[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 197 (Friday, October 10, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53014-53015]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-26890]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

National Institutes of Health


Statement of Organization, Functions, and Delegations of 
Authority

    Part N, National Institutes of Health, of the Statement of 
Organization, Functions, and Delegations of Authority for the 
Department of Health and Human Services (40 FR 22859, May 27, 1975, as 
amended most recently at 62 FR 47509, September 9, 1997, and 
redesignated from Part HN as Part N at 60 FR 56606, November 9, 1995), 
is amended to reflect the reorganization of the intramural research 
support services within the NIH. The reorganization transfers the 
intramural research support services function from the National Center 
for Research Resources (NCRR)(HNR) to the Office of Research Services 
(ORS)(HNAM5). (1) In ORS, the Division of Intramural Research Services 
(DIRS) is established; (2) the following organizations are transferred 
in their entirety from NCRR to DIRS/ORS and their functional statements 
are revised: (a) Biomedical Engineering and Instrumentation Program, 
(b) Veterinary Resources Program, (c) Medical Arts and Photography 
Branch, and (d) Library Branch; (3) the functional statement for NCRR 
is revised; and (4) in the NCRR's Office of the Director: (a) the 
Office of Human Resources and Information Technologies (OHRIT) is 
established, (b) two offices from the Office of Administration (OA) are 
transferred to OHRIT, (c) the OA is retitled as the Office of Finance 
and Administration and its functional statement is revised, and (d) in 
the Office of Science Policy, the Office of Science and Health Reports 
is abolished.
    Section HN-B, Organization and Functions, is amended as follows:
    (1) Under the heading Office of the Director (NA, formerly HNA), 
Office of Management (NAM, formerly HNAM), insert the following:
    Division of Intramural Research Services (NAM57, formerly HNAM57). 
Plans and conducts a centralized program of intramural research 
services for the NIH throughout the planning, performance, and 
reporting of research projects as follows: (1) collaborates with 
intramural scientists on applications of engineering, mathematics, and 
the physical sciences in biomedical research; works with intramural 
scientists to predict technological needs and to develop appropriate 
solutions, including theoretical and experimental models and novel 
instrumentation; and provides comprehensive services for fabrication, 
maintenance, modification, repair, sale, and lease of scientific 
equipment; (2) provides a centralized laboratory animal care and use 
program offering comprehensive veterinary, technical, and diagnostic 
support services; (3) provides comprehensive research library support 
to NIH scientific, clinical and management programs through an 
extensive collection of books and journals, access to electronic 
information resources, and staff assistance and consultation in 
information handling and retrieval; and (4) provides a complete visual 
communications program utilizing design, graphics, medical 
illustration, photography, and video recording for documentation of 
medical research programs and data for all NIH information 
dissemination needs.
    Biomedical Engineering and Instrumentation Program (NAM572, 
formerly HNAM572). Contributes to the advancement of NIH research in 
applications of engineering, mathematics and the physical sciences 
through (1) collaborations with NIH scientists in areas such as 
measurement, imaging, mathematical modeling, and design of specialized 
equipment; (2) proposing and developing theoretical and experimental 
methods, including instrumentation, to meet long-term needs of the NIH 
IRP; and (3) providing prompt, convenient, cost-efficient, high-quality 
technical support services, such as construction, maintenance, 
modification, repair, sale, and lease of scientific equipment.
    Veterinary Resources Program (NAM 573, formerly HNAM573). 
Contributes to the advancement of NIH research through the application 
of laboratory animal sciences by (1) consultive and collaborative 
interaction with NIH intramural researchers; (2) provision of fully 
characterized laboratory animal models; and (3) provision of a full 
range of professional and technical support and diagnostic services, 
facilities, and other resources required for laboratory animal care.
    Medical Arts and Photography Branch (NAM574, formerly HNAM574). 
Contributes to the advancement of NIH research by (1) creating products 
that visually communicate scientific data, research accomplishments, 
and NIH programs to the scientific community and the general public; 
(2) producing publications, exhibits, and audiovisual presentations 
through a variety of services including design, graphics, video 
production, medical illustration, micro- and macro-photography, public 
affairs and patient photography; and (3) providing staff assistance in 
planning and coordination of visual communication needs.
    Library Branch (NAM575, Formerly HNAM575). (1) Serves as the 
primary literature, referral, and information resource for the 
administrative, scientific, and clinical staff of NIH; (2) interprets 
information needs to support the NIH research program; (3) acquires, 
organizes, manages, maintains, and services a collection of materials 
to meet these information needs; (4) provides access to needed 
information not directly acquired by the Library; (5) provides 
professional assistance to NIH personnel in identifying, retrieving, 
and critically appraising information resources available locally or in 
electronic form; (6) provides translation, instruction, reference, and 
mediated search services; and (7) provides leadership and consultative 
services to NIH personnel in organization and management of print and 
electronic information.
    (2) Under the heading National Center for Research Resources (NR, 
formerly HNR) is revised as follows:
    National Center for Research Resources (NR, formerly HNR). 
Administers, fosters, and supports

[[Page 53015]]

research for the development and support of multi-categorical research 
resources needed on an institutional, regional, national, or 
international basis for health-related research. Programs are carried 
out through: (1) research grants, research and development contracts, 
and individual and institutional research training awards; (2) 
cooperation and collaboration with organizations and institutions 
engaged in multi-categorical research resources activities; and (3) 
collection and dissemination of information on research and findings in 
these areas.
    Office of Human Resources and Information Technologies (NR18, 
formerly HNR18). (1) Plans, evaluates and implements the Center's human 
resources management and information technology services; (2) maintains 
liaison with the NIH Office of Human Resource Management and the Office 
of the NIH Chief Information Officer; (3) develops long-range plans for 
information technology within the Center, including the development and 
execution of an information technology budget, policies and procedures; 
(4) provides management support, training and advice on personal 
computer matters and participates with NIH planning groups to develop 
new technologies for common program improvements; (5) provides a full 
range of human resources planning and support services, including 
staffing, classification, employee development, benefits 
administration, awards, and management of the employee performance 
system; and (6) consults with Center managers on methods and techniques 
for developing human resources to their maximum capabilities and 
productivity.
    Office of Finance and Administration (NR14, formerly HNR14). (1) 
Plans, evaluates and executes all aspects of the Center's financial 
management and administrative services ;(2) formulates, presents and 
executes budget; (3) advises the Director and staff on financial 
management matters; (4) maintains liaison with the NIH Office of 
Financial Management and Office of Administration, and ensures 
compliance with all instructions and policies related to financial 
management and administration; (5) provides management analysis and 
advice; and (6) interprets and implements new or revised administrative 
policies and regulations affecting the overall mission of the Center 
and NIH/HSS policies and procedures.
    The following organizations are abolished and their respective 
functional statements are removed in their entirety: Biomedical 
Engineering and Instrumentation Program (NR4, formerly HNR4), 
Veterinary Resources Program (NR5, formerly HNR5), Medical Arts and 
Photography Branch (NR6, formerly HNR6), Library Branch (NR7, formerly 
HNR7), and Office of Science and Health Reports (NR152, formerly 
HNR152).

    Dated: September 25, 1997.
Ruth L. Kirschstein,
Acting Director, National Institutes of Health.
[FR Doc. 97-26890 Filed 10-9-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-M