FR 2021-01446

The document provides a notice from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) about an upcoming closed meeting scheduled for February 12, 2021. The meeting will focus on reviewing contract proposals for health IT solutions aimed at combating opioid misuse. The meeting is not open to the public due to potential confidentiality concerns about the information that will be discussed, which may include trade secrets, commercial data, and personal information. This meeting will be conducted virtually at the National Institutes of Health.

General Summary

The notice outlines the agenda, date, time, and location of a closed meeting organized by the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The main goal of the meeting is to evaluate contract proposals targeting health IT solutions to counter opioid misuse. A specific focus will be on discussions that could uncover sensitive information, necessitating the meeting's closure to the public. Contact details for further inquiries are provided, including those of the Scientific Review Officer overseeing the meeting.

Significant Issues and Concerns

Several issues arise from this closed meeting notice:

• Confidentiality vs. Public Accountability: The decision to close this meeting is based on sections of the U.S. Code that protect sensitive information. However, there is no explanation in the notice about how this confidentiality is balanced with public accountability, which could be a concern for those interested in transparency.

• Lack of Proposal Details: The document does not detail the specific contract proposals under review, which raises questions about potential conflicts of interest or favoritism. This lack of transparency may concern stakeholders who wish to understand the decision-making process better.

• Complex Legal Justification: The notice references multiple U.S. Code sections to justify the closure of the meeting. These references might be complex for the general public to understand without legal expertise.

• Privacy Concerns: The inclusion of a personal email for contact might raise privacy issues if not managed correctly, though it allows for direct communication with meeting officials.

• Virtual Meeting Security: Details on how the virtual format will be managed to protect confidential discussions are absent. This might raise concerns about the security and integrity of the virtual meeting process.

Public and Stakeholder Impact

Public Impact: This meeting could indirectly affect the public by influencing how opioid misuse is addressed through technological means. However, the closed nature of the meeting limits public involvement and awareness, potentially affecting trust in the process.

Stakeholder Impact: Specific stakeholders, such as companies submitting proposals and health IT innovators, are directly impacted. While they might benefit from the opportunity to contribute to a significant public health initiative, the closure of the meeting could obscure how decisions are made regarding their proposals. Additionally, stakeholders interested in transparency and accountability might view the lack of detail and public access as a negative aspect.

In summary, while the meeting aims to tackle a critical public health issue through advanced technological solutions, its closed nature and vague details may pose challenges in transparency and stakeholder trust.