U.S. Office of Personnel Management - Ensuring the Federal Government has an effective civilian workforce

Federal Employees Health Benefits Program

SUBJECT: The Office of Personnel Management’s Strategy for Pandemic Influenza

The National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza guides our Nation's preparedness and response to an influenza pandemic, with the intent of (1) stopping, slowing or otherwise limiting the spread of a pandemic to the United States; (2) limiting the domestic spread of a pandemic and mitigating disease, suffering and death; and (3) sustaining infrastructure and mitigating impact to the economy and the functioning of society. As part of this strategy, President George W. Bush directed each Federal department and agency to develop a comprehensive preparedness plan in the event this country experiences a pandemic influenza outbreak.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is responsible for providing guidance to Federal agencies on human capital management and continuity of operations. To ensure agencies are able to fulfill their missions, while at the same time preparing and protecting the Federal workforce should a pandemic influenza outbreak occur, OPM has updated its policies on leave, telework, health and life insurance, and other critical human capital issues in relation to pandemic influenza. Information on OPM’s initiatives is available at the following Website: http://www.opm.gov/pandemic/index.asp.

We request that your plan review the information available at this Website to ensure that your pandemic preparedness is consistent with OPM’s policies on pandemic influenza. You are responsible for ensuring preparation for a possible pandemic influenza outbreak is an integral part of your strategic planning for continuity of operations.

If you have any questions, please contact your contract representative.

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