[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 45 (Tuesday, March 8, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12693-12694]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-5133]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Office of the Secretary
Notice of an Opportunity To Serve on the Innovation Advisory
Board Advising the Department of Commerce in the Development of a Study
on the Economic Competitiveness and Innovative Capacity of the United
States
AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of Commerce.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce is inviting expressions of interest
to service on the Innovation Advisory Board from individuals with
interest in advising the Department of Commerce as it develops a study
on the economic competitiveness and innovative capacity of the United
States. The Department is particularly interested in businesses
leaders, economic or innovation policy experts, and State and local
government officials active in technology-based economic development.
DATES: All information must be received by the Office of the Secretary
at the e-mail or postal address below by close of business (EDT) on
March 22, 2011.
ADDRESSES: Please submit relevant information via e-mail to
[email protected] or by mail to John Connor, Office of the
Secretary, U.S. Department of Commerce, Room 5835, 1401 Constitution
Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 (COMPETES) was
signed into law on January 4, 2011. Section 604 of that Act requires
that the Secretary of Commerce complete a comprehensive study of the
economic competitiveness and
[[Page 12694]]
innovative capacity of the United States by January 4, 2012. This study
is to be conducted in consultation with the National Economic Council,
Federal agencies as the Secretary considers appropriate, and an
Innovation Advisory Board.
COMPETES directs that the study shall include the following:
(A) An analysis of the United States economy and innovation
infrastructure.
(B) An assessment of the following:
(i) The current competitive and innovation performance of the
United States economy relative to other countries that compete
economically with the United States.
(ii) Economic competitiveness and domestic innovation in the
current business climate, including tax and Federal regulatory policy.
(iii) The business climate of the United States and those of other
countries that compete economically with the United States.
(iv) Regional issues that influence the economic competitiveness
and innovation capacity of the United States, including--
(I) the roles of State and local governments and institutions of
higher education; and
(II) regional factors that contribute positively to innovation.
(v) The effectiveness of the Federal Government in supporting and
promoting economic competitiveness and innovation, including any
duplicative efforts of, or gaps in coverage between, Federal agencies
and departments.
(vi) Barriers to competitiveness in newly emerging business or
technology sectors, factors influencing underperforming economic
sectors, unique issues facing small and medium enterprises, and
barriers to the development and evolution of start-ups, firms, and
industries.
(vii) The effects of domestic and international trade policy on the
competitiveness of the United States and the United States economy.
(viii) United States export promotion and export finance programs
relative to export promotion and export finance programs of other
countries that compete economically with the United States, including
Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, and the United Kingdom,
with noting of export promotion and export finance programs carried out
by such countries that are not analogous to any programs carried out by
the United States.
(ix) The effectiveness of current policies and programs affecting
exports, including an assessment of Federal trade restrictions and
State and Federal export promotion activities.
(x) The effectiveness of the Federal Government and Federally
funded research and development centers in supporting and promoting
technology commercialization and technology transfer.
(xi) Domestic and international intellectual property policies and
practices.
(xii) Manufacturing capacity, logistics, and supply chain dynamics
of major export sectors, including access to a skilled workforce,
physical infrastructure, and broadband network infrastructure.
(xiii) Federal and State policies relating to science, technology,
and education and other relevant Federal and State policies designed to
promote commercial innovation, including immigration policies.
Selection Criteria
COMPETES directs the Secretary of Commerce to appoint a 15 member
Innovation Advisory Board representing all major industry sectors for
purposes of obtaining advice with respect to the conduct of the study
described above. The majority of Board members must be comprised of
representatives from private industry, including large and small firms,
representing both advanced technology sectors and more traditional
sectors that use technology. The Board may include economic or
innovation policy experts, State and local government officials active
in technology-based economic development, and representatives from
higher education.
Board members will serve until the completion of the study, which,
under the Act must be completed by January 4, 2012.
Members are required to meet to provide input to the study at two
critical development points: Development of the extended outline and
review of draft. In addition, members may be called upon to participate
in events around the country designed to solicit additional information
regarding specific issues related to the economic competitiveness and
innovative capacity of the United States.
Board members are not considered Federal government employees by
virtue of their service as a member of the Board and will receive no
compensation from the Federal government for their participation in
Board activities. Members participating in Board meetings and events
will be not be compensated for travel or other expenses.
To be considered for membership, please provide the following:
1. Name, title, and personal resume of the individual requesting
consideration;
2. A brief statement of why the person should be considered for
membership on the Board. This statement should address the individual's
relevant expertise in factors impacting the economic competitiveness
and innovative capacity of the United States; and
3. A brief biography.
Appointments of members to the Board will be made by the Secretary
of Commerce.
Dated: March 2, 2011.
John Connor,
Office of the Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2011-5133 Filed 3-7-11; 8:45 am]
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