United States Department of Agriculture 

Food Safety and Inspection Service

FY 2017 ANNUAL PLAN

Contents

Administrator’s Letter

Acronyms

Introduction

Public Health Indicators

Goal 1 Prevent Foodborne Illness and Protect Public Health

Outcome 1.1 Prevent Contamination

Result 1 Drive Compliance With Food Safety Statutes and Regulations

Result 2 Strengthen Sampling Programs

Result 3 Ensure Establishments Are Meeting Pathogen Reduction Performance Standards 

Result 4 Promote Food Defense Practices 

Outcome 1.2 Limit Illness From Regulated Products

Result 5 Improve Food Safety at In-Commerce Facilities

Result 6 Enhance Response to Foodborne Illness Outbreaks and Adulteration Events

Result 7 Increase Public Awareness of Recalls, Foodborne Illness, and Safe Food 

 Handling Practices

Goal 2 Modernize Inspection Systems, Policies, and the Use of Scientific 

 Approaches

Outcome 2.1 Improve Food Safety and Humane Handling Practices Through Adoption of 

 Innovative Approaches 

Result 8 Modernize Scientific Techniques and Inspection Procedures

Result 9 Increase Adoption of Humane Handling Best Practices

Outcome 2.2 Enhance Access to Complete and Accurate Information To Inform Decisions

Result 10 Improve the Reliability, Access, and Timely Collection and Distribution of 

 Information and Data

Goal 3 Achieve Operational Excellence

Outcome 3.1 Maintain a Well-Trained and Engaged Workforce

Result 11 Improve Recruitment and Retention for Mission Critical Positions

Result 12 Enhance Training and Development Opportunities Across Competency Areas

Result 13 Ensure Equal Opportunity, and a Diverse and Inclusive Environment

Outcome 3.2 Improve Processes and Services 

Result 14 Enhance Efficiency and Effectiveness of Key Business Processes and Systems

Result 15 Improve Service Delivery

Cross-Cutting

Result 16 Modernize Decisionmaking

Result 17 Enhance Collaboration With Our Partners

Message from the Administrator

I am pleased to release the FY 2017 Annual Plan 

of the United States Department of Agriculture’s 

(USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service 

(FSIS). Aligned with our newly released 2017-

2021 Strategic Plan, this Annual Plan outlines the 

ways FSIS will achieve its strategic goals over the 

next fiscal year. Both Plans focus on FSIS’ public 

health mission and on our continuing ability to 

adapt to evolving and emerging food safety risks. 

In this Annual Plan, we are holding ourselves 

accountable to both new and continuing results, 

actions, and measures designed to ensure we 

accomplish our goals. As an operational guide, 

the Annual Plan tracks our performance in 

protecting public health by outlining specific 

actions and measures that we aim to achieve in 

FY 2017. The Annual Plan also reflects the values 

that make us accountable, collaborative, 

empowered, and solutions-oriented in 

accomplishing our food safety mission every day. 

Over the past year, we have made changes across the agency to accomplish the goals and 

targets that were outlined in the FSIS FY 2016 Annual Plan as well as the 2011-2016 Strategic 

Plan, including enhancing outreach, updating regulations and procedures, improving systems 

and tools, and increasing employee engagement. In the coming year, we will increase our 

emphasis on modernization through the adoption of scientific techniques, such as whole 

genome sequencing, and on advancements in data collection and associated analytics. This 

focus on modernization increasingly helps inform how we plan, implement, monitor, and 

evaluate the effectiveness of our program activities and operational strategies.

This Annual Plan plays a critical role in ensuring that we stay focused in realizing our strategic 

goals for improving public health while adopting operational efficiencies and workforce practices 

that enable us to do our work better every day. Combined with our new Strategic Plan, it 

demonstrates FSIS’ commitment to managing for results.

Alfred V. Almanza

Administrator, Food Safety and Inspection Service

Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety 
FSIS Acronyms and Abbreviations

ACE Automated Commercial Environment 

ADR Alternative Dispute Resolution

APG Agency Priority Goal 

AMR Anti-Microbial Resistance

BPW Buffered Peptone Water

CCMS Consumer Complaint Monitoring System

COR Contracting Officer Representative

CY Calendar Year

DVMS District Veterinary Medical Specialist

E. coli Escherichia coli

eCCF Electronic Consumer Complaint Form

EEO Equal Employment Opportunity

EEOAC Equal Employment Opportunity Advisory 

 Committee

FDOSS Foodborne Disease Outbreak Surveillance 

 System 

FEAR Federal Employee Antidiscrimination and 

 Retaliation 

FERN Food Emergency Response Network

FEVS Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey

FIMS FSIS Incident Management System

FOIA Freedom of Information Act

FRIO Financial Reporting Improvements and 

 Optimization

FSA Food Safety Assessment

FSMA Food Safety and Modernization Act

FY Fiscal Year

GIS Geographic Information Systems

HACCP Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point

IDP Individual Development Plan

InFORM Integrated Foodborne Outbreak Response and 

 Management

IPP Inspection Program Personnel

IRD Investigations Record Database

ISP Intensified Surveillance Program

IT Information Technology

ITDS International Trade Data System

LEP Limited English Proficiency 

LIMS Laboratory Information Management System

Lm Listeria monocytogenes 

LMA Labor/Management Agreement

MCI Mission Critical Investment

MOU Memorandum of Understanding

MPI Meat and Poultry Inspection

MRL Maximum Residue Limit

MMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports

NARMS National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring 

 System 

NBUE Non-Bargaining Union Employee

NPIS New Poultry Inspection System

PDI Pre-Decisional Involvement

PHIS Public Health Information System

PHRE Public Health Risk Evaluation

PHV Public Health Veterinarian

POE Point of Entry

PR/HAACP Pathogen Reduction/Hazard Analysis and 

Critical Control Point

QNI Quarterly New Issuance

RRT Rapid Response Teams

RTE Ready-to-Eat

SEP Special Emphasis Program

SRT Self-Reporting Tool

STEP System Tracking E. coli O157:H7 Positive Suppliers 

TOI Type of Inspection

TRVL Travel System

ULP Unfair Labor Practice

WGS Whole Genome Sequencing

Referenced Organizations

AFDO Association of Food and Drug Officials

APHIS Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

ATSDR Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease 

Registry (Department of Health and Human 

 Services, HHS)

CBP Department of Homeland Security (DHS), US 

Customs and Border Protection

Codex Codex Alimentarius

CCFH Codex Committee on Food Hygiene

CCRVDF Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary 

Drugs in Foods

CDC HHS/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

CTAC DHS/CBP Commercial Targeting and Analysis 

 Center

FDA HHS/Food and Drug Administration 

FEMA DHS/Federal Emergency Management Agency 

FNS Food and Nutrition Service 

FSIS Food Safety and Inspection Service

GSA General Services Administration

IFORC Interagency Foodborne Outbreak Response 

 Collaboration

IFSAC Interagency Food Safety Analytics Collaboration 

IWGSC Interagency Working Group on Scientific 

 Collections 

NACMCF National Advisory Committee on Microbiological 

Criteria for Foods 

NACMPI National Advisory Committee on Meat and 

 Poultry Inspection

NIFA National Institute of Food and Agriculture

NIH National Institutes of Health 

NTC DHS/CBP National Targeting Center

NJC National Joint Council

OIG Office of Inspector General

OPM Office of Personnel Management

OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Referenced FSIS Offices and Program Areas

CODEX United States Codex Alimentarius 

Office

CRS Civil Rights Staff 

OCFO Office of the Chief Financial Officer

OCIO Office of the Chief Information Officer

ODIFP Office of Data Integration and Food 

 Protection

OFO Office of Field Operations

OIC Office of International Coordination 

OIEA Office of Investigation, Enforcement, 

 and Audit

OM Office of Management 

OOEET Office of Outreach, Employee 

 Education, and Training

OPACE Office of Public Affairs and Consumer 

 Education

OPHS Office of Public Health Science

OPPD Office of Policy and Program 

 Development

CRS

OCFO

ODIFP

OFO

OIC

OIEA

OM

OOEET

OPACE

OPHS

OPPD

CODEX

OCIO
Introduction 

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is the public health agency in the U.S. 

Department of Agriculture (USDA) whose mission is to protect the public’s health by ensuring 

the safety of the Nation’s commercial supply of meat, poultry, and processed egg products.1 

FSIS ensures food safety through the authorities of the Federal Meat Inspection Act,2 the 

Poultry Products Inspection Act,3 and the Egg Products Inspection Act,4 as well as humane 

animal handling through the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act.5 FSIS employs 

approximately 9,600 employees working collectively to conduct a broad range of food safety 

activities to achieve FSIS’ overall vision—that everyone’s food is safe. FSIS employees are 

highly trained, motivated, and skilled professionals working as “one team with one purpose.” 

FY 2017 marks the launch of the agency’s new FSIS 2017-2021 Strategic Plan. The following 

2017 FSIS Annual Plan (AP) represents Actions and Results that directly flow to the Strategic 

Plan’s three goals and six outcomes, which are: 

Goal 1: Prevent Foodborne Illness and Protect Public Health

Outcome 1.1: Prevent Contamination

Outcome 1.2: Limit Illness From Regulated Products

Goal 2: Modernize Inspection Systems, Policies, and the Use of Scientific 

Approaches

Outcome 2.1: Improve Food Safety and Humane Handling Practices Through Adoption 

 of Innovative Approaches

Outcome 2.2: Enhance Access to Complete and Accurate Information To Inform 

 Decisions

Goal 3: Achieve Operational Excellence

Outcome 3.1: Maintain a Well-Trained and Engaged Workforce

Outcome 3.2: Improve Processes and Services

Specifically, 15 of the AP “Results” under these Goals and Outcomes are the same as the 15 

Objectives in the Strategic Plan. An additional two cross-cutting Results represent key focus 

areas that are also highlighted in the Strategic Plan. Under each Result in the AP are 2 to 12 

“Key Actions” to advance FSIS’ achievement toward its overall Strategic Plan Goals and 

Objectives. The FY 2017 AP allows for straightforward performance tracking through linkages of 

AP Actions and Measures to the Strategic Plan’s measures. Specifically, AP measures generally 

represent key milestones, output measures, sub-measures, or annual targets for Strategic Plan 

measures. The AP also highlights key data related to Public Health Indicators, which assess the 

agency’s progress in reducing contamination of, and illnesses associated with, FSIS-regulated 

products. 

 1As of December 2015, fish of the order Siluriformes are included in this definition. See 80 FR 75589, December 2, 2015. 2Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA, P.L. 90-492).

 3Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA, P.L. 90-492).

 4Egg Products Inspection Act (EPIA, P.L. 91-597).

 5Humane Methods of Slaughter Act (HMSA, P.L. 85-765).

1
Public Health Indicators 

As a public health agency, one of FSIS’ primary goals is to reduce foodborne illness in the U.S. 

population by decreasing exposure to pathogens. As discussed in the agency’s 2017-2021 

Strategic Plan, on an annual basis, FSIS will assess its progress in reducing contamination of, 

and illnesses associated with, FSIS-regulated products using the following indicators: 

(1) results from some of its microbiological sampling programs; (2) illness estimates for 

Salmonella, Campylobacter, Listeria monocytogenes (Lm), Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7, 

and non-O157 STEC; and (3) the most current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

(CDC) Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet) case rate data for the 

pathogens referenced. 

FSIS Contamination Rate Indicators 

The contamination rate indicators measure the rate of microbial contamination in some 

FSIS-regulated products. It is calculated using the results from FSIS sampling programs. The 

percentage of positive samples for individual establishments are weighted by the 

establishment’s production volume to estimate either the volume-weighted percent positive or, 

when the sampling is designed to be nationally representative,6 the prevalence of a specific 

pathogen in a specific product. 

FSIS’ current domestic sampling programs provide data that are sufficiently representative to 

evaluate prevalence in the following product/pathogen combinations: E. coli O157:H7 in raw 

ground beef; E. coli and non-O157 STEC for specific beef components; Salmonella in specific 

raw chicken, turkey, and ground beef products; and Campylobacter in certain subsets of raw 

chicken and turkey products. The Lm and Salmonella in ready-to-eat (RTE) products sampling 

program also allows tracking of volume-weighted percent positive. Table 1 shows the data from 

FSIS sampling programs for FY 2015 for the aforementioned product–pathogen pairs. Although 

there are limitations when interpreting the data—for example, the different sampling procedures 

do not permit comparisons across different product–pathogen pairs and different consumption 

patterns affect the public health risks from the different products—FSIS can evaluate changes 

in the contamination rate over time as one early indicator of whether possible improvements in 

public health were made. Going forward, FSIS will update Table 1 to track annual progress in 

reducing the contamination for individual product–pathogen pairs. 

6

Considerations when using FSIS data to estimate prevalence can be found in Use of FSIS Regulatory Verification Sampling 

to Generate Prevalence Estimates. 

2
Public Health Indicators

Product–Pathogen Pair 2015

Raw Ground Beef–E. coli O157:H7 0.05%

Raw Ground Beef–Salmonella 2.85%

Beef Manufacturing Trimmings–E. coli O157:H7 0.13%

Beef Manufacturing Trimmings–non-O157 STEC 0.47%

Beef Manufacturing Trimmings–Salmonella 1.66%

Chicken Carcasses–Salmonella 1.01%

Turkey Carcasses–Salmonella 0.40%

Chicken Parts–Salmonellab 23.65% 

Comminuted Chicken–Salmonella 32.49%

Comminuted Turkey–Salmonella 17.18%

Chicken Carcasses–Campylobacter 1.12%

Turkey Carcasses–Campylobacter 0.59%

Chicken Parts–Campylobacterb 13.24% 

Comminuted Chicken–Campylobacter 4.55%

Comminuted Turkey–Campylobacter 0% 

RTE (random selection)–Salmonellab <0.01%

RTE (random selection)–Lmb 0.03% 

RTE (risk-based selection)–Salmonellab <0.01%

RTE (risk-based selection)–Lmb 0.12%

a

All values are prevalence estimates except where noted.

b

Value presented is volume-weighted percent positive.

Table 1: Estimated National Prevalencea or Volume-Weighted Percent Positive for 

Product–Pathogen Pairs for Fiscal Year 2015 from FSIS Sampling Programs

FSIS Illness Indicators

FSIS tracks its progress in reducing Salmonella, Campylobacter, Lm, E. coli O157:H7, and 

non-O157 STEC illnesses from FSIS-regulated products using individual estimates of foodborne illness attributed to FSIS-regulated products. The Illness Indicators are calculated using 

a variety of data sources and parameters. FSIS must use multiple data sources, as no one 

surveillance system captures all the necessary information to estimate the percent of illnesses 

attributable to FSIS-regulated food products. 

3
Public Health Indicators

Illness Estimation

FSIS calculates, for each pathogen, how many illness cases can be attributed to FSIS-regulated 

products using pathogen-specific CDC FoodNet case rates and harmonized attribution fractions 

for each pathogen estimated using the Interagency Food Safety Analytics Collaboration (IFSAC) 

attribution methodology and CDC Foodborne Disease Outbreak Surveillance System (FDOSS) 

data,7 with the exception of non-O157 STEC.8 Once the total number of foodborne illness cases 

associated with FSIS-regulated products is estimated, it is multiplied by a population estimate 

from the U.S. Census Bureau and a pathogen-specific FSIS scaling factor9 to arrive at a 

nationally representative estimate of foodborne illnesses associated with FSIS-regulated 

products. Table 2 shows the annual illnesses estimated, using this method for the baseline year, 

calendar year (CY) 2012. CY 2012 was selected as the baseline year because 2012 data were 

used in the IFSAC attribution estimates. Data from CY 2012 were also used for the FoodNet 

case rate and the U.S. Census Population estimate.10 FSIS will update the illness estimates 

annually to track progress on reducing illnesses. 

Table 2: Estimates for Foodborne Illnesses Attributed to FSIS-Regulated Products, by 

Pathogen, for Calendar Year 2012

Pathogens Illness Estimates

Salmonella 429,842

Campylobacter 130,654

Listeria monocytogenes 127

E. coli O157:H7 27,716

Non-O157 78,496

7

IFSAC is a tri-agency collaboration (CDC, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and FSIS) formed in 2011 to improve 

coordination of federal food safety analytic efforts and address cross-cutting priorities for food safety data collection, analysis, and use. For more details see Interagency Food Safety Analytics Collaboration. For a full explanation of the IFSAC 

attribution methodology, please see Foodborne Illness Source Attribution Estimates for Salmonella, Escherichia coli O157 

(E. coli O157), Listeria monocytogenes (Lm), and Campylobacter using Outbreak Surveillance Data. February 2015. 8

FSIS uses the following attribution estimate because IFSAC did not estimate an attribution fraction for non-O157 STEC: 

Painter JA, Hoekstra RM, Ayers T, Tauxe RV, Braden CR, Angulo FJ, et al. Attribution of foodborne illnesses, 

hospitalizations, and deaths to food commodities by using outbreak data, United States, 1998–2008. Emerging Infectious 

Diseases [Internet]. 2013 Mar. 

9

A scaling factor is a pathogen-specific value used to adjust for under-diagnosis of illnesses because of variations in medical 

care seeking behavior, specimen submission, laboratory testing, and test sensitivity. The scaling factors are not updated 

routinely, so the factors developed in 2011 by Scallan et al are utilized for this estimation effort. For more information, please 

see Scallan E, Hoekstra RM, Angulo FJ, Tauxe RV, Widdowson M-A, Roy SL, et al. Foodborne illness acquired in the United 

States—major pathogens. Emerg Infect Dis [serial on the Internet]. 2011 Jan. 10Note that, as a result of these improvements, the FSIS Illness Indicator estimates cannot be directly compared to the 

previous FSIS All Illness Measure estimates. 

4
Public Health Indicators

CDC FoodNet Case Rate Data 

To further improve transparency and provide a more complete picture of the trends related to 

U.S. foodborne illnesses, FSIS committed to reviewing and presenting the most current CDC 

FoodNet case rate data in addition to the FSIS Illness Indicator. Because the case rates are 

more readily available, the data needed to estimate illnesses from outbreaks should provide a 

more current view of overall illness trends.11 Table 3 shows the annual case rates for 

Salmonella, Campylobacter, Listeria Monocytogenes, E. coli O157:H7 and non-O157 STEC 

from CY 2010-2015.

Table 3: CDC FoodNet Case Rates (cases/100,000 persons), CY 2010-201512

Pathogen 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Salmonella 17.60 16.45 16.42 15.19 15.45 15.89

Campylobacter 13.60 14.28 14.30 13.82 13.45 12.97

Listeria monocytogenes 0.30 0.31 0.25 0.26 0.24 0.24

E. coli O157:H7 0.90 0.97 1.12 1.15 0.92 0.95

Non-O157 1.00 1.10 1.16 1.17 1.43 1.64

As a food safety public health agency, FSIS is committed to evaluating its progress in 

decreasing the number of foodborne illnesses associated with regulated product. By monitoring 

and updating the indicators presented here, FSIS and other interested parties will be better able 

to identify near-term and longer term public health progress, and better focus efforts to improve 

public health.

11The CDC FoodNet case rate represents all cases captured in the FoodNet system, not just those specific to FSIS. 12Case rate data obtained from annual CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports (MMWR). The rate of infection per 

100,000 persons is calculated using number of cases reported from FoodNet sites for the 12 months ending in the year 

of report and U.S. Census estimates of population under FoodNet surveillance. FoodNet uses updated census population 

estimates for the most recent calendar year available when surveillance data for a full year is reported. Due to the timing 

of the release of Census data, these population estimates are for 1 year earlier than the year of the surveillance data.

5
OUTCOME 1.1: PREVENT CONTAMINATION 

 

 RESULT 1 Drive Compliance With Food Safety Regulations 

 and Statutes 

Key Actions

1. Public Health Risk Evaluations (PHREs):

Reduce non-compliance related to public 

health risk determinants that result in 

recommendations of “for cause” Food Safety 

Assessments (FSAs). This will be 

accomplished by (1) developing operational 

measures reflecting public health regulations 

as “triggers,” to ensure that PHREs, FSAs, 

and sampling for Salmonella and 

Campylobacter are being conducted at the 

appropriate establishments, and 

(2) scheduling and conducting PHREs and/

or FSAs in domestic establishments based 

on these public health regulations triggers 

throughout the year. 

2. Recalls: Implement Public Health 

Information System (PHIS) functionalities for 

tracking E. coli O157:H7 Positive Suppliers 

(STEPs), Recall Management, and Industry 

Notification of Adulteration applications.

3. Grinding Logs: Conduct outreach with 

retail industry organizations, slaughter and 

processing industry trade associations, and 

academia on recordkeeping requirements 

related to grinding logs to increase industry 

outreach and foster compliance with new 

requirements.

Strategic Plan Measure and 2017 Target 

1.24 percent of establishments are scheduled 

for a Public Health Risk Evaluation (PHRE) due 

to public health determinants by September 30, 

2017. 

Annual Plan Measures

Develop operational measures reflecting public 

health regulations as “triggers” by 

December 31, 2016. 

 

 

Implement STEPS, PHIS Recall Management, 

and Industry Notification of Adulteration 

functionalities by September 30, 2017. 

 

Conduct outreach at 15 conferences, trade 

association meetings, and other events by 

September 30, 2017. 

 

Develop baseline for industry compliance with 

grinding log final rule by September 30, 2017.

GOAL 1: Prevent Foodborne Illness and Protect Public Health 

OFO ODIFP

OFO ODIFP OCIO

OOEET

OOEET OPPD OIEA ODIFP OPHS

6
Complete audits of 9 State MPI laboratory 

programs by September 30, 2017. 

 

Complete onsite audits for 90 percent of the 

eligible State MPI Programs by September 30, 

2017.

Complete annual Self-Assessments and QNI 

verification for 90 percent of State MPI 

Programs. 

100 percent of FSIS District Offices conduct at 

least one meeting with their respective Federal 

and State partners, including their respective 

FDA District Office(s), by September 30, 2017.

Complete and implement a new protocol to 

enhance FDA/FSIS headquarters 

communication and coordination on 

enforcement in dual jurisdiction establishments 

by June 30, 2017.

 

Exhibit and conduct outreach at 10 high-impact 

industry conferences, conventions, and 

meetings by September 30, 2017.

Conduct 12 webinars to Hazard Analysis and 

Critical Control Point (HACCP) contacts and 

university extension coordinators that cover 

guidance for plant owners and operators by 

September 30, 2017.

Continue to provide technical assistance 

through publishing 10 print and online versions 

of “Small Plant News” by September 30, 2017. 

 

Ensure 85 percent of enforcement actions 

address food safety violations. 

4. State Meat and Poultry Inspection (MPI) 

Programs: Ensure that States with an “at 

least equal” MPI program maintain 

compliance with Federal food safety 

requirements through continuous monitoring. 

Conduct comprehensive reviews of State 

MPI Programs for all 27 States that include 

(1) ensuring States are conducting annual 

self-assessments, (2) verifying Quarterly New 

Issuances (QNI), and (3) conducting onsite 

audits at least triennially for all States with 

MPI programs.

5. Collaborative Outreach: FSIS District 

Offices are to conduct an annual meeting with 

respective FDA District Offices, and OSHA 

and State MPI officials to discuss dual 

jurisdiction establishments, employee safety 

and health issues, and State/Federal 

inspection collaboration programs. In addition, 

FSIS is to establish a protocol to enhance 

communication and coordination between 

FDA and FSIS headquarters staff on 

substantive enforcement activities in dual 

jurisdiction establishments.

6. Outreach to Small and Very Small 

Establishments: Continue to provide 

information and technical assistance to 

owners and operators of small and very small 

establishments to help them comply with 

FSIS laws, regulations, and/or guidance. 

 

 

7. Enforcement: Address food safety 

violations and achieve positive public health 

outcomes through enforcement actions.

FSIS FY 2017 Annual Plan

OPHS

OIEA

OFO

OOEET

OIEA OFO

7
Establish baselines and develop two strategies 

for reducing POE violations by September 30, 

2017 for implementation in FY 2018.

Strategic Plan Measure and 2017 Target 

Test 19 percent of product combinations from 

equivalent countries for biological and chemical 

hazards.

Annual Plan Measures 

Develop import sampling plan to increase the 

percentage of imported product/hazard 

combinations sampled/tested by FSIS by 

June 30, 2017, for implementation in 2018.

Complete crosswalk of new and past SRTs for 

all eligible countries by April 1, 2017.

Conduct 10 equivalence audits by 

September 30, 2017. 

Decrease the ratio of import Failures to 

Present (FTP) that require recall from 

commerce by a 10 percent margin through 

September 30, 2017. 

Increase the number of eligible countries 

exporting Siluriformes that have been subject to 

FSIS reinspection by 33 percent by 

September 1, 2017. 

8. Point of Entry (POE) Violations: Establish 

a workgroup with cross-office representation 

to develop strategies for reducing food safety 

POE violations for imported product.

9. Sampling Imported Products: Assess 

and revise the laboratory sampling 

methodology for imported product biological 

or chemical hazards combinations that are 

subject to sampling and testing. 

10. Foreign Food Safety Systems’ 

Equivalence: Ensure that eligible foreign 

countries maintain equivalence and 

compliance by conducting the following 

continuous monitoring activities: POE 

reinspections, sampling/testing, audits, 

including onsite audits of each eligible 

foreign country at least triennially, and 

completing a Self-Reporting Tool (SRT) 

crosswalk of countries’ previously submitted 

information into the new, improved SRT for 

equivalent countries exporting FSIS-regulated 

products to the United States. 

11. Import Safety: Ensure the safety of 

imported products through continued 

collaboration with the Department of 

Homeland Security’s (DHS) Customs and 

Border Protection (CBP), specifically through 

the use of CBP’s National Targeting Center 

(NTC) and Commercial Targeting and 

Analysis Center (CTAC). 

OFO OIC OIEA OPPD ODIFP

OIEA OPPD OIC

OFO

8 GOAL 1: Prevent Foodborne Illness and Protect Public Health 

ODIFP OPHS OPPD OFO
Strategic Plan Measure and 2017 Target 

Achieve a 3 percent increase in overall 

participation in FSIS international outreach 

activities by foreign governments and officials. 

Annual Plan Measures

Provide continued leadership by raising at least 

one issue to the CCRVDF related to the 

unintended presence of residues of veterinary 

drugs in animal feed by September 30, 2017. 

Initiate a comprehensive re-evaluation and 

participate in updating international guidance on 

Good Hygienic Practice and HACCP process by 

June 30, 2017. 

As Co-Chair of the CCFH working group, 

participate in the development of at least one 

new guideline or principle through 

September 30, 2017. 

Sponsor a meat inspection seminar and site 

visits for approximately 35 meat inspection 

officials from countries interested in exporting 

FSIS-regulated products to the United States by 

September 30, 2017.

Co-sponsor a seminar in Africa for government 

regulatory authorities from eight countries so 

that delegates can learn how establishments in 

Africa are meeting U.S. food safety 

requirements by September 30, 2017. 

Host an international meeting with World Health 

Organization and FDA to discuss the use of 

whole genome sequencing (WGS) in foodborne 

disease surveillance and response by 

September 30, 2017.

 

 

 

12. International Education and Outreach: 

Organize, manage, and participate in 

education and outreach activities aimed at 

promoting common approaches for adoption 

of science-based standards at the 

international level and in individual countries. 

This will include, in part, bilateral meetings, 

FSIS’ Meat Inspection Seminars in 

Washington, DC, and overseas, serving as 

secretariat for two U.S.-hosted Codex 

committees—the Committee on Residues of 

Veterinary Drugs in Foods (CCRVDF) and the 

Committee on Food Hygiene (CCFH), as well 

as on associated Codex technical working 

groups. Participation in Codex provides the 

opportunity for FSIS to engage with 300 

government officials from 40 countries in 

Africa, Asia, and the Latin America-Caribbean 

region to promote the adoption of 

science-based standards. This also includes 

participating in technical assistance exchange 

programs and meetings with foreign 

government officials and organizations 

regarding the management of regulated 

establishments and the safety of food in the 

global marketplace. 

OPHS

CODEX OPPD

OIC

OPHS

OIC

FSIS FY 2017 Annual Plan 9

CODEX
OUTCOME 1.1: PREVENT CONTAMINATION 

 

 RESULT 2 Strengthen Sampling Programs

Key Actions

1. Sampling Program Expansion: Plan and 

execute multiple activities to increase 

sampling in targeted areas, and close 

sampling gaps by including the sampling of 

minor species, pork, additional beef products, 

and other products: 

Strategic Plan Measure and 2017 Target

43 percent of products from FSIS-regulated 

establishments are subject to sampling.

Annual Plan Measures

Initiate sampling for Phase 2 of exploratory pork 

sampling by March 31, 2017, and of imported 

pork products by June 30, 2017.

Publish Federal Register Notice with proposed 

plan to expand non-O157:H7 STEC sampling to 

other raw ground beef components by 

March 31, 2017.

Implement the sampling of giblets, necks and 

1⁄2 and 1⁄4 poultry carcasses for Salmonella and 

Campylobacter by December 31, 2016. 

Implement sampling in poultry establishments 

that are under a religious exemption by 

March 31, 2017.

Implement the sampling of a subset of poultry 

establishments that process less than 1,000 

pounds of product per day by March 31, 2017.

Increase the compounds tested for in the 

multi-residue testing program by March 31, 

2017.

Develop a plan for sampling minor species and 

extending laboratory methods for microbial 

testing to one species identified in this plan by 

September 30, 2017.

OFO OPHS OPPD ODIFP

10 GOAL 1: Prevent Foodborne Illness and Protect Public Health 
Create a prioritized list of FSIS sampling 

projects in need of assessment by 

December 30, 2016.

Assess the top two projects on the prioritized 

list by September 30, 2017.

Update the directed Ready-to-Eat (RTE) 

sampling algorithms to refocus sample 

collection, giving greater weight to product 

alternatives, product type percent positive, and 

establishment size, by September 30, 2017. 

Develop a plan to target sampling of beef 

components most likely to be contaminated 

with Salmonella (e.g., head meat, cheek meat, 

lymph nodes) by September 30, 2017.

Evaluate the impact of the neutralized Buffered 

Peptone Water (BPW) on sampling results, 

ongoing through September 30, 2017.

 

Collect cecal samples at slaughter 

establishments and characterize the 

antimicrobial resistance of isolates from those 

samples through September 30, 2017. 

 

Increase the accessibility of NARMS data and 

its integration with other agencies by 

September 30, 2017. 

Add testing of bulls and all veal classes, in 

addition to bob veal calves, to Tier 2 sampling 

by December 31, 2016.

Achieve interagency consensus and implement 

a chemical prioritization framework used to 

identify compounds for inclusion in the NRP by 

June 30, 2017.

Develop, in conjunction with partners, the 

FY2018 NRP sampling plan by September 30, 

2017. 

2. Data-Driven Approaches: Based on 

results of data analysis, evaluation, and in 

collaboration with other agencies, modify 

sampling projects. 

3. National Antimicrobial Resistance 

Monitoring System for Enteric Bacteria 

(NARMS): Continue to play a key role in 

NARMS by (1) characterizing FSIS 

sampling results, (2) making NARMS data 

more accessible, and (3) facilitating additional 

cross-agency integration.

4. National Residue Program (NRP): 

Continue to identify priority compounds of 

public health concern in conjunction with 

partner agencies and utilize this information 

to develop domestic and import scheduled 

sampling plans. 

OPHS ODIFP OPPD

OPHS

OPHS OFO ODIFP

OPHS OFO OPPD ODIFP

FSIS FY 2017 Annual Plan 11
1. Performance Standards: Continue to 

drive improvements in poultry establishments 

by monitoring establishment performance 

through regular posting of individual carcass 

establishment category status and aggregate 

category results for comminuted poultry and 

chicken parts.

2. Inspection Program Personnel (IPP) 

Sampling: Schedule and complete IPP 

sample collections, when product is available, 

for all assignments.

3. Monitoring and Responding to Sampling 

Results: Schedule PHREs/FSAs for 

Category 313 establishments when they

exceed the Salmonella/Campylobacter

pathogen reduction performance standards.

4. Beef Microbiological Guidance and 

Standards: Evaluate beef sampling data and, 

as appropriate, develop performance 

standards and compliance guidance.

Strategic Plan Measure and 2017 Target 

Ensure 77 percent of establishments meet 

pathogen reduction performance standards.

Annual Plan Measures

Assess whether the Campylobacter 30 mL 

enrichment method is more appropriate than 

the 1 mL direct plating method for 

Campylobacter by December 31, 2016. 

 

Ensure 95 percent of PHIS-scheduled pathogen 

sampling projects and residue samples are 

submitted to the laboratory by September 30, 

2017.

 

100 percent of PHREs/FSAs are scheduled and 

conducted for Category 3 establishments that 

exceed the Salmonella/Campylobacter

pathogen reduction performance standards by 

September 30, 2017.

 

Complete risk assessment for Salmonella in 

ground beef by December 31, 2016.

Analyze beef/veal carcass baseline data by 

March 31, 2017.

Publish Federal Register Notice with proposed 

performance standards for beef products by 

March 31, 2017. 

OUTCOME 1.1: PREVENT CONTAMINATION 

 

 RESULT 3 Ensure Establishments Are Meeting Pathogen 

 Reduction Performance Standards 

Key Actions

OPHS

OFO OPHS OPPD ODIFP

OFO

OFO ODIFP

OPHS OPPD

13FSIS categorizes establishments on the basis of their sampling results and how those results align with pathogen reduction performance 

standards. Category 3—which are considered to have highly variable process control—are establishments that have exceeded the Salmonella and Campylobacter maximum allowable percent positive during any completed 52-week moving window over the last 3 months.

12 GOAL 1: Prevent Foodborne Illness and Protect Public Health 
OUTCOME 1.1: PREVENT CONTAMINATION 

 

 RESULT 4 Promote Food Defense Practices 

 

 

Key Actions

1. Monitoring and Verification: Propose 

modifications to practices currently monitored 

through food defense verification tasks and 

the frequency of tasks at establishments. 

Regularly monitor, and perform food defense 

verification tasks, to verify establishment 

implementation of food defense practices.

2. Policy Integration and Effectiveness:

Integrate and align food defense oversight 

into FSIS day-to-day mission activities, 

measure effectiveness of FSIS food defense 

policy, and further establish a baseline of 

FSIS-regulated establishments that voluntarily 

maintain food defense best practices.

3. Food Defense Outreach and 

Partnerships: Conduct outreach to industry 

and FSIS personnel to improve understanding 

of food defense best practices and continue 

to collaborate with partners within USDA and 

across the Federal Government. Continue to 

actively participate in the Food and 

Agriculture Government and Sector 

Coordinating Councils, led by USDA and 

FDA, to leverage public/private partnerships 

that provide situational awareness of 

emerging threats, improve information 

sharing, and develop products, tools, and 

exercises to improve incident response and 

recovery.

Annual Plan Measures

Propose modifications of food defense 

verification tasks and frequency of tasks by 

June 30, 2017. 

Perform 75 percent of scheduled food defense 

verification tasks at establishments by 

September 30, 2017. 

Strategic Plan Measure

Establish baseline of FSIS-regulated 

establishments that maintain food defense 

practices by September 1, 2017 (percent of 

establishments that maintain food defense 

practices).

Annual Plan Measures

Update at least two food defense-specific policy 

directives by September 30, 2017.

 

Develop and disseminate at least two products, 

tools, or resources by September 30, 2017.

 

Collaborate with FDA on revised food defense 

resources, such as the Food Defense Plan 

Builder and the Food Defense Mitigation 

Strategies Database, by September 30, 2017.

 

Develop food defense quick reference guides 

to promote situational awareness across public/

private partners and disseminate to industry 

and FSIS personnel, as appropriate, by 

September 30, 2017. 

ODIFP OFO OPPD

ODIFP OPPD

ODIFP OFO OPPD

ODIFP

ODIFP

ODIFP

FSIS FY 2017 Annual Plan 13
 

4. Preparedness Activities: Strengthen FSIS 

capability to respond to and recover from any 

hazard, for example natural disasters, 

intentional incidents, or large scale foodborne 

illness outbreaks. This includes using routine 

analysis of data from FSIS’ Incident 

Management System (FIMS) to determine if 

emerging trends exist and, if so, use them to 

prioritize the agency’s preparedness efforts. 

It also includes conducting exercises across 

the country to validate response and recovery 

plans and to minimize negative public health 

and economic impacts. Further, continue to 

partner with Federal Emergency Management 

Agency (FEMA), USDA’s Food and Nutrition 

Service (FNS) and Animal and Plant Health 

Inspection Service (APHIS), and the U.S. 

Department of the Interior to collaborate on 

Emergency Support Function, and continue 

to build and maintain laboratory capability 

and capacity to sustain FSIS’ emergency 

preparedness effort. This includes identifying 

threats through surveillance activities and/or 

in responding to non-intentional and 

intentional food contamination events and 

outbreaks, and through collaborative activities 

with Federal and State partners, such as the 

Food Emergency Response Network (FERN) 

and Integrated Consortium of Laboratory 

Networks (ICLN).

In collaboration with the Association of Food 

Drug Officials (AFDO), review and update the 

Food Emergency Pocket Guide for all 

regulators by September 30, 2017.

Conduct semi-annual (two) FIMS data analyses 

and include any emerging trends in reporting 

throughout 2017.

 

Conduct four exercises in FY2017 to maintain 

preparedness and validate response and 

recovery plans by September 30, 2017.

 

Conduct food defense targeted threat 

surveillance, including sampling, which supports 

one National Special Security Event (NSSE) by 

September 30, 2017.

 

As a member of the USDA Joint Committee on 

Biorisk Management Policy and Operational 

Subcommittee, contribute towards the revision 

of DR 4400-007, Biological Safety Program 

Departmental Regulations concerning 

Laboratory Biosafety by December 31, 2016.

Perform surveillance testing of food at the 

FERN cooperative agreement laboratories by 

analyzing 800 samples for various chemical, 

biological, and radiological agents by 

September 30, 2017.

In collaboration with FDA, provide training and 

proficiency tests six times for FERN laboratories 

by September 30, 2017.

Participate in at least two Rapid Response 

Team events, trainings, or workshops by 

September 30, 2017. 

OOEET ODIFP OPPD

ODIFP

ODIFP

OPHS ODIFP OIEA

OPHS

14 GOAL 1: Prevent Foodborne Illness and Protect Public Health 
OUTCOME 1.2: LIMIT ILLNESS FROM REGULATED PRODUCTS 

 

 RESULT 5 Improve Food Safety at In-Commerce Facilities 

 

 

Key Actions

1. Higher-Risk Facilities: Focus the 

majority of not-for-cause surveillance 

activities on higher-risk (Tier 1) firms and 

conduct follow-up surveillance in an effective 

manner to maximize the public health 

benefits of the agency’s in-commerce 

surveillance program.

2. Retail Meat and Poultry Processing 

Safety: Collaborate with AFDO Retail Food 

Subcommittee to disseminate information 

about Lm control at retail delis through 

participation at conferences and meetings, 

and presenting during targeted webinars. In 

addition, collaborate with AFDO on FSIS’ 

Retail Meat and Poultry Processing 

Guidelines.

3. Lm Compliance in Retail: Determine the 

extent of industry’s adherence to FSIS Lm 

compliance guidelines by verifying that 

retailers are following the agency’s 

recommended actions to control Lm 

contamination of RTE meat and poultry 

products. This includes obtaining data by 

surveying deli operators on whether, and to 

what extent, they are utilizing the Lm control 

at retail guidance document.

Annual Plan Measures

Ensure 70 percent of not-for-cause surveillance 

activities are at the highest risk (Tier 1) firms 

during FY 2017.

Ensure 83 percent of food safety violations 

documented during initial surveillance are 

corrected before follow-up surveillance during 

FY 2017.

 

Update guidelines by September 30, 2017.

 

Strategic Plan Measure

60 percent of retailers/in-commerce facilities are 

following all eight of the most important 

recommended actions identified in FSIS’ deli 

Lm guidelines by September 30, 2017.

 

 

OIEA OOEET OPACE OPHS

OIEA

OIEA OOEET OPACE

FSIS FY 2017 Annual Plan 15
1. Surveillance and Outbreak Response: 

Improve communication with public health 

partners by participating in key planning, 

outreach, and engagement activities to 

improve surveillance and outbreak response. 

More specifically, develop and share 

information on response processes and 

investigation procedures among partners by 

(1) presenting this information during 

meetings and webinars, (2) encouraging the 

use of online resources, and (3) ensuring that 

partners have appropriate points of contact 

and contact information.

Strategic Plan Measure and 2017 Target

As a result of outreach efforts,10 State and 

local partners will provide information that 

improves identification of contaminated product 

and removal from the food supply to prevent 

illness by September 30, 2017.

Annual Plan Measures

Develop and implement an enhanced partner 

outreach and coordination plan for FY 2018 by 

September 30, 2017.

Update webpages to better share foodborne 

illness investigation information resources by 

December 31, 2016, and post at least four 

outbreak or surveillance reports on the FSIS 

website by June 30, 2017.

Conduct one survey of State partners to 

measure progress and identify potential 

improvements to enhance outbreak response 

by June 30, 2017; summarize and present 

results to stakeholders by September 30, 2017. 

Participate in six regional/national partners 

meetings, conduct four State or local site visits, 

and lead five webinars for OFO District Offices 

by September 30, 2017.

Collaborate with AFDO to hold one outbreakresponse tabletop exercises with States and 

local Public Health Departments by 

September 30, 2017.

 

OUTCOME 1.2: LIMIT ILLNESS FROM REGULATED PRODUCTS 

 

 RESULT 6 Improve Response to Foodborne Illness Outbreaks and 

 Adulteration Events 

Key Actions

OPHS OPACE OOEET ODIFP

OPHS

16 GOAL 1: Prevent Foodborne Illness and Protect Public Health 
14FSIS Notice 45-16. Sharing Information with State or Local Agencies, Foreign Government Officials, and International Organizations. 

2. Investigative Information and Lessons 

Learned: Initiate sharing of investigative 

information consistent with FSIS Notice 

45-16,14 to strengthen relationships and 

improve public health response by supporting 

traceback and trace forward activities, 

providing sampling data to key partners, and 

sharing information on lessons learned and 

best practices.

3. Detection: Use enhanced detection 

approaches in foodborne outbreak 

investigations and foodborne illness outbreak 

surveillance. More specifically, integrate the 

use of risk-based indicators into protocols for 

foodborne outbreak investigations to identify 

establishments suspected of causing 

illnesses linked to meat, poultry and 

processed egg consumption. Further, 

compare the microbiologic features of 

pathogens recovered through FSIS 

surveillance samples collected from 

Category 3 establishments with isolates from 

case patients to assess possible linkages 

between FSIS regulated establishments, 

products, and human illness.

Develop and provide guidance for partners, 

such as FDA and the States, on best practices 

for working with industry on expediting trace 

back by June 30, 2017.

Develop and share summary report of 

illness-related requests and results by 

September 30, 2017.

Share sampling results from establishments 

that fail to meet Salmonella and Campylobacter 

performance standards with CDC, FDA, and 

other public health partners at least once by 

September 30, 2017.

 

Integrate use of risk-based indicators by 

March 30, 2017.

Continue comparisons of pathogens in FSIS 

samples to isolates from case patients through 

September 30, 2017.

 

OPHS OIEA OPPD

OPHS

FSIS FY 2017 Annual Plan 17
4. Federal Partnering: Further enhance 

collaborations with Federal and State partners 

to facilitate timely foodborne illness outbreak 

investigations and response activities with a 

focus on information sharing.

Provide refresher training to CDC and Agency 

for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

(ATSDR) scientists trained in FSIS regulations, 

policies, and procedures as outlined in the 

FSIS-CDC-ATSDR One Health memorandum 

of understanding (MOU) on foodborne health 

hazard assessments by June 1, 2017.

Finalize an updated IFORC charter, in 

collaboration with FDA and CDC, by June 1, 

2017. 

Collaborate with the FDA Coordinated Outbreak 

Response and Evaluation (CORE) Network and 

with FDA-State Rapid Response Teams (RRT) 

to prevent illness by participating in at least two 

CORE best practices meetings and presenting 

at four RRT national meetings/webinars by 

September 30, 2017.

 

Collaborate with APHIS and other food safety 

partners during outbreak investigations, 

including using the FSIS-APHIS MOU, 

throughout FY 2017.

OPHS OIEA OFO

OPHS

18 GOAL 1: Prevent Foodborne Illness and Protect Public Health 
OUTCOME 1.2: LIMIT ILLNESS FROM REGULATED PRODUCTS 

 

 RESULT 7 Increase Public Awareness of Recalls, Foodborne 

 Illness, and Safe Food Handling Practices 

 

Key Actions

1. Public Outreach: Focus on adopting 

more proactive strategies in addition to using 

traditional media, advertising, events, and 

social media, to expand media outreach and 

raise public awareness on recalls, foodborne 

illness, and safe food handling practices.

2. Existing and New Tools: Broaden 

engagement with key stakeholders to 

educate the public on recalls, foodborne 

illness, and safe food handling practices, 

including through new digital media outreach 

tools.

3. Safe Food Handling Practices: Expand 

on current outreach initiatives to promote 

safe food handling practices and behaviors 

through interviews and proactive outreach to 

influencers by increasing the number of 

proactive briefings. 

Annual Plan Measure

Create 175 stories in English and 75 stories in 

Spanish by September 30, 2017. 

Strategic Plan Measure and 2017 Target

Achieve a 5 percent increase in public 

awareness of safe food handling guidance and 

recalls through communications channels.

Annual Plan Measures

Execute three digital communication initiatives 

that increase FSIS’ outreach and public 

engagement by September 30, 2017.

Increase engagement on Twitter by 2 percent 

through retweets, clicks, favorites, and replies 

by September 30, 2017.

Increase engagement on Facebook by 2 

percent through likes, clicks, shares, and 

comments by September 30, 2017.

Increase FSIS video views by 5 percent to 1.5 

million (cumulative) by shares and 

cross-promotion by September 30, 2017. 

Achieve a 10 percent increase in proactive 

briefings on FSIS topics by September 30, 

2017. 

OPACE

OPACE

FSIS FY 2017 Annual Plan 19

OPACE
4. Partnerships: Leverage existing 

partnerships and develop new ones by 

analyzing current partnership effectiveness to 

give others working in public health the tools 

necessary to promote our safe food handling 

guidance. 

5. Social Science Research: Conduct 

observational research on consumer 

adoption of safe food handling practices to 

inform FSIS about meaningful ways to explain 

food safety risks to consumers. 

Analyze partnership effectiveness by July 17, 

2017.

Expand partnerships to at least 10 new 

organizations that are focused on public health 

communications and food safety issues by 

September 30, 2017. 

Strategic Plan Measure

Establish the baselines and targets for percent 

increase of consumers identified who follow 

safe food handling behaviors goals by June 30, 

2017.

 

OPACE

OPACE

20 GOAL 1: Prevent Foodborne Illness and Protect Public Health 
OUTCOME 2.1: IMPROVE FOOD SAFETY AND HUMANE HANDLING PRACTICES 

THROUGH ADOPTION OF INNOVATIVE APPROACHES 

 

 RESULT 8 Modernize Scientific Techniques and Inspection 

 Procedures

Key Actions - Tools and Techniques

1. Rapid In-Field Screening Tool: Initially 

develop and implement a process to identify 

and test the use of methods and/or tools that 

can be utilized by FSIS for in-field screening. 

This project, inclusive of at least a 1 year pilot 

phase, requires a multi-year developmental 

effort before reaching an in-plant application 

phase. In addition, FSIS is to develop and 

implement a process to gather information on 

sanitary conditions at regulated 

establishments. In this pilot project, 

non-bargaining unit employees are to be 

engaged in sample collection, with a focus 

on establishments that have a history of 

FSIS-identified multi-drug resistant pathogen 

isolates during slaughter—as represented by 

results from pre-operational sanitation swabs 

of food contact equipment, and carcass or 

boneless manufacturing trimming samples. 

FSIS is to utilize the most current published 

science on sources of cross contamination 

from one day to the next (e.g., pickers) for this 

project.

2. Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS):

Expand FSIS’ capacity to characterize 

isolates with WGS, and increase the use of 

WGS in several ways, including for 

surveillance of foodborne pathogens to 

support foodborne illness investigations.15 

FSIS will initially focus on the use of WGS 

on Lm, and important steps include finalizing 

WGS terminology and criteria for Lm; keeping 

stakeholders informed on how FSIS will be 

using Lm WGS analyses in conjunction with 

other supporting evidence for enforcement; 

and providing instructions to FSIS employees 

on Lm issues.

Annual Plan Measures 

Identify FSIS requirements and criteria for 

in-field microbiological screening by 

September 30, 2017. 

Compile available data on slaughter plants and 

define multi-drug resistance by June 30, 2017.

Develop a plan for the pilot and seek approval 

through the FSIS Governance process by 

September 30, 2017.

 

Strategic Plan Measure and 2017 Target 

Ensure 100 percent of all adulterant isolates, 

isolates from Pathogen Reduction/Hazard 

Analysis and Critical Control Point (PR/HACCP) 

samples, and outbreaks that FSIS 

characterizes with WGS are subject to WGS by 

September 30, 2017. 

Annual Plan Measures 

Increase use of WGS to study the harborage of 

Lm by December 31, 2016.

Expand WGS capability to all three FSIS field 

laboratories for increased capacity by 

September 30, 2017.

 

OPPD OFO OPHS ODIFP

OPHS

15See also Result 6 activities.

FSIS FY 2017 Annual Plan 21
3. Inspector Tools: Engage in developing 

criteria for tools or devices that can support 

inspectors’ microbiological/food safety 

decisionmaking. 

4. PHIS Functionalities: Enhance the import/

export functionalities of PHIS to decrease 

manual input of data and improve efficiency, 

reduce paper, and promote consistency in 

operations by implementing a new process to 

enact import types of inspections frequency 

and scheduling/functionality, CBP Automated 

Commercial Environment/International Trade 

Data System two-way functionality, and the 

export module functionality.

5. Data Systems: Modernize surveillance 

and investigation data systems to ensure 

systems are interoperable, and enhance 

analytic capabilities for detection of 

associations, trends, and emerging risks.

Identify FSIS conditions, requirements, and 

potential application for handheld devices such 

as pH and Water activity {Aw} meters that can 

assist bargaining unit employees in deciding on 

acceptability of food safety conditions by 

March 31, 2017.

Utilizing identified criteria, explore the availability of handheld devices such as pH and Water 

activity {Aw} meters that can assist bargaining 

unit employees in deciding on acceptability of 

food safety conditions by June 30, 2017.

Assess the in-field practical applicability, training needs and impact of selected devices 

on employee/Inspection Program Personnel 

grades and occupational safety, and recommend and seek approval for the use of selected 

device(s) through the FSIS’ Governance process by September 30, 2017. 

Identify FSIS requirements for in-field microbiological screening by September 30, 2017. 

 

Continue development of the continuous sampling device for sampling of beef manufacturing 

trimmings by September 30, 2017.16 

 

Implement enhancements to PHIS import/export functionalities by September 30, 2017.

 

Add a Spanish version of the electronic 

Consumer Complaint Form (eCCF) by 

August 31, 2017.

Fully migrate all Consumer Compliant Monitoring System (CCMS) functionality into PHIS, 

thus enabling real-time integration of PHIS data 

with consumer complaint and foodborne illness 

investigations, by September 30, 2017.

GOAL 2: Modernize Inspection Systems, Policies, and the Use of Scientific Approaches 

OPPD OPHS OFO OCIO

OPPD OFO OPHS

OFO OCIO ODIFP OPPD

OPHS OCIO 16FSIS will conduct this activity in collaboration with the 

USDA Agricultural Research Service. 

22
 FSIS FY 2017 Annual Plan

Key Actions - Procedures and Processes

6. Establishment-Specific Early Warning 

Alerts: Generate Early Warning Alerts for 

inspectors at the individual establishment 

level that inspectors can use to plan their 

day-to-day activities with a focus on addressing specific emerging food safety concerns at 

establishments within their purview.

7. Inspection Task Assignment:

Develop and implement an inspection-task 

pilot designed to modernize the assignment of 

inspection tasks to FSIS personnel. 

8. Modernized Inspection Systems:

Implementation of modernized inspection 

systems and requirements, such as the New 

Poultry Inspection System (NPIS) for 

establishments that opted in and indicated 

readiness for adoption of the new system, as 

well as other systems or species.

9. New Approaches to Hazards: Assess 

approaches that will improve FSIS capabilities 

in hazard detection and response.

Strategic Plan Measure

Establish the baseline and develop targets 

for the percentage of establishments whose 

non-compliance rate decreases 120 days after 

receiving an Early Warning Alert. 

 

Annual Plan Measures

Agreement on methodology by September 30, 

2017.

 

Implement NPIS in 80 percent of establishments that opted in and were ready to adopt the 

new system by September 30, 2017. 

Issue hog slaughter modernization Proposed 

Rule by December 31, 2016. 

Complete review and analysis of comments on 

hog slaughter Proposed Rule by September 30, 

2017. 

Assess alternative platforms for pathogen 

detection and quantification that may allow 

FSIS to have more efficient and expeditious 

screening and identification capabilities by 

July 31, 2017.

Engage the Environmental Protection Agency 

and FDA on a plan to address chemical 

hazards that do not have established tolerances 

by September 30, 2017.

OFO OPPD OPHS ODIFP

OFO ODIFP OPPD

OFO

OPPD

OPPD OPHS

OPHS

23
OUTCOME 2.1: IMPROVE FOOD SAFETY AND HUMANE HANDLING PRACTICES 

THROUGH ADOPTION OF INNOVATIVE APPROACHES 

 

 RESULT 9 Increase Adoption of Humane Handling Best Practices

Key Actions

1. Humane Handling Outreach: Developing 

a new educational strategy that will be 

implemented, in part, by District Medical 

Veterinary Specialists (DVMS) when they visit 

livestock plants and perform humane 

handling assessments. The strategy will focus 

on preventing multiple stun events that result 

in FSIS enforcement actions.

2. Humane Handling Refresher Training: 

Develop a plan for delivering refresher 

training to IPP on recognizing signs of 

consciousness in livestock and begin its 

implementation.

Strategic Plan Measure and 2017 Target 

Ensure 89 percent of slaughter establishments 

are compliant with all livestock restraint and/or 

stunning requirements by September 30, 2017. 

 

Annual Plan Measure

Deliver refresher training to 40 percent of Public 

Health Veterinarians (PHVs) in livestock 

slaughter establishments by September 30, 

2017. 

OFO OOEET

OFO

24 GOAL 2: Modernize Inspection Systems, Policies, and the Use of Scientific Approaches 
OUTCOME 2.2: ENHANCE ACCESS TO COMPLETE AND ACCURATE 

INFORMATION TO INFORM DECISIONS 

 

 RESULT 10 Improve the Reliability, Access, and Timely Collection 

 and Distribution of Information and Data

Key Actions

1. Analysis Tools: Deploy analysis and/or 

visualization tools to improve the ability of 

FSIS analysts to conduct effective, timely, and 

actionable analyses.

2. Information Development and 

Distribution: Pilot presenting 

information, such as job aids for IPP, in a 

variety of forms, including instructional media, 

videos, sketches, illustrations, graphics, and 

other visual tools. When appropriate, 

information delivery is to use scenario-based 

learning and incorporate observational 

techniques, data analysis, and records 

review. These approaches are to leverage 

communication technologies to distribute 

information both internally and externally to 

help improve understanding and application, 

and to assist in decisionmaking and behavior 

change central to successful food safety 

regulatory policy implementation.

Strategic Plan Measure and 2017 Target 

20 percent increase in composite score of 

analysts able to access, analyze, and visualize 

FSIS data.

Annual Plan Measures

Deploy two tools for analysts to be able to 

access, analyze, and visualize FSIS data by 

September 30, 2017.

 

Pilot the use of server-based visualization 

technology, and create at least one interactive 

report/tool to visualize PHIS data and enhance 

OFO’s access to analyzable data, by 

September 30, 2017.

 

Develop a job aid for IPP on evaluating process 

control within slaughter and further processing 

operations by September 30, 2017.

Develop a script, film, and edit video content to 

FSIS communicate guidance recommendations 

by September 30, 2017.

Develop educational materials for small and 

very small establishments to provide guidance 

on evaluating process control within slaughter 

and further processing operations by 

September 30, 2017. 

 

ODIFP OPHS OPPD OCIO

ODIFP OPHS OPPD OCIO

OPPD OCIO OFO ODIFP

OPPD OFO OPHS OOEET

 FSIS FY 2017 Annual Plan 25
3. Employee IT Access and Tools: Increase 

electronic access to agency information and 

tools to all agency employees. After testing 

and piloting emerging technologies, deploy 

modern tools, such as electronic devices, 

that provide actionable information in readily 

usable formats to IPP. These tools are to help 

expedite regulatory determinations, and to 

assist IPP with targeting and executing dayto-day activities.

4. Policy Feedback: Solicit input from FSIS 

employees and stakeholders to improve 

policy development and implementation. This 

includes improving communication on the 

agency’s new technology review process, and 

developing a new process to solicit input from 

the OFO field structure early in the review 

process, allowing time for field personnel to 

correlate and adjust workflow and verification 

accordingly. 

5. External Dataset and Report 

Publication: Publish establishment-specific 

datasets and associated information to allow 

consumers to make more informed choices, 

motivate individual establishments to improve 

performance, and lead to industry-wide 

improvements in food safety by providing 

better insights into strengths and weaknesses 

of different practices.

Strategic Plan Measure and 2017 Target 

Ensure 77 percent of employees have online 

access to FSIS-approved systems.

Annual Plan Measures 

Expand online access to FSIS-approved 

information and systems by increasing 

availability of electronic devices or tools for IPP 

by 10 percent by September 30, 2017. 

Ensure 95 percent of all employees have a 

working LincPass in order to access required 

and necessary systems (dependent on position 

duties) by September 30, 2017.

 

 

Deploy notification process for key policy 

communications by September 30, 2017. 

Strategic Plan Measure and 2017 Target 

Make seven establishment-specific and other 

FSIS datasets publicly available on Data.gov by 

September 30, 2017.

Annual Plan Measures

Publish the first edition of the Salmonella and 

Campylobacter Prevalence Analysis report on 

the FSIS website by June 30, 2017.

Implement posting of individual establishment’s 

Salmonella and Campylobacter categories for 

chicken parts and comminuted poultry by 

August 31, 2017.

OCIO OM

OFO OCIO

OPPD OFO

OPHS OPPD ODIFP

ODIFP OCIO OPHS OPPD

26 GOAL 2: Modernize Inspection Systems, Policies, and the Use of Scientific Approaches 
OUTCOME 3.1: MAINTAIN A WELL-TRAINED AND ENGAGED WORKFORCE 

 

 RESULT 11 Improve Recruitment and Retention for Mission Critical 

 Positions 

 

Key Actions

1. Hire in Mission Critical Occupations: 

Implement an expanded set of recruitment, 

retention, and relocation incentives, and new 

and innovative initiatives to increase hiring for 

mission critical occupations. 

2. Hard-to-Fill Recruitment: Develop, 

implement, manage and monitor a 

comprehensive recruitment and retention 

program for hard-to-fill positions, including by 

increasing marketing for and providing 

relocation incentives. 

3. Retention: Increase the percentage of 

FSIS employees that remain employed with 

FSIS for greater than 2 years by developing 

and implementing a retention program that 

enables FSIS to determine what is 

appropriate in terms of incentives, timing, and 

occupations.

Strategic Plan Measure and 2017 Target

95 percent of all mission critical positions are 

filled in FY 2017. 

Annual Plan Measures 

95 percent of food inspector, consumer safety 

inspector, and veterinarian positions filled.

91 percent of enforcement, investigations, and 

analysis officer, and non-OFO mission critical 

positions filled.17 

Plan and execute four “on site” targeted hiring 

events for mission critical occupations, such as 

veterinarian scholarship opportunities for field 

locations.

Plan and execute two events for the Army 

Apprenticeship program, in targeting 

transitioning military service members. 

Utilize LinkedIn social media platforms to reach 

10,000 impressions with target audiences.

 

Strategic Plan Measure 

91 percent of employees remain with FSIS for 2 

years or more.

Annual Plan Measure

Develop and implement a retention program, 

including targeting positions with a high 

turnover rate, by December 31, 2016. 

 17These positions include contracting specialists, human resources specialists, information technology specialists, economists, 

 and auditors. 

OM OFO

OM OFO OPACE

OM

 FSIS FY 2017 Annual Plan 27
GOAL 3: Achieve Operational Excellence 

OUTCOME 3.1: MAINTAIN A WELL-TRAINED AND ENGAGED WORKFORCE 

 

 RESULT 12 Enhance Training and Development Opportunities

 Across Competency Areas 

 

Key Actions

1. Training: Support delivery of a range of 

training and development activities, including 

formal programs, refresher trainings, 

developmental assignments and details, 

annual recertification, and other activities. 

This includes increasing participation in and 

the completion of online AgLearn courses for 

specific occupations or populations, and also 

includes assessing knowledge gained for 

specific occupations.

Strategic Plan Measure and 2017 Target 

Achieve knowledge gained in key occupations 

within 180 days to 78.9 percent.

Annual Plan Measures 

Conduct six Inspection Methods courses and 

three PHV courses in FY 2017. 

Complete and implement a redesigned PHV 

training by September 30, 2017. 

Increase OFO participation/completion of 

online AgLearn courses by 3 percent in 

FY 2017. 

 

Develop and implement a “Further Processing 

Course” by April 30, 2017.

Evaluate the benefits and effectiveness of a 

regional versus centralized training delivery 

model by April 30, 2017. 

Develop a supervisor survey to assess 

knowledge gained in specific occupations by 

January 30, 2017. 

OOEET OFO

OOEET

OOEET OCFO

OOEET

28
2. Competency Models and Gap 

Assessments: Develop competency models 

and conduct skill gap assessments for key 

occupations, and support internal and 

external offerings to maintain competencies 

and fill key skill gaps. This includes adding 

specific information to the PHIS IPP Help 

button resource tool to look up specific 

questions or materials, to maintain and 

enhance skills and knowledge.

3. Individual Training and Development 

Needs: Encourage and support the use of 

Individual Development Plans (IDPs) and 

internal learning opportunities, such as 

communities of practice, work groups, and 

sharing of training information as appropriate, 

to foster a continuous learning environment in 

FSIS.

Strategic Plan Measure and 2017 Target 

Assess 85 percent of workforce skill gaps.

Annual Plan Measures 

Develop Food Inspector competency model by 

September 30, 2017. 

Develop and conduct gap assessment for PHV 

and Information Technology Specialist series by 

September 30, 2017.

Add content to the IPP Help button resource 

tool to assist in maintaining and building skills 

quarterly through September 30, 2017. 

 

 

Implement an IDP process step that requires 

supervisors to indicate that they have discussed 

completion of an IDP with their Non-Bargaining 

Union Employees (NBUE) employees. 

95 percent of employees who want an IDP who 

do not opt out have an IDP.

FSIS FY 2017 Annual Plan

CRS OA OCIO

OCIO

ODIFP

OFO

OIC OIEA

OOEET OM

OPACE OPHS OPPD CODEX

OOEET OM

OCFO OFO OM OOEET

29
OUTCOME 3.1: MAINTAIN A WELL-TRAINED AND ENGAGED WORKFORCE 

 

 RESULT 13 Ensure Equal Opportunity, and a Diverse and Inclusive 

 Environment 

 

Key Actions

1. Commitment to Equal Employment 

Opportunity (EEO): Issue EEO and civil 

rights policy statements to affirm the 

agency’s commitment to ensuring a 

discrimination and harassment-free 

workplace, and one that promotes diversity 

and inclusion. Ensure engagement in key 

agency policy planning and human capital 

deliberations by reviewing proposed FSIS 

policies, rules, regulations and 

reorganizations for civil rights impacts.

2. EEO Programs, Personnel Policies, and 

Practices: Conduct reviews of FSIS program 

areas and district offices to ensure that FSIS 

complies with EEO and civil rights laws; 

identify potential barriers to equal 

employment; and ensure that services are 

delivered to customers in a nondiscriminatory 

manner. 

3. Complaints Processing: Ensure fair, 

timely, and efficient processing of all EEO 

informal and formal complaints by complying 

with regulatory and Departmental timeframes 

and ensuring implementation and compliance 

with all settlement agreements and 

adjudicators’ decisions. 

Annual Plan Measures 

Issue seven EEO and civil rights policy 

statements to increase employee awareness by 

March 31, 2017, and assess key components 

through annual compliance reviews by 

September 30, 2017.

Conduct individual EEO meetings with all 

program areas and District Offices (24) to 

provide tailored information on EEO and civil 

rights programs and initiatives, including 

diversity recruitment, demographic information, 

underrepresentation, and complaint activity by 

September 30, 2017. 

Ensure 80 percent (four out of five) of all Title 

VII compliance reviews are completed by 

September 30, 2017.

Ensure 100 percent (nine out of nine) Title VI 

compliance reviews are completed by 

September 30, 2017.

Complete annual updates for the Limited 

English Proficiency (LEP) conducted and 

assisted-plans by their anniversary dates 100 

percent of the time. 

Counsel a minimum of 90 percent of all informal 

EEO complaints in the required timely manner.

Ensure 90 percent of all EEO counselors’ 

reports meet Departmental requirements with 

respect to quality.

Ensure 95 percent of all settlement agreements 

and adjudicators’ decisions are implemented 

within specified timeframes.

CRS

CRS

CRS

30 GOAL 3: Achieve Operational Excellence 
4. Annual Mandatory Reports: Collaborate 

with internal and external stakeholders to 

complete and submit mandatory USDA and 

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission 

(EEOC) reports detailing FSIS accomplishments, deficiencies, and steps being taken to 

achieve Model Equal Employment 

Opportunity (EEO) program status.

5. Workforce EEO Training: Regularly train 

the workforce on EEO and civil rights and the 

benefits of diversity and inclusion, and assess 

training retention to help determine the 

effectiveness of EEO and civil rights training 

and its impact on the workforce.

6. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) 

Program: Encourage continual use of the 

ADR program.

7. Engage Employees: Implement strategies 

and activities aimed at increasing and 

enhancing employee engagement at all levels 

of the organization. This includes launching 

Phase II of i-Impact, Management Council 

consideration of internal communications 

suggestions from the field, managing and 

supporting effective Special Emphasis 

Programs (SEP) and Equal Employment 

Opportunity Advisory Committees (EEOACs), 

and promoting work life balance and wellness 

programs.

Ensure 100 percent timeliness with the 

submission of mandatory reports such as 

Agency Head Assessment, No FEAR, Annual 

462, and Management Directive 715. 

Strategic Plan Measures and 2017 Targets 

Ensure 90 percent of employees complete 

mandatory EEO/CR training by the established 

due date.

Establish baseline for assessing EEO/CR competency improvement by September 30, 2017. 

 

Strategic Plan Measure and 2017 Target 

Ensure 97 of aggrieved parties are offered ADR 

in the informal EEO process and 90 percent 

of complainants are offered ADR in the formal 

process. 

Annual Plan Measure

Develop one marketing approach to promote 

the ADR and early intervention programs by 

September 30, 2017. 

Strategic Plan Measure and 2017 Target 

Achieve a 0.7-percent increase in FSIS’ FEVS 

employee engagement survey index to 67.95 

percent.

Annual Plan Measures

Launch Phase II of i-Impact to reflect the 

agency’s FY 2017-2021 Strategic Plan by 

March 31, 2017. 

Implement two internal communication 

suggestions from field employees by June 30, 

2017. 

 

CRS

OPACE OFO

CRS OA OCIO ODIFP OIC OIEA

OPACE OPHS OPPD CODEX

OCFO OFO OM OOEET

FSIS FY 2017 Annual Plan 31

OPACE CRS OM OA

CRS
Support 3 field SEP observances by 

September 30, 2017.

Conduct four quarterly meetings with the 

EEOACs.

Realize a 5 percent increase in supervisory 

understanding of roles and responsibilities in 

workplace violence prevention. 

Analyze FEVS results and develop an action 

plan through FSIS’ Cultural Transformation 

work group by November 15, 2016.

OM

32 GOAL 3: Achieve Operational Excellence 

CRS
OUTCOME 3.2: IMPROVE PROCESSES AND SERVICES

 

 RESULT 14 Enhance Efficiency and Effectiveness of Key Business 

 Processes and Systems 

Key Actions - Processes

1. Hiring Processes: Improve the time-tohire and end-to-end hiring process through 

increased managerial and staff training. This 

includes taking steps to improve core hiring 

process activities that occur before 

submission of a hiring action, such as 

strategic recruitment discussions, position 

descriptions, and job analyses; after a 

selection is made, such as the approval 

process; pre-employment screening and 

personnel security processes; and 

onboarding processes and activities once an 

employee starts, in particular for non-frontline 

positions. 

2. Procurement Processes:

Improve long-term acquisition planning to 

facilitate efficiencies, timely execution, and 

quality outcomes by focusing on Mission 

Critical Investment (MCI) performance and 

Contracting Officer Representatives (COR) 

duties and performance standards.

Strategic Plan Measure and 2017 Target

Finalize baseline for timeframe associated with 

hiring activities prior to submission of a hiring 

action by November 15, 2016, and improve this 

timeframe by 5 percent by September 30, 2017.

Meet 95 percent of defined process times for 

hiring, including 95 percent of all hires 

completed within 80 calendar days after first 

submission of the hiring action.18

Annual Plan Measure

Conduct three refresher training sessions for 

hiring managers and human resources staff by 

April 1, 2017. 

Strategic Plan Measure

Establish baseline and target for procurement 

process time met for the planning stage by 

June 30, 2017.19

Annual Plan Measures

Identify and make three process improvements 

to enhance front-end planning for MCIs by 

March 31, 2017.

 

Establish performance standards for 

Contracting Officer Representatives (COR), 

and draft COR responsibilities by December 15, 

2016.

OM

OM OCFO OCIO ODIFP

OM

OM

18This is a component of the Strategic Plan Measure: percent of defined process times met for hiring, procurement, and IT. 19 Ibid.

FSIS FY 2017 Annual Plan 33
3. IT Investment Processes: Improve the 

alternatives analysis and planning processes 

for IT investments to deliver secure, 

mission-supporting, and modern systems that 

leverage shared services and tools, cloud 

delivery, agile methodology, and open source 

technology.

4. Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 

Processes: Conduct training sessions with 

FSIS staff, focused on highlighting all 

employees’ responsibilities under FOIA, to 

ensure knowledge of FSIS processes and 

requirements, while improving the quality and 

timeliness of FOIA responses.

5. Human Capital Planning Processes:

Improve human capital planning process 

through completing office-level plans and 

through Labor-Management Forum meetings 

and the renegotiation of the 

Labor/Management Agreement (LMA).

Strategic Plan Measure and 2017 Target

Ensure 80 percent of IT development, 

modernization, or enhancement projects are 

within 10 percent variance for Earned Value 

Management.20

 

Annual Plan Measures

Complete a holistic analysis of alternatives for 

50 percent of agency systems by 

September 30, 2017.

Establish agency policy and guidance for IT 

investment planning and control to ensure 

Management Council-approved expenditures 

for major and non-major IT investments are 

appropriately documented and managed by 

September 30, 2017.

 

Conduct five FOIA training sessions by 

September 30, 2017. 

 

Complete four program area-level human 

capital plans by September 30, 2017. 

Conduct two labor-management meetings by 

September 30, 2017 and re-open the LMA for 

renegotiation by September 30, 2017.

 

OCIO

OPACE

20Ibid.

34 GOAL 3: Achieve Operational Excellence 

CRS OA OCIO ODIFP OIC OIEA

OPACE OPHS OPPD CODEX

OCFO OFO OM OOEET
6. Grievances and Disciplinary Actions 

Processes: Improve the response times to 

individual and Union grievances and 

administer the disciplinary proposals and 

decisions closer to the actual time of the 

misconduct.

Process grievances and Unfair Labor Practices 

complaints in accordance with the LMA, and 

within 30 days 95 percent of the time. 

Conduct 10 pre-decisional involvement 

engagements with the National Joint Council 

through September 30, 2017.

 

Prepare and decide on discipline cases within 

75 days of request for action 90 percent of the 

time.

OM

OM

FSIS FY 2017 Annual Plan 35

CRS OA OCIO ODIFP OIC OIEA

OPACE OPHS OPPD CODEX

OCFO OFO OM OOEET

Key Actions - Systems

7. Finance and Budget Systems 

Development: Continue development of 

improved fiscal analysis and tracking 

capability for the agency, such as successful 

implementation of Financial Reporting 

Improvements and Optimization (FRIO).

8. WebTA: Develop analytical strategies to 

ensure billable data from FSIS inspectors that 

are collected electronically through the new 

Department-wide Web TA system.

Annual Plan Measures 

Deploy FRIO by September 30, 2017.

Begin supporting FSIS export activities by 

providing data entry services for hard copy 

export certificate requests and begin new 

billings to establishments, for use of the 

electronic system by September 30, 2017. 

Continue to work with the Department to retire 

the Travel System (TRVL) and implement the 

MLinq replacement relocation system by 

September 30, 2017. 

 

Accurately and properly integrate billing 

collection information with the submission of 

time and attendance information by June 30, 

2017. 

OCFO

OCFO
Evaluation and Audit

9. Evaluation: Design and complete FSIS 

program and process evaluations through 

using a mix of analytic methods to support 

managerial decision-making and 

improvements in program effectiveness, 

efficiency, and accountability.

10. External Audits: Resolve open Inspector 

General (OIG) audit recommendations that 

were beyond 1 year past due as of July 31, 

2016, and implement corrective actions 

associated with enhancing processes or 

programs. This includes launching audit 

recommendation and resolution tracking 

within FSIS’ updated performance 

management Scorecard/Dashboard.

Fleet

11. Fleet: Encourage enhanced 

communications on alternative fuel use, and 

updates to the FSIS fleet that reflect 

Government-wide greenhouse gas emissions 

reduction goals that consider market trends 

and current Government fleet.

Complete three major analyses, program 

evaluations, or process evaluations by 

September 30, 2017.

Complete seven internal surveys by 

September 30, 2017.

 

Close 40 percent of open OIG audit 

recommendations that are beyond 1 year past 

due by September 30, 2017. 

Enhance communications for fleet drivers on 

alternative fuel use by June 30, 2017. 

Replace allowable percent of the retiring 

gasoline vehicle fleet with hybrid electric and/or 

flex-fuel/E85 vehicles. 

OCFO

OCFO

36 GOAL 3: Achieve Operational Excellence 

OM
FSIS FY 2017 Annual Plan 37

OUTCOME 3.2: IMPROVE PROCESSES AND SERVICES

 

 RESULT 15 Improve Service Delivery 

Key Actions

1. Service Standard: Develop a more robust 

service standard with service and product 

delivery components and customer-facing 

roles and responsibilities, including using 

data-driven approaches to assess status and 

quality of service, and as appropriate, 

identify means for improvement. Includes 

using customer satisfaction data to help 

identify underperforming areas for quality and 

timely service improvements, such as 

timeliness of call back and quality of 

representatives’ responses after issue has 

been escalated. 

2. Focus on Employees: Enhance customer 

service by soliciting suggestions and 

recommendations from employees, and 

improving return-to-work support programs, 

such as the Alternative Duty Program, Work 

Hardening Program, and making formal job 

offers to injured employees.

Strategic Plan Measure

Determine baseline and FY 2017 target over 

baseline to improve satisfaction with Training, 

HR, IT, and Procurement services by 

November 15, 2016.

Annual Plan Measures

Identify two best practices and/or two areas of 

services on which to focus improvement efforts 

by November 1, 2016. 

Provide sufficient tools that better integrate 

service satisfaction for managers to update 

program and position standards, scorecards, 

accomplishment reports, and program briefings 

by September 30, 2017. 

Improve timeliness of IT support desk customer 

satisfaction callback subscore by 5 percent.

Improve quality of thoroughness of IT 

representative after escalation subscore by 5 

percent.

 

 

Achieve a 5 percent improvement in cost 

savings by making improvements to return-towork support programs. 

 

OM OCIO OOEET OCFO

OM

OCIO

OM
3. Safety Process Improvements: Enhance 

customer service to IPP by developing key 

guidance on critical safety and health topics 

that comply with current OSHA regulations, 

and by updating associated agency policies 

and recordkeeping.

Complete migration of safety material from 

Inside FSIS website to public FSIS website by 

March 30, 2017. 

Update agency directive on workplace Hazard 

Communication by June 30, 2017.

OM

38 GOAL 3: Achieve Operational Excellence 
CROSS-CUTTING

 

 RESULT 16 Modernize Decisionmaking 

Key Actions - Cross-Cutting

1. Enterprise Governance Process: 

Enhance FSIS’ agency-wide governance 

approach to deliberation and decisionmaking 

through assessing the efficiency and 

effectiveness of sub-groups or sub-boards 

and other governance-related groups, and 

make recommendations for structural or 

process improvements. Includes ensuring 

that ideas and proposals from across FSIS, 

including those with neither costs nor means 

for implementation delineated, are directed to 

the best path for timely review and feedback. 

2. Information Sharing and Reporting: 

Improve how FSIS shares information about 

the governance process with all employees 

to enable greater involvement, collaboration, 

and engagement in FSIS’ decisionmaking and 

agency-wide performance management 

processes. Includes ensuring that 

agency-wide information on strategic and 

annual plan reporting is made available to 

employees through quarterly dashboard reporting and other communications 

mechanisms.

3. Evaluation Agenda: Develop and begin 

integrating and executing an FSIS-wide 

evaluation agenda that identifies high-priority 

areas for use of analytical methods to 

improve monitoring and evaluation of 

programs, processes, and/or policies to 

ensure their efficacy and inform 

decsion-making, including through standing 

up a working group.

4. Enterprise Risk Management: Develop 

core policies and procedures with respect to 

enterprise risk management in meeting new 

Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 

Circular A-123 requirements, including initial 

risk identification in achieving agency goals 

and objectives.

Annual Plan Measures 

Complete an assessment of all sub-boards by 

September 30, 2017.

Conduct at least one focus group to generate 

ideas for improving current governance 

processes by September 30, 2017. 

Responsible Parties: FSIS Governance Board Chairs.

 

Identify and launch one interactive approach 

for employees to share ideas and proposals for 

modernization by September 30, 2017.

Utilize quarterly review process and dashboard 

reporting to ensure key progress information is 

accessible to all employees by September 30, 

2017. 

 

 and FSIS Management Council.

Develop evaluation and survey agendas by 

January 31, 2017.

Provide evaluation directive for clearance by 

January 31, 2017.

Convene two meetings of subject matter 

experts to define approaches and greater 

integration of OMB requirements into current 

processes by April 30, 2017.

Complete Departmental and OMB 

requirements, and associated FSIS policy and 

procedural modifications, by September 30, 

2017. 

Responsible Party: FSIS Management Council.

OA

OCFO

FSIS FY 2017 Annual Plan 39
CROSS-CUTTING

 

 RESULT 17 Enhance Collaboration With Our Partners 

Key Actions - Cross-Cutting

1. Agency Priority Goal (APG) on Lm: 

Share responsibility with the CDC, FDA, and 

the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for HHS 

APG reporting on activities intended to reduce 

Lm illnesses, including improved preventive 

controls and improved response leading to 

enhanced prevention for Lm. 

2. Interagency Food Safety Analytics 

Collaboration (IFSAC): Continue to actively 

participate in IFSAC Steering Committee and 

Technical Work Group through FY 2017. 

3. Interagency Risk Assessment 

Consortium (IRAC): Continue to actively 

participate in the IRAC Steering Committee 

and Technical Work Group, including holding 

meetings, sharing information, and annual 

reporting. This includes co-leading an 

interagency Work Group on the application of 

genomics to the advancement of quantitative 

microbial risk assessment to guide the future 

of Federal food safety risk assessments.

4. Collaborative Food Safety Forum 

(Forum): Continue to collaborate with the 

Forum in order to contribute to the work being 

done, and share lessons FSIS has learned 

to assist FDA in effectively implementing the 

Food Safety and Modernization Act (FSMA).

Annual Plan Measures 

Submit FSIS activities on Lm to the CDC, FDA, 

and NIH joint APG report to OMB through 

September 30, 2017. 

Develop a new IFSAC Strategic Plan by 

September 30, 2017.

Submit a manuscript on an IFSAC project to 

develop harmonized attribution fractions to a 

peer-reviewed journal by September 30, 2017. 

Develop a new IRAC Strategic Plan by 

February 28, 2017. 

Hold four quarterly meetings among the 19 

signatory agencies.

Participate in a Forum workshop by 

September 30, 2017.

FSIS maintains a multitude of partnerships and collaborations, many of which are referenced throughout 

this Annual Plan. The below actions represent activities in this area beyond those in Results 1 through 16, 

especially those related to foodborne illness surveillance and monitoring, interagency research priorities 

and scientific collections, and advisory committees.

ODIFP OPHS OPPD OIEA OPACE OCFO

ODIFP OPHS

ODIFP OPHS OPACE

OPHS

40 GOAL 3: Achieve Operational Excellence 

OPHS OFO ODIFP
FSIS FY 2017 Annual Plan 41

5. PulseNet: Continue to engage and 

participate with PulseNet through data 

sharing and participation in meetings, 

trainings (both as trainees and serving as 

faculty), and network enhancements 

(software validations and multi-agency pilot 

projects).

6. T Cube: Continue to work 

collaboratively with the CDC and States to 

develop the T-Cube Web Interface to support 

illness outbreak analysis, as it enables the 

analysis and visualization of large datasets 

and the needs of public health labs and 

epidemiologists at State, tribal, and Federal 

levels.

7. FoodNet: Partner with FoodNet to launch a 

new FoodNet Population Survey to more 

precisely estimate the burden of acute 

diarrheal illness, to describe the frequency of 

important exposures, and to assess diarrheal 

illness, healthcare-seeking behaviors, and 

food consumption and handling practices. 

FSIS will additionally use the data from the 

survey to assess consumer behavior related 

to key food safety steps.

8. USDA Partner Agency Research 

Priorities: With USDA’s Agricultural Research 

Service (ARS) and National Institute of Food 

and Agriculture (NIFA), convey FSIS research 

priority updates and emerging areas of 

interest to USDA Food Safety National 

Program Leaders. Encourage NIFA-funded 

research opportunities that align with FSIS 

Research Priorities, arrange for FSIS 

participation on NIFA grant review panels and 

on NIFA scientific steering committees on 

research areas and projects that align with 

FSIS research priorities. With ARS, 

coordinate sharing of FSIS regulatory 

samples and/or data with researchers as 

appropriate, provide guidance and data 

interpretation of relevant ARS research to 

FSIS, and organize ARS-FSIS food safety 

research meetings.

Initiate quarterly regular in-person meetings 

between FSIS and CDC laboratorians to foster 

communications and collaborations by 

September 30, 2017.

 

Partner with CDC and States on data analysis 

and illness outbreak analysis through 

September 30, 2017. 

 

Share data and participate in the FoodNet 

Annual Vision meeting, and 100 percent of the 

bi-monthly Steering Committee meetings and 4 

working group meetings through September 30, 

2017.

 

Support completion of five ARS research 

studies and three NIFA-funded research studies 

that address FSIS priorities.

OPHS OPACE

OPHS ODIFP OCIO

OPHS ODIFP OPACE

OPHS
9. Interagency and USDA Collaborations 

on Collections: Participate with USDA and 

other U.S. Government agencies on 

Interagency Working Group on Scientific 

Collections (IWGSC) concerning maintaining 

registries and developing policies for scientific 

collections, including investigating 

participation in registry of collections.

10. National Advisory Committee on 

Microbiological Criteria for Foods 

(NACMCF): Continue to lead NACMCF with 

FDA, CDC, the U.S. Department of 

Commerce, and the U.S. Department of 

Defense and provide administrative staff 

support to committee and subcommittee 

meetings.

11. National Advisory Committee on Meat 

and Poultry Inspection (NACMPI): Lead 

and provide administrative support for 

NACMPI.

Participate with USDA to develop an FSIS 

policy document concerning agency handling 

and usage of a repository of organisms isolated 

from FSIS-regulated products by December 31, 

2016.

Evaluate the feasibility of including FSIS 

isolates in a department-wide isolate collection 

registry by July 31, 2017. 

Provide support for two meetings for each of the 

two NACMCF subcommittees to enable them to 

make progress on the issues assigned to them 

by September 30, 2017. 

Plan and conduct a NACMPI meeting to gather 

input on food safety issues of concern to FSIS 

and provide Agency updates to committee 

members by September 30, 2017.

OPHS

OPHS

OOEET

42 GOAL 3: Achieve Operational Excellence 
FSIS FY 2017 Annual Plan 43
FSIS CORE VALUES

ACCOUNTABLE

FSIS holds itself accountable in fulfilling its regulatory 

mission and in serving the public interest.

COLLABORATIVE

FSIS actively promotes and encourages collaboration 

within our agency and with our partners to prevent 

illness and protect public health.

EMPOWERED

FSIS employees are empowered with the necessary 

training, tools, and approaches they need to make and 

carry out informed decisions that protect public health 

and promote food safety.

SOLUTIONS-ORIENTED

FSIS is committed to deploying effective, 

evidence-based solutions to ensure that the Nation’s 

food supply is safe.

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, 

the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are 

prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded 

by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident. 

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, 

audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 

720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program 

information may be made available in languages other than English. 

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found 

online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and 

provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-

9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant 

Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) 

email: program.intake@usda.gov. 

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. 

December 2016