Overview 
The Network Evaluation Committee (NEC) is charged with evaluating the performance of the HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN). Building on the May 2003 recommendations from the DAIDS-commissioned external evaluation, the NEC has developed a comprehensive plan for evaluating the performance of all aspects of the Network. As part of this plan, the NEC seeks feedback from network members by means of an annual Network performance assessment. Results of this annual evaluation are used by the Network to assess perceptions of Network functioning across groups and committees. For the 2005 Network Evaluation, the areas assessed include: the Network leadership groups/committees; the Coordinating and Operations Center (CORE); the Central Laboratory (CL); the Statistical and Data Management Center (SDMC); the Science Working Groups (SWGs), the Community Working Group (CWG) and the Ethics Working Group (EWG); and the HIV Prevention Trials Units (HPTUs).

Background
The Network Evaluation Committee's utilization involves implementing the evaluation process, distributing the evaluation tool to Network members and overseeing the dissemination of results. The Network evaluation facilitates the HIV Prevention Trials Network's commitment to HIV education and prevention and aids in their overall mission to prolong the lives of individuals already infected with HIV.

The NEC is charged with directing the network evaluation. The committee is chaired by Vivian McLaurin, Evaluation Coordinator for the HPTN. Representatives from the SDMC, the CL, the CORE, the Divisions of AIDS (DAIDS) and the site monitoring contractor (PPD) are committee members. In addition, one Principal Investigator (PI) and one study coordinator also sit on the committee. An HPTU PI and one coordinator may be nominated by any HPTU, and are selected by the PLG. A CORE community program manager serves as Community WG liaison to the NEC. Three members of the NEC (including one PI and one study coordinator) will be rotated off of the committee annually, unless asked to serve another term.