8162 Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 15 / Friday, January 24, 2025 / Notices 

health risks. There are no other MSHAapproved units. 

(c) The Drager X-plore 8000 PAPRs 

are ergonomically designed for greater 

movement in tight workspaces. This 

respirator has the following features: 

helps protect against certain airborne 

contaminates; is easy to use and 

maintain; has interchangeable 

components, which will enable Sufco to 

customize the PAPR system to help 

meet the needs of our specific 

application; is intrinsically safe; has 

audible and visual alarms; has a multispeed blower; and the battery offers long 

run time and charges quickly. 

(d) The Drager X-plore 8000 is 

intrinsically safe and certified by UL 

under the ANSI/UL 60079–11:13 

standard to be used in hazardous 

locations. 

(e) The alternative method will 

provide no less than the same measure 

of protection afforded the miners under 

the existing standard. 

The petitioner proposes the following 

alternative method: 

(a) The batteries for the PAPRs shall 

be charged outby the last open crosscut 

when not in operation. 

(b) The batteries shall be charged by 

the following products: Drager battery 

Charger for the X-plore 8000 standard 

charger. 

(c) The Drager X-plore 8000 PAPR 

shall only use the Drager X-plore 8700 

battery. 

(d) Affected miners shall be trained in 

the proper use and care of the PAPR 

units in accordance with manufacturers’ 

instructions. 

(e) The instrument shall be checked 

for physical damage and the integrity of 

the case. 

(f) If methane is detected in 

concentrations of 1.0 percent or more, 

procedures in accordance with 30 CFR 

75.323 shall be followed. 

(g) There are no representatives of 

miners at Canyon Fuel Company, LLC, 

Sufco Mine. A copy of this petition has 

been posted on the bulletin board on 

December 29, 2024. 

In support of the proposed alternative 

method, the petitioner has also 

submitted manufacturer spec sheets for 

the Drager X-plore PAPR and certificates 

of compliance from CSAGroup. 

The petitioner asserts that the 

alternative method will guarantee no 

less than the same measure of protection 

afforded the miners under the 

mandatory standard. 

Song-ae Aromie Noe, 

Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, 

and Variances. 

[FR Doc. 2025–01648 Filed 1–23–25; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4520–43–P 

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION 

Request for Comments on the National 

Science Foundation’s Proposed 

Intellectual Property Options 

AGENCY: National Science Foundation. 

ACTION: Request for comments. 

Extension of comment period. 

SUMMARY: On December 12, 2024, the 

National Science Foundation (NSF) 

published in the Federal Register a 

document entitled ‘‘Request for 

Comments on NSF’s Proposed 

Intellectual Property Options.’’ In 

response to requests by prospective 

commenters that they would benefit 

from additional time to adequately 

consider and respond to the RFC, NSF 

has determined that an extension of the 

comment period until Friday, February 

21, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. (eastern), is 

appropriate. NSF also is adding 

language to clarify the intent for 

intellectual property options. 

DATES: The end of the comment period 

for the document entitled ‘‘Request for 

Comments on NSF’s Proposed 

Intellectual Property Options’’ 

published on December 12, 2024 (89 FR 

101641), is extended from January 24, 

2025, until February 21, 2025. 

ADDRESSES: To respond to this Request 

for Comments, please use the official 

submission form available at: https://

airtable.com/app9KPUhqR2lAb4Zf/ 

pag9d0QhLcOXkGlud/form. 

Respondents only need to provide 

feedback on one or more questions of 

interest or relevance to them. Each 

question is voluntary and optional. The 

response to each question has a 4,000- 

character limit including spaces. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For 

further information, please direct 

questions to Allen Walker through email 

at NSF-IPOptions-RFC@nsf.gov, phone 

at 703–292–2291, or mail at National 

Science Foundation, ATTN: Allen 

Walker, 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, 

Alexandria, VA 22314, USA. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 

National Science Foundation (NSF) 

seeks public comments to inform the 

proposed implementation of new 

intellectual property (IP) provision 

options for use in NSF public-private 

partnerships, particularly those 

advancing research and development, 

that include co-funding of awards by 

private partners. NSF is committed to 

fostering innovation and promoting the 

translation of research into practical 

applications. To enhance the 

effectiveness of public-private 

partnerships, NSF seeks to implement a 

set of options for IP provisions that 

provide greater flexibility and balance 

the interests of both academia and 

industry. 

Please note that the intellectual 

property options discussed herein apply 

only to NSF awards that stem from 

direct partnerships between NSF and 

industry partners prior to issuance of 

the grant. These types of awards 

currently represent a small percentage 

of NSF’s overall funding portfolio. NSF 

defines a direct partnership as an 

explicit agreement between NSF and 

one or more other organizations to 

jointly resource (i.e., via dollars and/or 

in-kind offerings) a funding 

opportunity. 

These IP options do not apply to the 

rest of the NSF award portfolio. NSF 

maintains a consistent policy of not 

claiming or retaining any intellectual 

property rights resulting from its 

awards, including those made through 

the Small Business Innovation Research 

(SBIR)/Small Business Technology 

Transfer (STTR) awards. NSF shall 

neither enforce nor participate in any 

such negotiations between awardees 

and industry partners. These IP options 

also do not apply to downstream 

partnerships, such as those developed 

by NSF awardees for additional nonNSF resources (financial and/or inkind), thereby enhancing the activities 

of the original award. 

Recent engagements, including the 

2023 NSF-Industry Partnership Summit 

and subsequent listening sessions, have 

highlighted the need for optional IP 

strategies that can adapt to the unique 

requirements of various funded projects. 

NSF intends to incorporate these IP 

options into partnership agreements 

involving industry and/or non-profit 

organizations for funding opportunities 

whose funded awards may result in the 

generation of IP. 

Through this Request for Comments 

(RFC), NSF invites input from a wide 

range of stakeholders, including 

industry, academia, non-profit 

organizations, other government 

agencies, and other interested parties. 

The 2023 NSF-Industry Partnership 

Summit and subsequent engagements 

revealed differing viewpoints in 

stakeholders’ perspectives regarding 

NSF’s existing IP terms. In response, the 

Directorate for Technology, Innovation 

and Partnerships (TIP) has developed a 

series of IP grant-of-rights options to 

address these concerns. These options 

are informed by the Bayh-Dole Act and 

aim to promote the practical application 

and commercialization of federally 

funded research while preserving 

potential access to the IP for the U.S. 

Government. 


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Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 15 / Friday, January 24, 2025 / Notices 8163 

Below is the language for each of the 

three IP grant-of-rights options to be 

used in partnership agreements. These 

IP options can be tailored according to 

the particular research area and the 

specific terms and conditions agreed 

upon between NSF and the partner(s) in 

a particular public-private partnership. 

A. Research License With Commercial 

Option 

The disposition of rights to inventions 

or works of authorship made during 

NSF-funded research is governed by 

federal law, regulation, and policy, 

including but not limited to, 35 U.S.C. 

200–212 and 37 CFR 401. Pursuant to 

applicable laws, regulations, and 

policies, the entire right, title, and 

interest of Intellectual Property (IP) that 

directly results from activities funded by 

NSF (‘‘Project IP’’) is retained by the 

entity that created it. While recipients 

are permitted to temporarily withhold 

the publication of data and software 

related to inventions to facilitate patent 

application filings, NSF terms and 

conditions require the subsequent 

prompt publication of all research 

outputs—including results, data, and 

software—generated in the performance 

of the research. 

All partners are entitled to a nonexclusive, royalty-free license for use of 

Project IP for research purposes for a 

period of 18 months from the date of 

disclosure of the Project IP. This license 

shall not extend to any IP other than 

Project IP. This 18-month period is 

structured as follows: 

1. Notice Period: For the first 12 

months after disclosure of the Project IP, 

any partner shall have a right to 

indicate in writing that they are 

exercising their Right of First 

Negotiation (‘‘ROFN’’) for an 

opportunity to secure an exclusive 

commercial license during the 

Negotiation/Option Period. 

2. Negotiation/Option Period: 

Following the 12-month Notice Period, 

there shall be a 6-month period during 

which partners so exercising their ROFN 

may negotiate for an exclusive 

commercial license. 

If an exclusive commercial license is 

secured by one partner during the 

Negotiation/Option Period, all other 

partners’ rights shall automatically 

become a perpetual, non-exclusive, 

royalty-free license for research 

purposes only. 

If no exclusive commercial license is 

secured by the end of the Negotiation/ 

Option Period, the non-exclusive license 

granted herein shall, for all partners, 

automatically convert into a perpetual 

non-exclusive, royalty-free license for 

research purposes only. 

Pursuant to the Bayh-Dole Act, NSF is 

entitled to a non-exclusive, irrevocable, 

paid-up license throughout the world for 

use of Project IP that directly results 

from activities funded by NSF. 

B. Convertible Commercial License 

The disposition of rights to inventions 

or works of authorship made during 

NSF-funded research is governed by 

federal law, regulation, and policy, 

including but not limited to, 35 U.S.C. 

200–212 and 37 CFR 401. Pursuant to 

applicable laws, regulations, and 

policies, the entire right, title, and 

interest of Intellectual Property (IP) that 

directly results from activities funded by 

NSF (‘‘Project IP’’) is retained by the 

entity that created it. While recipients 

are permitted to temporarily withhold 

the publication of data and software 

related to inventions to facilitate patent 

application filings, NSF terms and 

conditions require the subsequent 

prompt publication of all research 

outputs—including results, data, and 

software—generated in the performance 

of the research. 

All partners are entitled to a nonexclusive, royalty-free license for use of 

Project IP for both research and 

commercial purposes for a period of 18 

months from the date of disclosure of 

the Project IP. This license shall not 

extend to any IP other than Project IP. 

This 18-month period is structured as 

follows: 

1. Notice Period: For the first 12 

months after disclosure of the Project IP, 

any partner shall have the have a right 

to indicate in writing that they are 

exercising their Right of First 

Negotiation (‘‘ROFN’’) for an 

opportunity to secure an exclusive 

commercial license during the 

Negotiation/Option Period. 

2. Negotiation/Option Period: 

Following the 12-month Notice Period, 

there shall be a 6-month period during 

which partners so exercising their ROFN 

may negotiate for an exclusive 

commercial license. 

If an exclusive commercial license is 

secured by one partner during the 

Negotiation/Option Period, all other 

partners’ rights shall automatically 

convert into a perpetual non-exclusive, 

royalty-free license for research 

purposes only. 

If no exclusive commercial license is 

secured by the end of the Negotiation/ 

Option Period, the non-exclusive license 

granted herein shall, for all partners, 

automatically convert into a perpetual 

non-exclusive, royalty-free license for 

research purposes only. 

Pursuant to the Bayh-Dole Act, NSF is 

entitled to a non-exclusive, irrevocable, 

paid-up license throughout the world for 

use of Project IP that directly results 

from activities funded by NSF. 

C. Research-Only License 

The disposition of rights to inventions 

or works of authorship made during 

NSF-funded research is governed by 

federal law, regulation, and policy, 

including but not limited to, 35 U.S.C. 

200–212 and 37 CFR 401. Pursuant to 

applicable laws, regulations, and 

policies, the entire right, title, and 

interest of Intellectual Property (IP) that 

directly results from activities funded by 

NSF (‘‘Project IP’’) is retained by the 

entity that created it, following 

applicable federal law. While recipients 

are permitted to temporarily withhold 

the publication of data and software 

related to inventions to facilitate patent 

application filings, NSF terms and 

conditions require the subsequent 

prompt publication of all research 

outputs—including results, data, and 

software—generated in the performance 

of the research. 

All partners are entitled to a nonexclusive, royalty-free license for use of 

Project IP for research purposes. This 

license shall not extend to any 

intellectual property other than Project 

IP. 

Pursuant to the Bayh-Dole Act, NSF is 

entitled to a non-exclusive, irrevocable, 

paid-up license throughout the world for 

use of Project IP that directly results 

from activities funded by NSF. 

Questions for Public Comment 

NSF welcomes comments from the 

public on any issues that are relevant to 

this topic, and is particularly interested 

in answers to the following questions: 

Overall Impact: How do you believe 

these proposed IP options will impact 

innovation, technology transfer, and 

economic growth? 

Balance: Do these options ensure a 

balanced distribution of IP rights 

between academia and industry 

partners? How can the proposed IP 

options be further refined to ensure 

maximum balance in IP arrangements? 

Flexibility: What additional flexibility 

should be incorporated into the IP 

options to accommodate and incentivize 

a range of research initiatives? 

Adoption: What strategies could NSF 

employ to encourage widespread 

adoption of these IP options among 

potential partners? 

Barriers: What potential barriers exist 

to implementing these IP options, and 

how might they be overcome? 

Translation and Incentives: Do the 

proposed IP options effectively promote 

the translation of research into practice 

while incentivizing industry 

participation and ensuring benefits for 


khammond on DSK9W7S144PROD with NOTICES
8164 Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 15 / Friday, January 24, 2025 / Notices 

universities and researchers? What 

improvements could be made to 

enhance these aspects? 

Additional Options: Are there other IP 

grant-of-rights options or frameworks 

that NSF should consider to better 

support collaborative research 

initiatives and facilitate research 

impact? 

NSF, at its discretion, will use the 

information submitted in response to 

this RFC to help inform future program 

directions, new initiatives, and potential 

funding opportunities. The information 

provided will be analyzed, may appear 

in reports, and may be shared publicly 

on agency websites. Respondents are 

advised that the government is under no 

obligation to acknowledge receipt of the 

information or provide feedback to 

respondents with respect to any 

information submitted. No proprietary, 

classified, confidential, or sensitive 

information should be included in your 

response submission. The government 

reserves the right to use any nonproprietary technical information in any 

resultant solicitations, policies, or 

procedures. 

(Authority: Public Law 117–167.) 

Dated: January 22, 2024. 

Suzanne H. Plimpton, 

Reports Clearance Officer, National Science 

Foundation. 

[FR Doc. 2025–01683 Filed 1–23–25; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 7555–01–P 

NUCLEAR REGULATORY 

COMMISSION 

[NRC–2025–0001] 

Sunshine Act Meetings 

TIME AND DATE: Weeks of January 27, 

February 3, 10, 17, 24, and March 3, 

2025. The schedule for Commission 

meetings is subject to change on short 

notice. The NRC Commission Meeting 

Schedule can be found on the internet 

at: https://www.nrc.gov/public-involve/ 

public-meetings/schedule.html. 

PLACE: The NRC provides reasonable 

accommodation to individuals with 

disabilities where appropriate. If you 

need a reasonable accommodation to 

participate in these public meetings or 

need this meeting notice or the 

transcript or other information from the 

public meetings in another format (e.g., 

braille, large print), please notify Anne 

Silk, NRC Disability Program Specialist, 

at 301–287–0745, by videophone at 

240–428–3217, or by email at 

Anne.Silk@nrc.gov. Determinations on 

requests for reasonable accommodation 

will be made on a case-by-case basis. 

STATUS: Public. 

Members of the public may request to 

receive the information in these notices 

electronically. If you would like to be 

added to the distribution, please contact 

the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, 

Office of the Secretary, Washington, DC 

20555, at 301–415–1969, or by email at 

Betty.Thweatt@nrc.gov or 

Samantha.Miklaszewski@nrc.gov. 

MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED: 

Week of January 27, 2025 

There are no meetings scheduled for 

the week of January 27, 2025. 

Week of February 3, 2025—Tentative 

Thursday, February 6, 2025 

9:00 a.m. Briefing on ADVANCE Act 

Activities (Public Meeting) 

(Contact: Mike King: 301–415–6637; 

Luis Betancourt: 301–415–6146) 

Additional Information: The meeting 

will be held in the Commissioners’ 

Hearing Room, 11555 Rockville Pike, 

Rockville, Maryland. The public is 

invited to attend the Commission’s 

meeting in person or watch live via 

webcast at the web address—https://

video.nrc.gov/. 

Week of February 10, 2025—Tentative 

There are no meetings scheduled for 

the week of February 10, 2025. 

Week of February 17, 2025—Tentative 

There are no meetings scheduled for 

the week of February 17, 2025. 

Week of February 24, 2025—Tentative 

There are no meetings scheduled for 

the week of February 24, 2025. 

Week of March 3, 2025—Tentative 

There are no meetings scheduled for 

the week of March 3, 2025. 

CONTACT PERSON FOR MORE INFORMATION: 

For more information or to verify the 

status of meetings, contact Chris 

Markley at 301–415–6293 or via email at 

Christopher.Markley@nrc.gov. 

The NRC is holding the meetings 

under the authority of the Government 

in the Sunshine Act, 5 U.S.C. 552b. 

Dated: January 22, 2025. 

For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. 

Christopher Markley, 

Policy Coordinator, Office of the Secretary. 

[FR Doc. 2025–01747 Filed 1–22–25; 11:15 am] 

BILLING CODE 7590–01–P 

POSTAL SERVICE 

Product Change—Priority Mail 

Express, Priority Mail, and USPS 

Ground Advantage® Negotiated 

Service Agreement 

AGENCY: Postal ServiceTM. 

ACTION: Notice. 

SUMMARY: The Postal Service gives 

notice of filing a request with the Postal 

Regulatory Commission to add a 

domestic shipping services contract to 

the list of Negotiated Service 

Agreements in the Mail Classification 

Schedule’s Competitive Products List. 

DATES: Date of required notice: January 

24, 2025. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Sean C. Robinson, 202–268–8405. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 

United States Postal Service® hereby 

gives notice that, pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 

3642 and 3632(b)(3), on January 16, 

2025, it filed with the Postal Regulatory 

Commission a USPS Request to Add 

Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail & 

USPS Ground Advantage® Contract 

1317 to Competitive Product List. 

Documents are available at 

www.prc.gov, Docket Nos. MC2025– 

1144, K2025–1144. 

Sean Robinson, 

Attorney, Corporate and Postal Business Law. 

[FR Doc. 2025–01642 Filed 1–23–25; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 7710–12–P 

POSTAL SERVICE 

Product Change—Priority Mail 

Express, Priority Mail, and USPS 

Ground Advantage® Negotiated 

Service Agreement 

AGENCY: Postal ServiceTM. 

ACTION: Notice. 

SUMMARY: The Postal Service gives 

notice of filing a request with the Postal 

Regulatory Commission to add a 

domestic shipping services contract to 

the list of Negotiated Service 

Agreements in the Mail Classification 

Schedule’s Competitive Products List. 

DATES: Date of required notice: January 

24, 2025. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Sean C. Robinson, 202–268–8405. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 

United States Postal Service® hereby 

gives notice that, pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 

3642 and 3632(b)(3), on January 13, 

2025, it filed with the Postal Regulatory 

Commission a USPS Request to Add 

Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail & 

USPS Ground Advantage® Contract 


khammond on DSK9W7S144PROD with NOTICES