GSA offers Web-based public dialogue tool

A Web-based tool for gathering input from the public is now available to federal agencies for free from the General Services Administration.

GSA is providing the tool at no cost to agencies, along with technical, management, and policy support. The dialogue tool will allow agencies to provide a public forum to share ideas, give feedback, and engage in Web-based discussions with their government, according to GSA.

“By leveraging a single solution governmentwide, GSA can simplify the public engagement process for both agencies and the citizen, helping to build and offer uniformity and consistency in how the public engages with their government and move toward making the process as efficient as possible,” said David McClure, associate administrator for GSA’s Office of Citizen Services and Communications.

Under President Barack Obama’s Open Government Directive, federal agencies have until Feb. 6 to launch an open-government Web site that incorporates a public feedback mechanism. The new public dialogue tool from GSA can fulfill that requirement, according to GSA.

Last week, GSA officials introduced the tool to more than 70 government officials from more than 20 agencies, according to GSA.

The Office of Citizen Services plans to continue to develop additional tools to help agencies provide more opportunities for the public to engage with their government, according to GSA.