National Space-Based Positioning, Navigation and Timing Systems Engineering Forum

Charter

Purpose

This document constitutes the Charter for the National Space-Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) Systems Engineering Forum, hereafter referred to as the NPEF, and describes the background, scope, functions, and membership of the NPEF.

Background

In December 2004, the President established a new national policy for space-based positioning, navigation, and timing programs, augmentations, and activities for U.S. national and homeland security, civil, scientific, and commercial purposes. The policy created the National Executive Committee for Space-Based Positioning, Navigation and Timing, hereafter referred to as the National EXCOM, and the National Coordination Office for Space-Based Positioning, Navigation and Timing, hereafter referred to as the National Coordination Office, to advise and coordinate with and among the Departments and Agencies responsible for the strategic decisions regarding policies, architectures, requirements, and resource allocation for maintaining and improving U.S. space-based positioning, navigation, and timing infrastructures.

The NPEF is established and chartered as a permanent working group under the auspices of the National Coordination Office to provide a forum for discussion and coordination of systems engineering issues and technology development opportunities relative to the Global Positioning System (GPS) and GPS augmentation systems that influence, or are influenced by, managerial and policy decisions.

Scope

The NPEF will address systems engineering and technology issues and potential opportunities that affect civil or joint use and development of the U.S. space-based PNT system-of-systems architecture. The scope of the NPEF includes GPS, GPS augmentations, and related technical areas consistent with the National Policy goals and objectives. The NPEF will develop technical recommendations by consensus of its membership. If consensus cannot be achieved, options will be provided to the National Coordination Office for resolution to include National EXCOM involvement if warranted. The activities and recommendations of the NPEF will not impair or otherwise affect the authorities of member Departments and Agencies under applicable law.

Functions / Funding

Subject to the availability of resources (if required) from one or more of the member Departments and Agencies and/or funding from the National Coordination Office, tasking of the NPEF will be covered by one or more of the following areas:

• Discuss and provide recommendations for systems engineering and technology issues that affect multi-use development and application of GPS and GPS augmentation systems as an integrated system-of-systems.
• Provide engineering expertise to analyze and assess requirements that have been identified through the Interagency Requirements Process.
• Accept taskings from the National EXCOM, through the National Coordination Office, for recommendations on U.S. space-based PNT related systems engineering issues.
• Report to the National EXCOM, through the National Coordination Office, as requested on NPEF activities and accomplishments. Identify to the National Coordination Office any proposed technical recommendations that affect the management of U.S. space-based PNT systems.
• Review engineering-related proposals to investigate promising space-based PNT technical developments or opportunities.
• Assist with the translation of validated and operational GPS/GPS augmentation system requirements into system specific technical implementations.

Participation and Membership

Technical representatives from all member Departments and Agencies of the National EXCOM are encouraged to participate in the activities of the NPEF.

Following the structure of the National EXCOM, the NPEF will be co-chaired by representatives from the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of Transportation (DOT).

The co-chairs of the NPEF will be separately selected by the Department of Defense and the Department of Transportation, in coordination with senior executives of those departments / agencies having responsibility for U.S. space-based PNT services. Those senior executives will be made aware of unresolvable issues and NPEF reports that are forwarded to the National Coordination Office for consideration.

The co-chairs may invite subject area experts to participate in the NPEF as deemed necessary. The NPEF may also form ad hoc sub-groups as necessary to assist in completing its required functions.

Meetings

The NPEF shall meet as required. Ad hoc sub-groups of the NPEF will meet as necessary to address issues as determined by the NPEF co-chairs. Meeting locations will be determined by the co-chairs.

Amendment and Termination

This Charter may be terminated by either signatory, or may be amended by the mutual written consent of the undersigned or their successors. A minimum of 90 days advance notice of proposed termination will be provided. This Charter will expire on December 31, 2012, unless extended by mutual agreement of the signatories. An annual review will be conducted by the National Coordination Office for proposed changes or amendments.

Effective Date

This Charter shall become effective upon the latest signature date of the undersigned.

/signature of John G. Grimes/
Honorable John G. Grimes
Assistant Secretary of Defense for
   Networks and Information Integration

Date: 11/13/07

/signature of Jeffrey N. Shane/
Honorable Jeffrey N. Shane
Under Secretary for Policy
Department of Transportation

Date: 10/17/07

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