29 November 2003
Source: http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/aces/fr-cont.html
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[Federal Register: November 28, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 229)]
[Notices]
[Page 66842-66843]
>From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr28no03-76]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Notice Designating University of Southern California as Center
for Homeland Security
AGENCY: Department of Homeland Security.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Homeland Security has designated the
University of Southern California as a Center for Homeland Security
(HS-Center).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laura Petonito, Deputy Director,
University Programs, Science and Technology Division, Department of
Homeland Security, Washington, DC 20528; telephone 202-401-1113, facsimile 202-772-9916; e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Section 308 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, Pub. L. 107-296,
(Homeland Security Act), as amended by the Omnibus Appropriation Act of
2003, Pub. L. 108-7, directs the Department of Homeland Security
(Department) to sponsor extramural research, development,
demonstration, testing and evaluation programs relating to homeland
security. As part of this program, the Department is to establish a
university-based center or centers for homeland security.
The purpose of these centers is to provide a locus to attract and
retain academic scholars in pursuit of homeland security-related
disciplines. The Centers are envisioned to be an integral and critical
component of the Department's capability to anticipate, prevent,
respond to, and recover from terrorist attacks. The Centers will
leverage multidisciplinary capabilities of universities and fill gaps
in current knowledge.
Section 308(b)(2)(B) of the Homeland Security Act lists fourteen
areas of substantive expertise that, if demonstrated, might qualify
universities for designation as university-based centers. The listed
areas of expertise include, among others, food safety, first
responders, multi-modal transportation, and responding to incidents
involving weapons of mass destruction. However, the list is not
exclusive. Section 308(b)(2)(C) gives the Secretary discretion to
consider additional criteria beyond those specified in section
308(b)(2)(B) in selecting universities for this program, as long as the
Department issues a Federal Register notice explaining the criteria
used for the designation.
Criteria
In 2002, the National Research Council (NRC) issued a report
entitled ``Making the Nation Safer: The Role of Science and Technology
in Countering Terrorism.'' In this report, the NRC recommended a number
of substantive areas for research that could contribute to national
security. Among other issues, the NRC report identified the need to
perform risk analysis and modeling of vulnerabilities and economic
analysis of security enhancements as areas for which research is
needed.
The Department agrees that research in these areas will contribute
[[Page 66843]]
significantly to the Department's ability to identify, and select
among, options for enhancing national security. Risk-based modeling,
and economic analysis, will help the Department understand the impact
and consequences of potential acts of terrorism, thus providing
decision makers with validated tools to evaluate vulnerabilities and
identify countermeasures and response actions.
Solicitation of Interest and Designation
In August 2003, the Department sought white papers from
universities that wished to be designated as HS-Centers. The HS-Centers
are envisioned to be an integral and critical component of the new
``homeland security complex'' that will provide the nation with a
robust, dedicated and enduring capability that will enhance our ability
to anticipate, prevent, respond to, and recover from terrorist attacks.
The notice, made available on the DHS Internet site (http://www.dhs.gov) and (http://www.orau.gov/dhsuce), identified risk-based
economic modeling as one of the areas of expertise (criteria) that
might merit designation.
The Department received a number of proposals and evaluated them
through a process that included the participation of federal government
and outside experts. After the panels of experts selected final
potential designees, the Department conducted site visits to interview
the individuals who would be performing the research. Based on this
evaluation, the Department has selected the University of Southern
California (USC) as the first HS-Center for this program.
USC will conduct research on risk-based modeling, with a particular
emphasis on the economic aspects. U.S.C. will develop an integrated set
of models and modeling capabilities that cut across several threats and
targets--impacts on buildings and structures, airborne biological and
chemical agents, and cyber-terrorism. Other research areas besides
modeling and analysis of risks, will be in emergency response,
consequences, economics, advanced computation and infrastructure.
U.S.C. is committed to ensuring that students will have opportunities
to develop and contribute to these important areas through hands-on
training and internships, as examples. Workshops for the scientific
community, collaboration with federal laboratories, and support for
sabbatical visitors are additional activities planned for this HS-
Center.
Dated: November 21, 2003.
Melvin Bernstein,
Director, University Programs, Science and Technology Division,
Department of Homeland Security.
[FR Doc. 03-29646 Filed 11-24-03; 11:36 am]
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