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  1. Home
  2. About Grants
  3. Division of Development and Customer Engagement (DDCE)

Division of Development and Customer Engagement (DDCE)

DDCE is responsible for the core functions of software development and for providing excellent customer relationship service for eRA systems that facilitate grants processing and administration.

Major Responsibilities:

  • Design and development of quality and secure enterprise IT solutions
  • Ensuring excellence in software development methodology
  • Leaders in establishing best practices in software development, analysis testing and customer interactions
  • Delivering quality, secure, flexible features and products with a rewarding user experience
  • Implementing robust testing practices, tools, and processes
  • Coordinating activities to safeguard eRA data from undue foreign interference
  • Developing reporting solutions using transformational technologies to support new policies and capabilities

Senior Leadership:

Director: Patricia Gaines

Staff:

Design and Development Branch (DDB)

Oversees the overall software design and development at eRA.

Testing and Product Assurance Branch (TPAB)

Responsible for the software testing when various system components and features that have been developed are integrated and systematically evaluated to determine if the product is correct and ready for potential implementation. The primary objectives of the testing are to: 1) find and correct defects in software quality 2) verify that the software meets all business requirements and performs as specified by acceptance criteria and 3) ensure there are no adverse impacts on the overall process or other existing systems.

Customer Relationship Management Branch (CRMB)

Operates as the primary liaison between eRA, its stakeholders and its user community in determining user needs and providing system solutions in a collaborative manner; serves as a strong customer advocate for the extramural business area it represents.

Foreign Interference and Forensics System Support Branch (FIFSSB)

Coordinates activities to safeguard eRA data from undue foreign interference and supports any related investigation into allegations of research misconduct and review integrity.

Reporting Solutions Branch (RSB)

Focuses on eRA reporting systems, as well as develops transformational technological solutions to support new policies and capabilities required by NIH ICs and agency partners. 

Contact Us

Patricia Gaines
(301) 435-5091
gainesp@od.nih.gov
 
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This page last updated on: March 11, 2021

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