### 14103 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 42 / Monday, March 4, 2013 / Notices

Engagement/Mailstop 0440; Department of Homeland Security; 245 Murray Lane SW.; Washington, DC 20528–0440,

email: AcademicEngagement@hq.dhs.gov, tel:

202–447–4686 and fax: 202–447–3713.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  Notice of this meeting is given under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. (Pub. L. 92–463). The HSAAC provides

advice and recommendations to the Secretary and senior leadership on matters relating to student and recent graduate recruitment; international students; academic research; campus and community resiliency, security and preparedness; and faculty exchanges.

Agenda: The five HSAAC subcommittees (Student and Recent Graduate Recruitment, Homeland Security Academic Programs, Academic Research and Faculty Exchange, International Students, and Campus Resilience) will give progress reports and may present draft recommendations for action in response to initial taskings issued by Secretary Napolitano at the March 20, 2012 full committee meeting, including: How to attract student interns, student veterans, and recent graduates to jobs at DHS; how to use

social media and other means of communication to most effectively reach this audience; how to ensure that students and recent graduates of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and other Minority Serving Institutions know of and take advantage of DHS internship and job opportunities; how to define the core elements of a homeland security degree at the Associates, Bachelors and Masters levels; how to apply the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Associates Program model to other segments of the DHS workforce who wish to pursue a community college pathway; how to form relationships with 4-year schools so that DHS employees’ credits transfer towards a higher level degree; how to enhance existing relationships between the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Emergency Management Institute and the higher education community to support Presidential Policy Directive 8 (PPD–8), expand national capability, and support a whole community approach; how to expand DHS cooperation with the Department of Defense academies and schools to provide current DHS employees with educational opportunities; how academic research can address DHS’ biggest challenges; how DHS operational Components can form lasting relationships with universities to incorporate scientific findings and Research and Development into DHS operations and thought processes; how universities can effectively communicate to DHS emerging scientific findings and technologies that will make DHS operations more effective and efficient; how to create a robust staff/faculty exchange program between academe and DHS; how DHS can improve its international student processes and outreach efforts; how DHS can better communicate its regulatory, policies and procedures to the academic community; how DHS can accommodate and support emerging trends in international education; how colleges and universities use specific capabilities, tools, and processes to enhance campus and community resilience as well as the cyber and physical infrastructure; how DHS grant programs may be adjusted to support resiliency-related planning and improvements; how campuses can better integrate with community planning and response entities; how to implement the whole community approach and preparedness culture within student and neighboring communities; how to strengthen ties

between the DHS Federal Law Enforcement Training Center and campus law enforcement professionals;

and how DHS can better coordinate with individual campus IT departments

on the risks towards and attacks on computer systems and networks. The meeting materials will be posted to the

HSAAC Web site at: http://www.dhs.gov/homeland-securityacademic-advisory-council-hsaac no later than March 15, 2013.

Responsible DHS Official: Lauren Kielsmeier, AcademicEngagement@hq.dhs.gov,

202–447–4686.

Dated: February 26, 2013.

Lauren Kielsmeier,

Executive Director for Academic Engagement.

[FR Doc. 2013–04861 Filed 3–1–13; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 9110–9B–P DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND** 

**SECURITY**

**[Docket No. DHS–2013–0018]**

**Request for Information (RFI) Regarding the Planned Biotechnology**  **Development Module (BDM) as Part of the National Bio and Agro-Defense**  **Facility (NBAF) and Notice of Public Workshop** 

**AGENCY :**  Department of Homeland Security, Science and Technology

Directorate.

**ACTION :**  Request for Information and Notice of Workshop.

**SUMMARY :**  The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T), Office of National Laboratories (ONL) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) are requesting information regarding utilization alternatives for the planned Biotechnology Development Module (BDM) a planned component of the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF). The BDM will provide a

distinct environment for scientific synergy, attract animal health industry involvement and serve to encourage public-private partnerships as countermeasures developed for agricultural biodefense emerge from NBAF. The information provided by industry and other interested stakeholders in response to this RFI will be used by DHS and USDA to better plan the scope, capacity, and utilization alternatives for the BDM facility. DHS and USDA are requesting that this information be provided in writing per the guidelines below. There will also be an opportunity for interested parties to participate in a workshop with DHS and

USDA.

**DATES :**  The Request for Information period will be 60 days (March 5 to May 3, 2013). Please submit written information no later than May 3, 2013.

The workshop will be held on March 22, 2013 from 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. CST.

**ADDRESSES :**  Written Information should

be submitted via email to: nbafprogrammanager@dhs.gov ATTN: Mary Goobic.

The workshop will be held at the Kansas State University Olathe Campus (Forum Hall), 22201 W. Innovation Drive, Olathe, KS 66061.

If you are interested in participating in the public workshop, please register

at www.dhs.gov/nbaf by March 18, 2013.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Mary Goobic, 202–254–6144.


### 14104 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 42 / Monday, March 4, 2013 / Notices

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :** 
Request for Information Instructions

Written information should be

submitted via email to: nbafprogrammanager@dhs.gov, subject line should read: ‘BDM RFI Response, ATTN: Mary Goobic’ no later than May 2, 2013. Submissions should be limited to 5 pages and should address the following four main topics:

• Scope of the BDM (requirements, program drivers, technology).

• Operational Requirements (staffing, regulatory, equipment needs).

• Utilization Alternatives (collaboration space, user facility, work for others, etc).

• Mechanisms to Facilitate Collaboration Between Industry and Government (joint venture).

The written information should provide feedback on the above information and address the following questions (please see below for additional details on the plans for the BDM):

1. Are there additional or different perceived needs for the BDM?

2. How much interest is there for utilizing the BDM?

3. Is the BDM right sized for capacity? 4. What are the proposed utilization

alternatives for the BDM?

5. What are the possible mechanisms

to enhance collaboration between the BDM and the animal health biologics industry?

6. Provide lessons learned for DHS to consider regarding the BDM.

Workshop

To further facilitate the information exchange between the government and the biologics industry, DHS will conduct a public workshop as part of the RFI process. The goals of the workshop are: (1) Provide an overview of the planned mission requirements of the BDM; (2) Provide the proposed BDM design; (3) Review analogous current and planned biological countermeasure development initiatives; (4) Gauge industry interest in the utilization of the

BDM to enhance collaboration. This workshop is designed to provide

information on the NBAF BDM and how

it fits within the broader context of countermeasure development for protecting U.S. agriculture. A panel discussion is scheduled to give industry an opportunity to share lessons learned and insights on BDM related operations.

The workshop will be held from 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. CST on March 22, 2013 in Olathe, KS at the Kansas State University Olathe campus. If you are interested in attending, please register at the following link: www.dhs.gov/nbaf by March 18, 2013. This workshop will include several panel discussions and we encourage participation from industry representatives to present their perspectives and lessons learned on this opportunity for collaboration with the federal government. If you are interested in participating in the panel discussions, please indicate a representative from your organization to serve as a panel member when you register online. Early registration is recommended due to limited seating. There is no registration fee for the workshop. If you need special accommodations due to a disability, please contact Mary Goobic at 202–254– 6144 at least 7 days in advance of the workshop.

Additional information such as design layouts, schematics, any other significant questions and any amendments or changes to the RFI will be posted on the NBAF Web site ( www.dhs.gov/nbaf ). Questions regarding the workshop may be submitted by email to nbafprogrammanager@dhs.gov ATTN: Mary Goobic.

Scope of the BDM

The BDM is designed to support the early development and eventual license of products/reagents discovered at the NBAF laboratory. The goal of the BDM is to provide product quality assurance, master cell and seed stocks, upscale validation, and assay development to support the development of biologics, which will allow quicker regulatory reviews and approvals of materials and products to respond to potential emergencies and threats to national and global food stocks. The BDM would address critical needs, including pilot manufacturing processes to effectively transfer new technologies to the veterinary biologics and biopharmaceutical industries and, in some emergency situations, to the end

users in the field to control and eradicate a foreign animal disease

outbreak.

One of the limitations of moving

animal health research results to agribusiness is the cost and inefficiencies in developing the manufacturing process; this is an even a bigger issue for foreign animal

diseases since there is a limited market for countermeasures developed to

control diseases that do not exist in the

United States. The BDM will enable the federal government (USDA–ARS, USDA–APHIS, and DHS) to implement early product development initiatives in partnership with private sector greatly

increase the rate of success of technology transfers. The BDM will be constructed to enable Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and support translational studies by producing test materials to develop potential therapeutic and preventive countermeasures for animal agriculture. The BDM will support customers from all three NBAF user groups (DHS S&T, ARS, and APHIS) as well as potential industry collaborators. The proposed BDM is intended to produce small scale GMP-compliant biological countermeasures for supporting efficacy studies and early phase clinical trials in response to DHS and USDA program requests. The BDM has been designed to manufacture experimental diagnostics, biologics, and therapeutics designed for the detection, control, and eradication of foreign animal diseases in the United States. These countermeasures may also be used to help developing countries

control and where feasible eradicate endemic agents that pose a threat to United States animal agriculture. The model for the GMP/BDM facility, and its supporting areas, is to create small quantities of materials beyond proof of concept, using clinical processing to provide consistent/reproducible products and processes to confirm product safety and effectiveness. The design of the GMP/BDM Suite will support clinical investigations focusing on product safety, purity, potency, and efficacy that will lead to licensed products in compliance with U.S. regulations as well as international standards. The BDM’s design will provide flexibility for a variety of product types and manufacturing processes, including production of monoclonal antibodies, recombinant proteins for therapeutics/diagnostic applications, and live or inactivated

recombinant viral and bacterial vaccines, and dedicated areas for formulations and aseptic fill-finish operations. The development of qualified master cell and seed stocks (for manufacturing viral and bacterial vaccines) will be a critical activity to accomplish the mission. In addition, the facility will support the evolution of existing countermeasures (vaccine and diagnostic) programs by providing small scale production of experimental test

materials for use in the clinical and analytical components of late stage discovery and early stage development of countermeasures discovered by

NBAF scientists.

Operational Requirements

The BDM is designed as part of the NBAF laboratory to support the growth, collection, and purification of products in individual Production and Diagnostic Reagent Production Suites. The BDM is


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8,300 square feet and consists of production suites and general support spaces for small scale production of biological countermeasure materials for supporting efficacy studies and early phase clinical trials. By implementing validated processes to reproduce materials consistently, the program will hasten candidate technology transfer and countermeasure product candidate transition from NBAF to industry partners for scale-up and commercial manufacturing. This will also allow for more targeted outsourcing of countermeasures development processes, as candidates emerging from

the NBAF will be more attractive to the animal biologics industry.

The BDM will meet the APHIS Center for Veterinary Biologics requirements for manufacturing biological products and will have the flexibility, when necessary, to operate in accordance with current GMP regulations as described in Title 21 CFR Parts 210, and 211, such as during the production of master seeds, drug substances (DS), and drug products (DP). The NBAF BDM will allow the production of pilot lots of veterinary biological candidates to be tested to assess their potential for successful licensure by the APHIS Center of Veterinary Biologics, and will be produced under APHIS manufacturing requirements. APHIS has issued a comprehensive set of regulations governing the licensing of viruses, serums, toxins, or analogous products (9 CFR Parts 101–123). These regulations broadly categorize viruses, serums, toxins or analogous products as ‘‘biological products’’ at any stage of production intended for use in the treatment of animals and act primarily through the direct stimulation, supplementation, enhancement, or modulation of the immune system or immune response. Additional veterinary drugs or products will be submitted to and licensed by the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine. Candidates will be manufactured in compliance with the appropriate CFR requirements for the

conduct of controlled and uncontrolled studies utilizing active components in

animal models.

The BDM will operate to enable positive and negative air flows, as well

as BSL–2 containment with BSL–3 enhanced production areas to support the development of inactivated and attenuated recombinant viral products.

The BDM will be utilized 24 hours a day, based on a year-round production schedule once fully operational. The facility will also allow simultaneous production of small amounts of multiple

vaccine candidates. The BDM is attached to the NBAF laboratory to assure proximity. Card/Access Security

Control will be established to maintain access control to the building as well as each of the manufacturing suites and

access corridors of the GMP/BDM. Proximity Card access will be established to assure that only properly trained and security authorized personnel are allowed in each of the

zoned areas of the module. Card access

will also be used to maintain the clean zones and material and equipment transfer into the manufacturing suites.

Air cleanliness classifications are established in the GMP/BDM per ISO and International EU requirements for possible DS and DP exposure. Open product manufacturing, processing, and fill-finish will be performed under

laminar flow classified room air or within containment via biosafety cabinets (BSC) or laminar flow (LAF) hoods to assure product integrity. Air

cleanliness will be maintained within the product exposure areas under Class 100/A, ISO 5 conditions. Cleanliness of this air will be maintained through cascade of classifications in adjacent areas required to maintain flow of material, equipment, and personnel through the space. These classifications

will be maintained for cleanliness requirements and containment requirements of the CDC, and the FDA for materials in use and products

manufactured or finished. Pressurization of spaces to supplement

air flows will also be utilized to assure containment of particulates, contaminants, and regulated agents.

Utilization Alternatives

DHS plans to operate the BDM as a government owned, government operated (GOGO) laboratory. However, DHS is evaluating utilization

alternatives for the BDM that will maximize the use of the facility. DHS is seeking feedback from industry on

utilization alternatives or alternative approaches such as privatizing the construction and operations of the BDM.

The key criteria that DHS is considering in its evaluation are:

• Facility and Scientific Oversight.

• Ability to Respond to Changing

Mission.

• Facility Availability.

• Ability to Establish Collaborations.

• Safety and Security.

• Technology Transfer.

• Cost Effectiveness.

• Outside Funding.

• Risk of Failure/Bankruptcy.

• Liability.

DHS would like feedback on other

criteria that should be considered in the decision making process. Mechanisms To Facilitate Collaboration With Industry

The BDM presents opportunities to further collaborate with industry partners in the development of countermeasures to protect animal agriculture in the United States, as well as developing countries that are endemic for priority diseases that pose a threat to global food security. The

BDM will enable and facilitate technology transfer to national and multinational industry partners and contract manufacturing organizations (CMO) for scale-up and quicker turnover to commercial product manufacturing. The importance of on-site potential for development and scale-up production of material has been recognized by DHS and USDA as an important capability for the site as an integral step towards the development of countermeasures. Additional feedback or suggestions on other potential opportunities for

collaboration are welcome.

NBAF Mission

The United States’ food and animal agriculture supply is a highly integrated, open, global, and complex infrastructure. Increased imports of agricultural products, climate change, and growing numbers of international

travelers to and from the U.S. have opened our food supply to possible intentional, natural, or accidental foreign animal disease outbreaks. The recent pandemic H1N1 outbreak and other regional foot-and-mouth disease

outbreaks have demonstrated the vulnerabilities present when there is a lack of available countermeasures, and other rapid response capabilities to curb

outbreak disease. The food and agriculture industries are a significant contributor to U.S. economic prosperity; therefore, the loss of a significant food

market would have dire economic and potentially human health consequences. To supply the needed capabilities, the DHS and the USDA have the joint responsibility to protect our Nation’s animal agriculture and public health from these threats. The DHS is leading these efforts through the construction of the NBAF in Manhattan, Kansas.

NBAF will be a state-of-the-art biocontainment facility for the study of foreign animal, emerging and zoonotic (transmitted from animals to humans)

diseases that threaten the U.S. animal agriculture and public health. NBAF will provide and strengthen our nation with critical capabilities to conduct research, develop vaccines and other countermeasures, and train veterinarians in preparedness and response against these diseases. For the


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past 50 years, the Plum Island Animal Disease Center (PIADC) has served our nation as the primary facility to conduct research on livestock diseases. However, PIADC is nearing the end of its life-cycle and needs to be replaced in order to meet U.S. research requirements and ensure the timely development of

countermeasures in the event of an

outbreak. NBAF meets that need and will serve as a replacement for the PIADC facility. Strategically, NBAF will boast of new and expanded capabilities, specifically, Biosafety Level (BSL) 4containment for the study of highconsequence diseases affecting livestock and people. Specifically, NBAF will meet its mission by (1) providing enhanced capabilities to research, rapidly detect, and provide training on foreign animal, emerging and zoonotic diseases in livestock; (2) providing expanded vaccine and countermeasure development capabilities; and (3) replacing and expanding research currently performed at the PIADC in Orient Point, New York while continuing the partnership between the

DHS and the USDA–ARS and USDA–

APHIS.

NBAF will serve as a U.S. government facility capable of rapidly producing experimental biological, diagnostic, and vaccine related products for potential use by USDA in an outbreak of an emerging or foreign animal disease. Initially, the following diseases would

be studied at NBAF and would also require BSL–3 and BSL–4 laboratory capabilities: Nipah Virus, Hendra Virus, African Swine Fever, Rift Valley Fever, Japanese Encephalitis Virus, Foot and Mouth Disease, Classical Swine Fever, and Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia. The pathogens studied at the NBAF may change based upon continued evaluation of risks to U.S. agricultural system.

Dated: February 26, 2013.

Daniel M. Gerstein,

Deputy Under Secretary, Science and Technology Directorate, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

[FR Doc. 2013–04919 Filed 3–1–13; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE P DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND** 

**URBAN DEVELOPMENT**

**[Docket No. FR–5690–N–04]**

**Notice of Proposed Information**
**Collection for Public Comment Enterprise Income Verification (EIV)**  **Systems—Debts Owed to Public Housing Agencies and Terminations** 

**AGENCY :**  Office of the Assistance Secretary for Public and Indian Housing, HUD.

**ACTION :**  Notice of proposed information

collection.

**SUMMARY :**  The proposed information collection requirement described below

will be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act. The Department is soliciting public comments on the subject proposal.

This information collection is required to identify families who no longer participate in a HUD rental assistance program due to adverse termination of tenancy and/or assistance, and owe a debt to a Public Housing Agency (PHA). The information is used by PHAs to determine a family’s suitability for rental assistance, and avoid providing limited Federal housing assistance to families who have previously demonstrated an inability to comply with HUD program requirements or who have an unpaid debt to a PHA.

**DATES :**  Comments Due Date: May 3,

2013.

**ADDRESSES :**  Interested persons are invited to submit comments regarding this proposal. Comments should refer to the proposal by name and/or OMB

Control number and sent to: Colette Pollard, Departmental Reports Management Officer, QDAM, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street SW., Room 4178, Washington, DC 20410–5000; telephone 202.402.3400 (this is not a toll-free number) or email Ms. Pollard at Collette.Pollard@hud.gov for a copy of the proposed forms or other available

information.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Arlette Mussington, Office of Policy, Programs and Legislative Initiatives, Office of Public and Indian Housing, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street SW., L’Enfant Plaza, Room 2206, Washington, DC, telephone (202) 402–4109, for copies of other available documents (this is not a toll-free number.)

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  The Department will submit the proposed information collection to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review, as required by the Paper Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. chapter 35, as amended).

This Notice is soliciting comments from members of the public and affected agencies concerning the proposed collection of information to: (1) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) evaluate the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (3) enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4)

minimize the burden of the collection of

information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology; e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses.

This notice also lists the following

information:

Title of Proposal: Debts Owed to Public Housing Agencies &

Terminations.

OMB Control Number: 2577–0266. Description of the need for the information and proposed use: In accordance with 24 CFR 5.233, processing entities that administer the Public Housing, Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher, Moderate Rehabilitation programs are required to use HUD’s Enterprise Income Verification (EIV) system to verify employment and income information of program participants and to reduce administrative and subsidy payment errors. The EIV system is a system of records owned by HUD, as published in

the Federal Register on July 20, 2005 at 70 FR 41780 and updated on August 8,

2006 at 71 FR 45066.

The Department seeks to identify families who no longer participate in a HUD rental assistance program due to adverse termination of tenancy and/or assistance, and owe a debt to a Public Housing Agency (PHA). In accordance with 24 CFR 982.552 and 960.203, the PHA may deny admission to a program if the family is not suitable for tenancy for reasons such as, but not limited to: Unacceptable past performance in meeting financial obligations, history of criminal activity, eviction from Federally assisted housing in the last five years, family has committed fraud, bribery, or any other corrupt or criminal

act in connection with a Federal housing program, or if a family currently owes rent or other amounts to

the PHA or to another PHA in