Today, the Archivist of the United States and the Acting Director of the Office of Management and Budget, released a Records Management Directive to the heads of Executive Departments and Agencies and Agencies. This Directive carries out the requirements set forth in the Presidential Memorandum of November 28, 2011.
The Directive is available here (link is .pdf).
We have prepared the following Frequently Asked Questions that we anticipate agencies and others may have.
1. What is the Managing Government Records Directive?
The Managing Government Records Directive was issued by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) in response to the Presidential Memorandum on Managing Government Records released on November 28, 2011. The Directive establishes a robust 21st century framework for managing Federal records.
2. How can I find out more about this Directive?
This blog continues to be our primary mechanism to communicate about this Directive. NARA will continue to communicate about the requirements in this Directive through the Bimonthly Records and Information Discussion Group (BRIDG) meetings and other events such as RACO 2012 on September 25, 2012. In addition, NARA will establish a Project Management Office (PMO) to work on all aspects of this Directive.
3. To which agencies does this Directive apply?
This Directive is applicable to all Executive Departments and Agencies and to all Federal records, without regard to security classification or any other restriction.
4. What steps does my agency need to take by December 31, 2012?
By November 15, 2012 agencies must name a Senior Agency Official (SAO) for Records Management. The SAO will be invited to the first periodic meeting with the Archivist prior to December 31, 2012.
5. Will NARA provide additional information to help agencies implement this Directive?
Implementation guidance to help agencies meet the goals of this Directive will be forthcoming. This implementation guidance will provide more detailed information on how agencies can meet the requirements of the Directive.
6. Are regulatory changes required before agencies can implement this Directive?
No. OMB and NARA possess the basic authorities to implement the Directive and agencies will not need to wait for regulatory changes in order to take actions required in the Directive. NARA will review existing regulations to determine if regulatory changes are needed to further support implementation of the Directive.
7. Will NARA align reporting requirements with the Directive?
Yes. As stated in the Directive, NARA will review all existing reporting requirements by December 31, 2012. This review will also incorporate the new reporting requirements established in the Directive. In the second quarter of FY 2013, NARA will provide a reporting template.
8. What is the status of the separate Report to the President?
In addition to the Directive, the Presidential Memorandum required the Archivist, in coordination with the Director of OMB and the Associate Attorney General, to review relevant statutes, regulations, and official NARA guidance to identify opportunities for reforms to improve records management practices. This report is submitted to the President and not subject to government-wide review, acceptance, or distribution.
9. I have more questions that I would like to have answered?
Please submit your questions to PRMD@nara.gov. We will review these questions and incorporate responses into this FAQ.
What a pile of nonsense with no foundation in reality.
If you really look at the underlying benefit of this far reaching directive, it is the elimination of a tremendous degree of inefficiencies in running the Federal Government paper mill. The cost to the tax payer for government clerical staff to run around tracking paper and assemble documentation in support of any new initiative or legal action is outrageous. Records management is a business management process and will force government agencies to assess the way business is transacted. The result will be better and less costly government overall.