and related matters; review and evaluate the programs and procedures of the Commission; initiate action or make recommendations as may be necessary to administer the Communications Act most effectively in the public interest. Assess the management, administrative, and resource implications of any proposed action or decision to be taken by the Commission or by a Bureau or Office under delegated authority; recommend to the Chairman and Commission program priorities, resource and position allocations, management, and administrative policies.

(5) Plan and administer the Commission's Management by Objectives system. Assure that objectives, priorities, and action plans established by Bureaus and Offices are consistent with overall Commission objectives and priorities.

(6) Plan and administer the Commission's Program Evaluation System. Ensure that evaluation results are utilized in Commission decision-making and priority-setting activities.

(7) Direct agency efforts to improve management effectiveness, operational efficiency, employee productivity, and service to the public. Administer Commission-wide management programs.

(8) Plan and manage the administrative affairs of the Commission with respect to the functions of personnel and position management; labor-management relations; budget and financial management; information management and processing; organization planning; management analysis; procurement; office space management and utilization; administrative and office services; supply and property management; records management; personnel and physical security; and international telecommunications settle

ments.

(9) Serve as the principal operating official on ex parte matters involving restricted proceedings. Review and dispose of all ex parte communications received from the public and others. In consultation with the General Counsel, approve waivers of the applicability of the conflict of interest statutes pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 205 and 208, or initiate necessary actions where other resolutions of conflicts of interest are called for.

(11) With the concurrence of the General Counsel, interpret rules and regulations pertaining to fees.

(12) Ensure that the resource and administrative aspects of the Commission's international activities are fully coordinated with other Commission programs and functions. Formulate and administer all management and administrative policies and programs for international communications activities on behalf of the Chairman and the Commission.

(b) The Secretary is the official custodian of the Commission's documents. (Secs. 4, 303, 307, 48 Stat., as amended, 1066, 1082, 1083; 47 U.S.C. 154, 303, 307)

[46 FR 59975, Dec. 8, 1981, as amended at 47 FR 41380, Sept. 20, 1982; 49 FR 45583, Nov. 19, 1984; 50 FR 27953, July 9, 1985; 53 FR 29054, Aug. 2, 1988; 53 FR 47536, Nov. 23, 1988; 54 FR 152, Jan. 4, 1989]

OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

$ 0.13 Functions of the Office.

The Office of Inspector General is directly responsible to the Chairman as head of the agency. However, the Chairman may not prevent or prohibit the Office of Inspector General from carrying out its duties and responsibilities as mandated by the Inspector General Act Amendments of 1988 (Pub. L. 100-504) and the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. Appendix 3), as amended. The Office has the following duties and responsibilities.

(a) Provide policy direction for and to conduct, supervise and coordinate audits and investigations relating to the programs and operations of the Federal Communications Commission.

(b) Review existing and proposed legislation and regulations relating to programs and operations of the Commission and to make recommendations in its required semiannual reports to Congress concerning the impact of such legislation or regulations on the economy and efficiency in the administration of these programs and operations, or the prevention and detection of fraud and abuse in such programs and operations.

(c) Recommend policies and conduct or coordinate other activities to promote economy and efficiency in the administration of Commission programs, or detect and prevent fraud and abuse in Commission activities. Coordinate with other governmental agencies and non-governmental entities on these

matters.

(d) Keep the Chairman of the Commission-and through him the other Commissioners and the Congress fully and currently informed concerning fraud and other serious problems, abuses, and deficiencies relating to the administration of Commission programs and operations; recommend corrective action and report on the progress made in implementing such corrective action. In addition to providing the Chairman with the results of completed audits and inspections, the Inspector General shall prepare statutorily required reports, identified as such, to include:

(1) Semiannual reports summarizing activities of the office during the preceding six month period (due to the Chairman by April 30 and October 31);

(2) Special reports specifically identifying any serious or flagrant problems, abuses or deficiencies (due to the Chairman immediately upon discovery of these matters by the Inspector General).

[54 FR 15194, Apr. 17, 1989]

OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS $0.15 Functions of the Office.

The Office of Public Affairs is directly responsible to the Commission. The Office has the following duties and responsibilities:

(a) Develop, recommend, coordinate and administer Commission objectives, plans and programs to enhance public

understanding of and compliance with the Commission's regulatory requirements. Evaluate public information dissemination practices and develop methods of improving these practices.

(b) Act as the principal channel for communicating information to the news media, regulated industries, and the general public on Commission policies, programs, and activities. Make official announcements of Commission decisions and actions. Maintain liaison with the information media to facilitate the dissemination of news and information on FCC activities. Advise the Commission on public reaction to and comment on FCC policies and programs.

(c) Develop, recommend, coordinate and administer objectives, plans and programs to encourage participation by the public in the Commission's decision-making processes. Promote increased awareness within the Commission of the impact of Commission policies on the ability of consumers of communications services to participate in decisions that affect them. Evaluate the effectiveness of mechanisms developed and used to facilitate public input and develop new initiatives as appropriate.

(d) Serve as the Commission's primary point of contact with individual consumers of communications services and with organizations of such consumers. Maintain liaison with consumers to facilitate an interchange of information and cooperative efforts to improve the Commission's information-gathering, policy-making, and information

dissemination functions.

(e) Act as the principal point of public contact in disseminating information about Commission programs to promote equal employment opportunity and minority enterprise in Commission-regulated industries. Maintain liaison with industry representatives, women's and minority groups and other interested parties regarding public information about and public evaluation of these programs. Organize FCC seminars and serve as FCC spokesperson to outside organizations on these subjects.

(f) Develop and implement programs to assist in providing information to minority entrepreneurs engaged in or

seeking to participate in telecommunications industries regulated by the Commission.

(g) Review Commission contract procurement policy to devise ways of increasing information about proposed Commission contracts received by minority contractors.

(h) Advise the Commission on its information dissemination and public participation policies, as they affect liaison with the information media, the public and the Commission's regulatees. Provide policy and program guidance to the bureaus and offices on these subjects based on feedback received through the information dissemination functions of the Office.

(i) Maintain liaison with the Field Operations Bureau regarding the press and news media, and consumer assistance and information activities of the Commission's field offices.

(Secs. 4, 5, 303, 48 Stat. 1066, 1082, as amended; 47 U.S.C. 154, 155, 303)

[44 FR 12425, Mar. 7, 1979, as amended at 44 FR 70471, Dec. 7, 1979; 50 FR 2985, Jan. 23, 1985; 52 FR 42438, Nov. 5, 1987]

OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS

80.17 Functions of the Office.

The Office of Legislative Affairs is directly responsible to the Commission. The Office has the following duties and responsibilities:

(a) Advise and make recommendations to the Commission with respect to legislation proposed by members of Congress or the Executive Branch and coordinate the preparation of Commission views thereon for submission to Congress or the Executive Branch.

(b) Coordinate with the Office of General Counsel responses to Congressional or Executive Branch inquiries as to the local ramifications of Commission policies, regulations, rules, and statutory interpretations.

(c) Assist the Office of the Managing Director in preparation of the annual report to Congress, the Commission budget and appropriations legislation to Congress; assist the Office of Public Affairs in preparation of the Commission's Annual Report.

(d) Assist the Chairman and Commissioners in preparation for, and the co

ordination of their appearances before the Committees of Congress.

(e) Coordinate the annual Commission legislative program.

(f) Coordinate Commission and staff responses to inquiries by individual members of Congress, congressional committees and staffs.

[52 FR 42438, Nov. 5, 1987]

OFFICE OF PLANS AND POLICY

80.21 Functions of the Office.

The Office of Plans and Policy, as a staff office to the Commission, assists, advises and makes recommendations to the Commission with respect to the development and implementation of communications policies in all areas of Commission authority and responsibility. A principal function of the Office is to conduct independent policy analyses to assess the long-term effects of alternative Commission policies on domestic and international communication industries and services, with due consideration of the responsibilities and programs of other staff units, and to recommend appropriate Commission action. The Office is also responsible for coordinating the policy research and development activities of other staff units, with special concern for matters which transcend their individual areas of responsibility. The Office is composed of legal, engineering, economic, and sociological policy analysts and other personnel, and is headed by a chief having the following duties and responsibilities:

(a) To identify and define significant communications policy issues in all areas of Commission interest and responsibility;

(b) To conduct technical, economic, and sociological impact studies of existing and proposed communications policies and operations, including cooperative studies with other staff units and consultant and contract efforts as appropriate;

(c) To develop and evaluate alternative policy options and approaches for consideration by the Commission;

(d) To review and comment on all significant actions proposed to be taken by the Commission in terms of their overall policy implications;

(e) To recommend and evaluate governmental (state and federal), academic, and industry sponsored research affecting Commission policy issues;

(f) To prepare briefings, position papers, proposed Commission actions, or other agenda items as appropriate;

(g) To manage the Commission's policy research program, recommend budget levels and priorities for this program, and serve as central account manager for all contractual policy research studies funded by the Commission;

(h) To coordinate the formation and presentation of Commission positions in domestic communications policy; represent the Commission at appropriate interagency discussions and conferences.

(1) To participate in the development of international communications policy with the Office of Engineering and Technology, as appropriate; provide representation at international meetings when appropriate.

(j) Develop and recommend procedures and plans for the effective handling of policy issues within the Commission.

[38 FR 17005, June 28, 1973, as amended at 45 FR 25400, Apr. 15, 1980; 51 FR 12615, Apr. 14, 1986]

OFFICE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

$0.31 Functions of the Office.

The Office of Engineering and Technology has the following duties and responsibilities:

(a) To evaluate evolving technology for interference potential and to suggest ways to facilitate its introduction in response to Bureau initiatives, and advise the Commission and staff offices in such matters.

(b) Represent the Commission at various national and international conferences and meetings devoted to the progress of communications and the development of technical and other information and standards, and serve as Commission coordinator for the various national conferences when appropriate.

(c) To conduct scientific and technical studies in advanced phases of terrestrial and space communications,

and special projects to obtain theoretical and experimental data on new or improved techniques.

(d) To advise the Commission concerning engineering matters, including the privacy and security of communications, involved in making or implementing policy or in resolving specific cases.

(e) To develop and implement procedures to acquire, store, and retrieve scientific and technical information useful in the engineering work of the Commission.

(f) To advise and represent the Commission on frequency allocation and spectrum usage matters, including those covered by international agreements.

(g) To render, in cooperation with the General Counsel and the Office of Plans and Policy, advice to the Commission, participate in and coordinate staff work with respect to general frequency allocation proceedings and other proceedings not within the jurisdiction of any single bureau, and render service and advice with respect to rule making matters and proceedings affecting more than one Bureau.

(h) To collaborate with and advise other Bureaus and Offices in the formulation of technical requirements of the Rules.

(1) To administer parts 2, 5, 15, and 18 of this chapter, including licensing, recordkeeping, and rule making.

(3) To perform all engineering and management functions of the Commission with respect to formulating rules and regulations, technical standards, and general policies for parts 15 and 18 of this chapter, and for type approval and acceptance, and certification of radio equipment for compliance with the Rules.

(k) To maintain liaison with other agencies of government, technical experts representing foreign governments, and members of the public and industry concerned with communications and frequency allocation and usage.

(1) To calibrate and standardize technical equipment and installations used by the Commission.

(m) To exercise authority as may be assigned or referred by the Commission

pursuant to section 5(d) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended.

(Secs. 2, 3, 4, 5, 301, 303, 307, 308, 309, 315, 317, 48 Stat., as amended, 1064, 1065, 1066, 1068, 1081, 1082, 1083, 1084, 1085, 1088, 1089; 47 U.S.C. 152, 153, 154, 155, 301, 303, 307, 308, 309, 315, 317) [45 FR 28718, Apr. 30, 1980, as amended at 46 FR 45342, Sept. 11, 1981; 51 FR 12615, Apr. 14, 1986]

OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL

$0.41 Functions of the Office.

The Office of the General Counsel has the following duties and responsibilities:

(a) To advise and represent the Commission in matters of litigation.

(b) To advise and make recommendations to the Commission with respect to proposed legislation and submit agency views on legislation when appropriate.

(c) To participate in international conferences and in the implementation of international agreements.

(d) To interpret the statutes, international agreements, and international regulations affecting the Commission.

(e) To prepare and make recommendations and interpretations concerning procedural rules of general applicability and to review all rules for consistency with other rules, uniformity, and legal sufficiency.

(f) To conduct research in legal matters as directed by the Commission.

(g) In cooperation with the Chief Engineer, to participate in, render advice to the Commission, and coordinate the staff work with respect to general frequency allocation proceedings and other proceedings not within the jurisdiction of any single bureau, and to render advice with respect to rule making matters and proceedings affecting more than one bureau.

(h) To perform all legal functions with respect to experimental operations under part 5 of this chapter; the operation of restricted radiation devices under parts 15 and 18 of this chapter; and type approval and type acceptance of radio equipment.

(1) To exercise such authority as may be assigned or referred to it by the Commission pursuant to section 5(d) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended.

(j) To cooperate with the Common Carrier Bureau and the Office of Engineering and Technology on all matters pertaining to space satellite communications.

(k) To study the licensing practices of patentees and assignees in communications services regulated by the Commission, particularly in situations referred to it by the Office of Engineering and Technology; and, in collaboration with the Office of Engineering and Technology, to develop appropriate recommendations for Commission ac

tion.

(1) To interpret statutes and executive orders affecting the Commission's national defense responsibilities, and to perform such functions involving implementation of such statutes and executive orders as may be assigned to it by the Commission or the Defense Commissioner.

(m) To perform all legal functions with respect to leases, contracts, tort claims and such other internal legal problems as may arise.

(n) To issue written determinations on behalf of the Chairman, and otherwise act as the Chairman's designee on matters regarding the interception of telephone conversations, as required by the General Services Administration's regulations. 41 CFR 201-6.202 et seq.

(0) To advise the Commission in the preparation and revision of rules and the implementation and administration of the Freedom of Information, Privacy, and Sunshine Acts.

(p) To assist and make recommendations to the Commission and to individual Commissioners designed to review initial decisions as to the disposition of cases of adjudication and such other cases as, by Commission policy, are handled in the same manner and which have been designated for hearing.

(Secs. 2, 3, 4, 5, 301, 303, 307, 308, 309, 315, 317, 48 Stat., as amended, 1064, 1065, 1066, 1068, 1081, 1082, 1083, 1084, 1085, 1088, 1089; 47 U.S.C. 152, 153, 154, 155, 301, 303, 307, 308, 309, 315, 317) [28 FR 12392, Nov. 22, 1963; 37 FR 19372, Sept. 20, 1972, as amended at 40 FR 17253, Apr. 18, 1975; 43 FR 29006, July 5, 1978; 44 FR 39179, July 5, 1979; 46 FR 57050, Nov. 20, 1981; 49 FR 47604, Dec. 6, 1984; 50 FR 2985, Jan. 23, 1985; 50 FR 49048, Nov. 29, 1985; 51 FR 12615, Apr. 14, 1986]