[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 161 (Wednesday, August 20, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49319-49320]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-19737]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES


Justification for a Single Source Cooperative Agreement Award for 
the National Academy of Science

AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and 
Response, Department of Health and Human Services.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of 
the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) intends to 
provide a Single Source Cooperative Agreement Award to the National 
Academy of Science to establish a rapid and agile process for convening 
subject matter experts to address adverse health effects of public 
health emergencies and disasters when they occur. The goal of the 
process will be to prioritize scientific research needs in the 
immediate aftermath of a disaster that culminates in a summary report 
of the strategic science research questions most relevant to promote 
better response, recovery or enhanced resilience in the affect 
community. Research results would also inform response to the next 
disaster event. Subject matter expertise would vary, depending on the 
nature of the emergency/disaster. This could include experts with 
background in public health, epidemiology, environmental health, 
emergency management, first response, emergency medicine, infectious 
diseases, nursing, emergency management, bioethics, medical 
countermeasures, state and local government, operations research 
national civic organizations, and risk communication. The process 
convened by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) would also provide a 
connection to the local communities affected by the disaster, and 
include important stakeholders, such as non-government funders or other 
organizations. This cooperative Agreement will support ASPR's 
Government Performance and Results Act goals that ``HHS will work with 
its Federal, state, local, tribal, and international partners to build 
community resilience and strengthen health and emergency response 
systems. Robust systems are essential to a secure and resilient. Nation 
with required capabilities to prevent, protect against, mitigate, 
respond to, and recover from the threats and hazards that pose the 
greatest risk. This includes strengthening the Federal medical and 
public health response capability''. Scientific research involved with 
preparedness and response is a key component of this endeavor.

DATES: Period of Performance: September 30, 2014 to September 29, 2015.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Please submit an inquiry via the ASPR 
Division of Grants Management at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to Sections 301. The Office of 
Policy and Planning is the program office for this award.
    Justification: IOM is a nonprofit organization and is part of the 
National Academy of Sciences. IOM undertakes studies that may be 
specific mandates from Congress or requested by federal agencies and 
independent organizations.
    IOM has an established Forum on Medical and Public Health 
Preparedness for Catastrophic Events. The Forum held a panel on Long-
term Recovery of the Healthcare Service Delivery Infrastructure in 
February 2012 during the 2012 Public Health Preparedness Summit in 
Anaheim, California. The Forum's purpose is to foster dialogue

[[Page 49320]]

among stakeholders, identify opportunities for public/private 
collaboration, and identify and address issues relevant to public 
health and medical preparedness. IOM is part of the National Academies, 
which also has an established Disasters Roundtable. The Disasters 
Roundtable holds workshops three times per year on topics often 
relevant to recovery partners. IOM is uniquely positioned to be able to 
not only identify relevant partners and stakeholders but also garner 
their participation in the proposed activities because of their 
existing structures and established reputation.
    Procedures for Providing Public Input: All written comments must be 
15 days after posting of this announcement. Please submit comments at 
[email protected].

    Dated: August 13, 2014.
Nicole Lurie,
Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response.
[FR Doc. 2014-19737 Filed 8-19-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4150-37-P