ACTG Highlights

ACTG MANAGEMENT PRIORITIES
Established January 1990
1. The process for determining overall scientific priorities is being further systematized and
improved.
2. Strategies are being developed and implemented to increase participation of the ACTG in
opportunistic infection research.
3. Protocols designated highest priority are being completed expeditiously.
(1) ACTG 116: ddl vs. AZT
(2) ACTG 117: ddl vs. AZT
(3) ACTG 076: AZT in infants with perinatal exposure
(4) ACTG 021: PCP secondary prophylaxis
(5) ACTG 081: PCP primary prophylaxis
4. Protocols are being developed, implemented and completed more efficiently.
o In order to conduct more studies with available resources, a special
committee is streamlining ACTG protocols to ensure that only data
required to achieve the goals of the study are collected.
o Laboratory testing is being conducted more efficiently.
5. Short and long-term plans for the management of the Operations Office contract are
addressing the current needs of the ACTG.
6. The Statistical and Data Analysis Center (SDAC) will be fully operational by the target
date of June 1990.
The NIAID's requirements for a data center changed dramatically after the award
of the first contract in September 1986, due to the need for large-scale
randomized multicenter studies. Given the change in workscope and budget, it
was necessary to recompete the contract early.
No slowdown has resulted from the shift to the new SDAC. The rate at which
new protocols have been and will continue to be initiated during the course of
the transition is the same as the rate for the two prior years.
7. A plan is being developed for the recompetition of the ACTUs that addresses the issues
of incentive-based funding and increasing the participation of underrepresented
populations. (For details on initiatives to increase participation of minorities, IVDUs,
women, and children, see separate section.)
8. An institutional performance evaluation system is being developed that ensures better
linkage between performance and funding.

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