### 12903 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 42 / Friday, March 2, 2012 / Notices

Executive Office Building, Washington, DC 20503.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Jacqueline White, Agency Clearance Officer, (202) 205–7044.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :** 

Title: ‘‘8(a) Annual Update’’. Frequency: On Occasion. SBA Form Number: 1450. Description of Respondents: Firms that are currently certified as Participant firms in the 8(a) Business Development program and are owned by one of the following entities: Tribe, Alaska Native Corporation (ANC), Native Hawaiian Organization (NHO), or Community Development Corporation (CDC).

Responses: 360. Annual Burden: 540.

Curtis Rich, Acting Chief, Administrative Information Branch.
[FR Doc. 2012–5041 Filed 3–1–12; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE P**

**DEPARTMENT OF STATE**

**[Public Notice 7822]**

**60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: DS–158, Contact**  **Information and Work History for Nonimmigrant Visa Applicant** 

**ACTION :**  Notice of request for public
comments.

**SUMMARY :**  The Department of State is seeking Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval for the information collection described below. The purpose of this notice is to allow 60 days for public comment in the Federal Register preceding submission to OMB. We are conducting this process in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

• Title of Information Collection: Contact Information and Work History for Nonimmigrant Visa Applicant.

• OMB Control Number: 1405–0144.

• Type of Request: Extension of a Currently Approved Collection.

• Originating Office: CA/VO/L/R.

• Form Number: DS–158.

• Respondents: Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants.

• Estimated Number of Respondents: 10,000.

• Estimated Number of Responses: 10,000.

• Average Hours per Response: 1 hour.

• Total Estimated Burden: 10,000.

• Frequency: One time per visa application.

• Obligation to Respond: Required to Obtain or Retain a Benefit. **DATES :**  The Department will accept comments from the public up to 60 days from March 2, 2012.

**ADDRESSES :**  You may submit comments by any of the following methods:

• Web: Persons with access to the Internet may view and comment on this notice by going to the Federal regulations Web site at: www.regulations.gov. You can search for the document by: selecting ‘‘Notice’’ under Document Type, entering the Public Notice number as the ‘‘Keyword or ID’’, checking the ‘‘Open for Comment’’ box, and then click ‘‘Search’’. If necessary, use the ‘‘Narrow by Agency’’ option on the Results page.

• Mail (paper, or CD submissions): Chief, Legislation and Regulations Division, Visa Services DS–158, 2401 E Street NW., Washington DC 20520–
0160.

You must include the DS form number (if applicable), information collection title, and OMB control number in any correspondence.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Direct requests for additional information regarding the collection listed in this notice, including requests for copies of the proposed information collection and supporting documents, to Sydney Taylor, Visa Services, U.S. Department of State, 2401 E Street NW., L–603, Washington, DC 20520–0106, who may be reached on (202) 663–3721.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department to:

• Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is necessary for the proper performance of our functions.

• Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the burden of the proposed collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used.

• Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected.

• Minimize the reporting burden on those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of technology.

Abstract of proposed collection: This form collects contact information, current employment information, and previous work experience information from aliens applying for nonimmigrant visas to enter the United States. The information collected is necessary to determine eligibility for certain visa classifications.

Methodology: Applicants may fill out the DS–158 online or print the page and fill it out by hand, and submit it in person at the time of interview. Dated: February 22, 2012. David T. Donahue, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2012–5125 Filed 3–1–12; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 4710–06–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF STATE**

**[Public Notice 7546]**

**Suggestions for Environmental Cooperation Pursuant to the United**  **States-Chile Environmental Cooperation Agreement** 

**ACTION :**  Notice of preparation of the 2012–2014 U.S.-Chile Environmental Cooperation Work Program and request for comments.

**SUMMARY :**  The Department invites the public, including NGOs, educational institutions, private sector enterprises and other interested persons, to submit written comments or suggestions regarding items for inclusion in a new work program for implementing the U.S.-Chile Environmental Cooperation Agreement, which was signed on June 17, 2003. We encourage submitters to refer to: (1) The U.S.-Chile Environmental Cooperation Agreement; (2) the U.S.-Chile 2009–2011 Work Program for Environmental Cooperation; (3) Chapter 19 (Environment) of the U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement; and (4) the Environmental Review of the U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement. These documents are available at http:// www.state.gov/e/oes/env/trade/chile/ index.htm.

**DATES :**  To be assured of timely consideration, all written comments or suggestions are requested no later than March 23, 2012.

**ADDRESSES :**  Written comments or suggestions should be emailed ( SlocumRB@state.gov ) or faxed ((202) 647–5947) to Rebecca Slocum, Office of Environmental Policy, Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, U.S. Department of State, with the subject line ‘‘U.S.-Chile Environmental Cooperation Work Program.’’ If you have access to the Internet you can view and comment on this notice by going to: http:// www.regulations.gov/#!home.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Rebecca Slocum, telephone (202) 647–
4828.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  The United States and Chile established the U.S.-Chile Joint Commission for Environmental Cooperation (the Commission) when they signed the U.S.-Chile Environmental Cooperation


### 12904 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 42 / Friday, March 2, 2012 / Notices

Agreement (ECA) on June 17, 2003, negotiated in concert with the U.S.- Chile Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The Commission is to meet every two years to advance environmental cooperation and review progress in implementing the ECA. The Commission also is responsible for establishing and developing programs of work that reflect national priorities for cooperative environmental activities.

The Commission last met January 20, 2010 in Washington, DC. During the meeting, the United States and Chile signed the 2009–2011 Work Program, which built on successes from previous work programs and laid out a roadmap for environmental cooperation to achieve the long-term goals of: (1) Strengthening effective implementation and enforcement of environmental laws and regulations; (2) encouraging development and adoption of sound environmental practices and technologies, particularly in business enterprises; (3) promoting sustainable development and management of environmental resources, including wild fauna and flora, protected wild areas, and other ecologically important ecosystems; and (4) encouraging civil society participation in the environmental decision-making process and environmental education.

For the 2012–2014 Work Program, we anticipate building upon cooperative work initiated under previous work programs. We are requesting suggestions that may be considered for inclusion in the next Work Program.

For additional information: http:// www.state.gov/e/oes/env/trade/chile/ index.htm.

Disclaimer: This Public Notice is a request for comments and suggestions, and is not a request for applications. No granting of money is directly associated with this request for suggestions for the Work Program. There is no expectation of resources or funding associated with any comments or suggestions for the Work Program.

Dated: February 24, 2012. George Sibley, Director, Office of Environmental Policy, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2012–5121 Filed 3–1–12; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 4710–09–P OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES**  **TRADE REPRESENTATIVE**

**Determination Regarding Waiver of Discriminatory Purchasing**  **Requirements With Respect to Goods and Services Covered by Chapter**  **Seventeen of the United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement** 

**AGENCY :**  Office of the United States Trade Representative.

**ACTION :**  Determination Regarding Waiver of Discriminatory Purchasing Requirements Under Trade Agreements Act of 1979.

**DATES :**  Effective Date: March 15, 2012.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Jean Heilman Grier, Senior Procurement Negotiator, Office of the United States Trade Representative, (202) 395–9476, or Daniel Stirk, Associate General Counsel, Office of the United States Trade Representative, (202) 395–9617.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  On June 30, 2007, the United States and the Republic of Korea entered into the United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement (‘‘KORUS’’). Chapter 17 of KORUS sets forth certain obligations with respect to government procurement of goods and services, as specified in Annex 17–A of KORUS. These obligations include, inter alia, that in assessing whether a supplier satisfies the conditions for participation, a procuring entity shall not impose the condition that, in order for a supplier to participate in a procurement or be awarded a contract, the supplier has been previously awarded one or more contracts by a procuring entity of that Party or that the supplier has prior work experience in the territory of that Party.

On October 21, 2011, the President signed into law the United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act (‘‘the KORUS Act’’) (Pub. L. 112–41, 125 Stat. 428 (19 U.S.C. 3805 note). In section 101(a) of the KORUS Act, the Congress approved KORUS. The KORUS will enter into force on March 15, 2012.

Section 1–201 of Executive Order 12260 of December 31, 1980 (46 FR 1653) delegates the functions of the President under Sections 301 and 302 of the Trade Agreements Act of 1979 (‘‘the Trade Agreements Act’’) (19 U.S.C. 2511, 2512) to the United States Trade Representative.

Acting pursuant to Executive Order 12260, the United States Trade Representative designated the Republic of Korea for purposes of section 301(a) of the Trade Agreements Act, on the basis of the Republic of Korea’s status as a party to the World Trade Organization Agreement on Government Procurement (‘‘the GPA’’). The Republic of Korea continues to be designated for purposes of section 301(a) of the Trade Agreements Act.

Under KORUS, the Republic of Korea will provide reciprocal competitive government procurement opportunities to United States products and suppliers of such products, which are greater than the reciprocal competitive government procurement opportunities the Republic of Korea provides to United States products and suppliers of such products under the GPA. The Republic of Korea’s commitment to provide such reciprocal competitive procurement opportunities constitutes an independent basis for its designation for the purpose of section 301(1) of the Trade Agreements Act.

Determination: In conformity with sections 301 and 302 of the Trade Agreements Act and Executive Order 12260, and in order to carry out U.S. obligations under Chapter 17 of KORUS, I hereby determine that:

1. The Republic of Korea is a country, which, pursuant to KORUS, will provide appropriate reciprocal competitive government procurement opportunities to United States products and suppliers of such products. In accordance with Section 301(b)(3) of the Trade Agreements Act, the Republic of Korea is so designated for purposes of Section 301(a) of the Trade Agreements
Act.

2. With respect to eligible products of the Republic of Korea (i.e., goods and services covered by the Schedule of the United States in Annex 17–A of KORUS) and suppliers of such products, the application of any law, regulation, procedure, or practice regarding government procurement that would, if applied to such products and suppliers, result in treatment less favorable than accorded—

(A) To United States products and suppliers of such products; or

(B) To eligible products of another foreign country or instrumentality which is a party to the GPA and suppliers of such products, shall be waived.

With respect to the Republic of Korea, this waiver shall be applied by all entities listed in the Schedule of the United States in Annex 17–A of KORUS.

3. The designation in paragraph 1 and the waiver in paragraph 2 are subject to