Standards Training and Education in U.S. Government

Presentation to ICES Hangzhou, China

June, 2011

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U.S. Government Uses Standards

• Adoption into Regulation through Incorporation by ReferenceCode of Federal RegulationsState and Local Adoption

• Decision not to Regulate - Deference • Written into Federal Contracts - Procurement

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US Government Participates in Standards Development

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• Federal agencies are active in more than 500 standards

developing organizations, sending more than 3,000 personnel

to participate in standards activities.

• At NIST, about 325 people hold 1060 committee

memberships in 100 SDOs and 85 of those people have 120

committee chair/co-chair positions.

Why Offer Training?

• Legislation & policies guide federal standards activities– National Technology Transfer and Advancement

Act (NTTAA)– Agency Specific Laws, Rules, and Policies (Ex:

Trade Agreements Act)• Large number of USG and state/local employees

involved in standardization

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Objectives Training for Government Agencies • Participants leave with a general understanding of standards, conformity assessment and the NTTAA• Partner with other agencies, assist Federal Standards Executives • Program tailored to meet the specific needs of the requesting agency

length and content forum for agency specific information and concernspresentations from industry, SDOs and non-Standards Services personnel, as appropriate

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Objectives (cont.)

• Provide participants with an understanding of the dynamics of the standards development process

• Participants know that NIST is a resource for their standards needs

• Provide an interactive learning environment

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NIST Provided Training Workshops help to fulfill NIST’s role under NTTAA

• Assists government employees to understand and work in

the area of private sector voluntary consensus standards

•Available to federal, state and local government authorities

• Covers documentary standards and conformity

assessment

• Standards simulation exercise

• No fee

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Accomplishments • Approximately 325 government personnel trained in FY10 - FY11• 20+ government agencies represented• Almost all evaluation respondents were very satisfied or satisfied with the overall workshop • Did first training via webinar• Workshops/Training info on GSI site

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Department of DefenseDefense Standardization

Program• The Defense Standardization Program Office (DSPO)

sponsors or supports conferences and meetings that help staff achieve professional and training goals in the area of standardization

• DSPO-sponsored conferences focus on standardization, parts management, diminishing manufacturing resources and materiel shortages, or related topics

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Department of DefenseDefense Acquisition University

DAU provides training classes sponsored by DSPO such as: – Defense Specification Management

– Covers DoD policies and procedures for the development, management, and use of nongovernment standards, commercial item descriptions, and specifications and standards.

– Specification Selection and ApplicationThe Specification Selection and Application course provides instruction on the appropriate selection and correct application of nongovernmental standards, commercial item descriptions, specifications and standards, and related documents in the acquisition process.

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NIST Support of Standards Education Programs and Activities

• NIST provides staff support and participate in education events and committees

• NIST staff have participated in ICES, ANSI Committee on Education, and IEEE Education Committee

• NIST staff available to give guest lectures at universities

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NIST Supported Education Events• Joint APEC/ANSI Meeting

Shared Strategies for Effective Standards Education in the Asia- Pacific Region (2011)

• Promoting Education About Standardization in North America (2009)

• Global Perspectives and Strategies for Education About Standardization Workshop + ICES (2008)

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Thank You

Standards Education and Training

Erik Puskarerik.puskar@nist.gov++1-301-975-8619

http://gsi.nist.govwww.standards.govwww.nist.gov

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