Search Results for agency_names:"Defense Department"

The Department of the Army has released the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a proposed training area at Fort Benning, Georgia, aiming to support Army maneuver training. The training area, known as the Heavy Off-Road Mounted Maneuver Training Area (HOMMTA), would involve developing 2,400 acres to meet existing training needs without adding more soldiers or activities outside the base. The EIS details potential environmental and socioeconomic impacts, with measures to protect sensitive areas like wetlands. Three alternatives for the training area location are assessed, with the Northern Mounted Maneuver Training Area identified as the preferred site. Public input was considered, and further decisions will be made after a 30-day review period.

The Department of Defense (DoD) has proposed a new rule to modify a system of records called the "Defense Sexual Assault Incident Database," which is intended to collect data related to sexual assault cases involving members of the Armed Forces. The rule seeks to exempt certain records within this database from parts of the Privacy Act to allow for better handling of legal actions or investigations without interference. The rule also invites the public to submit comments before it becomes final, and it explains that it won't significantly affect small businesses or impose compliance costs on state, local, or Tribal governments. The proposal is primarily focused on maintaining the privacy and integrity of ongoing investigations and ensuring a streamlined process for handling reports of sexual assault.

The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness is proposing to collect information in line with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. They seek public comments on whether the information collection is necessary and on ways to improve its quality and clarity. The collection is part of the Innovative Readiness Training program, which allows military personnel to engage in real-world missions that benefit communities, such as engineering and medical projects. The deadline for submitting comments is March 11, 2025.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Reclamation, as Co-Lead Agencies, have announced an extension of the scoping period for the Columbia River System Operations environmental review. This period will now end on May 9, 2025, instead of the original March date. In addition, virtual public meetings have been rescheduled for the week of April 7, 2025, to engage with federal and state agencies, Native American Tribes, local governments, and the public about the supplemental Environmental Impact Statement process. Comments and input can be submitted via mail or email and will be made publicly available.

The Department of Defense is updating its Pentagon Facilities Parking Program records system under the Privacy Act of 1974. This update includes expanding the types of records collected and revising sections to improve clarity and accuracy. The purpose of this system is to manage parking permits for DoD personnel and contractors at Pentagon facilities. The changes also include new procedures for handling records and ensuring they are secure, as well as adding standard DoD routine uses for the records.

The Department of Defense, General Services Administration, and NASA have announced that they are seeking approval from the Office of Management and Budget to extend an information collection requirement related to subcontract consent and contractors' purchasing system reviews. This process involves contractors providing detailed information to ensure subcontracting decisions align with government policies and business practices. If approved, contractors will continue to submit necessary data to comply with Federal Acquisition Regulation requirements, aiding contract officers in maintaining compliance and efficiency in government spending. Public comments are invited on this proposal until April 14, 2025.

The Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation (OLDCC) within the Department of Defense is using a rule from the Department of the Navy (DoN) to renovate a building in York, Pennsylvania, without needing an extensive environmental review. This adoption falls under a specific rule that allows federal agencies to use certain exclusions if they typically don't harm the environment. OLDCC confirmed with DoN that using this rule is appropriate for the planned renovations, which won't involve significant changes to the site. The project aims to enhance training facilities as part of a Defense Manufacturing Community Support Program grant.

The Department of Defense will hold a Federal Advisory Committee meeting of the Board of Regents, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences on February 3, 2025. The meeting will take place at the University in Bethesda, MD, and will be available both in-person and virtually. During the meeting, the board will discuss various topics, including updates from the university's President and Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, admissions processes, and integration of digital health and AI. The meeting is open to the public, and those wishing to attend virtually must contact the organizers in advance.

The Department of Defense, General Services Administration, and NASA issued a final rule altering the Federal Acquisition Regulation. This change aligns with the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016, requiring individual sureties to pledge specific U.S. Government-backed assets as security for bonds, enhancing the protection against default. Public comments showed strong support for the rule, citing its benefits in fraud prevention and protection of subcontractors and suppliers in federal construction projects. The rule also aims to streamline the procurement process without significantly impacting small businesses' access to bonding.

The Department of the Army, as part of the Department of Defense, will hold an open Federal Advisory Committee meeting in person on March 11, 2025, at the Cannon House Office Building in Washington, DC. This meeting is organized by the United States Military Academy Board of Visitors (USMA BoV) to update Board members on Academy-related issues and conduct board business activities such as electing a Chair and Vice Chair for 2025. Members of the public can attend, but they need to submit their details in advance and provide a government photo ID for security purposes. Although public seating is limited and speaking at the meeting is not guaranteed, written comments can be submitted prior to the meeting date.