[Federal Register: November 12, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 218)]
[Notices]               
[Page 64078-64079]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr12no03-24]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Office of the Secretary

 
USDA Technology and eGovernment Advisory Council

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of intent; establishment of Advisory Council.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Agriculture is proposing to establish the 
USDA Technology and eGovernment Advisory Council to seek input from a 
broad base of USDA customers, partners, and employees into the

[[Page 64079]]

Department's planning and implementation of technology solutions.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott Charbo, Chief Information 
Officer, USDA, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Room 414W, Washington DC, 
20250, telephone 202/720-8833.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee 
Act (5 U.S.C.App). notice is hereby given that the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture proposes to establish the USDA Technology and eGovernment 
Advisory Council to seek input from a broad base of USDA customers, 
partners, and employees into the Department's planning and 
implementation of technology solutions. The Council will provide advice 
and recommendations on improving USDA technology and eGovernment 
planning and operations.
    The Council consists of nine members, all of which attend quarterly 
council meetings. Every effort is made to select council members who 
are outstanding in their respective professions and are knowledgeable 
of the various mission areas of USDA, and on how technology, both USDA 
and customer-owned, can be used to improve productivity and services.
    A meeting notice will be published in the Federal Register within 
15 to 45 days before a scheduled meeting date. All meetings are 
generally open to the public and may include a ``public forum'' that 
may offer 5-10 minutes for participants to present comments to the 
advisory committee. Alternates may choose not to be active during this 
session on the agenda. The chair of the given committee ultimately 
makes the decision whether to offer time on the agenda for the public 
to speak to the general body.
    Equal opportunity practices will be followed in all appointments to 
the advisory committee. To ensure that the recommendations of the 
Advisory Council have taken into account the needs of diverse groups 
served by the Departments, membership will, to the extent practicable, 
include individuals with demonstrated ability to represent minorities, 
women, and persons with disabilities.
    USDA will begin accepting nominations to the Council on November 
15, 2003. Persons interested in serving on the Advisory Council, or in 
nominating individuals to serve, can access the Nomination Form AD-755 
on USDA's Web site at: http://www.ocio.usda.gov. The Nomination Form 
may also be obtained by contacting the USDA Office of the Chief 
Information Officer (OCIO) by telephone (202) 720-8833, fax (202) 720-1031), or e-mail (adrienne.bowman@usda.gov).
    Completed nomination forms must be submitted to OCIO by fax or in 
hard copy to: Office of the Chief Information Officer, U.S. Department 
of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 414-W, Washington, 
DC 20250. Form AD-755 must be received not later than January 15, 2004.

    Dated: November 4, 2003.
Scott Charbo,
Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 03-28291 Filed 11-10-03; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410-11-P