Data Users Advisory Committee Charter

U.S. Department of Labor
Bureau of Labor Statistics Data Users Advisory Committee
Charter

PDF version of charter

1. Official Designation. Bureau of Labor Statistics Data Users Advisory Committee (DUAC or Committee).

2. Authority. This charter renews the Committee in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), as amended, 5 U.S.C. 10.

3. Objectives and Scope of Activities. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS or Bureau) operates about two dozen surveys and programs that measure employment and unemployment, compensation, worker safety, productivity, and consumer and producer price movements. The BLS provides a wealth of economic data and analyses to support public and private decision-making. In order to best serve the information needs of its diverse user communities, the BLS requires ongoing feedback from its customer base. The National Research Council volume on Principles and Practices for a Federal Statistical Agency prescribes that agencies obtain outside review through various channels, including standing advisory committees, to ensure “quality and professional standards of practice.”

The DUAC provides advice to the BLS from the points of view of data users from various sectors of the U.S. economy, including the labor, business, research, academic, and government communities, on matters related to the analysis, dissemination, and use of the Bureau’s statistics, on its published reports, and on gaps between or the need for new Bureau statistics.

4. Description of Duties. The Committee is responsible for providing the Commissioner of Labor Statistics: (1) the priorities of data users; (2) suggestions concerning the addition of new programs, changes in the emphasis of existing programs or cessation of obsolete programs; and (3) advice on potential innovations in data analysis, dissemination, and presentation. These duties are wholly advisory in character.

5. Agency or Official to Whom the Committee Reports. The Committee reports to the Commissioner of Labor Statistics, BLS, U.S. Department of Labor.

6. Support. BLS provides all necessary support for DUAC.

7. Estimated Annual Operating Costs and Staff Years. The estimated annual operating costs associated with supporting the Committee are approximately $150,000.00 including one half work year (FTE) of Federal employee support.

8. Designated Federal Officer. A full-time BLS employee, appointed in accordance with agency procedures, will serve as the Designated Federal Officer (DFO). The DFO (or designee) will approve or call all of the advisory committee’s meetings, prepare approved meeting agendas, attend all committee meetings, and adjourn any meeting when the DFO determines adjournment to be in the public interest. The DFO will be the Deputy Associate Commissioner, Office of Publications and Special Studies, BLS, U.S. Department of Labor.

9. Estimated Number and Frequency of Meetings. The Committee expects to meet two times during each year.

10. Duration. The Committee will be needed on a continuing basis.

11. Termination. The Committee will terminate two years from the date the charter is filed, unless, prior to that, the charter is renewed in accordance with Section 14 of FACA.

12. Membership and Designation.

1. Representation. Committee membership will represent a balance of expertise across the broad range of BLS program areas, including employment and unemployment statistics, occupational safety and health statistics, compensation measures, price indexes, and productivity measures; or other areas related to the subject matter of BLS programs. All Committee members will have extensive research or practical experience using BLS data. Committee members will not have access to information covered by the Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act. Federal employee members will be designated as Regular Government Employees and members appointed from labor, business, research, and academia will be appointed as Representatives. The Committee will not exceed 20 members.
2. Member Terms. Committee members are nominated by the Commissioner of Labor Statistics and approved by the Secretary of Labor (Secretary). Committee members are appointed to three-year terms and may be reappointed after the Secretary’s approval. The Committee chairperson will be selected by the Commissioner of Labor Statistics, will serve in that capacity for three years, and may be reappointed.
3. Membership Requirements
1. Except as otherwise required by law, Committee membership will be consistent with the applicable FACA regulations, as follows: (1) membership on the DUAC will be fairly balanced; (2) members will come from a cross-section of those directly affected, interested, and qualified as appropriate to the nature and functions of the DUAC; (3) the composition of the Committee will therefore depend upon several factors, including (a) the Committee’s mission; (b) the geographic, ethnic, social, economic, or scientific impact of the Committee’s recommendations; (c) the types of specific perspectives required; (d) the need to obtain divergent points of view on the issues before the Committee, such as, for example, those of consumers, technical experts, the public at-large, academia, business, or other sectors, and (e) the relevance of state, local or tribal governments to the development of the Committee’s recommendations.
2. To the extent permitted by FACA and other applicable laws, Committee membership should also be consistent with achieving the greatest impact, scope, and credibility among diverse stakeholders. The diversity in such membership includes, but is not limited to, race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
4. Travel Expenses. Committee members serve without compensation. However, members traveling from beyond the Washington, D.C., metro commuting area may be reimbursed for per diem and travel expenses incurred in order to attend the Committee meetings in accordance with Federal Travel Regulations.

13.Subcommittees. The BLS will not form DUAC subcommittees.

14.Recordkeeping. The records of the Committee shall be handled in accordance with General Records Schedule 6.2, Federal Advisory Committee Records, and approved agency records disposition schedule. These records shall be available for public inspection and copying, subject to the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 552.

15. Filing Date.  The charter is filed on the date indicated below.

Date filed with Congress:   September 27, 2024  

Acting Secretary of Labor:     Julie A. Su  

 

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Data Users Advisory Committee Homepage

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Last Modified Date: September 27, 2024