U.S. General Services Administration 

GSA Evidence-Based Data Governance Executive Board 

I. Official Designation: 

Effective upon signature herein by the Administrator of General Services, the 

U.S. General Services Administration’s (GSA’s) Evidence-Based Data 

Governance Executive Board (EDGE Board) is established. The EDGE Board is 

sponsored by the Office of GSA Information Technology (GSA IT).

II. Official Purpose: 

The EDGE Board will serve as a decisional board on Agency data and will advise

executive leadership on how to promote and invest in the use of Federal data for 

evidence building (‘data governance’), as mandated by the Foundations for 

Evidence-Based Policymaking Act, (Evidence Act), Public Law 115-435. It will 

oversee and promote Agency implementation of laws, policies, and regulations 

related to data governance as required by the statute and implementing 

guidance, such as OMB Memorandum M-19-23, Phase 1 Implementation of the 

Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018: Learning Agendas, 

Personnel, and Planning Guidance.

III. Membership: 

The EDGE Board will be co-chaired by the Deputy Administrator and GSA’s 

Chief Data Officer (CDO). 

Other principals will include:

● Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) Deputy Commissioner or designee;

● Public Buildings Service (PBS) Deputy Commissioner or designee; 

● FAS Technology Transformation Service (TTS) Director; 

● Office of Government-wide Policy (OGP) Associate Administrator; 

● Chief Information Officer (CIO); 

● Chief Technology Officer (CTO);

● Deputy Chief Human Capital Officer (CHCO); 

● Performance Improvement Officer (PIO); 

● Office of Customer Experience (OCE) Chief Customer Officer (CCO); 

● GSA Evaluation Officer (EO);

● GSA Statistical Official (SO). 

DocuSign Envelope ID: B3887327-5CDE-411D-B435-225BD0B5869A
IV. Roles and Responsibilities:

The EDGE Board will undertake activities necessary to carry out its 

responsibilities under the Evidence Act, to include:

● Monitor Agency data priorities established within guidelines of M-19-23 by 

informing Strategic Information Resources Management Plans for the 

Agency and identifying resources to implement those priorities; 

● Prioritize Agency data capabilities and identify gaps, duplications and 

overlaps. Define data solution alternatives that will ensure cost 

effectiveness based on established criteria, policy, and process;

● Coordinate and support implementation of data management 

responsibilities with Agency data-management stewards to strengthen 

strategic plans and learning agendas; 

● Set Agency data policy in a manner that complements, but does not 

supplant, the statutory responsibilities of established positions;

● Coordinate implementation of the Federal Data Strategy by assessing 

data maturity, risks, and capabilities to recommend related data 

investment priorities;

● Establish and oversee working groups (such as a Digital Governance 

Senior Steering Committee) to address data governance issues, and set 

and enforce priorities for managing data as a strategic asset to support 

GSA’s mission;

● Coordinate with business specific data governance bodies in order to 

effectively manage the Agency’s data portfolio;

● Support strategic stakeholder engagement to improve Agency decision 

making, program outcomes, and performance management processes; 

● Assist GSA’s PIO in identifying and using data to carry out the functions 

described in 31 U.S.C. § 1124(a)(2); and

● Assist GSA’s CDO in ensuring compliance with any regulation and 

guidance issued under 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, Subchapter III.

V. Meetings:

The EDGE Board will adhere to the following:

● Meet at least twice annually or more frequently if determined necessary by 

the board co-chairs.

● Fifty percent of the principals must be present at a meeting to constitute a 

quorum. 

● Principals may attend meetings in person or remotely. Principals may not 

vote by proxy.

DocuSign Envelope ID: B3887327-5CDE-411D-B435-225BD0B5869A
VI. Records: 

The CDO will complete meeting minutes that reflect all EDGE Board decisions. 

Meeting minutes will be electronically shared with all principals within 5 business 

days of meeting. The CDO will be responsible for keeping records for the EDGE 

Board and will work with the GSA Records Officer on record retention and any 

other records related issues.

VII. Reports:

The EDGE Board will deliver to the Administrator and the CIO biannually, or as 

required:

▪ Reports, standards, and action plans required by the Evidence Act.

▪ Assessments of enterprise-wide data investments, significant 

accomplishments, business cases, future projects, challenges, risks and 

recommendations.

▪ Recommended guidance for GSA data investment and/or resource 

approval boards (all funds) to be incorporated into future investment plans.

▪ A consolidated financial plan that represents all data-related funds 

(development, modernization and enhancement (DM&E) and operations 

and maintenance (O&M)), including recommendations on funding or 

spending realignments to ensure enterprise strategies are incorporated 

into the Agency’s official budget requests and/or spend plans, as 

appropriate.

▪ Recommendations for establishing or strengthening senior-level 

accountability mechanisms for enterprise data and evidence objectives, 

e.g., SES performance plan commitments.

VIII. Costs:

There are no costs associated with managing the EDGE Board. Any resources 

that are required to operate the EDGE Board will be done through existing 

budgeting processes. 

IX. Support: 

GSA IT will provide support to the board.

DocuSign Envelope ID: B3887327-5CDE-411D-B435-225BD0B5869A
X. Effective Date:

This Charter will be effective on the date of signature.

XI. Termination Date:

The EDGE Board will terminate at the discretion of the co-chairs, with approval 

of the Administrator.

Approved:

_________________________________ _______________________

Emily W. Murphy Date

Administrator of General Services

DocuSign Envelope ID: B3887327-5CDE-411D-B435-225BD0B5869A

9/4/2020