The PSIA-2002 mandates that the Department of Transportation (DOT), the Department of Energy (DOE), and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in the Department of Commerce (DOC) "shall carry out a program of research, development, demonstration and standardization to ensure the integrity of pipeline facilities."
The Five-Year R&D Program Plan identifies program elements, as well as specific areas of agency expertise, and establishes a framework for coordination and collaboration by the participating agencies. The participating agencies agree to work together on the development and application of performance measures to evaluate the effectiveness of pipeline facility research, development, and demonstration projects. While it was not one of the agencies formally mandated to participate, the Department of the Interior's (DOI) Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) contributed to the development of the initial plan and has been part of the interagency group since its inception.
In order to stay focused on the collaboration and coordination of the PSIA 2002 group activities, quarterly coordination meetings are held.