# Presentation: 040721

## GUIDANCE ON FEDERAL CA ACTIVITIES

- MAUREEN BREITENBERG
- OSS/NIST

## OBLIGATIONS UNDER NTTAA

- SECTION 12 OF NTTAA AUTHORIZED NIST TO COORDINATE FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT (CA) ACTIVITIES WITH PRIVATE SECTOR CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT ACTIVITIES.
- GOAL OF NTTAA IS ELIMINATION OF UNNECESSARY DUPLICATION AND COMPLEXITY IN DEVELOPMENT/PROMULGATION OF CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS AND MEASURES.

## MYTH 1 - IT’S NIST’s PROBLEM

**MYTH:  OUR AGENCY DOESN’T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING -- ONLY NIST DOES.**
**REALITY:** EACH FEDERAL AGENCY MUST EVALUATE EFFICACY AND EFFICIENCY OF THEIR CA ACTIVITIES TO REDUCE UNNECESSARY DUPLICATION AND COMPLEXITY.
- NIST STANDS READY TO HELP, BUT EACH AGENCY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR COORDINATING ITS CA ACTIVITIES WITH THOSE OF OTHER GOV’T AGENCIES/ PRIVATE SECTOR TO MAKE MORE PRODUCTIVE USE OF LIMITED FED. RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR CA ACTIVITIES.

## MYTH 2 – MY AGENCY ONLY NEEDS TO COMPLY WITH NTTAA

**MYTH: ALL  MY AGENCY HAS TO DO IS COMPLY WITH NTTAA AND WE HAVE FULFILLED OUR CA OBLIGATIONS****.**
**REALITY**:AGENCIES HAVE _*MANY*_ DOMESTIC/INT’L. OBLIGATIONS AFFECTING CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT -- NTTAA IS ONLY ONE OF THEM.
**EXAMPLE: **VARIOUS RULEMAKING REQUIREMENTS AFFECT ALL REGULATORY ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING CA PROCEDURES AND REQUIREMENTS.
**EXAMPLE: **U.S. IS SIGNATORY TO INTERNATIONAL TRADE AGREEMENTS (WTO AGREEMENT, NAFTA, ETC.)

## WTO OBLIGATIONS 

- WTO AGREEMENT:
- REQUIRES EQUAL TREATMENT FOR DOMESTIC PRODUCTS AND PRODUCTS FROM SIGNATORY COUNTRIES.
- ENCOURAGES GOVERNMENTS TO PERMIT EQUAL PARTICIPATION FOR DOMESTIC CA BODIES AND CA BODIES LOCATED IN TERRITORIES OF OTHER MEMBERS.

## MYTH 3 - IT’S A RULE

**MYTH:  GUIDANCE IS A RULE SINCE IT’S IN THE CFR.    WE HAVE TO FOLLOW EVERYTHING IN IT.**
**REALITY:**  THE GUIDANCE IS GUIDANCE.  ***IT’S NOT A RULE.*** OMB CIRCULAR A-119 DIRECTED DOC SECRETARY TO ISSUE GUIDANCE TO AGENCIES TO ENSURE EFFECTIVE COORDINATION OF FEDERAL CA ACTIVITIES.
- GUIDANCE PUBLISHED IN 15 CFR PART 287 TO MAKE IT EASIER TO FIND.
- PROVISIONS OF 15 CFR PART 287 ARE INTENDED TO BE USED AS GUIDANCE -- ***IT’S NOT A RULE!***

## MYTH 4 - APPLICABILITY

**MYTH:  NTTAA/GUIDANCE DOESN’T APPLY TO OUR AGENCY**.
**REALITY:** IT APPLIES TO ALL AGENCIES, WHICH SET POLICY FOR, MANAGE, OPERATE, OR USE CA ACTIVITIES AND RESULTS, BOTH DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL, EXCEPT FOR ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT PURSUANT TO TREATIES.
- "AGENCY" MEANS ANY EXEC. BRANCH DEPT., INDEPENDENT COMMISSION, BOARD, BUREAU, OFFICE, AGENCY, GOV’T-OWNED OR CONTROLLED CORPORATION, OR OTHER ESTABLISHMENT OF THE FED. GOV’T.  DOES NOT INCLUDE  LEGISLATIVE OR JUDICIAL BRANCHES.

## MYTH 5 - PREEMPTION

**MYTH:  NIST WILL TAKE OVER AGENCY’S CA RESPONSIBILITIES.**
**REALITY:** GUIDANCE DOES NOT PREEMPT AGENCIES' AUTHORITY/ RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE REGULATORY OR PROCUREMENT DECISIONS AUTHORIZED BY STATUTE OR REQUIRED TO MEET PROGRAMMATIC OBJECTIVES AND REQUIREMENTS.
-  DECISION-MAKING ACTIVITIES INCLUDE:
- DETERMINING LEVEL OF ACCEPTABLE REGULATORY OR PROCUREMENT RISK;
- SETTING LEVEL OF PROTECTION;
- BALANCING RISK, COST AND AVAILABILITY OF TECHNOLOGY (WHERE STATUTES PERMIT) IN ESTABLISHING REGULATORY AND PROCUREMENT OBJECTIVES; AND
- DETERMINING/IMPLEMENTING PROCUREMENT OR REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS NECESSARY TO MEET PROGRAMMATIC OR REGULATORY OBJECTIVES.

## AGENCIES RETAIN BROAD DISCRETION IN SELECTION/  USE OF REGULATORY/PROCUREMENT CA PRACTICES.

AGENCIES MAY ELECT NOT TO USE ALTERNATIVE CA PRACTICES IF AGENCY DEEMS THEM INAPPROPRIATE, INADEQUATE, OR INCONSISTENT WITH STATUTORY CRITERIA OR PROGRAMMATIC OBJECTIVES AND REQUIREMENTS. 

GUIDANCE DOES NOT GIVE ANY PARTY ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION AGAINST ANY FED. GOV’T AGENCY 

EACH AGENCY RESPONSIBLE FOR REPRESENTATION OF ITS VIEWS ON CA IN MATTERS UNDER ITS JURISDICTION. 

EACH AGENCY IS PRIMARY POINT OF CONTACT FOR INFO. ON ITS REGULATORY/ PROCUREMENT CA ACTIONS.

- AGENCIES MAY ELECT NOT TO USE ALTERNATIVE CA PRACTICES IF AGENCY DEEMS THEM INAPPROPRIATE, INADEQUATE, OR INCONSISTENT WITH STATUTORY CRITERIA OR PROGRAMMATIC OBJECTIVES AND REQUIREMENTS.
- GUIDANCE DOES NOT GIVE ANY PARTY ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION AGAINST ANY FED. GOV’T AGENCY
- EACH AGENCY RESPONSIBLE FOR REPRESENTATION OF ITS VIEWS ON CA IN MATTERS UNDER ITS JURISDICTION.
- EACH AGENCY IS PRIMARY POINT OF CONTACT FOR INFO. ON ITS REGULATORY/ PROCUREMENT CA ACTIONS.

## MYTH 6 - NIST IS TAKING OVER ANSI’s ROLE

**MYTH:**  NIST WILL COORDINATE PRIVATE SECTOR CA ACTIVITIES.
**REALITY:** NIST HAS RESPONSIBILITY FOR HELPING TO COORDINATE ACTIVITIES OF PUBLIC SECTOR.
- NIST WILL WORK WITH ANSI AND PRIVATE SECTOR AS APPROPRIATE.
- GUIDANCE REAFFIRMS ANSI’S ROLE IN COORDINATION OF PRIVATE SECTOR STANDARDS ACTIVITIES AS SPELLED OUT IN MOU BETWEEN NIST AND ANSI.

## MYTH 7:  USE OF THIRD PARTIES IS REQUIRED

**MYTH: AGENCIES *****MUST***** USE PRIVATE SECTOR CA PROGRAMS IN THEIR ACTIVITIES.**
- REALITY: REDUCTION IN DUPLICATION AND COMPLEXITY MAY BE ACHIEVED BY
- RELYING ON PRIVATE SECTOR CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES;
- RELYING ON OTHER GOVERNMENTAL ACTIVITIES;
- RELYING ON SUPPLIER'S DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY; OR
- BY ENCOURAGING PRIVATE SECTOR TO RELY ON GOVERNMENTAL ACTIVITIES.

## AGENCIES SHOULD CONSIDER ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES IN RULEMAKING/PROCUREMENT. 

HOWEVER, AGENCY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR FINAL DETERMINATION OF WHICH APPROACH(ES) BEST MEET AGENCY OBJECTIVES. 

- HOWEVER, AGENCY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR FINAL DETERMINATION OF WHICH APPROACH(ES) BEST MEET AGENCY OBJECTIVES.

## MYTH 8 - WE HAVE TO USE GUIDANCE’s DEFINITIONS

**MYTH: OUR AGENCY HAS TO USE THE GUIDANCE’s TERMS AND DEFINITIONS IN ITS PROGRAMS.**
**REALITY: ** IT WOULD BE NICE, BUT .......
- TERMS AND DEFINITIONS WERE ONLY INCLUDED TO HELP READERS UNDERSTAND GUIDANCE BECAUSE AGENCIES DO NOT USE CONSISTENT TERMINOLOGY.
- DEFINITIONS BASED ON ISO/IEC GUIDE 2. MODIFIED TO ADDRESS UNIQUE NATURE OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CA ACTIVITIES.

## MYTH 9 - SUPPLIER'S DECLARATION ISN’T INCLUDED

**MYTH: SUPPLIER’S DECLARATION IS NOT RECOGNIZED IN GUIDANCE**.
**REALITY:** GUIDANCE RECOGNIZES 1ST, 2ND AND 3RD PARTY CA ACTIVITIES AND PROCEDURES IN DEFINITION OF CA.
- GUIDANCE DOES NOT SUGGEST ANY ONE METHOD/ACTIVITY IS PREFERABLE.
- EACH AGENCY MUST SELECT CA ACTIVITIES AND PROCEDURES, WHICH BEST MEET LEGISLATIVE MANDATES AND PROGRAMMATIC OBJECTIVES IN MOST COST-EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT MANNER.

## DEFINITIONS -CA

*Conformity assessment* means any activity concerned with determining directly or indirectly that requirements are fulfilled. Requirements for products, services, systems, and organizations are those defined by law or regulation or by an agency in a procurement action.
- Conformity assessment includes: sampling and testing; inspection; *supplier’s declaration of conformity*; certification; and quality and environmental management system assessment and registration. It also includes accreditation and recognition.

## Conformity assessment does not include mandatory administrative procedures (such as registration notification) for granting permission for a good or service to be produced, marketed, or used for a stated purpose or under stated conditions. 

- Conformity assessment activities may be conducted by the supplier (*first party*) or by the buyer (*second party*) either directly or by another party on the supplier’s or buyer’s behalf, or by a body not under the control or influence of either the buyer or the seller (*third party*).

## MYTH 10 -- AGENCIES CAN’T SAY NO

**MYTH: GUIDANCE REQUIRES THAT AGENCIES UNDERTAKE ALL COORDINATION ACTIVITIES ****EVEN WHERE COSTS INVOLVED ARE LIKELY TO EXCEED BENEFITS.**
**REALITY:** WHILE COORDINATION IS OFTEN BENEFICIAL AND SHOULD ALWAYS BE CONSIDERED, AGENCIES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR FINAL DECISION AS TO APPROPRIATE LEVEL OF COORDINATION AND COMMITMENT OF RESOURCES.

## MYTH 11 - MANDATORY REPORTING

**MYTH : REPORTING IS MANDATORY.**
**REALITY**: MANDATORY AGENCY REPORTING REQUIREMENTS REGARDING CA ACTIVITIES WAS NOT SPECIFIED IN NTTAA. CA REPORTING FOR ALL AGENCIES IS VOLUNTARY.
- HOWEVER, IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE CREDIT FOR WHAT AGENCY IS DOING.
- VOLUNTARY REPORT TO NIST ON AGENCY CA ACTIVITIES IS TO BE INCLUDED IN ANNUAL REPORT ON AGENCY’S IMPLEMENTATION OF OMB CIRCULAR A-119.

## MYTH 12 – ONLY ONE STDS. EXECUTIVE ALLOWED

- MYTH:  UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES CAN THERE BE MORE THAN ONE STDS EXECUTIVE.
- REALITY: OMB A-119 INDICATES MORE THAN ONE STDS. EXECUTIVE WAS NOT CONTEMPLATED.
- NIST/OMB BELIEVE ONE STDS. EXECUTIVE FOR STDS. AND CA FACILITATES BETTER COORDINATION AND COMMUNICATION.
- HOWEVER, OMB AND NIST RECOGNIZE IT *MAY *BE NECESSARY TO ASSIGN ADDITIONAL STAFF TO CARRY OUT CA RESPONSIBILITIES.
- AGENCY MUST ENSURE RESPONSIBILITIES ARE COORDINATED AND EFFECTIVELY CONDUCTED!

## NIST RESPONSIBILITIES

- WORK WITH AGENCIES THROUGH (ICSP) TO COORDINATE FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL CA ACTIVITIES WITH PRIVATE SECTOR CA ACTIVITIES.
- CHAIR ICSP AND ASSIST ICSP IN DEVELOPING  POLICIES/GUIDANCE ON CA ISSUES.
- COLLECT/DISSEMINATE INFO. ON FEDERAL, STATE AND PRIVATE SECTOR CA ACTIVITIES.
- INCREASE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF IMPORTANCE OF CA AND NATURE/EXTENT OF NAT’L AND INT’L CA ACTIVITIES.
- ENCOURAGE ICSP PARTICIPATION BY ALL AGENCIES AND ENSURE AGENCY VIEWS ARE CONSIDERED.
- TO EXTENT RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE, DEVELOP INFO. ON STATE CA PRACTICES; AND, UPON REQUEST BY STATE AGENCY, WORK WITH AGENCY TO REDUCE DUPLICATION/COMPLEXITY IN STATE CA ACTIVITIES.
- REVIEW GUIDANCE WITHIN THREE YEARS OF ISSUANCE.

## AGENCY RESPONSIBILITIES

- IMPLEMENT POLICIES IN NTTAA/ GUIDANCE.
- PROVIDE RATIONALE FOR USE OF CA PROCEDURES AND PROCESSES IN RULEMAKING/ PROCUREMENT TO EXTENT FEASIBLE.
- WHEN NOTICE/COMMENT RULEMAKING REQUIRED, PROVIDE OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENCY'S CA DECISION.

## USE RESULTS OF OTHER GOV’T AGENCY AND PRIVATE SECTOR ORGANIZATIONS IN CA ACTIVITIES TO ENHANCE SAFETY/EFFICACY OF PROPOSED NEW CA REQUIREMENTS/MEASURES.  
EXAMPLE: COLLECT/ REVIEW INFORMATION ON SIMILAR ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED BY OTHER FEDERAL/STATE AGENCIES/PRIVATE SECTOR BODIES TO DETERMINE IF RESULTS CAN BE USED TO IMPROVE EFFECTIVENESS OF  PROPOSED FED. AGENCY CA ACTIVITY.  

***EXAMPLE:*** COLLECT/ REVIEW INFORMATION ON SIMILAR ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED BY OTHER FEDERAL/STATE AGENCIES/PRIVATE SECTOR BODIES TO DETERMINE IF RESULTS CAN BE USED TO IMPROVE EFFECTIVENESS OF  PROPOSED FED. AGENCY CA ACTIVITY.

- USE RELEVANT CA GUIDES/ RECOMMENDATIONS PUBLISHED BY DOMESTIC/INTERNATIONAL STDS. BODIES AS APPROPRIATE. [i.e., ISO, IEC, ITU, OECD, WHO, AND CODEX ALIMENTARIUS COMMISSION.]
- EACH AGENCY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR DETERMINING WHICH, IF ANY, DOCUMENTS ARE RELEVANT TO ITS NEEDS.
- NCSCI CAN HELP IDENTIFY PERTINENT STANDARDS/GUIDES.

## IDENTIFY APPROPRIATE PRIVATE SECTOR CA PRACTICES /PROGRAMS AND CONSIDER USING RESULTS IN EXISTING REGULATORY/ PROCUREMENT ACTIONS.

EXAMPLE:  AGENCY COULD USE RESULTS OF PRIVATE SECTOR/OTHER GOV’T. AGENCY CA ACTIVITIES TO SCHEDULE PROCUREMENT AUDITS MORE EFFECTIVELY. COULD ALLOW AGENCIES TO REDUCE NO./EXTENT OF AUDITS AT COMPANIES PERFORMING WELL AND UNDER REVIEW BY THIRD PARTY/ANOTHER AGENCY AND CONCENTRATE EFFORTS ON COMPANIES WHICH HAVE PROBLEMS CONFORMING TO CONTRACT SPECIFICATIONS. 

***EXAMPLE:*****  AGENCY COULD USE RESULTS OF PRIVATE SECTOR/OTHER GOV’T. AGENCY CA ACTIVITIES TO SCHEDULE PROCUREMENT AUDITS MORE EFFECTIVELY. COULD ALLOW AGENCIES TO REDUCE NO./EXTENT OF AUDITS AT COMPANIES PERFORMING WELL AND UNDER REVIEW BY THIRD PARTY/ANOTHER AGENCY AND CONCENTRATE EFFORTS ON COMPANIES WHICH HAVE PROBLEMS CONFORMING TO CONTRACT SPECIFICATIONS**.

## EXAMPLE:  FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION'S (FCC) TELECOMMUNICATION CERTIFICATION BODY (TCB) PROGRAM AND FCC’s REPLACMENT OF PREMARKETING APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN TYPES OF EQUIPMENT WITH SUPPLIERS DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY, PROVIDED TEST RESULTS SUPPORTING DECLARATION ARE FROM ACCREDITED TESTING LAB.

## CONSIDER USING RESULTS OF OTHER AGENCIES' CA PROCEDURES.
EXAMPLE: AGENCY COULD USE RESULTS OF ANOTHER AGENCY’S INSPECTION/AUDIT OF SUPPLIER TO ELIMINATE/REDUCE SCOPE OF ITS INSPECTION/AUDIT OF THAT SUPPLIER.

PARTICIPATE IN EFFORTS DESIGNED TO IMPROVE COORDINATION AMONG GOV’T. AND PRIVATE SECTOR CA ACTIVITIES. 
EXAMPLES: NATIONAL COOPERATION FOR LABORATORY ACCREDITATION (NACLA) ORGANIZATION, NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL LABORATORY ACCREDITATION CONFERENCE (NELAC), ), ISO/CASCO, ANSI’S CA ACTIVITIES), AND ICSP WGs DEALING WITH CA ISSUES.

***EXAMPLE:***** AGENCY COULD USE RESULTS OF ANOTHER AGENCY’S INSPECTION/AUDIT OF SUPPLIER TO ELIMINATE/REDUCE SCOPE OF ITS INSPECTION/AUDIT OF THAT SUPPLIER.**
**PARTICIPATE IN EFFORTS DESIGNED TO IMPROVE COORDINATION AMONG GOV’T. AND PRIVATE SECTOR CA ACTIVITIES. **
***EXAMPLES:***** NATIONAL COOPERATION FOR LABORATORY ACCREDITATION (NACLA) ORGANIZATION, NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL LABORATORY ACCREDITATION CONFERENCE (NELAC), ****), ISO/CASCO, ANSI’S CA ACTIVITIES), ****AND ICSP WGs DEALING WITH CA ISSUES.**

## WORK WITH OTHER AGENCIES TO AVOID UNNECESSARY DUPLICATION AND COMPLEXITY IN FED. CA ACTIVITIES. 

 EXAMPLES:  
PARTICIPATE IN ANOTHER AGENCY’S CA ACTIVITIES BY CONDUCTING JOINT PROCUREMENT AUDITS/ INSPECTIONS OF SUPPLIERS WHICH SELL TO BOTH.  
SHARE CA INFORMATION WITH OTHER AGENCIES.  
USE CA INFO. PROVIDED BY OTHER AGENCIES TO IMPROVE  EFFECTIVENESS/EFFICIENCY IN CA ACTIVITIES.  
CA INFORMATION MAY INCLUDE: CA PROCEDURES/ RESULTS, TECHNICAL DATA ON OPERATION OF CA PROGRAMS, PROCESSING METHODS/REQUIREMENTS FOR APPLICATIONS, FEES, FACILITY SITE DATA, COMPLAINT REVIEW PROCEDURES, AND CONFIDENTIALITY PROCEDURES.

** *****EXAMPLES:*****  **
**PARTICIPATE IN ANOTHER AGENCY’S CA ACTIVITIES BY CONDUCTING JOINT PROCUREMENT AUDITS/ INSPECTIONS OF SUPPLIERS WHICH SELL TO BOTH.  **
**SHARE CA INFORMATION WITH OTHER AGENCIES.  **
**USE CA INFO. PROVIDED BY OTHER AGENCIES TO IMPROVE  EFFECTIVENESS/EFFICIENCY IN CA ACTIVITIES.  **
**CA INFORMATION MAY INCLUDE: CA PROCEDURES/ RESULTS, TECHNICAL DATA ON OPERATION OF CA PROGRAMS, PROCESSING METHODS/REQUIREMENTS FOR APPLICATIONS, FEES, FACILITY SITE DATA, COMPLAINT REVIEW PROCEDURES, AND CONFIDENTIALITY PROCEDURES.**

## ENCOURAGE DOMESTIC/INT’L RECOGNITION OF U.S. CA RESULTS, INCLUDING PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR INT’L NEGOTIATIONS AND ANY RESULTING ACTIVITIES/REQUIREMENTS RESULTING FROM THOSE NEGOTIATIONS AND HELPING U.S. INDUSTRY IN PURSUE AGREEMENTS WITH FOREIGN NAT’L/ INT’L PRIVATE SECTOR ORGANIZATIONS.

PARTICIPATE IN DEVELOPMENT OF PRIVATE SECTOR CA STDS. TO ENSURE FEDERAL VIEWPOINTS ARE REPRESENTED. 

WORK WITH OTHER AGENCIES TO HARMONIZE FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR QUALITY/ ENVIRONMENTAL MGT. SYSTEMS FOR USE IN PROCUREMENT/REGULATION. 

- PARTICIPATE IN DEVELOPMENT OF PRIVATE SECTOR CA STDS. TO ENSURE FEDERAL VIEWPOINTS ARE REPRESENTED.
- WORK WITH OTHER AGENCIES TO HARMONIZE FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR QUALITY/ ENVIRONMENTAL MGT. SYSTEMS FOR USE IN PROCUREMENT/REGULATION.

##  WORK WITH OTHER ICSP MEMBERS, NIST, AND PRIVATE SECTOR AS NECESSARY/APPROPRIATE TO ESTABLISH CRITERIA FOR DEVELOPMENT/ IMPLEMENTATION OF GOV’T RECOGNITION SYSTEMS TO MEET GOV’T RECOGNITION REQUIREMENTS IMPOSED BY OTHER NATIONS/REGIONAL GROUPS TO FACILITATE INT’L MARKET ACCESS FOR U.S. PRODUCTS.

-  ASSIGN AGENCY STDS EXECUTIVE RESPONSIBILITY FOR COORDINATING IMPLEMENTATION OF GUIDANCE.

## RESPONSIBILITIES OF AGENCY STANDARDS EXECUTIVE

- CARRIES OUT DUTIES IN OMB CIRCULAR A-119 RELATED TO STDS.
- PROMOTES THE FOLLOWING GOALS:
- EFFECTIVE USE OF AGENCY CA RELATED RESOURCES  AND PARTICIPATION IN CA ACTIVITIES OF AGENCY INTEREST.
- DEVELOPMENT/DISSEMINATION OF AGENCY TECHNICAL AND POLICY POSITIONS.
- DEVELOPMENT OF AGENCY POSITIONS ON CA RELATED ISSUES THAT ARE IN PUBLIC INTEREST.

## OTHER DUTIES

- ENSURE AGENCY PARTICIPATION IN CA ACTIVITIES IS CONSISTENT WITH AGENCY MISSIONS, AUTHORITIES, PRIORITIES, AND BUDGET.
- COOPERATE WITH NIST IN CARRYING OUT AGENCY RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER GUIDANCE.
- CONSULT WITH NIST, AS NECESSARY, IN DEVELOPMENT/ISSUANCE OF INTERNAL AGENCY IMPLEMENTATION PROCEDURES AND GUIDANCE.
- ESTABLISH ONGOING PROCESS FOR REVIEWING AGENCY'S EXISTING CA ACTIVITIES AND IDENTIFYING AREAS WHERE EFFICIENCIES ARE POSSIBLE.
- WORK WITH OTHER PARTS OF AGENCY TO DEVELOP/ IMPLEMENT IMPROVEMENTS IN AGENCY CA ACTIVITIES.

## REPORT TO NIST, ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS, ON AGENCY CA ACTIVITIES FOR INCLUSION IN ANNUAL REPORT TO OMB ON AGENCY'S IMPLEMENTATION OF OMB CIRCULAR A-119

## HELPFUL INFORMATION

**        ****NIST HAS CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT WEBSITE AT:**
**HTTP://TS.NIST.GOV/CA**

## NCSCI CONTACT INFORMATION

**NATIONAL CENTER FOR STANDARDS AND CERTIFICATION INFORMATION (NCSCI)**
** ****NIST**
** ****100 BUREAU DRIVE, MS 2150    **
**GAITHERSBURG, MD 20899-2150**
**PHONE: 301-975-4040**
**FAX:       301-926-1559**
**E-MAIL: NCSCI@NIST.GOV**