Acronyms and Definitions

National Biodefense Science Board

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ACF	Administration for Children & Families
ACL	Administration on Community Living
AHRQ	Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality
AOA	Administration on Aging
ASA	Assistant Secretary for Administration
ASH	Assistant Secretary for Health
ASL	Assistant Secretary for Legislation
ASPA	Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs
ASPE	Assistant Secretary for Planning & Evaluation
ASPHEP	Assistant Secretary for Public Health Emergency Preparedness
ASPR	Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response
ASRT	Assistant Secretary for Resources & Technology
ADFO	Alternate Designated Federal Official
Authority	The right, which is reserved by the Secretary, Presidential directive, or statute, to establish a Federal Advisory Committee.
AVA	Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed

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BARDA	Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority

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CBRN	Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Threats
CDC	Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
Chair	Individual appointed to preside at committee meetings and ensure that all rules of order and conduct are maintained during each session.
CHR	Community Health Resilience
CIP	Critical Infrastructure Program
CIPP	Critical Infrastructure Protection Program
Closed Meeting	A meeting held to review, discuss, and deliberate confidential data and documents, which are prohibited from public disclosure.
Conflict of Interest	A matter in which a member of a federal advisory committee has a financial interest or a financial interest that is imputed to the member under 18 U.S.C. 208. Also includes use of the committee office by a member which appears to be or is motivated by a private gain for his/herself or other person(s), particularly those with whom he or she has family, business, or financial ties. (HHS Standards of Conduct, 45 CFR, Part 73).
COO	Continuity of Operations

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DAB	Departmental Appeals Board
Delegation of Authority	A document approved by the Secretary or agency head which authorizes a Department official to: (1) select and invite members to serve on a committee; (2) renew, amend, and terminate a committee; and 3) approve waivers of Department policy regarding membership restrictions.
Designated Federal Officer (DFO)	The DFO is responsible for the committee’s overall management and administrative matters. The DFO must be present at all advisory committee meetings. The DFO may sometimes be referred to as an Executive Secretary, Executive Director, or Scientific Review Officer.
DHS	Department of Homeland Security
DoD	Department of Defense
DoS	Department of State

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ECCC	Emergency Care Coordination Center
EPAP	Emergency Prescription Assistance Program
ESAR–VHP	Emergency System for Advance Registration of Volunteer Health Professionals
Establishing Authority	The law, authorizing establishment of a federal advisory committee.
Ex Officio Member	A federal employee who serves on a federal advisory committee to represent his/her agency and who has expertise in the subject matter.
Executive Secretary/ Executive Director	(See Designated Federal Officer)

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FACA	Federal Advisory Committee Act
Federal Advisory Committee	Any committee, board commission, council, conference, panel task force, initial review group, special emphasis panel, working or other similar group which is not composed entirely of full-time or permanent part-time officers or employees of the Federal Government. This committee is established or utilized by the Department to advise or make recommendations on matters relating to the programs, responsibilities, or activities of the Department. There are three types of advisory committees: (1) Presidential Advisory Committee established by an Executive Order, (2) Statutory Advisory Committee established by Congress, and (3) Discretionary Advisory Committee established under the authority of the Secretary, agency head, or other HHS official with establishment authority.
Federal Register	The daily publication used as a means to provide the public with information regarding regulations and legal notices issued by Federal agencies.
Federal Register Notice	A specific document published in the Federal Register to inform the public about the various activities of federal advisory committees, i.e., the establishment of new committees, charter renewal of existing committees, to solicit the names of potential nominees and meetings.
FEMA	Federal Emergency Management Agency
FETIG	Federal Education and Training Interagency Group
Filing Date	The date the committee’s charter is filed with appropriate standing committees of the Senate, House of Representatives, and the Library of Congress. The filing date also serves as the establishment date for the committee, except for committees established by Executive Order. The establishment date for committees established by Executive Order is the date the charter is filed with the Committee Management Secretariat, GSA.

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GSA	U.S. General Services Administration

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HHS	Department of Health & Human Services
HPP	Hospital Preparedness Program
HRSA	Health Resources & Services Administration

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IGA	Office of Intergovernmental Affairs
IHS	Indian Health Service
IO	Immediate Office
IOM	Institute of Medicine
IOS	Immediate Office of the Secretary

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LOGS	Logistics

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MCM	Medical Countermeasures
MSCC	Medical Surge Capacity and Capability

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NATO	North Atlantic Treaty Organization
NBSB	National Biodefense Science Board (now known as “National Preparedness and Response Science Board”)
NCI	National Cancer Institute
NDMS	National Disaster Medical System
NHSS	National Health Security Strategy
NIH	National Institutes of Health
NIMS	National Incident Management System
NPRSB	National Preparedness and Response Science Board
NRP	National Response Plan
NTE	Not-To-Exceed

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OCR	Office for Civil Rights
OD	Office of the Director
OFDA	Office of US Foreign Disaster Assistance
OFPA	Office of Financial Planning and Analysis
OGC	Office of the General Counsel
OGE	Office of Government Ethics
OGHA	Office of Global Health Affairs
OHR	Office of Human Resources
OIG	Office of the Inspector General
OMHA	Office of Medicare Hearings & Appeals
OPP	Office of Policy and Planning
Open (or Public) Meeting	An advisory committee meeting must be open to the public except where a closed or partially-closed meeting has been determined proper and consistent with the exemption(s) of the Government in the Sunshine Act, 5 U.S.C. 552(b)(c), as the basis for closure.
OS	Office of the Secretary

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PAHPA	Pandemic and All‐Hazards Preparedness Act
PAHPRA	Pandemic and All Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act
Partially Closed Meeting	A federal advisory committee meeting that has open and closed sessions. The open session is open for public attendance and participation either in person or the web. The closed session of the meeting involves matters exempt from disclosure under the Government in the Sunshine Act.
PEP	Post-Exposure Prophylaxis
PHEMCE	Public Health Emergency Medical Countermeasures Enterprise
PI	Pandemic Influenza
PREP	Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis

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Quorum	A quorum is a majority (one more than half) of the committee’s appointed membership, unless the charter states otherwise.

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REC	Regional Emergency Coordinators

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SA	Situational Awareness
SAMHSA	Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration
SIP	Strategic Implementation Plan
SNS	Strategic National Stockpile
Special Government Employee (SGE)	An officer or employee in the executive branch of the Federal Government who is appointed to perform temporary duties, with or without compensation, for a period not to exceed 130 days during any period of 365 consecutive days.
SPG	Strategic Preparedness Goals
SLTT	State, Local, Tribal and Territorial

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USAID	US Agency for International Development
USG	United States Government
USPHS	U.S. Public Health Service

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This page last reviewed: September 21, 2018