Proposed Policy on Endorsement or Recommendation of External Standards Presented by Julie Binder Maitra FGDC Standards Coordinator To FGDC Coordination Group June 2, 2003

2 Topics Brief review of the proposed policy –Objective –Limitation –Levels of Recognition Development of the proposed policy Comments on the proposed policy by CG members Next steps

3 Objective of Proposed Policy To provide a mechanism for FGDC endorsement or recommendation of non- Federal standards that are related to the missions and spatial data responsibilities of Federal agencies, as outlined in OMB Circular A-16

4 Limitation of Policy Nothing in this policy shall be construed as superseding the authority or obligation of an agency or organization to use a standard due to treaty, agreement, or other policy

5 Levels of Recognition Two levels of FGDC recognition Endorsement – same status as FGDC standard: mandatory for use, in accordance with Federal guidance Recommendation – the non-federal standard is recognized as a useful standard, but is not deemed to be of such broad applicability that its use should be mandatory.

6 Development of Proposed Policy In development by FGDC Standards Working Group (SWG) since August 2002 SWG unanimously recommended policy for CG approval at its April 16, 2003 meeting CG had two weeks to review policy in advance of its May 6, 2003 meeting CG was briefed on policy at its May 6, 2003 meeting, and agreed to general approach, but recognized the need for “wordsmithing” David Morehouse (DOE) “wordsmithed” the proposed policy. This version was sent out for comment by CG members in mid-May.

7 Comments on version issued in mid-May were received from NASA/Geospatial Applications & Interoperability WG DOT/Bureau of Transportation Statistics Department of Homeland Security Development of Proposed Policy

8 Substantive comments on the proposed policy by CG members Recommendations for other categories of recognition, e.g., “nominated,” “rejected” or “not approved” additional sponsors of the standard Increased influence by FGDC Subcommittee & Working Groups and CG in approval process “Sharing” data versus “collecting” data MOU with external standards organization to distribute standard free of charge, especially for benefit of States and locals

9 Next Steps Approval of Policy by CG Invitation for Presentation to Interagency Council on Standards Policy (ICSP) at NIST on Thursday, June 4, 2003 FGDC Steering Committee endorsement of policy

10 Julie Binder Maitra FGDC Standards Coordinator Phone: URL: