Open Government Federal Advisory Committee holds first public meeting

October 23, 2024

New entity will revitalize US commitment to transparency and public engagement in open government national action planning

WASHINGTON — Today, the 15 inaugural members of the Open Government Federal Advisory Committee (OG FAC) met alongside U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) leadership and staff, White House leadership, Open Government Partnership representatives, and members of civil society and the public at the committee’s first public meeting.

This inaugural meeting provided the timeline for developing the 6th U.S. Open Government National Action Plan (NAP 6), and established a strategy for crafting committee recommendations for it. The committee aims to focus on other areas of interest, such as:

• Public engagement strategies.
• Transparency initiatives.
• Open government challenges.

“This dedicated group is ready to lend us their vast expertise and give us recommendations on how the government can better involve citizens in the decisions that affect their day-to-day lives,” said GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan. “Together, we’ll foster a culture of openness that proactively seeks public input and opportunities for co-creation for our National Action Plan commitments. We’ll revitalize open government goals and principles and enhance and expand them.”

Supported by the U.S. Open Government Secretariat, housed at GSA, the OG FAC will advise the GSA Administrator to:

• Increase public access to government data and records.
• Advance equity in open government efforts.
• Engage the public in the regulatory process.
• Improve the delivery of government services and benefits through expert advice.

Their recommendations, as well as public comments from the first-ever request for information, will feed into the 6th U.S. Open Government National Action Plan that the U.S. Open Government Secretariat, with the White House and federal partners, will draft, as well as develop a toolkit to help federal agencies engage more meaningfully with the public.

“Open and transparent practices strengthen our democracy and make our government more effective,” said Principal Deputy U.S. Chief Technology Officer, Amb. Karen Kornbluh. “The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy celebrates the launch of today’s new committee, which will give diverse voices the opportunity to share ideas about how to enhance U.S. open government practices and help us better fulfill our commitment to the American people.”

The OG FAC membership comprises a cross-section of government and industry representatives from federal agencies, state and local government, industry associates, and academia to provide insight into citizens’ needs and expectations, promoting innovative, effective, and practical open government solutions.

“Transparency is essential for trust in government, and the launch of the Open Government Federal Advisory Committee provides an opportunity for civil society and government to collaboratively formulate bold ideas that can usher in a new era of openness,” said Daniel Schuman, OG FAC chair and executive director of the American Governance Institute. “There is much work to do, and we are eager to roll up our sleeves and get to work.”

The OG FAC will operate in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended (FACA). Consistent with FACA and its requirements, each meeting of the OG FAC will be open to the public unless otherwise notified in accordance with the Government in the Sunshine Act. Special accommodations for meetings will be made available to individuals with disabilities upon request.

To engage further with the U.S. Open Government Secretariat and keep up to date on upcoming events, check out the following:

• U.S. Open Government Secretariat’s LinkedIn Page.
• U.S. Open Government Secretariat’s Public Engagement Page.

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About GSA: GSA provides centralized procurement and shared services for the federal government, managing a nationwide real estate portfolio of nearly 370 million rentable square feet, overseeing approximately $100 billion in products and services via federal contracts, and delivering technology services that serve millions of people across dozens of federal agencies. GSA’s mission is to deliver the best customer experience and value in real estate, acquisition, and technology services to the government and the American people. For more information, visit GSA.gov and follow us at @USGSA.

About FACA: The Federal Advisory Committee Act was enacted in 1972 to ensure that advice by the various advisory committees formed over the years is objective and accessible to the public. For additional info on FACA go to GSA’s “Legislation and Regulation” pages.