National Center for Simulation Logo

 

OMB Rejects NTSA-led effort to establish NAICS codes for M&S Industry–Call for Action

To all NCS Members:

Below is a request from RADM (Ret) Fred Lewis, President NTSA, for all NCS Member companies to write to the OMB, Executive Office of the President and protest a decision by the Economic Classification Policy Committee (ECPC) to reject the NTSA-led and NCS endorsed effort to establish NAICS codes for the M&S Industry.  To make this as painless as possible, a draft letter is attached for your use with Company Stationary.

The deadline for comments on the ECPC decision is 12 Jul 10.

Thomas L. Baptiste, Lt Gen, USAF (Ret)
President/ Executive Director
National Center for Simulation

 

Dear Friend of NTSA:

As you may know, the proposal to create new NAICS (North American Industry Classification System) codes for Modeling & Simulation – submitted earlier this year by a coalition of organizations led by NTSA – has been rejected.  The Office of Management and Budget, Executive Office of the President, published the recommendations of the Economic Classification Policy Committee (ECPC) in a Federal Register on May 12, 2010.  OMB will accept public comments on the proposed recommendations until July 12, 2010.

This is a significant disappointment for all of us in the Modeling & Simulation Industry, which – as you well know – does in fact exist.

If you would like to join us in expressing your dissatisfaction with the ECPS’s recommendation not to create new NAICS codes for Modeling & Simulation, we urge you to send a letter or an e-mail to that effect.  We have provided a template letter below, which we will also send to you electronically.  Please feel free to edit and/or embellish as you see fit.

You must submit your comments/letters via e-mail to naics@omb.eop.gov – with the Subject Line NAICS 12 – or via regular mail to Ms. Katherine K. Wallman, Chief Statistician, Office of Management and Budget, 10201 New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC 20503.

Thank you,

 

Frederick L. Lewis, Rear Admiral, USN (Ret.)
President, NTSA

 

Begin Proposed Letter:

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing to state my strong objection to the ECPC’s recommendation not to create new NAICS codes for the Modeling & Simulation industry.

Modeling & Simulation is a vital and growing industry, well-represented and recognized in the industrial sector, in the world of academia, and within the United States government.

I therefore support the creation of new NAICS codes for Modeling & Simulation, as outlined in the proposal submitted earlier this year (Docket 12-0019) by a coalition of industry groups led by NTSA, the National Training and Simulation Association:

          541950 –     Modeling & Simulation Services

          3392 –         Simulation System Manufacturing

It is clear to me that specification of M&S products and services as NAICS categories is critically important to the evolution of M&S technology and the M&S workforce.  Unique M&S NAICS codes will be invaluable:

          1)       for accounting of the contribution of M&S to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

          2)       to accord M&S the standing of a recognized industrial sector; and

          3)       to support by implication the standing of M&S as a profession for which education, certification, and employment practices should be responsive.

Modeling & Simulation is a sizable and economically significant industry, as illustrated by:  the economic studies conducted in various states; the proliferation of M&S-related industry groups and their growing ranks of members and participants; the recognition of Modeling & Simulation within government departments and within the United States Congress; the expansion of M&S programs in universities across the nation; and the existence of a professional certification program (Certified Modeling & Simulation Professional – CMSP).

I sincerely hope that the next revision of NAICS will reflect the reality that the Modeling & Simulation is an industry that not only already exists, but is thriving, and continuing to expand and grow.

Sincerely and respectfully,

 

Your Name
Your Organization