Department of Justice (DOJ) Fiscal Year 2021 Agency Report

1. Please provide a summary of your agency’s activities undertaken to carry out the provisions of 

OMB Circular A-119, “Federal Participation in the Development and Use of Voluntary Consensus 

Standards and in Conformity Assessment Activities” and the National Technology Transfer and 

Advance Act (NTTAA). The summary should contain a link to the agency’s standards-specific 

website(s) where information about your agency’s standards and conformity assessment related 

activities are available.

Led by the Attorney General, the Department of Justice (DOJ) comprises more than 40 separate 

component organizations and has approximately 116,000 employees who carry out the missions of its 

components. While the DOJ’s headquarters are in Washington, D.C., it conducts most of its work in field 

locations throughout the country and overseas. The DOJ mission is to enforce the law and defend the 

interests of the United States according to the law; to ensure public safety against threats foreign and 

domestic; to provide federal leadership in preventing and controlling crime; to seek just punishment for 

those guilty of unlawful behavior; and to ensure fair and impartial administration of justice for all 

Americans. DOJ is meeting these mission challenges through three strategic goals focused on advancing 

the Department’s priorities and reflecting the outcomes the American people deserve. These goals are: 

- Goal 1—Prevent Terrorism and Promote the Nation’s Security Consistent with the Rule of Law; 

- Goal 2—Prevent Crime, Protect the Rights of the American People, and Enforce Federal Law; 

and 

- Goal 3—Ensure and Support the Fair, Impartial, Efficient, and Transparent Administration of 

Justice at the Federal, State, Local, Tribal, and International Levels.

DOJ uses standards wherever reasonable, recognizing the importance of Voluntary Consensus Standards 

(VCS) in achieving its mission goals. Implementation of VCS in both Departmental systems and those 

funded by Departmental grants:

• Improves collaboration and cooperation with criminal justice partners and the private sector;

• Makes services, products, and systems development more efficient (including cost and/or 

implementation time savings);

• Ensures equipment and systems are of the highest quality, safe, and effective as well as 

compatible and interoperable;

• Supports innovation, free and fair competition, commerce or trade while avoiding duplication of 

private sector activities;

• Ensures the results of analysis are unbiased and scientifically valid;

• Provides validation that facilities are operating safely, effectively, and are managed in 

accordance with sound principles;

• Enables reuse of technical tools to support multiple projects, reduce dependency on custom 

solutions; minimize project risk, and reduce dependency on a too specialized workforce;
• Provides an opportunity to pull communities-of-interest together;

• Allows commercial industry to reduce product development costs and pass those cost savings 

on to the Department;

• Improves procurements, contracting, and grant making functions.

The following summarizes some of DOJ’s standards and conformity assessment activities in 2021, 

demonstrating the Department’s active participation in improving and applying standards to deliver the 

mission. 

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) remains compliant in carrying out the provisions of OMB 

Circular A-119, “Federal Participation in the Development and Use of Voluntary Consensus Standards 

and in Conformity Assessment Activities” and the National Technology Transfer and Advance Act 

(NTTAA). The FBI has not currently identified the need for any government unique standards in lieu of 

consensus-based standards.

The FBI’s Science & Technology Branch (STB) ensures the FBI is represented in appropriate Standards 

Development Organizations (SDOs) and bodies to position the FBI to develop and exploit technology in 

ways that recognize and protect civil liberties, allows for auditing of use, and enables the FBI mission. 

The FBI’s centralized SDO authority resides with the Internet Governance (IG) and 5G Program Office led 

by an FBI Senior Leader. STB and its corresponding divisions, including Criminal Justice Information 

Services Division (CJIS), Operational Technology Division (OTD) and the Laboratory Division (LD) follow 

the policies of OMB Circular A-119 by regularly participating with commercial and private-sector on 

standard development of voluntary consensus standards via committees, working groups, meetings, 

conferences and other engagements. 

FBI-Science & Technology Branch (STB) regularly participates in the following SDOs and bodies:

• Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). International nonprofit 

responsible for the management of the Domain Name System (DNS). The FBI is an active, 

engaging participant in ICANN recurring meetings and recently presented at the ICANN73 

conference in March 2022.

o Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC). An advisory committee to ICANN 

established via ICANN Bylaws and provides advice to ICANN on public policy aspects 

of ICANN’s Domain Name System responsibilities. FBI participation provides direct 

access to the ICANN Board on public policy/LE-related issues. Enables early access to 

weigh in on development processes and ensure consistency with laws and national 

security interests. Provides access to experts across the national and international 

spectrum to engage on implications and mitigation strategies (if needed). 

o Public Safety Working Group (PSWG). ICANN Governmental Advisory Committee 

(GAC) Working Group devoted to evaluating policies and procedures that implicate 

the safety of the public. Current strategies include developing DNS abuse and 

cybercrime mitigation capabilities of the ICANN and LE communities, preserving and 

improving domain registration directory services effectiveness, and leveraging 

stakeholders to influence balanced ICANN-level governance. The FBI directly 
contributed to development of a voluntary standard "framework"** for law 

enforcement referrals to domain registry operators of bulk lists of domain names 

linked to command and control of criminally operated botnets. Additionally, the FBI 

continues to provide public safety input to ongoing policy development for a 

replacement to the worldwide web's "WHOIS" system. 

 **Framework on Domain Generating Algorithms (DGAs) Associated with 

Malware and Botnets, link

• International Telecommunications Union (ITU). The FBI regularly attends meetings in ITU 

which allocates global radio spectrum and satellite orbits, develops the technical standards 

that ensure networks and technologies seamlessly interconnect, and strive to improve 

access to ICTs to underserved communities worldwide. 

• Internet Governance Forum (IGF). The FBI continues to be an active participant in this global 

forum hosted by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) and 

administered by the Multi-stakeholder Advisory Group (MAG).

o Internet Governance Forum USA (IGF-USA). The FBI continues to be an active 

participant in the IGF-USA recurring general meetings as well as working group meetings 

to illuminate issues and cultivate constructive discussions about the future of the 

internet.

• The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). The FBI continues to participate in development 

of service-based interception capabilities for 5G-based communication services in 3GPP. This 

participation is meant to satisfy the industry consultation requirements of the Communications 

Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA) for the development of industry standards for 

covered services. 

• International Organization for Standardization (ISO). FBI is represented in the 

Committees/Working Groups of the ISO. ISO is an independent, non-governmental international 

organization with a membership of 167 national standards bodies. The ISO brings together 

experts to share knowledge and develop voluntary, consensus-based, market relevant 

International Standards that support innovation and provide solutions to global challenges.

• International Committee for Information Technology Standards (INCITS). FBI is represented in 

the Working Groups of the INCITS. INCITS is the central U.S. forum dedicated to creating 

technology standards for the next generation of innovation. 

• Iris Experts Group (IEG) within the newly formed Organization of Scientific Area Committees - 

part of the Facial Identification Subcommittee. The IEG is a forum for the discussion of technical 

questions of interest to US government (USG) agencies and their staff that are employing or may 

employ iris recognition to carry out their mission. FBI continues to be represented. The Facial 

Identification Subcommittee focuses on standards and guidelines related to the image-based 

comparisons of human facial features. 

• ASTM E30 Committee on Forensic Sciences. FBI-OTD SME chaired the semi-annual meeting of 

E30 in October 2021, as well as chairing (3) meetings of the Executive Committee between 
October and December 2021. The Committee has jurisdiction over 60 standards, published in 

the Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Volume 14.02. E30 has 5 technical subcommittees that 

manage these standards.

• Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science (OSAC). FBI-OTD SME 

participated in (2) meetings of the OSAC FSSB Outreach task group, which is currently focused 

on engaging with forensic science stakeholders to adopt OSAC standards. The OSAC addresses a 

lack of discipline-specific forensic science standards. OSAC fills this gap by drafting proposed 

standards and sending them to SDOs which further develop and publish them.

• Digital Multimedia Scientific Area Committee (DMSAC). FBI serves as a member of DMSAC. 

The Committee sets development standards for forensic analysis of multimedia and digital 

evidence, to include image, video, audio/voice, and computer/digital data. 

o Speaker Recognition Subcommittee (SR). Works in the development of standards 

specific to forensic analysis of human voice data. The SR subcommittee reports to 

the DMSAC committee. FBI-OTD SME has served as the chair of SR for the past three 

years and conducts monthly meetings for the advancement of documents 

supporting the establishment of standards in forensic speaker recognition. 

• National Information Exchange Model (NIEM). FBI-OTD SME participates in bi-weekly 

meetings to advise the NIEM for the exchange of audio and voice information. The NIEM 

defines standard terminology, models, and relationships for the exchange of data across 

public and private organizations. 

• Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) Engineering Committee (TR8). FBI SMEs 

are represented and engage in TIA’s work to formulate and maintain standards for private 

radio communications systems and equipment for both voice and data applications. TR-8 

addresses all technical matters for systems and services, including definitions, 

interoperability, compatibility and compliance requirements.

• APCO Project 25 Interface Committees (APIC). FBI SMEs are represented. APIC is an ad hoc 

committee of the Private Radio Section (PRS) in the Wireless Communication Division (WCD) 

of the TIA. The APIC task groups are not standard formulating groups. The APIC task groups 

do develop documents that are reviewed by users and industry representatives, decisions 

based on consensus.

• Federal Partnership for Interoperable Communications (FPIC). Serves as a coordination and 

advisory body to address technical and operational wireless issues relative to 

interoperability within the public safety emergency communications community, interfacing 

with voluntary representatives from federal, state, local, territorial, and tribal organizations 

to include the FBI

o Federal Partnership for Interoperable Communications (FPIC) Security 

Subcommittee. FBI SMEs are being represented. In coordination with the National 

Law Enforcement Communications Center (NLECC) and other public safety agencies, 

developed a standardized SLN assignment list for National Encrypted 

Interoperability.
• Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS). FBI participated in regard to 

Packet Technology and Systems Committee (PTSC) and lawfully Authorized Electronic 

Surveillance (PTSC LAES). ATIS is a standards organization that develops technical and 

operational standards and solutions for the ICT industry.

• Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). Engineering group that develops technical standards of 

the internet’s architecture including encryption, cybersecurity, network security, routing and 

other key protocols. The FBI has engaged over many years to build alliances. Primary attenders 

are industry along with academia and organizations such as NIST, NTIA, NSA, FBI and UK/NCSC. 

• SAFECOM. FBI SMEs are represented. Through collaboration with emergency responders and 

elected officials across all levels of government, SAFECOM works to improve emergency 

response providers’ inter-jurisdictional and interdisciplinary emergency communications 

interoperability across local, regional, tribal, state, territorial, international borders, and with 

federal government entities. SAFECOM works with existing federal communications programs 

and key emergency response stakeholders (to include the FBI) to address the need to develop 

better technologies and processes for the coordination of existing communications systems and 

future networks.

o National Council of Statewide Interoperability Coordinators (NCSWIC). Established 

by the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Cybersecurity and Infrastructure 

Security Agency (CISA), the NCSWIC supports Statewide Interoperability 

Coordinators (SWIC) from the 56 states and territories, by developing products and 

services to assist them with leveraging their relationships, professional knowledge, 

and experience with public safety partners involved in interoperable 

communications at all levels of government to include the FBI.

• 3D Toolmark Technologies Technical Working Group (TWG). FBI SMEs are represented. The 

TWG provides guidance and recommendations to the Firearms/Toolmarks community in 

instrument assessment and Virtual Comparison Microscopy (VCM). Creating standards for the 

F/T community to establish acceptable measuring practices, methodology/Standard Operating 

Procedures (SOPs), and quality assurance protocols that can be utilized to access a laboratory’s 

compliance during accreditation.

• American Academy of Forensic Sciences-Academy Standards Board. FBI SMEs are represented.

SDO with the purpose of providing accessible, high-quality science-based consensus forensic 

standards. 

• American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) International. FBI-LD SMEs are 

represented. International SDO that develops and publishes voluntary consensus technical 

standards for a wide range of materials, products, systems, and services.

• International Society for Forensic Genetics. FBI SMEs are represented. The society aims to 

promote scientific knowledge in the field of genetic markers as applied to forensic science. This 

is mainly being achieved through regular meetings regionally or internationally and their 

journal Forensic Science International: Genetics and the work of our expert DNA commissions.
• National Fire Protection Association. FBI SMEs are represented. International nonprofit 

organization in standards development devoted to eliminating death, injury, property and 

economic loss due to fire, electrical and related hazards.

• Scientific Working Group-DNA Analysis Methods (SWGDAM). FBI SMEs are represented. Serves 

as a forum to discuss, share, and evaluate forensic biology methods, protocols, training, and 

research to enhance forensic biology services as well as provide recommendations to the FBI 

Director on quality assurance standards for forensic DNA analysis.

• Scientific Working Group-Seized Drugs (SWGDRUG). FBI SMEs are represented. Maintains a 

database of reference mass spectra, or “molecular fingerprints” of controlled substances. This 

database is a cornerstone in the fight against illicit drugs, including newly emerging fentanyl 

analogues and other synthetic opioids. NIST scientists perform rigorous quality assurance on all 

new mass spectra added to the database, giving confidence to forensic chemists that the results 

they obtain using this database are accurate and reliable.

• United States Technical Advisory Group-Technical Committee 272. FBI SMEs are represented. 

The Committee is at the forefront of standardization and guidance in the field of Forensic 

Science. This includes the development of standards that pertain to laboratory and field based 

forensic science techniques and methodology in broad general areas such as the detection and 

collection of physical evidence, the subsequent analysis and interpretation of the evidence, and 

the reporting of results and findings.

The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) continues to operate its NIJ Compliance Testing Program. In 

calendar year (CY) 2021, approximately 80 models of ballistic-resistant body armor were submitted for 

testing. In addition to initial testing, follow-up inspection and testing was conducted on approximately 

330 models complying with NIJ Standard 0101.06, Ballistic Resistance of Body Armor. NIJ continues to 

participate in ASTM International and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) committees to 

develop standardized methods and practices to test ballistic-resistant and other life safety equipment as 

well as standards for testing law enforcement public order personal protective equipment. Through 

ANSI, NIJ also supports ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 37 Biometrics, which focuses on the standardization of generic 

biometric technologies pertaining to human beings to support interoperability and data interchange 

among applications and systems. More about NIJ’s standards and conformity assessment activities can 

be found at: http://nij.gov/standards.

The Department’s Office of the Chief Information Officer actively applies the ISO 20000 and 27001 

standards for the delivery of IT and information security services and has undergone formal audits to 

obtain ISO certification for compliance with these standards. During 2021, the Department recertified its 

IT service management certification originally obtained in 2017 to the updated ISO/IEC 20000-1:2018 

standard and achieved initial certification under the ISO 27001:2013 information security management 

standard. Application of these standards has significantly improved delivery of OCIO enterprise IT and 

cybersecurity services, ensuring the continuous evaluation of service performance and use of standard 

practices as defined by criteria well-recognized across industry and government.
2. Please list the government-unique standards (GUS) your agency began using in lieu of voluntary 

consensus standards during FY 2021. Please note that GUS which are still in effect from previous years 

should continue to be listed, thus the total number in your agency's report will include all GUS 

currently in use (previous years and new as of this FY): 0