR Doc. E7-16155 Filed 8-15-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY [OE Docket No. EA-296-A] Application To Export Electric Energy; Rainbow Energy Marketing Corporation AGENCY: Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, DOE. ACTION: Notice of Application. SUMMARY: Rainbow Energy Marketing Corporation (Rainbow) has applied to renew its authority to transmit electric energy from the United States to Canada pursuant to section 202(e) of the Federal Power Act (FPA). DATES: Comments, protests or requests to intervene must be submitted on or before September 17, 2007. ADDRESSES: Comments, protests or requests to intervene should be addressed as follows: Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, Mail Code: OE-20, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585-0350 (fax 202-586-8008). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ellen Russell (Program Office) 202-586-9624 or Michael Skinker (Program Attorney) 202-586-2793. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Exports of electricity from the United States to a foreign country are regulated by the Department of Energy
(DOE)pursuant to sections 301(b) and 402(f) of the Department of Energy Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7151(b), 7172(f)) and require authorization under section 202(e) of the FPA (16 U.S.C. 824a(e)). On November 9, 2004, the Department of Energy
(DOE)issued Order No. EA-296 authorizing Rainbow to transmit electric energy from the United States to Canada as a power marketer for a two-year term. That authorization expired on November 9, 2006. On July 31, 2007, Rainbow filed an application with DOE to renew the export authority contained in Order No. EA-296 for an additional five-year term. Rainbow does not own or control any transmission or distribution assets, nor does it have a franchised service area. The electric energy which Rainbow proposes to export to Canada would be purchased from electric utilities and Federal power marketing agencies within the United States. Rainbow will arrange for the delivery of exports to Canada over the international transmission facilities currently owned by Basin Electric Power Cooperative, Bonneville Power Administration, Eastern Maine Electric Cooperative, International Transmission Co., Joint Owners of the Highgate Project, Long Sault, Inc., Maine Electric Power Company, Maine Public Service Company, Minnesota Power, Inc., Minnkota Power Cooperative, Inc., New York Power Authority, Niagara Mohawk Power Corp., Northern States Power Company, and Vermont Electric Transmission Co. The construction, operation, maintenance, and connection of each of the international transmission facilities to be utilized by Rainbow has previously been authorized by a Presidential permit issued pursuant to Executive Order 10485, as amended. In its application, Rainbow indicated that, due to an administrative oversight, it was unaware that Order No. EA-296 had expired and continued occasional exports. Rainbow asserts that it has not engaged in any transactions to export electric energy to Canada since being made aware that its export authority had expired and asserts that no export activities will commence until such time as DOE grants renewed authorization for such exports. Rainbow also requested expedited treatment of this renewal application. *Procedural Matters:* Any person desiring to become a party to this proceeding or to be heard by filing comments or protests to this application should file a petition to intervene, comment or protest at the address provided above in accordance with §§ 385.211 or 385.214 of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedures (18 CFR 385.211, 385.214). Fifteen copies of each petition and protest should be filed with DOE on or before the date listed above. Comments on the Rainbow application to export electric energy to Canada should be clearly marked with Docket No. EA-296-A. Additional copies are to be filed directly with Joseph M. Wolfe, Rainbow Energy Marketing Corporation, Kirkwood Office Tower, 919 South 7th Street, Suite 405, Bismarck, ND 58504 and Steven A. Weiler, Justin P. Moeller, Leonard, Street and Deinard, The Army and Navy Club Building, 1627 Eye Street, NW., Suite 610, Washington, DC 20006. A final decision will be made on this application after the environmental impacts have been evaluated pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, and a determination is made by the DOE that the proposed action will not adversely impact on the reliability of the U.S. electric power supply system. Copies of this application will be made available, upon request, for public inspection and copying at the address provided above or by accessing the program's Home Page at *http://www.oe.energy.gov/304.htm.* Issued in Washington, DC on August 10, 2007. Anthony J. Como, Director, Permitting and Siting, Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability. [FR Doc. E7-16132 Filed 8-15-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY [OE Docket No. EA-328] Application To Export Electric Energy; RBC Energy Services L.P. AGENCY: Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, DOE. ACTION: Notice of application. SUMMARY: RBC Energy Services L.P. (RBC Energy) has applied for authority to transmit electric energy from the United States to Canada pursuant to section 202(e) of the Federal Power Act. DATES: Comments, protests, or requests to intervene must be submitted on or before September 17, 2007. ADDRESSES: Comments, protests, or requests to intervene should be addressed as follows: Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, Mail Code: OE-20, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585-0350 (FAX 202-586-8008). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ellen Russell (Program Office) 202-586-9624 or Michael Skinker (Program Attorney) 202-586-2793. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Exports of electricity from the United States to a foreign country are regulated by the Department of Energy
(DOE)pursuant to sections 301(b) and 402(f) of the Department of Energy Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7151(b), 7172(f)) and require authorization under section 202(e) of the FPA (16 U.S.C. 824a(e)). On July 9, 2007, the Department of Energy
(DOE)received an application from RBC Energy for authority to transmit electric energy from the United States to Canada as a power marketer. RBC Energy, an Ontario limited partnership with its executive offices and principal place of business in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, has requested an electricity export authorization with a 5-year term. RBC Energy does not own or control any electric generation, transmission, or distribution assets, nor does it have a franchised service area. The electric energy which RBC Energy proposes to export to Canada would be surplus energy purchased from electric utilities, Federal power marketing agencies, and other entities within the United States. RBC Energy will arrange for the delivery of exports to Canada over the international transmission facilities presently owned by Basin Electric Power Cooperative, Bonneville Power Administration, Eastern Maine Electric Cooperative, International Transmission Co., Joint Owners of the Highgate Project, Long Sault, Inc., Maine Electric Power Company, Maine Public Service Company, Minnesota Power, Inc., Minnkota Power Cooperative, Inc., New York Power Authority, Niagara Mohawk Power Corp., Northern States Power Company, Vermont Electric Power Company, and Vermont Electric Transmission Co. The construction, operation, maintenance, and connection of each of the international transmission facilities to be utilized by RBC Energy has previously been authorized by a Presidential permit issued pursuant to Executive Order 10485, as amended. *Procedural Matters:* Any person desiring to become a party to these proceedings or to be heard by filing comments or protests to this application should file a petition to intervene, comment, or protest at the address provided above in accordance with 385.211 or 385.214 of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedures (18 CFR 385.211, 385.214). Fifteen copies of each petition and protest should be filed with DOE on or before the date listed above. Comments on the RBC Energy application to export electric energy to Canada should be clearly marked with Docket No. EA-328. Additional copies are to be filed directly with David J. Levine, Robin J. Bowen and Gregory K. Lawrence, McDermott Will & Emergy LLP, 600 13th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20005-3096. A final decision will be made on this application after the environmental impacts have been evaluated pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, and a determination is made by DOE that the proposed action will not adversely impact on the reliability of the U.S. electric power supply system. Copies of this application will be made available, upon request, for public inspection and copying at the address provided above and at *http://www.oe.energy.gov/304.htm.* Issued in Washington, DC, on August 10, 2007. Anthony J. Como, Director, Permitting and Siting, Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability. [FR Doc. E7-16105 Filed 8-15-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY [OE Docket No. EA-329] Application to Export Electric Energy; Sierra Power Asset Marketing, LLC AGENCY: Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, DOE. ACTION: Notice of Application. SUMMARY: Sierra Power Asset Marketing, LLC (Sierra Power) has applied for authority to transmit electric energy from the United States to Canada pursuant to section 202(e) of the Federal Power Act. DATES: Comments, protests, or requests to intervene must be submitted on or before September 17, 2007. ADDRESSES: Comments, protests, or requests to intervene should be addressed as follows: Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, Mail Code: OE-20, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, 20585-0350 (FAX 202-586-8008). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ellen Russell (Program Office) 202-586-9624 or Michael Skinker (Program Attorney) 202-586-2793. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Exports of electricity from the United States to a foreign country are regulated by the Department of Energy
(DOE)pursuant to sections 301(b) and 402(f) of the Department of Energy Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7151(b), 7172(f)) and require authorization under section 202(e) of the FPA (16 U.S.C.824a(e)). On August 7, 2007, the Department of Energy
(DOE)received an application from Sierra Power for authority to transmit electric energy from the United States to Canada as a power marketer. Sierra Power, a Colorado limited liability corporation with its principal place of business in Denver, Colorado, has requested an electricity export authorization with a 5-year term. Sierra Power does not own or control any electric generation, transmission, or distribution assets, nor does it have a franchised service area. The electric energy which Sierra Power proposes to export to Canada would be surplus energy purchased from electric utilities, Federal power marketing agencies, and other entities within the United States. Sierra Power will arrange for the delivery of exports to Canada over the international transmission facilities owned by Basin Electric Power Cooperative, Bonneville Power Administration, Eastern Maine Electric Cooperative, International Transmission Co., Joint Owners of the Highgate Project, Long Sault, Inc., Maine Electric Power Company, Maine Public Service Company, Minnesota Power, Inc., Minnkota Power Cooperative, Inc., New York Power Authority, Niagara Mohawk Power Corp., Northern States Power Company, Vermont Electric Power Company, and Vermont Electric Transmission Co. The construction, operation, maintenance, and connection of each of the international transmission facilities to be utilized by Sierra Power has previously been authorized by a Presidential permit issued pursuant to Executive Order 10485, as amended. *Procedural Matters:* Any person desiring to become a party to these proceedings or to be heard by filing comments or protests to this application should file a petition to intervene, comment, or protest at the address provided above in accordance with 385.211 or 385.214 of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedures (18 CFR 385.211, 385.214). Fifteen copies of each petition and protest should be filed with DOE on or before the date listed above. Comments on the Sierra Power application to export electric energy to Canada should be clearly marked with Docket No. EA-329. Additional copies are to be filed directly with Doug White, Brad Nesiba, Sierra Power Asset Marketing, 3773 Cherry Creek North Drive, Suite 655, Denver, CO 80209 and Steven A. Weiler, Justin P. Moeller, Leonard, Street and Deinard, PA, The Army and Navy Club Building, 1627 Eye Street, NW., Suite 610, Washington, DC 20006. A final decision will be made on this application after the environmental impacts have been evaluated pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, and a determination is made by DOE that the proposed action will not adversely impact on the reliability of the U.S. electric power supply system. Copies of this application will be made available, upon request, for public inspection and copying at the address provided above and at *http://www.oe.energy.gov/304.htm.* Issued in Washington, DC, on August 10, 2007. Anthony J. Como, Director, Permitting and Siting, Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability. [FR Doc. E7-16130 Filed 8-15-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Notice of Issuance of Order August 9, 2007. BE Allegheny, LLC (Docket No. ER07-1112-000); BE CA LLC (Docket No. ER07-1113-000); BE Cleco LLC (Docket No. ER07-1114-000); BE Colquitt LLC (Docket No. ER07-1115-000); BE Ironwood LLC (Docket No. ER07-1116-000); BE KJ LLC (Docket No. ER07-1117-000); BE Rayle LLC (Docket No. ER07-1118-000); BE Red Oak LLC (Docket No. ER07-1119-000); BE Satilla LLC (Docket No. ER07-1120-000); BE Tenaska LLC (Docket No. ER07-1121-000); and BE Walton LLC (Docket No. ER07-1122-000) BE Allegheny LLC, BE CA LLC, BE Cleco LLC, BE Colquitt LLC, BE Ironwood LLC, BE KJ LLC, BE Rayle LLC, BE Red Oak LLC, BE Satilla LLC, BE Tenaska LLC and BE Walton LLC (collectively, the BE Subsidiaries) filed applications for market-based rate authority, with accompanying rate schedules. The proposed market-based rate schedules provide for the sale of energy, capacity and ancillary services at market-based rates. The BE Subsidiaries also requested waivers of various Commission regulations. In particular, the BE Subsidiaries requested that the Commission grant blanket approval under 18 CFR Part 34 of all future issuances of securities and assumptions of liability by BE Subsidiaries. On August 9, 2007, pursuant to delegated authority, the Director, Division of Tariffs and Rates-Central, granted the request for blanket approval under Part 34 (Director's Order). The Director's Order also stated that the Commission would publish a separate notice in the **Federal Register** establishing a period of time for the filing of protests. Accordingly, any person desiring to be heard concerning the blanket approvals of issuances of securities or assumptions of liability by the BE Subsidiaries, should file a protest with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426, in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure. 18 CFR 385.211, 385.214 (2004). Notice is hereby given that the deadline for filing protests is September 10, 2007. Absent a request to be heard in opposition to such blanket approvals by the deadline above, the BE Subsidiaries are authorized to issue securities and assume obligations or liabilities as a guarantor, indorser, surety, or otherwise in respect of any security of another person; provided that such issuance or assumption is for some lawful object within the corporate purposes of the BE Subsidiaries, compatible with the public interest, and is reasonably necessary or appropriate for such purposes. The Commission reserves the right to require a further showing that neither public nor private interests will be adversely affected by continued approvals of the BE subsidiaries issuance of securities or assumptions of liability. Copies of the full text of the Director's Order are available from the Commission's Public Reference Room, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. The Order may also be viewed on the Commission's Web site at *http://www.ferc.gov* , using the eLibrary link. Enter the docket number excluding the last three digits in the docket number filed to access the document. Comments, protests, and interventions may be filed electronically via the Internet in lieu of paper. See, 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the instructions on the Commission's Web site under the “e-Filing” link. The Commission strongly encourages electronic filings. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. E7-16034 Filed 8-15-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. EL07-31-001] DTE Pontiac North LLC; Notice of Filing August 9, 2007. Take notice that on June 19, 2007, pursuant to section 1266 of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005 (2005), 366.1 of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's regulations, 18 CFR 366.1
(2006)and Order No. 667, DTE Pontiac North LLC filed an amendment to its January 4, 2007, request for declaratory ruling of exempt wholesale generator status. Any person desiring to intervene or to protest this filing must file in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211, 385.214). Protests will be considered by the Commission in determining the appropriate action to be taken, but will not serve to make protestants parties to the proceeding. Any person wishing to become a party must file a notice of intervention or motion to intervene, as appropriate. Such notices, motions, or protests must be filed on or before the comment date. Anyone filing a motion to intervene or protest must serve a copy of that document on the Applicant and all the parties in this proceeding. The Commission encourages electronic submission of protests and interventions in lieu of paper using the “eFiling” link at *http://www.ferc.gov.* Persons unable to file electronically should submit an original and 14 copies of the protest or intervention to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. This filing is accessible on-line at *http://www.ferc.gov,* using the “eLibrary” link and is available for review in the Commission's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. There is an “eSubscription” link on the Web site that enables subscribers to receive e-mail notification when a document is added to a subscribed docket(s). For assistance with any FERC Online service, please e-mail *FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov,* or call
(866)208-3676 (toll free). For TTY, call
(202)502-8659. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on August 20, 2007. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. E7-16030 Filed 8-15-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. EC07-122-000] Energy East Corporation, Iberdrola, S.A.; Notice of Filing August 10, 2007. Take notice that on August 1, 2007, Energy East Corporation, on behalf of itself and its public utility affiliates and Iberdrola, S.A., on behalf of itself and its public utility affiliates filed a joint application for authorization of merger under section 203 of the Federal Power Act and Part 33 of the Rules and Regulations of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Any person desiring to intervene or to protest this filing must file in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211, 385.214). Protests will be considered by the Commission in determining the appropriate action to be taken, but will not serve to make protestants parties to the proceeding. Any person wishing to become a party must file a notice of intervention or motion to intervene, as appropriate. Such notices, motions, or protests must be filed on or before the comment date. On or before the comment date, it is not necessary to serve motions to intervene or protests on persons other than the Applicant. The Commission encourages electronic submission of protests and interventions in lieu of paper using the “eFiling” link at *http://www.ferc.gov.* Persons unable to file electronically should submit an original and 14 copies of the protest or intervention to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. This filing is accessible on-line at *http://www.ferc.gov,* using the “eLibrary” link and is available for review in the Commission's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. There is an “eSubscription” link on the Web site that enables subscribers to receive e-mail notification when a document is added to a subscribed docket(s). For assistance with any FERC Online service, please e-mail *FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov,* or call
(866)208-3676 (toll free). For TTY, call
(202)502-8659. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on September 10, 2007. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. E7-16042 Filed 8-15-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. ID-4371-001] Heyeck, Michael; Notice of Filing August 9, 2007. Take notice that on July 27, 2007, pursuant to section 305(b) of the Federal Power Act, 16 U.S.C. 825(b), and Part 45 of the Regulations of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 18 CFR Part 45 (2007), Michael Heyeck filed an application for authority to hold interlocking positions. Any person desiring to intervene or to protest this filing must file in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211, 385.214). Protests will be considered by the Commission in determining the appropriate action to be taken, but will not serve to make protestants parties to the proceeding. Any person wishing to become a party must file a notice of intervention or motion to intervene, as appropriate. Such notices, motions, or protests must be filed on or before the comment date. Anyone filing a motion to intervene or protest must serve a copy of that document on the Applicant and all the parties in this proceeding. The Commission encourages electronic submission of protests and interventions in lieu of paper using the “eFiling” link at *http://www.ferc.gov.* Persons unable to file electronically should submit an original and 14 copies of the protest or intervention to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. This filing is accessible on-line at *http://www.ferc.gov,* using the “eLibrary” link and is available for review in the Commission's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. There is an “eSubscription” link on the Web site that enables subscribers to receive e-mail notification when a document is added to a subscribed docket(s). For assistance with any FERC Online service, please e-mail *FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov,* or call
(866)208-3676 (toll free). For TTY, call
(202)502-8659. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on August 24, 2007. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. E7-16037 Filed 8-15-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. ER07-1040-000] Hopewell Cogeneration Limited Partnership; Notice of Issuance of Order August 9, 2007. Hopewell Cogeneration Limited Partnership (Hopewell) filed an application for market-based rate authority, with an accompanying rate schedule. The proposed market-based rate schedule provides for the sale of energy, capacity and ancillary services at market-based rates. Hopewell also requested waivers of various Commission regulations. In particular, Hopewell requested that the Commission grant blanket approval under 18 C.F.R. Part 34 of all future issuances of securities and assumptions of liability by Hopewell. On August 9, 2007, pursuant to delegated authority, the Director, Division of Tariffs and Market Development-West, granted the requests for blanket approval under Part 34 (Director's Order). The Director's Order also stated that the Commission would publish a separate notice in the **Federal Register** establishing a period of time for the filing of protests. Accordingly, any person desiring to be heard concerning the blanket approvals of issuances of securities or assumptions of liability by Hopewell, should file a protest with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426, in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure. 18 C.F.R. 385.211, 385.214 (2004). Notice is hereby given that the deadline for filing protests is September 10, 2007. Absent a request to be heard in opposition to such blanket approvals by the deadline above, Hopewell is authorized to issue securities and assume obligations or liabilities as a guarantor, indorser, surety, or otherwise in respect of any security of another person; provided that such issuance or assumption is for some lawful object within the corporate purposes of Hopewell, compatible with the public interest, and is reasonably necessary or appropriate for such purposes. The Commission reserves the right to require a further showing that neither public nor private interests will be adversely affected by continued approvals of Hopewell's issuance of securities or assumptions of liability. Copies of the full text of the Director's Order are available from the Commission's Public Reference Room, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. The Order may also be viewed on the Commission's Web site at *http://www.ferc.gov,* using the eLibrary link. Enter the docket number excluding the last three digits in the docket number filed to access the document. Comments, protests, and interventions may be filed electronically via the internet in lieu of paper. See, 18 C.F.R. 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the instructions on the Commission's Web site under the “e-Filing” link. The Commission strongly encourages electronic filings. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. E7-16033 Filed 8-15-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket Nos. ER07-1031-000, ER07-1031-001] KeyTex Energy LLC; Notice of Issuance of Order August 9, 2007. KeyTex Energy LLC (KeyTex) filed an application for market-based rate authority, with an accompanying rate schedule. The proposed market-based rate schedule provides for the sale of energy and capacity at market-based rates. KeyTex also requested waivers of various Commission regulations. In particular, KeyTex requested that the Commission grant blanket approval under 18 CFR Part 34 of all future issuances of securities and assumptions of liability by KeyTex. On August 9, 2007, pursuant to delegated authority, the Director, Division of Tariffs and Market Development-West, granted the requests for blanket approval under Part 34 (Director's Order). The Director's Order also stated that the Commission would publish a separate notice in the **Federal Register** establishing a period of time for the filing of protests. Accordingly, any person desiring to be heard concerning the blanket approvals of issuances of securities or assumptions of liability by KeyTex, should file a protest with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426, in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure. 18 CFR 385.211, 385.214 (2004). Notice is hereby given that the deadline for filing protests is September 10, 2007. Absent a request to be heard in opposition to such blanket approvals by the deadline above, KeyTex is authorized to issue securities and assume obligations or liabilities as a guarantor, indorser, surety, or otherwise in respect of any security of another person; provided that such issuance or assumption is for some lawful object within the corporate purposes of KeyTex, compatible with the public interest, and is reasonably necessary or appropriate for such purposes. The Commission reserves the right to require a further showing that neither public nor private interests will be adversely affected by continued approvals of KeyTex's issuance of securities or assumptions of liability. Copies of the full text of the Director's Order are available from the Commission's Public Reference Room, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. The Order may also be viewed on the Commission's Web site at *http://www.ferc.gov,* using the eLibrary link. Enter the docket number excluding the last three digits in the docket number filed to access the document. Comments, protests, and interventions may be filed electronically via the Internet in lieu of paper. See, 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the instructions on the Commission's Web site under the “e-Filing” link. The Commission strongly encourages electronic filings. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. E7-16032 Filed 8-15-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. EL06-80-004] Michigan Public Power Agency v. Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc.; Notice of Compliance Filing August 9, 2007. Take notice that on August 6, 2007, the Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc. tendered for filing on proposed revisions to its Open Access Transmission and Energy Markets Tariff in compliance with the directives of the Commission's order on rehearing dated February 6, 2007. Any person desiring to intervene or to protest this filing must file in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211, 385.214). Protests will be considered by the Commission in determining the appropriate action to be taken, but will not serve to make protestants parties to the proceeding. Any person wishing to become a party must file a notice of intervention or motion to intervene, as appropriate. Such notices, motions, or protests must be filed on or before the comment date. Anyone filing a motion to intervene or protest must serve a copy of that document on the Applicant and all the parties in this proceeding. The Commission encourages electronic submission of protests and interventions in lieu of paper using the “eFiling” link at *http://www.ferc.gov.* Persons unable to file electronically should submit an original and 14 copies of the protest or intervention to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. This filing is accessible on-line at *http://www.ferc.gov,* using the “eLibrary” link and is available for review in the Commission's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. There is an “eSubscription” link on the Web site that enables subscribers to receive e-mail notification when a document is added to a subscribed docket(s). For assistance with any FERC Online service, please e-mail *FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov,* or call
(866)208-3676 (toll free). For TTY, call
(202)502-8659. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on August 27, 2007. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. E7-16029 Filed 8-15-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. ID-3851-002] Patton, Charles R.; Notice of Filing August 9, 2007. Take notice that on July 27, 2007, pursuant to section 305(b) of the Federal Power Act, 16 U.S.C. 825(b), and Part 45 of the Regulations of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 18 CFR Part 45 (2007), Charles R. Patton filed an application for authority to hold interlocking positions. Any person desiring to intervene or to protest this filing must file in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211, 385.214). Protests will be considered by the Commission in determining the appropriate action to be taken, but will not serve to make protestants parties to the proceeding. Any person wishing to become a party must file a notice of intervention or motion to intervene, as appropriate. Such notices, motions, or protests must be filed on or before the comment date. Anyone filing a motion to intervene or protest must serve a copy of that document on the Applicant and all the parties in this proceeding. The Commission encourages electronic submission of protests and interventions in lieu of paper using the “eFiling” link at *http://www.ferc.gov.* Persons unable to file electronically should submit an original and 14 copies of the protest or intervention to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. This filing is accessible on-line at *http://www.ferc.gov,* using the “eLibrary” link and is available for review in the Commission's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. There is an “eSubscription” link on the Web site that enables subscribers to receive e-mail notification when a document is added to a subscribed docket(s). For assistance with any FERC Online service, please e-mail *FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov,* or call
(866)208-3676 (toll free). For TTY, call
(202)502-8659. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on August 24, 2007. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. E7-16036 Filed 8-15-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. ID-5448-000] Raba, Todd M.; Notice of Filing August 9, 2007. Take notice that on July 27, 2007, pursuant to section 305(b) of the Federal Power Act, 16 U.S.C. 825(b), and Part 45 of the Regulations of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 18 CFR Part 45 (2007), Todd M. Raba filed an application for authority to hold interlocking positions. Any person desiring to intervene or to protest this filing must file in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211, 385.214). Protests will be considered by the Commission in determining the appropriate action to be taken, but will not serve to make protestants parties to the proceeding. Any person wishing to become a party must file a notice of intervention or motion to intervene, as appropriate. Such notices, motions, or protests must be filed on or before the comment date. Anyone filing a motion to intervene or protest must serve a copy of that document on the Applicant and all the parties in this proceeding. The Commission encourages electronic submission of protests and interventions in lieu of paper using the “eFiling” link at *http://www.ferc.gov.* Persons unable to file electronically should submit an original and 14 copies of the protest or intervention to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. This filing is accessible on-line at *http://www.ferc.gov,* using the “eLibrary” link and is available for review in the Commission's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. There is an “eSubscription” link on the Web site that enables subscribers to receive e-mail notification when a document is added to a subscribed docket(s). For assistance with any FERC Online service, please e-mail *FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov,* or call
(866)208-3676 (toll free). For TTY, call
(202)502-8659. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on August 24, 2007. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. E7-16038 Filed 8-15-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. RP07-559-000] Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Corporation; Notice of Request for Waiver of FERC Gas Tariff August 9, 2007. Take notice that on August 3, 2007, Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Corporation (Transco) filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission a request for waiver of section 55.2 of the general terms & conditions of Transco's FERC Gas Tariff to the extent necessary to:
(i)Allow Transco to reserve capacity on Transco's Mobile Bay Lateral to be used for the proposed Pascagoula Expansion Project for up to 30 months prior to Transco filing an application with the Commission for certificate approval of the Project; and
(ii)allow any shippers subscribing to the reserved capacity during the period of time between the date that the capacity is reserved and the in-service date of the Project to have a right of first refusal to the subscribed capacity during such interim period, all as more fully described in Transco's request for waiver. Any person desiring to intervene or to protest this filing must file in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practices and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211 and 385.214). Protests will be considered by the Commission in determining the appropriate action to be taken, but will not serve to make protestants parties to the proceeding. Any person wishing to become a party must file a notice of intervention or motion to intervene, as appropriate. Such notices, motions, or protests must be filed in accordance with the provisions of § 154.210 of the Commission's regulations (18 CFR 154.210). Anyone filing an intervention or protest must serve a copy of that document on the Applicant. Anyone filing an intervention or protest on or before the intervention or protest date need not serve motions to intervene or protests on persons other than the Applicant. The Commission encourages electronic submission of protests in lieu of paper using the “eFiling” link at *http://www.ferc.gov.* Persons unable to file electronically should submit an original and 14 copies of the protest to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. The filing is accessible on-line at *http://www.ferc.gov,* using the “eLibrary” link and is available for review in the Commission's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. There is an “eSubscription” link on the Web site that enables subscribers to receive e-mail notification when a document is added to a subscribed docket(s). For assistance with any FERC Online service, please e-mail *FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov,* or call
(866)208-3676 (toll free). For TTY, call
(202)502-8659. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. E7-16041 Filed 8-15-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. RP07-562-000] Williston Basin Interstate Pipeline Company; Notice of Request for Waiver of Disbursement of GRI Funds August 9, 2007. Take notice that on August 3, 2007, Williston Basin Interstate Pipeline Company (Williston Basin or Company), P.O. Box 5601, Bismarck, North Dakota 58506-5601, filed with the Commission a request for a waiver of the disbursement of GRI refunds to its customers as required pursuant to a 1998 Settlement Agreement in Docket No. RP97-371-000, *et al.* In lieu of that obligation, Williston Basin requests that it be allowed to make donation of such refund to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Any person desiring to intervene or to protest this filing must file in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practices and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211 and 385.214). Protests will be considered by the Commission in determining the appropriate action to be taken, but will not serve to make protestants parties to the proceeding. Any person wishing to become a party must file a notice of intervention or motion to intervene, as appropriate. Such notices, motions, or protests must be filed in accordance with the provisions of Section 154.210 of the Commission's regulations (18 CFR 154.210). Anyone filing an intervention or protest must serve a copy of that document on the Applicant. Anyone filing an intervention or protest on or before the intervention or protest date need not serve motions to intervene or protests on persons other than the Applicant. The Commission encourages electronic submission of protests in lieu of paper using the “eFiling” link at *http://www.ferc.gov.* Persons unable to file electronically should submit an original and 14 copies of the protest to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. The filing is accessible on-line at *http://www.ferc.gov,* using the “eLibrary” link and is available for review in the Commission's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. There is an “eSubscription” link on the Web site that enables subscribers to receive e-mail notification when a document is added to a subscribed docket(s). For assistance with any FERC Online service, please e-mail *FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov,* or call
(866)208-3676 (toll free). For TTY, call
(202)502-8659. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. E7-16028 Filed 8-15-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Project No. 2179-038] Merced Irrigation District; Notice of Application for Amendment of License and Soliciting Comments, Motions To Intervene, and Protests August 9, 2007. Take notice that the following application has been filed with the Commission and is available for public inspection: a. Application Type: Amendment of License. b. Project No.: 2179-038. c. Date Filed: March 19, 2007. d. Applicant: Merced Irrigation District. e. Name of Project: Merced River Hydroelectric Project. f. Location: The project is located on the Merced River, in Mariposa County, California. The project consists of two developments: New Exchequer and Mc Swain. g. Filed Pursuant to: Federal Power Act, 16 U.S.C. 791a-825r. h. Applicant Contact: Mr. Ted Selb, Deputy General Manager, Merced Irrigation District, 744 West 20th Street, Merced, CA 95340, *tselb@mercedid.org,* telephone:
(209)722-5761. i. FERC Contact: Any questions on this notice should be addressed to Mrs. Anumzziatta Purchiaroni at
(202)502-6191, or e-mail address: *anumzziatta.purchiaroni@ferc.gov.* j. Deadline for filing comments and or motions: September 10, 2007. k. Description of Request: The Merced Irrigation District
(MID)is seeking authorization to construct a 1.8 megawatt
(MW)energy recovery turbine-generator unit at its Mc Swain Development. The proposed unit would have a maximum capacity of 500 cubic feet per second (cfs), and would be enclosed in a new 28-foot-wide by 60 foot long, below-ground concrete building that would adjoin the north wall of the existing powerhouse. MID is proposing to install a new 50 foot long, 96 inch diameter steel pipe penstock that would connect the unit with the existing bypass. All construction work is proposed to be within the project boundary on land owned by the licensee. The proposed amendment would increase the authorized installed capacity of the project from 103.5 MW to 105.3 MW. l. Locations of the Application: A copy of the application is available for inspection and reproduction at the Commission's Public Reference Room, located at 888 First Street, NE, Room 2A, Washington, DC 20426, or by calling
(202)502-8371. Information about this filing may also be viewed on the Commission's Web site at *http://www.ferc.gov* using the “eLibrary” link. Enter the docket number excluding the last three digits in the docket number field to access the document. You may also register online at *http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/esubscription.asp* to be notified via e-mail of new filings and issuances related to this or other pending projects. For assistance, call 1-866-208-3676 or e-mail *FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov* ; for TTY, call
(202)502-8659. A copy is also available for inspection and reproduction at the address in item
(h)above. m. Individuals desiring to be included on the Commission's mailing list should so indicate by writing to the Secretary of the Commission. n. Comments, Protests, or Motions to Intervene: Anyone may submit comments, a protest, or a motion to intervene in accordance with the requirements of Rules of Practice and Procedure, 18 CFR 385.210, 385.211, 385.214. In determining the appropriate action to take, the Commission will consider all protests or other comments filed, but only those who file a motion to intervene in accordance with the Commission's Rules may become a party to the proceeding. Any comments, protests, or motions to intervene must be received on or before the specified comment date for the particular application. o. Filing and Service of Responsive Documents: Any filings must bear in all capital letters the title “COMMENTS”, “RECOMMENDATIONS FOR TERMS AND CONDITIONS”, “PROTEST”, OR “MOTION TO INTERVENE”, as applicable, and the Project Number of the particular application to which the filing refers. All documents (original and eight copies) should be filed with: [Please, update with the current sec], Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. A copy of any motion to intervene must also be served upon each representative of the Applicant specified in the particular application. p. Agency Comments: Federal, state, and local agencies are invited to file comments on the described application. A copy of the application may be obtained by agencies directly from the Applicant. If an agency does not file comments within the time specified for filing comments, it will be presumed to have no comments. One copy of an agency's comments must also be sent to the Applicant's representatives. q. Comments, protests and interventions may be filed electronically via the Internet in lieu of paper. See, 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the instructions on the Commission's Web site at *http://www.ferc.gov* under the “e-Filing” link. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. E7-16039 Filed 8-15-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [ Project No. 82-021] Alabama Power Company; Notice of Application for Amendment of License and Soliciting Comments, Motions To Intervene, and Protests August 9, 2007. Take notice that the following application has been filed with the Commission and is available for public inspection: a. Application Type: Amendment of License. b. Project No.: 82-021. c. Date Filed: July 11, 2007. d. Applicant: Alabama Power Company. e. Name of Project: Mitchell Project. f. Location: The project is located on the Coosa River, Chilton, and Coosa Counties, Alabama. g. Filed Pursuant to: Federal Power Act, 16 U.S.C. 791a-825r. h. Applicant Contact: Mr. R.M. Akridge, Alabama Power Company, 600 N. 18th Street, P.O. Box 2641, Birmingham, AL 35291, telephone:
(205)257-1000. i. FERC Contact: Any questions on this notice should be addressed to Mr. Robert Bell at
(202)502-6062. j. Deadline for filing comments and or motions: September 10, 2007. k. Description of Request: Alabama Power Company, (Alabama) requests Commission approval to remove 33.5 acres of land at one location designated for general public recreation from the project boundary, and to add 38 acres of land to the project boundary at a different location designated for general public recreation. l. Locations of the Application: A copy of the application is available for inspection and reproduction at the Commission's Public Reference Room, located at 888 First Street, NE., Room 2A, Washington, DC 20426, or by calling
(202)502-8371. Information about this filing may also be viewed on the Commission's Web site at *http://www.ferc.gov* using the “eLibrary” link. Enter the docket number excluding the last three digits in the docket number field to access the document. You may also register online at *http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/esubscription.asp* to be notified via e-mail of new filings and issuances related to this or other pending projects. For assistance, call 1-866-208-3676 or e-mail *FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov,* for TTY, call
(202)502-8659. A copy is also available for inspection and reproduction at the address in item
(h)above. m. Individuals desiring to be included on the Commission's mailing list should so indicate by writing to the Secretary of the Commission. n. Comments, Protests, or Motions to Intervene: Anyone may submit comments, a protest, or a motion to intervene in accordance with the requirements of Rules of Practice and Procedure, 18 CFR 385.210, 385.211, 385.214. In determining the appropriate action to take, the Commission will consider all protests or other comments filed, but only those who file a motion to intervene in accordance with the Commission's Rules may become a party to the proceeding. Any comments, protests, or motions to intervene must be received on or before the specified comment date for the particular application. o. Filing and Service of Responsive Documents: Any filings must bear in all capital letters the title “COMMENTS”, “RECOMMENDATIONS FOR TERMS AND CONDITIONS”, “PROTEST”, OR “MOTION TO INTERVENE”, as applicable, and the Project Number of the particular application to which the filing refers. All documents (original and eight copies) should be filed with: Magalie R. Salas, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. A copy of any motion to intervene must also be served upon each representative of the Applicant specified in the particular application. p. Agency Comments: Federal, state, and local agencies are invited to file comments on the described application. A copy of the application may be obtained by agencies directly from the Applicant. If an agency does not file comments within the time specified for filing comments, it will be presumed to have no comments. One copy of an agency's comments must also be sent to the Applicant's representatives. q. Comments, protests and interventions may be filed electronically via the Internet in lieu of paper. See 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the instructions on the Commission's Web site at *http://www.ferc.gov* under the “e-Filing” link. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. E7-16040 Filed 8-15-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket Nos. ER07-576-000; ER07-576-001] Baltimore Gas and Electric Company; Notice of Technical Conference August 9, 2007. Take notice that Commission staff will convene a technical conference in the above-referenced proceeding on Wednesday, September 5, 2007, at 10 a.m.
(EDT)in Room 3M-2A at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. The Commission's July 24, 2007 order 1 in this proceeding directed staff to hold a technical conference to address the issues of whether Baltimore Gas and Electric Company's (BG&E's) proposed Transmission Owner Incentive
(TOI)projects are non-routine and thereby satisfy the Commission's nexus requirement between BG&E's proposed 100-basis point return on equity incentive adder and its overall investment in the TOI projects. 1 *Baltimore Gas and Electric Co.,* 120 FERC ¶ 61,084
(2007)(July 24 Order). To assist Commission staff and the parties to prepare for the conference, BG&E is directed to file its presentation for the conference on or before August 24, 2007. The presentation should address in detail the issues raised by the Commission in Paragraphs 48-55 and 60-64 of the July 24 Order on routine v. non-routine projects being eligible for transmission rate incentives. All parties will have an opportunity to file written comments to address BG&E's filing after the technical conference at a date to be established at the conference. Commission conferences are accessible under section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. For accessibility accommodations please send an e-mail to *accessibility@ferc.gov* or call toll free 1-866-208-3372 (voice) or 202-208-1659 (TTY), or send a FAX to 202-208-2106 with the required accommodations. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. E7-16035 Filed 8-15-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [FRL-8456-2] EPA Science Advisory Board; Notification of a Public Teleconference of the Science Advisory Board AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency Science Advisory Board
(SAB)Staff Office announces a public teleconference of the Chartered Science Advisory Board to conduct a quality review of two draft SAB documents:
(a)*SAB Homeland Security Advisory Committee Consultation on the EPA's Emergency Consequence Assessment Tool and Incident-based Microbial Risk Assessment Framework,* and
(b)SAB Radiation Advisory Committee *Advisory on the Agency Draft White Paper Entitled Modifying EPA Radiation Risk Models Based on Bier VII.* DATES: The SAB will hold the public teleconference on September 5, 2007. The teleconference will begin at 1 p.m. and end at 2:30 p.m. (Eastern Time). *Location:* Telephone conference call only. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Any member of the public wishing to obtain general information concerning this public teleconference should contact Mr. Tom Miller, Designated Federal Officer (DFO), EPA Science Advisory Board (1400F), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460; via telephone/voice mail:
(202)343-9982; fax:
(202)233-0643; or e-mail at: *miller.tom@epa.gov.* General information concerning the EPA Science Advisory Board can be found on the EPA Web Site at: *http://www.epa.gov/sab.* SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, Public Law 92-463, notice is hereby given that the EPA SAB will hold a public teleconference to review two draft SAB documents. The SAB was established by 42 U.S.C. 4365 to provide independent scientific and technical advice to the Administrator on the technical basis for Agency positions and regulations. The SAB is a Federal Advisory Committee chartered under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), as amended, 5 U.S.C., App. The SAB will comply with the provisions of FACA and all appropriate SAB Staff Office procedural policies. *Background:* The purpose of the public teleconference is to conduct a quality review of two draft SAB documents. These documents are the:
(a)*Science Advisory Board's Homeland Security Advisory Committee Consultation on the EPA's Emergency Consequence Assessment Tool and Incident-based Microbial Risk Assessment Framework,* and
(b)*Advisory on the Agency Draft White Paper Entitled Modifying EPA Radiation Risk Models Based on Bier VII.* In reviewing draft reports, the SAB considers whether:
(i)The original charge questions to the SAB review panel were adequately addressed in the draft report,
(ii)the draft report is clear and logical; and
(iii)the conclusions drawn, or recommendations made in the draft report, are supported by the body of the report.
(a)The EPA National Homeland Security Research Center (NHSRC) requested that the SAB provide technical advice on its Emergency Consequence Assessment Tool
(ECAT)and its preliminary incident-based Microbial Risk Assessment
(MRA)Framework (see 72 FR 20538 of April 25, 2007) which are being developed by the NHSRC. ECAT is an interactive online risk assessment and management software tool to provide health advisors, and other emergency response officials, with rapid access to critical information during an environmental emergency or training exercise. ECAT is designed to assess and provide site-specific numeric estimates of health risks for selected chemical, biological and radiological threat agents; and identify appropriate response actions to mitigate these risks. Additionally, NHRSC asked the SAB for advice on its White Paper describing issues important to the development of a decision framework for assessing health risks and developing clean up levels associated with a decontamination response following exposure to microbial agents. Additional information about the SAB consultation on these two topics is available on the SAB Web Site at: *http://www.epa.gov/sab/panels/hsacadhoc.html.*
(b)EPA's Office of Radiation and Indoor Air
(ORIA)asked the SAB to provide advice on a draft White Paper: *Modifying EPA Radiation Risk Models Based on BEIR VII,* dated August 2006 (see 71 FR 45545 of August 9, 2006; 71 FR 62950 of October 26, 2006; and 72 FR 8379 of February 26, 2007). EPA's White Paper describes an updated methodology for quantifying estimated cancer risks from environmental exposures to radionuclides. The EPA's methodology is based on the National Research Council (NRC 2006) released *Health Risks from Exposure to Low levels of Ionizing Radiation BEIR VII Phase 2* which primarily addresses cancer and genetic risks from low doses of low-LET radiation (BEIR VII). Additional information about the SAB's review of EPA's White Paper, and the development of the SAB draft report, can be found on the Web at: *http://www.epa.gov/sab/panels/rac_adv_white_paper_rad_risk_models.htm* . *Availability of Teleconference Materials:* The draft agenda and other materials will be posted on the SAB Web site at: *http://www.epa.gov/sab/* prior to the teleconference. *Procedures for Providing Public Input:* Interested members of the public may submit relevant written or oral information for the SAB to consider during the public teleconference. *Oral Statements:* In general, individuals or groups requesting an oral presentation at a public SAB teleconference will be limited to three minutes per speaker, with no more than a total of one-half hour for all speakers. Interested parties should contact Mr. Tom Miller, DFO, in writing (preferably via e-mail), by August 29, 2007, at the contact information noted above, to be placed on the public speaker list for this teleconference. *Written Statements:* Written statements should be received in the SAB Staff Office by August 30, 2007, so that the information may be made available to the SAB for their consideration prior to this teleconference. Written statements should be supplied to the DFO in the following formats: one hard copy with original signature, and one electronic copy via e-mail (acceptable file format: Adobe Acrobat PDF, WordPerfect, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, or Rich Text files in IBM-PC/Windows 98/2000/XP format). *Accessibility:* For information on access or services for individuals with disabilities, please contact Mr. Tom Miller at
(202)343-9982 or *miller.tom@epa.gov.* To request accommodation of a disability, please contact Mr. Miller preferably at least ten days prior to the teleconference, to give EPA as much time as possible to process your request. Dated: August 10, 2007. Anthony F. Maciorowski, Deputy Director, EPA Science Advisory Board Staff Office. [FR Doc. E7-16147 Filed 8-15-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560-50-P FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Notice of Public Information Collection(s) Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission August 2, 2007. SUMMARY: The Federal Communications Commission, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collection(s), as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), Public Law 104-13. An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a current valid control number. No person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information subject to the PRA that does not display a valid control number. Comments are requested concerning:
(a)Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, including whether the information shall have practical utility;
(b)the accuracy of the Commission's burden estimate;
(c)ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; and
(d)ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. DATES: Written PRA comments should be submitted on or before October 15, 2007. If you anticipate that you will be submitting comments, but find it difficult to do so within the period of time allowed by this notice, you should advise the contact listed below as soon as possible. ADDRESSES: Direct all PRA comments to Les Smith, Federal Communications Commission, Room 1-C216, 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554, or via the Internet to *PRA@fcc.gov.* FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information or copies of the information collection(s) contact Les Smith at
(202)418-0217 or via the Internet at *PRA@fcc.gov.* SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: *OMB Control Number:* 3060-0589. *Title:* FCC Remittance Advice and Continuation Sheet, Bill for Collection, FCC Remittance Advice for Regulatory Fees (E-Form). *Form Number(s):* FCC Forms 159, 159-C, 159-B, and 159-E. *Type of Review:* Revision of a currently approved collection. *Respondents:* Individuals or households; Business or other for-profit entities; Not-for-profit institutions; Federal government; and State, local, or tribal government. *Number of Respondents:* 150,000. *Estimated Time per Response:* 10 minutes to 4 hours. *Frequency of Response:* On occasion and annual reporting requirements; Third party disclosure. *Obligation To Respond:* Required to obtain or retain benefits. *Total Annual Burden:* 37,500 hours. *Total Annual Cost:* None. *Nature and Extent of Confidentiality:* There is no need for confidentiality, except for personally identifiable information
(PII)individuals may submit, which is covered by a system of records notice (SORN), FCC/OMD-9, “Commission Registration System (CORES).” *Privacy Impact Assessment:* No, the FCC will conduct a Privacy Impact Assessment when it revises the information system(s) covered by FCC/OMD-9, “Commission Registration System (CORES),” SORN. *Needs and Uses:* On August 2, 2007, the FCC released a *Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (R&O and FNPRM),* In the Matter of Assessment and Collection of Regulatory Fees for Fiscal Year 2007, MD Docket No. 07-81, FCC 07-140, in which it added licensees of earth stations and cable television relay service
(CARS)stations to those entities for which the FCC will bill for regulatory fees. The Commission has also applied regulatory fee obligations to interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol
(VoIP)providers. As a result of these two actions, which were taken in this *R&O* and *FNPRM,* the FCC is modifying FCC Form 159, 159-C, and 159-E to accommodate these two new billing requirements. The Commission created a streamlined electronic form, FCC Form 159-E, to associate a mailed or faxed payment with regulatory fees, which are filed on-line. Pertinent information is taken directly from the regulatory fee electronic filing system (Fee Filer) and populated on the FCC Form 159-E, which can be printed by the filer. The FCC Form 159-E, essentially a simple payment voucher, contains summary information, which distinguishes the payment but not detailed information about the fee(s). Specific associated fee information is available on a separate report, which the filer does not need to remit. Beginning with the FY 2005 regulatory fees, the Commission has required FCC Form 159-E to accompany all payments derived from the regulatory fee electronic filing system, except on-line payments, which do not require any paper submission. Payment may be made by check or money order, credit card or wire transfer. The Commission uses this information to apply credit for the remittance against all regulatory fees within the associated electronic submission. The payment instrument must be in the dollar amount specified on the FCC Form 159-E for full credit to be applied. Expanded use of the FCC Form 159-E is possible in the future as additional streamlining for this process is implemented. This form may be used in lieu of pre-populated FCC Form 159s, which are currently produced to facilitate remittance for various electronic filings. The FCC Form 159-E may, therefore, impact users of all electronic filing systems, as well as users of an FCC bill paying system (currently Fee Filer and the Red Light Display system). This information collection may affect some individuals or households; however, the Commission has in place a registration process *http://www.fcc.gov,* which issues a Federal Registration Number
(FRN)to each applicant/licensee, *etc.* , for use in filing any of these FCC Forms 159/159-C, 159-B, and 159-E. As part of the registration process, the applicant/licensee's SSN or TIN is stored in a secure environment, which minimizes any potential privacy risks. *OMB Control Number:* 3060-0949. *Title:* Interstate Telecommunications Service Provider Worksheet, FCC Form 159-W. *Form Number:* FCC Form 159-W. *Type of Review:* Extension of a currently approved collection. *Respondents:* Business and other for-profit entities. *Number of Respondents:* 3,700. *Estimated Time per Response:* 0.5 hours (30 minutes). *Frequency of Response:* On occasion and annual reporting requirements. *Obligation To Respond:* Required to obtain or retain benefits. *Total Annual Burden:* 1,850 hours. *Total Annual Costs:* None. *Nature and Extent of Confidentiality:* There is no need for confidentiality, except for personally identifiable information individuals may submit, which is covered by a system of records notice (SORN), FCC/OMD-9, “Commission Registration System (CORES).” *Privacy Impact Assessment:* No, the FCC will conduct a Privacy Impact Assessment when it revises the information system(s) covered by FCC/OMD-9, “Commission Registration System (CORES)” SORN. *Needs and Uses:* On August 2, 2007, the FCC released a *Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking* ( *R&O and FNPRM* ), In the Matter of Assessment and Collection of Regulatory Fees for Fiscal Year 2007, MD Docket No. 07-81, FCC 07-140, in which it added licensees of earth stations and cable television relay service
(CARS)stations to those entities for which the FCC will bill for regulatory fees. The Commission has also applied regulatory fee obligations to interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol
(VoIP)providers. As a result of these two actions, which were taken in this R&O and FNPRM, the FCC is modifying FCC Form 159-W, among other things, as cited above in 3060-0589, to accommodate these two new billing requirements. Section 9 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, authorizes the FCC to assess and to collect regulatory fees to recover costs incurred in carrying out the Commission's enforcement actions, policies, rulemaking activities, and user information services. Telecommunications licensees and permittees that provide interstate, international, mobile, and satellite services, including telephone operator services, must pay those fees, which are based upon a percentage of the licensee/permittee's interstate revenues. The FCC bills telecommunications licensees and permittees using the FCC Form 159-W as the invoice. The FCC developed FCC Form 159-W to provide a convenient format for these telecommunications licensees and permittees to verify the information that is extracted from the interstate revenue information (which are already “populated” on this form) and to verify the simple calculation of the fee amount that is due, correcting any inaccuracies as necessary. The FCC uses this form to bill the telecommunications licensee or permittee the amount of its regulatory fee. The FCC is making minor revisions to FCC Form 159-W to provide a clearer format. Respondents may access FCC Form 159-W on line through the FCC's Web page: *http://www.fcc.gov/frnreg* if they wish to submit payment prior to being billed. Federal Communications Commission. Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary. [FR Doc. E7-15577 Filed 8-15-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6712-01-P FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Public Information Collection Requirement Submitted to OMB for Emergency Review and Approval August 13, 2007. SUMMARY: The Federal Communications Commission, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Pub. L. 104-13. An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid control number. No person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act
(PRA)that does not display a valid control number. Comments are requested concerning:
(a)Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, including whether the information shall have practical utility;
(b)the accuracy of the Commission's burden estimate;
(c)ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; and
(d)ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. DATES: Written Paperwork Reduction Act
(PRA)comments should be submitted on or before August 31, 2007. If you anticipate that you will be submitting comments, but find it difficult to do so within the period of time allowed by this notice, you should advise the contacts listed below as soon as possible. ADDRESSES: Direct all PRA comments to Nicholas A. Fraser, Office of Management and Budget, via e-mail to *Nicholas_A._Fraser@omb.eop.gov* or via fax at 202-395-5167, and to the Federal Communications Commission via e-mail to *PRA@fcc.gov* or by U.S. mail to Jerry Cowden, Federal Communications Commission, Room 1-B135, 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information contact Jerry Cowden via e-mail at *PRA@fcc.gov* or at 202-418-0447. If you would like to obtain or view a copy of this information collection you may do so by visiting the FCC PRA Web page at: *http://www.fcc.gov/omd/pra.* SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Commission is requesting emergency OMB processing of this information collection and has requested OMB approval by September 13, 2007. *OMB Control Number:* None. *Title:* Request to state and local public safety entities for information on equipment operating in affected portion of 700 MHz public safety spectrum. *Form No.:* Not applicable. *Type of Review:* New collection. *Respondents:* State, Local, or Tribal Governments. *Number of Respondents:* 94 respondents; 94 responses. *Estimated Time per Response:* An average of 21 hours per response. *Frequency of Response:* One time reporting requirement. *Obligation To Respond:* Required to obtain a benefit. *Total Annual Burden:* 1,974 hours. *Total Annual Cost:* None. *Nature and Extent of Confidentiality:* An assurance of confidentiality is not offered because this information collection does not require the collection of personally identifiable information
(PII)from individuals. *Privacy Act Impact Assessment:* Not applicable. *Needs and Uses:* The Commission is seeking emergency processing of this information collection by September 13, 2007. Pursuant to the Commission's *700 MHz Second Report and Order (FCC 07-132, released August 10, 2007),* this information collection requires every 700 MHz Band public safety licensee, whether holding individual narrowband authorizations or operating pursuant to a State License, to provide the following information to the Commission:
(1)The total number of narrowband mobile and portable handsets in operation in channels 63 and 68, and the upper one megahertz of channels 64 and 69, as of 30 days after the date of adoption of its *700 MHz Second Report and Order,*
(2)the total number of narrowband base stations serving these handsets in operation,
(3)contact information for each identified set of handsets and base stations, as appropriate,
(4)the areas of operation of the mobile and portable units (such as defined by the jurisdictional boundaries of the relevant public safety departments), and
(5)the location, in latitude and longitude, of the base stations. In order to create a nationwide, interoperable public safety broadband network, the *700 MHz Second Report and Order* establishes a public safety band plan consistent with such a network. It consolidates narrowband operations in the upper twelve megahertz of the 700 MHz Public Safety band and designates the lower ten megahertz of that band solely for broadband communications. It also shifts the public safety spectrum block down by one megahertz in order to avoid interference problems along the border with Canada. This requires relocation of all public safety narrowband operations in channels 63 and 68, and the upper one megahertz of channels 64 and 69. The *700 MHz Second Report and Order* requires the winner of Upper 700 MHz Band D Block license to pay the costs associated with relocating public safety narrowband operations to the consolidated channels. It also assigns responsibility to a newly created Public Safety Broadband Licensee to administer the relocation process consistent with the requirements and deadlines set forth in *700 MHz Second Report and Order.* This information collection will identify the actual numbers of radios and base stations that the winner of the D Block license will be responsible for paying the costs of relocating. Federal Communications Commission. Jacqueline R. Coles, Associate Secretary. [FR Doc. E7-16157 Filed 8-15-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6712-01-P FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION [CG Docket 03-123; DA 07-3512] Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau Seeks Comment on Petition for Declaratory Ruling Regarding Video Relay Service
(VRS)Provider Employment Contracts With VRS Communications Assistants
(CAs)AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: In this document, the Commission is seeking comment on a petition for declaratory ruling filed by five Video Relay Service
(VRS)providers (Petitioners) that Sorenson Communications, Inc.'s (Sorenson) alleged practice of using clauses in their employment contracts that forbid VRS Communications Assistants from working with other VRS providers for a period of one year after ending their employment with Sorenson is contrary to the public interest and therefore should be prohibited. DATES: Comments are due on or before September 4, 2007, and reply comments are due on or before September 19, 2007. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by [CG Docket No. 03-123], by any of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: *http://www.regulations.gov.* Follow the instructions for submitting electronic filings. • Federal Communications Commission's Web Site: *http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs/.* Follow the instructions for submitting electronic filings. • Parties who choose to file by paper should also submit their filings on diskette. These diskettes should be submitted, along with three paper copies, to: Diane Mason, Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau, Disability Rights Office, 445 12th Street, SW., Room 3-A503, Washington, DC 20554. Such submission should be on a 3.5 inch diskette formatted in an IBM compatible format using Word 2003 or a compatible software. The diskette should be accompanied by a cover letter and should be submitted in “read only” mode. The diskette should be clearly labeled with the commenter's name, proceeding (including the lead docket number in this case (CG Docket No. 03-123)), type of pleading (comment or reply comment), date of submission, and the name of the electronic file on the diskette. The label should also include the following phrase “Disk Copy—Not an Original.” Each diskette should contain only one party's pleadings, preferably in a single electronic file. In addition, electronic filings must send diskette copies to the Commission's duplicating contractor at Portals II, 445 12th Street, SW., Room CY-CB402, Washington, DC 20554. • People with Disabilities: Contact the FCC to request reasonable accommodations (accessible format documents, sign language interpreters, CART, etc.) by e-mail: *FCC504@fcc.gov* or phone
(202)418-0539 or TTY:
(202)418-0432. For detailed instructions for submitting electronic filings and additional information on the rulemaking process, see the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this document. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Diane Mason, Consumer & Government Affairs Bureau, at
(202)418-7126 (voice),
(202)418-7828
(TTY)or e-mail *diane.mason@fcc.gov.* SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's document DA 07-3512, released August 3, 2007, in CG Docket No. 03-123. Pursuant to §§ 1.415 and 1.419 of the Commission's rules, 47 CFR 1.415, 1.419, interested parties may file comments and reply comments on or before the dates indicated on the first page of this document. Comments may be filed using:
(1)The Commission's Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS),
(2)the Federal Government's eRulemaking Portal, or
(3)by filing paper copies. S *ee Electronic Filing of Documents in Rulemaking Proceedings,* 63 FR 24121, May 1, 1998. • Electronic Filers: Filings may be filed electronically using the Internet by accessing the ECFS: *http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs/* or the Federal eRulemaking Portal: *http://www.regulations.gov.* Filers should follow the instructions provided on the Web site for submitting electronic filings. • For ECFS filers, if multiple docket or rulemaking numbers appear in the caption of this proceeding, filers must transmit one electronic copy of the filing for each docket or rulemaking number referenced in the caption. In completing the transmittal screen, filers should include their full name, U.S. Postal Service mailing address, and the applicable docket or rulemaking number, which in this instance is CG Docket No. 03-123. Parties may also submit an electronic filing by Internet e-mail. To get filing instructions, filers should send an e-mail to *ecfs@fcc.gov,* and include the following words in the body of the message, “get form <your e-mail address>.” A sample form and directions will be sent in response. • Paper Filers: Parties who choose to file by paper must file an original and four copies of each filing. If more than one docket or rulemaking number appears in the caption in this proceeding, filers must submit two additional copies of each additional docket or rulemaking number. • Filings can be sent by hand or messenger delivery, by commercial overnight courier, or by first-class or overnight U.S. Postal Service mail (although the Commission continues to experience delays in receiving U.S. Postal Service mail). All filings must be addressed to the Commission's Secretary, Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission. • The Commission's contractor will receive hand-delivered or messenger-delivered paper filings for the Commission's Secretary at 236 Massachusetts Avenue, NE., Suite 110, Washington, DC 20002. The filing hours at this location are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. All hand deliveries must be held together with rubber bands or fasteners. Any envelopes must be disposed of *before* entering the building. • Commercial mail sent by overnight mail (other than U.S. Postal Service Express Mail and Priority Mail) must be sent to 9300 East Hampton Drive, Capitol Heights, MD 20743. • U.S. Postal Service first-class, Express, and Priority mail should be addressed to 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554. A copy of document DA 07-3512 and any subsequently file documents in this matter will be available during regular business hours at the FCC Reference Center, Portals II, 445 12th Street, SW., Room CY-A257, Washington, DC 20554,
(202)418-0270. Document DA 07-3512 and any subsequently filed documents in this matter may also be purchased from the Commission's duplicating contractor at their Web site, *http://www.bcpiweb.com,* or call
(800)378-3160. A copy of DA 07-3512 and any subsequently filed documents in this matter may also be found by searching the Commission's Electronic Comment Filing System
(ECFS)at *http://www.fcc.gov.cgb/ecfs* (insert CG Docket No. 03-123 into the Proceeding block). To request materials in accessible formats for people with disabilities (Braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), send an e-mail to *fcc504@fcc.gov* or call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at
(202)418-0530 (voice),
(202)418-0432 (TTY). Synopsis The Commission seeks comment on the *Petition for Declaratory Ruling and Complaint Concerning the Provision of Video Relay Service by Sorenson Communications, Inc.,* CG Docket 03-123, filed May 18, 2007, by five VRS providers: Hands On Video Relay Services, Inc., Communications Services for the Deaf VRS, LLC, Snap Telecommunications, Inc., GoAmerica, Inc., and Communication Access Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing ( *Petitioners* ). Petitioners claim that Sorenson's alleged employment contract clause that VRS Communications Assistants may not work with other similar entities for one year after employment at Sorenson is contrary to the public interest and therefore should be prohibited. Federal Communications Commission. Nicole McGinnis, Deputy Chief, Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau. [FR Doc. E7-16158 Filed 8-15-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6712-01-P FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request AGENCY: Federal Maritime Commission. ACTION: Final notice of submission for OMB review. SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC or Commission) hereby gives notice that it has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget a request for a revision of an approved information collection regarding the licensing of ocean transportation intermediaries, as listed below. DATES: Written comments on this final notice must be submitted on or before September 17, 2007. ADDRESSES: Comments should be addressed to: Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Attention: Desk Officer for Federal Maritime Commission, 725 17th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20503, *OIRA_Submission@OMB.EOP.GOV* or fax
(202)395-5806, and to Peter J. King, Director, Office of Administration, Federal Maritime Commission, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., Washington, DC 20573, (Telephone:
(202)523-5800), *administration@fmc.gov.* Please reference the information collection's title and OMB number in your comments. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To obtain additional information, copies of the information collection and instructions, or copies of any comments received, contact Jane Gregory, Management Analyst, Office of Administration, Federal Maritime Commission, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., Washington, DC 20573, (Telephone:
(202)523-5800), *jgregory@fmc.gov.* SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A notice that FMC would be submitting this request was published in the **Federal Register** on June 8, 2007, allowing for a 60-day comment period. No comments were received. The FMC hereby informs potential respondents that an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and that a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. Information Collection Open for Comment *Title:* 46 CFR 515—Licensing, Financial Responsibility Requirements and General Duties for Ocean Transportation Intermediaries and Related Forms. *OMB Approval Number:* 3072-0018 (Expires August 31, 2007). *Abstract:* Section 19 of the Shipping Act of 1984 (the “Act”), 46 U.S.C. 40901-40904 (2006), as modified by Public Law 105-258 (The Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 1998) and section 424 of Pub. L. 105-383 (The Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1998), provides that no person in the United States may act as an ocean transportation intermediary
(OTI)unless that person holds a license issued by the Commission. The Commission shall issue an OTI license to any person that the Commission determines to be qualified by experience and character to act as an OTI. Further, no person may act as an OTI unless that person furnishes a bond, proof of insurance or other surety in a form and amount determined by the Commission to ensure financial responsibility. The Commission has implemented the provisions of section 19 in regulations contained in 46 CFR 515, including financial responsibility forms FMC-48, FMC-67, FMC-68, and FMC-69, Optional Rider Forms FMC-48A and FMC-69A, and its related license application form, FMC-18. *Current Actions:* The Commission intends to revise Form FMC-18, Application for a License as an Ocean Transportation Intermediary. Specifically, language is being added to the Privacy Act Notice regarding voluntary disclosure of the applicant's Social Security Number, and the System of Records citation is being updated. In the Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, the estimated time to prepare an Application is being revised from 1.5 hours per response to 2 hours. Throughout the Application, any reference to the Bureau of Consumer Complaints and Licensing (“BCCL”) has been changed to the Bureau of Certification and Licensing (“BCL”). Also, language has been added to Question 7(2) in Part B, and to Question 13(3) in Part D, allowing applicant or its qualifying individual to disclose whether he/she has “been declared bankrupt, been subject to a tax lien, or had legal judgment rendered for a debt.” In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, this would allow the agency, to the greatest extent practicable, to collect information about an applicant that may be used in making a decision with respect to the granting of an OTI license, directly from the applicant. *Type of Review:* Revision to an approved information collection. *Needs and Uses:* The Commission uses information obtained under this part and through Form FMC-18 to determine the qualifications of OTIs and their compliance with shipping statutes and regulations and to enable the Commission to discharge its duties under the Act by ensuring that OTIs maintain acceptable evidence of financial responsibility. If the collection of information were not conducted, there would be no basis upon which the Commission could determine if applicants are qualified for licensing. *Frequency:* This information is collected when applicants apply for a license or when existing licensees change certain information in their application forms. *Type of Respondents:* The respondents are persons desiring to obtain a license to act as an OTI. Under the Act, OTIs may be either an ocean freight forwarder, a non-vessel-operating common carrier, or both. *Number of Annual Respondents:* The Commission estimates a potential annual respondent universe of 4,765 entities. *Estimated Time Per Response:* The time per response for completing Application Form FMC-18 averages 2 hours. The time to complete a financial responsibility form averages 20 minutes. *Total Annual Burden:* The Commission estimates the total annual person-hour burden at 3,596 person-hours. Bryant L. VanBrakle, Secretary. [FR Doc. E7-16064 Filed 8-15-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6730-01-P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES [Document Identifier: OS-0990-New] Agency Information Collection Request; 60-Day Public Comment Request AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, HHS. ACTION: Agency Information Collection Request. 60-Day Public Comment Request. In compliance with the requirement of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Office of the Secretary (OS), Department of Health and Human Services, is publishing the following summary of a proposed information collection request for public comment. Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including any of the following subjects:
(1)The necessity and utility of the proposed information collection for the proper performance of the agency's functions;
(2)the accuracy of the estimated burden;
(3)ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and
(4)the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology to minimize the information collection burden. To obtain copies of the supporting statement and any related forms for the proposed paperwork collections referenced above, e-mail your request, including your address, phone number, OMB number, and OS document identifier, to *Sherette.funncoleman@hhs.gov,* or call the Reports Clearance Office on
(202)690-6162. Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collections must be received within 60-days, and directed to the OS Paperwork. Proposed Project Meeting Request Routing System for MedicalCountermeasures.gov—New—Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR)—Office of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA). Both naturally occurring and intentional public health threats have the potential to cause catastrophic harm in a variety of ways, including economic repercussions and adverse effects on health, in some cases leading to loss of life. To meet these challenges, federal government encourages open communication with its stakeholders in the research and development communities and in industry. One method of improving this communication will be through the *MedicalCountermeasures.gov* Web site. The two key functions of the *MedicalCountermeasures.gov* Web site will be
(1)to centrally manage stakeholder requests for meetings with government to present product information related to medical countermeasures against public health disasters, both manmade and naturally occurring; and
(2)to provide our stakeholders in industry and academia with information on government sponsored opportunities and events related to medical countermeasures. In order to route product developers to the most appropriate personnel within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), HHS will collect some basic information about the company's product through *MedicalCountermeasures.gov.* Using this information and a routing system that has been developed with input from the participating agencies within HHS, including the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), *MedicalCountermeasures.gov* will route the meeting request to the appropriate person within HHS. HHS is collaborating with other agencies in the planning of this project, and hopes to expand this system to other agencies in the future. ASPR is requesting a three year clearance. HHS expects that the respondents will be made up of developers of medical countermeasures to naturally occurring and intentional public health threats. Participation in this system will be completely voluntary, and the information that is submitted to the system is for information only. We anticipate that the respondents will make a request on average once a year. The estimate of 225 respondents is based on the number of stakeholders from the target group who signed up for the Public Health Emergency Medical Countermeasures Stakeholders Workshop. Estimated Annualized Burden Table Type of respondent Number of respondents Number of responses per respondent Average burden per response (in hours) Total burden hours Developers of medical countermeasures to naturally occurring and intentional public health threats. 225 1 8/60 30 Total 225 30 Dated: July 30, 2007. Seleda Perryman, Office of the Secretary, Paperwork Reduction Act Reports Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. E7-16074 Filed 8-15-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4150-37-P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Announcement of Availability of Funds for a Cooperative Agreement To Provide Baccalaureate Nursing Education Supportive of Maternal-Child Nursing at Kabul Medical University
(KMU)and Support for the Development of a Nursing Board for Registration and Licensure at the Ministry of Public Health AGENCY: Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Secretary, Office of Global Health Affairs. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The primary goal of this project is to assist Afghanistan in the development and strengthening of maternal and child health clinics/hospital systems by creating a solid, university-based, culturally-appropriate professional nursing educational program and building upon previous educational and training efforts. Funding is made available for the development of a basic baccalaureate program at Kabul Medical University and a registered nurse completion program at the Institute of Health Sciences
(IHS)in Kabul, Afghanistan. The focus of both programs must be toward an emphasis on clinical training, to include the demonstration of direct patient care alongside Afghan health-care nurse providers. *Announcement Type:* Single Eligibility—FY 2007 Initial Announcement. *GSA Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance:* 93.017. DATES: Application Availability: August 16, 2007. Optional Letter of Intent must be received by 5 p.m. ET August 23, 2007. Applications must be received by 5 p.m. ET August 31, 2007. Award date: September 15, 2007. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Office of Global Health Affairs
(OGHA)within the Department of Health and Human Services
(HHS)announces that up to $625,000 in fiscal year
(FY)2007 funds is available for one cooperative agreement to the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF), to provide support for the development of a basic baccalaureate program at Kabul Medical University and a registered nurse completion program at the Institute of Health Sciences
(IHS)in Kabul, Afghanistan to include the implementation of curriculum reform in support of evidence-based theoretical and clinical nursing knowledge and practice in community based maternal-child health at Kabul Medical University, the strengthening of the nursing program at IHS and the development of a systematic program for faculty development and the development of a Board of Nursing for licensure and certification at the Ministry of Public Health
(MoPH)of Afghanistan. 1 An emphasis will focus on clinical training, which will include the demonstration of direct patient care alongside Afghan health-care nurse providers. All care will also reflect an interdisciplinary approach with full participation of the medical and allied health team in the delivery of care. Nurses can be the front-line provider of care and first point of contact in many clinic settings, especially for women and children. 1 The Baccalaureate Nursing Education and Nursing Registration and Licensure described in this document are not intended to be equal with U.S. or other Western standards for such training. The primary goal of this project is to assist Afghanistan in the development and strengthening of maternal and child health clinics/hospital systems by creating a solid, university-based, culturally-appropriate professional nursing educational program and building upon previous educational and training efforts at the IHS by enhancing its three-year program for basic nursing. The program will be approved initially for a program period of one year in the amount of $625,000 available (including indirect costs), with continuing awards contemplated for year two and year three. Funding for the cooperative agreement in subsequent years is contingent upon the availability of funds and the satisfactory performance of the recipient. I. Funding Opportunity Description Authority: FY 2006 Labor/HHS/Education appropriations act, Pub. L. 109-149. 119 Stat. 2833, 2856 (Dec. 30, 2005), continued by sections 101(a)(5) and 104 of Division B of the FY 2007 Continuing Resolution, Pub. L. 110-5 (Feb. 15, 2007). Purpose of the Agreement HHS, in partnership with other relevant U.S. Government Departments and agencies, anticipates involvement in the development, administration and oversight of this program to improve professional nursing education and training at Kabul Medical University and the IHS in Kabul, Afghanistan. The program will be for a program period of one year. Approximately a total of $625,000 will be available for the one-year program period. The primary goal of this project is assist Afghanistan in the development of maternal and child health clinics/hospital systems. One way is by creating a solid, university-based, culturally-appropriate professional nursing educational program and building upon previous educational and training efforts at the IHS by enhancing its three-year program for basic nursing. A secondary goal is to support basic curriculum revision within the present nursing program in community-based maternal and child health related course work. The award recipient will also conduct a comprehensive evaluation of conditions and elements necessary for the eventual implementation of a culturally-appropriate licensing and certification program. 2 The funding will provide essential material resources within budgetary limitations for educational materials and for grant activities related to faculty leadership development. 2 The Baccalaureate Nursing Education and Nursing Registration and Licensure described in this document are not intended to be equal with U.S. or other Western standards for such training. Afghanistan has been at war with foreign forces and neighboring countries for over a quarter of a century and sectional violence has been rampant among ethnic groups. Over 5 million people including 300,000 children have died. Another 4.2 million Afghans have fled to Pakistan and Iran after the Soviet invasion in 1979 and repatriation continues to date. Afghanistan is a nation, which today even though nominally at peace, remains politically unstable with a resurgence of the Taliban movement primarily in the east and south. The past and present political situation impacts immensely on the physical security and health and psychological well-being of the Afghanistan people. Afghanistan is among the countries with the poorest human development indicators. It has the second highest maternal death rate in the world and the highest infant and child mortality in Asia. Save the Children and others report that the greatest health risk to Afghan women is pregnancy. According to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) less than 15 percent of the births are attended by medically trained personnel and only 90 percent are assisted by a traditional midwife. For every 100,000 live births, about 1,400 women die each year. When mothers die in childbirth, their infants are from three to ten times more likely to die before their second birthday due to preventable illnesses and poor immunization standards and practices. This unnecessary mortality can be partially attributed to the lack of safe drinking water where outside the cities only about 30 percent of the households have access to safe water. Drought and crop failure has diminished the supplies of grains and fresh produce contributing to significant malnutrition (54 percent) and vitamin deficiencies. The harsh winters and seasonal flooding also take its toll on the health of the population. Nearly 40 percent of the children less than three years of age are underweight and more than half of the children in this age group are stunted. Afghan men have an average life expectancy of 45 years of age and the average life expectancy for women is 47 years of age, though the Maternal Mortality Rate
(MMR)is higher in rural and remote areas. Addressing poverty, lack of income and limited access to health-care have been recognized as priorities by the Afghanistan government and the international donor community. Afghanistan's resources for education and access to schools have always been limited. During the Taliban era, many teachers left the country and those that remained received little or no continuing education. The Taliban neglected or destroyed school buildings. Women and girls were denied access to education during the Taliban era and even today, older girls are prohibited from sharing classroom education with boys. As a result, literacy rates vary significantly between men and women. Nearly half of the Afghan men are illiterate and women in Afghanistan have the lowest literacy rate in the world (between 9 percent and 15 percent). The World Bank reports (January 2006) that despite the success of back to school campaigns, half of the school age children are not educated. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) reports that there are 5 million students in school and that only 34 percent of those are girls. Although this is higher than at any time in the history of Afghanistan, women and girls lag far behind men and boys in education and the gap is not narrowing. The Afghanistan Ministry of Public Health
(MoPH)has been reconstituted and has stated that their mission is “to provide health-care to all Afghans especially to women and children and to under-served areas of the country by working effectively with communities and MoPH partners.” The primary priorities of the MoPH are as follows: • Reduce maternal and neonatal mortality; • Reduce child mortality; • Reduce communicable disease; • Reduce malnutrition; • Improve health system; and, • Improve mental health. The World Health Organization
(WHO)Assignment Report (16-23 May 2002) summarized the constraints facing the Afghan Health Sector, which will be reexamined in light of their status today. These constraints are as follows: • Lack of accurate information regarding the number and nature of the work of the health-care workforce especially nurses, midwives and allied health workers: As of 2006, this remains a problem. It is estimated that there are between 3,000 to 4,000 doctors in Afghanistan with a doctor to nurse-midwife ratio of 1:1. It has also been estimated that there are 11,000 medical students in 8 medical schools and 2,200 to 2,500 students in intermediate schools for nursing and midwifery. With the financial assistance of USAID and the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), 228 female graduates from more than 20 provinces completed the two-year competency-based program in April 2005. As of June 2006, 805 new midwives have received training from one of two programs with approximately 70 percent completing the shorter community midwifery program. This represented a 65 percent increase from the 467 trained midwives in Afghanistan after the fall of the Taliban in 2001. By the end of 2006, 830 new midwives were expected to be trained. USAID has also provided training to 6,036 Community Health Workers of whom over half are women. USAID also reports that 227 women graduated from literacy programs that prepare them to enter the health-care professions. Nursing as a profession, without the major emphasis on midwifery, historically has been a male-dominated profession in Afghanistan. It is estimated that there are 3,800 nurses of whom 900 are female graduates from a three-year diploma program likely practicing midwifery rather than basic nursing. Because of the high mortality associated with childbirth, all initial efforts focused on providing support to decrease this health disparity. Numerous studies state that the country will eventually need 8,000 to 10,000 midwives to strengthen the overall quality of health-care. In the past, less attention has been directed toward the needs and utilization of basic or specialized nursing professions or the development of a formal degree program in nursing. Most current efforts are being directed toward providing in-service or continuing education in a hospital-based curative oriented model. Though most health planners would suggest that mortality associated with childbirth is a significant problem, it could also be argued that a comprehensive approach to health would be better served by devoting significant resources to the creation of a cadre of professional nurses. This nursing cadre would provide a wide repertoire of preventative as well as curative services in a wide variety of settings to patients of all ages and all genders. In 2002, recognizing the significant need for females to be prepared for a modern model of nursing practice, the Government of Afghanistan invited Aga Khan University of Nursing (AKU-SON), in collaboration with WHO, to support the development of Afghanistan's human resources in the health sector, especially midwifery, nursing and allied health within the Afghan Institute of Health Sciences (IHS). The quantity of students graduating from the Aga Khan IHS nursing diploma program in Kabul are not as great as those graduating from the midwifery program. In 2006, of the eighty-six students graduating from the newly designed three-year diploma program, only 19 were female. Presently, there are 90 students in the second year and 70 in the first year. Across all years, the gender distribution has been disproportionately male and efforts to recruit females have become a priority, as it remains a major issue. Cognizant of the gender disparity, the MoPH declared that the class of 2007 will have a gender distribution of 80 percent female and 20 percent male on the condition that males serve in the rural areas. • Lack of clarity/ role definition of different health practitioner categories: This lack of specific role definition is particularly evident in the approach to the recent development of the nurse midwives for Afghanistan. Understandably, the curriculum and practice design focused on the need to deal with life threatening complications such as hemorrhage, which were occurring frequently in the rural areas and among unassisted births. In 2005, it was estimated that over 92 percent of births in Afghanistan were unassisted. Thus, two tracts of practitioners were trained or retrained if they had graduated from any of the variable length programs created after the national revolution in 1978. The difference in expectations for practice is generally determined by need or in this case, by the lack of health-care in rural areas rather than by performance-based criteria. Similarly, with basic nursing, the curative services adopted from the Soviet Union were traditionally practiced within the confines of a health-care institution and did not extended into practice in the ambulatory unit or community. Historically, all health-care was supposed to take place within the walls of a hospital. • Workforce imbalance and misdistribution: As stated previously, the ratio of nurses to physicians, ratio of midwives to nurses and the predominance of males in the health profession, remains problematic. This problem is particularly salient given the highly conservative culture of Afghanistan. This year however, Afghanistan has made progress, as both the medical and nursing diploma program will admit 80 percent female and 20 percent male students to the new class. Both programs will also limit their enrollment substantially. The question of misdistribution in the field remains problematic. The IHS will admit males to the nursing program on the condition that they return to the rural provinces to practice. As Benjamin Loevinsohn, a World Bank health specialist states, Health workers in Afghanistan are afflicted by the “3 wrongs”: Wrong gender, wrong skills, and wrong location.” • Absence of national standards of curriculum development for all health professionals: Progress on this endeavor has been made in both basic nursing and midwifery. However, lack of exposure to the newest clinical knowledge and skills among the present health faculty makes the task very difficult. The lack of accepted academic preparation is a major obstacle. Presently, within the university community of scholars, only three percent of the 711 higher education teachers with a master's degree (39 percent) are female. Of the 132 faculty members with a Doctorate degree, none are female and of the 998 professors with a baccalaureate degree, only nine percent are female. • Multiple categories and varying lengths of training programs within nursing, midwifery and allied health: The length of the midwifery training programs has been standardized by the MoPH. The nursing diploma program of AKU-SON also has a standardized length. Discussion of the length and content of the baccalaureate program remains to be determined, although the newly established Kabul University program will follow a four-year model. The allied health programs follow a three-year technical school pattern. • Proliferation of disease specific vertical training programs: Vertical training programs remain prevalent and are most widely seen in educational programs that resemble didactic continuing education programs, as these programs are promoted most often by the latest infusion of donor dollars. • Lack of professional regulation of practice: Little progress has been made in the area of accreditation, licensure/registration and certification. Nursing and midwifery have recognized this need and established it as a high priority. A positive development has been the formation of a professional midwife organization, which is in the process of qualifying for membership in the International Confederation of Midwives. The MoPH recognized the importance of nursing by establishing a Directorate of Nursing in 2006. However, program funds are scarce or non-existent and the designation of responsibility for monitoring nursing and allied health has yet to be determined. It is therefore evident that the present Director and staff require assistance to accomplish this objective. • Isolation and lack of coordination among professional health education schools: Unlike most programs in Afghanistan, basic nursing and midwifery programs supported by AKU-SON and USAID/JHPIEGO, an affiliate of John Hopkins University, are based on standardized competency-based curriculums, supervised routinely and coordinated centrally. The allied health programs outside of Kabul have closed due to a lack of resources, faulty physical facilities and equipment. Requests for donor support in this area have not materialized to date. • Limited clinical experience/deficiencies in clinical training in hospital and community settings: There has been marked improvement in identifying and obtaining access to appropriate clinical experiences particularly as it relates to maternity services, which have been the recipient of the majority of the donor funding. Similarly, in those community health clinics and provincial health district hospitals supported by the World Bank, European Community and USAID, deficiencies in clinical training have begun to disappear. At the tertiary care level, children's clinical services supported by bilateral partners have been rehabilitated to the extent that they have become excellent sites for clinical training. Premier hospitals supported by a heavy reliance of expatriate leadership and management have also provided opportunities beyond the provision of basic care. Deficits in the fields of psychiatry and mental health as well as other areas of specialized and highly technical practice such as oncology and laboratory-intensive domains however continue to exist. • Lack of coordination among educational institutions, services and policy-makers in preparing health professional cadres: Key individuals responsible for the education and practice of key professional groups have indicated a willingness to cooperate at the central level. Current bilateral funding tends to support midwifery development and with only a small percentage of donor dollars dedicated to medicine, even less was allocated to allied health. USAID has recognized that literacy at all levels is essential for development in the social sector. However, coordination between the Ministry of Education
(MOE)and the MoPH still needs strengthening. The vital role of primary and secondary education in the development of professional education could also be significantly strengthened. Professional education demands critical thinking skills and an inquisitive mind for exploration of new information in the arts and sciences that are essential to the development of a humanistic role for the health practitioner. • Lack of exposure to regional and international trends in health-care: The travel portfolio in the International Relations Department attests to the multiple trips abroad by key health professionals. Documentation to evidence the application of newly acquired information and skills and its subsequent affect on the quality of health-care delivery however does not exist. The Director of Information and Education did state that a system to track and monitor foreign travel is being implemented which will require that all trips abroad must be approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
(MOFA)with those of Director and above, approved by the President of Afghanistan. The recipient of this cooperative agreement will support the development of a basic baccalaureate and a registered nurse completion program through the implementation of curriculum reform in support of evidence-based theoretical and clinical nursing knowledge and practice in community-based maternal-child health at Kabul Medical University and the strengthening of the nursing program at the Institute of Health Sciences (IHS). The recipient of this agreement will also develop a systematic program for faculty development and establish a Board of Nursing for licensure and certification at the MoPH in Kabul, Afghanistan while building the Afghan capacity to assume these functions in the future. It is anticipated that multiple sources of significant revenue, in addition to this cooperative agreement, will be available for leveraging in accomplishment of the objectives. These sources include current MoPH and MOHE operating expenses, supplies, and staff for IHS and Kabul Medical University and international donor contributions or in-kind donations to support educational reform and growth. The recipient will develop and upon award, implement a formal, mutually agreed-upon one-year work plan. The work plan must contain all elements listed below including timelines for completion and designated responsible agents. Measurable goals, objectives, and outcomes are expected to be integrated into the work plan as follows: • Provide a mission statement, including the projected scope of service; • Develop an annual operational and personnel budget, including a plan to identify, optimize, consolidate and effectively utilize all available funding sources for Kabul Medical University
(KMU)and IHS; • Document and assess the current nursing training curriculum, identifying areas of need and devising sustainable solutions for curriculum reform; • Assess the clinical training heads of faculty and students to establish and sustain quality training and education; • Develop and implement a plan for the revision of the nursing curriculum to include a focus on evidence-based theoretical and clinical nursing knowledge and practice in maternal-child community health for the basic nursing and registered nurse completion program; • Prepare new course syllabi and corresponding teaching/learning resource packets based on the revised curriculum; • Create a plan to establish the linkage between the IHS curriculum and the basic baccalaureate program to demonstrate the articulation between both; • Establish a system of credit by examination for presently active registered nurses so they may matriculate in the baccalaureate nursing program; • Develop a system for nurse-midwives to receive credit for clinical practice and admission into the basic and subsequent Baccalaureate program; • Create a model for the development of clinical educators and the recruitment of health-care workers from the community to function as adjunct clinical faculty; • Develop and establish a system for faculty and student recruitment and community outreach; • Create a plan for the development of a Management Information System
(MIS)for documentation of all training and developmental efforts and achievements; • Create a model for faculty training which may consist of planned exercises, mentoring by international experts and facilitation by peer networking. All efforts must compliment MoPH efforts and reflect IHS and Kabul Medical School education/training standards; • Develop a quality assurance and quality improvement assessment, monitoring and evaluation system for faculty, students and programs; • Establish a mechanism for national dialogue in collaboration with non-governmental organizations
(NGOs)providing nursing training and continuing education and other partners in relation to health planning and policy development within the MoPH, MOHE, Ministry of Women's Affairs and others; and; • Create a plan to support the MoPH Directorate of Nursing in the development of its capacity as a regulatory and authoritative body for nursing in Afghanistan. The award recipient will be responsible for preparing any sub-recipient request for application (RFA), conducting the RFA announcement and competition process, awarding the grant(s) and monitoring the grant(s) performance. Finally, the award recipient will monitor and report progress quarterly and annually and conduct a comprehensive evaluation of all required elements and conditions, including outcome measures for effectiveness and efficiency. II. Award Information The administrative and funding instrument for this program will be the cooperative agreement, in which HHS will have substantial scientific and/or programmatic involvement during the performance of the project. Under the cooperative agreement, HHS/OGHA will support and/or stimulate award recipient activities by working with them in a non-directive partnership role. HHS staff will be substantially involved in the program activities, above and beyond routine monitoring. Through this cooperative agreement, HHS will collaborate in an advisory capacity with the award recipient, especially during the development and implementation of a mutually agreed-upon work plan. HHS will actively participate in periodic reviews and in a final evaluation of the program. HHS/OGHA provides policy and staffing support to the Secretary and other HHS leaders in the area of global health, and provides policy advice, leadership and coordination of international health matters across HHS, including leadership on major crosscutting global health initiatives and the Department's relationships with multilateral organizations. Approximately up to $625,000 (including indirect costs) is available under the Department of Health and Human Services Revised Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2007, Division B, section 101(6), Public Law 109-289
(2007)to support this agreement. The anticipated start date is September 15, 2007. There will only be one, single award made from this announcement. The project period for this agreement is for one year with an individual budget period of 12-months for a total of $625,000. Continuation of this project and the level of funding are subject to satisfactory performance, availability of funds, and program priorities. The award recipient must comply with all HHS management requirements for meeting progress against milestones and for financial reporting for this cooperative agreement. (Please see HHS Activities and Program Evaluation Sections below.) HHS/OGHA activities for this program are as follows: In a cooperative agreement, HHS staff is substantially involved in the program activities, above and beyond routine grant-monitoring. HHS Activities for this program are as follows: • Organize an orientation meeting with the grantee to brief it on applicable U.S. Government and HHS expectations, regulations and key management requirements, as well as report formats and contents. • Review and approve the process used by the grantee to select key personnel and/or post-award subcontractors and/or subgrantees to be involved in the activities performed under this agreement. • Review and approve the grantee's annual work plan and detailed budget. • Review and approve the grantee's monitoring and evaluation plan. • Meet on a monthly basis with the grantee to assess monthly expenditures in relation to approved work plan and modify plans, as necessary. • Meet on a quarterly basis with the grantee to assess quarterly technical and financial progress reports and modify plans as necessary. • Meet on an annual basis with the grantee to review annual progress report for each U.S. Government Fiscal Year, and to review annual work plans and budgets for subsequent year. • Provide technical assistance, as mutually agreed upon, and revise annually during validation of the first and subsequent annual work plans. • Provide in-country administrative support to help grantee meet U.S. Government financial and reporting requirements approved by the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB)under 0920-0428 (Public Health Service Form 5161). • Collaborate with the awardee on designing and implementing the activities listed above, including, but not limited to the provision of technical assistance to develop program activities, data management and analysis, quality assurance, the presentation and possibly publication of program results and findings, and the management and tracking of finances. • Provide consultation and scientific and technical assistance based on appropriate, HHS/CDC documents to promote the use of best practices known at the time. • Assist the recipient in developing and implementing quality-assurance criteria and procedures. • Facilitate in-country planning and review meetings for technical assistance activities. • Assure experienced HHS or other subject-matter experts from other relevant U.S. Government Departments and agencies will participate in the planning, development, implementation and evaluation of all phases of this project. • Assist in establishing and maintaining U. S. Government, Afghan MoPH and NGOs contracts and agreements to carry out the program. Program Evaluation Criteria The applicant must have a comprehensive evaluation plan consistent with the scope, stated goals and objectives and funding level of the project. The evaluation plan should include both a process evaluation to track the implementation of the project activities and outcome evaluation criteria. In addition to conducting internal evaluations, the successful applicant must be prepared to participate in external evaluations supported by the Afghan MoPH and HHS. In addition to routine communications with the Afghan MoPH and HHS within 30 days following the end of each quarter, the grantee will submit a written quarterly performance and financial status report of no more than ten pages in length to the Ministry and HHS. At a minimum, quarterly performance reports will include the following: • A concise summary of the most significant achievements and problems encountered during the reporting period, e.g., a comparison of work progress with objectives established for the quarter against the award recipient's implementation schedule. Where the awardee does not meet objectives, the report must include a statement of cause and a summary of corrective actions. • Specific action(s) HHS and/or the Afghan MoPH needs to undertake to alleviate obstacles to progress. • Other pertinent information that will permit overview and evaluation of project operations. Within 90 days following the end of each project period, the awardee must submit a final report that contains all required information and data to MoPH and HHS. At minimum, the report will contain the following: • A summary of the major activities supported under the cooperative agreement and the major accomplishments that resulted from activities to improve performance. • An analysis of the project, based on the challenges described in the “Background” Section of the RFA performed prior to or during the project period, including a description of the specific objectives stated in the grant application and the accomplishments and failures that resulted from activities during the grant agreement period. The awardee should place emphasis on indicators and measures of operational efficiency and effectiveness. III. Eligibility Information 1. Eligible Applicants This is a single source, cooperative agreement with the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF), a non-denominational, international health, education and development agency operating in Afghanistan under the aegis of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN). The goal of the AKF's health program is to achieve sustainable improvements in health status among vulnerable groups, especially the geographically remote, women of childbearing age and children under five. The U.S. Government remains committed to supporting efforts to improve the health status of women and children, while assisting in the further development of Afghanistan's overall health-care infrastructure. This proposal builds upon the extensive network of the AKDN and leverages the established relationships between the AKDN and the Government of Afghanistan. At the invitation of the Afghan government, the Aga Khan University School of Nursing (AKU-SON), a component of the Aga Khan Health Services
(AKHS)has been assisting in strengthening and implementing programs at the Afghan Institute of Health Sciences
(IHS)since 2002. In collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Government of Afghanistan, WHO and Aga Kahn University (AKU), AKU-SON aims to support the development of Afghanistan's human resources in the health sector, especially nurses, midwives and health personnel through technical assistance and capacity building. These efforts have included providing nurse-based services and enhancing the existing skills of nurses through in-service training. In 2003, AKHS undertook the task of enhancing the operations of IHS for the purpose of creating a centre of excellence that meets Afghanistan's needs for nursing, midwifery and allied health personnel training. AKU-SON's capacity building measures at IHS, Kabul, are geared towards learning methodology, knowledge upgrading and clinical skills training for both faculty and students. The training programs of AKU-SON enable nursing and midwifery students to hone clinical skills prior to interventions on patients by working on models in a renovated learning lab. In the area of technical assistance, the School has played an important role in revising the nursing and midwifery curricula and translating reference material into the local Dari language. The revised curriculum, since established as the national curricula in Afghanistan, has been introduced in regional Institutes in Herat, Jalalabad, Mazar-e-Sharif and Kunduz in 2005. Under the revised curriculum, nurses are trained to work alongside medical teams in clinics, hospitals and outreach centers providing direct care as well as sharing their skills and training with others. The AKHS consists of a Medical College and a School of Nursing. Both components work in an interactive partnership with the Aga Khan University Hospital, which serves as the principal clinical and teaching facility. Components of the nursing and midwifery programs are also taught by AKU in Kabul and Karachi. The curriculum at Kabul Medical University is also based upon the AKU-SON curriculum being implemented at the health institutes. In 2006, the Afghan MoPH granted AKU-SON permission to share all teaching materials. The AKU-SON curriculum consists of an eight semester, four-year program, which will provide graduates with education in subjects appropriate to the university level. The course catalog describes this curriculum as an education, which enables graduates to be competent practitioners of nursing, prepared to teach nursing, seek further qualification, and actively collaborate to improve the health of individuals, families, communities and the nation. In 2007, AKU-SON is due to renew a five-year plan to strengthen nursing, midwifery and allied health education in Afghanistan. Since 2002, AKU-SON has been providing study tours to AKU and other colleges and universities to expose faculty to modern educational methods and systems. Every year since 2002, AKU-SON has also sponsored two faculty members for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing
(BScN)and Master of Science in Nursing
(MScN)degree at AKU in Pakistan. This education faculty has returned to Afghanistan and forms a small cadre of individuals qualified to lead Afghanistan nursing into the 21st Century. The development of a baccalaureate degree in nursing in Afghanistan has always been a goal of AKU-SON. With funding from this cooperative agreement, AKF will be able to improve the government system of professional education for nurses in Afghanistan. This effort will work toward ensuring a cadre of nursing professionals who can provide the full range of quality prenatal, intrapartum and newborn care in all components of the Afghan health-care, including the community. HHS, through this cooperative agreement, will support the development of a multidisciplinary approach to health-care and will augment the funding and services AKDN and AKF are providing to foster the development of professional nursing. AKU-SON's reputation as a leader and as an advocate for the advancement of women in the health professions, especially nursing, is well established in the Central Asian region. AKDN and its many operating agencies, have demonstrated their commitment to Afghanistan in many spheres but have been relatively alone amongst donors in the support of the modernization of the health professions. 2. Cost Sharing or Matching Although cost sharing, matching funds, and cost participation are not a requirement of this agreement, if the applicant receives funding from other sources to underwrite the same or similar activities, or anticipate receiving such funding in the next 12 months, they must detail how the disparate streams of financing complement each other. 3. Other—(If Applicable) N/A IV. Application and Submission Information 1. Address To Request Application Kit Application kits may be obtained by accessing Grants.gov at *http://www.grants.gov* or the eGrants system at *http://GrantSolution.gov* . To obtain a hard copy of the application kit, contact OPHS Office of Grants Management. Applications must be prepared using Form OPHS-1, which can be obtained at the Web sites noted above. 2. Content and Form of Application Submission Application Materials A separate budget page is required for each budget year. The applicant must submit with their proposals a line-item budget (SF 424A) with coinciding justification to support each of the budget years. These forms will represent the full project period of Federal assistance requested. HHS/OGHA will reject proposals submitted without a budget and justification for each budget year requested in the application. The applicant must include in their application a Project Abstract, submitted on 3.5-inch floppy disk. The abstract must be typed, single-spaced, and not exceed two
(2)pages. Reviewers and staff will refer frequently to the information contained in the abstract, and therefore it should contain substantive information about the proposed projects in summary form. A list of suggested keywords and a format sheet for your use in preparing the abstract will accompany the application packet. The applicant must include a Project Narrative in their grant applications. Format requirements are the same as for the “Project Abstract” Section; margins should be one-inch at the top and one-inch at the bottom and both sides; and typeset must be no smaller than 12 cpi and unreduced. The applicant should type biographical sketches either on the appropriate form or on plain paper and they should not exceed two pages; list only publications directly relevant to this project. Application Format Requirements If an applicant is applying on paper, the entire application may not exceed 80 pages in length, including the abstract, project and budget narratives, face page, attachments, any appendices and letters of commitment and support. The applicant must number pages consecutively. HHS/OGHA will deem non-compliant applications submitted electronically that exceed 80 pages when printed and will return them to the applicant without further consideration. a. Number of Copies If submitting in hard-copy, please submit one original and two unbound copies of the application. Please do not bind or staple the application. The application must be single sided. b. Font Please use an easily readable serif typeface, such as Times Roman, Courier, or CG Times. The applicant must submit the text and table portions of the application in not less than 12-point and 1.0 line spacing. HHS/OGHA will deem applications that do not adhere to the 12-point font requirement non-compliant. c. Paper Size and Margins For scanning purposes, please submit the application on 8 1/2 ″ x 11″ white paper. Margins must be at least one inch at the top, bottom, left and right of the paper. Please left-align text. d. Numbering Please number the pages of the application sequentially from page one (face page) to the end of the application, including charts, figures, tables, and appendices. e. Names Please include the name of the applicant on each page. f. Section Headings Please put all section headings flush left in bold type. Application Format An application for funding must consist of the following documents in the following order: i. Application Face Page HHS/PHS Application Form OPHS-1, provided with the application package. Prepare this page according to instructions provided in the form itself. DUNS Number All applicant organizations must have a Data Universal Numbering System
(DUNS)number to apply for a grant from the Federal Government. The DUNS number is a unique, nine-character identification number provided by the commercial company Dun and Bradstreet. There is no charge to obtain a DUNS number. Information about obtaining a DUNS number is available at the following Internet address: *https://www.dnb.com/product/eupdate/requestOptions.html* or by calling 1-866-705-5711. Please include the DUNS number next to the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB)Approval Number on the application face page. HHS/OGHA will not review applications that do not have a DUNS number. Additionally, the applicant organization must register with the Federal Government's Central Contractor Registry
(CCR)to do electronic business with the Federal Government. Information about registering with the CCR is available at the following Internet address: *http://www.hrsa.gov/grants/ccr.htm.* Finally, the applicant that applies electronically through Grants.gov must register with the Credential Provider for Grants.gov. Information about this requirement is available at the following Internet address: *http://www.grants.gov/CredentialProvider.* An applicant that is applying electronically through the HHS/OPHS GrantSolutions System must register with the provider. Information about this requirement is available at the following Internet address: *https://www.grantsolutions.gov/gs/login.do.* ii. Table of Contents Provide a Table of Contents for the remainder of the application (including appendices), with page numbers. iii. Application Checklist Application Form HHS/OPHS-1, provided with the application package. iv. Budget Application Form HHS/OPHS-1, provided with the application package. v. Budget Justification The applicant must enter the amount of financial support (direct and indirect costs) they are requesting from the Federal granting agency for the first year on the Face Sheet of Application Form HHS/PHS 5161-1, Line 15a. The application should include funds for electronic-mail capability, unless access to the Internet is already available. The amount of financial support (direct and indirect costs) entered on the SF 424 is the amount an applicant is requesting from the Federal granting agency for the project year. Personnel Costs: The applicant should explain their personnel costs by listing each staff member supported from Federal funds, name (if possible), position title, percent full-time equivalency, annual salary, and the exact amount requested. Fringe Benefits: The applicant must list the components that comprise the fringe benefit rate, for example, health insurance, taxes, unemployment insurance, life insurance, retirement plan, tuition reimbursement. The fringe benefits should be directly proportional to that portion of personnel costs allocated for the project. Travel: The applicant must list travel costs according to local and long distance travel. For local travel the applicant should outline the mileage rate, number of miles, reason for the travel and the staff member/consumers who will be completing the travel. Equipment: The applicant must list equipment costs, and provide justification for the need of the equipment to carry out the program's goals. The applicant must provide an extensive justification and a detailed status of current equipment when they request funds for the purchase of computers and furniture items. Supplies: The applicant must list the items the project will use. In this category, separate office supplies from medical and educational purchases. “Office supplies” could include paper, pencils, and the like; “medical supplies” are syringes, blood tubes, plastic gloves, etc., and “educational supplies” can be pamphlets and educational videotapes. The applicant must list these categories separately. Subcontracts: To the extent possible, the applicant should standardize all subcontract budgets and justifications, and should present contract budgets by using the same object-class categories contained in the Standard Form 424A. The applicant must provide a clear explanation as to the purpose of each contract, how the organization estimated the costs, and the specific contract deliverables. Other: The applicant must put all costs that do not fit into any other category into this category, and provide and explanation of each cost in this category. vi. Staffing Plan and Personnel Requirements The applicant must present a staffing plan, and provide a justification for the plan that includes education and experience qualifications and the rationale for the amount of time requested for each staff position. The applicant must include in Appendix B position descriptions that include the roles, responsibilities, and qualifications of proposed project staff. The applicant must include in Appendix C copies of biographical sketches for any key employed personnel assigned to work on the proposed project. vii. Project Abstract The applicant must provide a summary of the application. Because HHS/OHGA often distributes the abstract to provide information to the American public and the U.S. Congress, the applicant should prepare this so it is clear, accurate, concise, and without reference to other parts of the application. It must include a brief description of the proposed grant project, including the needs addressed, the proposed work, and the population group(s) served. The applicant must place the following at the top of the abstract: • Project Title; • Applicant Name; • Address; • Contact Phone Numbers (Voice, Fax); • E-Mail Address; and • Web Site Address, if applicable. The project abstract must be single-spaced and limited to two pages in length. viii. Program Narrative This section provides a comprehensive framework and description of all aspects of the proposed program. It should be succinct, self-explanatory and well-organized so reviewers can understand the proposed project. The applicant should use the following section headers for the Narrative: • Introduction This section should briefly describe the purpose of the proposed project. • Work Plan The applicant should describe the activities or steps to achieve each of the activities proposed in the methodology section and use a time line that includes each activity and identifies responsible staff. • Resolution of Challenges The applicant should discuss likely challenges designing and implementing the activities described in the Work Plan, and approaches to resolve such challenges. • Evaluation and Technical Support Capacity The applicant should describe their current, relevant experience, skills, and knowledge, including individuals on staff, materials published, and previous work of a similar nature. • Organizational Information The applicant should provide information on their current mission and structure, scope of current activities, and an organizational chart, and describe how these all contribute to the ability of the organization to conduct the program requirements and meet program expectations. ix. Appendices The applicant must provide the following items to complete the content of their applications. Please note these are supplementary in nature, and are not a continuation of the project narrative. The applicant should label each appendix. Appendix A: Tables, Charts, etc. To give further details about the proposal. Appendix B: Job Descriptions for Key Personnel The applicant should keep each to one page in length as much as possible. Item 6 in the “Program Narrative” section of the HHS/PHS 5161-1 Form provides some guidance on items to include in a job description. Appendix C: Biographical Sketches of Key Personnel The applicant should include biographical sketches for persons who are occupying the key positions described in Appendix B, not to exceed two pages in length. In the event an applicant includes a biographical sketch for an identified individual not yet hired, it must include a letter of commitment from that person with the biographical sketch. Appendix D: Letters of Agreement and/or Description(s) of Proposed/Existing Contracts (project specific) The applicant must provide any documents that describe working relationships between the applicant agency and other agencies and programs cited in the proposal. Documents that confirm actual or pending contractual agreements should clearly describe the roles of the subcontractors and any deliverable. Letters of Agreement must be dated. Appendix E: Organizational Chart for the Project The applicant must provide a one-page figure that depicts the organizational structure of the project, including subcontractors and other significant collaborators. Appendix F: Other Relevant Documents Include here any other documents relevant to the application, including letters of support. Letters of support must be dated. 3. Submission Dates and Times To be considered for review, applications must be received by the Office of Public Health and Science, Office of Grants Management, by 5 p.m. Eastern Time on August 31, 2007. Applications will be considered as meeting the deadline if they are received on or before the deadline date. The application due date requirement in this announcement supersedes the instructions in the OPHS-1 form. Application Submission The Office of Public Health and Science
(OPHS)provides multiple mechanisms for submission of applications, as described in the following sections. Applicants will receive notification via mail from the OPHS Office of Grants Management confirming the receipt of applications submitted using any of these mechanisms. Applications submitted to the OPHS Office of Grants Management after the deadlines described below will not be accepted for review. Applications which do not conform to the requirements of the grant announcement will not be accepted for review and will be returned to the applicant. While applications are accepted in hard copy, the use of the electronic application submission capabilities provided is encouraged. Applications may only be submitted electronically via the electronic submission mechanisms specified below. Any applications submitted via any other means of electronic communication, including facsimile or electronic mail, will not be accepted for review. Electronic grant application submissions must be submitted no later than 5 p.m. Eastern Time 90 days prior to your current budget period end date (refer to your most recent Notice of Grant Award box #7 for this information). All required hardcopy original signatures and mail-in items must be received by the OPHS Office of Grants Management no later than 5 p.m. Eastern Time on the next business day after the deadline date for your non-competing application. Applications will not be considered valid until all electronic application components, hardcopy original signatures, and mail-in items are received by the OPHS Office of Grants Management according to the deadlines specified above. Application submissions that do not adhere to the due date requirements will be considered late and will be deemed ineligible. Applicants are encouraged to initiate electronic applications early in the application development process, and to submit early on the due date or before. This will aid in addressing any problems with submissions prior to the application deadline. Electronic Submissions The electronic grants management system, *GrantSolutions.gov* , provides for applications to be submitted electronically. When submitting applications via the GrantSolutions system, applicants are required to submit a hard copy of the application face page (Standard Form 424) with the original signature of an individual authorized to act for the applicant agency and assume the obligations imposed by the terms and conditions of the grant award. If required, applicants will also need to submit a hard copy of the Standard Form LLL and/or certain Program related forms (e.g., Program Certifications) with the original signature of an individual authorized to act for the applicant agency. When submitting the required forms, do not send the entire application. Complete hard copy applications submitted after the electronic submission will not be considered for review. Electronic applications submitted via the GrantSolutions system must contain all completed online forms required by the application kit, the Program Narrative, Budget Narrative and any appendices or exhibits. The applicant may identify specific mail-in items to be sent to the Office of Grants Management separate from the electronic submission; however these mail-in items must be entered on the GrantSolutions Application Checklist at the time of electronic submission, and must be received by the due date requirements specified above. Mail-In items may only include publications, resumes, or organizational documentation. When submitting the required forms, do not send the entire application. Complete hard copy applications submitted after the electronic submission will not be considered for review. Upon completion of a successful electronic application submission, the GrantSolutions system will provide the applicant with a confirmation page indicating the date and time (Eastern Time) of the electronic application submission. This confirmation page will also provide a listing of all items that constitute the final application submission including all electronic application components, required hardcopy original signatures, and mail-in items, as well as the mailing address of the OPHS Office of Grants Management where all required hard copy materials must be submitted. As items are received by the OPHS Office of Grants Management, the electronic application status will be updated to reflect the receipt of mail-in items. It is recommended that the applicant monitor the status of their application in the GrantSolutions system to ensure that all signatures and mail-in items are received. Mailed or Hand-Delivered Hard Copy Applications Applicants who submit applications in hard copy (via mail or hand-delivered) are required to submit an original and two copies of the application. The original application must be signed by an individual authorized to act for the applicant agency or organization and to assume for the organization the obligations imposed by the terms and conditions of the grant award. Mailed or hand-delivered applications will be considered as meeting the deadline if they are received by the OPHS Office of Grant Management on or before 5 p.m. Eastern Time 90 days prior to your current budget period end date (refer to your most recent Notice of Grant Award box #7 for this information). The application deadline date requirement specified in this announcement supersedes the instructions in the OPHS-1. Applications that do not meet the deadline will be returned to the applicant unread. 4. Intergovernmental Review This program is not subject to the review requirements of Executive Order 12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs. 5. Funding Restrictions Allowability, allocability, reasonableness, and necessity of direct costs the applicant may charge appear in the following documents: OMB-21 (Institutes of Higher Education); OMB Circular A-122 (Nonprofit Organizations) and 45 CFR Part 74, Appendix E (Hospitals). Copies of these circulars are available on the Internet at the following Internet address: *http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb.* No pre-award costs are allowed. 6. Other Submission Requirements N/A. V. Application Review Information 1. Criteria OGHA will be screen the application for completeness and for responsiveness to the program guidance. Applicant should pay strict attention addressing these criteria, as they are the basis upon which the application will be judged. If the application is judged to be non-responsive or incomplete, it will be returned to the applicant without review. If the application is complete and responsive to the guidance, it will be evaluated for scientific and technical merit by an appropriate peer review group specifically convened for this solicitation and in accordance with HHS policies and procedures. As part of the initial merit review, all applications will receive a written critique. The application will be discussed fully by the ad hoc peer review group and assigned a priority score for funding. The application will be assessed according the following criteria:
(1)Technical Approach (40 points): • The applicant's presentation of a sound and practical technical approach for executing the requirements with adequate explanation, substantiation and justification for methods for handling the projected needs of the partner institution. • The successful applicant must demonstrate a clear understanding of the scope and objectives of the cooperative agreement, recognition of potential difficulties that may arise in performing the work required, presentation of adequate solutions, and understanding of the close coordination necessary between the OGHA/HHS, Afghanistan Ministry of Public Health, U.S. Agency for International Development, and other organizations, such as the World Health Organization and United Nations Children's Fund. • Applicant must submit a strategic plan that outlines the schedule of activities and expected products of the Group's work with benchmarks at months six, 12. The strategic plan should specifically address the expected progress of the Quality of Care program.
(2)Experience and Capabilities of the Organization (30 Points): • The applicant should submit documented relevant experience of the organization in managing projects of similar complexity and scope of the activities. • Clarity and appropriateness of lines of communication and authority for coordination and management of the project. Adequacy and feasibility of plans to ensure successful coordination among multiple-partner collaboration. • Documented experience recruiting qualified medical personnel for projects of similar complexity and scope of activities.
(3)Personnel Qualifications and Experience (20 points): • Project Leadership—For the technical and administrative leadership of the project requirements, the successful applicant must demonstrate documented training, expertise, relevant experiences, leadership/management skills, and availability of a suitable overall project manager and surrounding management structure to successfully plan and manage the project. The successful applicant will provide documented history of leadership in the establishment and management of training programs that involve training of health-care professionals in countries other than the United States. Expertise in maternal and child health-care and services including documented training, expertise, relevant experience, leadership skills, and maternal and child health specific medical expertise. Documented managerial ability to achieve delivery or performance requirements as demonstrated by the proposed use of management and other personnel resources and to successfully manage the project, including subcontractor and/or consultant efforts, if applicable, as evidence by the management plan and demonstrated by previous relevant experience. • Partner Institutions and Other Personnel—The applicant should provide documented evidence of availability, training, qualifications, expertise, relevant experience, education and competence of the scientific, clinical, analytical, technical and administrative staff and any other proposed personnel (including partner institutions, subcontractors and consultants), to perform the requirements of the work activities as evidenced by resumes, endorsements and explanations of previous efforts. • Staffing Plan—The applicant should submit a staffing plan for the conduct of the project, including the appropriateness of the time commitment of all staff and partner institutions, the clarity and appropriateness of assigned roles, lines of authority. The applicant should also provide an organizational chart for each partner institution named in the application showing relationships among the key personnel. • Administrative and Organizational Framework—Adequacy of the administrative and organizational framework, with lines of authority and responsibility clearly demonstrated, and adequacy of the project plan, with proposed time schedule for achieving objectives and maintaining quality control over the implementation and operation of the project. Adequacy of back-up staffing and the evidence that they will be able to function as a team. The framework should identify the institution that will assume legal and financial responsibility and accountability for the use and disposition of funds awarded on the basis of this RFA. • Local Language Skills—The applicant should demonstrate the ability of employees to fluently speak Pashto and Persian.
(4)Facilities and Resources (10 Points): The applicant must document the availability and adequacy of facilities, equipment and resources necessary to carry out the activities specified under the “Program Requirements” Section of this announcement. 2. Review and Selection Process The application will be reviewed, by a panel of peer reviewers. Each of the above criteria will be addressed and considered by the reviewers in assigning the overall score. The final award will be made by the Deputy Director, Asia and Pacific Division of the Office Global Health Affairs on the basis of score, program relevance and, availability of funds. VI. Award Administration Information 1. Award Notices OGHA/HHS does not release information about individual applications during the review process until final funding decisions have been made. When a decision has been made, the applicant will be notified by letter regarding the outcome of its application. The official document notifying an applicant that an application has been approved and funded is the Notice of Award, which specifies to the awardee the amount of money awarded, the purpose of the agreement, the terms and conditions of the agreement, and the amount of funding, if any, to be contributed by the awardee to the project costs. 2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements The regulations set out at 45 CFR parts 74 and 92 are the Department of Health and Human Services
(HHS)rules and requirements that govern the administration of grants. Part 74 is applicable to all recipients except those covered by part 92, which governs awards to state and local governments. The applicant funded under this announcement must be aware of and comply with these regulations. The CFR volume that includes parts 74 and 92 may be downloaded from *http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/45cfrv1_03.html.* 3. Reporting The project is required to have an evaluation plan, consistent with the scope of the proposed project and funding level that conforms to the project's stated goals and objectives. The evaluation plan should include both a process evaluation to track the implementation of project activities and an outcome evaluation to measure changes in knowledge and skills that can be attributed to the project. Project funds may be used to support evaluation activities. In addition to conducting their own evaluation of projects, the successful applicant must be prepared to participate in an external evaluation, to be supported by HHS/OGHA and conducted by an independent entity, to assess efficiency and effectiveness for the project funded under this announcement. Within 30 days following the end of each quarter, a performance report no more than ten pages in length must be submitted to OGHA/HHS. A sample monthly performance report will be provided at the time of notification of award. At a minimum, monthly performance reports should include: • Concise summary of the most significant achievements and problems encountered during the reporting period, e.g. number of training courses held and number of trainees. • A comparison of work progress with objectives established for the quarter using the grantee's implementation schedule, and where such objectives were not met, a statement of why they were not met. • Specific action(s) that the grantee would like HHS/OGHA to undertake to alleviate a problem. • Other pertinent information that will permit monitoring and overview of project operations. • A quarterly financial report describing the current financial status of the funds used under this award. The awardee and OGHA will agree at the time of award for the format of this portion of the report. Within 90 days following the end of the project period a final report containing information and data of interest to the Department of Health and Human Services, Congress, and other countries must be submitted to HHS/OGHA. The specifics as to the format and content of the final report and the summary will be sent to the successful applicant. At minimum, the report should contain: • A summary of the major activities supported under the agreement and the major accomplishments resulting from activities to improve mortality in partner country. • An analysis of the project based on the problem(s) described in the application and needs assessments, performed prior to or during the project period, including a description of the specific objectives stated in the grant application and the accomplishments and failures resulting from activities during the grant period. Quarterly performance reports and annual reports may be submitted to: Mr. Dewayne Wynn, Grants Management Specialist, Office of Grants Management, OPHS, HHS 1101 Wootton Parkway, Suite 550, Rockville, MD 20852, phone
(240)453-8822. A Financial Status Report
(FSR)SF-269 is due 90 days after the close of each 12-month budget period and submitted to OPHS-Office of Grants Management. VII. Agency Contacts For assistance on administrative and budgetary requirements, please contact: Mr. DeWayne Wynn, Grants Management Specialist, Office of Grants Management, OPHS, HHS, 1101 Wootton Parkway, Suite 550, Rockville, MD 20852, phone
(240)453-8822. For assistance regarding program requirements, please contact: Dr. Christopher Hickey, Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Secretary, Office of Global Health Affairs, Asia-Pacific Division, 5600 Fishers Lane, Suite 18-101, Rockville, MD 20857, Phone Number: 301-443-1410. VIII. Tips for Writing a Strong Application Include DUNS Number You must include a DUNS Number to have your application reviewed. An application will not be reviewed without a DUNS number. To obtain a DUNS number, access *http://www.dunandbradstreet.com* or call 1-866-705-5711. Please include the DUNS number next to the OMB Approval Number on the application face page. Keep Your Audience in Mind Reviewers will use only the information contained in the application to assess the application. Be sure the application and responses to the program requirements and expectations are complete and clearly written. Do not assume that reviewers are familiar with the applicant organization. Keep the review criteria in mind when writing the application. Start Preparing the Application Early Allow plenty of time to gather required information from various sources. Follow the Instructions in This Guidance Carefully Place all information in the order requested in the guidance. If the information is not placed in the requested order, you may receive a lower score. Be Brief, Concise, and Clear Make your points understandable. Provide accurate and honest information, including candid accounts of problems and realistic plans to address them. If any required information or data is omitted, explain why. Make sure the information provided in each table, chart, attachment, etc., is consistent with the proposal narrative and information in other tables. Be Organized and Logical Many applications fail to receive a high score because the reviewers cannot follow the thought process of the applicant or because parts of the application do not fit together. Be Careful in the Use of Appendices Do not use the appendices for information that is required in the body of the application. Be sure to cross-reference all tables and attachments located in the appendices to the appropriate text in the application. Carefully Proofread the Application Misspellings and grammatical errors will impede reviewers in understanding the application. Be sure pages are numbered (including appendices) and that page limits are followed. Limit the use of abbreviations and acronyms, and define each one at its first use and periodically throughout application. Dated: August 10, 2007. Mary Lou Valdez, Deputy Director for Policy, Office of Global Health Affairs. [FR Doc. E7-16096 Filed 8-15-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4150-38-P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Announcement of Availability of Funds for a Cooperative Agreement To Provide Basic Medical Education Supportive of Maternal-Child Health at Kabul Medical University
(KMU)and Clinical Training in Obstetrics and Gynecology to Resident Physicians and Refresher Training to Attending Physicians at the Rabia Balkhi Women's Hospital AGENCY: Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Secretary, Office of Global Health Affairs. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The primary goal of this project is to assist Afghanistan in the development and strengthening of maternal and child health clinics/hospital systems by creating equitable and high quality obstetrical and gynecological and infant care at RBH and developing an evidence-based and culturally appropriate Obstetrical/Gynecological residency program and continuing education program for practicing physicians. Projects requesting funding should aim to expand the capacity of Kabul Medical University to develop and implement curriculum reform in support of evidence-based medical knowledge and practice in maternal-child health at Kabul Medical University and to provide leadership and clinical expertise to strengthen the Obstetric and Gynecology Residency Program; residency training refers to a sustainable training of physicians and specialists in obstetrics and gynecology based on Western accreditation standards that have been modified for the Afghan situation. *Announcement Type:* Single Eligibility—FY 2007 Initial Announcement. *GSA Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance:* 93.017. DATES: Application Availability: August 16, 2007. Optional Letter of Intent must be received by 5 p.m. ET August 23, 2007. Applications must be received by 5 p.m. ET August 31, 2007. *Award date:* September 15, 2007. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Office of Global Health Affairs
(OGHA)within the Department of Health and Human Services
(HHS)announces that an estimated $625,000 in Fiscal Year
(FY)2007 funds is available for one cooperative agreement to expand the capacity of Kabul Medical University to develop and implement curriculum reform in support of evidence-based medical knowledge and practice in maternal-child health at Kabul Medical University and to provide leadership and clinical expertise to strengthen the Obstetric and Gynecology Residency Program, approved by the Afghanistan Ministry of Public Health
(MoPH)and improve health-care delivery at Rabia Balkhi Women's Hospital
(RBH)in Kabul, Afghanistan. Residency training refers to a sustainable training of physicians and specialists in obstetrics and gynecology based on Western accreditation standards that have been modified for the Afghan situation. An emphasis will focus on clinical training, which will include the demonstration of direct patient care alongside Afghan health-care providers. All care will also reflect an interdisciplinary approach with full participation of the nurse midwifery staff in the delivery of care. The primary goal of this project is to assist Afghanistan in the development and strengthening of maternal and child health clinics/hospital systems by creating equitable and high quality obstetrical and gynecological and infant care at RBH and developing an evidence-based and culturally appropriate Obstetrical/Gynecological residency program and continuing education program for practicing physicians. The program will be approved initially for a program period of one year in the amount of $625,000 available (including indirect costs), with continuing awards contemplated for year two and year three. Funding for the cooperative agreement in subsequent years is contingent upon the availability of funds and the satisfactory performance of the grantee. I. Funding Opportunity Description Authority: FY 2006 Labor/HHS/Education appropriations act, Pub. L. 109-149. 119 Stat. 2833, 2856 (Dec. 30, 2005), continued by sections 101(a)(5) and 104 of Division B of the FY 2007 Continuing Resolution, Pub. L. 110-5 (Feb. 15, 2007). Purposes of the Agreement HHS, in partnership with other relevant U.S. Government Departments and agencies, anticipates involvement in the development, administration and oversight of this program to provide basic medical education and clinical training in Obstetrics and Gynecology to resident physicians and refresher training to attending physicians. The program will be for a program period of one year. Approximately a total of $625,000 will be available for this cooperative agreement. The primary goal of this project is to assist Afghanistan in the development and strengthening of maternal and child health clinics/hospital systems by creating equitable and high quality obstetrical and gynecological and infant care at RBH and developing an evidence-based and culturally appropriate Obstetrical/Gynecological residency program and continuing education program for practicing physicians. A secondary goal is to support basic curriculum revision within the medical school in maternal and child health related course work. The award recipient will also conduct a comprehensive evaluation of conditions and elements necessary for the eventual implementation of a culturally appropriate Obstetrical/Gynecological licensing and certification program. The funding under this cooperative agreement will provide essential material resources within budgetary limitations for educational materials and for grant activities related to residency development and leadership. Alongside this support, HHS/OGHA is currently providing support for staff development and continuing education at RBH. This new agreement is anticipated to focus on the expansion of physician-directed clinical efforts, but could also involve clinical training of teams, including the allied health and nursing personnel but is expected. HHS/OGHA is also currently providing support for hospital management development and facility management. It is expected that collaboration among grantees must occur to effectively provide the didactic and clinical training in a supportive physical environment within the labor law requirements of the Afghanistan MoPH. Afghanistan has one of the highest maternal mortality rates
(MMR)in the world with a rate of 1,600 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. Preventable complications related to childbirth cause more than 85 percent of deaths among women of childbearing age in Afghanistan. An estimated one in five children dies before reaching their fifth birthday. The government of Afghanistan has established improvement in women and child health as one of its highest priorities. The recovery from more than twenty years of civil unrest and war is underway but the restoration of the quality of the entire spectrum of health-care delivery, public health and health professional education remains a challenge. The United States along with other countries, international organizations and nongovernmental organizations
(NGOs)have provided assistance in the restoration of essential health services in Afghanistan. Former HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson signed a Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU)with the MoPH on October 2, 2002, pledging the support of American citizens to help in these efforts. In early 2003, HHS entered into collaboration with the MoPH to improve the maternal-child health services in Afghanistan. Upon the request of Minister Sidiq, HHS's first efforts were directed toward the rehabilitation of RBH and the restoration of health services at RBH. RBH is the largest full-service women's hospital in Afghanistan. RBH was one of the referral hospitals for women under the Taliban and was declared the only women's hospital in 1997. It is located adjacent to a major bazaar in District 2 of Kabul and consists of a large two-story building and two ancillary buildings within a courtyard. It has a theoretical inpatient capacity of 212 to 250 beds of which 80 to 100 are designated for Gynecology and Obstetrics. Approximately 25 to 30 deliveries occurred each day in 2003 and approximately 7,500 to 11,000 babies were delivered there each year in the first years after the fall of the Taliban. The hospital continues to see approximately 300 to 400 out-patients daily. It is a referral hospital with no formal relations with other maternity departments or pediatric hospitals. Its main partner for sick newborns is Indira Gandhi Children's Hospital (IGCH), also in Kabul. RBH, as well as most of the health-care hospitals in Afghanistan, continues to struggle with basic facility and human resource challenges that exceed those experienced in most other developing countries. Health-care professionals and support staff at RBH are working to provide quality health-care services in an environment which has been neglected during years of political upheaval and oppression. As a result, basic inpatient and outpatient services necessary to provide timely and accurate assessment and treatment of patients are frequently absent or in need of major improvement. The latest data from CURE International states that there are 384 employees at RBH of which there are 19 attending physicians, 74 physicians, 56 midwives, 35 nurses and 68 allied health professionals including pharmacists, anesthetists, lab technicians, radiologists and administrative staff. In addition, International Medical Corps
(IMC)has 27 trainers. Both CURE data and MoPH data indicate approximately a 1:1 total staff to bed ratio at RBH. In 2006, there were 13,275 live births. From January to March 2007, there were 3,542 births with 370 caesarean sections and 3,172 normal deliveries at RBH. The Maternal Mortality Rate
(MMR)for RBH in 2006 was 137 per 100,000 live births. In April 2003, as a first step, HHS funded a clinical knowledge and skills refresher training program at RBH. The intent of this refresher training has been to update the knowledge and skills of the current RBH attending physicians and other professional staff. HHS provided focused, short-term training to the RBH staff to improve their basic knowledge levels and to update the clinical skills needed to respond to the critical needs of the high-risk patient community accessing care at the facility. Additionally, HHS, through the HHS/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), provided expert technical guidance and advisory consultation for the continued development and implementation of a facility-based Health Management Information System (HMIS), Surveillance, Quality Assurance and Hospital Infection Prevention Program
(HIPP)at RBH. Simultaneously, the Department of Defense
(DOD)provided critical infrastructure improvements to the physical plant. In 2004, HHS provided funding to continue the RBH training program through a $2.2 million cooperative agreement with the implementing NGO, IMC. Through this cooperative agreement, IMC continues to support the provision of staff development and refresher training for clinical staff, including physicians, nurse-midwives and ancillary health-care workers and to work toward the development of a Residency program for Obstetrics and Gynecology. This agreement will conclude in October 2007. During 2004 and 2005, many expatriate experts attempted to adapt a standard curriculum used in Obstetrical/Gynecological residency training programs in the United States to the Afghanistan environment. Early on, however, HHS and IMC recognized that it would take some time to assess its relevancy to the situation on the ground. Difficulties in recruiting qualified personnel to run a residency program and differing views on the appropriateness of a western-style program delayed plans for the residency program and IMC's efforts were therefore directed toward continuing education and refresher training A series of committed expatriate staff, working in collaboration with IMC, however, were able to develop of a four-year residency program equivalent to those seen in developing countries This curriculum was formally approved by the MoPH on November 30, 2007. Although the curriculum was approved, the implementation of this contemporary model for a four-year residency program has not occurred as IMC staff and their colleagues at the academic board of MoPH recognized that there were significant gaps in the knowledge and clinical capability of present Afghan practicing obstetrician/gynecologist educators preventing them from assuming responsibility for the teaching and clinical supervision of practice in areas acknowledged as important and essential to the current accepted standards of obstetrics and gynecology practice. Despite numerous attempts, the present grantee has been unable to recruit skilled educators and clinicians to provide the needed expertise to implement the adapted residency program. Most significantly, without the capacity to recruit skilled obstetrical/gynecological clinical educators, the program can not meet its program objectives or provide quality care to the mothers and infants seeking care at RBH. Though considerable renovation and rehabilitation of the physical plant was completed by 2005, there were still concerns surrounding the environment of care. In 2005, HHS sponsored an evaluative visit to the facility by members of the Interagency Advisory group. Upon their recommendation, a cooperative agreement was awarded in 2005 to CURE International to provide leadership and management development and consultation and facility management. Funding was also allocated to ensure a sufficient supply of materials, equipment and pharmaceuticals at RBH. As part of this effort, substantial work was completed in developing job descriptions and appraisals, which are necessary for the recruitment and retention of qualified staff. In 2006, the MoPH and CURE International signed a Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU)for the operation of RBH. This agreement mandated payment of the Priority Reform and Restructure
(PRR)salaries of all the staff including the resident staff. Subsequently, CURE implemented policies and procedures governing attendance and disciplinary action for lack of compliance with work responsibilities. Staffing requirements were been modified to ensure continuous coverage 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Today, a basic environment of care, which can support a quality resident program, is present at RBH. Recognizing that the obstetrics/gynecology residents, though employed by the MoPH, are primarily products of the Kabul Medical University and that a quality residency program is built upon a strong foundation of medical education, it is essential to encourage collaboration between academia and the practice arena. Kabul Medical University has been engaged in curriculum reform and is modernizing its approach to teaching and learning with the help of many donors from the United States and the international community. The recipient of this cooperative agreement must recognize and embrace the opportunity to support change in both areas. It is expected that the award recipient will be actively engaged in the university to promote excellence in teaching and to ensure a solid foundation in the basic sciences, social sciences, supporting clinical courses and accompanying courses supportive of a professional identity. Finally, efforts to design and implement a system for licensure, certification and accreditation of residency programs at the MoPH should be supported by obtaining expert advice and implemented by developing the capacity within both the MoPH and the Ministry of Higher Education
(MOHE)to create the systems to achieve the monitoring and evaluation functions. The primary role for the award recipient of this cooperative agreement will be to implement and support the continued development of the residency program and improve health-care delivery at RBH, while building the Afghan capacity to assume these functions in the future. It is anticipated that multiple sources of significant revenue, in addition to this cooperative agreement, will be available for leveraging in accomplishment of the objectives. These sources include existing MoPH operational funds, supplies, and staff, current HHS/CURE funding to ensure a supportive management structure and the provision of necessary equipment, supplies and pharmaceuticals to support quality patient care and, likely additional donations or in-kind contributions from international donors. This cooperative agreement is not anticipated to involve training of the non-physician clinical staff or training of administrative or executive management staff. The recipient will develop and upon award, implement a formal, mutually agreed-upon one-year work plan. The work plan must contain all of the elements listed below including timelines for completion and designated responsible agents. Measurable goals, objectives, and outcomes are expected to be integrated into the work plan as follows: • Provide a mission statement, including projected scope of service; • Develop an annual operational and personnel budget, including a plan to identify, optimize, consolidate and effectively utilize all available funding sources; • Recruit and maintain qualified expatriate obstetrical/gynecological faculty so that a constant presence is assured to implement and evaluate the residency program; • Coordinate educational efforts to support the residency training with the presently funded CURE/IMC plan for clinical education and training. Include a discipline-specific needs assessment training plan with objectives using a variety of teaching methodologies, evaluation measures and timelines for competency skills assessment and testing; • Create a plan for residency training, which may consist of planned exercises, mentoring by international experts and facilitation by peer networking. All efforts must build upon the MoPH-approved training program, complement MoPH efforts and reflect Institute of Health Sciences
(IHS)and Kabul Medical School education/training standards. • Provide a plan for the incorporation of the HHS/CDC-developed Health Management Information System (HMIS), including MoPH patient record-keeping into the practice standards; • Develop a system for incorporating and implementing evidence-based standards of care and best practices, including an interface with the RBH quality assurance and quality improvement programs; • Develop a process for internal monitoring and evaluation to include, in collaboration with MoPH/RBH/CURE, output and outcome indicators; • Establish a system for providing advisement and consultation to Kabul Medical University on curriculum reform; • Document and assess the current process for faculty development, identifying areas of need and devising sustainable solutions for curriculum reform; • Develop a system for providing faculty development within the faculty responsible for maternal-child health at Kabul Medical University; • Assess the climate for instituting a state-of-the-art licensure process and certification system; and, • Serve as a liaison between the MoPH and MOHE. The award recipient will be responsible for preparing any sub-recipient request for application (RFA), conducting the RFA announcement and competition process, awarding the grant(s) and monitoring the grant(s) performance. Finally, the award recipient will monitor and report progress quarterly and annually and conduct a comprehensive evaluation of all required elements and conditions, including outcome measures for effectiveness and efficiency. II. Award Information The administrative and funding instrument for this program will be the cooperative agreement, in which HHS will have substantial scientific and/or programmatic involvement during the performance of the project. Under the cooperative agreement, HHS/OGHA will support and/or stimulate award recipient activities by working with the recipient in a non-directive partnership role. HHS staff will be substantially involved in the program activities, above and beyond routine monitoring. Through this cooperative agreement, HHS will collaborate in an advisory capacity with the award recipient, especially during the development and implementation of a mutually agreed-upon work plan. HHS will actively participate in periodic reviews, and in a final evaluation of the program. HHS/OGHA provides policy and staffing support to the Secretary and other HHS leaders in the area of global health, and provides policy advice, leadership and coordination of international health matters across HHS, including leadership on major crosscutting global health initiatives and the Department's relationships with multilateral organizations. Approximately up to $625,000 (including indirect costs) is available under the Department of Health and Human Services Revised Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2007, Division B, Section 101(6), Pub. L. 109-289
(2007)to support this agreement. The anticipated start date is September 15, 2007. There will only be one single award made from this announcement. The project period for this agreement is for one year for a total of $625,000 with continuation grants contemplated for FY 2008 and FY 2009. Continuation of this project from one 12-month budget period to the next and the level of funding are subject to satisfactory performance, availability of funds, and program priorities. The award recipient must comply with all HHS management requirements for meeting progress against milestones and for financial reporting for this cooperative agreement. (Please see HHS Activities and Program Evaluation Sections below.) HHS/OGHA activities for this program are as follows: • Organize an orientation meeting after the award is made with the award recipient to discuss applicable U.S. Government expectations as stated in this RFA, regulations, policies and key requirements, as well as report formats and contents. • Review and approve the award recipient's work plan and detailed budget. • Review and approve the award recipient's monitoring evaluation plan. • Conference on a monthly basis with the award recipient to assess monthly progress and expenditures in relations to approved work plan, and modify plans, as necessary. • Meet on an annual basis with the award recipient to review the progress report for each U.S. Government Fiscal Year. • Assure experienced HHS or other subject-matter experts from other relevant U.S. Government Departments and agencies will participate in the planning, development, implementation and evaluation of all phases of this project. • Assist in establishing and maintaining U.S. Government, Afghan Government and NGOs contracts and agreements to carry out the program. Program Evaluation Criteria The applicant must have a comprehensive evaluation plan consistent with the scope, stated goals and objectives and funding level of the project. The evaluation plan should include both a process evaluation to track the implementation of the project activities and outcome evaluation criteria. In addition to conducting internal evaluations, the successful applicant must be prepared to participate in external evaluations supported by the Afghan MoPH, MOHE and HHS. In addition to routine communications with the Afghan MoPH, MOHE and HHS within 30 days following the end of each quarter, the grantee will submit a written quarterly performance and financial status report of no more than ten pages in length to the Ministries and HHS. At a minimum, quarterly performance reports will include the following: • A concise summary of the most significant achievements and problems encountered during the reporting period, e.g. a comparison of work progress with objectives established for the quarter against the award recipient's implementation schedule. Where the award recipient does not meet objectives, the report must include a statement of cause and a summary of corrective actions. • Specific action(s) HHS and/or the Afghan MoPH or MOHE needs to undertake to alleviate obstacles to progress. • Other pertinent information that will permit overview and evaluation of project operations. Within 90 days following the end of each project period, the awardee must submit a final report that contains all required information and data to the MoPH, MOHE and HHS. At a minimum, the report will contain the following: • A summary of the major activities supported under the cooperative agreement and the major accomplishments that resulted from activities to improve performance. • An analysis of the project, based on the challenges described in the “Background” Section of the RFA performed prior to or during the project period, including a description of the specific objectives stated in the grant application and the accomplishments and failures that resulted from activities during the grant agreement period. The recipient should place emphasis on indicators and measures of operational efficiency and effectiveness. III. Eligibility Information 1. Eligible Applicants This is a single source, cooperative agreement with the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF), a non-denominational, international health, education and development agency operating in Afghanistan under the aegis of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN). The AKF is one of ten development agencies, institutions, and programs in the AKDN that work primarily in the poorest parts of Asia and Africa. The AKF strives to improve the health of vulnerable population groups, especially mothers and children, and promote health services development on the national and regional levels. The U. S. Government remains committed to supporting efforts to improve the health status of women and children, while assisting in further developing Afghanistan's overall health-care infrastructure. This proposal builds upon the extensive network of the AKDN and leverages the established relationships between the AKDN and the Government of Afghanistan. The AKDN has played a prominent role in the application of the Afghan government's *Essential Package of Hospital Services (EPHS)* and has been instrumental in its nationwide implementation. AKDN has also served as a key advisor to the Ministry of Health during the drafting of its *National Policy on Human Resource Development for Health* . Since 2002, the AKDN, through the AKF, has assisted in the construction and rehabilitation of Afghanistan's health-care infrastructure and contributed to the improvement of education and health services. Key achievements of the AKDN and AKF include the construction or rehabilitation of over 48 schools, two teacher-training colleges and 20 health facilities, the management of 24 health clinics and the establishment of 195 health posts. AKDN's health-care activities have emphasized training for professionals at all tiers of the Afghan health-care system, from community health-care workers and laboratory technicians to nurses and physicians. Since 2003, the AKDN, under Aga Khan Health Services (AKHS), has managed the Bamyan District Hospital, the only referral health facility for the seven districts in the province and trained its staff in emergency midwifery and obstetric complications. AKDN has also operated Community Midwifery Education Training Schools in Bayman Town, Faizabad and Kabul to address a major need for qualified, local, female health professionals and provided training to over 217 physicians, 161 midwives, and 264 nurses through training and refresher training programs in Baghlan, Takhar, and Badakhshan, Afghanistan. Aga Khan University (AKU), with multiple campuses including Kabul, Afghanistan and Karachi, Pakistan has served as the primary training institution for refresher courses and training programs for Afghan physicians, nurses and midwives and for postgraduate medical education for Afghan physicians enrolled in residency programs. In the international arena, AKU has assumed a dual role as both a standard-setting research institution and a disseminator of tested and replicable models and as such, has raised the bar for health-care in the developing world. In the Central Asian region, AKU has established itself as a major center for education, training and research in the health sciences and teacher education. Most significantly, AKU has also garnered a highly diverse faculty and student population in which at least 44 percent of AKU's faculty, many in senior posts and 50 percent of its students are female. Established in 1983, the Aga Khan Medical College located at the Karachi campus, offers various undergraduate and postgraduate programs. The College's curricular objectives include clinical competence both in community settings and hospitals, as well as the assessment of health and prevention of disease in communities through the primary health-care programs that AKU monitors in a number of urban squatter settlements. The College has agreements with leading academic institutions, including Harvard University in the United States, McGill and McMaster Universities in Canada and Karolinska Institute in Sweden, which have contributed to faculty and curriculum development. Through these partnerships, AKU is able to offer higher training and research, specifically in areas where such opportunities are not currently available in Pakistan. In 1993, the AKU Institute for Educational Development (AKU-IED) was established to focus Aga Kahn's efforts on the development of educational systems in the developing world. Through its network of Professional Development Centres
(PDCs)in Pakistan, Central Asia, and East Africa, AKU-IED functions as an outreach center and training and support facility for professional teachers and education managers. The Institutes focus primarily on improving the performance of teachers and other stakeholders through professional development, ultimately leading to school improvement and offer a series of professional development programs for teachers and other educators, as well as graduate programs. With funding from this cooperative agreement, AKF will be able to create a solid teaching hospital by utilizing the vast network of development agencies, institutions, and programs of the AKDN and building upon its previous educational and training efforts in Afghanistan. This effort will work toward developing an evidence-based and culturally appropriate Obstetrical/Gynecological residency program and continuing education program for practicing physicians. HHS, through this cooperative agreement, will augment the funding and services of the AKDN and AKF to foster equitable and high quality obstetrical and gynecological and infant care at RBH and promote the further development of Afghanistan's overall health-care infrastructure. 2. Cost Sharing or Matching Although cost-sharing, matching funds, and cost participation are not a requirement of this agreement, if the applicant receives funding from other sources to underwrite the same or similar activities, or anticipate receiving such funding in the next 12 months, they must detail how the disparate streams of financing complement each other. 3. Other—(If Applicable) N/A. IV. Application and Submission Information. 1. Address To Request Application Kit An application kit may be obtained by accessing Grants.gov at *http://www.grants.gov* or the eGrants system at *http://GrantSolution.gov* . To obtain a hard copy of the application kit, contact OPHS Office of Grant Management. Applications must be prepared using Form OPHS-1, which can be obtained at the websites noted above. 2. Content and Form of Application Submission Application Materials A separate budget page is required for each budget year. The applicant must submit with their proposals a line-item budget (SF 424A) with coinciding justification to support each of the budget years. These forms will represent the full project period of Federal assistance requested. HHS/OGHA will reject proposals submitted without a budget and justification for each budget year requested in the application. The applicant must include in their application a Project Abstract, submitted on 3.5-inch floppy disk. The abstract must be typed, single-spaced, and not exceed two
(2)pages. Reviewers and staff will refer frequently to the information contained in the abstract, and therefore it should contain substantive information about the proposed projects in summary form. A list of suggested keywords and a format sheet for your use in preparing the abstract will accompany the application packet. The applicant must include a Project Narrative in their grant applications. Format requirements are the same as for the “Project Abstract” Section; margins should be one-inch at the top and one-inch at the bottom and both sides; and typeset must be no smaller than 12 cpi and unreduced. The applicant should type biographical sketches either on the appropriate form or on plain paper and they should not exceed two pages; list only publications directly relevant to this project. Application Format Requirements If an applicant is applying on paper, the entire application may not exceed 80 pages in length, including the abstract, project and budget narratives, face page, attachments, any appendices and letters of commitment and support. The applicant must number pages consecutively. HHS/OGHA will deem non-compliant applications submitted electronically that exceed 80 pages when printed and will return them to the applicant without further consideration. a. Number of Copies If submitting in hard-copy, please submit one
(1)original and two
(2)unbound copies of the application. Please do not bind or staple the application. The application must be single sided. b. Font Please use an easily readable serif typeface, such as Times Roman, Courier, or CG Times. The applicant must submit the text and table portions of the application in not less than 12-point and 1.0 line spacing. HHS/OGHA will deem applications that do not adhere to the 12-point font requirement non-compliant. c. Paper Size and Margins For scanning purposes, please submit the application on 8 1/2 ″ x 11″ white paper. Margins must be at least one inch at the top, bottom, left and right of the paper. Please left-align text. d. Numbering Please number the pages of the application sequentially from page one (face page) to the end of the application, including charts, figures, tables, and appendices. e. Names Please include the name of the applicant on each page. f. Section Headings Please put all section headings flush left in bold type. Application Format An application for funding must consist of the following documents in the following order: i. Application Face Page HHS/PHS Application Form OPHS-1, provided with the application package. Prepare this page according to instructions provided in the form itself. DUNS Number All applicant organizations must have a Data Universal Numbering System
(DUNS)number to apply for a grant from the Federal Government. The DUNS number is a unique, nine-character identification number provided by the commercial company Dun and Bradstreet. There is no charge to obtain a DUNS number. Information about obtaining a DUNS number is available at the following Internet address: *https://www.dnb.com/product/eupdate/requestOptions.html* or by calling 1-866-705-5711. Please include the DUNS number next to the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB)Approval Number on the application face page. HHS/OGHA will not review applications that do not have a DUNS number. Additionally, the applicant organization must register with the Federal Government's Central Contractor Registry
(CCR)to do electronic business with the Federal Government. Information about registering with the CCR is available at the following Internet address: *http://www.hrsa.gov/grants/ccr.htm.* Finally, the applicant that applies electronically through Grants.gov must register with the Credential Provider for Grants.gov. Information about this requirement is available at the following Internet address: *http://www.grants.gov/CredentialProvider.* An applicant that is applying electronically through the HHS/OPHS GrantSolutions System must register with the provider. Information about this requirement is available at the following Internet address: *https://www.grantsolutions.gov/gs/login.do.* ii. Table of Contents Provide a Table of Contents for the remainder of the application (including appendices), with page numbers. iii. Application Checklist Application Form HHS/OPHS-1, provided with the application package. iv. Budget Application Form HHS/OPHS-1, provided with the application package. v. Budget Justification The applicant must enter the amount of financial support (direct and indirect costs) they are requesting from the Federal granting agency for the first year on the Face Sheet of Application Form HHS/PHS 5161-1, Line 15a. The application should include funds for electronic-mail capability, unless access to the Internet is already available. The amount of financial support (direct and indirect costs) entered on the SF 424 is the amount an applicant is requesting from the Federal granting agency for the project year. Personnel Costs: The applicant should explain their personnel costs by listing each staff member supported from Federal funds, name (if possible), position title, percent full-time equivalency, annual salary, and the exact amount requested. Fringe Benefits: The applicant must list the components that comprise the fringe benefit rate, for example, health insurance, taxes, unemployment insurance, life insurance, retirement plan, tuition reimbursement. The fringe benefits should be directly proportional to that portion of personnel costs allocated for the project. Travel: The applicant must list travel costs according to local and long distance travel. For local travel the applicant should outline the mileage rate, number of miles, reason for the travel and the staff member/consumers who will be completing the travel. Equipment: The applicant must list equipment costs, and provide justification for the need of the equipment to carry out the program's goals. The applicant must provide an extensive justification and a detailed status of current equipment when they request funds for the purchase of computers and furniture items. Supplies: The applicant must list the items the project will use. In this category, separate office supplies from medical and educational purchases. “Office supplies” could include paper, pencils, and the like; “medical supplies” are syringes, blood tubes, plastic gloves, etc., and “educational supplies” can be pamphlets and educational videotapes. The applicant must list these categories separately. Subcontracts: To the extent possible, the applicant should standardize all subcontract budgets and justifications, and should present contract budgets by using the same object-class categories contained in the Standard Form 424A. The applicant must provide a clear explanation as to the purpose of each contract, how the organization estimated the costs, and the specific contract deliverables. Other: The applicant must put all costs that do not fit into any other category into this category, and provide and explanation of each cost in this category. vi. Staffing Plan and Personnel Requirements The applicant must present a staffing plan, and provide a justification for the plan that includes education and experience qualifications and the rationale for the amount of time requested for each staff position. The applicant must include in Appendix B position descriptions that include the roles, responsibilities, and qualifications of proposed project staff. The applicant must include in Appendix C copies of biographical sketches for any key employed personnel assigned to work on the proposed project. vii. Project Abstract The applicant must provide a summary of the application. Because HHS/OHGA often distributes the abstract to provide information to the American public and the U.S. Congress, the applicant should prepare this so it is clear, accurate, concise, and without reference to other parts of the application. It must include a brief description of the proposed grant project, including the needs addressed, the proposed work, and the population group(s) served. The applicant must place the following at the top of the abstract: • Project Title; • Applicant Name; • Address; • Contact Phone Numbers (Voice, Fax); • E-Mail Address; and • Web Site Address, if applicable. The project abstract must be single-spaced and limited to two pages in length. viii. Program Narrative This section provides a comprehensive framework and description of all aspects of the proposed program. It should be succinct, self-explanatory and well-organized so reviewers can understand the proposed project. The applicant should use the following section headers for the Narrative: • Introduction This section should briefly describe the purpose of the proposed project. • Work Plan The applicant should describe the activities or steps to achieve each of the activities proposed in the methodology section and use a time line that includes each activity and identifies responsible staff. • Resolution of Challenges The applicant should discuss likely challenges designing and implementing the activities described in the Work Plan, and approaches to resolve such challenges. • Evaluation and Technical Support Capacity The applicant should describe their current, relevant experience, skills, and knowledge, including individuals on staff, materials published, and previous work of a similar nature. • Organizational Information The applicant should provide information on their current mission and structure, scope of current activities, and an organizational chart, and describe how these all contribute to the ability of the organization to conduct the program requirements and meet program expectations. ix. Appendices The applicant must provide the following items to complete the content of their applications. Please note these are supplementary in nature, and are not a continuation of the project narrative. The applicant should label each appendix. Appendix A: Tables, Charts, etc. To give further details about the proposal. Appendix B: Job Descriptions for Key Personnel The applicant should keep each to one page in length as much as possible. Item 6 in the “Program Narrative” section of the HHS/PHS 5161-1 Form provides some guidance on items to include in a job description. Appendix C: Biographical Sketches of Key Personnel The applicant should include biographical sketches for persons who are occupying the key positions described in Appendix B, not to exceed two pages in length. In the event an applicant includes a biographical sketch for an identified individual not yet hired, it must include a letter of commitment from that person with the biographical sketch. Appendix D: Letters of Agreement and/or Description(s) of Proposed/Existing Contracts (Project specific). The applicant must provide any documents that describe working relationships between the applicant agency and other agencies and programs cited in the proposal. Documents that confirm actual or pending contractual agreements should clearly describe the roles of the subcontractors and any deliverable. Letters of Agreement must be dated. Appendix E: Organizational Chart for the Project The applicant must provide a one-page figure that depicts the organizational structure of the project, including subcontractors and other significant collaborators. Appendix F: Other Relevant Documents Include here any other documents relevant to the application, including letters of support. Letters of support must be dated. 3. Submission Dates and Times To be considered for review, applications must be received by the Office of Public Health and Science, Office of Grants Management, by 5 p.m. Eastern Time on August 31, 2007. Applications will be considered as meeting the deadline if they are received on or before the deadline date. The application due date requirement in this announcement supersedes the instructions in the OPHS-1 form. Application Submission The Office of Public Health and Science
(OPHS)provides multiple mechanisms for submission of applications, as described in the following sections. Applicants will receive notification via mail from the OPHS Office of Grants Management confirming the receipt of applications submitted using any of these mechanisms. Applications submitted to the OPHS Office of Grants Management after the deadlines described below will not be accepted for review. Applications which do not conform to the requirements of the grant announcement will not be accepted for review and will be returned to the applicant. While applications are accepted in hard copy, the use of the electronic application submission capabilities provided is encouraged. Applications may only be submitted electronically via the electronic submission mechanisms specified below. Any applications submitted via any other means of electronic communication, including facsimile or electronic mail, will not be accepted for review. Electronic grant application submissions must be submitted no later than 5 p.m. Eastern Time 90 days prior to your current budget period end date (refer to your most recent Notice of Grant Award box #7 for this information). All required hardcopy original signatures and mail-in items must be received by the OPHS Office of Grants Management no later than 5 p.m. Eastern Time on the next business day after the deadline date for your non-competing application. Applications will not be considered valid until all electronic application components, hardcopy original signatures, and mail-in items are received by the OPHS Office of Grants Management according to the deadlines specified above. Application submissions that do not adhere to the due date requirements will be considered late and will be deemed ineligible. Applicants are encouraged to initiate electronic applications early in the application development process, and to submit early on the due date or before. This will aid in addressing any problems with submissions prior to the application deadline. Electronic Submissions The electronic grants management system, GrantSolutions.gov, provides for applications to be submitted electronically. When submitting applications via the GrantSolutions system, applicants are required to submit a hard copy of the application face page (Standard Form 424) with the original signature of an individual authorized to act for the applicant agency and assume the obligations imposed by the terms and conditions of the grant award. If required, applicants will also need to submit a hard copy of the Standard Form LLL and/or certain Program related forms (e.g., Program Certifications) with the original signature of an individual authorized to act for the applicant agency. When submitting the required forms, do not send the entire application. Complete hard copy applications submitted after the electronic submission will not be considered for review. Electronic applications submitted via the GrantSolutions system must contain all completed online forms required by the application kit, the Program Narrative, Budget Narrative and any appendices or exhibits. The applicant may identify specific mail-in items to be sent to the Office of Grants Management separate from the electronic submission; however these mail-in items must be entered on the GrantSolutions Application Checklist at the time of electronic submission, and must be received by the due date requirements specified above. Mail-in items may only include publications, resumes, or organizational documentation. When submitting the required forms, do not send the entire application. Complete hard copy applications submitted after the electronic submission will not be considered for review. Upon completion of a successful electronic application submission, the GrantSolutions system will provide the applicant with a confirmation page indicating the date and time (Eastern Time) of the electronic application submission. This confirmation page will also provide a listing of all items that constitute the final application submission including all electronic application components, required hardcopy original signatures, and mail-in items, as well as the mailing address of the OPHS Office of Grants Management where all required hard copy materials must be submitted. As items are received by the OPHS Office of Grants Management, the electronic application status will be updated to reflect the receipt of mail-in items. It is recommended that the applicant monitor the status of their application in the GrantSolutions system to ensure that all signatures and mail-in items are received. Mailed or Hand-Delivered Hard Copy Applications Applicants who submit applications in hard copy (via mail or hand-delivered) are required to submit an original and two copies of the application. The original application must be signed by an individual authorized to act for the applicant agency or organization and to assume for the organization the obligations imposed by the terms and conditions of the grant award. Mailed or hand-delivered applications will be considered as meeting the deadline if they are received by the OPHS Office of Grant Management on or before 5 p.m. Eastern Time 90 days prior to your current budget period end date (refer to your most recent Notice of Grant Award box #7 for this information). The application deadline date requirement specified in this announcement supersedes the instructions in the OPHS-1. Applications that do not meet the deadline will be returned to the applicant unread. 4. Intergovernmental Review This program is not subject to the review requirements of Executive Order 12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs. 5. Funding Restrictions Allowability, allocability, reasonableness, and necessity of direct costs the applicant may charge appear in the following documents: OMB-21 (Institutes of Higher Education); OMB Circular A-122 (Nonprofit Organizations) and 45 CFR part 74, Appendix E (Hospitals). Copies of these circulars are available on the Internet at the following Internet address: *http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb.* No pre-award costs are allowed 6. Other Submission Requirements N/A. V. Application Review Information 1. Criteria OGHA will screen the application for completeness and for responsiveness to the program guidance. Applicant should pay strict attention addressing these criteria, as they are the basis upon which the application will be judged. If the application is judged to be non-responsive or incomplete, it will be returned to the applicant without review. If the application is complete and responsive to the guidance, it will be evaluated for scientific and technical merit by an appropriate peer review group specifically convened for this solicitation and in accordance with HHS policies and procedures. As part of the initial merit review, all applications will receive a written critique. The application will be discussed fully by the ad hoc peer review group and assigned a priority score for funding. The application will be assessed according the following criteria:
(1)*Technical Approach (40 points):* • The applicant's presentation of a sound and practical technical approach for executing the requirements with adequate explanation, substantiation and justification for methods for handling the projected needs of the partner institution. • The successful applicant must demonstrate a clear understanding of the scope and objectives of the cooperative agreement, recognition of potential difficulties that may arise in performing the work required, presentation of adequate solutions, and understanding of the close coordination necessary between the OGHA/HHS, Afghanistan Ministry of Public Health, U.S. Agency for International Development, and other organizations, such as the World Health Organization and United Nations Children's Fund. • Applicant must submit a strategic plan that outlines the schedule of activities and expected products of the Group's work with benchmarks at months six and 12. The strategic plan should specifically address the expected progress of the Quality of Care program.
(2)*Experience and Capabilities of the Organization (30 Points):* • The applicant should submit documented relevant experience of the organization in managing projects of similar complexity and scope of the activities. • Clarity and appropriateness of lines of communication and authority for coordination and management of the project. Adequacy and feasibility of plans to ensure successful coordination among multiple-partner collaboration. • Documented experience recruiting qualified medical personnel for projects of similar complexity and scope of activities.
(3)*Personnel Qualifications and Experience (20 points):* • Project Leadership—For the technical and administrative leadership of the project requirements, the successful applicant must demonstrate documented training, expertise, relevant experiences, leadership/management skills, and availability of a suitable overall project manager and surrounding management structure to successfully plan and manage the project. The successful applicant will provide documented history of leadership in the establishment and management of training programs that involve training of health-care professionals in countries other than the United States. Expertise in maternal and child health-care and services including documented training, expertise, relevant experience, leadership skills, and maternal and child health specific medical expertise. Documented managerial ability to achieve delivery or performance requirements as demonstrated by the proposed use of management and other personnel resources and to successfully manage the project, including subcontractor and/or consultant efforts, if applicable, as evidence by the management plan and demonstrated by previous relevant experience. • Partner Institutions and Other Personnel—The applicant should provide documented evidence of availability, training, qualifications, expertise, relevant experience, education and competence of the scientific, clinical, analytical, technical and administrative staff and any other proposed personnel (including partner institutions, subcontractors and consultants), to perform the requirements of the work activities as evidenced by resumes, endorsements and explanations of previous efforts. • Staffing Plan—The applicant should submit a staffing plan for the conduct of the project, including the appropriateness of the time commitment of all staff and partner institutions, the clarity and appropriateness of assigned roles, lines of authority. The applicant should also provide an organizational chart for each partner institution named in the application showing relationships among the key personnel. • Administrative and Organizational Framework—Adequacy of the administrative and organizational framework, with lines of authority and responsibility clearly demonstrated, and adequacy of the project plan, with proposed time schedule for achieving objectives and maintaining quality control over the implementation and operation of the project. Adequacy of back-up staffing and the evidence that they will be able to function as a team. The framework should identify the institution that will assume legal and financial responsibility and accountability for the use and disposition of funds awarded on the basis of this RFA.
(4)*Facilities and Resources (10 Points):* The applicant must document the availability and adequacy of facilities, equipment and resources necessary to carry out the activities specified under the “Program Requirements” Section of this announcement. 2. Review and Selection Process The application will be reviewed, by a panel of peer reviewers. Each of the above criteria will be addressed and considered by the reviewers in assigning the overall score. The final award will be made by the Deputy Director, Asia and Pacific Division of the Office Global Health Affairs on the basis of score, program relevance and, availability of funds. VI. Award Administration Information 1. Award Notices OGHA/HHS does not release information about individual applications during the review process until final funding decisions have been made. When a decision has been made, the applicant will be notified by letter regarding the outcome of its application. The official document notifying an applicant that an application has been approved and funded is the Notice of Award, which specifies to the awardee the amount of money awarded, the purpose of the agreement, the terms and conditions of the agreement, and the amount of funding, if any, to be contributed by the awardee to the project costs. 2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements The regulations set out at 45 CFR parts 74 and 92 are the Department of Health and Human Services
(HHS)rules and requirements that govern the administration of grants. Part 74 is applicable to all recipients except those covered by part 92, which governs awards to state and local governments. The applicant funded under this announcement must be aware of and comply with these regulations. The CFR volume that includes parts 74 and 92 may be downloaded from *http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/45cfrv1_03.html* . 3. Reporting The project is required to have an evaluation plan, consistent with the scope of the proposed project and funding level that conforms to the project's stated goals and objectives. The evaluation plan should include both a process evaluation to track the implementation of project activities and an outcome evaluation to measure changes in knowledge and skills that can be attributed to the project. Project funds may be used to support evaluation activities. In addition to conducting their own evaluation of projects, the successful applicant must be prepared to participate in an external evaluation, to be supported by HHS/OGHA and conducted by an independent entity, to assess efficiency and effectiveness for the project funded under this announcement. Within 30 days following the end of each quarter, a performance report no more than ten pages in length must be submitted to OGHA/HHS. A sample monthly performance report will be provided at the time of notification of award. At a minimum, monthly performance reports should include: • Concise summary of the most significant achievements and problems encountered during the reporting period, e.g. number of training courses held and number of trainees. • A comparison of work progress with objectives established for the quarter using the grantee's implementation schedule, and where such objectives were not met, a statement of why they were not met. • Specific action(s) that the grantee would like HHS/OGHA to undertake to alleviate a problem. • Other pertinent information that will permit monitoring and overview of project operations. • A quarterly financial report describing the current financial status of the funds used under this award. The awardee and OGHA will agree at the time of award for the format of this portion of the report. Within 90 days following the end of the project period a final report containing information and data of interest to the Department of Health and Human Services, Congress, and other countries must be submitted to HHS/OGHA. The specifics as to the format and content of the final report and the summary will be sent to the successful applicant. At minimum, the report should contain: • A summary of the major activities supported under the agreement and the major accomplishments resulting from activities to improve mortality in partner country. • An analysis of the project based on the problem(s) described in the application and needs assessments, performed prior to or during the project period, including a description of the specific objectives stated in the grant application and the accomplishments and failures resulting from activities during the grant period. Quarterly performance reports and annual reports may be submitted to: Mr. Dewayne Wynn, Grants Management Specialist, Office of Grants Management, OPHS, HHS1101 Wootton Parkway, Suite 550, Rockville, MD 20852, phone
(240)453-8822. A Financial Status Report
(FSR)SF-269 is due 90 days after the close of each 12-month budget period and submitted to OPHS-Office of Grants Management. VII. Agency Contacts For assistance on administrative and budgetary requirements, please contact: Mr. DeWayne Wynn, Grants Management Specialist, Office of Grants Management, OPHS, HHS, 1101 Wootton Parkway, Suite 550, Rockville, MD 20852, phone
(240)453-8822. For assistance with questions regarding program requirements, please contact: Dr. Christopher Hickey, Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Secretary, Office of Global Health Affairs, Asia-Pacific Division, 5600 Fishers Lane, Suite 18-101, Rockville, MD 20857, Phone Number: 301-443-1410. VIII. Tips for Writing a Strong Application Include DUNS Number You must include a DUNS Number to have your application reviewed. An application will not be reviewed without a DUNS number. To obtain a DUNS number, access *http://www.dunandbradstreet.com* or call 1-866-705-5711. Please include the DUNS number next to the OMB Approval Number on the application face page. Keep Your Audience in Mind Reviewers will use only the information contained in the application to assess the application. Be sure the application and responses to the program requirements and expectations are complete and clearly written. Do not assume that reviewers are familiar with the applicant organization. Keep the review criteria in mind when writing the application. Start Preparing the Application Early Allow plenty of time to gather required information from various sources. Follow the Instructions in this Guidance Carefully Place all information in the order requested in the guidance. If the information is not placed in the requested order, you may receive a lower score. Be Brief, Concise, and Clear Make your points understandable. Provide accurate and honest information, including candid accounts of problems and realistic plans to address them. If any required information or data is omitted, explain why. Make sure the information provided in each table, chart, attachment, etc., is consistent with the proposal narrative and information in other tables. Be Organized and Logical Many applications fail to receive a high score because the reviewers cannot follow the thought process of the applicant or because parts of the application do not fit together. Be Careful in the Use of Appendices Do not use the appendices for information that is required in the body of the application. Be sure to cross-reference all tables and attachments located in the appendices to the appropriate text in the application. Carefully Proofread the Application Misspellings and grammatical errors will impede reviewers in understanding the application. Be sure pages are numbered (including appendices) and that page limits are followed. Limit the use of abbreviations and acronyms, and define each one at its first use and periodically throughout application. Dated: August 10, 2007. Mary Lou Valdez, Deputy Director for Policy, Office of Global Health Affairs. [FR Doc. E7-16114 Filed 8-15-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4150-38-P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics: Meeting Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the Department of Health and Human Services
(HHS)announces the following advisory committee meeting. *Name:* National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics (NCVHS) Ad Hoc Work Group on Secondary Uses of Health Data. *Time and Date:* August 23, 2007, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m., August 24, 2007, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. *Place:* Hubert H. Humphrey Building, Room 305A, 200 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20201. *Status:* Open. *Purpose:* The NCVHS Working Group will meet to discuss its work to develop a conceptual framework that includes
(1)a taxonomy describing types of uses and users of health data;
(2)provides guiding principles that balance the risk, sensitivity, benefits, obligations, and protections of various uses of health data, and
(3)clarifies terminology associated with various uses of health data. The group will also begin to gather information from a wide variety of stakeholders on issues related to secondary uses of data. Initial consideration will be placed on how data are used in the processing and management of data directly associated with quality measurement, reporting, and improvement. *For Further Information Contact:* Substantive program information as well as summaries of meetings and a roster of committee members may be obtained from Debbie Jackson, Senior Program Analyst, NCVHS, National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3311 Toledo Road, Room 2339, Hyattsville, Maryland 20782, telephone
(301)458-4614 or Marjorie S. Greenberg, Executive Secretary, NCVHS, National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Room 1100, Presidential Building, 3311 Toledo Road, Hyattsville, Maryland 20782, telephone:
(301)458-4245. Information also is available on the NCVHS home page of the HHS Web site: *http://www.ncvhs.hhs.gov/* where an agenda for the meeting will be posted when available. Should you require reasonable accommodation, please contact the CDC Office of Equal Employment Opportunity on
(301)458-4EEO
(4336)as soon as possible. Dated: August 9, 2007. James Scanlon, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Science and Data Policy (OASPE), Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation. [FR Doc. 07-4010 Filed 8-15-07; 8:45 am]
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Traces to 22 documents
20 references not yet in our index
  • 32 CFR 324
  • 32 CFR 323
  • 41 CFR 102
  • 10 USC 5013
  • 32 CFR 701
  • 18 CFR 34
  • 18 CFR 45
  • 16 USC 791a-825r
  • Pub. L. 92-463
  • Pub. L. 104-13
  • 47 CFR 1.415
  • 46 CFR 515
  • 46 USC 40901-40904
  • Pub. L. 105-258
  • Pub. L. 105-383
  • Pub. L. 109-149
  • 119 Stat. 2833
  • Pub. L. 110-5
  • Pub. L. 109-289
  • 45 CFR 74
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Cite32 CFR 324
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Cite41 CFR 102
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