PUBLIC NOTICE Federal Communications Commission 445 12th St., S.W. Washington, D.C. 20554 News Media Information 202 / 418-0500 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov TTY: 1-888-835-5322 DA 12-303 Released: February 28, 2012 FCC SEEKS NOMINATIONS BY MARCH 7, 2012 FOR MEMBERSHIP ON THE TECHNICAL ADVISORY BOARD FOR FIRST RESPONDER INTEROPERABILITY By this Public Notice, the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau of the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) seeks nominations for membership on the Technical Advisory Board for First Responder Interoperability (Interoperability Board). The Interoperability Board is established within the Commission under the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (Spectrum Act)1 for the purpose of “develop[ing] recommended minimum technical requirements to ensure a nationwide level of interoperability for the nationwide public safety broadband network.”2 The Act directs the Commission to appoint fourteen voting members to the Interoperability Board within thirty days of the Act’s enactment, which is no later than March 23, 2012.3 All voting members appointed to the Interoperability Board “shall have specific expertise necessary to developing technical requirements” for nationwide interoperability. This expertise may include “technical expertise, public safety communications expertise, and commercial network experience.”4 Additionally, the voting members of the Interoperability Board must each fit within a statutorily prescribed category: · Four members must represent “wireless providers.” Of these four, two members must represent “national wireless providers,” one must represent “regional wireless providers,” and one must represent “rural wireless providers.” · Three members must represent “equipment manufacturers.” · Four members must represent “public safety entities.” Of these four, at least one member must represent “management level employees of public safety entities” and one must represent “employees of public safety entities.” 1 Pub. L. No. 112-96 (2012). 2 Id. § 6203(c)(1)(A). The Interoperability Board is not subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act. See id. § 6203(e). 3 Id. § 6203(b)(1)(A). The Act was signed into law on February 22, 2012. 4 Id. § 6203(b)(1)(A)(v). 2 · Three members must represent “State and local governments.” These three members must be “chosen to reflect geographic and population density differences across the United States.”5 The Commission requests that each nomination address how the nominee’s representation would satisfy the statutory criteria for membership on the Interoperability Board. Each nomination should also discuss the credentials of the applicant to serve, taking into account the specific forms of expertise the Spectrum Act requires of voting members. Self-nominations are permitted. All nominees are advised that the Commission adheres to the President’s policy as announced in his memorandum “Lobbyists on Agency Boards and Commissions,” which prohibits federally registered lobbyists from serving on federal agencies’ advisory boards and committees.6 Registered lobbyists are thus ineligible to serve on the Technical Advisory Board for First Responder Interoperability. Nominations should be submitted as soon as possible, but no later than March 7, 2012. An abbreviated nomination period is necessary in this instance to ensure that the Commission meets its statutory deadline of March 23, 2012, for appointing voting members to the Interoperability Board. Nominations meeting the statutory requirements of the Spectrum Act and of this Public Notice should be sent to Jennifer A. Manner, Deputy Bureau Chief, Public Safety & Homeland Security Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, via e-mail at jennifer.manner@fcc.gov or via U.S. mail at 445 12th Street, SW, Room 7-C738, Washington, DC 20554. Due to the extensive security screening of incoming mail, delivery of mail sent to the Commission may be delayed and we encourage submission by e-mail. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer A. Manner, Deputy Chief, Public Safety & Homeland Security Bureau, (202) 418-3619 (voice) or jennifer.manner@fcc.gov (email). - FCC - 5 Id. § 6203(b)(1)(A)(i)-(iv). 6 75 Fed. Reg. 35955 (June 23, 2010) (Presidential Documents).