Background

The basic GPS is defined as the constellation of satellites, the navigation payloads which produce the GPS signals, ground stations, data links, and associated command and control facilities which are operated and maintained by the Department of Defense; the Standard Positioning Service (SPS) as the civil and commercial service provided by the basic GPS; and augmentations as those systems based on the GPS that provide real-time accuracy greater than the SPS.

This policy presents a strategic vision for the future management and use of GPS, addressing a broad range of military, civil, commercial, and scientific interests, both national and international.

Policy Goals

Our goals are to:

1. Strengthen and maintain our national security.
2. Encourage acceptance and integration of GPS into peaceful civil, commercial and scientific applications worldwide.
3. Encourage private sector investment in and use of U.S. GPS technologies and services.
4. Promote safety and efficiency in transportation and other fields.
5. Promote international cooperation in using GPS for peaceful purposes.
6. Advance U.S. scientific and technical capabilities.

Policy Guidelines

1. We will continue to provide the GPS Standard Positioning Service for peaceful civil, commercial and scientific use on a continuous, worldwide basis, free of direct user fees.
2. It is our intention to discontinue the use of GPS Selective Availability (SA) within a decade in a manner that allows adequate time and resources for our military forces to prepare fully for operations without SA. To support such a decision, affected departments and agencies will submit recommendations in accordance with the reporting requirements outlined in this policy.
3. The GPS and U.S. Government augmentations will remain responsive to the National Command Authorities.
4. We will cooperate with other governments and international organizations to ensure an appropriate balance between the requirements of international civil, commercial and scientific users and international security interests.
5. We will advocate the acceptance of GPS and U.S. Government augmentations as standards for international use.
6. To the fullest extent feasible, we will purchase commercially available GPS products and services that meet U.S. Government requirements and will not conduct activities that preclude or deter commercial GPS activities, except for national security or public safety reasons.
7. A permanent interagency GPS Executive Board, jointly chaired by the Departments of Defense and Transportation, will manage the GPS and U.S. Government augmentations. Other departments and agencies will participate as appropriate. The GPS Executive Board will consult with U.S. Government agencies, U.S. industries and foreign governments involved in navigation and positioning system research, development, operation, and use.

Agency Roles and Responsibilities

1. Continue to acquire, operate, and maintain the basic GPS.
2. Maintain a Standard Positioning Service (as defined in the Federal Radionavigation Plan and the GPS Standard Positioning Service Signal Specification) that win be available on a continuous, worldwide basis.
3. Maintain a Precise Positioning Service for use by the U.S. military and other authorized users.
4. Cooperate with the Director of Central Intelligence, the Department of State and other appropriate departments and agencies to assess the national security implications of the use of GPS, its augmentations, and alternative satellite-based positioning and navigation systems.
5. Develop measures to prevent the hostile use of GPS and its augmentations to ensure that the United States retains a military advantage without unduly disrupting or degrading civilian uses.

1. Serve as the lead agency within the U.S. Government for all Federal civil GPS matters.
2. Develop and implement U.S. Government augmentations to the basic GPS for transportation applications.
3. In cooperation with the Departments of Commerce, Defense and State, take the lead in promoting commercial applications of GPS technologies and the acceptance of GPS and U.S. Government augmentations as standards in domestic and international transportation systems.
4. In cooperation with other departments and agencies, coordinate U.S. Government-provided GPS civil augmentation systems to minimize cost and duplication of effort.

1. In cooperation with appropriate departments and agencies, consult with foreign governments and other international organizations to assess the feasibility of developing bilateral or multilateral guidelines on the provision and use of GPS services.
2. Coordinate the interagency review of instructions to U.S. delegations to bilateral consultations and multilateral conferences related to the planning, operation, management, and use of GPS and related augmentation systems.
3. Coordinate the interagency review of international agreements with foreign governments and international organizations concerning international use of GPS and related augmentation systems.

Reporting Requirements