[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 187 (Wednesday, September 28, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 56730]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-19371]



[[Page 56730]]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

National Institutes of Health


Statement of Organization, Functions, and Delegations of 
Authority

    Part N, National Institutes of Health, of the Statement of 
Organization, Functions, and Delegations of Authority for the 
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) (40 FR 22859, May 27, 
1975, as amended most recently at 69 FR 64081, November 3, 2004, and 
redesignated from Part HN as Part N at 60 FR 56606, November 9, 1995), 
is amended as set forth below to reflect the reorganization of the 
Office of the Director, NIH, by (1) establishing the Office of 
Portfolio Analysis and Strategic Initiatives (OPASI); (2) establishing 
three branches within OPASI: the Division of Resource Development and 
Analysis, the Division of Strategic Coordination, and the Division of 
Evaluation and Systematic Assessments; (3) transferring the NIH Roadmap 
Initiative function from the immediate Office of the Director into 
OPASI; (4) transferring the Office of Evaluation from the Office of 
Science Policy (OSP) into OPASI; and (5) transferring certain functions 
of the Office of Science Policy and Planning (OSPP), OSP, into OPASI 
and revising the functional statement of the OSPP. OPASI will identify 
and integrate information to support the planning and implementation of 
trans-NIH initiatives.
    Section N-B, Organization and Functions, under the heading Office 
of the Director (NA, formerly HNA), is amended as follows:
    (1) Under the heading Office of the Director (NA, formerly HNA), 
insert the following:
    Office of Portfolio Analysis and Strategic Initiatives (NAU, 
formerly HNAU). Supports regular trans-NIH scientific planning and 
initiatives and the successful and adaptive priority-setting process 
for identifying areas of scientific and health improvement 
opportunities.
    Division of Resource Development and Analysis (NAU2, formerly 
HNAU2). (1) Uses resources (databases, analytic tools, and 
methodologies) and develops specifications for new resources, when 
needed, to conduct assessments based on NIH and other databases in 
support of portfolio analyses and priority setting in scientific areas 
of interest across NIH; (2) serves as a resource for portfolio 
management at the programmatic level; and (3) ensures that NIH 
addresses important areas of emerging scientific opportunities and 
public health challenges effectively.
    Division of Strategic Coordination (NAU3, formerly HNAU3). (1) 
Integrates information and develops recommendations to inform the 
agency's priority-setting and decisionmaking processes with respect to 
strategic initiatives; (2) addresses exceptional scientific 
opportunities and emerging public health needs; (3) equips the NIH 
Director with the information needed to allocate resources effectively 
for trans-NIH efforts; and (4) identifies trans-NIH initiatives for 
consideration and evaluation by both outside advisors and NIH 
leadership.
    Division of Evaluation and Systematic Assessments (NAU4, formerly 
HNAU4). Plans, conducts, coordinates, and supports program evaluations, 
including, but not limited to, Institute and Center (IC)-specific 
program and project evaluations; trans-NIH evaluations, including NIH 
Roadmap initiatives; and systematic assessments required by the 
Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) and the OMB Program 
Assessment Rating Tool (PART).
    (2) Under the heading Office of the Director (NA, formerly HNA), 
Office of Science Policy (NA6, formerly HNA6) delete the Office of 
Evaluation (NA6B, formerly HNA6B) in its entirety.
    (3) Under the heading Office of the Director (NA, formerly HNA), 
Office of Science Policy (NA6, formerly HNA6), replace the Office of 
Science Policy and Planning (NA66, formerly HNA66) with the following:
    Office of Science Policy and Planning (NA66, formerly HNA66). (1) 
Serves as the principal resource for science policy, analysis, and 
development at NIH on issues of significance to the agency and the 
medical research community; (2) addresses crosscutting science policy 
issues and drafts the agency approach and position; (3) provides 
leadership in developing major analyses of broad planning issues 
affecting the programs and policies of the major program components of 
NIH; (4) participates in the development of new policy and program 
initiatives in emerging research areas; (5) plans and organizes major 
conferences involving the interface between science and public policy; 
(6) prepares special studies and reports required by the OD/NIH; (7) 
serves as principal staff resource in the OD/NIH for identifying and 
reporting on agency research opportunities and accomplishments; (8) 
conducts directly and through contractors, economic analyses of key 
programs and policy issues anticipated to be relevant to emerging 
planning needs of NIH; and (9) provides ad hoc and continuing staff 
assistance on a wide range of substantive topics to the OD/NIH.
    Delegations of Authority: All delegations and redelegations of 
authority to officers and employees of NIH that were in effect 
immediately prior to the effective date of this amendment and are 
consistent with this amendment shall continue in effect, pending 
further redelegation.

    Dated: September 22, 2005.
Elias A. Zerhouni,
Director, National Institutes of Health.
[FR Doc. 05-19371 Filed 9-27-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-P