Open Government High-Value Dataset Identification and 

Submission Process

 Version: 2.4 (Draft) 

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Date: 09/16/2013 

 Office of Information Services Page 1

 

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 

Open Government High-Value Dataset 

Identification and Submission Process 

Version 2.4 (Draft) 
Open Government High-Value Dataset Identification and 

Submission Process

 Version: 2.4 (Draft) 

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Date: 09/16/2013 

 Office of Information Services Page 2

Document Revision History 

Date Version Description Author 

06/11/2010 Draft 0.1 Initial draft Edwin Leong 

06/16/2010 Draft 0.2 Added Data.gov PMO review 

process 

Edwin Leong 

06/22/2010 1.0 Addressed feedback from OIS 

(Stuart Reiter) internal review 

Edwin Leong 

7/22/2010 1.1 Clarified the process to publish 

dataset on NRC.gov and added 

process diagrams to Section 5 

Clarified the requirements to post 

periodic updates to existing 

datasets 

Edwin Leong 

10/20/2010 2.0 Added dataset identification and 

prioritization process 

Added process stakeholder roles 

summary table 

Added requirements for dataset 

identification and prioritization 

process 

Updated requirements for dataset 

maintenance and update 

Edwin Leong 

10/29/2010 2.1 Changed leading sections, removed 

dynamic information to SharePoint 

tables, and moved reference 

information to appendix 

Fran Goldberg, Liz 

Ousley 

11/15/2010 2.2 Edited document to address 

feedback from offices 

Edwin Leong 

12/01/2010 2.3 Edited document to address 

feedback from QTE level 1 editor 

Edwin Leong, QTE 

09/15/2013 2.4 Updated URLs of NRC’s Data 

Inventory 

Updated dataset submission 

process 

Updated Process Stakeholder 

Summary (Table 2) 

Updated Process Stakeholder 

Kenyatta Jackson 
Open Government High-Value Dataset Identification and 

Submission Process

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Roles 

Updated Process Requirements 

Edited document to add Public 

Feedback Process 
Open Government High-Value Dataset Identification and 

Submission Process

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Contents 

1. Introduction 6

1.1 Purpose 6

1.2 Scope 6

2. Background 6

2.1 What Is a High-Value Dataset? 6

2.2 Providers and Consumers of High-Value Data 7

2.3 How Agency Data Are Made Available on Data.Gov 7

2.4 Vision Statement 7

2.5 Value to the Agency 8

2.6 Value to the Public 8

2.7 Alignment with the NRC Strategic Plan 8

2.8 Alignment with Enterprise Architecture 9

3. Stakeholder Summary 9

4. Dataset Submission Process 11

5. Process Requirements 16

5.1 Identifying and Prioritizing New Datasets 16

5.2 Authoring and Publishing New Datasets 18

5.2.1 Dataset Publication to the NRC Public Web Site 18

5.3 Maintaining and Updating Published Datasets 19 

6. Public Feedback Process 20 

 6.1 Online Comment/Feeback Form 

6.2 Agency Response 

7. Appendix 19 

7.1 Preliminary Evaluation Criteria for Potential Datasets 20

7.2 Dataset Quality Assessment Criteria 21

7.3 Definitions, Acronyms and Abbreviations 25

7.4 References 26

Tables 

Table 1 Vision Statement Summary ............................................................................................ 7

Table 2 Process Stakeholder Summary ...................................................................................... 9

Table 3 Process Stakeholder Roles ........................................................................................... 15

Table 4 Acronyms and Abbreviations ........................................................................................ 25

Table 5 Reference Documents .................................................................................................. 26

Figures 

Figure 1 Dataset submission process ........................................................................................ 12
Open Government High-Value Dataset Identification and 

Submission Process

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Figure 2 Subprocess to identify and prioritize new datasets ...................................................... 12

Figure 3 Subprocess to author and publish new datasets ......................................................... 13

Figure 4 Subprocess to maintain and update published datasets ............................................. 14
Open Government High-Value Dataset Identification and 

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1. Introduction 

1.1 Purpose 

The purpose of this document is to provide a set of requirements for the submission of highvalue datasets (also referred to simply as “datasets” in this document), including dataset 

identification, publication, and maintenance. 

1.2 Scope 

This document provides the overall vision and objectives for the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory 

Commission’s (NRC’s) Open Government (OG) dataset identification and submission process 

and the key requirements to address these objectives. 

2. Background 

On December 8, 2009, Peter R. Orszag, Director of the Office of Management and Budget 

(OMB), issued the Open Government Directive (OGD) in a memorandum to the heads of 

executive departments and agencies (M-10-06), as required by the President’s Memorandum 

on Transparency and Open Government, dated January 21, 2009. The directive outlined 

specific agency actions to implement the principles of transparency, participation, and 

collaboration stated in the President’s memorandum. A key element in the directive’s section on 

increasing transparency was the publication of high-value datasets. The directive stated that 

each agency should identify three high-value datasets and publish the data in an open format 

on the agency’s public Web site within 45 days. The directive also stated that each agency 

should develop a plan for achieving the goals of open government. This would include 

inventorying agency high-value information currently available for download, fostering the 

public’s use of this information to increase public knowledge and promote public scrutiny of 

agency services, and identifying high-value information not yet available and establishing a 

reasonable timeline with specific target dates for its publication online in open format. 

Appendix C of the official NRC Open Government Plan indicates the datasets that the NRC 

committed to publish and their planned publication dates. 

In addition, OMB established a citizen-friendly Web-based platform, Data.gov, to make these 

datasets searchable (or visible), accessible, and downloadable. All datasets at Data.gov must 

follow certain standard, machine-readable dataset formats. The OGD requires the agency to 

register all published datasets on Data.gov. 

2.1 What Is a High-Value Dataset? 

According to OMB’s OGD,1 high-value datasets contain information that can be used to do the 

following: 

 

• Increase agency accountability and responsiveness. 

• Improve public knowledge of the agency and its operations. 

• Further the core mission of the agency. 

• Create economic opportunity. 

 

1

 OMB M-10-06, “Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies, Open Government 

Directive,” December 8, 2009 
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• Respond to needs and demands identified through public consultation. 

Appendix 6.1 reflects expanded criteria based on more recent guidance from OMB. 

2.2 Providers and Consumers of High-Value Data 

NRC data providers publish datasets that consumers can access over the public Internet. A 

dataset provider is defined as the business owner (NRC office) or the owner of the system of 

record from which the data originate. The dataset provider is responsible for data accuracy, 

integrity, and availability. A dataset consumer is a member of the public that uses the dataset 

directly or causes it to be downloaded to a computer. 

2.3 How Agency Data Are Made Available on Data.Gov 

Agency data that are made available through Data.gov do not actually reside there. Rather, 

they reside on each agency’s public Web site and are referenced at Data.gov through links to 

the data at the agency sites. The NRC currently publishes nonsensitive public datasets or data 

reports to the NRC public Web site at http://www.nrc.gov/data . Each NRC office that owns one 

of these datasets complies with the NRC Web Publishing Guidance and Management 

Directive 3.14, “U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Public Web Site,” dated August 6, 2008, 

to make these data available on the NRC public site. The use of Data.gov is not intended to 

replace the NRC’s existing processes and tools but rather to enhance and supplement them by 

providing wider exposure of NRC data. 

2.4 Vision Statement 

Table 1 summarizes the NRC’s vision statement for high-value datasets. 

Table 1 Vision Statement Summary 

Objective Improve NRC data transparency quality (data 

visibility and usability) and meet the requirements 

of the OMB OGD. 

Applicability All NRC offices that own existing nonsensitive 

public datasets or plan to publish new nonsensitive 

public datasets. 

Impacts To produce datasets as scheduled in current and 

future versions of the NRC OG Plan that meet 

Data.gov requirements, and to enable dataset 

registration on Data.gov. 

Outcome To increase dataset access and consumption. To 

meet all requirements of the OMB OGD with 

respect to transparency improvements for highvalue information. To fulfill the NRC’s 

commitments to publish datasets described in the 

agency’s OG Plan. To institutionalize a process for 

identifying, reviewing, and prioritizing datasets for 

future submission to Data.gov. 
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2.5 Value to the Agency 

Each NRC office will continue to define and manage the datasets it owns. These datasets will 

continue to serve their business purposes to meet the offices’ and the NRC’s mission and goals. 

The use of OMB’s Data.gov to supplement the agency’s own public Web site adds the following 

key values to each NRC office’s datasets: 

• Public trust is based in large part on transparency. Transparency promotes 

accountability by providing the public with information about Government activities. By 

making NRC data more widely available and publishing it in standard formats, the public 

will perceive the NRC as more open and transparent in its activities, enhancing the 

public’s trust in the agency. 

• NRC data help stakeholders to participate more effectively in the regulatory process. 

• Once the published datasets are registered with Data.gov, they are searchable among 

other agencies of the executive branch of the Federal Government. This improves the 

visibility of NRC information and contributes to increased Government efficiency. 

• Data.gov is widely used by the general public and Federal Government agencies to 

access published datasets. Making NRC datasets accessible from Data.gov expands 

the diversity of the agency’s dataset consumers. 

• Machine-readable formats increase the scope of how the public can use the datasets 

and may help the NRC offices prepare to automate data exchange with NRC licensees 

or other stakeholders. 

• Data.gov implements Web 2.0 technology that allows the Web site’s visitors to rate and 

comment on the published datasets. The NRC offices may leverage this feedback data 

to improve existing datasets and identify new ones. 

• Data.gov has been in production for more than a year and is free for use by all agencies 

in the executive branch of the Federal Government. Thus, NRC offices may use 

Data.gov to accelerate the return on investment of their datasets by increasing dataset 

usability with a low-cost solution. 

2.6 Value to the Public 

Making NRC datasets available provides value to the public in the following ways: 

• helps the public understand the NRC’s mission and activities 

• alone or in combination with data from other agencies, may create economic value 

• helps the public participate in the regulatory process 

• contributes to accountability for both the NRC and its licensees 

2.7 Alignment with the NRC Strategic Plan 

The vision, values, and objectives described in this document embrace the NRC Strategic 

Plan’s operational excellence objectives of openness and effectiveness. For example, 

publication of high-value data contributes to the following strategies: 

• Openness 
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– Enhance awareness of the NRC’s independent role in protecting public health 

and safety, the environment, and the common defense and security. 

– Provide accurate and timely information to the public about the NRC’s mission, 

regulatory activities, and performance. 

• Effectiveness 

– Manage agency information and employ information technology to improve the 

productivity, effectiveness, and efficiency of agency programs and enhance the 

availability and usefulness of information to all users inside and outside the 

agency. 

2.8 Alignment with Enterprise Architecture 

The Enterprise Architecture and Standards Branch (EASB), part of the Office of Information 

Services (OIS) Business Process Improvement and Application Division (BPIAD), is leading the 

Open Government Flagship Initiative, which includes enhancing dataset accessibility to foster 

transparency. The use of external services, such as Data.gov, complements other technology 

services implemented by the NRC to achieve business goals. Because Data.gov is an OMBhosted Web site and the OMB OGD requires registration of the agency’s datasets on that site, 

EASB considers Data.gov as an external Federal service provider. Use of data.gov is part of 

the NRC enterprise architecture direction. 

3. Stakeholder Summary 

Table 2 identifies the stakeholders involved with the process to publish high-value datasets. 

Table 2 Process Stakeholder Summary 

Name Description General Responsibilities 

Data.gov 

Primary Point of 

Contact (POC) 

Primary Data.gov POC 

representing the NRC. 

OIS (Stuart Reiter) 

Coordinate NRC dataset registration with 

Data.gov. Act as a liaison between Data.gov 

and the NRC offices. Communicate Data.gov 

updates and OG dataset publication guidance 

to the NRC offices. 

Data.gov 

Secondary POC 

Secondary Data.gov 

POC representing the 

NRC. 

OIS/PMPD/ISPB 

(Kenyatta Jackson) 

Provide backup for the primary POC. Assist 

NRC offices in registering OG datasets. Advise 

offices on implementation of OMB guidance. 

Open 

Government 

Flagship 

Initiative Lead 

NRC project lead for the 

OG Flagship Initiative. 

OIS/PMPD/ISPB 

(Edwin Leong) 

Oversee NRC project activities associated with 

the Flagship Initiative as described in the 

agency’s OG Plan. Lead the effort to 

institutionalize the NRC OG dataset life-cycle 

management process. 
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Name Description General Responsibilities 

Open Data POC NRC project lead for the 

Open Data Policy 

Maintains NRC’s Enterprise Data Inventory and 

Public Data Listing. Provides Web Content 

Services Group updated Public Data Listing 

and Public Data Listing .json file for publication. 

Web Content 

Services Group 

NRC Web publishing 

and content 

management team. 

OIS/IRSD (Patricia Hall, 

Joan Hoffman, Paula 

Garrity, Sally Hardy, 

Alex Pena) 

Implementing and maintain the content of the 

NRC’s public and internal Web sites. Publish 

Public Data Listing and Public Data 

Listings.json to the public site. 

NRC Dataset 

Provider/Owner 

The NRC office that 

owns the publication of 

the planned and future 

OG dataset. 

Define the OG dataset for publication and 

registration at Data.gov. Work with the Web 

Content Services Group to publish datasets on 

the NRC public Web site. Work with Data.gov 

primary and secondary POCs to register 

datasets. Maintain the published datasets to 

keep data current. Ensure dataset quality and 

integrity. 

Open 

Government 

Advisory Group 

(OGAG) 

An NRC core team with 

representatives from the 

Office of Public Affairs 

(OPA), the Office of the 

Executive Director for 

Operations (OEDO), 

and OIS. These offices 

jointly chair the OGAG. 

The OGAG is 

augmented by 

representation from 

each program and 

support office and the 

NRC Regions, as 

needed. 

Meet on a periodic basis, as needed 

(e.g., monthly), to oversee implementation of 

the agency’s OG Plan and associated program. 

Monitor dataset publication plan commitments. 

Data 

Management 

Working Group 

(DMWG) 

The DMWG consists of 

NRC data stakeholders 

who have an 

understanding of the 

agency’s various 

business information 

needs. Data 

stakeholders include 

subject matter experts 

Perform periodic review of dataset proposals 

submitted by the NRC offices. Focus on data 

quality of the proposed datasets, working with 

data owners to select and prioritize datasets for 

publication. 
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Name Description General Responsibilities 

from OIS, CSO, ADM, 

NSIR, NRR, NMSS, 

NRO, FSME, OCFO, 

Region 4, SECY, and 

OHR. The purpose of 

the DMWG is to 

establish effective 

management of the 

NRC’s data resources in 

support of its business 

requirements. The goal 

of the DMWG is to 

improve data quality 

and integrity, reduce 

duplication, and 

increase data sharing 

and data consistency. 

4. Dataset Submission Process 

The dataset submission process has three subprocesses, as depicted in Figure 1. Figure 2 

illustrates the subprocess to identify and prioritize datasets for publication, Figure 3 illustrates 

the subprocess to author and publish new datasets, and Figure 4 illustrates the subprocess to 

periodically maintain and update published datasets. To facilitate progress monitoring and 

reporting for this process, as well as management of dataset information across offices, the 

NRC has established an internal NRC dataset inventory. This inventory is maintained by the 

NRC Data.gov POCs and is accessible from the Web link below: 

http://portal.nrc.gov/edo/ois/bpiad/EASB/EDI/default.aspx 
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1: Identify & 

Prioritize

2: Author 

& Publish

3: Maintain & 

Update

Figure 1 Dataset submission process 

Figure 2 Subprocess to identify and prioritize new datasets 

1.1: Prepare Data 

Set Proposal

• 1.1.1: Offices identify potential dataset(s)

• 1.1.2: Offices prepare dataset proposal packages and submit to the Open Data POC for 

review

• 1.1.3: Open Data POC registers proposed dataset(s) in the Enterprise Data Inventory

1.2: Review and 

Prioritize Datasets

• 1.2.1: The NRC Data.gov POC reviews the proposed dataset(s) and evaluates priorities 

• 1.2.2: NRC Data.gov POC updates Enterprise Data Inventory to reflect prioritized data 

set(s)

1.3: Plan for 

Publication

• 1.3.1: Offices determine dataset publication date(s), confirm resources, and notify

NRC Data.gov POC

• 1.3.2: Open Data POC updates Enterprise Data Inventory to reflect publication plan and 

notifies the OGAG

• 1.3.3: The OGAG issues EDATS ticket(s) for dataset publication
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Figure 3 Subprocess to author and publish new datasets 

2.1: Prepare Data 

Sets

• 2.1.1: Office creates dataset(s) in acceptable format

• 2.1.2: Office creates data dictionaries in acceptable format

• 2.1.3: Office completes draft dataset metadata template(s)

2.2: Publish to 

NRC.gov

• 2.2.1: Office submit dataset(s) and data dictionaries to Open Data POC

• 2.2.2: Open Data POC reviews content and scope of change to NRC.gov

• 2.2.3: Office modifies dataset(s) and data dictionaries as needed per review outcome

• 2.2.4: Web Content Services Group promotes dataset(s) to NRC.gov (test site then

production site) and notifies offices and NRC Data.gov POC upon completion

•

2.3: Review and • Approve Data.gov 

Registration 

Request

•

2.3.1: Data.gov PMO reviews submitted metatdata and notifies 

NRC Data.gov POC upon review outcome (approve/reject/request 

for information)

•

2.3.2: NRC Data.gov POC coordinates changes with offices as needed and notifies NRC

Web Content Services Group 

2.4: Finalize Changes

on NRC.gov

2.4.1: NRC Web Content Services Group promotes content changes to the NRC Open 

Government page on NRC.gov (test site then production site)and notifies offices and NRC 

Data.gov POC upon completion 

2.4.2: NRC Data.gov POC updates Dataset Inventory to reflect process completion status
Open Government High-Value Dataset Identification and 

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Figure 4 Subprocess to maintain and update published datasets 
Open Government High-Value Dataset Identification and 

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The dataset submission process involves multiple stakeholders. Table 3 summarizes the role of 

each stakeholder with respect to each process activity. A process stakeholder may have one of 

four roles associating with a process activity: accountable (A), responsible (R), informed (I), or 

consulted (C). A stakeholder who has the Accountable role initiates the process activity and 

ensures its completion. In general, each process activity should have only one Accountable 

stakeholder. Stakeholders with a Responsible role perform work and produce the deliverable to 

complete the process activity. Stakeholders with a Consulted role support the Accountable and 

Responsible stakeholders in completing their work. Stakeholders with the Informed role need 

only know the outcome of a process activity. Each process activity can have more than one 

stakeholder in the Responsible, Consulted, and Informed roles. 

Table 3 Process Stakeholder Roles 

Process 

Activity 

ID Offices 

NRC 

Data.gov 

POC 

Web 

Content 

Services 

Group OGAG DMWG 

Data.gov 

PMO 

1.1.1 A 

1.1.2 A I I 

1.1.3 I A I 

1.2.1 R R A 

1.2.2 I A I 

1.3.1 A I 

1.3.2 A I 

1.3.3 I I A 

2.1.1 A C 

2.1.2 A C 

2.1.3 A C 

2.2.1 A I I 

2.2.2 A 

2.2.3 A C 

2.2.4 I I A 

2.3.1 I A 

2.3.2 R A R C 
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Process 

Activity 

ID Offices 

NRC 

Data.gov 

POC 

Web 

Content 

Services 

Group OGAG DMWG 

Data.gov 

PMO 

2.4.1 I I A 

2.4.2 A 

3.1.1 A 

3.1.2 A 

3.1.3 A 

3.2.1 A I I 

3.2.2 I I A 

3.2.3 A C 

3.2.4 I I A 

3.2.5 A 

3.3.1 A 

3.3.2 A I 

3.3.3 A I 

3.4.1 A 

3.4.2 I A 

3.4.3 R A R 

5. Process Requirements 

5.1 Identifying and Prioritizing New Datasets 

1. Offices are responsible for proposing new datasets for publication.2 Dataset candidates 

for proposal can be identified in five ways: 

1.1. An office identifies new datasets or enhancements to currently published 

datasets. 

 

2

 Offices must respect and protect individual privacy when proposing new datasets. OMB M-11-02, “Sharing 

Data while Protecting Privacy,” dated November 3, 2010, provides guidance on compliance with privacy 

policies. 
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1.2. The Web Content Services Group determines, based on the preliminary 

evaluation criteria in Appendix 6.1 of this document, that new public Web site 

content requested by the offices constitutes potential dataset. In this case, the 

Web Content Services Group must inform the request originating offices and the 

NRC Data.gov POC for possible inclusion in the dataset proposal. 

1.3. Using the preliminary evaluation criteria in Appendix 6.1 of this document, the 

Capital Planning and Investment Control (CPIC) vision screening and approval 

process determines whether a new project requested by an office includes new 

dataset. If it does, the process requires informing the office that originated the 

request and the NRC Data.gov POC for possible inclusion in the dataset 

proposal. 

1.4. The OGAG recommends new datasets to the offices. 

1.5. The general public provides input via Data.gov or other NRC communication 

channels. 

2. The NRC Data.gov POC is responsible for reviewing the offices’ dataset proposals. The 

NRC Data.gov POC review establishes data quality by ensuring that the following 

objectives are met: 

2.1. effectiveness, in terms of data being relevant and pertinent to the NRC mission 

as well as being delivered in usable manner 

2.2. efficiency, in terms of the provision of data through the optimal (most productive 

and economical) use of resources 

2.3. confidentiality, in terms of the protection of sensitive data from unauthorized 

disclosure 

2.4. integrity, in terms of the consistency, accuracy, and completeness of data as well 

as its validity in accordance with business values and expectations 

2.5. availability, in terms of data being obtainable when needed by the general public 

now and in the future, and in terms of safeguarding necessary resources and 

associated capabilities 

3. Offices must prepare their dataset proposal packages and submit them to the NRC 

Data.gov POC for review. The proposal package should include the following 

components: 

3.1. Definition of the proposed dataset, including data field definitions 

3.2. Proposed frequency of data refresh to ensure that the data are kept current 

3.3. Completed NRC Data.gov POC dataset quality assessment criteria, as illustrated 

in Appendix 6.2 of this document, which address the five data quality objectives 

described above and, in terms of effectiveness, include dataset value definitions 

provided by the OGD, OMB guidance, and the agency’s guidance for completing 

Exhibit 300 (budget justification and reporting for major information technology 

investments required by OMB). 
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4. The NRC Data.gov POC and the offices are responsible for prioritizing final datasets for 

publication based on offices’ responses to the evaluation criteria. The NRC Data.gov 

POC will record the priorities in the NRC Dataset Inventory. 

5. Offices must determine the implementation plans for their prioritized datasets and 

provide their planned publication dates and implementation POCs to the NRC Data.gov 

POC for recording in the NRC Enterprise Data Inventory. The offices’ dataset 

implementation POCs will work with the Open Data POC throughout the dataset 

authoring and publication subprocess. 

5.2 Authoring and Publishing New Datasets 

5.2.1 Dataset Publication to the NRC Public Web Site 

1. All datasets must meet Data.gov format requirements for raw data files. The raw data 

format is machine readable. Data.gov only accepts the following raw data formats: 

1.1. Microsoft Excel 2003 (xls) 

1.2. W3C Extended Markup Language (XML) 

1.3. Comma Separated Values (CSV) 

1.4. Plain text with value separator or fixed value length 

1.5. Keyhole Markup Language (KML) or Keyhole Markup Zip (KMZ) for geographic 

annotation and visualization data 

1.6. Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) shapefile for geospatial data 

2. Each dataset can support more than one of the formats described in item 1 above. 

3. If Microsoft Excel 2007 is used to create a dataset, the file must be saved in compatibility 

mode (Microsoft Excel 2003 or prior version with xls file extension). 

4. Each dataset must be accompanied by a data dictionary that includes, but is not limited 

to, the data field names and their corresponding definition. The data dictionary can be 

implemented as a Hyper-Text Markup Language (HTML) file or a Microsoft Excel 2003 

(xls) file. An example of a published data dictionary is the daily power reactor status 

data dictionary located at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/eventstatus/reactor-status/Data_gov_PowerStatus_DataDictionary.xls. 

5. Each office must ensure that proper NRC information technology security policies, 

privacy policies, and record management policies are cleared for dataset publication. 

6. All datasets and their data dictionaries must be accessible from the Open Data page of 

the NRC public Web site (www.nrc.gov/data) . The NRC Data.gov primary and 

secondary POCs are responsible for providing the Web Content Services Group once 

datasets have been reviewed and data dictionary have been created and submitted. The 

NRC Web Content Services Group is responsible for updating this page. The Web 

Content Services Group will publish the updates to the Open Data page once datasets 

have been added the NRC Enterprise Data Inventory and Public Data Listing (if 

applicable). 
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7. Each office must publish its dataset(s) to the NRC public Web site no later than 3 weeks 

before the scheduled publication dates that were documented in the NRC Dataset 

Inventory during the dataset identification and prioritization subprocess. 

5.3 Maintaining and Updating Published Datasets 

1. Each office is responsible for updating and republishing its datasets at the frequencies 

documented in the NRC Dataset Inventory to keep the underlying data current. If data 

fields are added or removed or their definition changed in a dataset, the corresponding 

data dictionary must be updated and republished. 

2. The file names of the datasets and their corresponding data dictionaries must stay 

identical to their original names. If the file name must be changed, or if any part of the 

dataset’s metadata must be modified to keep dataset definitions current, the dataset’s 

provider or originating office must update the corresponding metadata document. 

3. Each office must follow the current NRC Web Publishing Guidance to update published 

datasets on the NRC public Web site. 

4. Offices must notify the NRC Data.gov POC when their datasets are updated. The NRC 

Data.gov POC is responsible for maintaining current information in the NRC Dataset 

Inventory. 

5. Offices must submit all updates or changes to the metadata document to the NRC 

Data.gov primary and secondary POCs for review. NRC Data.gov primary and 

secondary POCs are responsible for submitting metadata changes to Data.gov. 

6. Offices are responsible for evaluating and making decisions on which of their published 

datasets are no longer effective and can be removed. The NRC Data.gov POC provides 

quarterly dataset metrics to offices to support their decision processes. Dataset metrics 

include download counts for individual datasets and NRC published datasets overall. 

The NRC Dataset Inventory maintains these quarterly metrics for up to 1 year. 

7. Offices must inform the NRC Data.gov POC 1 week before the physical removal of the 

datasets from the NRC public Web site. The NRC Data.gov POC is responsible for 

removing dataset metadata from Data.gov and updating the NRC Dataset Inventory.

6. Public Feedback Process 

6.1 Online Comment/Feedback Form 

The public can make comments, suggestions, and provide feedback on all NRC datasets 

through the NRC’s Online Comment/Feedback Form. 

1. Use the “Type of Input” drop down menu to select an input option. 

2. Input questions or comments in the “Question or Comments” textbox. 

3. Complete contact information. Customer must provide contact email only if an email 

response is preferred. 

4. Select “Send Questions or Comments” button to the Comment/Feedback Form 
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6.2 Agency Response 

Information submitted through the Online Comment/Feedback Form is sent to the 

open.resource@nrc.gov mailbox. Agency representatives in the Office of Information Services 

and the Office of the Executive Director of Operations receive email notifications containing the 

submitted information. 

• Comments/Feedback received relating to NRC datasets will be handled by 

representatives from the Information Technology/ Information Management Strategic 

Planning Branch of Portfolio Management Planning Division in the Office of Information 

Services (OIS/PMPD/ISPB). 

• Comments/Feedback received relating to Open Government will be handled by the 

Office of Information Services’ open government/E-Gov representative. 

• Comments/feedback received relating to all other topics will be handled by the Office of 

the Executive Director of Operations. 

1. Comments or feedback requiring responses should be provided responses within 30 

calendar days of the initial request. 

2. Representatives responding to online comments or feedback must ensure responses 

are coordinated with the Office of Public Affairs. 

7. Appendix 

7.1 Preliminary Evaluation Criteria for Potential Datasets 

Datasets may be considered for publication if the answer to one or more of questions 2 through 

9 is “yes.” 

Criteria Yes No 

1. Does this request include the posting of public data? If the 

answer is “yes,” answer questions 2 through 9. 

2. Will the data contribute to improving the lives of ordinary 

Americans? 

3. Will the data demonstrate the extent to which the NRC takes 

into account the interests of diverse stakeholders, both with 

respect to policy formation and with respect to implementation 

or enforcement? 

4. Will the data support NRC accountability by revealing the 

results and characteristics of the agency’s services to citizens 

and its mission? 

5. Will the data improve public knowledge of the agency and its 

operations? 

6. Will the data help further the core mission of the agency? 

7. Do the data respond to needs and demands as identified 

through public consultation? 
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Criteria Yes No 

8. Do the data contain information on how the agency conducts 

financial management or manages resources that may 

improve NRC efficiency and effectiveness if it is released? 

9. Do the data contain information about the policy, rulemaking, 

and public engagement process that would promote the 

involvement of the connected citizen if shared? 

7.2 Dataset Quality Assessment Criteria 

Criteria Yes No Notes 

Effectiveness 

Do the data contribute to 

improving the lives of ordinary 

Americans? 

If answer is “Yes,” enter 2 for 

direct contributions and 1 for 

indirect contribution. 

Note how the data improve the 

lives of ordinary Americans.

Do the data demonstrate the 

extent to which the NRC takes 

into account the interests of 

diverse stakeholders, both with 

respect to policy formation and 

with respect to implementation or 

enforcement? 

If answer is “Yes,” enter 2. 

Have the data been made 

available to the public? 

If answer is “No,” enter 2. If 

answer is “Yes” and only 

available to the public with a 

FOIA request, enter 1. 
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Criteria Yes No Notes 

Have potential external 

audiences or data consumers 

been identified? A list of external 

audiences/consumers is available 

at http://www.nrc.gov/publicinvolve/open/datasetscatalog.pdf. 

If answer is “Yes,” enter 2 for 

more than three types of 

consumers, and enter 1 for three 

types of consumers or fewer. 

Note the types of consumers 

identified.

Do the data create value that 

(1) supports NRC accountability 

by revealing the results and 

characteristics of the agency’s 

mission and services to citizens, 

(2) improves public knowledge of 

the agency and its operations, 

(3) furthers the core mission of 

the agency, (4) responds to need 

and demand as identified through 

public consultation, (5) improves 

NRC efficiency and effectiveness 

by releasing information about 

how the agency conducts 

financial management or 

manages resources, or 

(5) promotes the involvement of 

the connected citizen by sharing 

information about the policy, 

rulemaking, and public 

engagement process? 

If answer is “Yes,” enter 1 for 

each of the six values that apply. 

Note all values that apply. 

Do the data have breadth of 

coverage (e.g., data represent 

facility vs. data represent the 

nation)? 

If answer is “Yes,” enter 2. 
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Criteria Yes No Notes 

Efficiency 

What is the level of effort to 

author the data in the acceptable 

formats? 

In the “Yes” column, enter 2 if it 

would take one person less than 

1 month, and enter 1 if it would 

take one person less than 2 

months.

Are resources available to author 

the data and supporting material 

in the acceptable formats? 

If answer is “Yes,” enter 2. 

Confidentiality 

Will the release of data violate the 

NRC management directives on 

FOIA and privacy (MD 3.1, 3.2, 

and 3.4)? 

If answer is “No,” enter 2. 

Note reasons for potential 

violations.

Will the release of data violate the 

NRC management directive on 

unclassified information security 

(MD 12.6)? 

If answer is “No,” enter 2. 

Note reasons for potential 

violations.

Integrity 

Has a data steward been 

identified who is accountable for 

the completeness and validity of 

the data sources? 

If answer is “Yes,” enter 2. 

Note the data steward’s contact 

information.
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Criteria Yes No Notes 

Are derived data available from 

the original data sources? Have 

they been documented and are 

processes in place to ensure data 

integrity? 

If answer is “Yes,” enter 1 for 

documentation and processes in 

place. If answer is “No,” enter 2. 

Are the data a subset of a larger 

collection of data? 

If answer is “No,” enter 2. If 

answer is “Yes,” enter 1 to 

indicate that no duplicated data 

are being published. 

Note the larger collection of data 

if it exists.

If the data are a subset of a larger 

collection of data, will it 

misrepresent the overall NRC 

mission and goals? 

If answer is “No,” enter 2. 

Will publication of the data violate 

the NRC management directive 

on records and document 

management (MD 3.53)? 

If answer is “No,” enter 2. 

Note potential violations.

Availability 

What is the level of effort to 

refresh the data periodically after 

they are published? 

In the “Yes” column, enter 2 if it 

would take one person less than 

1 week, and enter 1 if it would 

take one person less than 

1 month. 

Note the data refresh frequency.
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Criteria Yes No Notes 

Are committed resources 

available to update the data at a 

predetermined data refresh 

frequency? 

If answer is “Yes,” enter 2. 

Note the resources’ contact 

information.

Total Score ? out of 38 

7.3 Abbreviations 

Table 4 Acronyms and Abbreviations 

Acronyms/Abbreviations Definition 

ADM Office of Administration (NRC) 

BPIAD Business Process Improvement and Applications Division (OIS)

CPIC Capital Planning and Investment Control 

CSO Computer Security Office 

CSV Comma Separated Values file format 

DMWG Data Management Working Group 

EASB Enterprise Architecture and Standard Branch (BPIAD) 

EDATS Electronic Document and Action Tracking System 

ESRI Environmental Systems Research Institute 

FOIA Freedom of Information Act 

FSME Office of Federal and State Materials and Environmental 

Management Programs 

HTML Hyper-Text Markup Language 

IRSD Information and Records Services Division (OIS) 

KML/KMZ Keyhole Markup Language and Keyhole Markup Zip file 

formats 

MD Management Directive 

NMSS Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards (NRC) 
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Acronyms/Abbreviations Definition 

NRC US Nuclear Regulatory Commission 

NRO Office of New Reactors (NRC) 

NRR Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRC) 

NSC National Security Council 

NSIR Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response (NRC) 

OCFO Office of the Chief Financial Officer (NRC) 

OG Open Government 

OGAG Open Government Advisory Group 

OGD Open Government Directive (OMB) 

OHR Office of Human Resources (NRC) 

OIS Office of Information Services (NRC) 

OMB Office of Management and Budget 

OPA Office of Public Affairs (NRC) 

PMO Program Management Office 

POC Point of Contact 

SECY Office of the Secretary 

XLS Microsoft Excel 2003 file format 

XML W3C Extended Markup Language file format 

7.4 References 

Table 5 Reference Documents 

References Location 

Data.gov Metadata 

Template 

https://dms.data.gov/dms/webroot/data_gov_metadata_template_v2.xls

MD 3.1 http://www.internal.nrc.gov/ADM/DAS/cag/Management_Directives/md3.1.p

df

MD 3.2 http://www.internal.nrc.gov/ADM/DAS/cag/Management_Directives/md3.2.p

df
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References Location 

MD 3.4 http://www.internal.nrc.gov/ADM/DAS/cag/Management_Directives/md3.4.p

df

MD 3.14 http://www.internal.nrc.gov/ADM/DAS/cag/Management_Directives/md3.14.

pdf

MD 3.53 http://www.internal.nrc.gov/ADM/DAS/cag/Management_Directives/md3.53.

pdf

MD 12.6 http://www.internal.nrc.gov/ADM/DAS/cag/Management_Directives/md12.6.

pdf

NRC Dataset 

Inventory 

http://portal.nrc.gov/edo/ois/irsd/OpenGovernmentDirective/Lists/HighValue

%20Data%20Set%20Candidates/HighValue%20Data%20Set%20Candidate

s%20by%20Office.aspx?View=%7B58B9D46D%2DDBA6%2D465E%2D99

E6%2D66A1DE69C9F6%7D&ShowInGrid=HTML

NRC Open 

Government Plan 

http://www.nrc.gov/public-involve/open/philosophy/nrc-open-gov-plan.pdf

NRC Strategic 

Plan 

http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/nuregs/staff/sr1614

OMB M-10-06, 

“Open 

Government 

Directive” 

http://www.whitehouse.gov/open/documents/open-government-directive

OMB M-11-02, 

“Sharing Data 

while Protecting 

Privacy” 

http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/memoranda/2011/m11-

02.pdf

President’s 

Memorandum on 

Transparency and 

Open Government 

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Transparency_and_Open_Gov

ernment

Web Publishing 

Guidance 

http://www.internal.nrc.gov/ois/divisions/irsd/web-program/index.html

Open Data PolicyManaging 

Information as an 

Asset 

http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/memoranda/2013/m-13-

13.pdf