2019-17691. Solicitation of Nominations for Appointment to the Advisory Council for the Elimination of Tuberculosis (ACET)

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is seeking nominations for membership on the ACET. The ACET consists of 10 experts in fields associated with public health, epidemiology, immunology, infectious disease, pulmonary disease, pediatrics, tuberculosis, microbiology, or preventive health care delivery. They are selected by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). ACET provides advice and recommendations regarding eliminating tuberculosis (TB) to the Secretary, HHS; the Assistant Secretary for Health, HHS; and the CDC Director. ACET (a) makes recommendations regarding TB prevention and control policies, strategies, objectives, and priorities; (b) addresses development and application of new technologies; (c) provides guidance and review of CDC's TB prevention research portfolio and program priorities; and (d) reviews the extent to which progress has been made toward eliminating TB. Nominations are being sought for individuals who have expertise and qualifications necessary to contribute to the accomplishments of ACET's objectives. Nominees will be selected on the basis of their expertise in public health, epidemiology, immunology, infectious diseases, pulmonary disease, pediatrics, tuberculosis, microbiology, or preventive health care delivery. Federal employees are ineligible for membership. Members may be invited to serve for up to four year terms. Selection of members is based on candidates' qualifications to contribute to the accomplishment of ACET's objectives.

DATES:

Nominations for ACET membership must be received no later than August 31, 2019. Packages received after that date will not be considered for the current membership cycle.

ADDRESSES:

All nominations should be mailed to 1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop E07, Atlanta, GA 30329-4027; or emailed (recommended) to [e-mail]; or faxed to 404-639-8600.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Margie Scott-Cseh, Committee Management Specialist, NCHHSTP, CDC, 1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop E07, Atlanta, GA 30329-4027; telephone: [phone]; email: [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services policy stipulates that committee membership be balanced in terms of points of view represented, and the committee's function. Appointments shall be made without discrimination on the basis of age, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, HIV status, disability, and cultural, religious, or socioeconomic status. Nominees must be U.S. citizens, and cannot be full-time employees of the U.S. Government. Current participation on federal workgroups or prior experience serving on a federal advisory committee does not disqualify a candidate; however, HHS policy is to avoid excessive individual service on advisory committees and multiple committee memberships. Committee members are Special Government Employees (SGEs), requiring the filing of financial disclosure reports at the beginning and annually during their terms. CDC reviews potential candidates for ACET membership each year, and provides a slate of nominees for consideration to the Secretary of HHS for final selection. HHS notifies selected candidates of their appointment near the start of the term in July 2020, or as soon as the HHS selection process is complete. Note that the need for different expertise varies from year to year and a candidate who is not selected in one year may be reconsidered in a subsequent year. SGE Nominees must be U.S. citizens, and cannot be full-time employees of the U.S. Government. Candidates should submit the following items:

Current curriculum vitae, including complete contact information (telephone numbers, mailing address, and email address).

Cover letter, including a description of the candidate qualifications and why the candidate would be a good fit for ACET.

At least one letter of recommendation from person(s) not employed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (Candidates may submit letter(s) from current HHS employees if they wish, but at least one letter must be submitted by a person not employed by an HHS agency (e.g., CDC, NIH, FDA, etc.) [see https://www.hhs.gov/​about/​agencies/​hhs-agencies-and-offices/​index.html for a full list]).

Nominations may be submitted by the candidate him- or herself, or by a person/organization recommending the candidate.

The Director, Strategic Business Initiatives Unit, Office of the Chief Operating Officer, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has been delegated the authority to sign Federal Register notices pertaining to announcements of meetings and other committee management activities, for both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.

Kalwant Smagh,

Director, Strategic Business Initiatives Unit, Office of the Chief Operating Officer, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.