Geospatial Data Act of 2018 

Overview/Current Activities

Ivan DeLoatch

FGDC Executive Director

National Geospatial Advisory Committee Meeting

May 8, 2019

1
Topics

• Overview of GDA components & related 

data initiatives

• Approach to implementation and current 

status

• Impacts on the NGAC 

• Potential NGAC study topics

• Questions/discussion

2
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Geospatial Data Act of 2018

Geospatial Data Act

Foundations for Evidence-Based 

Policymaking Act

- TITLE I: Federal Evidence-Building Activities

- TITLE II: Open Government Data Act

- TITLE III: Confidential Information Protection 

And Statistical Efficiency

Federal Data Strategy

Context–

The GDA is one of several new data 

initiatives aimed at:

• Promoting and improving access to data for 

public health, economic growth, environment 

and other purposes

• Promoting use of quality scientific and other 

data to improve policymaking

• Sparking public private partnerships, new 

innovative start-ups & services
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Geospatial Data Act of 2018

The GDA formalizes Federal 

government structures 

related to geospatial data

Facilitates broad cooperation 

between the public and 

private sector

The GDA provides policy and 

guidance to empower the use 

of geospatial data and 

technology

Positions the U.S. to be a global leader in utilization of geospatial technology

The GDA reflects growing recognition of the essential role of geospatial 

data and technology and highlights the need to support their 

continuing development as critical infrastructure for the Nation.
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Geospatial Data Act of 2018

Policy and guidance to empower 

the use of geospatial data and 

technology

Codifies the role and authorities 

of the FGDC

Establishes the NGAC as a 

statutory advisory committee

Establishes agency 

responsibilities

Establishes stewardship of 

geospatial assets

National Spatial Data 

Infrastructure

Budgeting and reporting 

requirements

Executive Summary
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Geospatial Data Act of 2018

Implementation Approach

• Coordination with FGDC Leadership/OMB 

• FGDC Tiger Team/Work Groups

• GDA Workshops

• Initial assessment of GDA

• Stakeholder engagement 

• High-level implementation roadmap

• Updated OMB guidance (Circular A-16)

• GDA Implementation Strategy / NSDI 

Strategic Plan
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Geospatial Data Act of 2018

GDA Tiger Team/Work Groups 

Analysis of the GDA––identify impacts, requirements and 

recommendations that will result in the development of an implementation 

strategy

Governance & 

Organization

Covered Agencies & 

Reporting

Data, Standards, and 

Delivery

Communications & 

Outreach
Geospatial Data Act of 2018

GDA Implementation Roadmap

KEY TASKS

• OMB Circular A-11 Language Revision

• Federal Data Strategy (FDS) Action Plan Update

• Ongoing Stakeholder Engagement

• GDA Interagency Budget Initiative

• GDA Work Groups – Critical Issues

• GDA Communication Strategy

• Development of OMB Guidance
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Geospatial Data Act of 2018

DRAFT GDA ROADMAP – CY 2019 SUMMARY TIMELINE
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Sec. 754. National Geospatial Advisory Committee

Section Summary

This section codifies the National Geospatial Advisory Committee (NGAC) and 

includes language specifying that the NGAC would be administered in DOI. 

Similar to its current charge, the NGAC will continue providing advice and 

recommendations to the chairperson of the FGDC relating to the management 

of federal and national geospatial programs, the development of the National 

Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI), and other activities relating to the 

implementation of this subtitle. The NGAC is also required to review and 

comment on geospatial policy and management issues and ensure that the 

views of representatives of non-federal interested parties involved in national 

geospatial activities are conveyed to the FGDC.
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Sec. 754. National Geospatial Advisory Committee

Consistent with Current Practice

• Advisory Committee sponsored & managed by DOI

• NGAC chair appointed by FGDC chair

• Membership composition, criteria, & terms of appointment

• Current ethics requirements apply to NGAC members

• Subcommittees may be established to develop draft products

• 1-4 Public Meetings per year

• Duties primarily the same (with addition of GDA implementation)

• No compensation of members, travel expenses covered

• Staff support provided by FGDC Secretariat

• FACA rules apply to NGAC, except as otherwise stated in GDA
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Sec. 754. National Geospatial Advisory Committee

Key Changes

• GDA establishes NGAC as statutory advisory committee

• Standing membership from NGA specified

• Adds “licensed geospatial data acquisition professionals” to list of potential 

membership groups

• Specifies 1/3 of membership appointments expire each year

• NGAC Chair and DFO jointly responsible for subcommittee direction

• NGAC meetings to be called by Chair, instead of DFO

• Changes quorum from 2/3rds to majority

• Adds “advice on implementation of GDA” to list of NGAC duties

• Enables NGAC to request information directly from agencies with concurrence 

of FGDC Chair (and requires agencies to furnish such information). Also requires 

NGAC to report on non-compliance

• New language regarding termination & continuation of NGAC
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Draft NGAC GDA Study Questions

1. OMB Guidance. OMB plans to issue an updated version of OMB Circular A16 by October 2019. The FGDC requests that the NGAC provide high-level 

advice and recommendations on potential scope and content of this revision, 

including key elements that should be addressed in the revised Circular, 

consistent with the requirements of the GDA. 

(Note – see 2016 NGAC paper, “Comments on OMB Circular A-16”)

2. NGAC Roles & Responsibilities. Section 754 of the GDA establishes a the 

NGAC as a statutory advisory committee, and describes the NGAC’s roles and 

responsibilities. Some of the NGAC’s responsibilities are similar to past 

practices, while others are new responsibilities. The FGDC requests that the 

NGAC provide advice and recommendations on how the NGAC should be 

organized and managed in order to fulfill the requirements of the GDA. 
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Draft NGAC GDA Study Questions

3. Roles and Responsibilities. Section 753(c)(8) of the GDA includes the following language: “The (FGDC) 

shall define roles and responsibilities and promote and guide cooperation and coordination among 

agencies of the Federal Government, State, tribal, and local governments, institutions of higher 

education, and the private sector in the collection, production, sharing, and use of geospatial information, 

the implementation of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure, and the identification of proven 

practices.” The FGDC requests that the NGAC provide advice and recommendations on how the FGDC 

should address this requirement.

4. National Spatial Data Infrastructure. Section 755 of the GDA includes the following language: “The 

(FGDC) shall advise Federal and non-Federal users of geospatial data on their responsibilities relating to 

implementation of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure.” The FGDC requests that the NGAC provide 

advice and recommendations on approaches the FGDC may take to “advise Federal and non-Federal 

users of geospatial data on their responsibilities relating to implementation of the National Spatial Data 

Infrastructure.”
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Geospatial Data Act of 2018

Positions the U.S. to be a global leader in utilization of geospatial technology

Conclusion

Thank You

Fgdc@fgdc.gov

The GDA formalizes Federal 

government structures related 

to geospatial data

Facilitates broad cooperation 

between the public and private 

sector

The GDA provides policy and 

guidance to empower the use 

of geospatial data and 

technology

• The GDA reflects growing recognition of the essential role of 

geospatial data and technology and highlights the need to support 

their continuing development as critical infrastructure for the Nation.

• Positions the U.S. to be a global leader in utilization of geospatial 

technology
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Geospatial Data Act of 2018

Questions &

Discussion