Which entity provides retention schedules for federal records and coordinates with records officers and NARA?

• A. NARA
• B. OMB
• C. SAOP/CPO
• D. Congress

Answer: (A)

Retention schedules are the framework that dictates how long federal records are kept and when they are disposed of. The entity responsible for providing these schedules and coordinating with agency records officers to ensure consistent, compliant disposal across the government is the National Archives and Records Administration. NARA develops the General Records Schedule, approves agency-specific schedules, and workhands with agency Records Officers to implement these timelines. This centralized guidance keeps federal agencies aligned with the law and with each other.

Other options don’t perform this primary scheduling role. The Office of Management and Budget handles policy and budget oversight rather than the detailed disposition of records. The Senior Agency Official for Privacy or Chief Privacy Officer focuses on privacy program leadership, not the creation and coordination of retention schedules. Congress enacts laws that shape records management but does not administer the day-to-day retention scheduling process.