OSAC Registry Implementation Open Enrollment

What is OSAC's Registry Implementation Open Enrollment?

Many employers allow staff to update their health insurance or benefit information during an open enrollment period that typically occurs at the same time each year and operates in a predictable fashion providing employees with a consistent approach to an important annual activity.

OSAC is taking a similar approach and providing a focused “open enrollment” period where organizations are encouraged to update or initiate their implementation activities on the OSAC Registry - Standards Implementation Declaration Form. The OSAC Registry Implementation Open Enrollment period will occur during the summer season each year. OSAC will continue to accept declaration forms throughout the year but is designating this open enrollment period as an opportunity for OSAC Registry implementers to standardize their annual voluntary declaration submissions or updates. 

Learn more about the 2024 OSAC Registry Open Enrollment period.

Why is OSAC doing this?

In 2021 and 2022, OSAC disseminated a Registry Implementation Survey to assess the state of standards implementation. We recognized that it takes time to put standards into use and acknowledge that FSSPs may not experience much change from one year to the next. Additionally, now with over 150 FSSPs self-declaring implementation, these “self-declarers” have surpassed the number of past survey respondents.

OSAC will continue to assess the state of Registry implementation on an annual basis, but instead of a survey, in 2023 we moved to this "open enrollment" approach to collect this valuable implementation information. OSAC will continue to accept OSAC Registry – Standards Implementation Declaration Forms throughout the year, especially from new implementers, but encourages existing implementers to set aside time to update their status during this defined period each summer. This will enable OSAC to serve as a data integrator for the forensic science community and demonstrate FSSPs' embrace of continuous improvement by independently adding standards from the OSAC Registry into their quality management systems. This voluntary adoption process signals a healthy and forward-leaning forensic science enterprise at a national level to both the stakeholders that use the results from FSSPs and to the legislative bodies that strive to ensure the U.S. has a fair and equitable criminal justice system. 

How can your organization participate? 

• Is your organization an existing OSAC Registry Implementer? Complete the OSAC Registry - Standards Implementation Declaration Form to update any changes in your implementation activities. 
• Is your organization new to implementation? If your organization has only started to implement standards on the Registry, this is a perfect time to begin filling out the declaration form and get familiar with the process! Even if you have only implemented one standard (either fully or partially) in one discipline, you are eligible and encouraged to submit a declaration form. The key is just to get started! 

We request that one declaration form be submitted per organization and location. For example, a state laboratory with multiple regional laboratories should submit one declaration form for each of its locations. Along with noting the standards your organization has implemented, FSSPs are also encouraged to add any additional feedback (e.g., challenges you may have experienced, implementation tools you would like to see, etc.) in the comments section at the bottom of the declaration form.

What will OSAC do with this information? 

After the open enrollment period closes, OSAC will compile the data and compare it against previously submitted anonymous data. OSAC will then use this information to prepare reports covering the number of new and updated declaration forms, general implementation trends, and which standards are being implemented.

Have questions?

Please email OSAC (forensics [at] nist.gov (forensics[at]nist[dot]gov)) with any questions or if you need assistance. 

For more information see:

• 2023 OSAC Registry Implementation Open Enrollment Information Sheet. 
• OSAC Registry Implementation webpage.
• OSAC Registry Implementers who have authorized OSAC to share their implementation status or have published a news release highlighting their accomplishment. 
• Tracking Implementation of Standards on the OSAC Registry - Open Enrollment Initiative.