Operating seamlessly, safely stewarding sensitive data resources

"Our Nation’s future, and the ability to serve our citizens equitably and effectively, requires high quality, useful, and objective information for decision-making across the public and private sectors. The Federal statistical system is key to generating this trusted information."
– Dr. Karin Orvis, Chief Statistician of the United States

• On June 12, 2024, OMB published a Federal Register Notice (FRN) for comment on Statistical Policy Directive No. 10: Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) System. This FRN publicly announces the start of the 2028 SOC revision cycle and seeks comment on potential revisions for 2028. Comments are due by August 12, 2024, and can be submitted on regulations.gov under Docket ID “BLS-2024-0001”.
• Improving Federal Disability Data: The Office of Science and Technology Policy, The Office of the Chief Statistician of the United States, and the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research are co-chairing a Disability Data Interagency Working Group (DDIWG), tasked with the development and release of a Federal Evidence Agenda on Disability Equity, in order to improve the Federal government’s ability to make data-informed policy decisions that advance equity for the disability community. This working group recently published a Request for Information in the Federal Register seeking public input on:
  • The evidence needed to better describe disparities faced by people with disabilities
  • How to best collect data on disabilities
  • How to improve public access to disability data
  • How to best protect privacy, security, and civil rights of individuals who provide data on their disability status
  The notice is open for comment until July 15, 2024 and can be found here.

The Federal statistical system is guided by specific laws, policies, and guidance. These are foundational for the key responsibilities of the Office of the Chief Statistician of the United States; statistical agencies, units, and programs; Statistical Officials; and agencies across the Federal Government.

The Federal statistical system collaborates on development of periodic and one-time products to promote understanding of its initiatives, priorities, budgets, and activities.

For questions about or assistance with completing a federal survey, connect with the federal agency conducting or sponsoring the survey. Click here to learn about the statistical agencies. Approved federal surveys are issued an official OMB control number, which must be visible on survey forms, or available by asking the interviewer.

Federal law requires agencies to have public inventories of data sets. Many are also listed on the federal government’s data catalog. To discover available data sets and apply for access to restricted and confidential data for evidence building, visit the Federal statistical system’s Standard Application Process and its growing data catalog.