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National Communications System Issuance System FAQ

What is an Issuance?
An Issuance is a reference document that implements, establishes, guides, describes or explains organizational responsibilities, authorities, policies, and/or procedures.

What are the various types of Issuances?
There are six types of issuances:

• Directive. Establish and implement organizational responsibilities, authorities, policies, and procedures of a continuing nature.
• Circular. Promulgate subject matter either pending incorporation into a NCS directive or requiring a one-time action.
• Manual. Provide a detailed description, explanation or procedural or technical guidance concerning matter addressed in directives or circulars.
• Handbook. Provide a detailed description, explanation or procedural or technical guidance concerning matter addressed in directives, circulars or manuals.
• Notice. Promulgate immediate subject matter, usually informational, and either pending incorporation into an NCS manual or of transitional interest.
• Office of the Manager NCS (OMNCS) Office Order. Implement and provide procedural guidance supplementary to NCS and other directives, manuals, or authority, and outline managerial requirements
  

Who issues the Issuances?
Directives are issued by the Director, Office of Science and Technology and/or Director, Office of Management and Budget, both of which are part of the Executive Office of the President (EOP). Prior to issuance, the proposed text of the directive is considered by the Committee of Principals (COP), the Executive Agent, NCS, and the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs.

Circulars are issued and approved by the Director, Office of Science and Technology and/or Director, Office of Management and Budget, both of which are part of the Executive Office of the President (EOP). Prior to issuance, the proposed text of the circular is considered by the Committee of Principals (COP), the Executive Agent, NCS, and the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs.

Manuals are issued by the NCS Manager and are submitted for approval before the COP, Executive Agent, NCS. EOP review may also occur if requested pursuant to paragraph 9e of NCS Directive 1-1.

Handbooks are issued by the NCS Manager and are not considered before the COP, the Executive Agent, NCS, or the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs.

Notices are issued by the NCS Manager and are not considered before the COP, the Executive Agent, NCS, or the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs.

Office of the Manager, NCS (OMNCS) Office Orders are issued by the NCS Manager and are not considered before the COP, the Executive Agent, NCS, or the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs.

Under what authority are Issuances created?
Directives are issued under the authority of Executive Order No. 12472, “Assignment of National Security and Emergency Preparedness Telecommunications Functions,” April 3, 1984, Vol. 49, No. 67, Federal Register 13471 (1984), (amended by Executive Order 13286 of 28 February 2003); and NCS Directive 1-1, “National Communications System (NCS) Issuance System,” November 30, 1987.

To whom are Issuances applicable?
Directives are issued under the authority of Executive Order No. 12472, “Assignment of National Security and Emergency Preparedness Telecommunications Functions,” April 3, 1984, Vol. 49, No. 67, Federal Register 13471 (1984), (amended by Executive Order 13286 of 28 February 2003); and NCS Directive 1-1, “National Communications System (NCS) Issuance System,” November 30, 1987.

Do Issuances expire or can they be amended?
Directives remain in effect until superseded or cancelled.

Circulars expire after whichever of the following occurs first,

• it is incorporated into a directive
• one year from the date of promulgation, or
• at a specified time period

Manuals remain in effect until superseded or cancelled.

Handbooks remain in effect until superseded or cancelled.

Notices expire after whichever of the following occurs first,

• it is incorporated into a handbook
• one year from the date of dissemination, or
• at a specified time period

OMNCS Office Orders remain in effect until superseded or cancelled.

Type	Duration	Use	Text Approved/ Considered by	Issued by	Binding or Nonbinding
Directive	Remains in effect until superceded or cancelled	To establish and implement organizational responsibilities, authorities, policies, and procedures of a continuing nature	COP, EA, APNSA	EOP	Binding
Circular	Expires after: Incorporation into a directive, One year from date of promulgation, or A specified time period	To promulgate subject matter either pending incorporation into a NCS directive or requiring one-time action.	COP, EA, APNSA		Binding
Manual	Remains in effect until superceded or cancelled	To provide detailed description, explanation or procedural or technical guidance concerning matters addressing in directives or circulars.	COP, EA, EOP**		Binding
Handbook	Remains in effect until superceded or cancelled	To provide detailed description, explanation or procedural or technical guidance concerning matters addressing in directives, circulars or manuals			Nonbinding
Notice	Expires after: Incorporation into a manual, One year from date of promulgation or A specified time period	To promulgate immediate subject matter, usually informational, and either pending incorporation into a NCS manual or of transitional interest			Nonbinding
OMNCS Office Order	Remains in effect until superceded or cancelled	To implement and provide procedural guidance supplementary to NCS and other directives, manuals, or authority, and outline managerial require			Binding on OMNCS internal operations, administration and personnel

Types of NCS Issuances*

Legend: APNSA (Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs); COP (NCS Committee of Principals); EA (Executive Agent, NCS); EOP (Executive Office of the President); NCS MGR (NCS Manager)

   * The abbreviated descriptions shown above are subject to the more detailed provisions of NCS Directive 1-1
   ** EOP review will only occur when requested pursuant to paragraph 9e of NCS Directive 1-1

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