71334 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 198 / Monday, October 16, 2023 / Notices 

Dated: October 6, 2023. 

Shannon Wink, 

Program Analyst, Policy Coordination Office, 

U.S. Census Bureau. 

[FR Doc. 2023–22715 Filed 10–13–23; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3510–07–P 

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

Minority Business Development 

Agency 

[Doc. No. 231010–0242] 

Extension of Deadline for Applications 

to the Minority Business Enterprises 

Advisory Council for the Minority 

Business Development Agency 

AGENCY: Minority Business 

Development Agency (MBDA), U.S. 

Department of Commerce. 

ACTION: Notice of extension of deadline. 

SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of 

Commerce, Minority Business 

Development Agency (MBDA) is 

extending the deadline for nominations 

for the Minority Business Enterprises 

Advisory Council (MBEAC) pursuant to 

the authority of the Minority Business 

Development Act of 2021 and the 

Federal Advisory Committee Act 

(FACA), as amended. The Council will 

advise the Under Secretary of 

Commerce for Minority Business 

Development on various topics 

impacting socially and economically 

disadvantaged businesses. MBDA is 

looking to appoint nine (9) members for 

the initial term of the Council. These 

individuals shall be from the private 

sector with a balanced and broad range 

of interests regarding the social and 

economic life of minority business 

concerns. The private sector members 

may include individuals from academia 

and think tanks, companies, chambers 

of commerce, financial entities, labor 

and trade associations, non-profit 

organizations, and stakeholders 

involved in socially and economically 

disadvantaged business concerns. 

DATES: MBDA originally posted a 

solicitation for applications to the 

MBEAC on August 18, 2023, with an 

original deadline of September 18, 2023. 

MBDA has determined that an extension 

of the original deadline is warranted. 

MBDA will consider applications 

received by November 15, 2023, for 

potential selection to the inaugural 

MBEAC. Applications received after this 

date may be considered by MBDA as 

appropriate and when vacancies become 

available. If you have already submitted 

an application, MBDA will consider 

your application and there is no need to 

re-apply. 

ADDRESSES: Individuals who are 

interested in being considered for the 

MBEAC must submit a resume and 

cover letter detailing their relevant 

experience to advisorycouncil@

mbda.gov. If electronic submission is 

not feasible, submissions may be mailed 

to: Minority Business Development 

Agency (MBDA), U.S. Department of 

Commerce, Attn: Cara M. Morris, 1401 

Constitution Ave. NW, Room 5075, 

Washington, DC 20230. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cara 

M. Morris, Director, Business Center 

Excellence & Program Support, Minority 

Business Development Agency, U.S. 

Department of Commerce, Email: 

cmorris1@mbda.gov, 202–482–2332. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Please 

note that this notice is to extend the 

initial deadline for applications to the 

MBEAC. The original notice was 

published on August 18, 2023, and 

stated that the original deadline to 

receive applications was September 18, 

2023. MBDA has determined that an 

extension to this deadline is warranted. 

Accordingly, MBDA will consider all 

applications received by [DATE 30 

DAYS AFTER PUBLICATION IN THE 

FEDERAL REGISTER], for potential 

selection to the inaugural MBEAC. 

Applications received after this date 

may be considered by MBDA as 

appropriate and when vacancies become 

available. If you have already submitted 

an application, MBDA will consider 

your application and there is no need to 

re-apply. 

On November 15, 2021, the Minority 

Business Development Act of 2021 (Pub. 

L. 117–58), made permanent the 

Minority Business Development Agency 

(MBDA) and expanded MBDA’s roles 

and authorities. Among other things, the 

Act mandated the creation of the 

Minority Business Enterprises Advisory 

Council (MBEAC or ‘‘the Council’’). 

The objective of the MBEAC is to 

provide group advice to the Under 

Secretary of Commerce for Minority 

Business Development on matters 

pertaining to the growth and global 

competitiveness of the nation’s 9.7 

million minority business enterprises 

(MBEs), such as identifying barriers to 

entrepreneurship and business growth; 

providing insight related to the 

economic conditions of socially or 

economically disadvantaged businesses; 

proposing opportunities for 

collaboration on and coordination of 

policies relating to entrepreneurship 

and business growth for socially and 

economically disadvantaged businesses; 

and advising on measures to better 

achieve MBDA’s objectives. The 

MBEAC was established in accordance 

with the Federal Advisory Committee 

Act, as amended (FACA), 5 U.S.C. 

Chapter 10. See the MBEAC Charter, 

available at: https://gsageo.my.salesforce.com/sfc/p/ 

#t0000000Gyj0/a/t0000003Gceu/ 

9JxK.9.iqBesjToAwbbYyuYp

JviXxxZC3ELQmn5Mts4. The MBDA is a 

dynamic organization that needs 

industry leaders’ input with a wide 

range of experience and insight. 

Accordingly, the MBDA is soliciting 

applications from private sector 

representatives with a balanced and 

broad range of interests regarding the 

social and economic life of Minority 

Business Enterprises (MBEs) to serve as 

advisory committee members of the 

MBEAC. Individuals may self-nominate 

or be nominated by someone else. 

The Council will consist of nine 

members from the private sector as well 

as at least ten members from federal 

agencies that support or otherwise have 

duties related to business formation, 

including duties relating to labor 

development, monetary policy, national 

security, energy, agriculture, 

transportation, and housing. The 

Council will meet 2–3 times per year 

and members shall serve for a term of 

2 years. Members can be reappointed 

after the 2-year term expires. 

MBDA is soliciting two types of 

private sector members. ‘‘Representative 

members’’ are appointed to offer insight 

and perspectives of clearly identified 

sectors and stakeholder groups. ‘‘Special 

Government Employee (SGE) members’’ 

are appointed for their individual 

expertise and experience. Special 

Government Employees are subject to 

conflict-of-interest laws and regulations, 

including (but not limited to) the 

obligation to annually file a New 

Entrant Confidential Financial 

Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450) and 

complete ethics training. Representative 

members are not subject to these 

requirements. Private sector members 

will be individually advised of the 

capacity in which they will serve 

through their appointment letters. 

Please also note that members of the 

Council shall not be compensated for 

service on the Council but may be 

allowed travel expenses, including per 

diem in lieu of subsistence, in 

accordance with subchapter I of chapter 

57 of title 5, United States Code. 


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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 198 / Monday, October 16, 2023 / Notices 71335 

Council Size and Terms: 

The MBEAC will be comprised of at 

least 19 members (9 private sector 

members and at least 10 federal 

members). The newly appointed 

members will serve a two-year term and 

may be reappointed. If a member 

vacates the MBEAC before the end of 

the two-year term, a replacement 

member may be appointed to fill the 

unexpired term. 

The membership of the Council 

should include expertise and 

viewpoints that reflect the breadth of 

the Council’s responsibilities. MBDA is 

mindful that committees work best 

when there is a mix of viewpoints 

brought about through diverse 

experiences in different areas of the 

committee’s responsibility by members 

of diverse races, genders, business and 

industry sectors, and cultural 

backgrounds. This notice will be widely 

distributed to encourage a diverse 

applicant pool. 

Qualifications and Selection Criteria 

Expertise and Experience: Members 

should possess significant expertise and 

experience in areas relevant to the 

growth and development of MBEs and 

the business ecosystem, such as 

business development, 

entrepreneurship, finance, policy 

advocacy, or related fields. Members 

should have insights into barriers to 

entrepreneurship and business growth 

and ways to overcome those barriers. 

Relevant fields include but are not 

limited to, access to traditional and 

alternative capital, public and private 

sector procurement, and global markets. 

Members should also have the ability to 

provide insight into relevant data, 

research, and policy alternatives. The 

selection process will prioritize relevant 

individuals who have demonstrated a 

strong track record of success in their 

respective fields. 

Commitment to Minority Business 

Development: Members should have a 

demonstrated commitment to advancing 

the social and economic life of MBEs. 

This can be evidenced through past 

involvement in initiatives, projects, or 

policy advocacy aimed at supporting 

and empowering MBEs. 

Sector Representation: Private Sector 

members will be selected from diverse 

backgrounds, including academia and 

think tanks, companies of varying sizes, 

chambers of commerce, financial 

entities, labor and trade associations, 

non-profit organizations, and 

stakeholders involved in MBE growth 

and development. 

Geographic Representation: MBDA 

will consider geographic diversity in 

selecting members to ensure regional 

representation and capture expertise 

regarding the unique challenges and 

opportunities faced by MBEs in 

different parts of the country. 

Collaborative and Teamwork Skills: 

Members should demonstrate the ability 

to work collaboratively in a team 

environment. This includes effective 

communication, problem-solving, and 

the ability to build consensus among 

diverse stakeholders. 

Ability to Serve: Members must be 

able and willing to dedicate the 

necessary time and effort to fulfill their 

responsibilities effectively. They should 

have the availability to attend meetings, 

actively participate in Council activities, 

and contribute constructively to 

discussions and decision-making 

processes. 

Independence and Impartiality: 

Applicants for Special Government 

Employee (SGE) membership positions 

must be impartial and independent, 

capable of providing objective advice 

and guidance must not have conflicts of 

interest that could compromise their 

ability to act in the best interest of 

MBEs. 

Privacy Act Statement 

The collection, maintenance, and 

disclosure of this information is 

governed by the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 

U.S.C. 552a). The Department of 

Commerce is authorized to collect this 

information pursuant to authorities that 

include, but are not limited to, Title V, 

sections 100501 through 100503 of the 

Minority Business Development Act of 

2021, Public Law 117–58 (Nov. 15, 

2021), and in accordance with the 

Federal Advisory Committee Act, as 

amended (FACA), 5 U.S.C. Chapter 10. 

The principal purpose for which the 

Department will use the information is 

to assist in choosing private sector 

members of the MBEAC. Information 

received will be maintained in a Privacy 

Act system of records, COMMERCE/ 

DEPT–11, entitled ‘‘Candidates for 

Membership, Members, and Former 

Members of Department of Commerce 

Advisory Committees.’’ A notice 

describing that system, including a 

complete set of routine disclosures, has 

been published both in the Federal 

Register and on the Department’s 

website at: https://osec.doc.gov/opog/ 

PrivacyAct/SORNs/dept-11.html. 

Although providing this information is 

voluntary, an individual cannot be 

considered for membership without an 

application submission. 

Donald R. Cravins, Jr., 

Under Secretary for Minority Business 

Development, Minority Business Development 

Agency. 

[FR Doc. 2023–22713 Filed 10–13–23; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3510–21–P 

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration 

[RTID 0648–XD461] 

Nominations to the Marine Fisheries 

Advisory Committee 

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries 

Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 

Commerce. 

ACTION: Notice; request for nominations. 

SUMMARY: The Secretary of Commerce 

(Secretary) seeks nominations to fill 

vacancies on the Marine Fisheries 

Advisory Committee (MAFAC or 

Committee). MAFAC is responsible to 

advise the Secretary, NOAA, and NMFS 

on all matters concerning living marine 

resources that are the responsibility of 

the Department of Commerce. The 

Committee makes recommendations to 

assist in the development and 

implementation of departmental 

regulations, policies, and programs 

critical to the mission and goals of 

NMFS. Nominations are encouraged 

from all individuals involved with or 

representing interests affected by NMFS 

actions in managing living marine 

resources. Nominees should possess 

demonstrable expertise in a field related 

to the management of living marine 

resources and be able to fulfill the time 

commitment required for two annual 

meetings and year-round subcommittee 

work. Individuals serve for a term of 3 

years for no more than two consecutive 

terms if re-appointed. NMFS seeks 

qualified nominees to fill pending 

vacancies. 

DATES: Nominations must be emailed on 

or before Friday, December 15, 2023. 

ADDRESSES: Nominations should be sent 

to Katie (Denman) Zanowicz, MAFAC 

Assistant, NMFS Office of Policy, by 

email: katie.denman@noaa.gov. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Katie Zanowicz, MAFAC Assistant; 

(301) 427–8034; email: katie.denman@

noaa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: MAFAC 

was approved by the Secretary on 

December 28, 1970, and subsequently 


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