[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 149 (Friday, August 2, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50435-50437]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-19498]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

EXPORT-IMPORT BANK OF THE UNITED STATES


Draft Guidelines for Ensuring and Maximizing the Quality, 
Objectivity, Utility and Integrity of Information Disseminated to the 
Public by the Export-Import Bank of the U.S. (Ex-Im Bank)

AGENCY: Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank).

ACTION: Notice of draft guidelines.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im Bank) is seeking comments on the 
draft Information Quality Guidelines that follow.

ADDRESSES: Export-Import Bank of the United States, 811 Vermont Avenue, 
NW., Washington, DC 20571.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kalesha Malloy, Office of the Chief 
Information Officer Information Management & Technology Group, 811 
Vermont Avenue, NW., Room 763, Washington DC 20571; by e-mail at 
[email protected], by phone at (202) 565-3857; or by fax at (202) 
565-3424.

DATES: Comments should be received on or before August 16, 2002.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:   

    Dated: July 29, 2002.
Carlista D. Robinson,
Agency Clearance Officer.

Introduction and Purpose

    The Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im Bank) is seeking comments on the 
draft Information Quality Guidelines that follow. These draft 
Information Quality Guidelines describe Ex-Im Bank's pre-dissemination 
information publicly disseminated by Ex-Im Bank. Ex-Im Bank will post 
its draft Information Quality Guidelines on its Web site at htlp://
www.exim.gov/omb/dataquality.doc and encourages public comment on the 
report. Please submit comments to Kalesha Malloy, Office of the Chief 
Information Officer, Information Management & Technology Group, 811 
Vermont Ave, NW., Room 763, Washington, DC 20571, by phone at (202) 
565-3857, by e-mail at [email protected] or by fax at (202) 565-
3424. Comments should be received on or before August 16, 2002.
    These guidelines are drafted in accordance with ``Guidelines for 
Ensuring and Maximizing the Quality, Objectivity, Utility, and 
Integrity of Information Disseminated by Federal Agencies'' (``Agency-
wide guidelines'') published by the Office of Management and Budget 
(``OMB) in 66 FR 49718 on Friday, September 28, 2001, updated in 67 FR 
369 on Thursday, January 3, 2002 and corrected in 67 FR 8452 on 
February 22, 2002. These published guidelines were issued pursuant to 
Section 515 of the Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act 
for FY2001 (Public Law 106-554). In accordance with these provisions, 
each Federal Agency is obligated to:
    1. Issue their own information quality guidelines ensuring and 
maximizing the quality, objectivity, utility, and integrity of 
information, including statistical information, disseminated by the 
agency no later than October 1, 2002;
    2. Establish administrative mechanisms allowing affected persons to 
seek and obtain correction of information maintained and disseminated 
by the agency that does not comply with these OMB guidelines; and
    3. Report annually to the Director of OMB, beginning January 1, 
2004, the number and nature of complaints received by the agency 
regarding agency compliance with these OMB guidelines concerning the 
quality, objectivity, utility, and integrity of information and how 
such complaints were resolved.
    Consistent with the Agency-wide Guidelines, Ex-Im Bank's draft 
guidelines rely on its existing practices, to the extent they are 
consistent with the recently published guidelines, while adopting a new 
administrative mechanism to satisfy the new procedural requirements. 
Ex-Im Bank's guidelines reflect its internal procedures for reviewing 
and substantiating information to maximize quality, including the 
objectivity, utility, and integrity of information, before it is 
disseminated. The administrative mechanism allows affected persons to 
seek and obtain, where appropriate correction of information 
disseminated by Ex-Im Bank that does not comply with these guidelines 
or with the Agency-wide Guidelines.
    Ex-Im Banks draft guidelines follow:

Background

    Ex-Im Bank publishes these guidelines in accordance with the 
Guidelines for Ensuring and Maximizing the Quality, Objectivity, 
Utility, and Integrity of Information Disseminated by Federal Agencies 
(Agency-wide guidelines) published by the Office of Management and 
Budget in 66 FR 49718 on Friday, September 28, 2001, updated in 67 FR 
369 on Thursday, January 3, 2002 and corrected in 67 FR 8452 on 
February 22, 2002. These published guidelines were issued pursuant to 
Section 515 of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3502(1) et seq.) 
In response to the legislation and the published guidelines, Ex-Im Bank 
identifies the following policies and procedures for ensuring and 
maximizing the quality, objectivity, utility, and integrity of 
information disseminated by Ex-Im Bank; and it hereby establishes 
additional procedures for affected persons to seek and obtain 
correction of information maintained and disseminated by Ex-Im Bank 
that does not comply with standards set out in the Agency-wide 
Guidelines.
    Ex-Im Bank is an independent U.S. Government agency that helps 
finance the overseas sales of U.S. goods and services. In 65 years, Ex-
Im Bank has supported more than $300 billion in U.S. exports. Ex-Im 
Bank's mission is to create jobs through exports. It provides 
guarantees of working capital loans for U.S. exporters, guarantees the 
repayment of commercial export loans, or makes loans to foreign 
purchasers of U.S. goods and services. Ex-Im Bank also provides credit 
insurance that protects U.S. exporters against the risks of non-payment 
by foreign buyers for political or commercial reasons. Ex-Im Bank does 
not compete with commercial lenders, but assumes the risks they cannot 
accept. Ex-Im Bank must always conclude that there is reasonable 
assurance of repayment on every transaction financed. Ex-Im Bank takes 
pride in the quality, objectivity, utility, and integrity of hte 
information that it disseminates to the public.

1. Procedures for Ensuring and Maximizing the Quality, Objectivity, 
Utility, and Integrity of Information Prior to Dissemination

    In Agency-wide Guidelines, ``quality'' is defined as a term 
comprising utility, objecteivity, and integrity.
    (a) Objectivity of Information
    (i) As defined in Section IV, below, ``objecteivity'' is a measure 
of whether disseminated information ``accurate, clear, complete, and 
unbaised;'' ``utility'' refers to the usefulness of the information to 
its intended audience. Ex-Im Bank is committed to disseminating 
reliable and useful information. Before disseminating information, 
appropriate Ex-Im Bank staff and officials will review the information.
    (ii) It is the primary responsibility of the Office drafting 
information intended for dissemination to pursue the most knowledgeable 
and reliable sources reasonably available to confirm the objectivity of 
such information and to ensure appropriate technical and policy 
clearance before public dissemination. Clearance procedures will vary 
with the

[[Page 50436]]

nature of the information and the manner of its dissemination.
    (iii) Ex-Im seeks to achieve objectivity by using reliable sources, 
sound analytical and editorial techniques, and by having qualified 
staff prepare information products that are carefully reviewed.
    (1) Use of reliable data sources
    Information products disseminated by Ex-Im Bank will be based on 
reliable, accurate data that have been validated. Most of the 
information disseminated by Ex-Im Bank is based on program and 
administrative data files. Qualified Ex-Im Bank staff conduct ongoing 
reviews of the programs, producers, and services that it provides to 
its customers such as what they are, who is eligible, and how and where 
to apply for the programs to obtain the products and services. 
Information that is disseminated on a program, service or product is 
derived from data maintained by Ex-Im Bank staff responsible for that 
program, service or product. The review also considers the presentation 
of the information to ensure that it is put in the proper context and 
presented in a clear, complete and unbiased manner. FOIA requests are 
answered in accordance with FOIA requirements. Where appropriate, Ex-Im 
Bank identifies the source of supporting data so that the public can 
assess for itself the objectivity of those sources.
    (2) Sound analytical techniques
    Information on programs products, and services are derived from 
reliable sources. Ex-Im Bank's staff is knowledgeable about the data 
sources that are used, and sound, archival, analytical or statistical 
techniques are applied when appropriate. Data files incorporating 
external data sources are reviewed to ensure that extraction and 
linkage processes have been implemented correctly. Documentation in Ex-
Im Bank's publication contains information on data sources including 
definitions and specifications of variables. Technically qualified 
staff reviews all analytical reports and policy studies to ensure that 
analysis is valid, complete, unbiased, objective, and relevant.
    (3) Editorial review for accuracy and clarity of information in 
publications
    All information on programs, products, and services are edited and 
proofread before release to ensure clarity and coherence of the final 
report. Text is edited to ensure that the product is easy to read and 
grammatically correct, thoughts flow logically, and information is 
worded concisely and clearly. Tables and charts are edited so that they 
clearly and accurately illustrate and support points made in the text 
and include concise but descriptive titles. Appropriate Ex-Im Bank 
staff reviews and approves all changes made.
    (4) Policy for correcting errors
    If an error is detected before information is disseminated, it is 
corrected or a correction notice is given. If information has already 
been disseminated, it is corrected and/or an amendment is provided. The 
Ex-Im Bank division that originally issued an information product on 
the web site tracks and records any correction to it. When appropriate, 
correction notices and the corrected information itself are posted on 
our web site.
    (b) Utility of Information
    Utility involves the usefulness of the information to its intended 
users, including the public. Ex-Im Bank is committed to maximizing the 
utility of the information it disseminates to the public.
    (i) Ex-Im Bank achieves utility by staying informed of information 
needs and developing new information sources by revising existing 
methods. Ex-Im Bank keeps abreast of information needs by convening and 
attending conferences and seminars, conducting user surveys, working 
with advisory committees, and responding to inquiries from exporters, 
potential foreign borrowers, bankers, academia, Congress, other US 
government agencies, and the press. Contact information is available, 
where appropriate on a variety of information products to allow for 
questions, comments, and suggestions from users.
    (ii) The User's Guide, the web site, and other information products 
are reviewed to ensure that they remain relevant and address current 
information needs. Information products are revised frequently, new 
products are introduced, and some products are discontinued based on 
internal product reviews and consultations with users. To the extent 
practicable information products are disseminated in the format or 
formats that make the information most useful and accessible to the 
users. These documents are available on the Ex-Im Bank website, and the 
electronic versions can be accessed and downloaded directly. All 
documents posted on the Ex-Im Bank web site are in compliance with 
section 508 and are therefore available to an audience that includes 
persons who have a visual impairment and who read online using 
assistive technology.
    (c) Integrity of Information
    Integrity refers to security of information--protection of the 
information from unauthorized access or revision, to ensure that the 
information is not compromised.
    (i) To ensure the integrity of its administrative information, Ex-
Im Bank has in place rigorous controls that have been identified as 
representing sound security practices, and which are reviewed by Em-Im 
Bank's outside auditor. Ex-Im Bank administers financial and product 
programs that touch the operations of exporters, banks, and other 
government agencies. Ex-Im Bank has in place programs and policies for 
securing its resources as required by Governmental Information Security 
Reform Act (P.L. 106-398, title X, subtitle G). These security 
procedures address all major components of information security and 
apply to all Ex-Im Bank operating components.
    (ii) Ex-Im Bank is subject to statutory requirements to protect the 
sensitive information it gathers and maintains on companies, banks, 
products, and services. These requirements are contained in the 
following documents:
     Privacy Act of 1974
     Computer Security Act of 1987
     Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circulars A-123, A-
127, and A-130
     Government Information Security Reform Act; and
     Federal Managers' Financial Integrity Act (FMFIA) of 1982

2. Requests for Correction of Information Publicly Disseminated by Ex-
Im Bank

    (a) Affected members of the public who believe that information 
disseminated by Ex-Im Bank does not comply with OMB guidelines or these 
agency guidelines may contact Kalesha Malloy, Office of the Chief 
Information Officer, Information Management & Technology Group, 811 
Vermont Ave, NW., Room 763, Washington, DC 20571, by phone at (202) 
565-3857, by email at [email protected] or by fax at (202) 565-
3424, to request a correction of the information. The correction 
request will be referred to the program unit responsible for 
development or maintenance for the information. The initial request 
should include name of requester and requester's organization, mailing 
address, telephone number, email address, and a brief statement of the 
alleged conflict with OMB or Ex-Im Bank guidelines.
    (b) Ex-Im Bank will respond to requests by letter, or email. The 
letter or email will inform the requester whether Ex-Im Bank believes a 
correction is appropriate given the nature and timeliness of the 
information involved, and if so, will provide correction of 
information.

[[Page 50437]]

    (c) A response to a request will be made within 30 calendar days 
after its receipt (or sooner, if it is possible to quickly resolve the 
request and if immediate attention is necessary due to the nature of 
the information).
    (d) If Ex-Im Bank denies a request for correction the requester can 
request reconsideration at the above contact information. Requests for 
reconsideration shall be made within 30 days of the date of 
notification of action on the original request, shall include that the 
communication is a request for reconsideration and should include a 
copy of the original request.
    (e) Requests for reconsideration shall be considered by Ex-Im 
Bank's Chief Information Officer. Ex-Im Bank will respond to the 
request for reconsideration in written form within 60 days.

3. Definitions

    (a) ``Affected'' persons are those who may benefit or be harmed by 
the disseminated information. This includes both: (a) persons seeking 
to address information about themselves or about other persons to which 
they are related or associated; and (b) persons who use the 
information.
    (b) ``Dissemination'' means agency initiated or sponsored 
distribution of information to the public (see 5 CFR 1320.3(d) 
``Conduct or Sponsor''). Dissemination does not include distributions 
of information or other materials that are:
    (i) intended for government employees or agency contractors or 
grantees;
    (ii) intended for U.S. Government agencies;
    (iii) produced in response to requests for agency records under the 
Freedom of Information Act, the Privacy Act, the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act or similar law;
    (iv) correspondence or other communication limited to individuals 
or to other persons, within the meaning of paragraph 7, below; or
    (v) communications such as press releases, interviews, speeches, 
and similar statements.
    (vi) Also excluded from the definition are archival records; public 
filings; responses to subpoenas or compulsory document productions; or 
documents prepared and released in the context of adjudicative 
processes. These guidelines do not impose any additional requirements 
on agencies during adjudicative proceedings any additional rights of 
challenge or appeal.
    (c) ``Influential'' means disseminated information that Ex-Im Bank 
determines will have a clear and substantial impact on important public 
policies or important private sector decisions.
    (d) ``Information,'' for purposes of these guidelines means any 
communication or representation of facts or data, in any medium or 
form, including textual, numerical, graphic, cartographic, narrative, 
or audiovisual forms. This definition does not include:
    (i) opinions, where the presentation makes clear that the 
statements are subjective opinions, rather than facts. Underlying 
information upon which the opinion is based may be subject to these 
guidelines only if that information is published by Ex-Im Bank;
    (ii) information originated by, and attributed to, non-Ex-Im Bank 
sources, Examples include: non-U.S. Government information reported and 
duly attributed in materials prepared and disseminated by Ex-Im Bank; 
hyperlinks on Ex-Im Bank's website to information that others 
disseminate; and information from third parties published on Ex-Im 
Bank's website;
    (iii) statements related solely to the internal personnel rules and 
practices of Ex-Im Bank;
    (iv) and other materials produced for Ex-Im Bank employees or 
contractors;
    (v) descriptions of the agency, its responsibilities and its 
organizational components;
    (vi) statements, the modification of which might cause harm to the 
national security, including harm to the national defense or foreign 
relations of the United States;
    (vii) testimony or comments of Ex-Im Bank officials before courts, 
administrative bodies, Congress, or the media;
    (viii) investigatory material compiled pursuant to U.S. law or for 
law enforcement purposes in the United States; or statements which are, 
or which reasonably may be expected to become, the subject of 
litigation, whether before a U.S. foreign court or in an international 
arbitral or other dispute resolution proceeding.
    (e) ``Integrity'' refers to the security of information--protection 
of the information from unauthorized access or revision, to prevent the 
information from being compromised through corruption or falsification.
    (f) ``Objectivity'' addresses whether disseminated information is 
being presented in an accurate, clear, complete, and unbiased manner, 
including background information where warranted by the circumstances.
    (g) ``Person'' means an individual, partnership, association, 
corporation, business trust, or legal representative, an organized 
group of individuals, a regional, national, State, territorial, tribal, 
or local government or branch thereof, or a political subdivision of a 
State, territory, tribal, or local government or a branch of a 
political subdivision, or an international organization.
    (h) ``Quality'' is an encompassing term comprising utility, 
objectivity, and integrity. Therefore, the guidelines sometimes refer 
these four statutory terms, collectively, as ``quality''.
    (i) ``Utility'' refers to the usefulness of the information to its 
intended users, including the public.

[FR Doc. 02-19498 Filed 8-1-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6690-01-M