July 24, 2019
The Department of the Interior and the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) are seeking nominations for appointment to the National Geospatial Advisory Committee (NGAC). The NGAC provides advice and recommendations to the Secretary of the Interior through the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) related to management of Federal geospatial programs, development of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure, and the implementation of the Geospatial Data Act of 2018. The NGAC reviews and comments on geospatial policy and management issues and provides a forum for views of non-Federal stakeholders in the geospatial community. The NGAC conducts its operations in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) and functions solely as an advisory body.
Nominations for appointment to the NGAC should be submitted electronically to ngacnominations@fgdc.gov by August 27, 2019. Nominations may come from employers, associations, professional organizations, or other geospatial organizations. Nominations should include a resume providing an adequate description of the nominee’s qualifications, including information that would enable the Department of the Interior (DOI) to make an informed decision regarding meeting the membership requirements of the Committee and permit DOI to contact a potential member. Nominees are strongly encouraged to include supporting letters from employers, associations, professional organizations, and/or other organizations that indicate the support by a meaningful constituency for the nominee. Additional information may be requested from nominees.
The NGAC includes up to 30 members, selected to generally achieve a balanced representation of the viewpoints of the various stakeholders involved in national geospatial activities. NGAC members are appointed for staggered terms, and nominations received through this call for nominations may be used to fill vacancies on the NGAC that will become available in 2019 and 2020. Members of the Committee serve without compensation. However, members will be reimbursed for per diem and travel expenses incurred while attending Committee meetings in accordance with the Federal travel regulations as implemented by the Department of the Interior. The Committee meets approximately 3-4 times per year.
Nominations will be reviewed by the FGDC and additional information may be requested from nominees. Final selection and appointment of NGAC members will be made by the Secretary of the Interior. Individuals who are Federally registered lobbyists are ineligible to serve on all FACA and non-FACA boards, committees, or councils in an individual capacity. The term "individual capacity" refers to individuals who are appointed to exercise their own individual best judgment on behalf of the Government, such as when they are designated Special Government Employees, rather than being appointed to represent a particular interest.
The NGAC Charter includes additional information about the NGAC’s roles and responsibilities.
Resources
- FGDC Announcement (pdf)
- Federal Register Notice (pdf)
- Presentation from August 2, 2019 NGAC Nominations Webinar (pdf)
Contact
- For additional information or questions, please contact John Mahoney (jmahoney [at] usgs.gov, 206-220-2621)