October
1, 2002
OFFICE
OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET
INFORMATION QUALITY GUIDELINES
The Office of Management and Budget publishes these OMB guidelines in accordance
with the Guidelines for Ensuring and Maximizing the Quality, Objectivity,
Utility, and Integrity of Information Disseminated by Federal Agencies (Government-wide
Guidelines) published in interim final form by OMB in the Federal Register
in Volume 66, No. 189 at 49718 on Friday, September 28, 2001, and updated
in final form in Volume 2, No. 67 at 8452 on February 22, 2002. These published
guidelines were issued pursuant to Section 515 of the Treasury and General
Government Appropriations Act for FY2001 (Public Law 106-554; HR 5658).
In response to the legislation and the published guidelines, OMB identifies
the following policies and procedures for ensuring and maximizing the quality,
objectivity, utility, and integrity of information disseminated by OMB;
and it hereby establishes additional procedures for affected persons to
seek and obtain correction of information maintained and disseminated by
OMB that does not comply with standards set out in the Government-wide Guidelines.
These guidelines are intended to ensure and maximize the quality of information
disseminated by OMB. Through these OMB guidelines, OMB establishes as its
performance standard a goal of disseminating information consistent with
the Government-wide Guidelines and these OMB guidelines.
OMBs predissemination
review described in these OMB guidelines applies to information that OMB
first disseminates on or after October 1, 2002. The administrative mechanism
for correcting information that OMB disseminates described in these OMB
guidelines applies to information that OMB disseminates on or after October
1, 2002, regardless of when OMB first disseminated the information.
I.
Procedures for Ensuring and Maximizing the Quality, Objectivity, Utility,
and Integrity of Information Prior to Dissemination
In Government-wide Guidelines, quality is defined as an encompassing
term comprising utility, objectivity, and integrity.
A. Objectivity
and of Information
- As defined in
Section IV, below, objectivity is a measure of whether
disseminated information is accurate, reliable, and unbiased and whether
that information is presented in an accurate, clear, complete and unbiased
manner. "Utility" refers to the usefulness of the informatin
for the intended audience's anticipated purposes. OMB is committed to
disseminating reliable and useful information. Before disseminating
information, OMB staff and officials should subject such draft information
to an extensive review process. It is the primary responsibility of
the OMB Division or Office (hereafter collectively referred to as Division)
drafting information intended for dissemination to pursue the most knowledgeable
and reliable sources reasonably available to confirm the objectivity
and utility such information.
- Much of the information
disseminates consists of or is based on information submitted to OMB
by other Federal agencies. OMB expects that agencies will subject information
submitted to for purposes of public dissemination to adequate quality
control measures. In drafting the material to be disseminated, the Lead
Division should review and verify the data submitted by the agencies,
as necessary and appropriate.
- In seeking to
assure the objectivity and utility of the information
it disseminates, OMB should generally follow a quality control process
coordinated by the Lead Division drafting information intended for dissemination.
The quality control process places responsibility for action upon the
Lead Division. The Lead Division should consult with all Divisions throughout
having substantial interest or expertise in the material proposed to
be disseminated. Where appropriate, substantive input also should be
sought from other offices within the Executive Office of the President
(EOP), other government agencies, non-government organizations, and
the public.
- The Lead Division
should consider the uses of the information fiom both the perspective
of and the public. When it is determined that the transparency of information
is relevant for assessing the informations usefulness from the
publics perspective, the Lead Division should ensure that transparency
is appropriately addressed.
- When the Lead
Division determines that the information it will disseminate is influential
scientific, financial, or statistical information, extra care should
be taken to include a high degree of transparency about data and methods
to meet the Government-wide Guidelines requirement for the reproducibility
of such information. In determining the appropriate level of transparency,
the Lead Division should consider the types of data that can practicably
be subjected to a reproducibility requirement given ethical, feasibility,
and confidentiality constraints. In making this determination, the Lead
Division should hold analytical results to a higher standard than original
data.
- When the Lead
Division determines that the information it will disseminate is influential
scientific, financial, or statistical information, it should assure
reproducibility according to commonly accepted scientific, financial,
or statistical standards. In situations where public access to the data
will not occur, the Lead Division should apply rigorous robustness checks
to analytic results and document what checks were undertaken. Also,
in such cases, the Lead Division should disclose the specific data sources
that have been used and the specific quantitative methods and assumptions
that have been employed.
- The Division
responsible for the dissemination of information should generally take
the following basic steps to assure the objectivity and
utility of the information to be disseminated:
- Preparing
a draft of the document after consulting the necessary parties,
including government and non-government sources, as appropriate;
- Determining/assuring
accuracy and completeness of source data;
- Determining
the expected uses by the government and public;
- Determining
necessary clearance points;
- Determining
where the final decision shall be made;
- Determining
whether peer review would be appropriate and, if necessary, coordinating
such review;
- Obtaining
clearances; and h. Overcoming delays and, if necessary, presenting
the matter to higher authority.
- Hard-copy public
dissemination of information and all information published on OMBs
website shall occur only after clearances are obtained from all appropriate
Divisions and, as appropriate, the Office of the Director.
- The quality control
procedures followed by OMB should be determined by the nature of the
information and the manner of its distribution. Any information collected
by OMB and subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act should be collected,
maintained, and used in a manner consistent with Paperwork Reduction
Act and the OMB information quality standards. The OMB clearance package
should demonstrate that the proposed collection of information will
result in information that will be collected, maintained, and used in
a way consistent with the Government-wide Guidelines and OMB guidelines.
- These guidelines
focus on procedures for the dissemination of information,
as those terms are defined herein. Accordingly, procedures specifically
applicable to forms of communication outside the scope of these guidelines,
such as those for correspondence or press releases, among others, are
not included.
Conclusion:
OMB will maximize the quality of the information it disseminates, in terms
of objectivity and utility, first by looking for input from a range of
sources and perspectives, to the extent practicable under the circumstances,
and second by subjecting draft materials to a review process involving
as many Divisions and offices as may be in a position to offer constructive
input, as well as other offices within the Executive Office of the President
and other government agencies.
B. Integrity
of Information
- Integrity
refers to the security of information -- protection of the information
from unauthorized unanticipated, or unintentional modification -- to
prevent information from being compromised through corruption or falsification.
- Within the Executive
Office of the President (EOP), the Office of Administration has substantial
responsibility for ensuring the integrity of information
as defined in these guidelines. OMB also has an Administration Office
that coordinates and works with the EOP Office of Administration to
ensure the integrity of information. These offices implement and maintain
new computer software and hardware systems and provide operational support
for systems and system users.
- Computer security
is the responsibility of the EOP Office of Administrations Chief
Information Officer, Information Assurance Directorate. This Office
oversees all matters relating to information integrity, including the
design and implementation of the security architecture for the EOP,
periodic audits of security architecture components, and review and
approval of changes to the technical baseline. By law and OMB policy,
EOPs IT security policy, procedures, and controls are risk-based,
cost-effective, and incorporated into the life-cycle planning of every
IT investment. Additionally, the Office: assesses risks to its systems
and implements appropriate security controls; reviews annually the security
of its systems; and develops plans to remediate all security weaknesses
found in independent evaluations and other security audits and reviews.
- As an agency
under the EOP, OMB is an integral part of the overall EOP network, and
is an active participant in all aspects of information integrity at
EOP. OMB adheres to both law and OMB IT security policies, along with
EOP security policies and operational processes for the protection of
OMBs data and information. This includes ensuring that controls
to protect the security of information (and the integrity of information
are risk-based, cost-effective, and systemsincorporated in to the life-cycle
planning areof every IT investment). reviewed annually in accordance
with existing law and policy and corrective action plans are developed
to address all weaknesses, such as integrity issues.
Section II.
Requests for Correction of Information Publicly Disseminated by
the Office of Management and Budget
OMB works continuously to be responsive to users of its information and
to ensure fromthe publicquality. In furtherance of these objectives, when
OMB receives any information that raises questions about the quality of
the information it has disseminated, OMB duly considers corrective action.
The purpose of this corrective action is to serve the genuine and valid
needs of OMB without disrupting OMB processes, and to deal with information
quality matters, not to resolve underlying substantive policy or legal issues.
- Persons seeking
to correct information affecting them that was publicly disseminated
by OMB may submit a Petition for Correction to the Data Quality Coordinator,
addressed to the Assistant Director for Administration, Office of Management
and Budget, Washington, D.C. 20503. Submission should be made to the
Data Quality Coordinator by e-mail (correction@omb.eop.gov),
fax (202/395-3504) or mail. A member of the public who seeks correction
of information under these OMB guidelines has the burden of proof with
respect to the necessity for correction as well as with respect to the
type of correction requested. Requests for correction must include:
- a statement
that the communication is a Petition for Correction under the OMB
Information Quality Guidelines;
- identification
of the OMB information or OMB information dissemination product,
and the specific aspect(s) thereof, that is the subject of the petition;
- a specific
description of how the information does not comply with these OMB
guidelines or OMBs Government-wide Guidelines and how they
are affected by the information;
- all supporting
evidence which the petitioner believes provides a persuasive case
and all supporting documentation necessary to resolve the complaint;
and
- the specific
corrective action sought, including (if applicable) temporary corrective
action pending full resolution of the complaint.
- If the information
disseminated by OMB and contested by an affected person was previously
disseminated by another Federal agency in virtually identical form,
then the complaint should be directed to the originating agency.
- Requests will
be received by the Data Quality Coordinator. Typically, requests raising
substantive issues will be forwarded to the Division within OMB responsible
for the subject area.
- These guidelines
apply only to requests submitted as outlined above. These guidelines
will not be applied to any other form of request and also may not be
applied to a request submitted consistent with the procedures outlined
above, if OMB determines it is not submitted by an affected
person for the correction of publicly disseminated information
of the Office of Management and Budget.
- OMB normally will
respond to the request within 60 days of receipt. If the request requires
more than 60 days to resolve, OMB will inform the requestor that more
time is required and indicate the reason why and an estimated decision
date. If a request is deemed frivolous, made in bad faith or without
justification, no response will be made.
- For covered requests,
the Division reviewing the request will give the request due consideration,
including a review of the disseminated information at issue and other
materials, as appropriate. Where the reviewing Division or office determines
that the information publicly disseminated by OMB warrants correction,
it should consider appropriate corrective measures recognizing the potential
implications for OMB and the United States.
- When considering
covered requests to determine whether a corrective action is appropriate,
the reviewing Division may also consider the following factors:
- The significance
of the information involved and
- The nature
and extent of the request and the public benefit of making the requested
correction.
- Subject to applicable
law, rules and regulations, if OMB determines that a request is covered
by these guidelines and that corrective action is appropriate, OMB may
take corrective measures through a number of forms, including (but not
limited to): personal contacts via letter or telephone, form letters,
press releases or postings on the OMB website to correct a widely disseminated
error or address a frequently raised request. Corrective measures, where
appropriate, should be designed to provide reasonable notice to affected
persons of such correction.
- In cases where
OMB disseminates a study, analysis, or other information for public
comment prior to disseminating the final OMB action or information product,
requests for correction of information will be considered prior to disseminating
the final OMB action or information product in those cases where OMB
determines that: (1) an earlier response would not unduly delay dissemination
of the OMB action or information product; and (2) the requestor has
shown a reasonable likelihood of suffering actual harm from OMBs
dissemination if OMB does not resolve the request for correction of
information prior to dissemination of the final OMB action or information
product.
Section III.
Procedures for Requesting Reconsideration
- The following
procedures are available to an affected person who has filed a covered
request for correction of public information in accordance with Section
11, above; who received notice from the Data Quality Coordinator of
OMBs determination; and who believes that the Office of Management
and Budget did not take appropriate corrective action. Requests determined
by OMB to be not covered by the guidelines and requests determined to
be frivolous will not be reconsidered under these provisions. These
procedures apply to information disseminated by OMB on or after October 1,
2002, regardless of when information was first disseminated.
- To request reconsideration,
persons should clearly indicate that the communication is a Request
for Reconsideration; should reference the OMB Information Quality
Guidelines; and should include a copy of the request for correction
previously submitted to OMB and OMBs response. Resubmission should
be made to the Data Quality Coordinator by e-mail, fax or mail 1, IIparagraph
above. Requests forusing the contact information in Section Reconsideration
must be submitted within thirty (30) days of the date of OMBs
notification to the requester of the disposition of the underlying request
for correction.
- OMBs Executive
Associate Director or a delegee thereof (typically in consultation with
the Divisions within OMB responsible for the subject matter) will consider
the request for reconsideration, applying the standards and procedures
set out in Section 11, above and will make a determination regarding
the request. In most cases, the requestor will be notified of the determination
and, if appropriate, the corrective action to be taken, within 60 days
of receipt. If the request for reconsideration requires more than 60
days of receipt, OMB will inform the requestor of the extension, providing
its reasons for the extension and an estimated decision date. OMB will
give reasonable notice to affected persons of any corrections made.
IV.
Definitions
- Affected
persons are those who may benefit or be harmed by the disseminated information.
This includes both: (a) persons seeking to address information about
themselves or about other persons to which they are related or associated;
and (b) persons who use the information.
- Dissemination
means agency initiated or sponsored distribution of information to the
public (see 5 CFR 1320.3(d) Conduct or Sponsor). Dissemination
does not include the pass- through of public filings or other information
received from third-parties by OMB and made available for public review
through website posting or other means, without OMBs official
endorsement of its content. However, these guidelines may apply to third-party
information adopted by OMB.
In addition,
dissemination does not include distributions of information or other
materials that are:
- intended
for government employees or agency contractors or grantees;
- intended
for U.S. Government agencies;
- produced
in responses to requests for agency records under the Freedom of
Information Act, the Privacy Act, the Federal Advisory Committee
Act or similar law;
- correspondence
or other communication limited to individuals or to other persons,
within the meaning of paragraph 7, below;
- communications
such as press releases, interviews, speeches, and similar statements
containing information that OMB or another Federal agency has previously
disseminated in compliance with the Government-wide Guidelines or
the OMB guidelines; or
- docuemnts
e.g., guidance, bulletins, policy directives) intended only for
inter-agency and intra-agency communications.
Also excluded
from the definition are archival records; public filings; responses
to subpoenas or compulsory document productions; or documents prepared
and released in the context of adjudicative processes. These guidelines
do not impose any additional requirements on OMB during adjudicative
proceedings involving specific parties and do not provide parties
to such adjudicative proceedings any additional rights of challenge
or appeal.
- Influential,
when used in the phrase influential scientific, financial, or
statistical information, refers to disseminated information that
OMB determines will have a clear and substantial impact on important
public policies or important private sector decisions.
- Information,
for purposes of these guidelines, including the administrative mechanism
described in Sections II and 111, above, means any communication or
representation of facts or data, in any medium or form, including textual,
numerical, graphic, cartographic, narrative, or audiovisual forms. This
definition does not include:
- opinions,
where the presentation makes clear that the statements are subjective
opinions, rather than facts. Underlying information upon which the
opinion is based may be subject to these guidelines only if that
information is published by OMB;
- information
originated by, and attributed to, non-OMB sources, provided OMB
does not expressly rely upon it. Examples include: non-U.S. Government
information reported and duly attributed in materials prepared and
disseminated by OMB; hyperlinks on OMBs website to information
that others disseminate; and reports of advisory committees published
on OMBs website;
- statements
related solely to the internal personnel rules and practices of
OMB and other materials produced for OMB employees, contractors,
agents or alumni;
- descriptions
of the agency, its responsibilities and its organizational components;
- statements,
the modification of which might cause harm to the national security,
including harm to the national defense or foreign relations of the
United States;
- statements
of Administration policy; however, any underlying information published
by OMB upon which a statement is based may be subject to these guidelines;
- testimony
or comments of OMB officials before courts, administrative bodies,
Congress, or the media, unless such testimony contains new, substantive
information not previously disseminated; or
- investigatory
material compiled pursuant to U.S. law or for law enforcement purposes
in the United States.
- Integrity
refers to the security of information -- protection of the information
from unauthorized access or revision, to prevent the information from
being compromised through corruption or falsification.
- Objectivity
is a measure of whether disseminated information is accurate, reliable,
and unbiased and whether that information is presented in an accurate,
clear, complete, and unbiased manner.
- Person
means an individual, partnership, association, corporation, business
trust, or legal representative, an organized group of individuals, a
regional, national, State, territorial, tribal, or local governmental
entity, or a political subdivision of a State, territory, tribal, or
local government or a branch of a political subdivision, or an international
organization.
- Quality
is an encompassing term comprising utility, objectivity, and integrity.
Therefore, the guidelines sometimes refer these four statutory terms,
collectively, as quality.
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