The U.S. Office of Management and Budget and the U.S. Congress set policy for Federal agencies. The Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC), a federal interagency coordinating committee established in law:
- Acts as the lead entity in the executive branch for the development, implementation, and review of policies, practices, and standards relating to geospatial data.
- Leads the development and management of and operational decision-making for the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) strategic plan and geospatial data policy.
- Establishes additional cross-government policies and guidelines on how the FGDC agencies collaboratively implement federal geospatial policies.
- Engages with other coordinating bodies responsible for implementing Federal data laws and policies, including the Federal Chief Data Officers Council (CDOC), established in the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking act of 2018.
- Engages in ongoing strategic planning to ensure continued investment of resources in high-value programs, activities, and technologies for the advancement of the NSDI.
Policies
A policy is an official plan or course of action intended to influence and determine decisions, actions, and other matters. Guidelines denote one or more rules that describe a process.
- Geospatial Data Act of 2018
- OMB Circular A-16 and Supplemental Guidance
- OMB Circulars that guide the FGDC policies
- Executive Order establishing the NSDI
- FGDC Policies
- FGDC Guidelines
Planning
The Geospatial Data Act and OMB Circular A-16 assign to the FGDC the responsibility to prepare and maintain a strategic plan for the development and implementation of the NSDI. Additionally, the GDA includes multiple planning requirements for the FGDC and for individual agencies.
Other FGDC Strategic Planning Activities
- National Geospatial Data Asset (NGDA) Management Plan (2014)
- Geospatial Platform Business Plan (2012)
- Geospatial Platform Modernization Roadmap (2011)
- OMB Circular A-16 Supplemental Guidance (2010)
- Geospatial Line of Business Common Solutions/Target Architecture (2006)
- Federal Enterprise Architecture Geospatial Profile (2006)