Search Results for agency_names:"Office of the Secretary"

The Department of Defense (DoD) has announced a proposed arms sale to Greece, involving UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters and related equipment, valued at approximately $1.95 billion. This sale aims to enhance Greece's military capabilities by replacing their current helicopter fleet with more reliable technology, supporting the security objectives of both Greece and the United States. The principal contractor for the deal will be Sikorsky, a part of Lockheed Martin. The equipment and services involved in the sale are cleared for export to Greece and are considered critical to maintaining security and readiness in the region.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) is proposing a waiver for certain Buy America requirements under the Build America, Buy America Act (BABA) for infrastructure projects in the Pacific Island territories and Freely Associated States, like Guam and American Samoa. This proposal recognizes the unique challenges these regions face, such as extended delivery times and high shipping costs for U.S.-produced goods due to their geographic isolation. If approved, the waiver, which aims to ease these burdens and support project completion, would be valid for five years, allowing exceptions where necessary for strategic security. DOT seeks public comments on this proposal by December 31, 2024.

The Department of Defense has issued a notice about the potential sale of additional missile defense systems to the United Arab Emirates. This sale will include 12 THAAD launchers, support, and upgrade services valued at $1.163 billion, raising the total case value to $8.113 billion. The sale aims to enhance the UAE's defense capabilities and strengthen its partnership with the United States, contributing to regional security and stability. The highest security classification for this sale is SECRET.

The Department of Defense (DoD) is proposing a rule to update the system of records for the DoD 0004 "Defense Repository for Common Enterprise Data (DRCED)" under the Privacy Act of 1974. This update includes an exemption from certain Privacy Act provisions due to national security concerns, allowing certain records to withhold classification information. Comments on this proposal are open until March 8, 2021, and the DoD states that the rule will not significantly impact small businesses or impose extra information collection requirements on the public.

The U.S. Department of Transportation has issued a new rule aimed at improving air travel for people with disabilities who use wheelchairs. This rule strengthens regulations to prevent mishandling of wheelchairs and improper transfers, thus ensuring safety and dignity for wheelchair users. Airlines are now required to provide better assistance, offer loaner wheelchairs with customizations, and communicate effectively with passengers if their wheelchairs are mishandled. Additionally, the rule mandates annual hands-on training for airline staff and requires airlines to publish information about cargo hold dimensions to better inform passengers about their travel options.

The Department of Defense is notifying the public about a proposed arms sale to Israel. This sale includes 13,981 tank cartridges and various support services, valued at $106.5 million. The U.S. considers this sale crucial for Israel's self-defense and believes it will not disrupt the military balance in the region. The Secretary of State has justified the quick sale due to an emergency situation, bypassing the usual Congressional review.

The Department of Defense (DoD) has announced an arms sales notice involving the Government of Australia. Australia has requested services to support the Tomahawk Weapon System, including logistics and engineering support, with an estimated value of $250 million. This sale aims to enhance the defense capabilities of a key U.S. ally in the Western Pacific, contributing to regional peace and stability. The sale will not impact the military balance in the area or U.S. defense readiness.

The proposed regulations aim to amend the rules for practicing before the IRS, eliminating outdated provisions and updating standards for practitioners like tax return preparers, appraisers, and CPAs. Key changes include removing unenforceable rules related to registered tax return preparers, redefining the use of contingent fees as disreputable, and updating appraisal standards to align with modern practices. The new regulations also set forth procedures for appraiser disqualification and clarify the disciplinary process for practitioners who violate IRS guidelines. The draft regulations invite public comments and set the dates for submission and hearing.

The Department of Commerce is requesting public comments on its information collection activities related to a Foreign National Request Form. According to the Paperwork Reduction Act, the department seeks feedback to help reduce the public's reporting burden and assess the impact of its information requirements. Individuals have until May 30, 2025, to submit comments. The collected information will be used to manage access by foreign nationals to Commerce facilities, with the goal of ensuring security and compliance with current guidelines.

The Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation (OLDCC) has announced a proposal inviting public comment on a new information collection related to the Defense Community Infrastructure Program. This initiative is designed to support grants for projects that enhance military value, resilience, or quality of life at military installations. Public comments are sought by February 18, 2025, regarding the necessity, utility, and burden of the information collection. The program is open to State and local governments, as well as not-for-profit utility services, with an annual burden of 2,250 hours anticipated for 150 respondents.