FEDERAL BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES :: The Federal Advisory Committee Act was enacted in 1972 to formalize the process for establishing, operating, overseeing, and terminating  advisory bodies to the Executive Branch.  Although they account for a relatively small percentage in direct spending for goods and services, some of these boards, commissions and committees potentially affect small business government contracting opportunities through their policy initiatives. Nearly one thousand  committees, boards, commissions, councils, and similar groups exist to advise officers and agencies in the Federal Executive Branch.  Following are links that you may find useful.
 

	FirstGov.  FirstGov maintains a list of Boards, Commissions and Committees with sites on the Internet.  Visit this site to find an A-Z set of links.
	Federal Advisory Committee Act.  The FACA became law in 1972 and is the legal foundation defining how federal advisory committees operate.  The law has special emphasis on open meetings, chartering, public involvement, and reporting.  Read the text of the FACA here.
	Library of Congress FAC Collection.  This collection consists of materials legally deposited with the Library of Congress under the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972. The collection consists of approximately 200,000 documents including charters, annual reports, and background papers submitted to the Library of Congress by various committees, boards, commissions, councils, and similar groups established to advise offices and agencies in the Executive Branch.
	Management of Federal Advisory Committees.  This GSA jumping point links to a selection of information about Federal Advisory Committees.  A great resource for professional research.