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EO 13642Executive OrderObama · D Quiet signal

Executive Order 13642

Making Open and Machine Readable the New Default for Government Information

This executive order establishes open and machine-readable formats as the default for new and modernized government information. It directs OMB to issue an Open Data Policy and sets specific deadlines for creating implementation tools, integrating open data into federal procurement and grants, and establishing performance tracking mechanisms across agencies.

Federal Register Open PDF 78 FR 28111

Impact dates

  1. CIO and CTO publish open online repository of tools and best practices

  2. Federal procurement and grant-making integration measures initiated

  3. Agencies report initial progress on CAP Goal implementation to CPO

  4. CPO establishes Cross-Agency Priority Goal with President's Management Council

Key directives

  • OMB Director to issue Open Data Policy in consultation with CIO, CTO, and OIRA Administrator
  • CIO and CTO to publish open online repository of tools and best practices within 30 days of Open Data Policy issuance
  • Federal Procurement Policy Administrator, OFFM Controller, CIO, and OIRA Administrator to identify and initiate integration measures into acquisition and grant-making within 90 days of Open Data Policy issuance
  • CPO to establish Cross-Agency Priority Goal within 90 days of EO signing
  • Agencies to report progress on CAP Goal to CPO within 180 days of EO signing, then quarterly

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Default state for new/modernized government information set to open and machine readable
  • Privacy/confidentiality/national security safeguards required

Near term (90d)

  • CPO establishes Cross-Agency Priority Goal for Open Data Policy tracking
  • Federal procurement and grant-making integration measures initiated

Long term

  • Ongoing quarterly progress reporting to CPO
  • Continuous update of open data tools repository
  • Integration of open data into federal acquisition processes

Risks & tensions

  • Open Data Policy issuance date unspecified, making 30-day and 90-day dependent deadlines uncalculable from signing date alone
  • Tension between data openness and privacy/confidentiality/national security protections requires ongoing balancing
  • Implementation subject to appropriations availability, creating potential funding uncertainty
  • Independent agencies only 'requested' to adhere, limiting coverage
  • EO explicitly creates no enforceable rights, limiting accountability mechanisms
Executive Order 13642: Making Open and Machine Readable the New Default for Government Information · Executive Orders