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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 12 (Tuesday, January 21, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7141-7149]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-00535]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Indian Health Service

Organization, Functions, and Delegations of Authority; Indian 
Health Service Headquarters, Office of Information Technology and the 
Office of Management Services, Part GAG, GAL

AGENCY: Indian Health Service, Department of Health and Human Services.

ACTION: Final notice.

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SUMMARY: This Notice advises the public that the Indian Health Service 
(IHS) proposes Part GAG, GAL, of the Statement of Organization, 
Functions, and Delegations of Authority of the Department of Health and 
Human Services (HHS), 47053-67, December 11, 1987, as amended, November 
9, 1995, December 19, 1996, as amended July 12, 2004, as amended, May 
6, 2005, as amended October 17, 2005, as amended, August 21, 2009, and 
most recently December 26, 2018, is hereby amended to reflect a 
reorganization of the Indian Health Service (IHS). The new 
organizational structure was approved by the Secretary of Health and 
Human Services on January 2, 2025. The purpose of this reorganization 
proposal is to update the current approved IHS, Office of Information 
Technology (GAG) and the Office Management Services (GAL) in their 
entirety and replace them with the following:

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  The IHS is an Operating Division within the 
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and is under the 
leadership and direction of a Director who is directly responsible to 
the Secretary of Health and Human Services. The IHS Headquarters is 
reorganizing the following major component: Office of Information 
Technology (OIT) and the Office of Management Services (OMS).
    Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3101.

Office of Information Technology (OIT) (GAG)

    (1) Provides Chief Information Officer (CIO) services and advises 
the Director, Indian Health Service (IHS), on all aspects of 
information resource management, information technology (IT), and 
Health IT; (2) ensures Agency compliance with related Federal statutes, 
executive orders, regulations, and policies; (3) directs the 
development, implementation, and maintenance of policies, procedures, 
standards, and architecture for information resource management, IT, 
and Health IT activities and services in the IHS; (4) provides IHS Area 
Offices and Service Units with sufficient training and oversight to 
manage IT and Health IT responsibilities; (5) directs the IT enterprise 
architecture, governance, category management, and Artificial 
Intelligence (AI) programs for the Agency; (6) directs strategic 
planning and budgeting processes for information resources, IT, and 
Health IT; (7) oversees the development and implementation of 
information resource

[[Page 7142]]

management, IT, and Health IT initiatives in the IHS including the IHS 
Health IT Modernization Program; (8) directs the design, development, 
implementation, and support of robust information systems and services 
used in the IHS; (9) directs the activities of the IHS IT Investment 
Review Board (ITIRB) in assessing, implementing, and reviewing the 
Agency's investment in information systems; (10) manages contracts and 
associated chargebacks for information resource management, IT, and 
Health IT related software, equipment, and support services in 
collaboration with appropriate acquisition authorities; (11) through 
the Chief Information Security Officer, directs the development, 
implementation, and management of the IHS IT Cybersecurity program to 
protect the information resources, IT, and Health IT of the IHS; (12) 
oversees compliance with Federal cybersecurity laws, regulations, and 
policy and issuance of IHS information security policies, procedures, 
and guidelines; (13) oversees all aspects of the IHS cybersecurity 
program including audit compliance, risk and coordination, IHS security 
architecture and engineering design, and the security-related incident 
response program, IHS security awareness training programs, IHS 
information system disaster recovery, contingency planning and 
response, and cybersecurity vulnerability management; (14) leads the 
IHS Cybersecurity Operations Center to monitor IT/Health IT systems 24 
hours a day, seven days a week; (15) oversees IT systems privacy; (16) 
provides IT services and support to the IHS, Tribal, and Urban Indian 
Health Programs (I/T/U), including the Resource and Patient Management 
System (RPMS), the Electronic Health Record (EHR), and the National 
Patient Information Reporting System (NPIRS); (17) provides informatics 
leadership through the Chief Medical Information Officer and Chief 
Health Informatics Officer to strategically align clinical and 
technical activities to improve healthcare services; (18) identifies 
opportunities for improvement of IHS healthcare and public health 
services through the adoption of new technologies; (19) manages the IHS 
Health Information Management (HIM) program; (20) oversees the 
development of IHS HIM policies and practice standardization including 
issuance of enterprise-wide HIM standard operating procedures; (21) 
ensures that IHS Area Offices and Service Units have sufficient HIM 
training and oversight to manage HIM responsibilities; (22) provides 
guidance on accreditation standards, legislative, and regulatory 
requirements concerning HIM to ensure IHS compliance; (23) oversees the 
analyses and management of enterprise data developed, acquired, or 
stored by the IHS; (24) ensures accessibility to IT services; (25) 
directs and leads all aspects of IHS IT and Health IT customer 
experience, OIT self-determination activities, OIT public affairs and 
communications needs, IT asset management, knowledge management, and 
service desk activities including the provision of IHS IT and Health IT 
systems end user support; (26) furnishes IHS-wide video conferencing 
solutions and services including telehealth support; (27) provides 
program and project management and related support for IHS-developed 
and acquired information resources and technology products and 
services; (28) provides contract management support for information 
resources, IT, and Health IT initiatives, including strategic sourcing 
efforts and enterprise wide IT procurements and chargebacks; (29) 
advises the IHS Director on all aspects of privacy and the IHS-wide 
privacy program including people, processes, and technologies; (30) 
ensures compliance with applicable privacy and system of records notice 
requirements, develops and evaluates privacy statutes, regulations, and 
policies, and manages privacy risks consistent with the Agency's 
mission; (31) manages, administers, implements and monitors the IHS's 
Paperwork Reduction Act and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
information collection/activities, including providing guidance, 
requirements and procedures for obtaining OMB approvals and/or 
extensions for IHS information collections; (32) provides leadership 
and guidance for the IHS Forms Management Program; (33) oversees the 
IHS Records Management Program through the IHS Records Management 
Officer; (34) advises the IHS Director on all aspects of records 
management and provides Agency-wide Records Management Program 
leadership, guidance and support; (35) ensures the accountability and 
integrity of records management and disposition of records including 
litigation holds; (36) develops and recommends policies and procedures 
for the protection and disposition of IHS records and oversees the 
evaluation of records management activities in the IHS; (37) develops 
and implements a management control system for evaluation of records 
management functions IHS-wide; (38) participates in cross-cutting 
issues and processes that involve information resources, IT, and Health 
IT including, but not limited to, emergency preparedness/security, 
budget formulation, self-determination issues, Tribal shares 
computations, and resolution of audit findings as may be needed and 
appropriate; and (39) represents the IHS and enters into IT and Health 
IT agreements with Federal, Tribal, State and other organizations.

Division of Information Technology (GAGA)

    (1) Provides IT services and advises the CIO on all aspects of 
Health IT; (2) develops and supports clinical and business practice 
healthcare applications such as the RPMS and the EHR; (3) develops 
healthcare data export applications to feed analytical processes; (4) 
obtains system and business requirements from stakeholders for system 
design; (5) provides quality assurance and risk management for software 
development; (6) develops, implements, and maintains policies, 
procedures, and standards for system development and technology 
products and services in the IHS; (7) develops and maintains Health IT 
strategic planning documents;
    (8) develops and maintains the IHS enterprise architecture; (9) 
develops and implements Health IT management initiatives in the IHS; 
(10) ensures the IHS IT infrastructure resource consolidation and 
standardization efforts support the IHS healthcare delivery and program 
administration; (11) develops, maintains, and manages the centralized 
processes and systems that support interoperability between internal 
and external stakeholders for the transmission and receipt of health 
information; (12) provides training and documentation for IHS developed 
software implementation, maintenance, and best practices; (13) provides 
input into HIM policy and procedures and ensures development activity 
complies with regulations and policy; (14) ensures development and 
operation activity complies with applicable security guidance, 
regulations, and policy; (15) provides program and project management 
and related support for IHS developed and acquired information 
resources and technology products and services; (16) provides contract 
management support for Health IT initiatives; (17) participates in 
cross-cutting issues and processes that involve IT and Health IT; and 
(18) represents the IHS to Federal, Tribal, State, and other 
organizations.

[[Page 7143]]

Division of Program Management and Budget (GAGB)

    (1) Advises the CIO on all business aspects of information 
resources, program and project management; (2) develops information 
resource policies and procedures; (3) develops the IHS IT budget and 
related documents; (4) provides budget analyses and reports to the CIO; 
(5) develops strategies for presenting the IHS IT budget to I/T/Us; (6) 
provides technical analyses, guidance, and support for IHS capital 
planning and investment control activities; (7) manages the IHS 
portfolio management tool; (8) manages the activities of the IHS ITIRB 
in assessing, implementing and reviewing the Agency's information 
systems; (9) develops program and project management policies and 
procedures; (10) identifies alternatives among internal and external 
sources and recommends the best sources to supply information resource 
and technology products and services to the IHS; (11) develops 
information resource and technology project governance structures to 
support effective program and project management; (12) provides and 
coordinates IHS Healthcare Connect Fund Services under the Rural Health 
Care Program (RHC), a division of the Universal Service Fund (USF) and 
administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), to 
offset the high cost of rural telecommunication services; (13) provides 
IHS Section 508 coordination services; (14) provides Radio Frequency 
Spectrum Management coordination services; (15) provides contract 
liaison services to appropriate acquisition authorities; (16) provides 
program and project management and related support for IHS developed 
and acquired information resources and technology products and 
services; (17) provides IT contract management support and manages 
enterprise-wide IT chargebacks for IT initiatives; (18) participates in 
crosscutting issues and processes that involve IT and Health IT; and 
(19) represents the IHS to Federal, Tribal, State, and other 
organizations.

Division of Information Technology Operations (GAGC)

    (1) Advises the CIO on all aspects of implementing and deploying 
computer systems including RPMS; (2) develops, implements, and 
maintains IHS standards, policies, and procedures for IT operations; 
(3) maintains LISTSERV capabilities; (4) performs web monitoring and 
filtering services; (5) designs and implements websites in compliance 
with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. 794d) 
accessibility regulations; (6) operates and maintains data centers; (7) 
provides Domain Name Services; (8) designs, implements, and maintains 
IHS' backbone network infrastructure; (9) monitors network 
infrastructure for anomalies; (10) supports enterprise office 
automation and cybersecurity in Microsoft 365 and subsequent 
environments; (11) provides program and project management support for 
systems design and deployment to ensure customer satisfaction; (12) 
provides contract management support for IT initiatives; (13) 
participates in crosscutting issues and processes that involve 
information resources and technology program and project management; 
and (14) represents the IHS to Federal, Tribal, State, and other 
organizations.

Microsoft 365 Services Branch (GAGC1)

    (1) Manages and maintains Microsoft 365 applications and services 
Agency-wide; (2) oversees user access, security policies, and 
compliance within the Microsoft 365 environment; (3) identifies, 
researches, recommends, and implements Microsoft 365 solutions and 
applications such as Teams, Office, Outlook, PowerApps, PowerAutomate, 
Power BI, OneDrive, and SharePoint; (4) develops new applications to 
improve productivity using the Microsoft Power Platform, Teams, Office, 
Graph, SharePoint that support integrations with multiple IHS tools and 
data sets; and (5) builds Artificial Intelligence solutions using 
Microsoft Copilots and Azure AI.

Division of Information Security (GAGD)

    (1) Advises the CIO on all aspects of information security; (2) 
develops, implements, and monitors the IHS Information Security program 
to ensure adequate protection and security of information systems; (3) 
oversees performance of required security activities and serves as the 
main point of contact for cybersecurity support and guidance; (4) 
manages IHS cybersecurity audit response and coordination and regularly 
reviews audit and system log reports; (5) coordinates activities with 
internal and external organizations reviewing the IHS's information 
resources for fraud, waste, and abuse; (6) advises the CIO on IHS risk 
and compliance issues related to information system authorization and 
accreditation; (7) manages IHS security architecture and engineering 
design; (8) directs the IHS cybersecurity incident response program; 
(9) oversees development and maintenance of information security 
policies, procedures, and guidelines to safeguard information 
resources, IT, and Health IT systems; (10) develops and implements 
employee information security awareness training programs; (11) manages 
the Agency's information system disaster recovery and contingency 
planning; (12) ensures development and review of IHS IT security plans 
and information system security documentation with system owners; (13) 
manages the IHS Cybersecurity Operations Center (CSOC) to monitor IT 
systems 24 hours a day, seven days a week; (14) serves as the OIT's 
lead for information system privacy, including development of privacy 
policies for IT systems and the assessment of privacy controls for IT 
systems; (15) directs the continuous process of cybersecurity 
vulnerability management; (16) provides program and project management 
and related support for IHS-developed and acquired information 
resources and technology products and services regarding information 
security; (17) provides contract management support for IT initiatives 
regarding information security; (18) participates in crosscutting 
issues and processes that involve information security; and (19) 
represents the IHS to Federal, Tribal, State, and other organizations 
regarding information security.

Information Systems Security Officers Branch (GAGD1)

    (1) Advises the Division of Information Security (DIS) Director on 
the security of information systems; (2) develops, recommends, and 
oversees the implementation of policies, procedures, and standards in 
support of information systems security; (3) develops and maintains 
information system security documentation with the system owner; (4) 
ensures required security activities are performed; (5) regularly 
reviews audit and system log reports; (6) serves as the main point of 
contact for cybersecurity support and guidance; and (7) maintains 
relationships and consults with IHS, Federal, Tribal, State, and other 
organizations.

Cybersecurity Audit Response and Coordination Branch (GAGD2)

    (1) Advises the DIS Director on internal and external audit-related 
activities; (2) develops, recommends, and oversees the implementation 
of policies, procedures, and standards in support of audit response and 
coordination; (3) provides program level support for the tracking and 
remediation

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of information system deficiencies and resolution of audit findings as 
may be needed and appropriate; and (4) maintains relationships and 
consults with IHS, Federal, Tribal, State, and other organizations.

Cybersecurity Risk and Compliance Branch (GAGD3)

    (1) Advises the DIS Director on risk and compliance issues related 
to information system authorization and accreditation; (2) develops, 
recommends, and oversees the implementation of policies, procedures, 
and standards in support of information system authorization and 
accreditation; (3) assesses the risk and magnitude of harm that could 
result from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, 
modification, or destruction of information and information systems 
that support the operations and assets of IHS; (4) conducts security 
assessments of information systems; (5) maintains accreditation 
documentation for all evaluated information systems; and (6) maintains 
relationships and consults with IHS, Federal, Tribal, State, and other 
organizations.

Cybersecurity Architecture and Engineering Branch (GAGD4)

    (1) Advises the DIS Director on security architecture and 
engineering design; (2) develops, recommends, and oversees the 
implementation of policies, procedures, and standards in support of 
security architecture and engineering design; (3) manages technical 
architecture and engineering design projects for security program 
initiatives; (4) reviews and evaluates evolving technologies; and (5) 
maintains relationships and consults with IHS, Federal, Tribal, State, 
and other organizations.

Cybersecurity Incident Response Branch (GAGD5)

    (1) Advises the DIS Director on security-related incident response; 
(2) develops, recommends, and oversees the implementation of policies, 
procedures, and standards in support of incident response; (3) responds 
to security-related incidents on the IHS network; (4) provides post-
incident reporting and analysis; (5) reviews and evaluates incident 
response toolsets; and (6) maintains relationships and consults with 
IHS, Federal, Tribal, State, and other organizations.

Cybersecurity Policy and Security Awareness Branch (GAGD6)

    (1) Advises the DIS Director on security policies from internal and 
external authorities; (2) develops, recommends, and oversees the 
implementation of policies, procedures, and standards in support of all 
aspects of information security; (3) maintains awareness of evolving 
policy and security directive changes from internal and external 
authorities; (4) develops, maintains, and tracks compliance for the 
annual information system security awareness training; (5) develops 
security awareness education and training materials; and (6) maintains 
relationships and consults with IHS, Federal, Tribal, State, and other 
organizations.

Disaster Recovery and Contingency Planning Branch (GAGD7)

    (1) Advises the DIS Director on information system disaster 
recovery and contingency planning; (2) develops, recommends, and 
oversees the implementation of policies, procedures, and standards in 
support of disaster recovery and contingency planning; (3) develops and 
maintains information system disaster recovery documentation with the 
system owner; (4) coordinates testing and execution of disaster 
recovery plans; (5) reviews and evaluates technologies to support 
disaster recovery and contingency response capabilities; and (6) 
maintains relationships and consults with IHS, Federal, Tribal, State, 
and other organizations.

Cybersecurity Operations Center Branch (GAGD8)

    (1) Provides centralized IHS cybersecurity operations support for 
network monitoring, incident response, cyber threat intelligence 
collection, and threat information sharing through the Cybersecurity 
Operations Center; (2) develops, recommends, and oversees the 
implementation of policies, procedures, and standards in support of the 
Cybersecurity Operations Center; (3) monitors all IHS networks, 
systems, and external facing applications and sites to detect 
suspicious activity 24 hours a day, seven days a week; (4) monitors 
high-value asset security to ensure mission-critical systems and data 
are protected; (5) categorizes, prioritizes, and documents security 
events, including incident alerting and sorting for additional 
investigation; (6) disseminates patch availability for vulnerabilities 
and shares advisories across the enterprise; (7) analyzes malware 
through dynamic and static methods; (8) coordinates incident analysis, 
correlation, and available response strategies with the Cybersecurity 
Incident Response Branch; (9) reviews and analyzes threat intelligence 
to maintain awareness and enhance capabilities; and (10) maintains 
relationships and consults with the IHS, Federal, Tribal, State, and 
other organizations.

Cybersecurity Privacy Branch (GAGD9)

    (1) Provides oversight and serves as the Agency's lead for privacy 
of IT Systems including the assessment of privacy controls for IT 
systems; (2) develops, recommends, and oversees the implementation of 
policies, procedures, and standards in support of the privacy of IT 
systems; (3) evaluates IT systems that collect personally identifiable 
information (PII) and ensures adequate protection of the security and 
privacy of PII; (4) coordinates privacy impact assessments (PIA) on all 
IHS IT systems (developmental and operational); (5) maintains IT system 
PIAs and makes them publicly available; (6) ensures adequate security 
and privacy practices and safeguards have been incorporated in 
information system lifecycle plans; and (7) maintains relationships and 
consults with IHS, Federal, Tribal, State, and other organizations.

Cybersecurity Vulnerability Management Branch (GAGD10)

    (1) Manages the continuous process of identifying, assessing, 
reporting, managing, and remediating security vulnerabilities 
identified in all software, firmware, and hardware within the IHS; (2) 
develops, recommends, and oversees the implementation of policies, 
procedures, and standards in support of security vulnerability 
management; (3) supports all systems, subsystems, and system components 
owned by or operated on behalf of IHS with efficient vulnerability 
assessment techniques, procedures, and capabilities; (4) provides a 
process for all IHS components to submit both newly discovered and not 
publicly known vulnerabilities to the Vulnerability Management Team as 
soon as practicable; (5) conducts vulnerability assessments of IHS's IT 
infrastructure; and (6) maintains relationships and consults with IHS, 
Federal, Tribal, State, and other organizations.

Division of Health Information Technology Modernization and Operations 
(DHITMO) (GAGE)

    (1) Advises the CIO on the development, implementation, and 
maintenance of policies, procedures, and standards for Health IT 
modernization resources, technology products, and services; (2) 
oversees engineering, technical architecture, and engineering design 
projects for Health IT modernization program initiatives;

[[Page 7145]]

(3) develops and maintains Health IT modernization strategic planning 
documents; (4) develops and maintains the governance framework to 
support modernization activities; (5) provides acquisition, IT capital 
planning and investment control, and contract management support for IT 
initiatives regarding Health IT; (6) directs modernization system and 
software testing; (7) provides oversight and management of the 
modernization test environments; (8) manages and controls IT activities 
of modernization projects throughout the system development life cycle; 
(9) develops, deploys, and implements Health IT management initiatives; 
(10) ensures quality of products, services, and infrastructures of 
technology modernization supporting IHS healthcare delivery and program 
administration standards; (11) supports the alignment of technology and 
business organizational change; (12) provides program and project 
management support for IHS developed and acquired information resources 
and technology products and services; (13) provides division 
administrative support services including human resource acquisition 
management, performance, and talent development; (14) provides 
professional communication development, editing, and records management 
service; (15) assists in the capture of contractor security clearance 
artifacts and management; (16) participates in crosscutting issues and 
processes that involve Health IT; and (17) represents the Division to 
the IHS, Federal, Tribal, State, and other organizations.

Business Management and Capital Planning Branch (GAGE1)

    (1) Advises the DHITMO Director on modernization products and 
services in support of Health IT modernization; (2) develops, 
recommends, and oversees the implementation of policies and procedures 
for modernization products and services in support of Health IT 
modernization; (3) oversees acquisition protocols for modernization 
products and services in support of Health IT modernization; (4) 
provides advice, technical consultation, and training to DHITMO staff 
on project lifecycle cost estimates, acquisition packages, and capital 
planning and investment control artifacts; (5) manages contracts in 
support of Health IT modernization; (6) maintains fiscal commitment 
registers in coordination with Division of Program Management and 
Budget (DPMB) and the Office of Finance and Accounting; and (7) 
conducts fund reconciliations in support of the division operating 
budget.

Program Management Operations Branch (GAGE2)

    (1) Advises the DHITMO Director on Health IT modernization program 
and project management; (2) develops, recommends, and oversees the 
implementation of policies, procedures, and standards in support of 
integrated Health IT modernization program and project management 
practices; (3) defines, integrates, and manages the Health IT 
modernization governance framework across the Health IT enterprise; (4) 
provides program and project management oversight, support, and 
controls of enterprise Health IT modernization projects throughout the 
system development life cycle; and (5) maintains relationships and 
consults with the IHS, Federal, Tribal, State, and other organizations.

Architecture and Engineering Branch (GAGE3)

    (1) Advises the DHITMO Director on Health IT modernization 
architecture and engineering design; (2) develops, recommends, and 
oversees the implementation of policies, procedures, and standards in 
support of Health IT modernization architecture and engineering design; 
(3) manages engineering, technical architecture, and engineering design 
projects for modernization program initiatives; (4) validates 
requirements and configurations of data structures, interfaces for 
operational acceptance and implementation; (5) reviews and evaluates 
evolving IT and HIT product strategy; and (6) maintains relationships 
and consults with IHS, Federal, Tribal, State, and other organizations.

Organizational Change Management Branch (GAGE4)

    (1) Advises the DHITMO Director on Health IT and business 
initiative organizational change management; (2) develops, recommends, 
and oversees the implementation of policies, procedures, and standards 
in support of Health IT and business initiative organizational change 
management throughout I/T/U healthcare programs; (3) establishes and 
matures organization change capabilities and documentation baseline; 
(4) manages the effect of new business processes, new technology, 
shifting economic landscapes, and changes in organizational structure 
and culture within the enterprise; (5) plans and manages operational 
readiness, training, and communication of changes; (6) develops 
measures to demonstrate benefits of change adoption; (7) manages 
partner engagement, readiness/deployment, and risk; (8) evaluates and 
analyzes the I/T/U workforce status, planning, and strategy effort to 
support Health IT modernization which will impact the entire IHS 
organization; (9) assesses the baseline (current state) for key 
functions and capabilities required of the IHS organization impacted by 
modernization; (10) develops and implements a future state of new 
functions and capabilities, aligned to competencies and estimated 
workload of the future; (11) develops and implements a gap analysis to 
define function and skill gaps that need to be resolved as IHS 
progresses through modernization; (12) conducts strategic planning, 
facilitates partner engagement, and manages organizational change 
management operations; (13) engages with I/T/U healthcare programs to 
identify opportunities and challenges to incorporate in communications, 
engagement training, implementation, deployment, and risk/mitigation; 
(14) assesses and documents lessons learned through deployment and 
stakeholder feedback; (15) ensures appropriate consideration of the I/
T/U environment is incorporated and factored into program planning, 
implementation, and deployment; and (16) influences change and 
maintains relationships with IHS, Federal, Tribal, State, and other 
organizations.

Deployment Branch (GAGE5)

    (1) Advises the DHITMO Director on modernization enterprise 
deployment activities; (2) develops, recommends, and oversees the 
implementation of policies, procedures, and standards in support of 
modernization enterprise deployment activities; (3) plans, manages, and 
controls IT deployment projects throughout the system development life 
cycle; (4) analyzes alternative deployment strategies and selects or 
develops deployment strategy; (5) ensures operational environment is 
established and ready to accept the deployed solution (facilities, 
infrastructure, trained staff, help desk, etc.); (6) serves as the 
primary point of contact to end-users on matters related to deployment 
management; (7) directs the solution delivery schedule; (8) deploys, 
installs, and activates software and hardware which has passed all 
stages of verification and tests; (9) establishes solution performance 
targets and assesses performance of deployed or phased roll-outs 
against performance targets; (10) liaises between I/T/U users, system 
administrators, and application development staff to support the 
implementation of technology; and (11) maintains relationships and 
consults

[[Page 7146]]

with IHS, Federal, Tribal, State, and other organizations.

Product Management Branch (GAGE6)

    (1) Advises the DHITMO Director on the strategy, design, 
configuration, and optimization of software products of the IHS EHR; 
(2) evaluates solution functional workflows, feature releases, and 
application configurations; (3) maintains enterprise application 
configuration baselines; (4) validates new application features and 
functionality for impact to established baselines; (5) advises and 
maintains relationships with EHR clinical and business end-users, 
clinical advisory groups, and clinician users of all disciplines on 
product functionality and engages with engineering teams; (6) ensures 
application capabilities are aligned to regulatory requirements and 
standards for Certified Health Information Technology; (7) contributes 
to the development of enterprise policy and guidance; (8) monitors 
application performance and patterns associated with functionality for 
human-centered design and best practices; (9) researches and documents 
EHR clinical and business functionality change requests on behalf of 
change control boards, governance bodies, and project teams; and (10) 
implements program/project initiatives for improving software 
functionality, programmatic internal controls, and program reporting.

Division of Enterprise Governance and Architecture (GAGG)

    (1) Advises the CIO on all aspects of IT governance and enterprise 
architecture; (2) establishes and maintains a robust enterprise 
architecture program that enhances the value of IT and Health IT used 
in support of the IHS mission; (3) develops, implements, and maintains 
policies, procedures, and standards for enterprise governance and 
architectural strategy in the IHS to support IHS healthcare delivery 
and program administration; (4) leads the development of the IHS IT 
Strategic plan and participates in organizational strategic planning to 
ensure IT and Health IT systems support IHS goals, mission, and 
objectives; (5) provides Category Management services to ensure 
compliance with Federal mandates and to enact standardizations of 
hardware, software, and technical support contracts; (6) develops, 
implements, and maintains policies, procedures, and standards for 
optimal development, management, and use of information resource 
management and technology products, data, and services within the IHS; 
(7) performs analysis of business structure and processes and addresses 
Agency goals through the refinement of the IHS enterprise architecture; 
(8) establishes and guides the evolution of the IHS's business, 
systems, and technologies; (9) develops the holistic view of the IHS's 
environment and its dependencies to address a planned and improved, but 
not yet realized condition of processes, operations, or technologies 
through enterprise-wise standards and organizational governance; (10) 
provides program and project management and related support for IHS 
developed and acquired information resources and technology products 
and services; (11) provides contract management support for enterprise-
wide IT contracts and acquisitions; (12) drives implementation of the 
IHS Artificial Intelligence (AI) strategy, stands up the IHS AI 
governance structure, coordinates the IHS response to AI-related 
federal mandates, and fosters collaboration across the IHS; (13) 
participates in crosscutting issues and processes that involve IT and 
Health IT; and (14) represents the IHS to Federal, Tribal, State, and 
other organizations.

Division of Data Management and Analytics (GAGH)

    (1) Advises the CIO on all aspects of enterprise data developed, 
acquired, or stored by the IHS; (2) develops, implements, and maintains 
policies, procedures, and standards for data acquired, managed, 
manipulated, and stored in the enterprise-wide IT and Health IT systems 
of the IHS; (3) develops long-term strategies for optimal development, 
management, and use of data within the IHS; (4) develops and deploys 
Agency-wide data and analytical platforms and tools, as well as a 
future roadmap that supports and anticipates stakeholder needs; (5) 
develops and matures the IHS data ecosystem, including the development 
of enterprise data solutions, services, policies, and processes; (6) 
promotes data as an Agency asset and transforms the Agency into a data-
driven organization; (7) develops and matures the IHS enterprise-wide 
analytical capabilities including the development of artificial 
intelligence and real-time dash-boarding capabilities; (8) develops, 
acquires, maintains and supports the organizational-level data 
acquired, managed, manipulated, secured and stored in the enterprise-
wide IT and Health IT systems of the IHS; (9) develops data policies 
and determines the best way to leverage the data that is collected 
internally and is available externally; (10) aligns data/data 
governance in accordance with the Enterprise Architecture framework; 
(11) liaisons with Data Stewards, Privacy, and other stakeholders to 
define/enforce data privacy and security rules; (12) manages enterprise 
data models, metadata catalogs, glossaries, dictionaries and lineage, 
in alignment with the International Organization for Standardization 
(ISO) best practices; (13) provides program and project management and 
related support for IHS-developed and -acquired information resources 
and technology products and services; (14) provides contract management 
support for IT initiatives; (15) participates in cross-cutting issues 
and processes that involve IT and Health IT; and (16) represents the 
IHS to Federal, Tribal, State, and other organizations.

Division of Customer Experience (DCX) (GAGJ)

    (1) Advises the CIO and Deputy CIO on all aspects of IHS IT and 
Health IT customer experience, OIT public affairs and communications 
needs, IT asset management, knowledge management, and service desk 
activities; (2) oversees development, implementation, and maintenance 
of DCX policies and procedures; (3) directs the development and 
implementation of Agency initiatives that improve customer relations, 
experiences, and communication with OIT, Federal partners, Tribes, and 
Urban Indian organizations; (4) leads performance improvement 
initiatives that follow human-centered design principles to improve 
customer relations, customer experience, and internal user experience; 
(5) oversees planning, coordination, and execution of all OIT internal 
and external communications and public affairs; (6) manages OIT self-
determination activities including development, maintenance, and 
publication of the OIT Service Catalog, OIT Programs, Functions, 
Services, and Activities, and Tribal Leader/Urban Indian Organization 
Leader correspondence; (7) represents OIT at Tribal Delegation 
Meetings, Tribal conferences, and other forums internal and external to 
IHS to present OIT's program, services, functions, and activities 
(PSFAs) and Tribal shares and develops remediation plans for resolution 
of Tribal issues for OIT senior leadership; (8) oversees lifecycle 
management of enterprise information resources and technology products 
including application software, hardware and peripherals; (9) 
coordinates with DHITMO for emerging EHR support needs and revisions to 
workflows; (10) oversees IHS-wide Service Desk operations; (11) 
centralizes the DCX knowledge management system

[[Page 7147]]

across OIT; (12) directs specialized projects to solve IT and Health IT 
procurement problems for customers; (13) manages end user and IT 
employee training and education; (14) provides contract management 
support for IT initiatives; (15) manages the DCX budget, human 
resources, performance management, and strategic planning; (16) 
participates in cross-cutting issues and processes that involve IT and 
Health IT; and (17) represents the IHS to Federal, Tribal, State, and 
other organizations.

Information Technology Customer Experience Branch (GAGJ1)

    (1) Advises the DCX Director on improvements to IT and Health IT 
products, solutions, and services to improve the customer experience; 
(2) develops, recommends, maintains, and implements OIT customer 
experience policies and procedures; (3) collects and analyzes 
quantitative and qualitative data to capture Voice of the Customer and 
creates process flows from the IT and Health IT customer's perspective 
(e.g., journey maps and personas); (4) collects business requirements 
and sustains IT and Health IT service contracts between IHS and Area 
offices; (5) develops and integrates continuous improvement approaches 
and methodologies to enhance the IT and Health IT customer experience; 
(6) identifies opportunities to streamline processes and eliminate 
bottlenecks impacting the IT and Health IT customer experience and 
internal user experience; (7) prioritizes high-value and high-impact IT 
and Health IT customer experience initiatives; (8) defines goals and 
metrics to identify trends and better understand the IT customer 
experience; (9) manages technology and process changes, including cost, 
schedule, quality, risk, stakeholder management, and organization 
change; (10) manages complex customer cases and resolves requests the 
Service Desk cannot address; (11) participates in resolution of cross-
cutting issues and processes that involve IT and Health IT customer 
experiences; and (12) represents the DCX to Federal, Tribal, State, and 
other organizations.

Information Technology Communications Branch (GAGJ2)

    (1) Advises the DCX Director on OIT internal and external 
communications and public affairs activities; (2) develops, recommends, 
maintains, and implements OIT communications policies and procedures; 
(3) directly supports all OIT public affairs and communications needs 
in coordination with IHS Public Affairs and Executive Secretariat; (4) 
directly supports all OIT Tribal Consultation/Urban Confer 
communications and congressional engagement communication needs; (5) 
communicates IT and Health IT initiatives and associated changes, 
including the management of customer engagement and communication 
strategies; (6) ensures broad dissemination of IT and Health IT Service 
changes and information campaigns; (7) manages communications and 
messaging for cross-cutting issues and processes that involve IT and 
Health IT; (8) identifies IHS IT/Health IT training needs; (9) in 
coordination with other OIT organizations, plans and executes end user 
and IT employee training and education for both compliance and uptake 
of new IT capabilities; and (10) represents the DCX to Federal, Tribal, 
State, and other organizations.

Information Technology Asset Management Branch (GAGJ3)

    (1) Advises the DCX Director on IT asset management including 
software, hardware, and peripheral assets; (2) develops, recommends, 
maintains, and implements OIT IT asset management policies and 
procedures; (3) provides efficient, transparent, and timely support to 
leverage, and manage enterprise software and hardware solutions; (4) 
tracks and projects enterprise requirements for software, mobile 
devices, hardware, and peripheral needs according to the lifecycle plan 
of each product; (5) identifies customer requirements for end-user 
hardware, peripherals, and software; (6) manages the acquisition and 
administration of enterprise-wide computer programs and applications, 
including software licenses, operating systems, hardware, peripheral 
equipment, and mobile devices; (7) administers, installs, and maintains 
enterprise-wide desktop application software; (8) administers, 
installs, and maintains enterprise-wide computer hardware, peripheral 
equipment, operating systems, and mobile devices, including enterprise-
level preparation of end-user equipment; (9) maintains and publishes 
the OIT Service Catalog; (10) maintains and serves as the OIT 
repository for IT service level agreements; (11) maintains and serves 
as an OIT repository for Authority to Operate (ATO) certificates for 
solutions and services in the OIT Service Catalog; (12) manages 
accountability for IT property throughout the IHS; and (13) represents 
the DCX to Federal, Tribal, State, and other organizations.

Information Technology Knowledge Management Branch (GAGJ4)

    (1) Advises the DCX Director and Deputy CIO on knowledge management 
activities; (2) develops, recommends, maintains, and implements OIT 
knowledge management policies and procedures; (3) ensures OIT adherence 
to information handling policies and supports user information and file 
organization, sharing, and storage; (4) analyzes and improves the 
efficiency and transparency of OIT enterprise services and knowledge 
management framework and services; (5) collaborates with all OIT 
organizations to promote the use of the organization's knowledge 
assets; (6) develops and maintains end-user backup systems, including 
SharePoint development, data tagging, archiving, and automatic cloud 
backup of end-user data; (7) develops software documentation for end 
users; (8) creates self-service articles for multiple applications; (9) 
manages and coordinates IT professional development training for OIT 
staff; (10) conducts reviews, develops reports, and alerts 
organizational users on training updates; and (11) represents the DCX 
to Federal, Tribal, State, and other organizations.

Service Desk Operations Branch (GAGJ5)

    (1) Advises the DCX Director on Service Desk activities; (2) 
develops, recommends, maintains, and implements OIT service desk 
operations policies and procedures; (3) manages national and 
Headquarters service desk requests and tickets; (4) delivers IHS 
service desk support 24 hours a day, seven days a week; (5) provides a 
single point of contact (SPOC) for end-user computer systems and 
associated hardware and operating systems service requests and their 
resolution; (6) provides a SPOC for end-user EHR, desktop, and office 
automation software service requests and their resolution; (7) builds 
and maintains an IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) used as a knowledge 
base and self-service portal for customers; (8) proactively detects and 
solves complex reoccurring incidents and improves processes through 
development of action plans to address future incidents; (9) provides 
service desk metrics on the team's effectiveness, including a variety 
of key performance indicators such as calls per service desk 
technician, first call resolution, turnaround time, and client 
satisfaction; (10) provides end user telecommunications support; (11) 
furnishes IHS-wide video conferencing solutions and services; (12) 
collaborates

[[Page 7148]]

with other DCX branches to identify and implement business process 
improvement processes; and (13) represents the DCX to Federal, Tribal, 
State, and other organizations.

Office of Management Services (OMS) (GAL)

    (1) Advises the IHS Director on all aspects of the management of 
grants, acquisitions, personal property and fleet management, Indian 
Health Manual (IHM) directives, and the regulations program, inclusive 
of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, and provides Agency-wide 
guidance and support for these programs; (2) formulates, administers, 
and coordinates the review and analysis of IHS-wide policies in the 
IHM, including delegations of authority, and provides guidance on 
development; (3) develops and oversees the implementation of policies, 
procedures and delegations of authority for the IHS, including IHS 
grants management activities, and grants added to self-governance 
compacts; (4) ensures that IHS policies and practices for the 
administrative functions identified above are consistent with 
applicable regulations, directives and guidance from higher echelons in 
the HHS and other Federal oversight agencies; (5) advises the IHS 
Director on regulatory issues related to the IHS; (6) provides overall 
coordination and leadership for policies, services, including the 
continuity of operations plans, deployment, and public health 
infrastructure for the IHS Headquarters (HQ) emergency preparedness 
plans consistent with those of the Department of Homeland Security and 
the HHS, addressing the IHS mission critical elements of emergency 
plans; (7) provides leadership and direction of activities for 
continuous improvement of management accountability and administrative 
systems for effective and efficient program support services IHS-wide; 
(8) ensures the accountability and integrity of grants and acquisition 
management, personal property utilization and disposition of IHS 
resources; (9) oversees and administers the Agency FOIA activities; 
(10) participates in cross-cutting issues and processes, including but 
not limited to, quality assurance, internal controls, recruitment, 
budget formulation, and resolution of audit findings as may be needed 
and appropriate; (11) coordinates with HQ Offices on the development of 
emergency preparedness plans, policies, and services, including the 
continuity of operations plans, deployment, and public health 
infrastructure, as appropriate; (12) provides support with approvals 
and adherence to policies for HQ regarding Agency conference and 
meeting approvals; (13) assures that the IHS OMS services, policies, 
procedures, and practices support IHS Indian Self-Determination Act 
policies; and (14) oversees and coordinates the annual development and 
submission of the Agency's Federal Activities Inventory Reform Act 
report to the HHS.

Division of Asset Management (DAM) (GALA)

    (1) Plans, develops, and administers the IHS personal property and 
supply management program in conformance with Federal personal property 
management laws, regulations, policies, procedures, practices, and 
standards; (2) interprets regulations and provides advice on execution 
and coordination of personal property and supply management policies 
and programs; (3) administers management systems and methods for 
planning, utilizing, and reporting on personal property and supply 
programs, including the precious metals recovery program and IHS 
personal property and supply accountability and control systems; (4) 
provides guidance and serves as principal administrative authority for 
IHS on Federal personal property and supply management laws, 
regulations, policies, procedures, practices, and standards; (5) 
conducts surveys and studies involving evaluation and analysis of the 
personal property and supply management activities IHS-wide; (6) 
maintains liaison with the HHS and the General Services Administration 
(GSA) on personal property and supply management issues and programs 
affecting the IHS; (7) plans, develops and administers the IHS Fleet 
Management Program; (8) prepares reports on IHS personal property and 
supply management activities; and (9) administers the local HQ personal 
property management program to include receiving, tagging, storage and 
disposal in addition to conducting the annual inventory for all HQ 
locations.

Division of Administrative and Emergency Services (DAES) GALB

    (1) Administers physical security, facility management, space 
management services, parking management, the IHS mail and commercial 
printing programs, and Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 
(HSPD-12) badge issuance for HQ; (2) serves as point of contact with 
the HHS, Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR)/
Secretary's Operation Center, and the GSA on logistics and issues 
affecting the IHS; (3) plans, develops and administers the Mail and 
Commercial Printing Programs; (4) provides leadership, development, and 
execution of special HQ office support projects for office relocations, 
and inter-and intra-Agency activities; (5) coordinates with OIT to 
provide telecommunication services to HQ; (6) administers Physical 
Security, Facility Management, Space Management Services, 
Telecommunication Services, and Parking Management within HQ; (7) 
provides overall coordination and leadership for the IHS HQ emergency 
preparedness plans consistent with those of the Department of Homeland 
Security and HHS, addressing the IHS mission critical elements of 
emergency plans; (8) provides leadership for the development of 
emergency preparedness plans, policies, and services, including the 
continuity of operations plans, deployment, and public health 
infrastructure; (9) coordinates IHS HQ with the IHS Area Offices 
activities and available resources of other government and non-
government programs for essential services related to homeland security 
and emergency preparedness; (10) coordinates periodic national 
emergency preparedness exercises with the HHS and Area Offices; (11) 
maintains and administers the HQ emergency preparedness equipment 
including the office-site and alternative locations; (12) advocates for 
the emergency preparedness needs and concerns of American Indian and 
Alaska Native (AI/AN) and promotes these program activities at the 
local, state, national, and international levels; and (13) serves as an 
information gathering and dissemination point for local and national 
emergency preparedness information including situational awareness.

Division of Acquisition Policy (DAP) (GALC)

    (1) Manages all aspects of the Agency's acquisition program in 
accordance with Federal acquisition regulations, policies, and 
initiatives; (2) manages all aspects of the Agency's acquisition 
program consistent with Federal acquisition regulations, policies, 
initiatives, and guidance from higher echelons in HHS and Federal 
oversight agencies; (3) advises the OMS Director, Deputy Director for 
Management Operations, and other senior staff of proposed legislation, 
regulations, and directives that affect contracting in the IHS; (4) 
provides leadership for compliance reviews of all IHS acquisition 
operations and oversees completion of necessary corrective actions; (5) 
collaborates on Agency conference management specific to

[[Page 7149]]

acquisitions or contracts; (6) manages the Agency's acquisition 
workforce training and certification programs; (7) manages the IHS 
Contract Information System and controls entry of data into HHS 
Contract Information System; (8) serves as the IHS contact point for 
contract protests and HHS contact for contract-related issues; (9) 
oversees and implements the agency's contract planning, solicitation, 
review, negotiation, award, post-award administration, and contract 
closeout activities; (10) processes unsolicited proposals for the IHS; 
(11) coordinates the IHS Small Business programs; (12) oversees 
compliance with the Buy Indian Act; (13) manages the Agency's 
Government Purchase Card (GPC) program; and (14) manages and oversees 
compliance and oversight of all acquisition operations activities 
within the Agency.

Division of Grants Management (DGM) (GALD)

    (1) Directs grants management and operations for the IHS; (2) 
authorizes, awards and administers discretionary grants and cooperative 
agreements for IHS financial assistance programs; (3) provides guidance 
for the resolution of audit findings for grant programs; (4) manages 
the IHS grants training and certification program; (5) continuously 
assesses grants operations; (6) oversees implementation of corrective 
action plans for recipients receiving IHS discretionary grant support; 
(7) reviews and makes recommendations for improvements in current 
grantee and potential grantee management systems; (8) serves as the IHS 
liaison to HHS Office of Grants and the public for discretionary grants 
and cooperative agreements authorized by the IHS; (9) maintains the 
SAM.gov Assistance Listings (formerly the Catalog of Federal Domestic 
Assistance) for IHS financial assistance programs; (10) provides 
guidance technical assistance, grants-related training and assistance 
for IHS staff, grantees, and applicants; (11) liaison to the HHS 
Quality Service Management Office (QSMO) for Grants; (12) controls data 
entry into the grant award system; (13) maintains the official, 
electronic grant files for funded grants and controls data entry into 
the grant award system; (14) maintains the official, electronic grant 
files for funded grants; (15) coordinates payment to scholarship 
recipients in coordination with the Division of Health Professions 
Support Office of Human Resources; (16) manages the clearance and 
approval process for all IHS grant funding notices in Grants.gov; and 
(17) reviews and coordinates inter- and intra-agency agreements as well 
as Memoranda of Understanding in collaboration with HQ Offices.

Division of Regulatory and Policy Coordination (DRPC) (GALE)

    (1) Manages the IHS's overall regulations program and 
responsibilities, including determining the need for and developing 
plans for changes in regulations, developing or assuring the 
development of needed regulations, and maintaining the various 
regulatory planning processes; (2) serves as IHS liaison with the 
Office of the Federal Register (FR) on matters relating to the 
submission and clearance of documents for publication in the FR; (3) 
assures proper Agency clearance and processing of FR documents; (4) 
informs management and program officials of regulatory activities of 
other Federal agencies; (5) advises the OMS Director on such matters as 
regulations, related policy issues, and administrative support issues; 
(6) manages the retrieval and transmittal of information in response to 
requests received under the FOIA, in collaboration with the Public 
Affairs Staff; (7) coordinates with Office of General Counsel (OGC) to 
determine disclosure or deny release of IHS records under FOIA; (8) 
coordinates requests for information with the Area FOIA coordinators; 
(9) identifies and informs the IHS Privacy Officer of FOIA related 
difficulties across the IHS; (10) ensures the security of sensitive 
and/or confidential information when responding to FOIA issues; (11) 
researches and applies legal determinations to respond requests and 
releasable material; (12) maintains and updates various regulatory 
agendas; (13) formulates, administers, and supports IHS-wide policies, 
delegations of authority, and organizations and functions development; 
(14) provides leadership, on behalf of the IHS Director, to functional 
area managers at IHS HQ in developing, modifying, and overseeing the 
implementation of IHS policies and procedures; (15) provides analysis, 
advisory, and assistance services to IHS managers and staff for the 
development, clearance, and filing of IHS directives and delegations of 
authority; (16) serves as principal advisor and source for technical 
assistance for establishment or modification of organizational 
infrastructures, functions, and Standard Administrative Code 
configurations; (17) advises the IHS Director and serves as liaison 
with OGC on such matters as litigation, regulation, related policy 
issues, and administrative support issues; and (18) ensures the 
security of sensitive and/or confidential information when responding 
to FOIA and other regulatory issues.

Section GA-40, Indian Health Service--Delegations of Authority

    All delegations of authority and re-delegations of authority made 
to IHS officials that were in effect immediately prior to this 
reorganization, and that are consistent with this reorganization, shall 
continue in effect pending further re-delegation.

Xavier Becerra,
Secretary of Health and Human Services.
[FR Doc. 2025-00535 Filed 1-17-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4166-14-P
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