[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 243 (Thursday, December 18, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70507-70510]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-31242]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Office of the Secretary


Office of Public Health and Science; Statements of Organizations, 
Functions, and Delegations of Authority

    Part A, Office of the Secretary (OS) of the Statement of 
Organization, Functions, and Delegation of Authority for the Department 
of Health and Human Services (HHS), chapter AC, Office of Public Health 
and Science (OPHS), as last amended at 67 FR 71568, dated December 2, 
2002, is being amended to reflect the realignment of personnel 
oversight, administration, and management functions for the U.S. Public 
Health Service (PHS) Commissioned Corps in the OPHS. Specifically, it 
realigns these functions in a newly established Office of Commissioned 
Corps Force Management (ACQ) and in the Office of the Surgeon General 
(ACM). The changes are as follows:
    I. Under Part A, Chapter AC, Office of Public Health and Science, 
make the following changes:
    A. Under Paragraph AC.10 Organization, insert the following line at 
the end of the listing:
    N. Office of Commissioned Corps Force Management (ACQ)

    B. Under Paragraph AC.20, Functions, make the following changes:
    1. Delete Paragraph, ``K. Office of the Surgeon General (ACM),'' in 
its entirety and replace with the following:
    K. Office of the Surgeon General (ACM)
    Section ACM.00 Mission--The Office of the Surgeon General (OSG) is 
headed by the SG who reports to the Assistant Secretary for Health 
(ASH), provides staff support for: (1) Activities relating to 
membership on the Board of Regents of the Uniformed Services University 
of the Health Sciences and as principal health official for PHS on 
matters related to policies affecting PHS faculty and students (10 
U.S.C. 2113(a)(3)); (2) activities related to responsibilities on other 
boards are assigned, including the (a) National Library of Medicine; 
(b) Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP); (c) American Medical 
Association (AMA) House of Delegates; and (d) Executive Committee, 
Association of Military Surgeons of the United States. The Office 
provides support to the SG; (3) in issuing warnings to the public on 
identified health hazards; (4) for review of the particulars of 
Department of Defense (DoD) plans for transportation, open testing and 
disposal of lethal chemicals and biological agents and in recommending 
precautions necessary to protect the public health and safety binding 
on the Secretary, DoD, which can only be overridden by the President 
(50 U.S.C. 1512 (2) & (3)); (5) communicating with professional 
societies to receive, solicit, and channel concerns regarding health 
policy in behalf of the ASH; (6) maintaining liaison with the Surgeons 
General of the Armed Forces and the Department of Veterans Affairs; (7) 
representing PHS at national and international health and professional 
meetings to interpret PHS philosophy, policies, organizational 
responsibilities and programs, as assigned; (8) providing management 
and oversight for the community-based, civilian Medical Reserve Corps 
program; (9) providing liaison with governmental and non-governmental 
organizations on matters pertaining to military and veterans affairs; 
and, (10) assuring day-to-day management of the Corps' operations, 
force readiness, and field command of deployments of the Commissioned 
Corps.
    Section ACM.10 Organization: includes the following components:
    [sbull] Immediate Office of the Surgeon General (ACM)
    [sbull] Office of Science and Communications (ACM1)
    [sbull] Office of Commissioned Corps Operations (ACM2)
    [sbull] Office of Force Readiness and Deployment (ACM3)
    [sbull] Office of Reserve Affairs (ACM4)
    Section ACM.20 Functions:
    (a) Immediate Office of the Surgeon General (ACM): (1) Advises the 
ASH on matters relating to protecting and advancing the public health 
of the Nation; (2) manages special deployments that address 
Presidential and Secretarial initiatives directed toward resolving 
critical public health problems; (3) as requested, serves as a 
spokesperson on behalf of the Secretary and the ASH, addressing the 
quality of public health practice on the Nation; (4) provides 
supervision of activities relating to the day-to-day management of 
operations and deployment of officers of the Commissioned Corps; (5) 
provides advice to the ASH, collaborating with the Office of 
Commissioned Corps Management (OCCFM), on the policies and 
implementation related to the appointment, promotion, assimilation, 
recognition, professional development, and other matters required for 
the efficient management of the Corps; (6) provides liaison with 
governmental and non-governmental organizations on matters pertaining 
to military and veterans affairs; (7) directs and oversees internal 
office administrative operations (including proposing and executing 
office budgets); and (8) convenes periodic meetings of the flag 
officers to obtain senior level advice concerning the day-to-day 
management of Corps' operations.
    (b) Office of Science and Communications (ACM1): (1) Coordinates 
activities to plan, develop, introduce, and evaluate Surgeon General's 
Reports, Calls-to-Action, workshops, and other authoritative 
statements; (2) advises the SG on science, data, and evidence 
pertaining to population-based public health and the furtherance of 
public health priorities; (3) represents the SG in efforts to 
coordinate federal public health activities with similar activities in 
the States and local areas; (4) coordinates and is responsible for the 
preparation of SG correspondence, speeches, and communications; (5) 
represents the SG at conferences, symposia, and community events; and 
(6) coordinates the receipt of senior level advice from the Chief 
Professional Officers, the Surgeon General's Professional Advisory 
Council, and categorical Professional Advisory Committees.
    (c) Office of Commissioned Corps Operations (ACM2):
    Section ACM2.00 Mission: (1) Provides advice to the SG on matters 
related to the day-to-day management of Commissioned Corps operations,

[[Page 70508]]

including active duty and reserve components; (2) implements the 
policies established by the ASH for the operations of the PHS 
Commissioned Corps; (3) provides for the delivery of training and for 
career development, and applies professional credentialing requirements 
for the Corps; (4) manages systems required for selecting personnel for 
appointment, promotion, assimilation, and award recognition, for 
evaluating officer performance, and for processes required for 
disability retirement, disciplinary, and other-than-honorable discharge 
purposes; (5) implements officer and force accession plans through a 
staff of recruiters, including an Associate Recruiters Program; (6) 
manages personnel administration systems for the permanent or temporary 
assignment, deployment, and detail of Corps members; (7) implements 
policies established by the ASH for commissioned and warrant officers 
on active duty, Commissioned Officer Student Training Extern Program 
(COSTEP), reserve officers, retired officers, and survivors of deceased 
officers; (8) prepares all personnel orders for approval and signature 
by the ASH; (9) makes recommendations to the SG on individual details 
for review and action by the ASH; (10) reviews and makes 
recommendations on proposed blanket personnel agreements negotiated by 
the ASH; (11) reviews and makes recommendations on the temporary 
deployments of officers not specifically under an assignment to another 
Operating or Staff Division of the Department or another Department or 
agency covered by a memorandum of agreement or blanket detail 
agreement; (12) provides technical review and recommendations to the SG 
on appeals of adverse actions that would result in the termination of 
officers' commissions and on formal Equal Employment Opportunity 
complaints; (13) maintains liaison with the OCCFM, and, as directed, 
with Departmental Operating and Staff Divisions and, as directed, with 
non-departmental entities to which officers are assigned under blanket 
agreements; and (14) works with OCCFM and agencies to identify career 
development assignments, and to identify officers to be recommended for 
directed reassignments where appropriate.
    Section ACM2.10 Organization. The Office of Commissioned Corps 
Operations is headed by a Director, who reports to the SG, and includes 
the following components:
    [sbull] Immediate Office of the Director (ACM2)
    [sbull] Division of Commissioned Corps Recruitment (ACM21)
    [sbull] Division of Commissioned Corps Assignment (ACM22)
    [sbull] Division of Commissioned Corps Training and Career 
Development (ACM23)
    [sbull] Division of Commissioned Corps Officer Support (ACM24)
    Section ACM2 2.0 Functions
    (1) Immediate Office of the Director (ACM2): (1) Advises the SG on 
all matters related to the operations management of the PHS 
Commissioned Corps; (2) provides for the day-to-day management of 
Commissioned Corps operations, implements policies received from the 
ASH for personnel, training, readiness, assignment, deployment, 
promotion, and retirement for all officers; (3) collaborates with OCCFM 
on the development and implementation of Commissioned Corps policies; 
(4) coordinates the application of information technology and support 
for the execution of OSG activities; (5) manages the process for 
adverse action decisions and other-than-honorable discharges; and (6) 
is responsible for the appropriate exercise of delegated authorities 
and responsibilities.
    (2) Division of Commissioned Corps Recruitment (ACM21): (1) 
Implements approved programs to assure awareness of the Corps and its 
career opportunities among health professional schools and 
associations, provider institutions, and the public; (2) in accordance 
with policies, goals, and strategies established by the ASH, carries 
out programs and activities designed to attract new health personnel to 
the Corps, to attract officers already in the Corps to designated 
assignments, and to promote the Corps and service in it; (3) manages an 
Associate Recruiter Program and otherwise mobilizes recruitment 
activity among the active duty, reserve, and retired officers; (4) 
assists OCCFM in promoting the effective and efficient utilization of 
the Corps within all venues where the Corps is utilized; and (5) 
carries out approved recruitment programs specifically for reserve 
components and other Corps personnel asset programs.
    (3) Division of Commissioned Corps Assignments (ACM22): (1) 
Addresses and meets the short-term and long-term placement requirements 
for active-duty and reserve component personnel established by the ASH 
and developed by OCCFM, including the Commissioned Corps and the 
warrant Corps, by category; (2) works with OCCFM to identify and 
categorize the types of assignments for which Corps members and its 
reserve personnel assets may be required; (3) implements a billet 
management system utilizing standards developed by OCCFM, and approved 
by the ASH; (4) evaluates and grades billets to which officers are to 
be assigned in accordance with standards established by OCCFM; (5) 
assures that assignments of officers and the billets to which assigned 
are consistent and appropriately categorized and identified; (6) 
reviews all proposed officer personnel actions and prepares orders for 
signature by the ASH; (7) implements, manages, and monitors approved 
blanket personnel agreements and individual details; (8) reviews and 
recommends to the ASH the temporary deployment of all officers not 
specifically under an assignment to another operating or staff division 
of the Department or another department or agency; and (9) administers 
a system to monitor assignments.
    (4) Division of Commissioned Corps Training and Career Development 
(ACM23): (1) Identifies and manages training resources required for 
establishing and maintaining the readiness and proficiency of the 
members of the Corps; (2) operates Commissioned Officer education and 
training systems, providing basic, mid-career, and specialized training 
programs; (3) monitors officer compliance with credentialing standards; 
(4) implements career development programs and provides individual 
career counseling; (5) coordinates COSTEP; (6) administers training 
programs; and (7) assists officers with retirement planning.
    (5) Division of Commissioned Corps Officer Support (ACM24): (1) 
Coordinates the assignment of members of boards convened for the 
purpose of recommending appointments, promotions, assimilation actions, 
approval of award nominations, disability retirements, and other boards 
that may be required to support operations; (2) supports the boards 
convened by OSG; (3) administers a system for assuring credentialing, 
licensing, and other regulatory compliance, and for the periodic 
evaluation of the individual members of the Corps, including Corps 
reserve personnel assets; (4) reviews all personnel evaluations to 
assure that Corps standards are being maintained; and (5) maintains the 
official personnel records of the Corps.
    (d) Office of Force Readiness and Deployment (ACM3): (1) 
Administers readiness activities to include (a) advice to the ASH and 
OCCFM on strategic and long term readiness planning, (b) assurance of 
the accuracy and maintenance of an adequate roster of the readiness 
status of officers, (c)

[[Page 70509]]

development and maintenance of systems for the tracking, mission 
critical training, mobilization, and deployment of commissioned 
officers; (d) supervision of a teaching staff charged with officer 
instruction using plans, strategies, and materials, consistent with 
policy developed by the ASH, necessary for officers to fulfill 
readiness and deployment standards; and (e) coordination of logistics 
for after-action requirements about deployments; (2) administers and 
oversees mobile medical teams and other special operations team 
activities and supports the OASPHEP with resources as required for 
emergency operations at headquarters and in the field; (3) provides 
day-to-day management and oversight of the USA Freedom Corps Medical 
Reserve Corps (MRC) program by: (a) Managing the MRC grant program and 
(b) providing technical assistance to MRC communities on a variety of 
community and outreach issues; (4) maintains liaison with the OSPHEP 
and other Federal entities as appropriate; and (5) manages and 
supervises temporary deployments of all officers not specifically under 
an assignment to another Operating or Staff Division of the Department 
or another Department or agency.
    (e) Office of Reserve Affairs (ACM4): (1) Develops and maintains 
reserve components or assets, except for extended active duty reserve 
officers, in accordance with established plans; (2) serves as the SG's 
principal advisor on activities related to the preparedness and 
activation of the Corps reserve personnel assets; (3) in conjunction 
with the OCCFM conducts strategic and long-term planning for Corps 
reserve personnel assets; and (4) coordinates the assignments of Corps 
reserve personnel assets, to support the missions of HHS as well as 
those of the DoD, the U.S. Coast Guard, the National Oceanographic and 
Atmospheric Administration, the Department of Justice, and other 
federal, state, and local agencies.

    2. At the end of Section AC.20 Functions, insert the following new 
component:
    N. Office of Commissioned Corps Force Management (ACQ)
    Section ACQ.00 Mission. The Office of Commissioned Corps Force 
Management (OCCFM), under the direction of a Director who reports to 
the ASH, (1) Develops policies and proposes regulations in order to 
carry out a comprehensive force management program for the Commissioned 
Corps; (2) convenes and manages policy and planning related boards and 
committees; (3) develops workforce and officer standards, conducts 
workforce planning for all components of the Commissioned Corps and 
evaluates workforce effectiveness; (4) maintains the Commissioned Corps 
Personnel Manual (CCPM); (5) in coordination with OPHS budget staff, 
prepares and executes the Commissioned Corps Personnel Services budget 
as established through the Service and Supply Fund Board and provides 
liaison with that Board; (6) serves as the Secretariat for the Public 
Health Service Commissioned Corps Council; (7) convenes periodic 
meetings of the flag officers, on behalf of the Secretary and chaired 
by the ASH, to obtain senior level policy advise; (8) develops policies 
and programs for the recruitment, appointment, promotion, assimilation, 
training, and evaluation of all commissioned and warrant officers of 
the Commissioned Corps; (9) establishes time lines, performance 
standards, and measurements for the evaluation of the operations and 
management of the Commissioned Corps; (10) works closely with the OSG 
to facilitate operations and implementation of policies and programs; 
and (11) oversees the Beneficiary Medical Program, systems for the 
compensation of members of the Corps, and the programs for survivor 
assistance, medical affairs, and any other function that may be 
conducted in behalf of the ASH under a contract or memorandum of 
agreement, or performed within any other component of the department.
    Section ACQ.10 Organization. The Office of Commissioned Corps Force 
Management is headed by a Director, who reports to the ASH, and 
includes the following components:
    [sbull] Immediate Office of the Director (ACQ)
    [sbull] Recruitment, Marketing, and Information Systems Division 
(ACQ1)
    [sbull] Workforce Policy and Plans Division (ACQ2)
    [sbull] Program Evaluation and Oversight Division (ACQ3)
    Section ACQ.20 Functions:
    (a) Immediate Office of the Director (ACQ): (1) Advises the ASH on 
all matters related to the development of policies affecting all 
officers, whether active-duty, reserve, or retired; (2) convenes and 
manages policy and planning related boards and committees; (3) directs 
the development of issuances and maintenance of the Commissioned Corps 
Personnel Manual, including all policies and regulations requiring 
approval of the ASH or the Secretary; (4) develops and executes the 
budget for the operation of OCCFM, including contracted or subsidiary 
services; (5) reviews the Commissioned Corps Personnel Services budget 
as established through the Service and Supply Fund Board and provides 
liaison with that Board; (6) oversees the policy development and 
implementation for the activities carried out by the Program Support 
Center (PSC) and/or other contractors for the implementation of Corps-
related services; (7) assures the availability of information 
technology and support for the execution of Commissioned Corps 
personnel activities for OCCFM and OSG; (8) works with external federal 
and non-federal organizations to develop memorandums of agreement and 
contracts as required for the effective management and oversight of the 
Corps, including the proper assignment of contracted duties and 
evaluation of contractor performance; and (9) collaborates with other 
elements of the Department as appropriate to acquire legal opinions and 
services as needed, and coordinates legislative activities.
    (b) Recruitment, Marketing, and Information Systems Division 
(ACQ1): (1) Develops recruitment strategies, programs, materials, and 
other resources directed toward attracting health professional 
audiences who are potential candidates to apply for and to become 
officers serving in the active duty and reserve components of the 
Commissioned Corps; (2) plans and prepares a public affairs program 
designed to raise awareness of members of the public, the press, and 
other external constituencies, to promote interest in the activities of 
the Commissioned Corps; (3) develops and oversees information 
technology and systems to support recruitment, personnel and Corps 
management functions and collaborates with the OSG on their 
implementation, usage, and improvement; (4) provides daily liaison with 
agencies and their respective human resource functions to promote the 
effective and efficient use of officers and to incorporate agency-
specific marketing information into recruiting programs.
    (c) Force Policy and Plans Division (ACQ2): (1) Conducts a program 
of comprehensive force planning including a billet evaluation and 
management system, including working with agencies to determine 
requirements for commissioned corps staffing by professional category, 
and developing short and long-term manpower projections to assist in 
directing recruitment; (2) develops issuances for, and maintains, the 
CCPM, as well as regulations required for the management of the 
Commissioned Corps; (3)

[[Page 70510]]

develops a broad range of personnel standards, including commissioning, 
professional, and officer competency standards; (4) develops training 
and education policy and career development guidelines and materials; 
(5) develops and maintains policies for billet description, grading, 
and classification that reflect both commissioned corps and agency 
requirements; (6) advises the ASH on policy pertaining to deployments, 
and on mission nature, size, duration and mix and blend of the use of 
active duty and reserve officers for deployments; (7) conducts force 
planning for all elements of reserve assets, and recommends policy to 
support plans, goals, and objectives; (8) develops policy, guidelines, 
and standard memoranda of agreement for individual and blanket details; 
and (9) works with the Program Evaluation and Oversight Division and 
other uniformed services to identify and adapt best practices to 
improve efficiency and effectiveness, and for the purpose of developing 
systems to provide the highest quality services to the agencies and to 
the commissioned officer community.
    (d) Program Evaluation and Oversight Division (ACQ3): (1) Develops 
and implements evaluations and assessments of the Commissioned Corps in 
meeting its goals, objectives and milestones; (2) manages relationships 
with the PSC and all contractors; (3) assures that programs contain 
appropriately time framed goals, objectives, and outcomes by which to 
monitor and assess progress and performance; (4) conducts after action 
assessments and evaluations pertaining to the use of the Commissioned 
Corps for deployments, special assignments, or other non-routine uses 
of officers; (5) oversees and evaluates the medical benefit and payroll 
programs; (6) conducts periodic program reviews of all aspects of the 
management and utilization of the Commissioned Corps; and (7) develops 
methods and approaches to monitor satisfaction and follow up concerning 
services provided to various customers, and provides feedback to 
program officials.
    II. Continuation of Policy: Except as inconsistent with this 
reorganization, all statements of policy and interpretations with 
respect to the Commissioned Corps of the PHS heretofore issued and in 
effect prior to this reorganization are continue in full force and 
effect.
    III. Delegation of Authority: All delegations and redelegations of 
authority made by officials and employees of affected organizational 
components will continue in them or their successors pending further 
redelegation, provided they are consistent with this reorganization.
    IV. Funds, Personnel, and Equipment: Transfer of organizations and 
functions affected by this reorganization shall be accompanied by 
direct and support funds, positions, personnel, records, equipment, 
supplies and other resources.

    Dated: December 11, 2003.
Ed Sontag,
Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management.
[FR Doc. 03-31242 Filed 12-17-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4150-28-M