MAJOR FUNCTIONS OF THE ACTG OPERATIONS CENTER (OPS)

Social & Scientific Systems, Inc. (http://www.s-3.com) has served as the ACTG Operations Center (OPS) since the inception of the network in 1987. OPS functions as the administrative center for the ACTG, coordinating among DAIDS/NIAID; the ACTG Leadership; ACTG investigators, pharmaceutical companies, the network laboratories, clinical research site staff, and the SDMC. OPS performs the following major functions in support of the ACTG:

Financial Administration

• Serves as the grantee and fiscal agent for the ACTG
• At the direction of the Network PI, develops and manages budgets; negotiates, executes, and manages agreements and subcontracts for the ACTG
• Applies for, receives, administers, and fiscally accounts for ACTG funds
• Develops and manages the ACTG Network Leadership Group budget
• Develops protocol budgets and site protocol implementation funding (PIF) plans
• Manages financial interactions with government agencies and with the pharmaceutical industry
• Develops and manages subcontracts
• Procures products and services
• Prepares financial status reports

Administrative and Logistical Support for Major Network Components

• Supports the ACTG Principal Investigator (PI)/Chair and Vice Chair
• Supports the ACTG Laboratory Structure and Laboratory PI
• Supports the scientific, resource, and executive committees
• Supports the Clinical Research Sites (CRSs)

Administrative and Logistical Support for Major Network Activities

• Manages the site, laboratory, and other network evaluation processes
• Participates in cross-network activities with other DAIDS-funded networks
• Provides support for CRS Community Advisory Boards (CABs) and Network CAB
• Plans and coordinates annual, protocol team, committee, and other meetings as well as network retreats
• Facilitates and arranges travel
• Manages and maintains the ACTG Website and directory of members
• Provides conference call setup and support
• Maintains the financial disclosure program
• Maintains the ACTG tracking database
• Maintains and archives files and documents

Protocol Management and Publication Tracking

• Manages the protocol development process
• Writes, reviews, and distributes protocol documents
• Coordinates protocol-specific training and communication
• Coordinates study implementation, management, and closure
• Coordinates team safety monitoring
• Develops protocol amendments and clarifications
• Coordinates manuscript reviews
• Collects and tracks ACTG abstracts and publications

International Site Support

• Provides support for the International Liaison to the Executive Committee
• Provides support for international sites
• Conducts site assessments
• Coordinates site training programs
• Coordinates site establishment and preparedness activities
• Supports protocol registration and initiation processes
• Facilitates travel

Laboratory Support

• Tracks Specialty Laboratory work load
• Conducts international laboratory assessments
• Coordinates international laboratory infrastructure establishment
• Identifies, negotiates, and procures outsourced laboratory resources, materials, and shipping services
• Maintains laboratory assay database
• Contracts and coordinates specimen repository services