Laws and regulations
As federal employees, we must comply with various laws and regulations. You will receive training from GSA on several of these topics. As pertinent new regulations or executive orders are issued, GSA or TTS leadership will communicate new expectations. Employees are expected to adhere to codes of conduct.
Below summarizes a few of the regulations most relevant to TTSC’s work.
If you are…
Working with an external partner
- We must have a signed interagency agreement (IAA) with the agency partner and they need to pay us.
- Don’t work overtime without prior approval.
, external,Intergovernmental Cooperation Act (IGCA) as further detailed in , external,OMB Circular A-97
- Defines the process for entering an agreement with a state, local, or tribal partner. = TTSC may only provide agile acquisition consulting services.
- The project must be linked to federal funding.
- A request for TTSC's services must be made by the chief executive of the entity.
Experimenting with artificial intelligence (AI)
TTS-only, Directive on use of AI at GSA
- Using AI tools requires prior approval from GSA.
Doing an acquisition
, external,Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)
- These regulations apply when executive agencies are acquiring supplies and services.
, external,Supplemental acquisition regulations
- Most agencies maintain their own supplement in addition to the FAR. These can contain agency specific requirements or stricter procurement processes.
Doing discovery and research
, external,Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)
- PRA governs how federal agencies collect information from the public. A team conducting user research should consider PRA as they make research decisions.
Building software or a website
- Ensure the greatest number of users can use the product.
, external,Authority to Operate (ATO)
- Executive branch offices require an ATO. Each has their own process to follow, so make sure you know what it is and follow it.
, external,21st Century Integrated Digital Experience Act and further detailed in , external,OMB Memo M-23-22
- Design mobile-first, use consistent visual design and agency branding, and optimize for search.
Creating web content
, external,21st Century Integrated Digital Experience Act and further detailed in , external,OMB Memo M-23-22
- All public-facing digital content should be written in plain language appropriate to the target audience.
- Whenever possible, new content should replace rather than add to old content.
Creating a PDF
- Like any content, a PDF must be 508 compliant. It passes accessibility checks and gives people who use assistive technology an equivalent experience.
