The Use of Ombuds in Federal Agencies

Recommendation 2016-5 – The Use of Ombuds in Federal Agencies takes account of the broad array of federal agency ombuds offices that have been established since the time of Recommendation 90-2.  The recommendation suggests that agencies and Congress consider creating additional ombuds offices where they may be of benefit.  It also emphasizes the importance of adherence by ombuds to the three core standards of independence, confidentiality, and impartiality, and identifies best practices for the operation, staffing, and evaluation of federal agency ombuds offices.

Citation: Admin. Conf. of the U.S., Recommendation 2016-5, The Use of Ombuds in Federal Agencies81 Fed. Reg. 94316 (Dec. 23, 2016).

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Implementation Contact

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Final Recommendation:

The Use of Ombuds in Federal Agencies

Recommendation number
2016-5
Adoption Date
Committees

This recommendation updates and expands on the Administrative Conference’s earlier Recommendation 90-2, The Ombudsman in Federal Agencies, adopted on June 7, 1990.  That document concentrated on “external ombudsmen,” those who primarily receive and address inquiries and complaints from the public, and was formulated before “use of ombuds” was added to the definition of “means of a

Project Documents

Name Committee Type Date File
The Use of Ombudsmen in Federal Agencies (Proposed Revisions of Draft Recommendation) Rulemaking Recommendation Download The Use of Ombudsmen in Federal Agencies (Proposed Revisions of Draft Recommendation)
The Use of Ombuds in Federal Agencies Rulemaking Recommendation Download The Use of Ombuds in Federal Agencies
The Use of Ombudsmen in Federal Agencies (Proposed Recommendation) Rulemaking Recommendation Download The Use of Ombudsmen in Federal Agencies (Proposed Recommendation)
The Use of Ombudsmen in Federal Agencies (Proposed Redline Recommendation) Rulemaking Recommendation Download The Use of Ombudsmen in Federal Agencies (Proposed Redline Recommendation)
The Use of Ombudsmen in Federal Agencies (Proposed Revisions of Draft Recommendation) Rulemaking Recommendation Download The Use of Ombudsmen in Federal Agencies (Proposed Revisions of Draft Recommendation)
The Use of Ombudsmen in Federal Agencies (Draft Recommendation) Rulemaking Recommendation Download The Use of Ombudsmen in Federal Agencies (Draft Recommendation)
Additional Suggested Revisions to Draft Ombuds Recommendation 11-3-2016 Rulemaking Recommendation Download Additional Suggested Revisions to Draft Ombuds Recommendation 11-3-2016
The Ombudsman in Federal Agencies Part 1: Executive Summary (Final Report) Rulemaking Report Download The Ombudsman in Federal Agencies Part 1: Executive Summary (Final Report)
The Ombudsman in Federal Agencies (Final Report) Rulemaking Report Download The Ombudsman in Federal Agencies (Final Report)
The Ombudsman in Federal Agencies--Draft Report Part 1: Executive Summary Rulemaking Report Download The Ombudsman in Federal Agencies--Draft Report Part 1: Executive Summary
The Ombudsman in Federal Agencies Part 2: Research Report (Final Report) Rulemaking Report Download The Ombudsman in Federal Agencies Part 2: Research Report (Final Report)
The Ombudsman in Federal Agencies--Draft Report Part 2: Research Draft Report Rulemaking Report Download The Ombudsman in Federal Agencies--Draft Report Part 2: Research Draft Report
The Ombudsman in Federal Agencies Part 3: Legal Analysis (Final Report) Rulemaking Report Download The Ombudsman in Federal Agencies Part 3: Legal Analysis (Final Report)
The Ombudsman in Federal Agencies--Draft Report Part 3: Legal Analysis Rulemaking Report Download The Ombudsman in Federal Agencies--Draft Report Part 3: Legal Analysis
The Ombudsman in Federal Agencies--Final Report Part 4: Proposed Recommendation Rulemaking Report Download The Ombudsman in Federal Agencies--Final Report Part 4: Proposed Recommendation
The Ombudsman in Federal Agencies--Draft Report Part 4: The Recommendation Rulemaking Report Download The Ombudsman in Federal Agencies--Draft Report Part 4: The Recommendation
Final Report on Ombudsmen in Federal Agencies: The Theory and the Practice (Recommendation 90-2) Rulemaking Report Download Final Report on Ombudsmen in Federal Agencies: The Theory and the Practice (Recommendation 90-2)
The Ombudsman: A Primer for Federal Agencies Publication Download The Ombudsman: A Primer for Federal Agencies
UCS Comments on Draft Ombudsman Recommendation Rulemaking Comment Download UCS Comments on Draft Ombudsman Recommendation
Bruce MacAllister Comment on Draft Ombudsman Recommendation Rulemaking Comment Download Bruce MacAllister Comment on Draft Ombudsman Recommendation
David Shonka Comment on Draft Ombudsman Recommendation Rulemaking Comment Download David Shonka Comment on Draft Ombudsman Recommendation
COFO Comments on Proposed Ombuds Recommendation Rulemaking Comment Download COFO Comments on Proposed Ombuds Recommendation
Meredith Fuchs Comment on Draft Ombudsman Recommendation Rulemaking Comment Download Meredith Fuchs Comment on Draft Ombudsman Recommendation
Mauricio Ramos (IOA) Comments on Proposed Ombudsman Recommendation Rulemaking Comment Download Mauricio Ramos (IOA) Comments on Proposed Ombudsman Recommendation
Scott Deyo Comment on Draft Ombudsman Recommendation Rulemaking Comment Download Scott Deyo Comment on Draft Ombudsman Recommendation
USOA Comments on Draft Ombuds Recommendation Rulemaking Comment Download USOA Comments on Draft Ombuds Recommendation
Revised Project Outline: The Ombudsman in Federal Agencies Outline
The Ombudsman in Federal Agencies--Master List of Federal Ombuds Offices Rulemaking Appendix Download The Ombudsman in Federal Agencies--Master List of Federal Ombuds Offices
The Ombudsman in Federal Agencies--Survey of Federal Ombuds Participants Rulemaking Appendix Download The Ombudsman in Federal Agencies--Survey of Federal Ombuds Participants
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