COMDTINST 5210.11
4. DISCUSSION. E-Government is streamlining service and delivery of information to citizens
primarily through heightened use of the Internet, resulting in reduced paperwork burdens on
businesses, and greater efficiencies and effectiveness. Section 515 of the Treasury and General
Government Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2001 (Public Law 106-154; H.R. 5658) directed the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to issue government-wide guidelines that "provide policy
and procedural guidance to Federal agencies for ensuring and maximizing the quality, objectivity,
utility, and integrity of information (including statistical information) disseminated by Federal
agencies" subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). Although traditionally
members of the public have been able to comment on certain docket related agency information
through the rulemaking/adjudicative processes posted in the Federal Register preliminary to final
determinations, affected persons now have additional administrative remedies with this new Program
to contest information quality on a timely basis.
a. Information is a critical resource, second only to human resources. It is vital not only to our
daily operations, but also is an essential element in fulfilling Coast Guard's missions.
Information quality shall be treated as integral to every step of development of information,
including creation, collection, maintenance, and dissemination. Further, in the course of work, a
wide variety of information products for public use are generated. Examples include: statistical
reports; studies of important safety and other security issues; analyses of the costs and benefits of
regulations and policies; scientific reports; and environmental assessments.
b. As public servants, we are obligated to ensure that all Coast Guard information products
consistently meet or exceed high standards of quality. This process shall enable the Coast Guard
to substantiate the quality of the information it has disseminated through documentation or other
means appropriate for the information.
5. DEFINITIONS. The Coast Guard has adopted the following definitions of terms set forth in Office
a. Affected Persons are citizens who may benefit or be harmed by the disseminated information.
This includes persons who are seeking to address information about themselves, as well as
persons who use subject information.
b. Quality is an encompassing term comprised of the statutory terms: utility, objectivity, and
integrity, collectively referred to as "quality."
c. Utility refers to the usefulness of the information to its intended users, including the public.
d. Objectivity is comprised of two distinct elements: presentation and substance. Disseminated
information must be presented in an accurate, clear, complete and unbiased manner. In a
scientific, financial, or statistical context, the original and supporting data shall be generated, and
the analytic results shall be developed, using sound statistical and research methods. Where
appropriate, data shall have full, accurate, and transparent documentation; and error sources
affecting data quality shall be identified and disclosed to users. The objectivity standard does not
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