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 primary functions of the Advanced Communications Technologies Working Group (ACTWG) are to coordinate the creation and publication of the Advanced Communications Technologies Standards Report on ACT-related standards activities by federal agencies participating in the ICSP and to recommend strategic directions for federal ACT standards efforts.

The ACTWG’s secondary functions are as follows:

• Assist the ICSP in promoting effective and consistent federal policies concerning ACT standards.
• Provide an annual report to the ICSP on participating federal agencies' ACT standards activities and make recommendations for strategic directions in federal ACT standards efforts.
• Respond to requests for information and advise the ICSP on effective means of coordinating advanced communications technologies standards activities with those of the private sector.
• Share best practices in advanced communications technologies standards among federal agencies.
• Coordinate federal ACT 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  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 16 September 2025. This charter expires three years after the date of approval unless renewed by the ICSP.