Government Rules and Advisements for Record Keeping

The Office of the Chief Records Officer for the U.S. Government, responsible for developing Federal records management guidance, has announced a new initiative, the Federal Electronic Records Modernization Initiative (FERMI). This initiative aims to modernize electronic records management across the Federal Government.

FERMI focuses on the success criteria for managing permanent electronic records and email records, outlining universal electronic records management (ERM) requirements. The initiative also emphasizes the importance of managing email and electronic messages effectively.

In addition to FERMI, NARA (National Archives and Records Administration) offers a wealth of resources for federal records management. These include guidance for political appointees and senior officials, as well as for federal employees. Records Management Guidance covers various aspects, including records creation, management, and disposition, with a particular focus on electronic records.

NARA's resources extend to essential records and disaster recovery guidance, managing email and electronic messages, and a Records and Information Management Self-Evaluation Guide. For those involved in contracts, Records Management Language is provided to ensure compliance.

Moreover, NARA offers several types of guidance, such as NARA Bulletins, Memos to Agency Records Officers, Records Management FAQs, and Records Management Transfer Guidance. The OMB (Office of Management and Budget) has also issued several guidelines relevant to federal records management, including the Update to Transition to Electronic Records (M-23-07), Transition to Electronic Records (M-19-21), President's Reform Plan and Reorganization Recommendations, Circular No. A-130: Managing Information as a Strategic Resource, and Circular No. A-11: Preparation, Submission, and Execution of the Budget. These guidelines aim to modernize electronic records management.

NARA also provides White Papers and Reports, and information about past initiatives and guidance. The Office of the Chief Records Officer champions the critical importance of federal records management across the Federal Government.

For questions about this page and NARA's federal records management guidance, contact [email protected].

Furthermore, there is a Federal Records and Information Management (RIM) Program Maturity Model User's Guide and a Federal RIM Program Maturity Model Scoring Spreadsheet. Communities of Interest, including the Federal Records Management Council (FRMC), Microsoft 365 User Group, Senior Agency Officials for Records Management (SAORM), and the Federal Records Officer Network (FRON), are also available. However, access to the Microsoft 365 User Group and the Federal Records Officer Network (FRON) requires specific logins (history.gov and APAN.org respectively).

In conclusion, NARA and the Office of the Chief Records Officer provide extensive resources and guidance to ensure effective federal records management. These resources cover various aspects of records management, from creation and management to disposition, and cater to different roles within the Federal Government. For more information, visit NARA's website or contact [email protected].