Key Federal Statistical System Initiatives

Dr. Karin Orvis, Chief Statistician of the United States

2022 Federal Committee on Statistical Methodology 

Research and Policy Conference

Oct 25, 2022
CSOTUS and Federal Statistical System

U.S. has a decentralized Federal statistical system

Coordinated by the Chief Statistician of the U.S.: 

• Provides leadership, oversight, and coordination 

• Issues Statistical Policy Directives, guidance, etc.

• Chairs Interagency Council on Statistical Policy (ICSP)

• Engages with international statistical community

Vision for the Federal statistical system:

“Operates as a seamless system, as stewards of much 

of the nation's most sensitive data, enabling greater 

evidence building, civic engagement, and public and 

private sector decision-making"

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Highlighted Priorities for the FSS

Few Highlighted Priorities:

• Review and revision of OMB’s statistical standards 

for maintaining, collecting, and presenting data on 

race and ethnicity

• Advancing the “Trust” regulation 

• Development and implementation of other Evidence Act 

related efforts:

• Standard Application Process (SAP)

• National Secure Data Service (NSDS) demonstration

• Presumption of Accessibility regulation

• Expanding Secure Data Access regulation

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Review and Revision of OMB’s 

Race and Ethnicity Standards 

OMB maintains government-wide standards for Federal race and ethnicity 

data – to ensure ability to compare information and data across Federal 

agencies and to understand how well Federal programs serve a diverse America.

Some Current Actions:

• June: CSOTUS announcement - formal review to revise Standards is beginning

• July: OMB issues plain language discussion of current flexibilities of and best 

practices for collecting and reporting more detailed data under current standards.

• August: CSOTUS announcement that ITWG has been convened and how the 

public can participate in the revision process

• Public input on ITWG’s initial proposal for revisions to the standards through a FRN

• Virtual, bi-monthly listening sessions to hear directly from members of the public

• Connect with us! Email Statistical_Directives@omb.eop.gov

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Advancing the “Trust” Regulation

• Required under Evidence Act/CIPSEA 2018 

• Intended to bolster trust in the Federal statistical system 

through protecting its independence and objectivity

• Intended to increase efficiency and effectiveness of the 

Federal statistical system 

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Development and Implementation 

of Other Evidence Act-Related Efforts

• Advisory Committee on Data for Evidence Building (ACDEB) 

• National Secure Data Service (NSDS) demonstration

• Standard Application Process (SAP)

• Expanding Secure Data Access regulation

• Presumption of Access regulation

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Other Example Key Efforts Across FSS

Advancing Equity

• Equitable Data Engagement and 

Accountability [OMB & OSTP led]

• Federal Evidence Agenda on 

LGBTQI+ Equity [OMB & OSTP led]

• Report on best practices for measuring 

sexual orientation and gender identity 

on federal statistical surveys [CSOTUS]

Economic Statistics

• Natural Capital Accounting and 

Environmental Economic Statistics

• Executive Order on Bioeconomy

• ITWG on bioeconomy to produce 

recommendations for NAICS & NAPCS

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FCSM.gov - launched! 

Great resources like Data Protection 

Toolkit and Framework for Data Quality
FSS-Wide Engagement Opportunities!

• FCSM Groups FCSM.gov/groups/ 

Engage with experts on topics/ 

methodologies; produce products

• Interest Groups+

• Working Groups (sponsored by 

FCSM Subcommittees)+

• ICSP Mentoring Program#

• Annual program

• Next kickoff in early 2023

• Structured mentor/mentee 

relationships for professional 

development

• Office of the CSOTUS

• Come on a Detail with us! +

• Support FSS-wide priorities 

through leading projects, 

developing statistical policies, 

and/or supporting implementation

• Participate in topical ITWGs+ 

• Engage with experts to review and 

analyze an FSS issue/challenge 

and develop recommendations to 

the CSOTUS

Get Involved! 

+ open to Federal career staff

# open to Federal statistical agency career staff

Connect with us! Statistical_Directives@omb.eop.gov #CSOTUS