[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 146 (Wednesday, July 30, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40884-40885]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-20044]


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SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION


Statement of Organization, Functions and Delegations of Authority

    This statement amends part T of the Statement of the Organization, 
Functions and Delegations of Authority which covers the Social Security 
Administration (SSA). Chapter TA covers the Deputy Commissioner for 
Programs and Policy. Notice is given that Subchapter TAS, the Office of 
Program Support (OPS) is being reissued in its entirety to reflect the 
establishment of subordinate components within the office. The 
reprinted chapter reads as follows:

Chapter TAS

Office of the Associate Commissioner, Program Support

    TAS.00  Mission
    TAS.10  Organization
    TAS.20  Functions
Section TAS.00  The Office of the Associate Commissioner, Program 
Support--(Mission)
    The Office of Program Support (OPS) serves as a focal point within 
OPP for program-related activities which cross component lines and 
activities which support Agency-level or Deputy Commissioner-level 
initiatives. OPS oversees the Agency's Regulatory Program including 
development of SSA's Regulatory Plan and the Agency's portion of the 
Unified Agenda of Federal Regulations. Provides leadership in 
overseeing the Agency's system of programmatic instructions and notices 
to the public by developing and maintaining standards governing the 
translation of strategic policy decisions into operational policies, 
procedures and notices. Directs the development and evaluation of 
Agency policies which utilize technologies in providing service to the 
public. Develops and interprets SSA policy governing requests for 
disclosure of information from Agency records under the provisions of 
the Privacy Act and the Freedom of Information Act. Oversees the 
implementation of the provisions of the Computer Matching and Privacy 
Protection Act of 1988 by directing matching activities, including 
establishment of matching policies and operating guidelines, evaluation 
of matches and development of evaluation guidelines. Develops, 
implements and maintains automated information and communications 
systems for OPP components. Oversees OPP's strategic planning 
activities and management of the OPP ITS budget. Directs the OPP 
programs supporting reengineering/redesign initiatives and change 
management activities.
Section TAS.10  The Office of Program Support--(Organization)
    The Office of Program Support, under the leadership of the 
Associate Commissioner for Program Support includes:
    A. The Associate Commissioner for Program Support (TAS).
    B. The Deputy Associate Commissioner for Program Support (TAS).
    C. The Immediate Office of the Associate Commissioner for Program 
Support (TAS).
    1. The Electronic Services Staff (TAS-1).
    D. The Office of Policy Technology Management (TASA).
    1. Center for Policy Management (TASA1).
    2. Center for Technology Management (TASA2).
    E. The Office of Process and Innovation Management (TASB).
    1. Center for Process Management (TASB1).
    2. Center for Innovation Management (TASB2).
    F. The Office of Disclosure Policy (TASC).
    1.-2. Disclosure Team 1 and 2 (TASC 1 & 2).
    3. Computer Matching Program and Policy Team (TASC3).

Section TAS.20 The Office of Program Support--(Functions)

    A. The Associate Commissioner for Program Support (TAS) is directly 
responsible to the Deputy Commissioner, Programs and Policy for 
carrying out OPS' mission and providing managerial direction to OPS.
    B. The Deputy Associate Commissioner for Program Support (TAS) 
assists the Associate Commissioner in carrying out his/her 
responsibilities and performs other duties as the Associate 
Commissioner may prescribe.
    C. The Immediate Office of the Associate Commissioner for Program 
Support (TAS) provides the Associate Commissioner with staff assistance 
on the full range of his/her responsibilities.
    1. The Electronic Services Staff (TAS-1).
    a. Provides leadership to the development and implementation of the 
Agency's policies governing electronic service delivery, including 
SSA's on-line (Internet) services.
    b. Directs initiatives to identify policies that can be changed and 
emerging technologies that can be used to improve SSA's service to the 
public.
    c. Directs the analysis and evaluation of electronic service 
delivery issues as they relate to the Agency's core business processes.
    d. Fosters partnerships with public and private entities to solve 
global electronic service delivery issues and develop a global 
electronic service delivery infrastructure supportive of SSA's service 
delivery goals.
    e. Represents SSA on boards and committees charged with exploring 
the use of technology in providing service to the public.
    D. The Office of Policy Technology Management (TASA).
    1. Center for Policy Management (TASA1).
    a. Directs the management of all activities supporting production 
and delivery of SSA's program operational instructions system.
    b. Oversees the production and nationwide distribution of the 
electronic and paper instructions to users throughout the Agency.
    c. Directs technical research into improved methods of delivering 
complex policy knowledge.
    d. Directs the ongoing coordination of publication, distribution, 
indexing and warehousing of paper program instructional material.
    e. Oversees SSA's Policy Repository which supports Agency policy 
development and the delivery of regulations, notices and instructions.
    f. Oversees maintenance of SSA's technical documents including the 
Compilation of the Social Security Act.
    2. Center for Technology Management (TASA2).
    a. Directs OPP's systems support program.
    b. Develops, recommends, negotiates, implements, integrates and 
then supports broad automated systems strategies for OPP components 
which take into account current and emerging technologies, Agency 
systems policies and standards and their impact on the OPP environment.
    c. Directs the preparation and management of OPP's ITS budget,

[[Page 40885]]

including development of procurement plans, cost data and analysis and 
justification of systems needs. Represents OPP in negotiations with the 
Office of Systems on systems requirements, priority designations, 
delivery schedules and equipment arrival dates.
    E. The Office of Process and Innovation Management (TASB).
    1. Center for Process Management (TASB1).
    a. Oversees the Agency's policy process including establishing and 
maintaining Agency standards for the development of regulations, 
rulings, notices and program instructions. Assists authoring components 
in developing policy documents.
    b. Directs the Agency's ongoing program to solicit external 
stakeholder input to the policy process.
    c. The Director, OPIM, oversees the SSA Regulations Officer 
function-- the focal point for contacts with the Office of Management 
and Budget, the Office of the Federal Register and other federal 
agencies.
    2. Center for Innovation Management (TASB2).
    a. Directs the ongoing evaluation and improvement of the Agency's 
policy process.
    b. Directs OPP's change management initiatives aimed at achieving 
more efficient and effective policy-related work processes and assists 
the organization and individual employees in the transition to new work 
environments.
    F. The Office of Disclosure Policy (TASC).
    1. & 2. Disclosure Team 1 & 2 (TASC1) and (TASC2).
    a. Develops and interprets SSA policy governing the collection, 
use, maintenance and disclosure of personally identifiable information 
under the Privacy Act and requests for information made under the 
provisions of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
    b. Develops national standards relating to the release and exchange 
of personal data in SSA data bases to federal, state and local 
agencies.
    c. Manages SSA's interaction with other agencies in negotiating 
data releases and exchanges. Negotiates with various federal, state and 
local government entities regarding electronic data sharing, direct 
terminal access to SSA computer records and use of the social security 
number.
    d. Assures Agency-wide sensitivity to the importance of privacy 
considerations in all situations involving disclosure of SSA data about 
individuals. Ensures necessary privacy protections are built into new 
systems and processes developed to deliver more efficient service to 
Agency customers.
    e. Reviews Agency projects and initiatives to ensure compliance 
with the Privacy Act and related laws and regulations.
    f. Examines public service issues related to handling various 
information requests from the public.
    g. Develops decisions on Privacy Act appeals for the Commissioner.
    h. Directs FOIA activities in SSA, develops SSA's FOIA policies and 
procedures and prepares the Annual Report to Congress on these 
activities.
    i. Reviews requests and determines whether records are required to 
be disclosed to members of the public.
    j. Develops decisions on FOIA appeals for the Commissioner and 
Deputy Commissioner.
    k. Serves as Agency focal point for all data sharing activities 
with outside organizations.
    3. Computer Matching Program and Policy Team (TASC3).
    a. Establishes policy, provides guidance, and manages the 
implementation of the provisions of the Computer Matching and Privacy 
Protection Act of 1988.
    b. Coordinates SSA's interaction with other agencies in negotiating 
data releases and exchanges. Negotiates with government entities at all 
levels regarding electronic data sharing and direct terminal access to 
computer records.
    c. Formulates, reviews and oversees the management and 
implementation of electronic computer matches between SSA and other 
federal, state, local and/or private sector entities.
    d. Negotiates the content and implementation of matching agreement 
with other agencies including their compliance with the terms and 
conditions of SSA matching program guidelines and policies.
    e. Coordinates the development and preparation of match proposals 
with other federal, state and local and/or private sector entities.
    f. Ensures that systems security measures and enforcement 
procedures are described in matching agreements that adequately protect 
against unauthorized access, duplication and/or redisclosure of 
information.
    g. Ensures compliance with timeframes necessary for approval by SSA 
and other entities of all computer matching programs.
    h. Oversees development of cost benefit analyses to ensure the 
viability and productivity of computer matches.
    i. Prepares reports, correspondence, decision packages, 
notifications to Congress, OMB, Federal Register notices and other 
documents related to matching activities.

    Dated: July 7, 1997.
Paul D. Barnes,
Deputy Commissioner for Human Resources.
[FR Doc. 97-20044 Filed 7-29-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4190-29-P