TAC Members Sought

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), Department of Commerce is announcing its recruitment of candidates to serve on one of its six Technical Advisory Committees (“TACs”).

TAC members advise the Department of Commerce on the technical parameters for export controls applicable to dual-use items (commodities, software, and technology) and on the administration of those controls.

The TACs are composed of representatives from industry, academia, and the U.S. Government and reflect diverse points of view on the concerns of the exporting community.

Industry representatives are selected from firms producing a broad range of items currently controlled for national security, non-proliferation, foreign policy, and short supply reasons or that are proposed for such controls.  Representation from the private sector is balanced to the extent possible among large and small firms.

Six TACs are responsible for advising the Department of Commerce on the technical parameters for export controls and the administration of those controls within specified areas:

• Information Systems TAC: Control List Categories 3 (electronics), 4 (computers), and 5 (telecommunications and information security);
• Materials and Equipment TAC: Control List Categories 1 (materials, chemicals, microorganisms, and toxins) and 2 (materials processing);
• Sensors and Instrumentation TAC: Control List Category 6 (sensors and lasers);
• Transportation and Related Equipment TAC: Control List Categories 7 (navigation and avionics), 8 (marine), and 9 (propulsion systems, space vehicles, and related equipment); and the
• Emerging Technology TAC (identification of emerging and foundational technologies that may be developed over a period of five to ten years with potential dual-use applications).
• The sixth TAC, the Regulations and
  Procedures TAC, focuses on the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and procedures for implementing the EAR.

TAC members are appointed by the Secretary of Commerce and serve terms of not more than four consecutive years. TAC members must obtain secret-level clearances prior to their appointment.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to review materials and information on each Committee website, including the Committee’s charter, to gain an understanding of each Committee’s responsibilities, matters on which the Committee will provide recommendations, and expectations for members.

Members of any of the six TACs may not be registered as foreign agents under the Foreign Agents Registration Act. No TAC member may represent a company that is majority owned or controlled by a foreign government entity (or foreign government entities).

If you are interested in becoming a TAC member, review carefully the Notice of Recruitment This Notice of Recruitment will be open for 60 days from its date of publication in the Federal Register.

Recruitment of Members: