FGDC Seeks Nominations for National Geospatial Advisory Committee

June 8, 2015

The Department of Interior and the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) announced on June 8 that they are seeking nominations for appointment to the National Geospatial Advisory Committee (NGAC).  Nominations received through this call for nominations may be used to fill vacancies on the NGAC that will become available in 2015 and 2016.  

Nominations for appointment to the NGAC should be submitted electronically to ngacnominations@fgdc.gov by July 17, 2015. Nominations may come from employers, associations, professional organizations, or other geospatial organizations.  Nominations should include a resume providing an adequate description of the nominee’s qualifications, including information that would enable the Department of the Interior to make an informed decision regarding meeting the membership requirements of the Committee and permit the Department of the Interior to contact a potential member.  Nominees are strongly encouraged to include supporting letters from constituents, trade associations, alliances, and/or other organizations that indicate the support by a meaningful constituency for the nominee. 

The NGAC provides advice and recommendations on Federal geospatial policy and management issues and provides a forum to convey views representative of partners in the geospatial community.  The NGAC was established by the Department of the Interior on behalf of the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) under the authority of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA).  

The NGAC includes up to 30 members, selected to generally achieve a balanced representation of the viewpoints of the various types of entities involved in national geospatial activities, including all levels of government, nonprofits, academia and the private sector.  NGAC members are appointed for staggered terms.  Final decisions on appointments to the committee will be made by the Secretary of the Interior.  Individuals who are Federally registered lobbyists are ineligible to serve on all FACA and non-FACA boards, committees, or councils in an individual capacity. The term "individual capacity" refers to individuals who are appointed to exercise their own individual best judgment on behalf of the government, such as when they are designated Special Government Employees, rather than being appointed to represent a particular interest. 

The NGAC Charter includes additional information about the NGAC’s roles and responsibilities.

Resources

• FGDC Announcement (pdf)
• Federal Register Notice  (pdf)

NGAC Nominations Webinar

The FGDC held a webinar briefing on June 25, 2015 to provide information about the nomination and appointments process. The briefing presentation is posted here: