October 4, 2007 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Trans-NIH Initiatives: Dr. Juan Rivera (See attached power point for details)
The initiatives were developed by a group nominated by the SDs. They included the following rules used to develop initiatives. Ideas should not be limited by specific criteria, they should be innovative, and encourage trans-NIH IRP participation.
Based on the initial meetings, they have decided to move forward with the following three areas:
Immunity, Autoimmunity, and Inflammation (NHLBI, NIAMS,
NIDDK)
Imaging initiative-Molecules to Cells (high resolution challenge) (NICHD, NIBIB, NCI)
Systems Biology (Molecular & Genetics Network)
Resources - funding has not been worked out completely at this point. NIBIB has agreed to provide some modest funds, and CIT is interested in the Systems Biology component.
Space - not yet determined
Infrastructure/Equipment - some Director's Discretionary Funds are available in FY07 for all 3 initiatives. Initial equipment will arrive soon.
There will be a retreat on October 22nd regarding funding mechanisms, waiting from report from committee (Dr. Katz). They are hoping to leverage the ICs so that there is institute buy-in.
NBS Update: Debbie Fountain
The NBS has been shut down for FY07 and is back up for FY08. She invited the AO community to the NBS Receiving Forum scheduled for 10/18. OFM will be present at this forum, as well as a panel from key groups. She mentioned the results of the AO survey of questions pertaining to receiving and invoices. Some questions were too specific to be able to answer in a larger venue, so they looked for general themes to discuss at the forum. There will not be time to conduct targeted sessions or receiving labs. The forum will be telecast at a later date.
The NBS will no longer offer NBS targeted training sessions due to funding limitations. The tactical support provided will be shifting to strategical support.
NBS will begin to work on improving the vendor request process. There are many issues involved in the vendor request process. Vendors are at fault for some part of the problems, not just the NBS. They are looking at developing detailed documents to share with vendors on how to participate in the NIH process. A suggestion was made to provide sample invoices on the NBS websites so that vendors could refer to it prior to preparing or submitting their invoices. Debbie indicated that we should plan for the ADB to go down on December 31.
Capital HR Update: Jennifer Burton
User guides for Capital HR will be out in mid to late October. A message will be sent out informing everyone of the updates.
Mandatory Training Listing: Janet Dudrick
A committee has been formed to look into collecting a listing of all required training at the NIH. Several NIH interns are participating on this committee. They will collect and prepare a training inventory. They are looking into an HHS learning management system to do the tracking.
OITE MOUs: Linda Adams
Linda Adams mentioned that she received good feedback on the MOUs for graduate students. Sharon Milgram is requesting volunteers from the intramural administrative community to serve on a group to look into problems with paying tuition for graduate students.
Action: Ellen Rolfes will query the group for volunteers to work on best practices for paying graduate student tuition.
Ice Machines in Building 10: Cyrena Simmons/Nate Adams
ORF will create new ice machine alcoves in each East and West "Utility knuckle" space on floors 2-13 in old Building 10. They will purchase new ice machines in bulk, with the cost of the machines divided among the ICs in proportion to their space on those floors in old Bldg 10. The AOs agreed to send Nate and Cyrena locations of ice machines in ACRF and old Bldg 10 which are not currently in the knuckles, so they will remain in operation during the renovations, which will begin in spring 2008. They plan to keep two ice machines in each knuckle so that at least some will be in service at all times. Cyrena will send the IAMC the type of planned ice machine that will be purchased.
Questions were brought up as to whether or not a maintenance agreement would be needed for the ice machines. Based on a quick poll of the group, it was decided that there are few problems with the machines so maintenance agreements are not needed. Cyrena will get back to the group on the cost of the machines. It was decided that the purchases would be made via a Direct CAN Citation.
The closing of the Warehouse for surplused items was brought up by members of the group. Concerns were presented about the stockpiling of surplused items and remedies for storing surplused property in vacant areas on the campus. Cyrena was going to look into space that may be converted to storage space.
General Discussion
Linda Adams indicated that the Special Volunteer manual issuance is being updated. New language is being included regarding torts claim coverage. Special Volunteers may be asked to sign the new agreement.
Linda and Lynne updated the group on HSPD12. Since the last Brown Bag Session on HSPD12, the worksheets and process guidelines have been consolidated. They are looking into how they will train everyone on the new security process. Train-the-trainer options appeared to be the best option for the group. CIT is trying to automate the checklist in NED, and they hope it will be in place in late January/early February. Ellen indicated that they could use the November Brown Bag slot for HSPD12 training.
The new PIV for smart card is supposed to roll out in February. HHS mandated the new cards with color coding (Blue-for foreign nationals; White for FTEs; and Green for everyone else). Commissioned Corps is taking care of the background checks for officers.
Ellen reminded everyone that Joel Papier will participate in the November Brown Bag Session on the use of entertainment funds. She also reminded everyone of the importance of participating in the Personnel Projections Brown Bag session scheduled for October 18th.