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Epidemic Intelligence Service Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)
External (non-CDC) Host Site and paid by EIS Program
2026-2028
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Document Guide
I.
Purpose:
The purpose of this Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) is to set boundaries and expectations for
each participating entity during circumstances when the Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) pays for
the salary and benefits of an Epidemic Intelligence Service officer (EISO) assigned to an external
organization (non-CDC) Host Site.
II.
Definitions:
a. CDC Supervisor – the EIS program staff epidemiologist designated to provide CDC-
specific (e.g., programmatic and scientific, mentorship, 6-month report and assessment
reviews) support to the EISO.
b. Host Site Supervisors – the people at each Host Site designated to provide Host Site
specific (e.g., project, administrative, scientific) support. One primary and at least one
secondary supervisor are identified for each Host Site.
III.
Instructions:
Sections highlighted in yellow should be completed by the Host Site prior to signature.
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Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)
between
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for State, Tribal, Local and Territorial
(STLT) Public Health Infrastructure and Workforce (PHIC), Division of Workforce Development (DWD),
Epidemiology and Laboratory Workforce Branch (ELWB), Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS)
And
[___________________________]
(Host Site)
To host
[___________________________]
(EISO)
I.
Period of performance
A. The Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer (EISO) will begin their training on June 29, 2026,
and end on June 28, 2028.
II.
Technical
A. Supervision
i. Professional supervision and direction for the EISO is the responsibility of the
primary supervisor within the Host Site. When the primary supervisor is unavailable,
a specifically designated secondary supervisor will provide supervision. The
supervisors are designated on the signatures page of this MOA.
ii. Host Site supervisors should be available for consultation on a day-to-day basis to
provide guidance and direction to the EISO in assigning work projects, setting
priorities, defining work goals, and providing access to needed resources including
technical or subject matter expertise. Supervisors are encouraged to use DWD
Quality Science Standards (Appendix 1).
iii. Should a change in Host Site supervisor(s) become necessary for any purpose, the
Host Site must ensure the proposed supervisor meets the EIS program requirements
as outlined in the EIS Program Supervisory Requirements (Appendix 2). The Host
Site agrees to consult with the EIS program on the supervisor selection and notify
the program when the change occurs.
iv. A CDC supervisor (i.e., an EIS program supervisor) will be assigned to support the
EISO through scientific, mentoring, and federal administrative activities.
B. Scope of Work
i. The Host Site should provide the EISO with activities that are a balance between
assistance and support to the Host Site and supervised experience in the practice of
applied epidemiology. Overall activities should provide a learning experience to
fulfill each required Core Activity of Learning (CAL) as outlined in the CAL
Implementation Guide (Appendix 3). The EISO’s administrative responsibilities
Maricopa County Dept of Public Health
Madeline Sands, MD, PhD
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should be limited to those which are essential to the practice of applied
epidemiology.
ii. Through completion of required EIS program activities as outlined in Appendix 3,
each EISO will have the opportunity to develop proficiency in the following areas:
1. Epidemiologic field investigations
2. Epidemiologic analyses of data sets
3. Surveillance activities
4. Scientific writing
5. Oral presentation
iii. The EISO may be made available, at the judgment of the Host Site supervisors, to
provide consultation and technical assistance, consistent with this MOA, within the
Host Site jurisdiction as opportunities arise.
iv. The EISO shall perform all work described herein as an employee of the CDC and not
as an officer, agent, servant, or employee of the Host Site. This MOA shall not
establish any joint employer relationship between the CDC and the Host Site nor any
employment relationship between the EISO and the Host Site.
C. Outside Activities
i. The EISO may engage in Outside Activities (e.g., teaching, speaking, clinical
employment) only if the activities do not conflict with HHS’ standards of conduct
and CDC’s Outside Activities policies (Appendix 4), and are formally approved by
CDC. In general, outside employment is discouraged due to the potential to distract
from, or conflict with, the training and service goals of the EIS program.
D. Urgent Response Deployments
i. In times of emergency, the EISO might be deployed on short notice to serve CDC to
assist in responses to outbreaks or other crises. The decision to deploy an EISO will
be made by CDC in consultation with the Host Site supervisors. However, the EIS
program reserves the right to unilaterally assign an EISO temporarily to a field team
or other emergency response activity.
ii. Every EISO will be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for CDC response
activities (e.g., Epi-Aids) or other priority CDC deployments or responses.
E. Human Subjects and Paperwork Reduction Act (Project) Determinations, Host Site
Approvals, and Product Clearance
i. Projects undertaken by the EISO should be reviewed by CDC for Human Subjects
Research and Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) determination through the Study
Tracking and Reporting System (STARS). Project Determinations should follow
applicable CDC policies and procedures. If additional federal Institutional Review
Board (IRB) and PRA approvals are required, the EISO and CDC supervisor are
responsible for obtaining these approvals.
ii. If required by the Host Site, local IRB approval should be obtained.
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iii. CDC clearance must be obtained for any publicly available scientific product
(manuscripts, abstracts, presentations, etc.) authored or co-authored by the EISO.
CDC clearance is processed through CDC’s eClearance system consistent with CDC
clearance policies.
iv. Host Sites are responsible for managing local (Host Site) clearance procedures.
F. Training Requirements
i. The EISO is responsible for completing all CDC- and HHS-mandated trainings.
ii. The EISO must attend all EIS program required trainings and activities listed below
unless deployed or granted an exception by the EIS program. The EISO will be
notified by the EIS program of required trainings and dates will be provided as soon
as determined. We anticipate that all in person trainings will be held in Atlanta, GA.
iii. EISOs must attend the following required trainings and activities:
1. Tuesday Monthly Seminars — Generally held on the 2nd Tuesday of the
month from 1:00pm–3:00pm (ET). Attendance will be virtual for EISOs
based outside of Atlanta.
2. Tuesday Training Seminars — Generally on the 3rd Tuesday of the month
for first-year EISOs and the 4th Tuesday of the month for second-year EISOs,
from 1:00pm–3:00pm (ET). Attendance will be virtual for EISOs based
outside of Atlanta.
3. Annual EIS Conference —Attend in person the entire weeklong annual EIS
Conference typically held in April or May.
4. Training Courses — Attend in person both first- and second-year summer
courses, first-year fall course, and complete all sessions and assignments for
an online asynchronous first year course.
5. EIS Rounds — Attend EIS rounds to provide feedback on the program and
assignment. Rounds are typically held once a year for 90 minutes and will be
virtual for those not based in Atlanta.
6. Scientific Presentation Training (SPT) — SPT is held approximately 4–6
weeks prior to the annual EIS Conference. Each field EISO is required to
attend SPT to present their EIS presentation, practice question and answer
responses, and receive feedback to strengthen the presentation.
G. EIS Conference Abstracts
i. EISOs are required to submit at least one abstract to the annual EIS Conference
during the two-year period. All submitted abstracts should concern work performed
while on official duty during the program. Accordingly, submitted abstracts should
be cleared following the procedures of both the Host Site and EIS program.
III.
Performance
A. Evaluation
i. The Host Site supervisors and CDC supervisor should engage in regular discussion of
performance with the EISO.
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ii. Every 6 months, the Host Site supervisor will conduct a formal evaluation of the
EISO with respect to required EIS activities. Instructions for evaluating the EISO will
be sent to Host Site supervisors via email at least 1 month before the feedback is
due. The Host Site’s primary supervisor should complete these assessments, review
them with their EISOs in a timely fashion and submit the assessments to the EIS
program by the due dates.
B. Supervisor Communication
i. Direct communication between the Host Site and EIS program via the CDC
supervisor is important in maximizing the EISO’s professional development. The EIS
program also welcomes, or might request, direct feedback on the EISO from the
Host Site primary supervisor.
C. Commissioned Corps Evaluation and Awards
i. EISOs in the Commissioned Corps are responsible for completing Part I of the annual
Commissioned Officer Efficiency Report (COER) and complying with deadlines
provided by Commissioned Corps Headquarters. The CDC supervisor is responsible
for completing the “Rating Official” feedback, in consultation with the Host Site
primary supervisor. The Chief of the EIS Program is the “Reviewing Official” for all
EISO COERs.
ii. The EIS program will support the nomination of awards for EISOs in the
Commissioned Corps consistent with Commissioned Corps policy. The EISO and CDC
supervisor are responsible for preparing and submitting the award nomination.
IV.
Administrative
A. EIS Program Responsibilities
i. Salary and benefits
1. The EIS program is responsible for all salary and benefits costs (including
overtime and compensatory time).
2. Prior to being earned, compensatory time and overtime must be approved
by the EIS program as outlined in the EIS Officer Handbook.
3. The EIS program will initiate human resource actions to process stipend
increases for Title 42 EISOs during the period of performance.
ii. Onboarding
1. The EIS program will recruit and facilitate the selection and onboarding of
the EISO consistent with EIS program and CDC policies and processes.
2. Where applicable, the EIS program will provide or organize CDC
administrative support for the EISO, including onboarding, work
authorizations, background checks/security clearance, relocations, and
visas.
3. The EIS program is responsible for completing HHS Form 0.1137 and
submitting the form to CDC’s Office of Safety, Security, and Asset
Management (OSSAM) to obtain the EISO’s CDC personal identity
verification (PIV) card.
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4. The EIS program is responsible for initiating CDC PIV card renewals or
extensions in the event of card expiration or need for replacement.
5. For EISOs who are not U.S. citizens, the EIS program is responsible for
initiating CDC non-U.S. Citizen Access Management System (NCAMS)
requests and renewals during the EISO’s period of performance.
iii. Passports and Government Credit Card
1. The EIS program will create a Concur Government Edition (CDC’s travel
approval system) traveler profile for the EISO.
2. During First-Year Summer Course the EIS program will brief EISOs on the
following:
a. How to apply for a government travel charge card. EISOs will
apply through the EIS Program contact.
b. How to apply for a government passport.
3. EISOs who are not U.S. citizens are not eligible for official travel outside the
continental United States (OCONUS) and cannot be issued a U.S.
government passport.
iv. Computer, Network Access, and Office Support
1. A CDC network enabled laptop (with R, R Studio, and EndNote), docking
station, and internet hotspot (for connection to the CDC network while in
the Host Site office) will be issued to the EISO by the EIS program.
v. Specialized software
1. SAS® statistical analysis software will not be preloaded onto computers
this year. If the EISO needs SAS®, they should submit a request using the
CDC Software Request Tool. The EIS program is responsible for costs
associated with SAS® if needed to complete required activities of the EIS
program.
B. Host Site Responsibility
i. Each EISO should have designated resource personnel at the Host Site available to
provide data support, computer technical support, and administrative resource
support for Host Site functions.
ii. Office Support and Computer
1. The Host Site will be responsible for local onboarding to include, but not
limited to, issuance of card keys, building access, and access to any required
host site IT networks or internet.
2. The Host Site will provide a dedicated office setting near the Host Site
supervisors, telephone, administrative support services, office supplies, and
any additional needed resources.
3. If the EISO cannot connect to the Host Site network with their CDC-issued
laptop, the Host Site will provide a workstation that will allow for
connection to the local network and systems. The Host Site will provide
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necessary workstation peripherals, including a monitor, keyboard, and
mouse.
iii. Specialized software
1. The Host Site is responsible for costs associated with specialized software
needed to complete required activities conducted as part of the scope of
work under this MOA.
iv. Emergency Notification Alert Systems
1. The Host Site is responsible for ensuring the EISO is enrolled in all
emergency notification alert systems including laboratory or campus
operating status (closures, delayed openings, phased release), hazardous
weather announcements, and shelter-in-place notifications for the Host Site
facilities.
2. Host Sites are responsible for notifying the EIS program with confirmation
that the EISO has been enrolled in all emergency notification systems.
C. Travel and conferences
i. The EIS program will pay for the EISO’s travel to all required in-person EIS trainings
and activities (e.g. Annual EIS Conference, Scientific Presentation Training).
ii. The EIS program will provide up to $2,000 for CDC-approved travel costs and up to
$750 in conference registration costs per EISO for each year of the program,
pending availability of funds. Unused funds cannot be carried over to the
subsequent year. If the cost of one conference exceeds $2750, the EISO should talk
to their CDC supervisor before committing to attend. EISOs should follow the
procedures outlined in the EIS Officer Handbook to request conference attendance
and must have an accepted presentation covering work completed during EIS to be
approved to attend an external conference.
iii. Pending availability of funds the EIS Program will pay for the following additional
travel:
1. Unplanned travel greater than 100-mile radius (e.g., outbreak
investigation, emergency response) from the EISO’s official duty station
or home, or with duration over 12 hours, if approved by the EIS
program’s director or designee. The traveler must obtain from CDC an
official risk assessment and travel authorization approval.
2. Travel within a 100-mile radius of the EISO’s place of work or home
residence and less than 12 hours (no lodging or per diem). This travel
includes mileage, parking, and tolls, and must be claimed and paid
through CDC’s local travel system.
iv. The EIS program is responsible for ensuring the EISO is aware of all federal travel
policies and regulations.
v. Following HHS sponsored travel policies and timelines as outlined in the EIS Officer
Handbook, the Host Site will pay for planned travel (e.g., additional conference or
meeting attendance) involving a greater 100-mile radius.
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vi.
The Host Site and EIS Program will coordinate as necessary to ensure Host Site and
federal regulations are followed.
D. Telework
i.
EISOs are not eligible for remote work or full-time telework.
ii.
EISOs are eligible for ad-hoc or situational telework per HHS policy. EISOs funded by
another federal agency (e.g., USDA or DoD) should follow their funding agency’s
policy.
iii.
The EISO’s participation in ad-hoc or situational telework is voluntary and left to the
discretion of the Host Site as long as participation is consistent with EIS program
guidelines and funding agency policy.
iv.
During emergency situations at the Host Site facilities (e.g., dangerous weather,
power outage, internet outage), the EISO should follow the Host Site’s operational
guidance. The EISO should contact their CDC supervisor if they feel their work
environment is unsafe or does not comply with local or state guidance.
E.
Disciplinary Actions
i.
The Host Site should coordinate with the EIS program prior to any disciplinary
actions being taken against the EISO.
ii.
Disciplinary actions must follow Federal regulations and CDC practices (Appendix 5).
Before beginning any disciplinary action, the EIS program should contact their
respective employee relations specialist.
F.
Attendance Expectations
i.
The EISO is expected to follow all current and applicable federal time and
attendance policies and procedures as outlined in the EIS Officer Handbook.
Consistent with these policies, the EISO should ensure that leave requests are
submitted and approved by both the Host Site and CDC supervisors prior to the
leave or immediately thereafter in emergencies.
G. Termination
i.
If the EISO’s suspension, resignation, or termination is desired by any party during
the period set out in this MOA, this desire should be made known without delay to
all appropriate parties, including the EISO, the CDC supervisor, and the Host Site
supervisors, to ensure that appropriate policies and procedures are followed
depending on the circumstance. However, if the Host Site determines, in its
discretion, that the EISO’s continued work under the MOA poses an imminent risk to
health, safety, security, or property, or violates jurisdiction policies, the Host Site
may immediately suspend the EISO from working at the Host Site under this MOA
and will provide immediate notice to the CDC supervisor of such suspension. Should
the Host Site desire to suspend the EISO from activities at the host site, such
suspension will have no immediate effect on the EISO’s employment or affiliation
with CDC.
ii.
Any activities related to termination from the Host Site placement must comply
with relevant policies and regulations of the EISO’s employing agency or
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department. Terminations should be in coordination with the EIS program’s policies
and procedures.
H. The Host Site may, by written notice to CDC, terminate all or part of this MOA at any
time for the convenience of the Host Site. The notice shall specify the effective date and
the scope of the termination. In the event of termination, CDC agrees to maintain, store,
protect, archive and/or dispose of any documents or data in its custody and control
related to this MOA accordance with applicable law and requirements. As a general
matter, the disposition of records in CDC’s custody and control is governed by the
Federal Records Act and may only be accomplished in accordance with schedules for
destruction as provided under federal law. Governing Law
I.
Governing Law
i. This MOA shall be governed by applicable federal law.
J. Liability
Each party will be responsible for its own acts and the results thereof and shall not be
responsible for the acts of the other party and the results thereof. Each party therefore
agrees that it will assume all risk and liability to itself, its agents or employees, for any
injury to persons or property resulting in any manner from the conduct of its own
operations and the operations of its agents or employees under this MOA, and for any
loss, cost, damage, or expense resulting at any time from any and all causes due to any
act or acts, negligence, or the failure to exercise proper precautions, of or by itself or its
agents or its own employees, while conducting activities under and pursuant to this
MOA. The Government's liability shall be governed by the provisions of the Federal Tort
Claims Act, [28 U.S.C. 2671-80 (1976)].
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Epidemic Intelligence Service Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)
2026-2028
This memorandum confirms the arrangements and expectations for a 2-year assignment for an Epidemic
Intelligence Service Officer (EISO).
(version: Hosted by External Agency, Paid by EIS Program)
Host Site Agency: [_____________________]
EIS Officer’s Name: [_____________________]
Period of Assignment: June 29, 2026 – June 28, 2028
Please identify the following Host Site Points of Contact:
POC
Name
Title
E-mail
Primary Supervisor
First Secondary Supervisor
Second Secondary
Supervisor (if applicable)
Statistical Resource
Administrative Resource
Primary Supervisor
___________________________ ___________________________ ______________
Print or Type Name
Signature
Date
State/County/City Epidemiologist (if not primary)
___________________________ ___________________________ ______________
Print or Type Name
Signature
Date
*The person to whom the primary supervisor reports
CDC Supervisor
___________________________ ___________________________ ______________
Print or Type Name
Signature
Date
Maricopa County Department of Public Health
R. Nicholas Staab
Chief Medical Officer
Nick.Staab@maricopa.gov
Ariella P. Dale
Chief Science Officer
Ariella.Dale@maricopa.gov
Jessica White
Division Admin, Epidemiology
Jessica.White@maricopa.gov
Gina
R. Nicholas Staab
SIGN
SIGN
SIGN
Epi.admin@maricopa.gov
6/29/2026
Madeline Sands