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  6. MOU 225-18-013
  1. Academic MOUs

MOU 225-18-013

Memorandum of Understanding Between the Food and Drug Administration, United States Department of Health and Human Services and Montgomery College

I. Purpose

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Montgomery College (MC), share interests in promoting scientific progress in the diverse fields of cybersecurity and technology through collaborations such as Cyber Pathways Across Maryland (CPAM) program. This MOU establishes a framework for this collaboration to enhance mutual cybersecurity and technology related interactions in education and research. Both Institutions foresee benefits from scientific and public health orientation for students by establishing a framework for collaboration on mutually agreed upon programs.

II. Background

FDA Is authorized to enforce the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the Act) as amended (21 U.S.C. 301, et seq.). In fulfilling Its responsibilities under the Act, FDA, among other things, directs its activities toward promoting and protecting the public health by assuring the safety, efficacy, and security of drugs, veterinary products, medical devices and radiological products and the safety and security of foods, dietary supplements, and cosmetics. FDA also has responsibility for regulating the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of tobacco products to protect the public health and to reduce tobacco use by minors. To accomplish its mission, FDA must communicate with stakeholders about complex scientific and public health Issues. Increased development of education and outreach partnerships, as well as inspiring and engaging the next generation in the Importance of regulatory science at MC, will contribute to FDA's mission.

FDA must comply with the Federal Information Security Modernization Act. In in doing so, FDA, among other things, seeks to ensure the confidentiality, Integrity, and availability of Information and compliance with other federal government cybersecurity requirements. FDA's and MC's strategic priorities are aligned to strengthen our ability to conduct highly effective Incident response and Insider threat detection, improve operational situational awareness, and decrease the overall security risks to sensitive FDA Information. To accomplish its cybersecurity mission, FDA must stay abreast of the latest cybersecurity developments in research and strategic resourcing. Increased development of research, education and outreach partnerships with MC will greatly contribute to FDA's cybersecurity mission.

MC Is a fully accredited two-year public community college. MC Is known for Its associate degree program for entry-level positions in cybersecurity. The associate degree program includes topics covering threats and vulnerabilities, prevention at the technical (hardware and software) and human levels, detection, response, and management aspects of security. The program prepares entry-level computer technicians with cybersecurity expertise and has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor through the CPAM program. MC is one of fourteen of the State of Maryland's two-year Institutions that participates in the U.S. Department of Labor's Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career: Training Grants program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor. MC manages Its CPAM program to Increase the number of students completing and earning a degree or certificate in the field of cybersecurity. Through this program, students can learn how to design, defend and respond to cyber threats so that they can become career ready and enter the growing field of cyber security.

The CPAM program addresses the challenges from the lack of an adequate pool of skilled cyber workers, the shortage of laboratory facilities to support cyber training, the lack of training in flexible modalities, and barriers to teaming for underserved populations.

III. Substance of Agreement:

This MOU is intended as a broad vehicle to promote programmatic Interaction in the form of a joint collaboration between FDA and MC staff and students, as well as joint development of relevant scientific research projects in cybersecurity. The mutual opportunities for this collaboration are to:

A. Expose students to cybersecurity professions through experiential and educational Internship opportunities,
B. Promote student education and matriculation into cybersecurity and technology professions;
C. Enhance workforce development;
D. Address a significant skills gap in cybersecurity and technology;
E. Demonstrate the value of community colleges in building an educated and skilled workforce;
F. Provide experiential opportunities in cybersecurity and technology to enhance student skills for in-demand and potential career opportunities; and
G. Identify potential pools of talent by stimulating interests In FDA's mission critical positions in technology and cybersecurity.

FDA and MC agree to convene a planning and evaluation team to Identify initiatives for this partnership that aligns with the CPAM program. These Initiatives may Include:

1. Opportunities for FDA staff to provide cybersecurity educational Initiatives for MC students and staff;
2. Appropriate tours of FDA facilities;
3. Opportunities for FDA and MC to convene joint meetings to identify specific educational and research collaborations;
4. Individualizing career counseling procedures;
5. Identifying and placement in intramural and extramural Internships through CPAM;
6. Develop and evaluate STEM program plans, address program issues, and develop continuous program Improvement processes;
7. Identify sites for cybersecurity and technology skills development experiences; and
8. Assess and document student achievements.

IV. General Provisions

A. Proprietary and/or nonpublic Information will not be disclosed under this MOU.
B. Tort Claims - A program participant/student volunteer is not a Federal employee for any purpose other than injury compensation and law related to the Tort Claims Act. Program participant/student, in this program, is not creditable for leave or any other employee benefits.
C. Security- Each Party will inform the other Party of its security policies and procedures regarding access to and use of facilities and the other Party will comply with those policies. Either Party may restrict or limit access to its property, facilities, and programs at any time, for any reason. MC Individuals participating in activities under this MOU on FDA's property will comply with all applicable federal statutes and regulations.
D.  Conflict of Interest - Individual participants/students in activities under this MOU who are not U.S. Government employees will be expected to abide by conflict of Interest rules and policies as specified by FDA, and as set out in any Supplemental Agreement covering those activities.

V. Resource Obligations

This MOU represents the broad outline of how the Partners' may enter specific agreements for collaborative efforts of mutual interest. Ail activities undertaken pursuant to the MOU are subject to the availability of personnel, resources, and funds. This MOU does not affect or supersede any existing or future agreements or arrangements among the Partners. This MOU does not create binding, enforceable obligations against either Partner. This MOU and ail associated agreements will be subject to the applicable policies, rules, regulations, and statutes under which FDA and MC operate.

VI. Liaisons

A. FDA's Office of Information Management and Technology is the lead office for the Memorandum of Understanding. The individual to whom all inquiries to FDA should be addressed is:

  Craig Taylor, FDA Chief Information Security Officer
  Office of Information Management and Technology
  11601 Landsdown St, North Bethesda, MD 20850
  Craig.Taylor@fda.hhs.gov
  301-796-6896

B. The individual{s) to whom all inquiries to the Montgomery College should be addressed is:

  Angelica Andon
  Program Manager, Cyber Pathways Across Maryland
  Montgomery College Workforce Development & Continuing Education
  Angelica.Andon@montgomerycollege.edu
  Germantown Campus - BE119
  240-567-1969

VII. Terms, Termination, Modification

This MOU, when accepted by both Partners, will have an effective period of  performance from date of signature until two years after the date of signature and may be modified by mutual consent, or may be terminated by either Partner on a 60-day advance written notice to the other.

Approved and Accepted:
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Craig Taylor
FDA Chief Information Officer, Acting
/s/
March 28, 2018

Approved and Accepted:
Montgomery College
DeRionne P. Pollard, PhD,
President
/s/
March 12, 2018
 

 
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