2023-18450. Solicitation of Nominations for Appointment to the Board of Scientific Counselors, Center for Preparedness and Response

AGENCY:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is seeking nominations for membership on the Board of Scientific Counselors, Center for Preparedness and Response, (BSC, CPR). The BSC, CPR consists of 11 experts in fields associated with business, crisis leadership, emergency response and management, informatics, laboratory science, medicine, mental and behavioral health, public health law, public health practice, risk communication, and social science.

DATES:

Nominations for membership on the BSC, CPR must be received no later than October 31, 2023. Packages received after this time will not be considered for the current membership cycle.

ADDRESSES:

All nominations should be emailed to [e-mail].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Dometa Ouisley, Public Health Analyst, Office of Science and Public Health Practice, Office of Readiness and Response, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop H21–6, Atlanta, Georgia 30329–4027. Telephone: [phone]; Email: [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Nominations are sought for individuals who have the expertise and qualifications necessary to contribute to the accomplishment of the objectives of the Board of Scientific Counselors, Center for Preparedness and Response (BSC, CPR). Nominees will be selected based on expertise in the fields of business, crisis leadership, emergency response and management, informatics, laboratory science, medicine, mental and behavioral health, public health law, public health practice, risk communication, and social science. Selection of members is based on candidates' qualifications to contribute to the accomplishment of the BSC, CPR objectives ( https://www.cdc.gov/​orr/​bsc/​index.htm). Members may be invited to serve for up to four-year terms.

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) 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.

Board members are Special Government Employees, requiring the filing of financial disclosure reports at the beginning of and annually during their terms. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reviews potential candidates for BSC, CPR 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 October 2024, or as soon as the HHS selection process is completed. 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. Candidates should submit the following items:

Cover letter stating area of expertise, your background and experience, and the skills/perspective you would bring to the Board.

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

At least one letter of recommendation from person(s) not employed by HHS. 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 ( i.e., CDC, National Institutes of Health, Food and Drug Administration, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, etc.).

Nominations may be submitted by the candidate or by the person/organization recommending the candidate.

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