NARA creates advisory panel for e-records archive system

The National Archives and Records Administration will establish an Advisory Committee on Electronic Records Archives to advise the national archivist on technical, mission and services issues.

The committee will be made up of 20 members, appointed by the national archivist, and have a two-year term. The members will provide recommendations related to the development, implementation and use of the ERA system.

NARA announced the establishment of the committee earlier this week in the Federal Register. The announcement comes shortly before NARA will choose the design for the Electronic Records Archive system. A spokeswoman said officials should reveal their choice of Harris Corp. of Melbourne, Fla., or Lockheed Martin Corp. in early September.

Both vendors have built prototype systems over the past year, and NARA is evaluating which one would be best to store the federal government's digital records.