ICSP Advanced Communications Technologies Working Group (ACTWG) Charter

Establishment

The Advanced Communications Technologies Working Group (herein after referred to as the “ACTWG” or “Working Group”) is established under the provisions of the charter of the Interagency Committee on Standards Policy (ICSP).  The ICSP advises the Secretary of Commerce and the heads of other Federal agencies in matters relating to the implementation of OMB Circular A-119 and reports to the Secretary of Commerce through the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

Purpose

The objective of the ACTWG is to facilitate coordination of Federal agency advanced communications technologies (ACT) standards activities, respond to requests for information, and develop recommendations relating to ACT standards policy matters to the ICSP. The ACTWG reports to the Chair of the ICSP and advises the members of the ICSP on relevant issues.

Functions

The ACTWG is responsible for:

• Assisting the ICSP in promoting effective and consistent federal policies in the area of advanced communications technologies standards.
• Providing an annual report to the ICSP on the current ACT standards activities of participating Federal agencies and recommendations for strategic directions in Federal ACT standards efforts.
• Responding to requests for information and advising the ICSP on effective means of coordinating advanced communications technologies standards activities with those of the private sector.
• Sharing best practices in advanced communications technologies standards among Federal agencies.
• Coordinating Federal advanced communications technologies standards interests across application areas such as transportation, energy, public safety, and others.

Organization

Participants include Federal agency representatives with expertise relevant to standards in advanced communications technologies. Each participating Federal entity will identify one voting member to represent the entity. The ACTWG co-chairs comprise one NIST staff member designated by the ICSP Chair and serving as secretariat, along with other co-chairs as elected by majority vote of the ACTWG members present. The Working Group will follow a similar meeting schedule as the ICSP and will meet at least three times each year. Other meetings may be called at the discretion of the co-chairs.

Approval and Renewal

Approved by the ACTWG 25 May 2021. This charter expires three years after the date of approval unless renewed by the ICSP.