Federal Chief Information Officers Council

January 19, 2001

To: Chief Information Officers

From: Enterprise Interoperability and Emerging Information Technology Committee (EIEITC)

Subject: XML.gov - Call for Participation and Enhancement Suggestions

Following a period of prototyping, the xml.gov site has now been activated at http://xml.gov. Please make your staff aware of the site and encourage them to become active participants in helping to develop and improve its design and content. The longer-term objective is not only to provide a comprehensive and authoritative reference for government-related XML activities but also a collaborative work space to support those activities.

To the extent that xml-related initiatives are already underway within your offices, the questionnaire form at http://xml.gov/efforts_form.cfm?sectionid=9 may be used to register and make others aware of those efforts. Initiatives to establish cross-cutting communities of interest are particularly encouraged. Examples include human resources management, directory services, electronic records management, forms automation, financial and performance reporting, energy and environmental interests.

This is merely the first generation of the site. The XML Working Group will be issuing an RFP for the second generation, embracing the principles outlined in Raines' Rules. One of the features contemplated for future implementation is an ISO/IEC Standard 11179 compliant registry/repository of inherently governmental XML data elements, DTDs, and schemas. If such a repository is established, it may be used on a pilot basis to register the data elements (fields) represented on Standard and Optional Forms (SFs & OFs), with the longer-term objective of integrating the registry into to the information burden reduction process mandated by the Paperwork Reduction Act.

Questions, comments, and especially enhancement suggestions should be conveyed to the Working Group's co-chairs, Owen Ambur of the Department of the Interior (Owen_Ambur@ios.doi.gov) and/or Marion Royal of GSA's Office of Governmentwide Policy (marion.royal@gsa.gov.)

[Original signed by]

Lee Holcomb
CIO, NASA
Co-Chair, EIEITC