FACACLASSIC

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DOC - 2075 - Information Systems Technical Advisory Committee - Statutory (Congress Created)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Committee Name	Information Systems Technical Advisory Committee	Agency Name	Department of Commerce
Fiscal Year	2025	Committee Number	2075
Original Establishment Date	7/12/1985	Committee Status	Chartered
Actual Termination Date		Committee URL	https://tac.bis.doc.gov
Actual Merged Date		Presidential Appointments*	No
New Committee This FY	No	Max Number of Members*	60
Terminated This FY	No	Designated Fed Officer Position Title*	DFO
Merged This FY		Designated Federal Officer Prefix	Mr.
Current Charter Date	6/3/2025	Designated Federal Officer First Name*	Aaron
Date Of Renewal Charter	6/3/2027	Designated Federal Officer Middle Name
Projected Termination Date		Designated Federal Officer Last Name*	Amundson
Exempt From Renewal*	No	Designated Federal Officer Suffix
Specific Termination Authority		Designated Federal Officer Phone*	(202) 482-5299
Establishment Authority*	Statutory (Congress Created)	Designated Federal Officer Fax*	202-482-3345
Specific Establishment Authority*	Sections 1754 and 1768 of the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 (ECRA), (50 U.S.C. §§ 4801-4852)	Designated Federal Officer Email*	aaron.amundson@bis.doc.gov
Effective Date Of Authority*	7/12/1985
Exempt From EO 13875 Discretionary Cmte	Not Applicable
Committee Type*	Continuing
Presidential*	No
Committee Function*	Scientific Technical Program Advisory Board

RECOMMENDATION/JUSTIFICATIONS

Agency Recommendation*	Continue
Legislation to Terminate Required	Not Applicable
Legislation Status	Not Applicable
How does cmte accomplish its purpose?*	The Information Systems Technical Advisory Committee (ISTAC or Committee) focused on the following issues in FY2024: Developed Wassenaar (WA) proposals for issues related to Categories (Cat) 3, 4, 5p1 and 5p2, and provide support as necessary for proposals that are advanced to WA. There were 11 proposals submitted to the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) for consideration. One pertaining to 3A1b2/b3/b4 amplification devices; one for 3A1e1b pertaining to energy density of secondary cells; five in 3A1/3A2 pertaining to microwave test & measurement instruments; one for 3C4 pertaining to adsorbed gases; one pertaining to 5A1 lawful intercept and surreptitious listening; and two pertaining the scope of control of Cat 5p2. Of these, ten were forwarded to the USG interagency for consideration, and of those, two were agreed within the USG interagency and were among the slate that was forwarded to Wassenaar: US-011 (3A2a7 Update to Oscilloscope Entry) and US-014 (3A1e1b Secondary cell energy density threshold update). The ISTAC maintained active communication between industry and the interagency in FY24. The ISTAC meetings were well-attended by USG members from BIS, Department of Homeland Security, Defense Technology Security Administration, Transportation Security Administration, Naval Research Laboratory, National Security Agency and Department of State. Review and development of WA proposals for 2024 was primarily by email between BIS and the ISTAC. Standing Working Groups for each of Cat 3A, Cat 3B/3C, Cat 4, Cat 5p1 and Cat 5p2 were established in July 2008. A new Working Group for Cybertools was established in 2017. These groups remain in place and remain active. The purpose of these working groups is to create a formal structure with which to track activities in each category/subcategory, coordinate responses to BIS, develop Wassenaar proposals, etc. Experience with the working groups has been excellent: Cooperation and communication with the interagency on development of Wassenaar proposals has continued; and ISTAC activities are more clearly understood by meeting attendees, both ISTAC members and non-members. Each of the Working Groups presented reports of their activities at each of the four ISTAC meetings held in FY23. Additionally, Cat 3A, Cat 4, Cat 5 Part 2 and Cybertools working group each held multiple teleconferences among its industry members. The tradition of technical presentations from subject-matter experts continued. Topics this year included: Status of the Commercial Analog-to-Digital Converter Market; Radio Frequency Amplifiers Controls; CryoMOS/Superconductive Integrated Circuits; Confidential Computing; Electronic Design Automation Software; Confluence of Artificial Intelligence with Cybersecurity; Computer Performance Benchmarks; and Microscaling Data Formats. The ISTAC provided feedback on the following: -Coordinated individual comments to specific BIS requests, including draft rules; -Artificial intelligence related topics: Transistor count measurements and thresholds; Dynamic random access memory thresholds and Model weights; -Activities related to advanced-node integrated circuits and -US-India strategic export controls alignment. The ISTAC has 36 industry members, representing Categories 3, 4, 5p1 and 5p2. Additionally, in FY24 the ISTAC drew upon the expertise of three non-member industry experts. We continued to promote broader awareness for ISTAC members of other aspects of export controls. In FY24 we had one overview briefing on a topic outside the scope of traditional ISTAC activities: Industry perspective on deemed exports (counter to Final Memorandum No. OIG-24-001-M). The ISTAC looks forward to continuing to provide advice and support for BIS activities in FY25. The ISTAC work plan for FY2025 is to: Develop Wassenaar proposals for issues related to Categories 3, 4, 5p1 and 5p2, and provide support as necessary for proposals that are advanced to Wassenaar. Maintain close communication and cooperation between industry and the interagency during the review/vetting process of Wassenaar proposals. Maintain the standing working groups for Cat 3A, Cat 3B/3C, Cat 4, Cat 5p1, Cat 5p2, and Cybertools; these working groups provide structure for ISTAC activities. Continue to provide BIS with timely forecasts of industry technology improvements, product roadmaps, and feedback on proposed regulations. Provide BIS with ideas on emerging and fundamental technology with Categories 3, 4, 5p1 and 5p2. Maintain active engagement of technical experts from industry in support of these activities. Provide advice as requested by BIS.
How is membership balanced?*	The ISTAC is composed of representatives of industry and government with specific technical expertise in the areas of semiconductors, computers, telecommunications and information security. The principal source for the members from industry are firms that export commodities and technology controlled under Commerce Control Lists 3, 4, and 5 (part 1 and 2).
How frequent & relevant are cmte mtgs?*	The ISTAC met three times in FY 2024. It is successfully advising on the export control parameters for three interrelated Control List categories.
Why advice can't be obtained elsewhere?*	The ISTAC addresses issues relating to Control List Categories 3 (electronics -semiconductor section), 4 (computers), and 5 (telecommunictions and information security). Few people possess the technical expertise needed to advise on controls in these areas. The ISTAC is the only group of its kind directly accessible to Government officials.
Why close or partially close meetings?	Closed sessions are held to allow for discussion of information classified for reasons of national security, information the premature disclosure of which would be likely to significantly frustrate implementation of a proposed agency action, or information of a commercial or financial nature that is privileged or confidential.
Recommendation Remarks	The ISTAC is authorized under Sections 1754 and 1768 of the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 (ECRA) (50 U.S.C. §§ 4801-4852), the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) (15 C.F.R. Parts 730-774), and the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended (FACA) (5 U.S.C. § 1001 et seq.)

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

Outcome Improvement To Health Or Safety*	No	Action Reorganize Priorities*	No
Outcome Trust In Government	No	Action Reallocate Resources	No
Outcome Major Policy Changes	No	Action Issued New Regulations	Yes
Outcome Advance In Scientific Research	No	Action Proposed Legislation	No
Outcome Effective Grant Making	No	Action Approved Grants Or Other Payments	No
Outcome Improved Service Delivery	No	Action Other	No
Outcome Increased Customer Satisfaction	No	Action Comment	N/A
Outcome Implement Laws/Reg Requirements	Yes	Grants Review*	No
Outcome Other	No	Number Of Grants Reviewed	0
Outcome Comment	NA	Number Of Grants Recommended	0
Cost Savings*	Unable to Determine	Dollar Value Of Grants Recommended	$0.00
Cost Savings Comment	N/A	Grants Review Comment	N/A
Number Of Recommendations*	103	Access Contact Designated Fed. Officer*	Yes
Number Of Recommendations Comment	The Committee met three times in FY24. There were eleven recommendations/proposals in FY24.	Access Agency Website	Yes
% of Recs Fully Implemented*	10.00%	Access Committee Website	Yes
% of Recs Fully Implemented Comment	For this metric we are counting the number of Wassenaar proposals the ISTAC wrote or provided input to, that were adopted as multilateral controls as Wassenaar. One of ten were agreed.	Access GSA FACA Website	Yes
% of Recs Partially Implemented*	20.00%	Access Publications	No
% of Recs Partially Implemented Comment	For this metric we are counting the number or proposals submitted to the USG that became Wassenaar proposals. The ISTAC submitted ten proposals to BIS for consideration in FY2024. Two of the ten proposals were forwarded to Wassenaar.	Access Other	No
Agency Feedback*	Yes	Access Comment	N/A
Agency Feedback Comment*	The agency includes the Information Systems Technical Advisory Committee in the process of incorporating the determinations of the various multilateral regimes into the Export Administration Regulations. For additional information or comments, go to https://tac.bis.doc.gov.	Narrative Description*	Industry input regarding controls on computers, semiconductors and related equipment, telecommunications, and information security is crucial in developing an export control policy that will maintain competitiveness in the global marketplace while addressing vital national security concerns. In the Information Systems Technical Advisory Committee, the Department of Commerce has a resource as dynamic and imaginative as the industry sectors it encompasses.

COSTS

1. Payments to Non-Federal Members*		1. Est Paymnts to Non-Fed Membrs Nxt FY*
2. Payments to Federal Members*		2. Est. Payments to Fed Members Next FY*
3. Payments to Federal Staff*		3. Estimated Payments to Federal Staff*
4. Payments to Consultants*		4. Est. Payments to Consultants Next FY*
5. Travel Reimb. For Non-Federal Membrs*		5. Est Travel Reimb Non-Fed Membr nxtFY*
6. Travel Reimb. For Federal Members*		6. Est Travel Reimb For Fed Members*
7. Travel Reimb. For Federal Staff*		7. Est. Travel Reimb to Fed Staf Nxt FY*
8. Travel Reimb. For Consultants*		8. Est Travel Reimb to Consltnts Nxt FY*
10. Other Costs		10. Est. Other Costs Next FY*
11. Total Costs	$0.00	11. Est. Total Next FY*	$0.00
Date Cost Last Modified	3/14/2025 11:37 AM	Est. Fed Staff Support Next FY*
Federal Staff Support (FTE)*		Est Cost Remarks
Cost Remarks

Interest Areas

Category Area Applied Science Engineering Basic Science Materials Research Business Manufacturing Patents and Trademarks Computer Technology Technology Applications Computers Information Technology Internet Semiconductors Systems Engineering Government Federal Government International International Law International Organizations Justice Law Enforcement Legislation Legislation Regulations Regulatory Negotiation Rulemaking Trade Competitiveness Exports and Imports International Commerce and Investment Trade and Trade Policy

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