Civil Global Positioning System (GPS) Service Interface Committee Charter

1. Introduction

The Civil Global Positioning System (GPS) Service Interface Committee (CGSIC) is established by the U.S. Department of Transportation as a function of the Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy's (OST/P) outreach program to the civil GPS user community.

2. Objectives

Provide a forum to exchange technical information and collect information on the civil GPS user community's GPS needs.
Identify information requirements and methods to distribute this information to the civil GPS user community.
Conduct GPS information studies on civil user needs as requested by DOT or identified by the Committee.
Identify any GPS issues that may need resolution and submit them to appropriate authorities for consideration.

3. Committee Composition

The CGSIC is comprised of representatives from relevant private, government, and industry user groups, both U.S. and international. The Committee structure consists of a chair, two deputy chairs, an Executive Secretariat, and an Executive Panel. The Committee is chaired by the Director, Radionavigation and Positioning in OST/P. The first Deputy Chair is Commanding Officer, the U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center (NAVCEN). The Commanding Officer of NAVCEN is supported by an Executive Secretariat and manages the Committee, maintains membership roles, coordinates Committee meetings, represents the Committee Chair at GPS related meetings, and coordinates responses to submitted issues. The second Deputy Chair is the Deputy Chair for International Affairs and is a non-U.S. representative appointed by the Chair with the approval of the Executive Panel. The Executive Panel consists of the Chair, Deputy Chairs, Subcommittee chairs, a representative from the GIAC, and representatives from three modal areas:

Aviation - a representative designated by the Federal Aviation Administration to address aviation issues,
Land - a representative designated by the Federal Highway Administration to focus on land, reference station, and timing issues, and
Marine - a representative designated by the U.S. Coast Guard to address maritime issues.

4. Subcommittees

The CGSIC may create standing subcommittees, ad hoc subcommittees, or special working groups to work specific areas of civil GPS user needs and facilitate technical information exchange. Standing subcommittees have been established for the:

International Information
Timing
U.S. States and Local Government
Survey, Mapping, and Geo-Sciences

Standing committee chairs will be elected by the subcommittee members for a two-year term. Elections will be held in conjunction with a general meeting.

5. Administrative Guidelines

The administrative guidelines for the CGSIC are:

The committee will meet as often as needed, but not less than annually. The date, time, and location will be announced at least two months before each meeting.
A Summary Record of each meeting should be mailed to members as soon as possible after the meeting on the U.S. Coast Guard's Navigation Center's web site.
Attendance is open to anyone with a need to exchange information or provide input regarding civil GPS requirements, both domestic and international.
The Chair or Deputy Chair will make every effort to attend all subcommittee meetings. If unable to attend, the Chair or Deputy Chair will answer questions submitted in writing.
The Commanding Officer of NAVCEN will coordinate meeting arrangements, agendas, produce Summary Reports, and maintain membership lists.