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National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency 

INSTRUCTION 

NUMBER 5600.1 

29 December 2015 

OCC 

SUBJECT: Engaging with Federal, Executive, Judicial and Legislative Communities; 

 the Media; and the General Public 

References: See Enclosure 1. 

1. PURPOSE. This Instruction (NGAI):

a. Establishes policy, assigns responsibilities, and provides procedures for NGA’s

interaction with Federal, executive, judicial and legislative communities, as well as with 

the media and the general public (including, but not limited to, venues such as 

speeches, tradeshows, community activities, briefings, media interviews, responses to 

queries, and news releases). 

b. Rescinds References (t), (u), (v), and (x).

2. APPLICABILITY. This NGAI applies to NGA civilian employees, military service

members, personnel from other Government agencies assigned to NGA, and 

contractors. 

3. POLICY. It is NGA policy:

a. To encourage appropriate and well-coordinated engagements with Federal,

executive, judicial and legislative communities; the media; and the general public in 

accordance with Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community (IC) 

policies. 

b. To guarantee unreserved responses to executive branch questions,

Congressional inquiries, factual investigations pursuant to criminal and civil legal 

proceedings, and requests by agency general counsel for records and information. 

c. To maximize the amount of information provided to the media and general public

in the most accurate and timely manner possible, consistent with national and 

operational security needs (References (a), (i), and (l)). 

d. To ensure resolution of issues and satisfy requirements identified by other

agencies of the Federal Government through various agency interfaces. 
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e. To develop strategies, plans, and schedules for geospatial IC activities and 

interactions. Program and budget guidance will be provided to the Community in an 

effort to seek collaborative solutions to key issues of shared interest.

f. To exploit available technologies and methodologies to guarantee the flow of 

information internally and externally. 

g. To refer all media or public queries requesting information about NGA to the 

Office of Corporate Communications (OCC).

h. To ensure classified information is not released to the media or the general public.

i. To use guidelines in Reference (e) to determine whether an activity is a significant 

intelligence activity, significant anticipated intelligence activity, significant intelligence 

failure, or an illegal activity that warrants Congressional notification.

4. RESPONSIBILITIES. See Enclosure 2.

5. PROCEDURES. See Enclosure 3.

6. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Instruction is effective on the date of signature.

Harry E. Mornston

Chief of Staff

Enclosures

 1. References

 2. Responsibilities

 3. Procedures
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ENCLOSURE 1

REFERENCES

(a) Title 5, United States Code (U.S.C), Section 552, “The Freedom of Information Act”

(b) Title 5, U.S.C, Appendix, “Inspector General Act of 1978,” as amended

(c) Executive Order 13526, “Classified National Security Information,” 29 December 

2009

(d) President’s Intelligence Advisory Board, “Intelligence Oversight Board’s Concept of 

Operations,” 27 May 2015, (U//FOUO)

(e) Secretary of Defense Memorandum, “Interaction with the Media,” 02 July 2010

(f) Intelligence Community Directive (ICD) 112, “Congressional Notification,” 

16 November 2011

(g) ICD 119, “Media Contacts,” 20 March 2014

(h) ICD 404, “Executive Branch Intelligence Customers,” 22 July 2013

(i) Department of Defense Directive (DoDD) 5122.05, “Assistant Secretary of Defense 

for Public Affairs (ASD(PA)),” 05 September 2008

(j) DoDD 5230.9, “Clearance of DoD Information for Public Release,” 22 August 2008

(k) DoD Instruction (DoDI) 5400.04, “Provision of Information to Congress,” 17 March 

2009

(l) DoDI 5400.13, “Public Affairs (PA) Operations,” 15 October 2008

(m) DoDI 5400.14, “Procedures for Joint Public Affairs Operations,” 22 January 1996

(n) DoDI 5405.3, “Development of Proposed Public Affairs Guidance (PPAG),” 05 April 

1991 

(o) DoDI 5410.16, “DOD Assistance to Non-Government Entertainment-Oriented 

Motion Picture, Television, and Video Productions,” 31 July 2015

(p) DoDI 5410.19, “Public Affairs Community Relations Policy Implementation,”

19 January 2001

(q) DoDI 5410.20, “Public Affairs Relations with Business and Non-Governmental 

Organizations Representing Business,” 16 January 1974

(r) DoDI 5545.02, “DOD Policy for Congressional Authorization and Appropriations 

Reporting Requirements,” 19 December 2008

(s) DoD Directive-Type Memorandum 08-052, “DoD Guidance for Reporting 

Questionable Intelligence Activities and Significant or Highly Sensitive Matters,” 17 

June 2009, Incorporating Change 6, effective 10 September 2105

(t) NGA Policy Notice 5600.1, “Engaging with Congress, the Media, and the Public,” 

26 September 2013, (hereby rescinded)

(u) NGA Policy Directive 5600, “Government and Public Interactions,”

16 January 2008, (hereby rescinded)

(v) NGAI 5620.2, “Congressional Interaction and Notification of

Significant Activities to Congress,” 05 November 2012, (hereby rescinded)

(w) NGAI 5720.1, “Clearance for Public Release,” 12 May 2015

(x) NGAI 5720.3, “Media and Public Interaction,” 16 January 2008, (hereby rescinded)
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ENCLOSURE 2

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Director, OCC (D/OCC).

a. Coordinates NGA media interactions with the Office of the Secretary of Defense 

(OSD) and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI). Only the Director, 

NGA (D/NGA); Deputy Director, NGA (DD/NGA); and D/OCC are authorized to respond 

to media queries directly or to delegate this authority to others (References (d), and (g)

through (q)). 

b. Exercises responsibility for interacting with members of Congress and their 

personal and professional staffs and with the Government Accountability Office (GAO) 

(References (d), (f), (k), and (r)).

c. Coordinates the review of all print and electronic information intended for public 

release and reviews material for consistency with NGA messaging and visual style 

(Reference (a), and (o)).

d. Provides direct support for the communications needs of agency leadership and 

manages the flow of information (Reference (c) and (d)).

e. Executes directives specified in ICD 404 in order to ensure compliance and 

expand NGA’s outreach effort to engage non-title 50 (INT50) organizations in the 

executive branch (Reference (h)).

2. Component Directors.

a. Ensure every proposed or ongoing intelligence activity that could fall under

Congressional reporting guidelines as listed in Reference (k) is promptly reported to 

OCC in writing with courtesy copies to NGA’s General Counsel (GC) and NGA’s 

Inspector General (IG) (Reference (b)).

b. Ensure all personnel are informed of Congressional reporting guidelines and 

establish a process by which employees will present potentially reportable activities to 

OCC for review and consideration (Reference (r)).

c. Evaluate all ongoing and planned activities to ensure that if Congressional 

notification of significant intelligence activities is required, immediate action is taken to 

inform D/NGA, D/OCC, and GC so that OCC can initiate the Congressional notification 

process (References (c), (f), (k), and (r)).

d. Consult with OCC, as soon as possible, when one of their employees has 

reported an activity he or she believes warrants formal Congressional notification

(Reference (f)).
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3. General Counsel (GC). 

a. Coordinates on all determinations as to whether a significant intelligence activity 

or significant/highly sensitive matter warranting either Executive Branch or 

Congressional notification has occurred (References (c), (f), (i), and (r)). 

b. Coordinates reporting of intelligence activities that relate to possible crimes or 

may affect ongoing criminal investigations or prosecutions (References (a)). 

4. Inspector General (IG). Meet IG-specific Congressional reporting requirements 

(References (a)). 

5. Chief, 

a. Coordinates all Agency interactions with members of Congress and congressional 

staff (References (f), (i), (k), and (r)). 

b. Serves as the initial POC to connect INT50 organizations and promote 

engagement with NGA (Reference (h)).

6. Chief, 

a. Contributes to the DoD and IC objective of dissemination of information by sharing 

information pertaining to NGA to internal and external (domestic and international) 

audiences (References (o) and (p)). 

b. Conducts media relations, community engagement, and command information 

programs (References (o) and (p)).

c. Maintains command-sponsored publicly accessible Web sites in compliance with 

all relevant DoD and Federal agency public Web site policies (References (o) and (p)).

d. Provides news clips of published articles and commentary concerning significant 

issues related to NGA, DoD, and the IC to NGA senior officials for background purposes 

(References (h), (i), (l), (m), and (w)). 

e. Acts as the office of primary responsibility for the NGA Today intranet home page 

and the submission and posting process. NGA Today provides pertinent information 

and breaking news from across NGA, DoD, and the IC to the NGA workforce 

(References (h), (i), (l), and (m)).

f. Maintains NGA’s official social media presence to communicate current NGA news 

and events in order to generate public awareness about NGA and its geospatial 

intelligence mission (References (a), (l), (o), (p), and (q)). 

(b)(3)10 USC 424 (b)(3)10 USC 424
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g. Processes all requests for information and interviews from national, international, 

and local media outlets (References (a), (l), (o), (p), and (q)).

h. Promotes the flow of information internally within NGA and externally from NGA 

(References (a), (l), (o), (p), and (q)).

7. Chief, 

a. Coordinates the review of all print and electronic information intended for public 

release via OCC’s Public Release Team (Reference (m)). 

b. Facilitates coordination and collaboration of communications across NGA 

(References (j), (l), (m), (p), and (r)).

c. Facilitates top-down and bottom-up communications planning and execution 

(References (j), (l), (m), (p), and (r)).

d. Provides opportunities for internal training and professional development to better 

understand public release process and procedures (References (g), (i), (k), (l), and (o)). 

9. Chief, 

a. Provides guidelines regarding the visual style, format, and presentation of NGA 

communications (References (j), (l), (m), (p), and (r)).

b. Reviews communication materials for consistency with NGA messaging and 

visual style (References (j), (l), (m), (p), and (r)).

c. Ensures that guidelines regarding the visual style, format, and presentation are

set for all visual presentations (Reference (n)). 

10. NGA Personnel. 

a. Refer all inquiries received from a member of the news media to OCC and 

coordinate with OCC before initiating any contact with a member of the news media on 

Agency-related matters (References (l), (m), and (q)).

b. Refer all inquiries received directly from a member of Congress, Congressional 

staff, or GAO to and coordinate with before initiating any contact with 

members of Congress, their staff, or GAO regarding NGA-related matters (References 

(f), (k), (r), (t), and (v)). If any unplanned interactions with members of Congress, 

Congressional staffs, or GAO do occur, NGA employees must provide a summary of 

their contact to within 5 business days (References (f), (k), and (r)).

c. Adhere to the guidelines regarding visual style, format, and presentation as set 

forth by for all visual presentations (References (i), (l), (m), (o), and (p)). 

(b)(3) 10 USC 424 (b)(3) 10 USC 424 (b)(3) 10 USC 424 (b)(3) 10 USC 424 (b)(3)10 USC 424 (b)(3)10 USC 424
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d. Submit all articles, books, presentations, briefings, or other print or electronic 

items intended for public release or for use in a public venue, including, but not limited 

to conferences, workshops, symposia, and industry, academic, trade association, or 

community events to OCC’s Public Release Team (References (m)).

e. Coordinate with OCC before agreeing to participate in an event with industry, 

academia, a trade association, or other public group (References (k), (l) and (m)).
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ENCLOSURE 3

PROCEDURES 

1. Congressional Interaction Procedures. OCC assists all NGA components with 

preparation for interaction with Congress by providing a liaison to:

a. Attend all NGA-hosted interactions with members of Congress and/or 

Congressional staff members.

b. Review and provide guidance on all written materials prior to submission to 

Congressional members and/or staff.

c. Provide a summary of the congressional interaction to D/NGA, DD/NGA, and 

D/OCC.

2. Congressional Notification Procedures. OCC ensures that the Congressional 

intelligence oversight committees are advised of NGA-related intelligence information as 

required. When an issue is identified by an NGA Component director for Congressional 

notification, the following steps will be taken:

a. The reporting Component director provides a summary of the issue (within 5

days) to D/OCC and Office of the General Counsel (OGC) for discussion. Significant 

intelligence activities, or significant or highly sensitive matters, need to be reported 

immediately to the Defense Senior Intelligence Oversight Official (Reference (p)) and to 

the President’s Intelligence Oversight Board (Reference (c)).

b. If OCC and OGC agree that the issue does not require Congressional notification;

the issue is referred back to the Component director for any further action.

c. If OCC or OGC determines that the issue requires Congressional notification, 

D/OCC drafts a memorandum (within 5 days) to D/NGA and DD/NGA (with the 

concurrence of OGC and the reporting Component director) presenting the issue and a 

recommendation that formal Congressional notification is required.

d. If the D/NGA agrees that formal Congressional notification is required, OCC will, 

prior to notifying the relevant Congressional committees, ensure the following are 

notified: ODNI, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence, Office of the 

Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs, and Office of Management and 

Budget.

e. OCC coordinates, executes, and documents NGA’s final determination.