PUBLIC NOTICE Federal Communications Commission 445 12th St., S.W. Washington, D.C. 20554 News Media Information 202 / 418-0500 Fax-On-Demand 202 / 418-2830 TTY 202 / 418-2555 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov ftp.fcc.gov DA 12-1280 Released: August 8, 2012 WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUREAU SOLICITS ASSISTANCE IN UPDATING COMMERCIAL OPERATOR LICENSE EXAMINATION (COLE) QUESTION POOLS FOR ELEMENTS 7 AND 7R Comment Date: September 7, 2012 Reply Date: September 24, 2012 In furtherance of the Commission’s ongoing commitment to improve upon the content of the Commercial Operator License Examination (COLE), we hereby solicit private sector assistance in updating the COLE question pools for Elements 7 (Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) radio operating practices) and 7R (Restricted GMDSS radio operating practices). The Commission’s goal is to ensure that the questions reflect the current duties and responsibilities of commercial radio operator licensees and state-of-the-art technologies. Owen Anderson has examined the current question pools and submitted for our review revised model test pools for Elements 7 and 7R. He has proposed that we adopt these question pools in their entirety. Accordingly, we seek comment on whether these question pools should be adopted either partially or in their entirety, and whether any changes should be made thereto. In addition, we seek suggestions regarding whether any current questions should be eliminated and any new questions should be added. Each proposed new question must be stated as a complete sentence and include a narrative statement regarding the question’s importance. For each question, the following information must be included: 1. Element number associated with the question. 2. Correct answer and at least three multiple-choice distracters. 3. Name of source document upon which the question is based, and 4. A citation for the correct answer. . Procedural Matters Comments on the request are due no later than September 7, 2012. Reply comments are due no later than September 24, 2012. All filings should reference the docket number of this proceeding, WT 12-219. This proceeding has been designated as a “permit-but-disclose” proceeding in accordance with the Commission's ex parte rules.1 Persons making ex parte presentations must file a copy of any written presentation or a memorandum summarizing any oral presentation within two business days after the presentation (unless a different deadline applicable to the Sunshine period applies). Persons making oral 1 See 47 C.F.R. §§ 1.1200(a), 1.1206. ex parte presentations are reminded that memoranda summarizing the presentation must (1) list all persons attending or otherwise participating in the meeting at which the ex parte presentation was made, and (2) summarize all data presented and arguments made during the presentation. If the presentation consisted in whole or in part of the presentation of data or arguments already reflected in the presenter’s written comments, memoranda or other filings in the proceeding, the presenter may provide citations to such data or arguments in his or her prior comments, memoranda, or other filings (specifying the relevant page and/or paragraph numbers where such data or arguments can be found) in lieu of summarizing them in the memorandum. Documents shown or given to Commission staff during ex parte meetings are deemed to be written ex parte presentations and must be filed consistent with rule 1.1206(b). In proceedings governed by rule 1.49(f) or for which the Commission has made available a method of electronic filing, written ex parte presentations and memoranda summarizing oral ex parte presentations, and all attachments thereto, must be filed through the electronic comment filing system available for that proceeding, and must be filed in their native format (e.g., .doc, .xml, .ppt, searchable .pdf). Participants in this proceeding should familiarize themselves with the Commission’s ex parte rules. Comments may be filed using the Commission's Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) or by filing paper copies. See Electronic Filing of Documents in Rulemaking Proceedings, 63 Fed. Reg. 24121 (1998). Comments filed through the ECFS can be sent as an electronic file via the Internet to http:// www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs/. Generally, only one copy of an electronic submission must be filed. If multiple docket or rulemaking numbers appear in the caption of this proceeding, however, commenters must transmit one electronic copy of the comments to each docket or rulemaking number referenced in the caption. In completing the transmittal screen, commenters should include their full name, U.S. Postal Service mailing address, and the applicable docket or rulemaking number. Parties may also submit an electronic comment by Internet e-mail. To get filing instructions for e-mail comments, commenters should send an e-mail to ecfs@fcc.gov, and should include the following words in the body of the message, “get form.” A sample form and directions will be sent in reply. Parties who choose to file by paper must file an original and one copy of each filing. If more than one docket or rulemaking number appears in the caption of this proceeding, commenters must submit two additional copies for each additional docket or rulemaking number. Filings can be sent by hand or messenger delivery, by commercial overnight courier, or by first- class or overnight U.S. Postal Service mail (although we continue to experience delays in receiving U.S. Postal Service mail). All filings must be addressed to the Commission's Secretary, Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission. -Effective December 28, 2009, all hand-delivered paper filings for the Commission’s Secretary must be delivered to FCC Headquarters at 445 12th St., S.W., Room TW-A325, Washington, DC 20554. All hand deliveries must be held together with rubber bands or fasteners. Envelopes must be disposed of before entering the building. The filing hours at this location are 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. PLEASE NOTE: The Commission’s former filing location at 236 Massachusetts Ave., N.E. is permanently closed. -Commercial overnight mail (other than U.S. Postal Service Express Mail and Priority Mail) must be sent to 9300 East Hampton Drive, Capitol Heights, MD 20743. -U.S. Postal Service first-class mail, Express Mail, and Priority Mail should be addressed to 445 12th Street, S.W., Washington, DC 20554. Parties are requested to send one copy of their comments and reply comments to Best Copy and Printing, Inc., Portals II, 445 12th Street, S.W., Room CY-B402, Washington, D.C. 20554, (800) 378- 3160, e-mail FCC@BCPIWEB.com. The current COLE questions and answers are available on the Commission’s web site at http://wireless.fcc.gov/commoperators/eqp.html. The revised model test pools submitted by Owen Anderson, and all comments and reply comments filed in response to this Public Notice, are available for viewing via the Commission's Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) by entering the docket number, WT 12-219. The documents also will be available for public inspection and copying during business hours in the FCC Reference Information Center, Portals II, 445 12th Street S.W., Room CY-A257, Washington, D.C. 20554. They may also be purchased from Best Copy and Printing, Inc., telephone (800) 378-3160, facsimile (202) 488-5563, TTY (202) 488-5562, e-mail FCC@BCPIWEB.com. Alternate formats of this Public Notice (computer diskette, large print, audio recording, and Braille) are available to persons with disabilities by contacting the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202) 418-0530 (voice), (202) 418-0432 (TTY), or send an e-mail to fcc504@fcc.gov. For further information, contact Mr. Ghassan Khalek of the Public Safety and Critical Infrastructure Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau at (202) 418-2771, TTY (202) 418-7233, or via e-mail at Ghassan.Khalek@fcc.gov. By the Deputy Chief, Mobility Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau. -FCC-