Saving Lives. Protecting Americans.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response 

Strategic Plan for 2020-2023

April 2020
HHS/ASPR Strategic Plan for 2020-23 April 2020

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MESSAGE FROM THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY

Colleagues:

In an increasingly complex and dangerous world, being ready and able to protect the health of all 

Americans is paramount to U.S. national security. Government agencies at all levels, private sector

entities, academia, and community organizations must work together to achieve preparedness, save 

lives, and protect Americans when every minute counts. 

The ASPR Strategic Plan 2020-2023 sets a course for the organization and empowers team 

members to collaborate with our many Department of Health and Human Services colleagues and 

external partners. Such collaboration is critical to achieving greater effectiveness and efficiency in 

support of communities across the country.

The development and implementation of this Strategic Plan reflects ASPR’s continuing 

commitment to strengthening our nation’s healthcare response systems, capabilities, and 

capacities. The Plan was developed through a participatory process involving staff across the 

organization, and it will be operationalized through ASPR’s most prized resource – its people. It 

is intended to be a living document – one that will guide our activities and hold us accountable at 

every level of the organization. I am confident that using this plan as a common roadmap will 

allow us to build upon past successes while focusing on the needs of the nation, inspiring 

innovation, and pursuing excellence.

Robert P. Kadlec, MD, MTM&H, MS

/s/ Robert Kadlec
HHS/ASPR Strategic Plan for 2020-23 April 2020

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CONTENTS

Message from the Assistant Secretary ...................................................................................................................... ii

Figures.........................................................................................................................................................................iv

Tables...........................................................................................................................................................................iv

Executive Summary.....................................................................................................................................................1

1.0 Introduction................................................................................................................................................2

1.1 Background..............................................................................................................................................2

1.2 Purpose/Scope..........................................................................................................................................2

1.3 Target Audience.......................................................................................................................................2

1.4 Plan Development Methodology .............................................................................................................3

2.0 About ASPR................................................................................................................................................4

2.1 Organizational Overview.........................................................................................................................4

3.0 Strategic Drivers Overview .......................................................................................................................9

3.1 Introduction..............................................................................................................................................9

3.2 Risk Environment ....................................................................................................................................9

3.3 Policy Environment ...............................................................................................................................12

3.4 Fiscal Resource Environment ................................................................................................................13

4.0 Priority Goals, Strategic Objectives, and Implementing Strategies ....................................................14

4.1 Introduction............................................................................................................................................14

4.2 Priority Goal 1: Foster Strong leadership ..............................................................................................16

4.3 Priority Goal 2: Sustain a Robust and Resilient Public Health Security Capacity.................................27

4.4 Priority Goal 3: Advance an Innovative Public Health Emergency Medical Countermeasure Enterprise

38

4.5 Priority Goal 4: Build a Regional Disaster Health Response System....................................................44

5.0 Achieving Results and Measuring Performance ...................................................................................55

5.1 Introduction............................................................................................................................................55

5.2 Measuring Organizational Performance ................................................................................................55

5.3 Implementation Governance..................................................................................................................56

6.0 Ongoing Plan Management and Maintenance.......................................................................................57

7.0 Conclusion.................................................................................................................................................58

Appendix A: Acronyms.......................................................................................................................................... A-1

Appendix B: Authorities .........................................................................................................................................B-1

Appendix C: Additional References...................................................................................................................... C-1
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FIGURES

Figure 1: Pictorial Representation of ASPR Strategic Goals and Objectives for 2020-2023 ........................................1

Figure 2: The ASPR Mission.........................................................................................................................................4

Figure 3: ASPR Core Values.........................................................................................................................................5

Figure 4: ASPR Organizational Structure......................................................................................................................6

Figure 5: ASPR Cross-Cutting Functions......................................................................................................................7

Figure 6: The 21st Century Risk Environment ..............................................................................................................9

Figure 7: Primary Goals of the HHS Strategic Plan, FY2018-2022............................................................................13

Figure 8: DSNS Operational Accomplishments to Date .............................................................................................28

Figure 9: Achieving a Regional Disaster Health Response System ............................................................................45

TABLES

Table 1: Priority Goals and Strategic Objectives.........................................................................................................15
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The United States faces an array of natural, technological, and human-caused threats and hazards. These 

threats continually evolve and have potential to cause significant harm or disruption to the general public, 

critical infrastructure systems, the environment, and the delivery of healthcare and emergency public health 

and medical services. The ASPR Strategic Plan for FY2020-23 (the Plan) organizes and identifies how the 

ASPR organization will fulfill its mission of saving lives and protecting Americans from 21st century health 

security threats and achieve its strategic vision – that “the nation’s health care and response systems and the 

communities they serve are prepared, responsive, and resilient, thereby limiting the adverse health impacts

of emergencies and disasters.”

To meet the nation’s current and projected health preparedness, response, and recovery needs, this Plan 

builds on the successful foundation established by the ASPR strategic plans issued in 2011 and 2014, and 

aligns with the HHS Strategic Plan FY2018-2022 and other relevant national strategies and legislation. 

Additionally, it is informed by experience gained and lessons learned from real-world incidents, exercises, 

and training activities occurring over more than a decade. The Plan organizes ASPR’s efforts under four 

priority goals and 21 strategic objectives as depicted in Figure 1. 

Figure 1: Pictorial Representation of ASPR Strategic Goals and Objectives for 2020-2023

This Plan, particularly the implementation strategies discussed herein, may evolve in response to new 

policies, challenges, and risks resulting from the fluid nature of health threats and hazards facing the nation. 

ASPR will evaluate progress of the plan’s implementation and its effectiveness using tailored performance 

metrics and other forms of feedback.

 Pictorial Representation of ASPR Strategic Goals and Objectives for 2020-2023 - The four priority goals include: Foster Strong Leadership; Sustain Robust & Reliable Public Health Security Capabilities; Advance an Innovative Medical Countermeasures Enterprise; and Build a Regional Disaster Health Response System. 

Under Foster Strong Leadership the seven strategic objectives include: Implement Alternative Hiring Process; Develop Effective Leaders; Build & Sustain a Highly Capable & Empowered Workforce; Lead, Develop, Implement, & Evaluate Federal Public Health Policies & Plans; Ensure Responsible Management of 

Preparedness & Response Investments; Lead/Enhance ESFB; and Lead Adaptive Planning & Emergency Repatriation efforts. Under Sustain Robust & Reliable Public Health Security Capabilities the five strategic objectives include: Improve Situational Awareness; Integrate ASPR Material Management Functions; Incorporate 

Strategic National Stockpile into ASPR Operations; Manage & Protect the Safety, Security, & Integrity of ASPR Assets; Strengthen Response & Recovery Operations. Under Advance an Innovative Medical Countermeasures Enterprise the three strategic objectives include: Enhance & Streamline PHEMCE; Provide MCM 

Consultation & Technical & Operational Response Coordination; and Establish Innovative MCM Programs & Enduring, Sustainable Partnerships. Under Build & Sustain a Highly Capable & Empowered Workforce the six strategic objectives include: Promote a Resilient Medical Supply Chain; Enhance Private Sector AllHazards Preparedness; Develop Regional Response Consortia & Exercise Regional Capabilities; Modernize NDMS; Expand Specialty Care Capabilities; and Integrate EMS into Response Operations.
HHS/ASPR Strategic Plan for 2020-23 April 2020

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1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND

This ASPR Strategic Plan for FY2020-23 builds upon the successful foundation established by the two 

previous enterprise strategic planning activities undertaken by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for 

Preparedness and Response (ASPR), including an initial plan issuance in 2011 and an update in 2014. The 

current Plan reflects specific guidance and key priorities established in the U.S. Department of Health and 

Human Services (HHS) Strategic Plan, FY2018-2022.

1

1 See HHS Strategic Plan FY 2018 - 2022 

It is further tailored to the unique and interconnected 

policy, risk, and fiscal resource environments in which the ASPR organization operates. The Plan also 

reflects the current and projected health preparedness, response, and recovery needs of ASPR’s various key 

public- and private-sector mission partners, as well as the communities that ASPR and its mission partners 

collectively serve nationwide. Finally, the Plan has been informed by experience gained and lessons learned 

from real-world incidents, exercises, and training activities occurring over more than a decade. 

1.2 PURPOSE/SCOPE

This Plan highlightsthe strategic goals, priority objectives, implementing strategies, and feedback processes 

the ASPR organization will pursue to strengthen mission execution, enhance organizational effectiveness,

and enable performance measurement and course adjustments over time. It is also designed to provide 

ASPR leaders, managers, and employees a common strategic blueprint to guide their important work—

including operational, program, and resource planning; workforce development; and performance 

assessment—across headquarters staff offices and divisions and regional offices. The Plan builds upon 

ASPR’s past strategic planning and related activities, including important previous and ongoing 

programmatic investments, and its successful history of supporting its many diverse mission partners and 

communities nationwide across the prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery domains. Finally, this 

Plan is aligned to and is designed to support the implementation of a number of different higher-order 

statutes, executive orders, policies, strategies, and plans, including, but not limited to: the National Security 

Strategy (NSS)2

2 See https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/NSS-Final-12-18-2017-0905.pdf

, the National Health Security Strategy 2019-2022 (NHSS)3

3 See https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/authority/nhss/Documents/NHSS-Strategy-508.pdf

, the National Biodefense 

Strategy (NBS)4

4 See https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/National-Biodefense-Strategy.pdf

, the HHS Strategic Plan, FY2018-2022, and the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness 

and Advancing Innovation Act (PAHPAIA) of 2019.

5

5 See https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/housebill/269/text?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22monograph+reform%22%5D%7D&r=1&s=1

1.3 TARGET AUDIENCE

The audience for this Plan includes all ASPR full-time and intermittent staff, temporary employees, and 

contract support staff. Additionally, the Plan is intended to inform ASPR’s many interagency, 

intergovernmental, and private-sector partners and other key stakeholders, all of whom represent critical 

components of the ASPR all-hazards mission. Additionally, as a publicly accessible document, the Plan 
HHS/ASPR Strategic Plan for 2020-23 April 2020

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can help inform Congress and the general public on ASPR’s strategic efforts to enhance and execute its

important mission. 

Within the overall context of this Plan, it is important to highlight that every member of the organization is 

critical to ASPR’s success. Leaders and staff at all levels should relate their important work to one or more

of the strategic goals, objectives, and implementing strategies identified herein. Additionally, leaders and 

staff will develop and implement a variety of supporting activities, initiatives, and actions aligned with this 

Plan.

1.4 PLAN DEVELOPMENT METHODOLOGY

The methodology used to develop this Plan encompassed the following key elements: 

 Interviews with the Assistant Secretary, ASPR senior leaders, and other office- and division-level

leaders and program managers within the ASPR organization;

 Review of principal authorities and references identified in Appendices A & B;

 Review of peer organization strategic plans and best-practices in strategic plan development;

 Draft Plan review/comment iterations with ASPR staff offices and divisions; and

 Final draft Plan review by the ASPR senior leadership and approval by the Assistant Secretary.
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2.0 ABOUT ASPR

2.1 ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW 

The 2006 Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA), reaffirmed by the 2013 Pandemic and 

All-Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act (PAHPRA) and the 2019 PAHPAIA, established the ASPR

to serve as the principal advisor to the Secretary on matters related to federal public health and medical 

preparedness and response for public health emergencies (PHEs). In addition to important policy-related 

responsibilities, the ASPR has operational responsibilities both for the advanced research and development

(R&D) of medical countermeasures (MCMs), and for coordination of the federal public health and medical

response to emergent threats and all-hazards incidents. This includes the federal public health and medical

response to PHEs and other incidents covered by the National Response Framework (NRF) and National

Disaster Recovery Framework (NDRF).

2.1.1 Mission/Vision

The ASPR mission is to “Save lives and protect Americans from 21st century health security threats.”

The ASPR vision is that “The Nation’s healthcare and response systems and the communities they serve are 

prepared, responsive, and resilient, thereby limiting the adverse health impacts of emergencies and 

disasters.”

Figure 2: The ASPR Mission

2.1.2 Core Values

Core values represent the essence of the organization, and help establish an enduring foundation for this 

Plan. The core values defined in Figure 3 frame the approach the ASPR organization (including leaders, 

program managers, and employees at all levels) will apply in interacting with one another and externally 

with ASPR’s various public- and private-sector mission partners and the general public. 
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Figure 3: ASPR Core Values ASPR Core Values - Respect: 

Treating people with dignity and 

consideration, listening openly to 

what others have to say, and creating 

environments that foster trust. 

Integrity: Always being honest and 

reliable with actions and decisions 

guided by fairness, transparency, and 

accountability. Diversity: Dedicated 

to creating and maintaining an open, 

inclusive, and non-discriminatory 

environment that nurtures equal 

opportunity and respects differing 

perspectives and approaches. 

Excellence: Demonstrating quality in 

mission execution by setting high 

organizational expectations, 

innovating and improving based on 

experience gained and the 

introduction of new concepts and 

methods. Service: Committed to 

serving the country, the healthcare 

and public health community, and 

fellow citizens across the ASPR 

mission domain.

2.1.3 Organizational Structure

The following sub-organizational entities provide policy, operational, and programmatic leadership, 

management, and support to the ASPR mission:

 Chief of Staff (CoS) and Immediate Office (IO) of the Assistant Secretary

 Executive Secretariat, Office of External Affairs (OEA), and Personal Staff

 Liaison Officers and Agency Representatives to the interagency

 Office of the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary (OPDAS) for Preparedness and Response

 Management, Finance, and Human Capital (MFHC)

 Emergency Management and Medical Operations (EMMO)

 Resource Management (ORM)

 Exercises, Evaluation, and After Actions (E2A2)

 Regional Offices

 Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) for Incident Command and Control (OICC)

 Security, Intelligence, and Information Management (SIIM)

 Strategy, Policy, Planning, and Requirements (SPPR)

 Secretary’s Operations Center (SOC)

 Continuity of Operations (COOP)

 Office of the DAS and Director, Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority

(BARDA)

 MCM Program

 MCM Program Support Services

 Contract Management, Acquisitions and Business Planning, and Strategy Division
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The following link provides additional detail regarding the ASPR organizational structure and suborganizational missions and functions: https://www.hhs.gov/about/agencies/orgchart/aspr/index.html

Figure 4: ASPR Organizational Structure

2.1.4 Cross-Cutting Functions

ASPR staff offices, divisions, and programs rely on a core set of cross-cutting functions to facilitate their 

important work, including: planning, logistics, operations, external affairs, information management & 

intelligence, training, and exercises and evaluation as depicted in Figure 5.
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...................

Figure 5: ASPR Cross-Cutting Functions

2.1.5 Foundational Functions

ASPR could not effectively execute its mission absent the hard work of assigned staff. Daily they provide 

important foundational functions, such as administration, budget and finance, travel, human capital, and 

information technology (IT). These foundational functions are known collectively as business operations. 

Within ASPR, Management, Finance and Human Capital (MFHC) oversees conformance with federal 

fiscal policy, develops and implements program support, and manages the financial resources and talent 

pipeline needed to support ASPR’s mission. MFHC contains the Head of Contracting Authority as well as 

the Divisions of Human Capital, Acquisition Policy/Support, and Finance.

Additionally, the Office of Resource Management (ORM) provides a variety of critical support needed to 

complete ASPR’s mission in steady-state and during response operations. This support ranges from 

ensuring IT needs are met to managing logistics and deployment of people and medical assets to the field. 

ORM also is home to ASPR’s Contracting and Grants Division, which oversees the procurement of 
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commodities and services needed to support the public health response to and recovery from domestic and 

international public health and medical threats and emergencies.6

6

In compliance with the 21st Century Cures Act, BARDA has a separate contract management and acquisitions 

division that solely focuses on the procurement and advanced development of MCMs to address natural and intentional 

threats to public health.

2.1.6 Partnerships and Collaboration

Building and sustaining effective 

intergovernmental and, publicprivate partnerships and 

relationship networks is a key 

element of the ASPR mission. To 

lead the nation’s medical and 

public health preparedness for, 

response to, and recovery from 

disasters, PHEs, and other 

incidents, ASPR practices and 

promotes the strategic themes of 

partnership and collaboration. 

ASPR collaborates with other 

federal, state, local, territorial, 

and tribal (FSLTT) agencies;

healthcare coalitions (HCCs), 

private healthcare system 

providers; the national laboratory community; academia; R&D institutions; pharmaceutical manufacturers 

and biotechnology firms; and other partners across the country and internationally. The goal is to leverage 

an array of authorities, technical knowledge, capabilities, and resources to enhance collective readiness and 

response capabilities. Collaboration with these stakeholders provides a shared sense of purpose, broader

understanding of the mission, and increased trust and unity of effort, all contributing to enhanced

effectiveness.
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3.0 STRATEGIC DRIVERS OVERVIEW

3.1 INTRODUCTION

This Plan considers the convergence of the risk, policy, and fiscal resource environments and their 

respective influences upon ASPR and its external partners. These diverse environmental factors are also 

taken into account as part of Plan implementation, review and revision, and performance measurement.

3.2 RISK ENVIRONMENT

3.2.1 Introduction

The U.S. faces a wide array of natural, technological, and human-caused threats and hazards. These threats

have potential to cause significant harm or disruption to the general public (including large-scale injury and 

mortality), critical infrastructure systems, the environment, and/or the delivery of healthcare and emergency 

public health and medical services. The scope and potential impact of these threats and hazards

continuously evolves as a function of various factors, including, but not limited to: weather patterns, 

geological phenomena, land use, population and demographic shifts, construction standards, weapons of 

mass destruction (WMD) threats, technology proliferation, global socio-economic and ideological tensions, 

and the increasingly complex international and domestic security environments.

Figure 6: The 21st Century Risk Environment

ASPR’s all-hazards approach to mission readiness and execution must account for the broad range of threats 

and hazards the nation has traditionally faced. ASPR also must prepare for new challenges presented by 

increasingly severe weather incidents, catastrophic geological disturbances, rapidly spreading emerging

infectious diseases (EIDs) and pandemics, acts of mass violence perpetrated by terrorists and domestic 

violent extremists, widespread and increasingly impactful cyber-attacks, emergent WMD threats, and 

resurgent threats from nation-state adversaries and rogue actors. The vast scope and shifting nature of these 
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various threats and hazards call for continuous assessment of realistic scenarios to inform ASPR’s 

preparedness and response activities and investments.

Population and demographic factors such as community-by-community variation in fiscal health, numbers 

and types of at-risk individuals, levels of training in health security, and availability of MCMs for EIDs, 

among other factors, complicate consequence management in today’s all-hazards threat environment. As 

the 2014-15 Ebola epidemic in West Africa and the more recent COVID-19 outbreak illustrate, the initial 

human health consequences of an isolated, geographically-distant incident can evolve quickly, becoming a 

widespread — even global — crisis. Additionally, as demonstrated by the trio of devastating hurricanes

that occurred during the 2017 hurricane season — Harvey, Irma, and Maria — the consequences of an 

incident can affect services and audiences far beyond the immediate physical impact zone. Moreover, an 

incident’s health-related impacts can focus on a single community, or alternatively, carry with them longterm, cascading consequences for medically vulnerable populations (e.g., those who are prescriptiondependent, immune-compromised, elderly, access or functional needs challenged, pregnant or postpartum, 

or require oxygen or dialysis) on a broader scale and distributed across a wide geographic area. 

3.2.2 Threat/Hazard Characterization 

Extreme Weather and Other Natural Disasters: As evidenced by the deadly hurricanes that struck Texas, 

Florida, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and North Carolina during the 2017 and 2018 hurricane 

seasons, extreme weather incidents are becoming more frequent and severe. They also have the ability to 

significantly impact vulnerable populations and interconnected critical infrastructure systems. These 

incidents often occur within a very compressed timeframe, with cascading impacts on communities hit 

repeatedly as they try to recover from a previous incident. The tsunamis and volcanic eruptions that 

devastated the Pacific Region in 2018 represent further examples of incidents with far-reaching impacts on 

fragile communities.

Healthcare system integration and interoperability are additional concerns. Health-related systems and 

services are interconnected geographically, structurally, and programmatically, making the healthcare

sector (i.e., facilities, employees, information systems, and supply chains), or important segments thereof,

vulnerable to incidents that would otherwise appear isolated. The aftermath of the catastrophic tornado in 

Joplin, Missouri in 2011, Hurricane Sandy in 2012, and Hurricanes Irma and Maria in Puerto Rico and the 

U.S. Virgin Islands in 2017 illustrated the immense challenges associated with mitigating operational 

disruptions in public health and healthcare and emergency medical services. These events occurred 

concurrently to meeting increased demand in an environment characterized by cascading infrastructure 

failure and displacement of medically vulnerable populations. 

Pandemics and EIDs: The increasing threat of pandemics and EIDs that can quickly cross international 

borders and affect the global population is clearly evident. Such threats make early detection and a quick 

response fundamental to saving lives and reducing medical costs and economic impact. The U.S. must be 

ever vigilant regarding the risk of known EIDs, such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), 

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), Ebola, and Zika, or the onset of a novel influenza pandemic

or unknown disease such as COVID-19. At the same time, long-standing problems, such as increasing 

antibiotic resistance, pharmaceutical supply shortages, and supply chain vulnerabilities continue to 

challenge health care systems nationwide. For example, multidrug resistant bacteria are increasingly 

common, posing a hazard to patients, healthcare workers, suppliers of diagnostic equipment, and health 
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facilities. In addition, rapid global transportation networks can unintentionally, widely, and with 

unprecedented speed disseminate diseases, adulterated pharmaceutical supplies, tainted blood products, or 

contaminated food.

Physical Attacks: The large-scale dissemination of a biological or chemical agent; use of a radiological, 

nuclear, or high-yield improvised explosive device (IED); or other forms of physical violence can result in 

mass casualties and fatalities. Such threats could also cause significant damage to the environment and 

regional economies; lead to mass panic; and spur local, regional, or national disruption of vital services, 

including significant stress on public health and healthcare and emergency medical services. The already 

realized and potential future losses of life in the U.S. from violent “lone wolf” threat actors, and the 

continued risk of potential malicious “insider” attacks on public and private facilities and mission-critical 

infrastructure in the U.S. is a growing concern to the healthcare sector.

Cyber-Attacks: Public health and healthcare operations are increasingly dependent upon advanced 

information systems and technologies. This includes the secure storage and transmission of personally 

identifiable health information to dictate care, maintain patient records, control financial operations, etc. In 

today’s threat environment, malicious cyber actors (individuals, criminal organizations, terrorists, and 

nation-state actors) can harvest personal data, corrupt information, directly impact public health and 

healthcare system operations, or disrupt the provision of critical services. Malware exploits, sophisticated 

viruses, and “Advanced Persistent Threats” are identified as significant security threats to the 

pharmaceutical industry and the healthcare sector. Such threats also may target and create cascading 

impacts for other critical infrastructure upon which healthcare services are critically dependent such as 

power, water/wastewater, communications, and transportation. Exploitation of cyber vulnerabilities related 

to advances in Internet-connected synthetic biotechnology represents another significant security concern. 

Additionally, intellectual property theft through cyber means can threaten competitiveness, innovation, 

R&D, and strategic capabilities and capacities, particularly in areas where proprietary or national securityrelated research provides a competitive advantage. Finally, large-scale IT system disruptions or outages in 

the wake of extreme weather incidents and other natural disasters have far-reaching impacts, including 

disrupted data access and interruption of service delivery across important elements of the healthcare sector, 

which, in turn, could impact emergency care and other vital functions directly.

Supply Chain Disruption and Corruption: Highly efficient supply chains have resulted in a “just-in-time” 

approach regarding day-to-day healthcare capabilities throughout the U.S. and globally, as well as surge 

medical capacities in an emergency. This situation may leave health-related facilities and systems with 

limited inventories and the rapid onset of cascading impacts in the event of a supply chain disruption or 

corruption. Strategically, the biggest risk to healthcare sector supply chains is the U.S. dependency on 

foreign sources of pharmaceuticals, precursor ingredients or materials, and finished medical products or 

devices. When such commodities — including ordinary items such as protective masks and surgical gloves

— are unavailable, or if reach-back support is significantly affected, patients will be directly impacted by 

accompanying disruptions and delays in the provision of key medical services. Interruption of foreign 

supply chains as a result of significant natural disasters, regional military or political conflicts, or trade 

disputes compounds the risk of disruptions that can directly impact healthcare provision in the U.S.

Space Weather and Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) Risks: 21st century technologies and infrastructure 

systems are vulnerable to potentially severe space weather and human-caused EMP threats. In particular, 

the nation's power grid is at risk of severe damage or significant disruption by the effects of an EMP — a 
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sudden burst of electromagnetic radiation (pulse) resulting from a natural or manmade incident. Naturally 

occurring EMPs are produced by magnetic storms that flare from the surface of the Sun. Depending on the 

impact area, an EMP incident could be catastrophic for healthcare facilities and systems, causing long-term 

power outages that may overwhelm critical backup power sources. 

3.3 POLICY ENVIRONMENT

This Plan operates within the context of a broader federal interagency and HHS policy and planning 

framework that is designed to promote, sustain, and continuously improve the nation’s health, as well as 

the capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, and recover from all-hazards emergencies. This 

overarching policy framework is underpinned and supported by an interconnected set of statutes, executive 

orders, presidential directives, national strategies, agency-level policies and plans, and other guidance or 

regulatory documents. This policy environment is dynamic and linked directly to the risk and operational 

environments discussed above. 

This Plan aligns with and supports important national strategies, including the National Security Strategy

(NSS), NHSS 2019-2022, and the NBS, which directly address the public health and medical domain. 

Importantly, the NHSS informs capacity-building activities of ASPR’s Hospital Preparedness Program 

(HPP), the Public Health Emergency Medical Countermeasures Enterprise (PHEMCE), and BARDA, as 

well as ASPR’s responsibilities regarding the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) and the U.S. Health

Security National Action Plan. The three major pillars of the NHSS are:

 Mobilize and coordinate the “Whole of Government” to bring the full spectrum of the federal

medical and public health capabilities to support FSLTT authorities in the event of a public health

emergency, disaster, or attack;

 Protect Americans from the medical effects of emerging and pandemic infectious diseases and

chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) threats; and

 Recruit, incentivize involvement, and leverage the capabilities of the private sector.

The NBS informs ASPR’s programs and activities in the areas of risk awareness and bioincident prevention, 

preparedness, response, and recovery. Such programs and activities include advancing MCM development 

and effective use; optimizing biosafety and biosecurity; and strengthening capacities for health security and 

countering man-made and natural biological threats. ASPR serves as the overall coordinating authority for 

implementation of the NBS at the federal level on behalf of the HHS Secretary.

In a similar vein, this Plan also aligns with the National Preparedness Goal and its associated National 

Mission Area Frameworks, particularly the NRF and the NDRF, as well as the corresponding Federal 

Interagency Operational Plans (FIOPs). ASPR serves as the overall coordinating authority for the federal 

public health and medical aspects of each of these frameworks.

At the Department level, this Plan aligns with and directly supports the HHS Strategic Plan, FY2018-2022, 

which establishes five primary strategic goals, as depicted in Figure 7.
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Figure 7: Primary Goals of the HHS Strategic Plan, FY2018-2022 Primary Goals of the 

HHS Strategic Plan, 

FY2018-2022 – HHS 

Strategic Plan 5 Primary 

Goals include: Reform, 

strengthen, and 

modernize the nation’s 

healthcare system, 

Protect the health of 

Americans where they 

live, learn, work, and 

play, Strengthen the 

economic and social 

well-being of Americans 

across the lifespan, 

Foster sound, sustained 

advances in the sciences, 

and Promote effective 

and efficient 

management and 

stewardship.

3.4 FISCAL RESOURCE ENVIRONMENT

ASPR’s investments are projected to reach approximately $23 billion during the period Fiscal Years (FYs) 

2009 – 2020. Nearly 30 percent of all funding, or almost $7 billion, was provided via emergency 

supplemental appropriations. In the years to come, it is likely that emergency appropriations will continue 

with the emergence of large-scale EIDs, more frequent catastrophic disasters, or both. The experience of 

the past decade shows that changing weather patterns, viral and bacterial mutations, EIDs, and domestic 

and international mass murder attacks, along with increased policy-driven responsibilities, will require the 

efficient application of traditional annual funding, including stable, incremental increases over time as well 

as significant augmented resource support through supplemental funding when needed. 

A resourcing structure reliant on substantial levels of supplemental appropriations presents major 

challenges. Emergency appropriations are, by definition, a time-limited surge of funding, and often come 

too late to mitigate the immediate human impacts. As such, the activities and programs identified as urgent 

and vital in the face of the emergency cannot be sustained financially over the long-term, and, hence, do 

not systematically contribute to long-term capacity-building, capability sustainment and risk reduction. 

Without predictable funding, these activities, programs, and assets cannot be properly maintained, nor the 

contributing vulnerability factors appropriately abated. 

Consistency and predictability regarding the resourcing of ASPR’s mission and its sustainability over the 

long term are crucial to future response. ASPR must continue its efforts to educate appropriate audiences 

on the need for right-sized base funding to ensure stable resources to meet ever increasing demands across 

the ASPR mission continuum in a dynamic risk environment.
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4.0 PRIORITY GOALS, STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES, AND IMPLEMENTING 

STRATEGIES

4.1 INTRODUCTION

This section discusses ASPR’s four (4) priority goals and corresponding strategic objectives and 

implementing strategies for the multi-year year period of Plan implementation. Their development 

considered a number of important factors such as legislative and policy mandates, resource availability, 

known and projected capability gaps, and emerging risks as identified in Section 3. These goals, objectives, 

and implementing strategies will be reviewed periodically and may evolve to meet new policies, challenges, 

and risks over the period of this Plan.

Over the long term, the strategic direction pursued through the implementation of the goals and objectives

identified will drive collective action broadly across ASPR. This strategic direction is intended to guide and 

cascade down to performance plans, work plans, initiatives, and activities at all levels of the ASPR 

organization. ASPR leaders, supervisors, program and project leads, and employees will use this Plan to 

inform their work efforts and drive the alignment of resources, team and individual performance, and 

outcomes to advance the ASPR mission and vision. Implementation of the goals and objectives detailed in 

this Plan also will help inform various forms of interaction between ASPR and its many public- and privatesector partners nationwide.

A synopsis of ASPR’s priority goals and strategic objectives, along with Offices of Primary Responsibility 

(OPRs), is presented in Table 1.
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Table 1: Priority Goals and Strategic Objectives

Priority Goals Strategic Objectives

ASPR Office of Primary 

Responsibility/Coordination 

Lead

Goal 1: Foster Strong 

Leadership 

1.1 Lead, Develop, Implement, and Evaluate 

Federal Public Health Policies and Plans 

SPPR

1.2 Lead Adaptive Planning and Emergency 

Repatriation Efforts

EMMO

1.3 Lead/Enhance Emergency Support 

Function (ESF) – 8

SIIM/EMMO/SOC

1.4 Develop Effective Leaders MFHC

1.5 Build and Sustain a Highly Capable, 

Empowered Work Force

MFHC

1.6 Implement Alternative Hiring Practices MFHC

1.7 Ensure Responsible Management of 

Investments in Preparedness and Response

MFHC

Goal 2: Sustain a Robust and 

Resilient Public Health Security 

Capacity

2.1 Incorporate Strategic National Stockpile 

into ASPR Operations

ORM

2.2 Integrate ASPR Material Management 

Functions

ORM

2.3 Strengthen Response and Recovery 

Operations

EMMO/SIIM/SOC/COOP

2.4 Improve Situational Awareness EMMO/SIIM/SOC

2.5 Manage and Protect the Safety, Security, 

and Integrity of ASPR Assets

SIIM/ORM

Goal 3: Advance an Innovative 

Medical Countermeasure 

Enterprise

3.1 Enhance/Streamline the PHEMCE SPPR/BARDA

3.2 Establish Innovative MCM Programs and 

Enduring, Sustainable Partnerships

BARDA

3.3 Provide MCM-related Consultation and 

Technical and Operational Response 

Coordination Expertise

BARDA/EMMO

Goal 4: Build a Regional 

Disaster Health Response 

System 

4.1 Modernize NDMS EMMO

4.2 Expand Specialty Care Capabilities EMMO

4.3 Enhance Private Sector All-Hazards 

Preparedness

EMMO/SIIM

4.4 Promote a Resilient Medical Supply 

Chain

SIIM

4.5 Integrate EMS into Response Operations EMMO
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4.2 PRIORITY GOAL 1: FOSTER STRONG LEADERSHIP

Setting the Vision

External Focus: Integrated, multi-level policy, planning, and operational mission execution promoting FSLTT 

public-private sector unity of effort in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from PHEs and all-hazards 

disasters. 

Internal Focus: An organization based upon a climate of transparency, trust and empowerment; dynamic 

workforce management including recruiting, hiring, retaining, and recognizing talent; technical and professional 

development of leaders and employees at all levels; and ensuring the sustainable resources necessary to meet 

current and future mission needs. 

ASPR provides and promotes leadership in various ways and at various levels internal and external to the 

Department. ASPR leads and/or supports the development, coordination, and implementation of key 

federal policies, strategies, and plans related to the public health and medical aspects of emergent threats 

and all-hazards incidents. In operational terms, ASPR leads ESF-8 under the NRF, as well as the Health 

and Social Services (H&SS) Recovery Support Function (RSF) under the NDRF. Internally, ASPR fosters 

the development and continuous improvement of key leaders and managers at various levels of the 

organization, as well as the professional and technical development and growth of its professional 

workforce and affiliated personnel, including both full time and intermittent staff. Finally, ASPR provides 

key leadership for a wide variety of programs that support its external stakeholder base, as well as programs 

that support the critical foundational and cross-cutting functions of the organization. 

Personnel at all levels of the organization – from the Assistant Secretary to the newest hire – are expected 

to lead and manage within their respective area of responsibility. Leaders perform with excellence, take 

initiative, and look for innovative solutions to complex problems. Across its broad mission portfolio, ASPR 

must develop leaders at all levels and demonstrate critical leadership across the federal interagency and 

among the public health and medical prevention, preparedness, response, and communities nationwide.

Objective 1.1: Lead, Develop, Implement, and Evaluate Federal Public Health Policies and Plans

As health threats evolve, the approaches that government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and 

other key stakeholders use to plan and conduct public health and medical prevention, preparedness, 

response, and recovery activities must also evolve. ASPR enhances a strong, consistent foundation of 

strategy, policy, planning, and requirements to underpin these efforts. Effective policy and planning at the 

ASPR level ensure that operational preparedness and response capabilities are aligned with broader federal 

policy and planning considerations, are adequately resourced to strategic priorities, and are effectively 

evaluated through data-driven analysis.
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Key strategic policy vehicles include the NBS and 

the NHSS. ASPR leads the coordination of the 

federal interagency in implementation and 

evaluation of the NBS, NHSS, and other important 

national-level public health and medical policies 

and plans.

ASPR will pursue the following strategies to 

achieve the stated objective:

 Lead implementation and evaluation of the NBS and NHSS based on established timelines and

performance metrics;

 Coordinate public health preparedness and response policy at the interface between national and

global health security, such as the International Health Regulations, Joint External Evaluation, U.S.

Health Security National Action Plan, Global Health Security Strategy, North American Plan for

Animal and Pandemic Influenza (NAPAPI), and the HHS Pandemic Influenza Plan;

 Leverage the Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP) and other ASPR-coordinated programs and

lead federal advisory committees and workgroups to mobilize expert analysis, improve readiness,

identify gaps, and provide evidenced-based recommendations that inform policy, practice, and

leadership;

 Via the HHS Disaster Leadership Group (DLG), provide HHS senior leaders with a forum to

deliberate and make recommendations to the HHS secretary and address emergent health security

policy issues, including those associated with real-world incident response and recovery;

 Via the HHS Operational Planning Integration Council (HOPIC), engage HHS Operating Divisions

(OPDIVS), Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVS), and regional offices to integrate national and regional

response plans for catastrophic incidents;

 Provide an anticipatory long-term perspective on national health security threats to identify and

advance preparedness, response, and innovation initiatives for consideration by the ASPR and HHS

Secretary; and

 Evaluate programs to assess preparedness, identify potential enhancements, and justify resource

investment, including an evaluation of HPP benchmarks and targets.
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Objective 1.2: Lead Adaptive Planning and Emergency Repatriation Efforts 

As of 2016, the Department of State (DoS) estimated that over 9 million American citizens were living

abroad. In 2017, a record 38 million Americans traveled abroad on vacation or for business purposes. 

Historical precedent exists for evacuating American citizens back to the U.S. based on exigent geopolitical 

factors or the anticipated or realized effects of a wide array of natural or manmade emergencies. Examples 

include the evacuation of nearly 13,000 American citizens from Lebanon in 2006; 20,000 from Haiti in 

2010 following a violent earthquake; 5,000 from the British West Indies during the 2017 hurricane season; 

and 1,100 from China and Japan as part of the COVID-19 response. 

When requested by DoS and/or the Department of Defense (DoD), ASPR provides public health and 

medical planning and emergency response capabilities to support the repatriation of American citizen

evacuees from locations abroad deemed unsafe due to actual or potential danger from natural or manmade 

disasters, disease outbreaks, civil unrest, or imminent or actual terrorist activities, hostilities, or othersimilar 

circumstances. This support includes working with HHS’s Administration for Children and Families (ACF) 

to assist state government officials with domestic planning for the repatriation of American citizens from 

abroad to locations stateside, providing medical assistance and medical materiel during the evacuation 

process, and supporting the return of wounded military casualties via coordinated patient movement 

operations to the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) healthcare facility (HCF) network. 

Engagement with a wide array of intergovernmental and private healthcare and hospital systems represents 

an additional critical aspect of adaptive planning activities. 

In March 2018, ACF and ASPR signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) designating ASPR as the 

lead HHS division for operational planning for the emergency evacuation of American citizens from 

locations abroad. ACF and ASPR collaboratively review all State Emergency Repatriation Plans (SERPs), 

which are core documents that articulate state-specific approaches for the response to a mass repatriation 

event. These reviews involve a combination of technical assistance, physical meetings, and site visits to 

assist state authorities in completing plans, clarifying information, and identifying potential gaps in plan 

implementation.

7

7 The Emergency Repatriation Program was established in 1935, under Section 1113 of the Social Security Act (42 

U.S.C 1313), to provide temporary assistance to AMCITS located abroad who, because of destitution, illness, war, 

threat of war, or a similar crisis, are without available resources to meet their immediate needs. 24 U.S.C 321-29 

expanded the program to include persons with mental illness. In Executive Order (E.O.) 12656 (53 F.R. 47491) as 

amended, the HHS was given the lead to “develop plans and procedures, in coordination with heads of Federal 

departments and agencies, for assistance to U.S. citizens or others evacuated from overseas areas.” ACF currently 

overseas the department’s overall repatriation activities, while ASPR assists ACF by leading emergency management 

operations activities when the repatriation event involves more than 500 US citizens.

Additionally, ASPR is using scientific research conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to 

evaluate specific health concerns that may arise during a mass repatriation event. ASPR provides 

corresponding recommendations to mitigate such situations, including establishing priorities, developing 

policy options, providing guidance for SERPs, and directing resources towards areas of need.
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The following strategies will be utilized to achieve the Adaptive Planning objective:

 Prepare for, plan, mobilize, coordinate, exercise, and improve adaptive planning and emergency

repatriation activities utilizing a whole-of-government and public-private partnership approach;

 Complete comprehensive emergency repatriation plans based on identified priority high-risk,

geographically-focused scenarios;

 Plan and execute periodic multi-level exercises and conduct after action reporting for completed

plans focused on priority high-risk geographic areas;

 Complete SERP reviews and develop strategies to mitigate gaps identified during the planning

process;

 Assess and enhance the ability of ASPR logistics to surge to meet identified planning requirements,

including the securing of adequate facility space and the rapid mobilization of NDMS and U.S.

Public Health Service Commissioned Corps teams, as well as other human resources, equipment,

and materiel;

 Develop an outreach approach to leverage the capabilities of the private sector in adaptive planning

and emergency repatriation activities; and

 Employ scientific, evidence-based and legal research to inform adaptive planning and evaluate

specific health concerns that may arise during a mass repatriation event.

Objective 1.3: Lead and Enhance Emergency Support Function – 8 (ESF – 8): Public Health and 

Medical Services

ASPR leads the nation’s medical and public health preparedness for, response to, and recovery from allhazards disasters and PHEs. ASPR utilizes a combination of headquarters and field-based capabilities to 

coordinate federal ESF-8 activities under the NRF and other authorities. In this role, ASPR provides 

specialized skills and assets that can rapidly assess, stabilize, and target federal resources to improve the 

situation in response to FSLTT requests for federal public health and medical support, or at the direction of 

the President or HHS Secretary, as part of a comprehensive national effort. ASPR’s ability to rapidly 

respond to these requests across the full range of ESF-8 capabilities is critical to saving lives, minimizing 

human suffering, protecting the health of affected populations and at-risk individuals, and accelerating 

community recovery post-disaster. 

ASPR cannot meet 21st 

century health security 

challenges alone. Success 

requires that it stay abreast of 

change, continually adapt to 

challenges, and become adept 

at integrating public health and 

medical capabilities and 

resources with those of its 

many FSLTT ESF-8 mission 

partners. Supporting and 

enabling FSLTT partners

while leveraging their 
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capabilities and resources to the fullest, working toward common objectives, and building stakeholder

capacity are indispensable elements in this endeavor. Achieving this unity of effort will require ESF-8 

related strategies, plans, operations, requirements, and future enabling technologies to be closely 

coordinated with ASPR’s nationwide partnership network.

Regarding preparedness, exercises allow ESF-8 partners to validate plans and training activities and 

practice strategic prevention, protection, response, and recovery capabilities in a no-stress, risk-controlled

environment. Exercises are a primary tool for assessing preparedness and identifying areas for 

improvement, while demonstrating HHS’s resolve to prepare for all-hazards incidents. By committing 

valuable resources to exercises, HHS aims to help departmental and ESF-8 partners gain objective 

assessments of their capabilities so that gaps, deficiencies, and vulnerabilities are addressed prior to a realworld incident.

ASPR will pursue the following implementing strategies to lead and enhance ESF-8:

 Improve the effectiveness and unity of effort of federal ESF-8 activities, and resolve operational,

resource, and policy issues related to interagency response and recovery actions at the national level

via active participation in the FEMA-coordinated Emergency Support Function Leadership Group

(ESFLG) and Recovery Support Function Leadership Group (RSFLG);

 Develop, maintain, and periodically update national ESF-8 contingency plans and regional ESF-8

support plans that are informed by strategic national/regional threat and risk assessments and gap

analyses conducted with FSLTT and nongovernmental partners;

 Lead the ESF-8 Senior Leader Advisory Council to provide strategic guidance, direction,

coordination, and integration for federal public health and medical preparedness, response, and

recovery activities;

 Lead the ESF-8 partnership in the update of Federal Interagency Operations Plans (FIOPs) and

FIOP annexes to address the whole community response to a wide array of threats and hazards,

including EIDs, CBRN-focused incidents, and catastrophic disasters;

 Develop multi-level ESF-8 processes, procedures, operating guides, position task books, and other

key training aids based on the structures and processes detailed in the ASPR Incident Response

Framework and supporting functional annexes;

 Develop and administer a comprehensive, fully resourced ESF-8 rostering, qualification, and

training program (including in-advance and “just-in-time” training, as well as technical training on

FEMA IT system access and operations for applicable personnel) and monitor training status for

ASPR headquarters and field personnel (including regional staff and intermittents) and other HHS

and federal interagency personnel who are pre-designated to staff/support key ESF-8 coordination

nodes during an incident response;

 Develop a comprehensive protocol covering all aspects of the ESF-8 mission assignment process

including a complete process mapping of how requirements are identified and resulting mission

assignments are developed, validated, coordinated, approved, sourced, tracked, and reported out;

 Establish an Integrated Process Team (IPT) with FEMA to determine how to best achieve data and

IT system interoperability and better leverage FEMA systems, products, and capabilities supporting

the ESF-8 mission assignment process and National Response Coordination Center (NRCC),

Regional Response Coordination Center (RRCC), and Joint Field Office (JFO) operations during

a response;
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 Lead/coordinate ESF-8 engagement in National Level Capstone exercises and develop/conduct

multi-level ESF-8 exercises and after action reporting processes that present complex and realistic

scenarios requiring critical thinking, rapid problem solving, and effective responses by trained

personnel; and

 Convene and administer an annual ESF-8 training forum to discuss the future risk environment,

identify potential solutions to known/anticipated preparedness gaps, provide a discussion forum for

new developments (i.e., doctrine, operating concepts, new technologies, R&D activities, etc.), and

disseminate best practices based on real-world incident response situations.

Objective 1.4: Develop Effective Leaders

ASPR must have strong, innovative, and effective leaders and program managers at all levels of the 

organization. Such leadership is particularly critical during dynamic incident response operations where 

ASPR staff must lead large teams; coordinate effectively with interagency, intergovernmental, and 

nongovernmental partners; and adapt to changing environments. Within ASPR, leadership is not limited 

to one’s current supervisory status or scope of duties. Rather, all members of the organization, from the 

assistant secretary to the newest hire, must see themselves as leaders and operate as such. ASPR has a

responsibility to encourage and support leadership development for all employees across the organization, 

while also developing and growing the organization’s next generation of leaders.

ASPR employees must have a 

clear understanding of the skills 

and competencies that enable 

professional growth and effective 

leadership at their levels of the 

organization. For example, there 

are certain competencies that all 

leaders should exhibit (e.g., 

customer service, accountability, 

influencing and negotiating, etc.). 

However, as leaders rise within 

the organization, they will require 

additional higher-order skills 

(e.g., strategic visioning and thinking, external awareness, management of large, high-dollar programs, 

etc.). 

Developing effective leaders requires a multi-faceted approach, in turn allowing employees to follow 

distinct technical and/or managerial career pathways. ASPR will create and implement a standardized, 

sustainable professional development program organized according to three major components: 

 A common set of universally applicable leadership skills, as well as specialized skills based on

type/level of position and scope of duty;

 Technical skills and managerial/supervisor training and professional development aligned to the

effective and efficient management of organizational resources; and
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 Ongoing leadership training and professional development activities that allow all employees to

excel in their current competencies and develop new leadership skills aligned to their individual

career pathways.

ASPR will pursue the following strategies to attain the stated objective:

 Define the required leadership competencies development to meet both current needs and future

professional growth;

 Develop and conduct assessments/surveys to provide information on current employee leadership

developmental status versus identified leadership competency targets;

 Establish individual professional development plans for all employees who are interested in

pursuing further leadership development;

 Develop and implement a sustainable training program that includes internal/external on-line

technical and managerial training and other professional courses;

 Develop a variety of additional structured learning opportunities managed by the MFHC Career

Development Team, including rotational assignments, cross-training activities, courses, webinars,

reading lists, speakers, discussions, and on-the-job training;

 Leverage and enhance the existing ASPR formal mentoring program — via improved guidelines

and tools — based on goals and objectives mutually developed by mentor-mentee pairings;

 Strengthen the performance management process, including better ensuring critical elements are

directly linked to work being performed; and

 Conduct supervisory training sessions to ensure supervisors are aware of the tools available to

engage employees, recognize performance, and strengthen accountability.

Objective 1.5: Build and Sustain a Highly Capable, Empowered Workforce

ASPR’s most important resource is its people. The ASPR mission attracts driven, highly capable individuals 

who want to make a difference within their chosen professions, within their communities, and across the 

nation. Service and professionalism represent the heart and soul of the organization. 

ASPR must continue to recruit, hire, support, nurture, and retain highly talented staff across an array of 

disciplines and skill areas to execute its mission to greatest effect. ASPR also must implement policies, 

practices, and programs to ensure its ability to maintain a highly-skilled workforce shaped to today’s 

challenges and tomorrow’s needs. This workforce must be flexible, agile, responsive, and adaptable to 

change — in discipline-specific knowledge and technology, workforce demographics, society, risk 

environment, and internal/external expectations, etc.
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Accordingly, ASPR must ensure staff have the 

acquired skills and resources they need to succeed, 

are appropriately recognized for excellence in 

performance, are empowered to effect change, and 

are encouraged to come forward with ideas and 

identify problems in an environment of openness. 

ASPR also will continue to promote cultural 

practices and initiatives that ensure its employees 

are respected, engaged, and fulfilled in a quality 

work life. 

Finally, ASPR will continue to refine its focus on performance management, educating employees, and 

ensuring goals and expectations are aligned to job series and grade. These activities are informed and 

shaped by collaborative goal-setting, coaching, providing appropriate feedback, and conducting and 

documenting fair and objective evaluation of employee job performance. This approach is designed to 

foster an environment in which employees are entrusted and empowered to do their duties while being held 

accountable to objective performance standards developed jointly between managers and employees. 

ASPR will pursue the following strategies to build and sustain a high quality, empowered workforce:

 Develop a sustainable process for workforce management from on-boarding to departure, including

administering the new employee program “From Yes to Success,” conducting training needs

assessments and meeting technical and managerial training needs, ensuring employees develop

attainable standards, and aligning expectations appropriately to position-specific responsibilities;

 Increase opportunities for cross-training and cross-detailing activities to address mission critical

requirements, drive employee retention, help shape professional development opportunities, and

manage knowledge transfer within ASPR and its critical mission space;

 Foster diversity and inclusion activities to create an environment where employees feel valued and

can effectively contribute their talents to the mission;

 Build an environment of trust, learning, and problem-solving between managers and employees;

 Encourage a positive and supportive work environment through frequent “all-hands” meetings and

open communication channels at all levels that provide opportunities for ASPR employees to

collaborate, stay informed, and offer creative ideas to improve the organization;

 Conduct comprehensive and objective employee evaluations;

 Use employee feedback and best practices from across the federal government to identify and

develop strategies to act on employee input and increase engagement, including continued use of

the annual Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey;

 Ensure robust programs exist to appropriately recognize and reward employees who demonstrate

high levels of performance and significantly contribute to achieving organizational goals; and

 Ensure ASPR human capital activities account for U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned

Officer Corps personnel and that ASPR leaders and managers receive appropriate training on the

Corps’ personnel and awards system.
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Objective 1.6: Implement Alternative Hiring Practices 

Recruiting and hiring top talent in the most effective and efficient manner possible is a key ASPR priority. 

In fact, ASPR’s recruitment and retention program must seek to identify, hire, and retain the most qualified 

and diverse candidates at all levels of the organization. Additionally, more than 20% of ASPR employees 

are currently eligible to retire, and 32% are either currently or become eligible within the next five years. 

This situation reinforces the need to conduct robust succession planning and knowledge management 

activities, particularly within ASPR’s intermittent work force and specialized response teams. This will 

require new independent hiring authorities, innovative hiring strategies to target prospective employees, 

training programs to get them up to speed and maintain mission proficiency, and engagement/retention 

strategies to hold on to ASPR’s best talent. As older workers retire and younger workers become a larger 

proportion of the overall workforce, ASPR will have to adapt how it recruits and retains these new workers 

whose skills, expectations, and preferences can differ substantially from those of older generations. Greater 

flexibilities and work/life balance initiatives will become increasingly important as recruitment and 

retention tools.

MFHC leadership is pursuing various strategies to maximize hiring options, including enhanced 

collaboration between office-level hiring managers and MFHC’s Human Capital Team to meet their 

resource needs. Options include a variety of flexibilities that could be leveraged to get quality candidates 

on board faster than via the traditional hiring process, including independent hiring authority and 

comprehensive human capital process management. Other strategies involve streamlining and targeting

recruitment and on-boarding activities, as well as fostering expanded external partnerships with potential 

sources of recruitment.

ASPR will pursue the following strategies to meet its recruiting and hiring priorities:

 Pursue establishment of independent hiring authority, along with a robust internal capacity to write

and classify position descriptions, conduct security screening, hire, and onboard qualified

candidates;

 Deploy strategic recruitment strategies to target talent to fill mission-critical occupations and

positions, including global recruiting and sharing vacancies and certificates to reduce recruiting

time;

 Build out ASPR’s Talent Acquisition Program/Portfolio and leverage data to make informed

decisions regarding recruitment and retention strategies;

 Increase the efficiency and effectiveness of recruitment efforts via partnerships between hiring

managers and program staff;

 Expand collaboration with universities, colleges, and associations, and initiate sponsorship of

quarterly hiring fairs;
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 Utilize existing flexibilities and pursue new retention incentives to ensure ASPR retains the highest

caliber workforce, including seeking direct hire authorities for qualified full time and intermittent

staff in critical mission areas;

 Improve workforce planning efforts by integrating succession management activities into efforts to

retain employees and manage knowledge transfer within government-wide and agency-specific

mission-critical occupations and other shortfall areas; and

 Develop and launch a program to actively recruit medical professionals into NDMS and build

response capacities in critical mission areas.

Objective 1.7: Ensure Responsible Management of Investments in Preparedness and Response

Responsible financial management provides the foundation for prudent financial stewardship. ASPR staff 

provide full acquisition, grants management, and oversight services for a diverse R&D, emergency 

response, and operational program support portfolio of 500-plus active contracts and 100-plus

Grants/Cooperative Agreements; incorporate full lifecycle management techniques from concept/inception, 

administration through closeout and A-133 audits; ensure integrity and oversight through consistent 

adherence to statutory, regulatory, and administrative policy, which includes auditing and facilitating 

Earned Value Management System (EVMS) processes; support industry outreach; and provide expert 

capabilities in the conduct of acquisition strategies, requirements, and grants solutions.

The Government Performance and Results Modernization Act (GPRMA) holds federal agencies 

accountable for using resources wisely and achieving programmatic results. ASPR currently issues an 

annual multi-year budget forecast for the HHS agencies that comprise the PHEMCE. This report spans 

five years and includes out-year forecasts for the basic and advanced research, procurement, regulatory 

science, storage and sustainment of MCMs to respond to CBRN and EID threats. This approach helps 

ensure continuity in program management and provides direct linkages between strategic planning, 

programming, and resource allocation processes across a 5-year year trajectory. ASPR will look to extend 

this proven multi-year approach to other aspects of its planning, programming, and resource allocation 

enterprise, including healthcare preparedness and the NDMS. 

ASPR utilizes financial resources that are unique to the mission of preparedness, response, and recovery. 

This includes the National Special Security Special Event (NSSE) contingency fund account, which is 

appropriated annually at the level of $5 million available for a period of three years. This fund supports

known NSSEs such as the State of the Union Address, July 4th Celebration on the National Mall, and 

United Nations General Assembly, as well as other significant unanticipated events where identifying 

preparedness requirements occurs in a timeframe shorter than the annual budget process can accommodate. 

ASPR also relies on contingency-driven, time-limited supplemental funding to response needs in support 

of major disasters or large-scale incidents. 

Regarding grants and contracts, ASPR has achieved exceedingly high rates of obligation for annual funds. 

Once funds are obligated, they may be available to vendors and grantees for a multi-year period of 

execution, or may be approved for carry over or extensions. The utilization of these funds by vendors, 

grantees, and other ASPR partners has significant impact on preparedness. Through an aggressive approach 

to enterprise risk management, including review and execution of contract close-outs, ASPR has helped to 
HHS/ASPR Strategic Plan for 2020-23 April 2020

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ensure that contracts, grants, and other agreement-type financial mechanisms are fully expended by its 

mission partners. 

ASPR will pursue the following strategies to optimize its investments in preparedness and response:

 Maintain and continually review processes to ensure all ASPR programs and resource investments

are driven by validated requirements and enterprise strategic planning;

 Utilize finance and acquisition best business practices with enhanced emphasis on best value to the

taxpayer through focused MFHC teaming and partnerships with all ASPR program offices;

 Expand ASPR’s multi-year requirements forecasting to include non-MCM capabilities in the areas

of preparedness, response, and recovery using programs such as the NDMS, HPP, and Medical

Reserve Corps as focal points for this activity;

 Assess the potential benefits of a dedicated contingency fund for large-scale PHEs, including rapid

onset EIDs, as well as additional authorities to rapidly transfer funds within HHS to address rapid

onset health emergencies across all hazards;

 Optimize contract and grant award funds utilization by conducting additional post-award analysis

to help ensure the highest percentages of funds utilization; and

 Expand business operations staff training and development efforts to strengthen the competencies

of all personnel with responsibilities that impact ASPR’s fiscal stewardship.
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4.3 PRIORITY GOAL 2: SUSTAIN A ROBUST AND RESILIENT PUBLIC HEALTH 

SECURITY CAPACITY

Setting the Vision

Responding to and recovering from threats to health security through the effective, efficient, and timely delivery 

of public health and medical capabilities and resources in an integrated way across FSLTT and public-private 

sector partnerships nationwide.

The ASPR organization must be ready to execute public health and medical missions in response to a wide 

variety of human-caused and naturally occurring threats and hazards. This includes catastrophic incidents 

that may severely impact vulnerable populations and/or cripple public health and healthcare systems and 

interconnected lifeline infrastructure on a regional or national scale. ASPR’s overall mission is achieved 

through people, processes, systems, and capabilities that enable ASPR to effectively and efficiently lead, 

manage, and coordinate federal public health and medical response and recovery operations. The ASPR 

recently issued a comprehensive Incident Response Framework that describes the organizational structure 

and coordination process through which the organization’s human, physical, and IT resources and 

partnership networks will come together to achieve its important mission.

ASPR must develop and maintain internally- and externally-focused mission capabilities and operational 

and logistics processes that are streamlined, easily understood, less manpower-intensive, technologicallysmart, and compatible with published national-level incident response and recovery doctrine. Such 

processes must be fully compatible and interoperable with comparable processes and systems used by 

ASPR’s diverse FSLTT and non-governmental partners. Finally, ASPR’s response mechanisms are 

comprised of a robust, secure, and resilient set of human resources and physical facilities, along with IT 

capabilities that ensure appropriate functionality and cybersecurity for the IT backbone that underpins the 

ASPR response and recovery mission. 

Objective 2.1: Incorporate the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) into ASPR Operations 

The HHS Secretary transferred the SNS to ASPR from the CDC, effective October 1, 2018. As cited in the 

HHS Congressional Justification for Fiscal Year 2019 Budget, this decision was made to increase 

operational effectiveness and efficiencies and strengthen integration with ASPR’s existing MCM program.8

8 See FY 2019 Congressional Justification at https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/fy-2019-phssef-cj.pdf

Further, the transfer was designed to enhance domestic preparedness by optimizing MCM development, 

acquisition, stockpiling, sustainment, response, and utilization, while also strengthening the nation’s 

response to 21st century health security threats.
HHS/ASPR Strategic Plan for 2020-23 April 2020

28

Figure 8: DSNS Operational Accomplishments to Date

Responded to more 

than 60 public health 

emergencies.

Amassed 

approximately 900 

unique products.

Warehoused more 

than 133,995 pallets 

of total inventory.

Made available 

1,960 CHEMPACK 

containers to provide 

access to nerve agent 

antidotes for more 

than 90% of U.S. 

citizens.

Configured 55 

Federal Medical 

Stations, with more 

than 13,750 beds, for 

natural disasters.

Train 3,000 state and 

local responders each 

year.

ASPR has rapidly integrated Division of the Strategic National Stockpile (DSNS) staff and operational 

capabilities, while ensuring that all FSLTT partners continue to receive the same exceptional service and 

support during the transition. Early assessments indicate the integration of DSNS operational capabilities 

provides ASPR with new flexibility and scalability necessary to respond more effectively and efficiently to 

mission-related needs. 

The DSNS integration has included enhanced information sharing and operational collaboration between 

the Secretary’s Operations Center (SOC) and the DSNS Operations Center. ASPR will work to further 

engage the DSNS’ strong supply chain management and operations functions along with other public health 

and medical preparedness and response capabilities under ASPR to improve the efficiency of emergency 

responses, strengthen and streamline the MCM enterprise, and leverage synergies in supply chain logistics.

ASPR will pursue the following implementing strategies to integrate the DSNS into its operations:

 Continue to integrate DSNS support functions, including human resource services, IT services and

infrastructure, safety, security, and asset management into OS and ASPR processes, systems, and

enterprises;

 Achieve further integration of DSNS response structures and coordinating processes into the ASPR

Incident Response Framework and supporting SOPs and operational checklists;

 Further synchronize DSNS Operations Center and material management functions with

corresponding SOC and ASPR/ORM operations to support enhanced threat awareness, a common

operating picture, and the rapid mobilization, deployment, and tracking of response and recovery

resources;

 Continue the integration of DSNS resources and processes into the end-to-end MCM enterprise

managed by ASPR; and
HHS/ASPR Strategic Plan for 2020-23 April 2020

29

 Further integrate ongoing technical assistance, guidance, training, and exercise support activities

conducted by the ASPR E2A2 and DSNS focusing on the identification of gaps in operational

continuity, MCM response capabilities, and supporting processes and procedures.

Objective 2.2: Integrate ASPR Materiel Management Functions

ORM performs overall logistics functions for ASPR. In concert with a recent organizational restructuring, 

ORM is leveraging the DSNS’ extensive supply chain management capabilities and operational experience 

to consolidate the management of ASPR materiel inventories under proven DSNS storage, inventory 

management, and quality control systems. The integration of common ASPR material management 

functions under DSNS management reduces overall material storage and management costs, minimizes

redundant facilities, streamlines deployment processes, and ensuresstrict accountability and quality control, 

while further improving the efficiency of ASPR’s emergency response capabilities and strengthening the 

MCM enterprise.

Since its establishment in 1999, the DSNS has borne responsibility for managing the nation’s largest 

repository of emergency MCMs. 

Over that time, the management 

of SNS inventories has been 

refined and streamlined to 

minimize overhead costs and 

optimize deployment capacity, 

while maintaining strict 

accountability and quality 

controls. The SNS inventory is

currently valued in excess of $8 

billion. Over the last decade, 

there was less than 1 percent 

product loss due to regulatory 

compliance issues and sustained 

annual inventory accuracy of more than 99.7%. DSNS uses well-documented inventory management 

policies and standard operating procedures. The division performs operational compliance reviews with 

internal and external audits annually at each storage location in the SNS network.

Integration of common ASPR material management functions under the DSNS logistics portfolio has 

resulted in improved management, operational efficiencies, and projected long-term cost savings. 

Continuing the consolidation of redundant storage facilities and inventories into the SNS warehouse 

network will greatly reduce ASPR’s overall material storage and management costs. Moreover, through 

leveraging economies of scale in the acquisition of ASPR material, DSNS is able to negotiate lower prices

to meet and sustain ASPR MCM requirements and inventories. Furthermore, integration of the NDMS 

materiel inventory into a single ASPR materiel management system enables rotation of common items into 

deployable caches, thus facilitating product use before expiration and savings on disposal costs.

In addition, consolidation of ASPR medical material under a single independent quality program enables 

more effective and efficient management of materiel, validation of materiel safety, regulatory 

compliance, and adoption of best practices. This consolidation also increases accountability and enhanced 
HHS/ASPR Strategic Plan for 2020-23 April 2020

30

reporting and visibility on ASPR resources, promoting improved and more rapid decision making during 

responses and in PHEMCE deliberations. 

Finally, the integration of ASPR material management functions affords new opportunities for improved 

management of the MCM enterprise. The transfer of the SNS to ASPR was made in anticipation of more 

effective contract negotiations and more productive relationships with the manufacturers of stockpiled 

products or potential products. These expectations are coming to fruition as DSNS and BARDA collaborate 

on mutually beneficial contracting, supply chain, and sustainability approaches that better meet the 

requirements of the government, while simultaneously providing manufacturers with more certainty and 

reduced operational risk.

ASPR will continue to pursue the following implementing strategies to achieve optimal integration of its 

critical material management and logistics functions:

 Consolidate all ASPR and SNS medical materiel, equipment, and supplies under a single network

of storage sites, independent quality control function, and automated inventory management

system;

 Consolidate all ASPR warehousing and inventory and financial management functions under a

single system of documented policies, processes, and audits;

 Integrate NDMS cache material management functions into DSNS;

 Consolidate ASPR product acquisition requirements under a joint contract mechanism;

9

9 To the extent that SNS and BARDA-administered PBS funds are separately appropriated, contract funding may 

require discernment, even if coordinated under a single award.

and

 Consolidate the transportation function for all ASPR supplies and equipment.

Objective 2.3: Strengthen Response and Recovery Operations

ASPR continually strives to 

improve delivery of public health 

and medical assistance to 

communities impacted by disaster 

throughout the mission continuum. 

Successful preparedness for, 

response to, and recovery from

PHEs and other incidents requires 

accurately identifying gaps, and 

subsequent planning and 

preparedness activities to address 

them. ASPR, through its regional 

staff, engages in detailed planning 

with FSLTT partners to ensure 

roles and responsibilities are 

clearly defined, gaps and seams are identified, and regional federal public health and medical support plans 
HHS/ASPR Strategic Plan for 2020-23 April 2020

31

are developed to support the response to FSLTT partner requests for federal support. Further action is 

necessary to develop and maintain plans that are up-to-date and routinely and thoroughly exercised, 

ensuring the ASPR organization is fully ready to execute them. Additional approaches that strengthen this 

critical mission area include the adoption and implementation of the ASPR Incident Response Framework; 

training ASPR headquarters and field-level response and recovery personnel to appropriate conditions and 

standards; maintaining personnel readiness to deploy and conduct operations in forward environments;

building an enhanced regional response capability; developing other new capabilities where required; and 

coordinating closely with partners to deliver success.

ASPR will pursue the following strategies to strengthen its disaster response capabilities: 

 Fully implement, test, and validate the various components of the ASPR Incident Response

Framework, including development, implementation and ongoing exercising of all functional

annexes (Information Management, Planning, Resource Coordination, and Finance &

Administration) and other supporting annexes, operational doctrine, and SOPs;

 Develop position task books, job action sheets (JAS), operational checklists, incident-specific

playbooks, and other job aids for all headquarters and IMT-level positions defined under the

Incident Response Framework;

 Establish a formal Federal Health Coordinating Official (FHCO) training program and selection

criteria;

 Develop and implement an ASPR responder qualification, training, and automated training

management system for headquarters and field response organizations and staff (including

permanent and intermittent staff and augmentees), including the capability to support Type I

incident management requirements;

 Support the development and implementation of a near real-time resource management system and

common operating picture to improve transparency of resource readiness, enhance situational

awareness, and improve decision support capabilities at all levels of the ASPR incident response

structure;

 Conduct a comprehensive review of the SOC Emergency Management (EM) Portal from a content,

access, and functionality perspective, implement recommendations for enhancement, and develop

a comprehensive training program for portal users;

 Conduct and implement priority recommendations based on a comprehensive assessment of crisis

communications (including social media) staffing and training requirements needed to support all

key nodes of the ASPR incident response structure, as well as ESF-15 operations in a Joint Field

Office (JFO) and/or Joint Information Center (JIC), if established;

 Provide enhanced program management regarding standardized requirements, inventory,

configuration, maintenance, update, inspection, replacement, service provider contracts, etc. for all

deployable IT systems, computers (including mobile computing), printers, radios, phones, and

other deployable cache items used to support key nodes of the ASPR incident response structure;

 Establish a financially sustainable, multi-year and multi-level exercise program designed to test

policies, plans, and capabilities and achieve and sustain national preparedness to prevent, respond

to, and recover from all-hazards disasters;

 Develop an interagency accessible database to warehouse exercise outcomes, including after action

reports, and facilitate trends analysis to inform preparedness improvement across the ESF-8

community.
HHS/ASPR Strategic Plan for 2020-23 April 2020

32

 Strengthen international partnerships and mechanisms to enhance U.S. public health security

capacities and incident response.

ASPR’s roles and responsibilities for disaster recovery, as the federal coordination lead for the H&SS RSF, 

are organized along nine core mission areas: public health, health care services impacts, behavioral health 

impacts, environmental health impacts, food safety and regulated medical products, long-term health issues 

specific to responders, social services impacts, referral to social services and disaster case management, 

and children and youth in disaster. H&SS recovery support actions are focused on “shortening the distance” 

between recovery needs and resources, to include: information; knowledge and knowledge transfer through 

technical assistance, communications campaigns, or other interventions to share and diffuse knowledge; or 

funding to gain or ensure access to needed services for eligible populations. 

The H&SS RSF mission starts with the response and involves proactive measures to describe, understand, 

and mitigate challenges and barriers to recovery progress for H&SS providers, individuals, families, and 

communities. Disaster recovery issues are temporal in nature – they change over time, and so too do the 

necessary interventions to support SLTT recovery activities. As time progresses, the complexity of the 

issues related to H&SS become increasingly interdependent. ASPR plays a critical role in working with 

FSLTT, private, and non-profit partners to identify courses of action to support locally-driven disaster 

recovery. These courses of action must be designed as more than simply “one off” interventions where a 

large swell of resources are rapidly delivered and just as rapidly demobilized. Instead, recovery operations 

must derive courses of action that will eliminate barriers to recovery, address specific disaster-related 

issues, and build local capacity to sustain the recovery effort for the long haul.

In implementing the H&SS RSF since 2011, ASPR cultivated a broad array of experience assisting

communities, hospitals, healthcare systems, school systems, and human services providers in how to endure 

the “marathon” of recovery. ASPR will continue to work with these partners to pursue the following 

strategies to improve its ability to support disaster recovery operations:

 Develop recommendations for HHS senior leadership consideration to allow for a more effective

and efficient utilization of authorities, programs, resources, and capabilities across department

OPDIVS and STAFFDIVS to meet H&SS-related recovery needs;

 Engage the HHS DLG to foster continued monitoring and engagement and address policy issues

that emerge in the recovery mission over time;

 Complete and promulgate H&SS-related, all-hazards recovery planning, cost recovery guidance,

and decision support tools for FSLTT, non-governmental, and healthcare coalition partners;

 In collaboration with FEMA, explore more effective, efficient, and sustainable approaches/

mechanisms to recovery related to resource funding, management, and reporting, as well as travel

reimbursement for recovery personnel;

 Establish qualification standards and develop qualified and trained ASPR internal staff and NDMS

intermittent staff with the skills necessary to conduct post-incident recovery assessments,

coordinate federal assistance to support recovery planning and mitigation strategies, and work with

impacted communities to develop relevant recovery and resilience measures;

 Revise recovery-related concepts of operation, plans, SOPs, etc. to incorporate detail regarding the

transition from response to recovery for critical headquarters and field nodes of the ASPR Incident

Response Framework, where relevant;
HHS/ASPR Strategic Plan for 2020-23 April 2020

33

 Utilize recovery operational best practices, decision-making, issue analysis, and technical

assistance to augment response operations throughout deployed and headquarters-based staff; and

 Establish a department-wide recovery volunteer cadre in coordination with ASA/OHR to support

H&SS-related recovery operations.

Objective 2.4: Improve Situational Awareness

Situational awareness spans the spectrum of all-hazards incident prevention, response, and recovery. It 

involves the intake, compilation, and assessment of various types of threat/hazard data and other pertinent 

information from various sources, including, but not limited to: law enforcement threat information; 

national security intelligence; CBRN-related information including atmospheric, ground, and water toxic 

dispersal analysis; human, animal, and plant surveillance data; environmental monitoring data; syndromic 

surveillance data; critical infrastructure data; media and social media information; etc. ASPR’s mission 

requires an integrated, all-hazards approach to situational awareness that leverages the capabilities of 

FSLTT agencies (including the CDC as the federal lead for public health surveillance and situational 

awareness), foreign governments, and domestic and international non-governmental entities, including 

private-sector organizations across the healthcare industry. 

Situational awareness begins with the determination and validation of the all-hazards informational needs 

of the ASPR, HHS senior leadership, and the White House, as well as the varied needs of ASPR’s 

nationwide inter- and intragovernmental and public-private sector partnership networks. This 

comprehensive understanding of information needs underpins the subsequent collection, fusion, and 

analysis of timely, relevant, and accurate information. The final component of situational awareness 

involves the ability to appropriately share assessed data with relevant partners using a variety of 

technologies, systems, electronic displays, and products that inform decision-making at various levels of 

the government and private sectors.
HHS/ASPR Strategic Plan for 2020-23 April 2020

34

ASPR will employ a wide range of techniques, technologies, and methodologies to improve its situational 

awareness capabilities. The path forward involves improved coordination of domestic and international 

public health and healthcare-related information sharing activities in partnership with the CDC. It also 

includes expanded collaboration with the intelligence community, law enforcement, the military, academic 

and R&D communities, and other relevant sectors to rapidly characterize new and evolving threats. ASPR 

also will work to improve the timely and accurate flow of information with international public-private 

sector partners to support the coordination and management of incidents that may constitute a PHE of 

International Concern (PHEIC). Finally, ASPR will assist its many domestic and international partners in 

expanding their resources and capacities through coordinated training and exercises that are focused on 

identifying gaps in maintaining and sustaining enhanced and shared situational awareness across the 

incident life-cycle. The desired outcome is active and timely situational awareness that informs responsible 

decisions and actions that, in turn, promote improved resource utilization, effective mitigation of emerging 

threats, and enhanced health outcomes among impacted populations. 

ASPR will pursue the following strategies to enhance its situational awareness capabilities:

 Coordinate with the CDC, other HHS OPDIVS/STAFFDIVS, and other federal partners to

maintain situational awareness and inform preparedness and response capabilities based on a wide

range of threats and hazards;

 Develop and implement an intelligence concept of operations designed to integrate ASPR

information management and situational awareness products and processes that inform ASPR

senior leader decision-making;

 Refine and revise ASPR’s Critical Information Requirements (CIRs) and Essential Elements of

Information (EEIs) associated with a wide range of naturally occurring and human caused threats

and hazards as defined in national-level risk analyses;

 Implement the following specialized information management capabilities:

 ASPR Ready, a consolidated IT platform designed to integrate disparate ASPR data sets 

and information systems into a unified architecture;

 ASPR Common Operating Picture (COP);

 ASPR personnel and logistics tracking and reporting tool (in coordination with ORM); 

 Improved healthcare facility status reporting; and

 Catalog of information management reporting products.

 Develop and implement an ASPR data implementation strategy, including enhanced data

management, analytics, and visualization for situational awareness and decision support;

 Implement and test all situational awareness-related process and information system requirements

detailed in the ASPR Incident Response Framework and supporting functional annexes;

 Develop new or leverage existing advanced public health and medical modeling capabilities to

support senior decision maker needs across a wide range of all-hazards scenarios;

 Promote a more robust integration of healthcare and public health sector partners into the national

network of Joint Terrorism Task Forces (JTTFs), fusion centers, and emergency operations centers

to foster the timely and comprehensive gathering, assessing, and sharing of relevant information;

and
HHS/ASPR Strategic Plan for 2020-23 April 2020

35

 In coordination with FSLTT, nongovernmental, and international partners, plan, execute, and

conduct after action reporting for a series of multi-level and multi-sector drills, tabletop exercises,

and functional exercises focused on identifying situational awareness capability gaps and

recommendations for improvement.

Objective 2.5: Manage and Protect the Safety, Security, and Integrity of ASPR Assets

ASPR’s overall incident response posture is critically dependent on the organization’s ability to effectively 

manage, maintain, and safeguard its highly distributed array of human, physical, and cyber assets and 

resources. These assets, capabilities, and resources provide the critical foundation for all aspects of the 

ASPR mission from steady-state administrative activities through complex incident response and recovery 

operations. In exigent circumstances, their continuity is accounted for via the Mission Essential Function 

(MEF) identification process, and department and ASPR-level Continuity of Operations (COOP) plans.

Executive Order 13327 and federal management regulations requires federal agencies to promote the 

efficient and economical use of federal real property resources and ensure proper accountability, use, care, 

and protection of all personal property in their possession, custody, or control. Via the Government 

Services Administration and other federal warranted leasing officers, ORM leases an extensive portfolio of 

real property and manages approximately $8 billion of property and SNS assets to support the execution of 

ASPR’s public health and medical preparedness, response, and recovery missions. ASPR has made 

significant strides in improving its asset management planning process; determining asset requirements; 

optimizing and measuring asset performances; and leveraging assets to reduce the federal footprint and 

disposal of assets that no longer meet ASPR needs.

ORM will pursue the following strategies to enhance asset management in coordination with ASPR’s 

resource management partners:

 Collaborate with ASPR offices in developing and executing a long term facility strategy that adopts

innovative workplace solutions and technologies, and provides a real estate portfolio that more

effectively and efficiently meets the needs of the ASPR mission and staff;

 Optimize ASPR’s headquarters and regional office space utilization by providing decision-makers

with high quality data analysis, space planning strategies, and facility plans; and

 Pursue innovative approaches to property accountability and asset management by deploying

improved technology, and providing education, processes, and procedures to reduce loss and

damage of government property.

These strategies will allow ASPR to maintain asset management compliance requirements and achieve 

potential cost savings by reducing loss and damage of government property while evaluating and optimizing 

asset utilization. They also will deliver workspace solutions that will provide ASPR staff the opportunity 

to focus more time and resources on their mission-related operations.

While asset management generally is the domain of a specialized cadre of ASPR staff, the safety, security,

and integrity of ASPR assets is the responsibility of all ASPR employees. Safeguarding physical and cyber 

assets is a critical function that spans all ASPR offices and divisions, and applies to all aspects of ASPR 

operations, including, but not limited to, day-to-day administration, MCM end-to-end supply chain 

management, procurement and acquisition, preparedness initiatives, operational planning, and all-hazards 

incident response. 
HHS/ASPR Strategic Plan for 2020-23 April 2020

36

ASPR’s Security Division is responsible for personnel suitability, national security clearance management, 

and physical security activities regarding BARDA and SNS assets. In fact, in coordination with other 

federal and private-sector partners, the physical security mission ensures the comprehensive protection of 

ASPR’s MCM program at all levels. From conceptual and advanced development of MCMs through 

stockpiled and delivered products, facilities access and control, protection, surveillance, monitoring, and 

related exercises are essential duties performed by ASPR’s Security Division. The Security Division 

currently is developing a comprehensive set of physical security policies and procedures, risk assessment 

methodologies, and specific risk management appropriate for broader application across the ASPR 

enterprise. 

During incident response operations, ASPR’s newly formed Division of Intelligence acts in support of the 

Information Management Section within the SOC. In coordination with the HHS Office of National 

Security (ONS), the Division of Intelligence also supports the Physical Security Manager, IT Systems 

Security Specialist, and Communications Specialist within the SOC and deployed ASPR Incident 

Management Teams (IMTs) to provide up-to-date threat information and inform operations security 

(OPSEC), information security (INFOSEC), and communications (COMSEC) postures and risk 

management strategies, as needed.

ASPR will pursue the following implementation strategies to strengthen ASPR’s security culture and more 

effectively protect ASPR’s human and physical resources.

 Develop and implement an ASPR physical security strategy and Insider Threat program, including

appropriate policies, protocols, and workforce and supervisor training;

 Develop and implement ASPR-wide physical security standards based on federal best practices and

other applicable guidelines;

 Facilitate the conduct of comprehensive physical security assessments of all ASPR real property

assets, whether owned or leased; and

 Implement headquarters and field-level physical security protocols, security staffing, and general

and specialized training programs based on requirements established in the ASPR Incident

Response Framework, regulation, or statute.

On the IT front, the NSS charges every federal agency with ensuring that the systems it owns and operates 

meet the standards and cybersecurity best practices it recommends to industry.10

10See https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/NSS-Final-12-18-2017-0905-2.pdf

It is imperative that ASPR 

maintain an adequate level of security for both internal and interconnected IT systems. ASPR will 

undertake a systematic effort to assess its information systems at greatest risk, and ensure that appropriate 

protective capabilities and methodologies are in place to secure sensitive information while enabling critical 

mission functions. Through its Information Technology Advisory Council, ASPR will adopt a more unified 

approach to securing its internal information systems and, where appropriate, deploy standardized, costeffective, and cutting-edge capabilities across high-value information systems. As ASPR increasingly 

explores and leverages cloud and shared services, it also must develop and pilot emerging capabilities, 
HHS/ASPR Strategic Plan for 2020-23 April 2020

37

tools, and practices to more effectively detect and mitigate evolving threats and vulnerabilities in a timely 

fashion and ensure that cybersecurity approaches are flexible and dynamic enough to counter determined 

and creative adversaries. 

ASPR will pursue the following strategies to enhance the security of its IT assets and guarantee their 

functional resilience in support of incident response and recovery operations:

 Via HHS/ONS and HHS/Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO), maintain continuous

connectivity to the cyber threat assessment community to stay abreast of emergent threats and

recommended prevention and mitigation strategies;

 Conduct comprehensive risk and gap assessments across ASPR information systems based on

consistent methodology and government and industry best practices; and

 Pursue innovative and agile approaches to acquisition and technology procurement to deploy

cutting-edge capabilities that facilitate protected use of current technologies, as well as future cloud

and shared services.

The activities identified above will allow ASPR to maintain an appropriate level of cybersecurity, 

commensurate with assessed risks, to ensure the confidentiality, availability, and integrity of critical ASPR 

information systems and information.

Finally, during certain exigent circumstances, the continuity of the ASPR mission—including the integrity 

of mission essential resources—is provided for via department and ASPR-level COOP plans, processes, 

and operational structures. The HHS COOP staff, physically and functionally situated within ASPR, 

provides direction and guidance for continuity planning, exercises, and operational implementation to all 

HHS OPDIVS, STAFFDIVS and Regional Offices, based on the “Assess, Distribute, and Sustain” 

methodology established in Executive Branch policy.

ASPR will pursue the following strategies to ensure continuity of its MEFs and corresponding human, 

physical, and IT resources in a COOP environment: 

 Define planning parameters and procedures to prepare the department and ASPR for a high

consequence, no-notice incident;

 Procure, maintain, and test the department’s continuity communications and information

technology capabilities, in accordance with OMB/OSTP Directive 16-1;

 Review and/or update or develop new HHS and ASPR continuity policies to address changes in

the COOP policy, risk, operating, and fiscal environments, and to ensure a consistent and efficient

approach to satisfying common requirements;

 Conduct an assessment of the OS continuity site to determine continued suitability and address

emergent needs;

 Conduct an annual senior leader tabletop exercise to discuss continuity-based policies and

procedures and the coordinated HHS-ASPR response to a high consequence, no-notice incident;

and

 Incorporate requirements corresponding to future updates of Presidential Policy Directive-40 (or

equivalent) into HHS and ASPR COOP plans and operations.
HHS/ASPR Strategic Plan for 2020-23 April 2020

38

4.4 PRIORITY GOAL 3: ADVANCE AN INNOVATIVE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY 

MEDICAL COUNTERMEASURE ENTERPRISE

Setting the Vision

A comprehensive MCM development, procurement, and delivery program that ensures a national capability to 

rapidly respond to public health security threats and emergencies and fosters innovation, mitigates risk, and 

leverages a whole-of-government approach with the end user and the patient as the priority.

Led by ASPR, the PHEMCE is an interagency coordinating and integrating framework for enabling the 

timely provision of safe and effective medical products (i.e., vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics, and nonpharmaceutical countermeasures) to protect or treat affected or potentially affected populations. The 

PHEMCE focuses on PHEs arising from naturally occurring incidents, such as pandemic influenza or EIDs, 

as well as CBRN threats or the deliberate or 

unintentional release of CBRN 

agents/materials. The PHEMCE framework 

comprises a variety of complex and 

interdependent efforts, including early 

detection of EIDs and pandemics; 

developing, manufacturing, procuring, and 

stockpiling medical products against 

potential threats; distributing and 

administering MCMs to affected 

populations; and evaluating the effectiveness 

of the MCMs utilized. 

ASPR’s role within the PHEMCE includes developing and coordinating national policy and associated 

requirements; overseeing the advanced development, acquisition, stockpiling, and sustainment of medical 

products that address the requirements of at-risk populations; and managing operational coordination to 

ensure that MCMs are deployed and administered effectively when needed. ASPR’s accomplishes these 

responsibilities in a collaborative manner with the support of other HHS OPDIVS and STAFFDIVS, 

FSLTT agencies, international public health partners, private health care providers, and other healthcare 

public health sector partners.

Objective 3.1: Enhance and Streamline the PHEMCE

The PHEMCE comprises interdependent groups of federal senior officials and subject matter experts with 

equities in MCM-related activities, including early- and late-stage product development, regulatory 

approval, acquisition, stockpiling, distribution, dispensing, sustainment, and use and efficacy monitoring. 

The PHEMCE coordinates and prioritizes the acquisition, maintenance, and use of MCMs throughout their 

lifecycle to meet the nation’s public health and national security needs in an operational setting. The 

PHEMCE, established in 2006, was codified through the PAHPAIA of 2019 (P.L. 116-22).
HHS/ASPR Strategic Plan for 2020-23 April 2020

39

ASPR initiated a PHEMCE restructuring in 

2019 to streamline and strategically drive 

deliberative processes, enabling a quicker 

and more efficient response to emerging

threats. This restructuring expands 

representation to include DoD, enabling 

engagement with key aspects of DoD’s 

MCM investments from early research

through field testing and Food and Drug 

Administration (FDA) approval. It also will 

enable a more effective partnership between 

HHS and DoD on MCM development, 

including increased resource-sharing and 

alignment of activities to ensure investments with minimal redundancy.

A further key aim of this restructuring effort is to protect national security-sensitive or proprietary 

information, regardless of classification level, in the context of aggregation of data that can blur distinctions 

based on classification guidelines. Assessments conducted by the Intelligence Community continually 

inform the PHEMCE regarding threats, MCM capability gaps, and risks. To protect such information, 

PHEMCE leadership meetings involving discussion of aggregated information that may present security 

risks are held at the SECRET or higher level. Additionally, ASPR critically examines information that is 

meant for public dissemination, including congressionally mandated documents, to determine whether the 

information strikes an appropriate balance of informing stakeholders while protecting the federal MCM 

enterprise and the American public against potential threats. ASPR takes steps to mitigate potential security 

risks in all cases.

The following high-priority strategies will help fully implement the PHEMCE restructure and advance 

ASPR’s goals for enhancing the federal MCM enterprise:

 Strengthen relationships among senior leaders and subject matter experts from key departments

and agencies, particularly DoD and HHS, to align MCM priorities and activities;

 Develop and implement whole-of-government plans that outline the near- and long-term R&D and

procurement strategies for MCMs to address high-priority threat areas. Such plans will include

means to assess whether investment in new or enhanced MCMs within a particular portfolio would

yield significant improvement over existing MCMs and, hence, require prioritization by PHEMCE

members;

 Solicit priorities from non-federal stakeholders regarding activities and priorities of the PHEMCE

to include SLTT officials, industry, and representative healthcare sector associations;

 Develop the PHEMCE Strategy and Implementation Plan and SNS Threat-Based Review and

clearly articulate within these documents the cross-threat priorities and corresponding priority

activities required to adequately protect national security;

 Identify gaps and provide recommendations to ensure the safety, security, and reliability of supply

chains to provide necessary MCMs and other materiel support during CBRN incidents;
HHS/ASPR Strategic Plan for 2020-23 April 2020

40

 Develop improved business models for MCM development and acquisition to address the strategic

risks posed by supply chain disruptions and foreign ownership of MCM production and

distribution;

 Work with SLTT partners to develop and implement strategies to maximize effective utilization of

MCMs through clinical guidance and public health communications;

 Work with federal partners to identify and segment, compartmentalize, or otherwise limit the

potential aggregation of unclassified but sensitive information regarding MCMs and associated

activities over electronic networks;

 Support domestic and international partners in their activities to improve regulatory science,

translational research, concepts of operation, and the manufacturing, procurement, and dispensing

of MCMs; and

 Foster the ASPR Priority Medicines on Demand effort to help ensure the availability of saline for

all patients (particularly end state renal disease patients), as well as small molecule and biologics

products at point-of-use.

Objective 3.2: Establish Innovative MCM Programs and Enduring, Sustainable Partnerships

ASPR BARDA oversees and manages the development and acquisition of MCMs, working with industry 

partners to facilitate the transition of promising MCM candidates from early research through advanced 

development to potential licensure. To date, 52 FDA licenses for unique products have been supported by 

BARDA. While these successes represent significant advances towards more robust national health 

security, critical gaps remain that require innovative thought and entrepreneurial approaches that occur 

commonly in the private sector, coupled with market incentives to drive change and improvement in science 

and technology solutions.

The 21st Century Cures Act, 

signed into law on December 13, 

2016, authorized the Secretary, 

acting through the Director of 

BARDA to enter into an 

agreement with an independent, 

nonprofit entity – a Medical 

Countermeasures Innovation 

Partner (MCIP) – to foster and 

accelerate the development and 

innovation of MCMs and 

technologies that may assist 

advanced R&D for MCMs, 

including through the use of strategic venture capital practices and methods. BARDA must direct and 

oversee work conducted under the agreement and ensure transparency and accountability. Accordingly, 

the Secretary of HHS directed BARDA to create and develop a sustained and ongoing bilateral partnership 

with a third party nonprofit entity for the development and innovation of MCMs and related tools, 

technologies, data, and techniques using joint capital venture partnership agreements. 

BARDA has established a new division, the Division of Research, Innovation, and Ventures (DRIVe) to 

enhance its ability to respond to CBRN threats, pandemic influenza, and EIDs. A major component of 
HHS/ASPR Strategic Plan for 2020-23 April 2020

41

DRIVe, DRIVe Launch, is designed to spur and support innovative and entrepreneurial activities not 

commonly addressed under traditional MCM development. The goal is to push innovative technologies 

forward for potential transition to other components of DRIVe or to traditional non-dilutive funding under 

advanced R&D. 

To foster innovative and enduring partnerships that support a sustainable MCM enterprise, BARDA will:

 Provide overarching leadership in the end-to-end scope of product development, technologies, and

tools to help improve ASPR’s overall response capability and capacity in addressing 21st century

threats to national health security;

 Continue to advance and sustain robust public-private partnerships for MCM development and

production;

 Provide the MCIP with priorities for the conduct of market research and opportunities via targeted

investments and capital funding;

 Provide accelerator services to quickly develop and adopt tools and technologies to address gaps

and transition them to BARDA’s advanced R&D pipeline or transfer them to other government

partners for continued development, deployment, or their exit and release for commercial

adaptation;

 Push technologies forward for additional future investments by other venture capital groups or their

transition to other components of DRIVe or traditional non-dilutive funding under advanced R&D;

 Identify additional incentive mechanisms to engage MCM developers and stimulate private sector

investment and innovation across the range of the MCM technology base;

 Provide seed and start-up capital to innovative entrepreneurial companies working in the field of

health security solutions or related technologies to attract private sector funding for continued

support and development;

 Provide awareness of specific products, tools, and technologies developed through the

advancement of the MCM enterprise;

 Review and improve processes governing the solicitation, review, and award of MCM contracts;

and;

 Ensure that BARDA, its accelerators, and MCIP utilize best business practices with public/private

partnerships to emphasize the best value to the taxpayer through the use of innovative acquisition

methods and increased cost sharing.

The activities identified above will include development and/or manufacturing of diagnostics, vaccines,

therapeutic drugs, and other innovations including the nontraditional use of computer and data science to 

improve health security. Also included are solutions that enhance the distribution and administration of 

tools and technologies following threat exposure and provide a quick means to implement processes to 

provide assistance on the ground at the SLTT level.
HHS/ASPR Strategic Plan for 2020-23 April 2020

42

Objective 3.3: Provide MCM-related Consultation and Technical and Operational Response 

Coordination Expertise

SLTT elected and appointed decision-makers, emergency managers, first responders, public health 

officials, and clinicians need tools that guide the effective integration of MCMs into a response. This 

includes concise and easy-to-follow guidance developed and issued by the CDC that SLTT and other public 

health and healthcare stakeholders can use to inform the development of MCM response plans and crisis 

communications strategies. Effective MCM guidance and plans enable decision-makers to take timesensitive action and select MCMs and MCM deployment strategies that correspond to the threat and 

dynamics of at-risk communities, particularly those with significant specialty care or access and functional 

needs. In coordination with the CDC, ASPR will support SLTT partners in developing and exercising their 

MCM plans and logistics protocols based on operational realities and inclusive of relevant stakeholders. 

Similarly, ASPR will work in coordination with the CDC and FSLTT partners to enhance deployment, 

distribution, and dispensing capabilities and capacities needed to ensure effective provision of MCMs to all 

segments of the population, including pediatric and other medically vulnerable populations and individuals 

with access and functional needs. ASPR support of MCM operational response plans will be coordinated 

with CDC Operational Readiness Review assessments that are focused on state capabilities to effectively 

receive and deliver MCMs in a response.

The DSNS is engaged with the

Urban Area Security Initiative 

(UASI) jurisdictions to improve 

nationwide access to MCM 

necessary for the management of 

disease threats through improving 

managed inventory delivery times, 

sustaining distribution velocity, and 

incorporating lessons learned. This 

UASI improvement cycle starts with 

updating jurisdictional MCMrelated response plans and 

expectations for SNS delivery, 

evaluating jurisdictional capacities to implement plans through tabletop exercises, delivering targeted 

trainings to address identified gaps or opportunities for improvement, and validating capabilities through 

full-scale exercises in the UASI jurisdictions. ASPR also holds meetings with private sector partners to 

maintain and enhance public-private partnership activities that reduce the burden on SLTT officials in 

incidents requiring an MCM response. These private-sector partners include important commercial supply 

chain companies as well as trade organizations and their members.

Additionally, ASPR incorporates strategies and identifies opportunities to advance the MCM enterprise in 

innovative ways by leveraging international partnerships to contribute to the development of strategies and 

identify opportunities that can protect and promote U.S. public health security. ASPR leverages the 

NAPAPI framework and identifies activities within the Global Health Security Initiative (GHSI) in the 

promotion of rapid sharing of biological samples, MCM development and regulatory approval, and

deployment to contribute to the advancement of the MCM enterprise and the promotion of both regional 

and U.S. public health security.
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43

Through the coordinating leadership provided by DSNS and the Medical Countermeasure Operations 

Program (MCOP), ASPR will work with federal partners to help SLTT partners improve their operational 

readiness to rapidly receive, distribute, dispense, administer, and monitor the safety of MCMs during a 

PHE.

ASPR will pursue the following implementing strategies to achieve the stated objective:

 Foster collaboration between the CDC, DSNS, MCOP, ASPR Regional Emergency Coordinator

(REC) cadre and other regional staff, and SLTT partners to conduct/facilitate pre-incident planning

for receipt, distribution, and dispensing of MCM to ensure such activities can be accomplished in

a timely manner, are informed by appropriate guidance, and can be supported operationally by

federal and SLTT agencies during a response.

 Integrate the needs of at-risk populations and individuals with access and functional needs 

into planning for MCM distribution and dispensing; and

 Facilitate the capability to monitor the safety and effectiveness of deployed MCMs.

 Provide assistance and consultation on all topics pertaining to MCM logistics planning and

execution, including distribution and points of dispensing (POD) operations;

 Provide specialized subject matter expertise to optimize the MCM logistics chain and assist with

necessary planning, training, and exercises;

 Work to build specialized capabilities and capacity in accordance with strategies as described in

HHS’s Last Mile Initiative, and in conjunction with DSNS programmatic priorities; and

 Integrate ASPR Critical Infrastructure Program (CIP) and DSNS coordination with public and

private partners and participants in the MCM supply chain to ensure communities are prepared and

key medical supplies are available during PHEs.
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44

4.5 PRIORITY GOAL 4: BUILD A REGIONAL DISASTER HEALTH RESPONSE SYSTEM

Setting the Vision

A ready, capable, and sustainable network of regionally-based FSLTT public health, private healthcare, and 

emergency medical capabilities ready and able to support SLTT partners during PHEs and all-hazards disasters.

Naturally occurring and human-caused incidents that span large geographic areas and create population 

displacement and infrastructure disruption for extended periods of time require specialized planning, 

resources, and mutual aid. Response resources may be extended well beyond the jurisdictional boundaries 

of individual states and major metropolitan statistical areas. The capabilities of individual partners alone 

will not be sufficient to meet all of the public health and medical needs that undoubtedly will surface in the 

wake of a large-scale or catastrophic incident impacting a large geographic area. Accordingly, a unified, 

regional approach to improving healthcare readiness and medical surge capabilities and capacity that can 

be tailored to address specific regional risk profiles around the country is needed. This approach can be 

accomplished most effectively and efficiently by integrating and expanding preparedness capabilities 

within the already-existing healthcare delivery and emergency response infrastructure across the public and 

private sectors nationwide. Medical surge capacity may be further coordinated and supported through 

improved alignment across NDMS, HHS CIP, HPP, Medical Reserve Corps, U.S. Public Health Service 

Commissioned Corps, RECs, and other HHS regional staff.

ASPR will leverage and expand upon established investments in healthcare preparedness and all-hazards 

response capabilities, including HPP and NDMS, to serve as the foundation for a forward-looking Regional 

Disaster Health Response System (RDHRS). This regional system will be built upon a tiered framework 

that emphasizes collaborative capacity building among FSLTT partners in both the public and private 

sectors. The RDHRS will promote enhanced surveillance and health security-related information sharing 

amongst regional partners; increase preparedness for uniquely challenging incidents such as IEDs and 

CBRN incidents; expand access to specialty clinical care expertise; and increase medical surge capacity 

during incident response.
HHS/ASPR Strategic Plan for 2020-23 April 2020

45

Improve 

Organiza Figure 9: Achieving a Regional Disaster Health Response System

tion and 

Coordina

tion 

across 

local, 

state, 

regional, 

and 

federal 

healthcar

e 

response 

assets. 

Identify 

and 

Further 

Develop 

Highly 

Specializ

ed 

Clinical 

Capabilit

ies 

critical to 

unusual 

hazards 

or 

catastrop

hic 

events. 

Improve 

Situation

al 

Awarene

ss of the 

medical 

needs 

and 

issues in 

response.

Increase 

Healthcar

e 

Coalition 

Participat

ion to 

ensure 

that 

states 

and 

regions 

maintain 

accessibl

e and 

responseready 

clinical 

capabiliti

es that 

are 

essential 

in 

disasters 

and 

public 

health 

emergenc

ies.

Objective 4.1: Modernize NDMS

A key departmental aim is to ensure the nation’s all-hazards disaster healthcare system is integrated with 

the day-to-day healthcare delivery infrastructure — hospitals, emergency medical services, emergency 

management, and public health agencies — to provide safe and effective healthcare during PHEs and other 

disasters. ASPR is strengthening the NDMS to better prepare the nation for situations that may be 

unprecedented, require significant surge capacity, or could overwhelm hospitals and other healthcare 

facilities. The NDMS focuses on synchronizing the enhancement of NDMS HCFs and associated 

capabilities with those maintained by NDMS partners — including DoD, Homeland Security (DHS), and 

Veterans Affairs (VA) — through its Definitive Care Program. 

The NDMS Definitive Care 

Program consists of a current 

network of over 1,800 HCFs

nationwide with various 

capabilities to support 

populations affected by a major 

disaster or other contingency in 

which DoD and VA medical 

facilities become overwhelmed. 

HCFs are a key component of the 

support NDMS provides to the 

nation as hospitalized and home 

care patients are relocated from a 

disaster impact area to NDMS HCFs outside of the impacted area and returned when conditions are 

appropriate. Each participating NDMS HCF signs a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the federal 

government ensuring reimbursement to the facility at an established rate for NDMS patient acceptance.
HHS/ASPR Strategic Plan for 2020-23 April 2020

46

In support of the RDHRS concept, ASPR will pursue the following strategies, in partnership with VA and 

DoD, to modernize the NDMS HFCs:

 Identify and develop a set of guidelines to enable HCFs to provide appropriate patient care during,

in advance of, or immediately following, a PHE resulting from an EID or CBRN incident;

 Develop an approach to integrate NDMS partners into hospital, HCC, and SLTT planning on a

regional scale;

 Outreach to a full range of traditional and non-traditional partners, including trauma centers, burn

centers, poison control centers, pediatric hospitals, public health laboratories, outpatient services,

behavioral health, and home and community-based health and human services, among others;

 Strengthen collaborative partnering activities with HPP to align grant programs focused on health

system readiness;

 Increase focus on recruitment activities that develop a stronger business case for civilian health

care facilities to become a NDMS HCF; and

 Enhance training and exercise support for NDMS HCFs, including preparedness for catastrophic

disasters, EIDs, and CBRN incidents.

ASPR is not only working to deepen its NDMS partnerships and expand the capacity of its many public 

health and medical organizational partners. It is also working to improve its hiring processes and enhance 

its own internal NDMS team capabilities so that NDMS professionals maintain the appropriate skill sets 

and are ready to meet the emergent challenges of complex disaster response. Specifically, NDMS is 

developing new ways to enhance existing training and develop new training incorporating a wider range of 

specialized capabilities to provide a seamless, strategic, and coordinated response. The NDMS program 

office within ASPR also is modernizing system caches designed to support federal public health and 

medical team response missions under ESF-8, taking into account the dynamics of the current and projected 

risk environments and operational needs. To implement these cache upgrades, DSNS has integrated all of 

ASPR’s NDMS caches into DSNS facilities and overall logistics operations. This move includes both the 

warehoused supplies and the staff who manage them and is expected to decrease overall materiel 

management costs. Having all NDMS materiel under one centrally DSNS-managed line of control further 

streamlines ASPR logistics operations and better postures ASPR to execute its mission. 

To implement this aspect of the RDHRS, ASPR NDMS program and regional staff will: 

 Conduct a review of NDMS to assess and identify gaps regarding current staffing, specialty care

skills, capacity, training, and readiness of the intermittent work force to respond to PHEs and other

all-hazards disasters, including multiple, simultaneous PHEs or other incidents, as well as a

national-level PHE.

 Work in concert with ASPR’s Division of Intelligence to ensure that NDMS program staff and

operational teams stay abreast of emergent public health threats and related trends;

 Factor public health threat and risk information into NDMS capabilities planning, operational

concept development, and equipment and materiel acquisitions;

 Coordinate with FSLTT partners to determine the need for additional NDMS enterprise and

regionally-focused capabilities and capacity, along with corresponding training, equipment, and

materiel needs;
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47

 Coordinate with FSLTT partners to identify requirements and operating concepts for new

caches/kits to support future missions, including catastrophic disasters, EIDs, and CBRN incident

response;

 Identify potential pre-staging locations for newly developed resources; and

 Establish contracted wrap-around field support capabilities to support NDMS planning, training,

and emergency response missions.

Objective 4.2: Expand Specialty Care Capabilities 

In today’s risk environment, responding effectively to a wide range of potential threats and hazards requires 

affected communities to not only provide general public health and medical services in an emergency 

setting, but to be able to readily access clinical specialists and technical services in diverse areas such as 

pediatrics, dialysis, trauma care, burn care, hazmat exposure, and EIDs. Such capabilities are not uniformly 

distributed across the country, leaving some state and local areas underprepared for certain medical and 

public health threats. For example, not every community has a Level I trauma center, a burn center, or a 

pediatric hospital. Nor does every community have quick and reliable access to specialty care providers 

proficient in radiation treatment or infectious disease. While the daily demand for these specialty care 

capabilities may be very low in a given community, demand could change very rapidly in a disaster or PHE. 

Establishing mechanisms for building 

specialty care capacity, providing clinical 

expertise, and ensuring the prompt delivery of 

specialty medical services is key to addressing

critical gaps in patient care as related to a wide 

range of potential risk vectors. Additionally, 

as demonstrated during the 2017 hurricane 

season response, at-risk populations or 

individuals with access and functional needs 

may have greater challenges accessing 

services or may be displaced for longer 

periods of time as a result of complex or catastrophic incidents. ASPR and SLTT response planning, 

concepts of operation, and operational capabilities must account for the ability to provide health and 

medical services to important populations of at-risk individuals and those with access and functional needs 

(e.g., small children and infants, older adults, individuals with disabilities, individuals with limited English 

proficiency, people relying on home-health care, etc.).

Advanced planning in support of potential specialty care and access and functional needs should account 

for capabilities that already exist on a regional scale, as well as the identification of new capability providers 

and additional capabilities to meet needs associated with a catastrophic disaster scenario or unique incident 

type (i.e., EID or CBRN incident). 
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48

ASPR will pursue the following strategies to 

enhance specialty care and access and functional 

needs capabilities, with a priority on those 

scenarios that represent catastrophic 

consequences and/or long-term population 

displacement or inability to access regular 

specialized medical care:

 Utilize Centers for Medicare and

Medicaid (CMS) data to provide SLTT health

officials with situational awareness of medically

vulnerable and access/functional needs populations in their communities to inform and enhance 

preparedness planning, capabilities development, and incident response operations;

 Review regional and SLTT catastrophic disaster plans, and develop recommendations to address

potential large-scale specialty care needs across various high-consequence scenarios;

 Identify regional “hub-and-spoke” constructs to create a deliberately planned and more effective

division of labor among initial intake/assessment centers, concentrated regional HCFs, and

specialty care providers (e.g., hazmat and burn care);

 Identify risk-based, cost-effective recommendations to expand specific specialty care capabilities

within ASPR’s NDMS teams, either individually or based on likely region of

deployment/employment;

 Integrate ASPR situational awareness, data analytics, and modeling capabilities to provide near

real-time support to SLTT public health agency activities to rapidly identify specialty care and

access/functional needs populations to accelerate triage, transport, and provision of required

medical services or treatment; and

 Work with SLTT and HCC partners to expand the use of telemedicine, portable, and in-home care

options during disasters to increase the availability and efficiency of pediatric critical care, dialysis,

and other specialty care services.

Objective 4.3: Enhance Private Sector All-Hazards Preparedness

Central to the RDHRS vision are the frontline providers and facilities who care for the ill and injured every 

day. The nation depends on the continuity of its healthcare systems, particularly during disasters with 

significant population and critical infrastructure impacts. Private industry plays a large role in maintaining 

that continuity of service, as over 92% of health-related infrastructure is privately owned and 

operated.11

11 See CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROTECTION: Progress Coordinating Government and Private Sector

Efforts Varies by Sectors' Characteristics. GAO Report. (2006.) https://www.gao.gov/assets/260/252603.pdf

Within the healthcare sector, private-sector owners and operators are primarily responsible for 

pre-incident readiness, timely response to all-hazards incidents, and restoration of their assets post-incident, 

as reinforced by recently implemented Emergency Preparedness Requirements for Medicare and Medicaid 

Participating Providers and Suppliers (particularly with regard to emergency preparedness and risk 

assessment activities). Without strong emergency preparedness foundations, the private sector may be less 

ready and able to continue to provide critical services operations during disasters, potentially creating new 

challenges and exacerbating existing ones.
HHS/ASPR Strategic Plan for 2020-23 April 2020

49

HPP is the only source of federal funding for health care system readiness. HPP helps prepare the health 

care system nationally to address the all-hazards risk environment through the development and nurturing 

of HCCs. HCCs are in-state regional groups of healthcare and response organizations that collaborate to 

prepare for and respond to incidents requiring medical surge. Core members of HCCs include hospitals, 

emergency medical services (EMS) (including inter-facility and other non-EMS patient transport systems), 

emergency management organizations, and public health agencies. Many other facility and provider types 

also participate. HCC partners serve an important communication and coordination role within their 

respective jurisdictions and actively contribute to strategic planning, operational planning and response, 

information sharing, and resource coordination and management. HCCs also may collaborate with one 

another to ensure individual HCCs the support and resources they need to respond to emergencies and 

prepare for planned events, including medical equipment and supplies, real-time information, 

communication systems, and trained health care personnel.

ASPR developed the 2017-2022 Health Care Preparedness and Response Capabilities to describe what the 

health care delivery system — including HCCs, health care organizations, and emergency medical services 

(EMS) – must do to effectively prepare for and respond to emergencies that impact the public’s health. 

These capabilities illustrate the range of health care preparedness and response activities that represent the 

ideal state of readiness in the U.S. HPP also requires all HCCs to exercise to specific response plan annexes 

that focus on identified surge requirements and scenarios (e.g., pediatric, burn, infectious disease, radiation 

and chemical). This helps HCCs and their 34,000 members to prepare for a variety of incidents, including 

those that may require highly specialized clinical expertise, and work towards a response-ready health care 

system.

ASPR/HPP will pursue the following strategies to support the implementation of a RDHRS:

 Encourage multi-state collaboration and participation when designing and executing exercises and

training activities required under cooperative agreements;

 Identify opportunities for synergy across federal government activities to prepare clinical facilities

via close collaboration with other departments and agencies;

 Award grants to a select number of eligible high-acuity trauma centers to enable military trauma

teams to provide, on a full-time basis, trauma care and related acute care at such facilities;

 Determine and clearly communicate the estimated return on investment and overall value of

specific preparedness activities; and

 Work with HCCs, RDHRS partners, and other stakeholders to identify and promote guidelines,

standards, and best practices for the creation and implementation of a RDHRS.

ASPR, via the ASPR SIIM CIP Division, is the lead for executing the Sector-specific Agency (SSA) 

responsibilities assigned to HHS in Presidential Policy Directive 21, “Critical Infrastructure Security and 

Resilience.” In this capacity, the CIP Division is responsible for a variety of efforts to promote the physical 

security, cybersecurity, and resilience of the nation’s health infrastructure by leading a dynamic publicprivate partnership under the National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP). It also works with private 

sector partners during incident response and recovery operations to develop an understanding of HPH 

Sector-specific impacts and response and recovery priorities which, in turn, is used to inform restoration 

and recovery planning and operational activities at various levels. During steady state, the CIP Division 

fosters implementation of the NHSS among ASPR’s private sector partners and works collaboratively to
HHS/ASPR Strategic Plan for 2020-23 April 2020

50

assess gaps and challenges and provide risk mitigation recommendations regarding physical and cyberrelated supply chains. 

ASPR will pursue the following implementing strategies to enhance private sector preparedness:

 Expand the HPH Sector Government Coordinating Council membership under the NIPP

partnership framework;

 Establish the CIP Division as the HHS private-sector lead interface for cybersecurity issues,

including prevention, response, recovery, and mitigation coordination;

 Develop external private sector outreach and communication mechanisms and information

products to facilitate strategic outreach amongst HHS regions and healthcare subsectors;

 Work with relevant FSLTT public health officials and private sector entities to identify the critical

infrastructure assets, systems, and networks needed for the proper functioning of those aspects of

the Healthcare and Public Health (HPH) Sector that need to be maintained through any emergency

or disaster situation, including entities capable of assisting with, responding to, and mitigating the

effect of a PHE;

 Fully integrate the HPH Sector partnership into the newly established ESF-14 (Cross-sector

Business and Infrastructure) under the NRF to improve public-private collaboration, information

sharing, and decision making at the SLTT, regional, and national levels during incident response

and recovery;

 Continue use of the CIP Division’s Risk Identification and Site Criticality (RISC) toolkit to enhance

end-user functionality, streamline the data ingest process, facilitate the identification of HPH Sector

critical infrastructure, and enable agile, multi-level reporting; and

 Expand private sector participation in FSLTT-sponsored exercise activities, both nationally and

regionally.

Objective 4.4: Promote a Resilient Medical Supply Chain

The continuity of healthcare and public health services on a local, regional, and national basis depends on

a robust and resilient series of interdependent service- and materiel-oriented supply chains. These supply 

chains represent very complex and sophisticated systems, with private-sector partners working across a 

global market and relying on just-in-time delivery of necessary services and medical materiel. In specialty 

areas such as pharmaceuticals, healthcare industry supply chains are further challenged by the realities of a 

consolidated pharmaceutical marketplace with key interdependencies and a limited number of 

manufacturers. Disruptions to these supply chains — even on a small scale — can have critical impacts on 

patient care during steady state and in complex incident response situations.
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51

In collaboration with private-sector partners, 

ASPR works to identify potential courses of 

action to both better understand and address 

public health and medical supply chain issues, 

foster connections across public and private 

sector partners during both steady state and 

incident response/recovery situations, and 

promote the adoption of resilience measures that 

make sense for healthcare sector partners. 

ASPR will pursue the following implementing 

strategies to help increase supply chain security and resilience within the healthcare sector:

 Establish a private and public sector functional working group under the HPH Sector partnership

framework with a focus on supply chain risk issues, including, but not limited to, the following:

 Identify key in-sector and out-of-sector dependencies/interdependencies and approaches to

reinforcing medical product supply chains;

 Explore different approaches to domestic and geographically-dispersed production of

healthcare equipment and supplies;

 Identify and address challenges in transporting and receiving health care equipment and

supplies, including across national, state, local, and territorial borders and outside the

continental U.S; and

 Explore approaches to address supply chain-related risks corresponding to EIDs and

catastrophic human-caused and naturally occurring disasters.

 In collaboration with FSLTT and industry partners, factor healthcare supply chain risks and

mitigation strategies into local, regional, and national preparedness efforts, including multi-level

risk assessment, contingency planning, and exercise activities;

 In collaboration with FEMA, factor supply chain issues into the ESF-14 planning, decision making,

and resource allocation processes at the national, regional, and SLTT levels during incident

response operations; and

 In collaboration with industry partners, leverage the analytical capabilities of the DHS National

Risk Management Center to conduct targeted studies and analysis of HPH Sector physical and

cybersecurity supply chain risks on a sector, subsector (e.g., direct patient care, health IT,

pharmaceuticals, blood supply, medical materiel and logistics, etc.), and regional basis.

Objective 4.5: Develop Regional Response Consortia & Exercise Regional Capabilities

Disasters do not occur neatly within the boundaries of any given jurisdiction. Therefore, SLTT communities

must collaborate with one another in order to share resources, expertise, and information; safely move 

patients; and provide quality medical care. Achieving the RDHRS vision necessitates robust multi-state 

regional collaboration and coordination. This capability will be realized through the development and 

maturation of regional response consortia that are comprised of FSLTT partners in health care, public 

health, and emergency management. These consortia will include both federal (military and civilian) and 

non-federal (governmental and non-governmental) partners to ensure that all available health care resources 

and expertise are brought to bear during a catastrophe. 
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52

Regional response consortia will be responsible for identifying and inventorying health care assets in their 

regions, understanding and working to mitigate regional limitations in readiness and response, and building 

the specialized capabilities required to provide health care during medical surge scenarios. The regional 

consortia also will be responsible for ongoing cross-state partnerships within their own region, as well as 

region-to-region partnerships with other consortia across the country. 

ASPR will pursue the following implementation strategies in support of the stated objective:

 Establish a pilot project as a proof of concept to validate this activity;

 Via HPP cooperative agreements, encourage the development of multi-state regional centers of

excellence that are capable of collaborating and coordinating across state boundaries to improve

clinical response capability and capacity;

 Identify and test viable models for state- and/or hospital-based medical teams with highly

specialized clinical capabilities that can deploy to disasters in their own state as well as to other

states within a region;

 Determine the essential elements of information (EEI) and minimum technical standards required

to safely and effectively exchange clinical information with healthcare providers/systems and

FSLTT medical response personnel; and

 Identify and address existing legal, regulatory, and policy barriers to effective multi-state clinical

response in disasters and PHEs (e.g., through the drafting and dissemination of model language).

A related activity critical to the development of an effective RDHRS is the establishment of a financially 

sustainable, multi-year exercise program designed to validate enhanced or newly developed regional 

capabilities. This exercise program should maintain an appropriate mix and frequency of exercises and 

related activities to maintain preparedness across regional whole-of-community partners while accounting 

for advances in science, capability, and policy. Such a focus will help ensure that a regional PHE will be 

managed by continuously trained and practiced staff resources and other operational capabilities across the 

public health and medical response domain.

Specific implementing strategies supporting this activity include the following:

 Developing or enhancing existing exercise programs, planning, and conduct of regional scale

activities nationwide;

 Creating an exercise after action reporting requirement and a whole-of-community accessible

database to analyze exercise outcomes in order to inform progress and status reports on the

development of a RDHRS; and

 Producing an annual analysis of biodefense preparedness on a regional scale to be included in the

National Preparedness Report.

Objective 4.6: Integrate EMS into Response Operations 

EMS is an integral part of the overall public health and medical response to any natural or human-caused 

disaster or PHE. Local EMS is a recognized member of the public safety community, along with police, 

fire, and emergency management. Much of the nation’s EMS capabilities are operated and delivered by 

private companies, including for-profit ambulance providers and hospital-based systems. There are also 
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53

more than 6,000 9-1-1 call centers across the country, typically managed by police, fire, county or city 

government, or other entities. 

A key objective of any EMS system is to ensure 

each patient is directed to the most appropriate 

setting consistent with their acuity and medical 

condition. Coordination of the regional flow of 

patients is essential to ensuring the quality of prehospital care. It is also integral to addressing 

system-wide issues related to hospital and trauma 

center crowding, particularly in the context of 

mass casualty incidents. Regional coordination 

requires effective synchronization and 

communications across the many elements that 

comprise a regional system. Community hospitals, trauma centers, and, particularly, pre-hospital EMS must 

work together effectively to achieve this common goal. 

ASPR takes a lead in coordinating federal activities to help ensure that EMS organizations nation-wide are 

better prepared for day-to-day operations, surge effectively during response, and support mass casualty 

operations in the context of both traditional and nontraditional risk vectors. ASPR engages its key federal 

interagency partners through the Federal Interagency Committee on EMS (FICEMS), advocating for 

enhanced integrated preparedness and incident response planning, providing leadership in the areas of 

tactical medicine training and operations in concert with interagency and intergovernmental partners, and 

maintaining strong partnerships with national and SLTT EMS organizations.

A range of issues affects the delivery of pre-hospital EMS, including interoperable communications at the 

local level; coordination of the regional flow of patients to hospitals and trauma centers; reimbursement for 

EMS response activities; national training and credentialing standards; innovations in triage, treatment, and 

transport; integration of all components of EMS into disaster preparedness, planning, and response actions; 

and the need for additional clinical evidence to support EMS care delivery.

An important enabler of integrated EMS activity during disaster response is the FEMA National Medical 

Transport and Support (NMTS) contract. This vehicle provides contractor-managed, multi-functional 

transport and medical support resources and capabilities, established in conjunction with a forward 

operating base or staging area, as needed, in support of Federal assistance, evacuations, or other medical 

support activations for incidents covered under the Stafford Act. Support resources include staffed transport 

and EMS as well as licensed and certified medical personnel for augmentation beyond medical 

transportation. This support is primarily intended to supplement a State response to any incident in which 

federally provided medical transportation and support capabilities are needed.

ASPR will lead and/or facilitate the coordination of the following implementing strategiesto better integrate 

EMS into response operations:

 Engage HCC organizations; SLTT public health, law enforcement, and emergency management

agencies and EMS partners to:
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 Use cooperative agreements and other funding sources to more fully integrate pre-hospital 

EMS participation in HCC and other SLTT preparedness activities, including regionallevel all-hazards planning, training, and exercise activities;

 Address gaps in EMS capabilities related to high-consequence response scenarios, 

including the capacity to support specialty care and access/functional needs populations; 

and

 Support the integration of EMS organizations into local level “Rescue Task Force,” “Mass 

Casualty Task Force,” and “CBRN Task Force” concepts of operations, plans, and training 

and exercise activities. 

 Collaborate with HCC organizations, FICEMS member agencies, SLTT agencies, and EMS

partners to promote standardization and quality improvement of pre-hospital data and the adoption

and implementation of National EMS Information System-compliant systems;

 Engage DHS, FICEMS member agencies, and SLTT partners to improve all-hazards situational

awareness provided to EMS personnel, along with up-to-date threat/hazard data, to help ensure the

protection of EMS personnel during a response;

 Advocate for the expanded scope of practice of EMS via community para-medicine and mobile

integrated healthcare initiatives in support of PHE response and recovery activities;

 Convene a working group with FEMA (including appropriate legal, legislative, contracting, fiscal,

policy, program and operational representation) to determine the feasibility of and requirements for

transferring the responsibility for oversight of the NMTS contract from FEMA to HHS to

streamline and better integrate the public health and medical aspects of incident response operations

requiring federal support.

 Assess potential modifications to the current contract to better serve all communities 

through well-planned and highly coordinated emergency care services;

 Account for greater interconnectivity for dispatchers, EMS personnel, medical providers, 

public safety officers, and public health officials to enable each patient to receive the most 

appropriate care, at the optimal location, with minimum delay;

 Establish a mechanism for evaluation of the delivery of services and facilitation of the 

development and adoption of best practices; and

 Conduct a federal assessment to identify any gaps, shortfalls, and redundancies; identify

challenges to the implementation and execution of the transfer of EMS and the NMTS 

contract; and recommend any necessary updates or modifications.
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5.0 ACHIEVING RESULTS AND MEASURING PERFORMANCE

5.1 INTRODUCTION

Measuring performance against established goals and objectives is a critical aspect of this Plan. 

Performance measurement involves the systematic and, where possible, quantifiable tracking of progress

of Plan implementation. It also includes assessing the effectiveness of the implementing strategies that form 

a core part of the Plan on a goal-by-goal, objective-by-objective basis. Individual performance metrics 

provide a basis for ASPR to establish accountability, document actual performance, facilitate diagnoses, 

promote effective risk management, and provide a feedback mechanism to leaders and managers at various 

levels across the organization. Where appropriate, performance metrics developed to support the goals, 

objectives, and implementing strategies identified in this Plan should also align with those used by the HPP 

and CDC Public Health Emergency Cooperative Agreement to help ensure a synergistic approach to 

improvement between HHS/ASPR and its SLTT and nongovernmental partners. 

5.2 MEASURING ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE 

ASPR will evaluate the implementation progress and effectiveness of this Plan based on achievement of 

the priority goals and strategic objectives identified in Section 4, as well as additional supporting activities 

and initiatives instituted at the staff office and division level across the organization. ASPR’s performance 

management activities are integral to achievement of its mission, and, therefore, are grounded in an 

inclusive culture in which staff at all levels participate. ASPR will follow the direction provided in Public 

Law 111-352, GPA Modernization Act of 2010, in the development and implementation of performance 

measures to evaluate Plan progress.

12

12 See https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-111publ352/pdf/PLAW-111publ352.pdf

Measurement of Plan implementation progress and effectiveness will be conducted via a set of core 

performance metrics developed by the designated OPR/coordination lead (see Table 1) for each objectiveimplementing strategy pairing identified in Section 4. The Office of SPPR will assist these OPRs in the 

development and subsequent analysis of these core performance metrics, and will facilitate tracking of 

activities accomplished as well as those in progress. The core metrics may be reinforced by additional 

metrics developed to support priority activities related to Plan implementation at the staff office and division 

level.

Using these initial performance metrics and other forms of feedback, ASPR, in conjunction with its various 

external partners, as required, can adjust and adapt its approaches to account for progress achieved, as well 

as for changes in the policy, risk, and resource environments. Metrics-based assessments also can be used 

to focus attention on specific areas that warrant additional resources, plan modifications, enhanced partner 

collaboration, or other improvements. For example, if an evaluation reveals insufficient progress toward a 

given objective, identified ASPR OPRs (including subordinate staff offices, divisions, and/or regional 

offices) can act to identify and address deficiencies.
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5.3 IMPLEMENTATION GOVERNANCE

The ASPR IO will provide direct oversight and guidance to facilitate Plan implementation, and, supported 

by the Office of SPPR, will track and monitor the execution of priority implementing strategies across 

ASPR. The ASPR staff office, division, and/or regional office leadership designated as the OPR for specific 

objectives and implementing strategies identified in Section 4, assisted by the Office of SPPR, will develop 

and provide quarterly and annual progress/outcome reports to the ASPR and ASPR Senior Leadership 

Team. Progress and outcome reporting will clearly articulate implementation status along with evidence to 

support evaluation of the successes achieved via the implementation of each priority assigned. This 

reporting process also will address internal and external challenges, risks, resource gaps, etc., which may 

have affected or may have the potential to impact desired outcomes, as well as options to mitigate those 

risks and challenges. Such evaluation also will support the periodic review and refinement of this Plan 

across its life cycle.

The Office of SPPR staff will work with the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and 

Evaluation (ASPE) staff to identify an appropriate collaborative information management approach to 

support Plan implementation, tracking, and reporting requirements. This approach should include a 

centralized capability to track, report, and evaluate implementation progress and performance achievement.
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6.0 ONGOING PLAN MANAGEMENT AND MAINTENANCE

The ASPR IO is designated as the overall OPR for the ongoing management and maintenance of the ASPR 

Strategic Plan for 2020-23. This responsibility includes the following principal activities: (1) exercising

general oversight of ASPR-wide Plan implementation; (2) leading the conduct of an annual Plan review 

and the development/issuance of any corresponding updates, including updates to priority implementation 

strategies and performance metrics, as required; and (3) leading out-of-cycle Plan reviews and update 

issuances based on an analysis of real-world incidents; exercise after-action reports and lessons learned; 

changes in mission/organizational structure; changes in the policy, fiscal, and/or risk environments, etc.

The Office of SPPR will assist the ASPR IO in the execution of these responsibilities. 
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7.0 CONCLUSION

The vision, core values, priority goals, strategic objectives, implementing strategies, and performance 

feedback mechanisms detailed in this Plan define the path forward to enhance execution of the ASPR 

mission. Through implementation of this Plan, ASPR is committed to fulfilling its responsibilities under 

various higher-order statutes, policies, and plans to save lives and help protect the American people against 

all hazards. To do so, ASPR will work diligently to enhance its capabilities and develop its workforce while 

also leveraging and reinforcing the diverse authorities, capabilities, expertise, and resources resident within 

its vast partnership network nationwide. Through the initial feedback processes and performance metrics 

established in this Plan, ASPR will track and measure progress against the achievement of stated goals, 

objectives, and implementing strategies. 

The continuously evolving nature of the policy, risk, and resource environments in which ASPR and its 

many public- and private-sector partners operate requires an equally dynamic approach to risk management

as this Plan is implemented. The priority goals, strategic objectives, performance metrics, and partnership 

approaches identified herein, therefore, are intended to be flexible in their application to account for the 

continued evolution of these interconnected environments. This means accommodating modifications, 

updates, and re-prioritization as necessary, as well as maintaining sustainability in the face of emergent 

challenges and/or resource issues. Although ASPR’s external environment will no doubt continue to evolve

in various dimensions — some predictable and others in unknown ways — the organization’s mission and 

vision, as stated in this Plan, help provide a consistent focus throughout. 

Moving forward, the ASPR organization will build upon its previous accomplishments, successes, and 

investments and fully leverage the renewed strategic foundation provided via this Plan. Mission success 

will be achieved and measured as a function of the priority goals and strategic objectives established herein, 

as well as through important supporting activities and initiatives undertaken and continuously evaluated at 

the staff office and division levels. The overarching governance structure described above will help ensure 

that the strategic priorities identified in this Plan remain relevant over time and are adapted to account for 

future opportunities and challenges. 
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APPENDIX A: ACRONYMS

ACF Administration for Children and Families

AMCIT American Citizen

ASA Assistant Secretary for Administration

ASPA Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs

ASPR Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response

ASTHO Association of State and Territorial Health Officials

BARDA Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority 

CBRN Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear

CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

CIP Critical Infrastructure Protection

CIR Critical Information Requirement

CMS Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

COMSEC Communications Security

COOP Continuity of Operations

COP Common Operating Picture

COS Chief of Staff

CUI Controlled Unclassified Information

DLG Disaster Leadership Group

DOD Department of Defense

DOS Department of State

DRIVe Division of Research, Innovation, and Ventures

DSNS Division of the Strategic National Stockpile

E2A2 Exercise, Evaluation and After Actions

EID Emergent Infectious Disease

EM Emergency Management

EMMO Emergency Management and Medical Operations

EMP Electromagnetic Pulse
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EMS Emergency Medical Services

ESF Emergency Support Function

ESFLG Emergency Support Function leadership Group

EVMS Earned Value Management System

FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency

FHCO Federal Health Coordinating Official

FICEMS Federal Interagency Committee on Emergency Medical Services

FIOP Federal Interagency Operations Plan

FSLTT Federal, State, Local, Tribal, Territorial

FY Fiscal Year

GHSA Global Health Security Agenda

GHSI Global Health Security Initiative

GIS Geospatial Information System

GPRMA Government Performance and Results Modernization Act

H&SS Health and Social Services

HCC Healthcare Coalition

HCF Healthcare Facility

HHS Department of Health and Human Services

HOPIC HHS Operational Planning Integration Group

HPH Healthcare and Public Health

HPP Hospital Preparedness Program

IHR International Health Regulations

IM Information Management

IMT Incident Management Team

INFOSEC Information Security

IO Immediate Office

IPT Integrated Process Team 

IT Information technology

JAS Job Action Sheet
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JEE Joint External Evaluation

JIC Joint Information Center

JFO Joint Field Office

JTTF Joint Terrorism Task Force

LES Law Enforcement Sensitive

MCIP Medical Countermeasure Innovation Partner

MCM Medical Countermeasure

MCOP Medical Countermeasure Operations Program

MEF Mission Essential Function

MERS Middle East Respiratory Syndrome

MFHC Management, Finance, and Human Capital

MOA Memorandum of Agreement

MOU Memorandum of Understanding

NAPAPI North American Plan for Animal and Pandemic Influenza

NBS National Biodefense Strategy

NDMS National Disaster Medical System

NDRF National Disaster Recovery Framework

NHSS National Health Security Strategy

NIH National Institutes of Health

NIMS National Incident Management System

NIPP National Infrastructure Protection Plan 

NMTS National Medical Transport and Support

NPS National Preparedness System

NRCC National Response Coordination Center

NRF National Response Framework

NSPM National Security Presidential Memorandum

NSS National Security Strategy

NSSE National Special Security Event

OCIO Office of the Chief Information Officer
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OEA Office of External Affairs

OICC Office of Incident Command and Control

OMB Office of Management and Budget

ONS Office of National Security

OPDAS Office of the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary

OPDIV Operating Division

OPSEC Operational Security

OPR Office of Primary Responsibility

ORM Office of Resource Management

OS Office of the Secretary

OSTP Office of Science and Technology Policy

PAHPA Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act

PAHPAIA Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation Act

PAHPRA Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act

PHE Public Health Emergency

PHEIC Public Health Emergency of International Concern

PHEP Public Health Emergency Preparedness

PHEMCE Public Health Emergency Medical Countermeasures Enterprise

PIO Public Information Officer

PPD Presidential Policy Directive

PL Public Law

POD Points of Dispensing

PSC Program Support Center

PTB Position Task Book

R&D Research and Development

RDHRS Regional Disaster Health Response System

REC Regional Emergency Coordinator

RRCC Regional Response Coordination Center

RSF Recovery Support Function
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RSFLG Recovery Support Function Leadership Group

SARS Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome

SERP State Emergency Repatriation Plan 

SIIM Office of Security, Intelligence, and Information Management

SLT Senior Leadership Team

SLTT State, Local, Territorial, Tribal 

SNS Strategic National Stockpile

SOC Secretary’s Operations Center

SPPR Office of Strategy, Policy, Plans, Requirements

SSA Sector-specific Agency

STAFFDIV Staff Division

TBD To Be Determined

UASI Urban Area Security Initiative

USC United States Code

VA Department of Veterans Affairs

WHO World Health Organization

WMD Weapons of Mass Destruction
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APPENDIX B: AUTHORITIES

The Public Health Service Act (PHSA), as amended, including but not limited to, Sections 311, 319, 319F2, 2801, 2811, and 2812 (42 U.S.C. 201 et seq. §§ 243, 247d, 247d-6b, 300hh, 300hh-10, and 300hh-11). 

Public Law 111-352, GPA Modernization Act of 2010, January 4, 2010

Section 319C-2 of the PHS Act, 42 USC 247d-3b

Section 319L of the PHS Act, 42 USC 247d-7e

Homeland Security Presidential Directive 5 (HSPD-5), “Domestic Incident Management” (HSPD-5), 2003.

Presidential Policy Directive 8 (PPD-8), “National Preparedness,” March 30, 2011.

PPD-25 (Classified).

PPD-44 (Classified.)

National Biodefense Strategy, 2018.

National Health Security Strategy, 2019-2022.

National Security Strategy of the United States of America, December 2017

National Response Framework (NRF) (third edition), June 2016. 

National Disaster Recovery Framework (NDRF) (second edition), June 2016. 

U.S. Department of Health and Services, Strategic Plan, FY2018-2022. 
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APPENDIX C: ADDITIONAL REFERENCES

Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq).

Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act (PKEMRA) of 2006 (Public Law 109-295), October 4, 

2006.

Sandy Recovery Improvement Act of 2013 (SRIA), (Public Law 113-2).

National Preparedness Goal, September 2011.

National Preparedness System, November 2011.

National Incident Management System (NIMS) (third edition), October 2017.