mendations, prescribed by paragraph 5 of OMB Circular A-95, does not involve the NSF criteria for the selection of research projects (appearing at 39 FR 42954), copies of such clearinghouse comments normally will not be made available to outside reviewers.

(b) In some cases, a clearinghouse may recommend that a proposal be disapproved or that it be approved only with specific and major substantive changes. In the event that the Program Officer of a covered program recommends approval of the project substantially as proposed, or with changes which differ from those recommended by the clearinghouse, a brief explanation for the clearinghouse will be prepared as required by subparagraph 6d of A-95, for attachment to the SF 424.

(c) In some cases, a clearinghouse may recommend against approval of a project because it appears to conflict with or duplicate another Federal or federally assisted project. In that event, the Program Officer will consult with the agency assisting the referenced project, as required by subparagraph 6e of A-95, prior to recommending an award. If the Program is covered by A-95, such consultation will be indicated in Section IV of SF 424.

(d) In some cases, clearinghouse comments may indicate that a unit of general local government, having jurisdiction over the area in which a project is to be performed by a special purpose unit of local government, has submitted or plans to submit a proposal for the same or a similar type of project. Although NSF administers no programs of grants-in-aid which are subject to the provisions of Section 402 of the Intergovernmental Cooperation Act of 1968 or of subparagraph 6f of A-95 (favoring units of general local government) the Program Officer shall consider the merits of each of the two proposals prior to recommending final action on that from the special purpose unit of local government.

(e) When action is recommended on a proposal, the Program Office in a covered Program will complete those portions of Section III of SF 424, submitted with the proposal, which identify the Program, and indicate wheth

er or not remarks have been added. Other Program Offices may file the externally initiated SF 424 or comparable State form in the proposal jacket without further action. (During the transition period between the effective date of this part and the time at which proposals accompanied by externally initiated SF 424 reach the action stage, the Program Officer will initiate the SF 424, completing sufficient portions of Section I to provide the types of identifying information formerly furnished in Standard Form 240, plus programmatic portions of Section III.)

§ 660.8 Notification to clearinghouses of action taken-SF 424.

In accordance with subparagraph 6c of A-95 the following notification actions will be taken:

(a) If a proposal for support under a covered program is withdrawn or declined, the Program Officer shall complete additional appropriate entries in Section III and mail the completed form(s) to the clearinghouse(s) listed in Section II within seven working days after receipt of the withdrawal request or simultaneously with dispatch of the declination letter, as appropriate.

(b) If the Program Officer recommends that an award be made, the SF 424 and related documents shall be sent to the Division of Grants and Contracts as part of the recommended award package, for completion and dispatch. However, since the amounts of funding, if any, to be contributed by the proposing institution or organization, the State or local government, or other source are not required in proposals to most NSF programs and would not normally be known to NSF except through the proposed funding entries in Section I, the funding contributions by other than the Federal government will not be shown in Section III. Following signature of the grant or contract, the action date will be stamped on the form at the same time that the award is dated and copies will be dispatched to each of the clearinghouses listed in Section II simultaneously with dispatch of the award instrument to the grantee or contractor.

§ 660.9 Supplemental reporting of award

information.

In furtherance of the TC 1082 supplemental reporting requirement, NSF will continue to provide to each SCIRA a Statewide Award Report which provides aggregated information on each project award made by NSF during the previous quarter to any agency of State or local government, any academic institution, or any other non-profit organization or com

mercial firm within the State. The report includes information on all such awards, including those separately reported to clearinghouses in accordance with A-95 requirements.

It contains most of the essential data elements contained in SF 424. However, since the SAI number is not a standard NSF data element, it is contained only in the SF 424 furnished to clearinghouses in accordance with § 660.8 of this part.

§ 701.1 Establishment.

The United States Commission on Civil Rights (hereinafter referred to as the Commission) is a bipartisan agency of the executive branch of the Government. Established under the Civil Rights Act of 1957, 71 Stat. 634, the Commission derives its responsibilities from that act and from amendments to it in the Civil Rights Act of 1960, 74 Stat. 86; in the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 78 Stat. 241; by 81 Stat. 582 (1967); by 84 Stat. 1356 (1970); and by 86 Stat. 813 (1972). (Hereinafter the 1957 Act as amended will be referred to as the Act.)

[38 FR 15446, Jun. 12, 1973]

§ 701.2 Responsibilities.

(a) The Commission's responsibilities under section 104(a) of the Act may be summarized briefly as follows:

(1) Investigating sworn allegations that certain citizens of the United States are being deprived of their right to vote and have that vote counted by reason of color, race, religion, sex, or national origin;

(2) Studying and collecting information concerning legal developments constituting a denial of equal protection of the laws under the Constitution;

(3) Appraising the laws and policies of the Federal Government with respect to equal protection of the laws under the Constitution;

(4) Serving as a national clearinghouse for information in respect to denials of equal protection of the laws

because of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin;

(5) Investigating sworn allegations that citizens are being accorded or denied the right to vote in Federal elections as a result of patterns or practices of fraud or discrimination.

(b) Under section 104(b) of the Act the Commission is charged with: The submission of interim reports to the President and to the Congress at such times as the Commission, the Congress, or the President shall deem desirable, and the submission to the President and to the Congress of the final report of its activities, findings, and recommendations not later than the last day of fiscal year 1978.

(c) In fulfilling these responsibilities the Commission is authorized by the Act to hold hearings; to constitute State Advisory Committees; to consult with Governors, Attorneys General, other representatives of State and local governments, and private organizations; and to issue subpenas for the production of documents and the attendance of witnesses. The Act also provides that all Federal agencies shall cooperate fully with the Commission to the end that it may effectively carry out its functions and duties.

[32 FR 4062, Mar. 15, 1967, as amended at 33 FR 14406, Sept. 25, 1968; 37 FR 23185, Oct. 31, 1972]

Subpart B-Organization Statement

§ 701.11 Membership of the Commission. Pursuant to section 101 of the Act: (a) The Commission is composed of six members, appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, not more than three of whom are of the same political party.

(b) The Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Commission are designated by the President, the Vice-Chairman acting as Chairman in the absence or disability of the Chairman or in the event of a vacancy in that office.

(c) No vacancy in the Commission affects its powers and any vacancy is filled in the same manner and subject to the same limitation with respect to party affiliations as the original appointment was made.

(d) Four members of the Commission constitute a quorum.

[32 FR 4062, Mar. 15, 1967]

§ 701.12 Staff organization.

(a) Pursuant to section 105(a) of the Act, the Staff of the Commission consists of a Staff Director, appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, and of such other personnel as the Commission may appoint within the limitations of its appropriation.

(b) The staff organization of the Commission is as follows:

(1) Office of the staff director. Under the general direction of the Commission, the office of the staff director plans the agency work programs; directs, supervises, and coordinates the work of offices; reports plans, work programs, and activities of the agency to the Commission; represents the agency in relationships with the Executive Office of the President, the Congress, other Federal agencies, the press, national civil rights organizations, other private and local groups, and the general public; and manages the administrative affairs of the agency.

(i) Women's rights program unit. The women's rights program unit recommends and assists in the development of overall agency programs with regard to women's rights; handles the identification and evaluation of women's rights issues; oversees the design and implementation of specific women's rights projects; maintains liaison with national private organizations and with research institutions dealing with women's rights.

legal studies in areas within the jurisdiction of the Commission; prepares reports of legal studies and hearings held within the jurisdiction of the Commission; drafts or reviews proposals for legislative and executive action in civil and women's rights; reviews all agency publications and congressional testimony for legal sufficiency; serves as legal counsel to the Commission and to the agency; and drafts and negotiates all agency contracts.

(3) Office of program and policy review. The office of civil rights program and policy review conducts appraisals of Federal policies, administration, and programs; provides technical research assistance to other Commission units and to public and private groups and individuals; plans and conducts or stimulates studies to advance basic knowledge about the extent, causes, and socioeconomic consequences of civil and women's rights denials, including, but not limited to the areas of housing, education, economic security and welfare; and prepares reports and clearinghouse materials in areas within the jurisdiction of the Commission.

(4) Office of information and publications. The office of information and publications prepares and disseminates information about the Commission and its studies and publications through various techniques of communication; assists in the preparation of clearinghouse publications; prepares for printing all Commission publications, including hearing transcripts and reports; maintains liaison with the news media; writes speeches and coordinates speaking engagements of Commission staff; and maintains information liaison with public and private groups and individuals interested in civil and women's rights.

(5) Office of Management. The Office of Management provides management services to the agency in the areas of personnel, financial management, program analysis, procurement, space, travel, reproduction, mail, and messenger services.

(6) Office of field operations. The office of field operations plans and directs field offices and field programs of the Commission; develops, organizes, and supervises field activities includ