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rfc:rfc6635

Internet Architecture Board (IAB) O. Kolkman, Ed. Request for Comments: 6635 Obsoletes: 5620 J. Halpern, Ed. Category: Informational Ericsson ISSN: 2070-1721 IAB

                                                             June 2012
                    RFC Editor Model (Version 2)

Abstract

 The RFC Editor model described in this document divides the
 responsibilities for the RFC Series into three functions: the RFC
 Series Editor, the RFC Production Center, and the RFC Publisher.
 Internet Architecture Board (IAB) oversight via the RFC Series
 Oversight Committee (RSOC) is described, as is the relationship
 between the IETF Administrative Oversight Committee (IAOC) and the
 RSOC.  This document reflects the experience gained with "RFC Editor
 Model (Version 1)", documented in RFC 5620, and obsoletes that
 document.

Status of This Memo

 This document is not an Internet Standards Track specification; it is
 published for informational purposes.
 This document is a product of the Internet Architecture Board (IAB)
 and represents information that the IAB has deemed valuable to
 provide for permanent record.  Documents approved for publication by
 the IAB are not a candidate for any level of Internet Standard; see
 Section 2 of RFC 5741.
 Information about the current status of this document, any errata,
 and how to provide feedback on it may be obtained at
 http://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc6635.

Copyright Notice

 Copyright (c) 2012 IETF Trust and the persons identified as the
 document authors.  All rights reserved.
 This document is subject to BCP 78 and the IETF Trust's Legal
 Provisions Relating to IETF Documents
 (http://trustee.ietf.org/license-info) in effect on the date of
 publication of this document.  Please review these documents
 carefully, as they describe your rights and restrictions with respect
 to this document.

Kolkman, et al. Informational [Page 1] RFC 6635 RFC Editor Model (Version 2) June 2012

Table of Contents

 1. Introduction ....................................................3
    1.1. The RFC Editor Function ....................................3
 2. RFC Editor Model ................................................4
    2.1. RFC Series Editor ..........................................7
         2.1.1. Strategic Leadership and Management of the
                Publication and Production Functions ................8
         2.1.2. Representation of the RFC Series ....................8
                2.1.2.1. Representation to the IETF .................8
                         2.1.2.1.1. Volunteerism ....................9
                         2.1.2.1.2. Policy Authority ................9
                2.1.2.2. External Representation ....................9
         2.1.3. Development of RFC Production and Publication ......10
         2.1.4. Development of the RFC Series ......................10
         2.1.5. Workload ...........................................11
         2.1.6. Qualifications .....................................11
         2.1.7. Conflict of Interest ...............................12
    2.2. RFC Production Center .....................................12
    2.3. RFC Publisher .............................................13
 3. Committees .....................................................14
    3.1. RFC Series Oversight Committee (RSOC) .....................14
         3.1.1. RSOC Composition ...................................15
 4. Administrative Implementation ..................................16
    4.1. Vendor Selection for the Production and Publisher
         Functions .................................................17
    4.2. Budget ....................................................17
    4.3. Disagreements among Entities Related to the RFC Editor ....18
    4.4. Issues with Contractual Impact ............................19
 5. IANA Considerations ............................................19
 6. Security Considerations ........................................19
 7. Acknowledgments ................................................20
 8. References .....................................................21
    8.1. Normative References ......................................21
    8.2. Informative References ....................................21

Kolkman, et al. Informational [Page 2] RFC 6635 RFC Editor Model (Version 2) June 2012

1. Introduction

 The IAB, on behalf of the Internet technical community, is concerned
 with ensuring the continuity of the RFC Series, orderly RFC Editor
 succession, RFC quality, and RFC document accessibility.  The IAB is
 also sensitive to the concerns of the IETF Administrative Oversight
 Committee (IAOC) about providing the necessary services in a cost-
 effective and efficient manner.
 The contemporary RFC Editor model [RFC5620] was first approved in
 October 2008, and our understanding of the model has evolved with our
 experience since.  During the implementation of version 1 of the
 model [RFC5620], it was quickly realized that the role of the RFC
 Series Editor (RSE) and the oversight responsibilities needed to be
 structured differently.  In order to gain experience with "running
 code", a transitional RSE was hired who analyzed the managerial
 environment and provided recommendations.  This was followed by the
 appointment of an acting RSE, who ably managed the series while work
 was undertaken to select and hire a permanent RSE.  This version of
 the model is based on the recommendations of both temporary RFC
 Series Editors and the extensive discussion in the IETF community, on
 the rfc-interest list, and within the IAB.  As such, this document
 obsoletes [RFC5620].
 This document, and the resulting structures, will be modified as
 needed through normal procedures.  The RSE, and the IAB, through the
 RFC Oversight Committee (see Section 3.1), will continue to monitor
 discussions within the community about potential adjustments to the
 RFC Editor model and recognize that the process described in this
 document may need to be adjusted to align with any changes that
 result from such discussions; hence, the version number in the title.
 The IAB and IAOC maintain their chartered responsibility as defined
 in [RFC2850] and [RFC4071].

1.1. The RFC Editor Function

 The RFC Series is described in [RFC4844].  Its Section 3.1 defines
 "RFC Editor":
    Originally, there was a single person acting as editor of the RFC
    Series (the RFC Editor).  The task has grown, and the work now
    requires the organized activity of several experts, so there are
    RFC Editors, or an RFC Editor organization.  In time, there may be
    multiple organizations working together to undertake the work
    required by the RFC Series.  For simplicity's sake, and without

Kolkman, et al. Informational [Page 3] RFC 6635 RFC Editor Model (Version 2) June 2012

    attempting to predict how the role might be subdivided among them,
    this document refers to this collection of experts and
    organizations as the "RFC Editor".
    The RFC Editor is an expert technical editor and series editor,
    acting to support the mission of the RFC Series.  As such, the RFC
    Editor is the implementer handling the editorial management of the
    RFC Series, in accordance with the defined processes.  In
    addition, the RFC Editor is expected to be the expert and prime
    mover in discussions about policies for editing, publishing, and
    archiving RFCs.
 RFC 4844 does not explore the internal organization of the RFC
 Editor.  However, RFC 4844 envisions changes in the RFC Editor
 organizational structure.  There have been several iterations on
 efforts to improve and clarify this structure.  These have been led
 by the IAB, in consultation with the community and many leadership
 bodies within the community.  This first resulted in the publication
 of [RFC5620] and then in further discussions leading to this
 document.  Some of the details on this evolution can be found below.
 In undertaking this evolution, the IAB considered changes that
 increase flexibility and operational support options, provide for the
 orderly succession of the RFC Editor, and ensure the continuity of
 the RFC Series, while maintaining RFC quality, maintaining timely
 processing, ensuring document accessibility, reducing costs, and
 increasing cost transparency.  The model set forth below describes
 the internal organization of the RFC Editor, while remaining
 consistent with RFC 4844.
 Note that RFC 4844 uses the term "RFC Editor function" or "RFC
 Editor" as the collective set of responsibilities for which this memo
 provides a model for internal organization.  This memo defines the
 term "RFC Series Editor" or "Series Editor" for one of the
 organizational components.

2. RFC Editor Model

 The RFC Editor model divides the responsibilities for the RFC Series
 into the following components:
 o  RFC Series Editor (RSE)
 o  RFC Production Center
 o  RFC Publisher

Kolkman, et al. Informational [Page 4] RFC 6635 RFC Editor Model (Version 2) June 2012

 The structure and relationship of the components of the RFC Series
 production and process is schematically represented by the figure
 below.  The picture does not depict oversight and escalation
 relations.  It does include the streams and their managers (which are
 not part of the RFC Series Editor, the RFC Production Center, or
 Publisher facilities) in order to more fully show the context in
 which the RFC Series Editor operates.

Kolkman, et al. Informational [Page 5] RFC 6635 RFC Editor Model (Version 2) June 2012

                                    +-------------+
                                    |             |
                     +--------------+     IAB     <------------+
                     |              |             |            |
                     |              |=============|            |
                     |              |             |            |
                     |              |     RSOC    <------------+
                     |              |             |            |
                     |              +-------+-----+      +-----+-----+
                     |                      |            |           |
                     |          +...........|.........+  | Community |
                     |          .           |         .  |    at     |
                     |          .   +-------V-----+   .  |   Large   |
                     |          .   |             |   .  |           |
                     |          .   |     RFC     |   .  +-----+-----+
                     |          .   |    Series   |   .        |
                     |          .   |    Editor   <------------+
                     |          .   |             |   .
                     |          .   +-+---------+-+   .
                     |          .     |         |     .

+————-+ +—–V——-+ . +–V–+ +–V–+ . +—–+

. .
Independent Independent . RFC . E
Authors +–> Submission +—–> . n
Editor . P . d
. r RFC .

+————-+ +————-+ . | o | | | . | U | +————-+ +————-+ . | d | | P | . | s |

. u u . e
IAB +–> IAB +—–> c b . r
. t l . s

+————-+ +————-+ . | i +—> i +——–> | +————-+ +————-+ . | o | | s | . | & |

. n h .
IRTF +–> IRSG +—→ e . R
. C r . e

+————-+ +————-+ . | e | | | . | a | +————-+ +————-+ . | n | | | . | d |

. t . e
IETF +–> IESG +—–> e . r
. r . s

+————-+ +————-+ . +—–+ +—–+ . +—–+

                                .                     .
                                +..... RFC Editor ....+
          Structure of RFC Series Production and Process
                               Figure 1

Kolkman, et al. Informational [Page 6] RFC 6635 RFC Editor Model (Version 2) June 2012

 In this model, documents are produced and approved through multiple
 document streams.  The stream manager for each stream is responsible
 for the content of that stream.  The four streams that now exist are
 described in [RFC4844].  The RFC Editor function is responsible for
 the packaging and distribution of the documents.  As such, documents
 from these streams are edited and processed by the Production Center
 and published by the Publisher.  The RFC Series Editor will exercise
 strategic leadership and management over the activities of the RFC
 Publisher and the RFC Production Center (both of which can be seen as
 back-office functions) and will be the entity that:
 o  Represents the RFC Series and the RFC Editor Function within the
    IETF and externally.
 o  Leads the community in the design of improvements to the RFC
    Series.
 o  Is responsible for planning and seeing to the execution of
    improvements in the RFC Editor production and access processes.
 o  Is responsible for the content of the rfc-editor.org web site,
    which is operated and maintained by the RFC Publisher.
 o  Is responsible for developing consensus versions of vision and
    policy documents.  These documents will be reviewed by the RFC
    Series Oversight Committee (Section 3.1) and subject to its
    approval before final publication.
 These responsibilities are defined below, although the specific work
 items under them are a matter for the actual employment contract and
 its Statement of Work (SOW).
 The IAB and IAOC maintain their chartered responsibility as defined
 in [RFC2850] and [RFC4071].  More details on the oversight by the IAB
 via the RFC Series Oversight Committee (RSOC) can be found in
 Section 3.1.  For example, the RSE does not have the direct authority
 to hire or fire RFC Editor contractors or personnel.

2.1. RFC Series Editor

 The RFC Series Editor is the individual with overall responsibility
 for the quality, continuity, and evolution of the RFC Series.
 The RSE is appointed by the IAB, but formally hired by the IAOC.  The
 IAB delegates the direct oversight over the RSE to the RSOC, which it
 appoints.

Kolkman, et al. Informational [Page 7] RFC 6635 RFC Editor Model (Version 2) June 2012

 The RSE is expected to cooperate closely with the IAOC and the stream
 managers.

2.1.1. Strategic Leadership and Management of the Publication and

      Production Functions
 With respect to the RFC Publisher and Production Center functions,
 the RSE provides input to the IASA budget, SOWs, and manages vendor
 selection processes.  The RSE performs annual reviews of the RFC
 Production Center and Publisher function, which are then provided to
 the RSOC, the IASA, and the community.  Normally, private financial
 details would not be included in a public version unless the IAOC
 concludes it is necessary to make such information public.
 The RSE is responsible for the performance of the RFC Production
 Center and Publisher.  The RSE is responsible for issues that go
 beyond the RFC Production Center or Publisher functions, such as
 cross-stream coordination of priorities.  Issues that require changes
 to the budget or contracts shall be brought to the attention of the
 IAD by the RSE.
 The RSE is also responsible for creating documentation and structures
 that will allow for continuity of the RFC Series in the face of
 changes in contracts and personnel.
 Vendor selection for the RFC Production Center and Publisher
 functions is done in cooperation with the streams and under final
 authority of the IASA.  Details on this process can be found in
 Section 4.1.

2.1.2. Representation of the RFC Series

 The RSE is the primary representative of the RFC Series.  This
 representation is important both internally, relative to the IETF,
 and externally.

2.1.2.1. Representation to the IETF

 The RSE is the primary point of contact to the IETF on matters
 relating to the RFC Series in general, or policy matters relating to
 specific documents.  Issues of practical details in the processing of
 specific documents are generally worked through directly with the RFC
 Production Center staff.
 This includes providing suitable reports to the community at large,
 providing email contact for policy questions and inputs, and enabling
 and participating in suitable on-line forums for discussion of issues
 related to the RFC Series.

Kolkman, et al. Informational [Page 8] RFC 6635 RFC Editor Model (Version 2) June 2012

 Due to the history and nature of the interaction between the RSE and
 the IETF, certain principles, described in the following subsections,
 must be understood and adhered to by the RSE in his or her
 interactions with the community.  These apply to the representation
 function, as well as to the leadership the RSE provides for
 production and series development.

2.1.2.1.1. Volunteerism

 The vast majority of Internet technical community work is led,
 initiated, and done by community volunteers, including oversight,
 policy making, and direct production of, for example, many software
 tools.  The RSE, while not a volunteer, is dependent upon these
 volunteer participants.  Also, the spirit of the community is heavily
 focused on and draws from these volunteers.  As such, the RSE needs
 to support the vitality and effectiveness of volunteer participation.

2.1.2.1.2. Policy Authority

 All decisions are to be made in the overall interest of the broader
 Internet community.  The RSE is responsible for identifying
 materially concerned interest groups within the Internet community
 and reaching out to them.  Those interest groups include at least the
 IETF community, the IRTF community, the network research community,
 and the network operations community.  Other interest groups might
 also be materially interested.
 The RSE must consult with the community on policy issues.  The RSE
 works with the community to achieve policy that meets the overall
 quality, continuity, and evolution goals the RSE is charged with
 meeting.  As described in Section 3.1, the RSE reports the results of
 such interactions to the RSOC, including a description of the
 outreach efforts and the specific recommendations on policy.  This
 enables the RSOC to provide the oversight the IAB is required to
 apply, as well as to confirm that the Internet community has been
 properly consulted and considered in making policy.

2.1.2.2. External Representation

 From time to time, individuals or organizations external to the IETF
 need a contact person to talk to about the RFC Series.  The RSE, or
 the RSE's designate, serves this role.
 Over time, the RSE should determine what, if any, means should be
 employed to increase end-user awareness of the series, to reinforce
 the stature of the series, and to provide the contact point for
 outside parties seeking information on the series or the Editor.

Kolkman, et al. Informational [Page 9] RFC 6635 RFC Editor Model (Version 2) June 2012

2.1.3. Development of RFC Production and Publication

 Closely related to providing strategic leadership and management to
 the RFC Production Center and Publisher functions is the need to
 develop and improve those functions.  The RSE is responsible for
 ensuring that such ongoing development takes place.
 This effort must include the dimensions of document quality,
 timeliness of production, and accessibility of results.  It must also
 specifically take into account issues raised by the IETF community,
 including all the streams feeding into the RFC Editor function.

2.1.4. Development of the RFC Series

 In order to develop the RFC Series, the RSE is expected to develop a
 relationship with the Internet technical community.  The Editor is
 expected to engage with the Internet technical community in a process
 of articulating and refining a vision for the series and its
 continuous evolution.  The RSE is also expected to engage other users
 of the RFC Series, in particular, the consumers of these documents,
 such as those people who use them to specify products, write code,
 test behaviors, or other related activities.
 Concretely:
    The RSE is responsible for the coordination of discussion on
    series evolution among the series' stream participants and the
    broader Internet technical community.
    In time, the RSE is expected to develop and refine a vision for
    the RFC Series, including examining:
  • The RFC Series, as it continues to evolve. The RSE is expected

to take a broad view and look for the best ways to evolve the

       series for the benefit of the entire Internet community.  As
       such, the RSE may even consider evolution beyond the historical
       'by engineers for engineers' emphasis; and
  • Its publication-technical environment, by looking at whether it

should be slowly changing in terms of publishing and archiving

       techniques -- particularly to better serve the communities that
       produce and depend on the RFC Series.  For example, all of
       those communities have been slowly changing to include a
       significant population of multi-lingual individuals or non-
       native speakers of English.  Another example is that some of
       these constituencies also have shifted to include significant

Kolkman, et al. Informational [Page 10] RFC 6635 RFC Editor Model (Version 2) June 2012

       groups whose primary focus is on the constraints and
       consequences of network engineering, rather than a primary
       interest in the engineering issues themselves.
 For this type of responsibility, the RSE cooperates closely with the
 community, and operates under oversight of the RSOC: thus,
 ultimately, under oversight of the IAB.

2.1.5. Workload

 On average, the job is expected to take half of a full-time
 equivalent position (FTE, thus approx 20 hrs per week), with the
 workload per week nearing full time during IETF weeks.  In addition,
 the job is expected to take more than 20 hours per week in the first
 few months of the engagement and when involved in special projects.

2.1.6. Qualifications

 The RFC Series Editor is a senior technology professional.  The
 following qualifications are desired:
 1.   Strategic leadership and management experience fulfilling the
      requirements outlined in this document, the many aspects of this
      role, and the coordination of the overall RFC Editor process.
 2.   Good understanding of the English language and technical
      terminology related to the Internet.
 3.   Good communication skills.
 4.   Experience with editorial processes.
 5.   Ability to develop strong understanding of the IETF and RFC
      process.
 6.   Independent worker.
 7.   Willingness to, and availability for, travel.
 8.   The ability to work effectively in a multi-actor and matrixed
      environment with divided authority and responsibility similar to
      that described in this document.
 9.   Experience with and ability to participate in, and manage,
      activities by email and teleconferences, not just face-to-face
      interactions.

Kolkman, et al. Informational [Page 11] RFC 6635 RFC Editor Model (Version 2) June 2012

 10.  Demonstrated experience in strategic planning and the management
      of entire operations.
 11.  Experience as an RFC author.

2.1.7. Conflict of Interest

 The RSE is expected to avoid even the appearance of conflict of
 interest or judgment in performing these roles.  As such, the RSE is
 barred from having any ownership, advisory, or other relationship to
 the vendors executing the RFC Publisher or Production Center
 functions except as specified elsewhere in this document.  If
 necessary, an exception can be made after public disclosure of those
 relationships and with the explicit permission of the IAB and IAOC.

2.2. RFC Production Center

 The RFC Production Center function is performed by a paid contractor,
 and the contractor's responsibilities include the following:
 1.   Editing inputs from all RFC streams to comply with the RFC Style
      Manual, under the direction of the RSE;
 2.   Creating records of edits performed on documents;
 3.   Identifying where editorial changes might have technical impact
      and seeking necessary clarification;
 4.   Engaging in dialog with authors, document shepherds, IANA,
      and/or stream-dependent contacts when clarification is needed;
 5.   Creating records of dialog with document authors;
 6.   Requesting advice from the RFC Series Editor as needed;
 7.   Providing suggestions to the RFC Series Editor as needed;
 8.   Providing sufficient resources to support reviews of RFC
      Publisher performance by the RFC Series Editor and external
      reviews of the RFC Editor function initiated by the IAB or IAOC;
 9.   Coordinating with IANA to ensure correct documentation of IANA-
      performed protocol registry actions;
 10.  Assigning RFC numbers;

Kolkman, et al. Informational [Page 12] RFC 6635 RFC Editor Model (Version 2) June 2012

 11.  Establishing publication readiness of each document through
      communication with the authors, document shepherds, IANA, and/or
      stream-dependent contacts, and, if needed, with the RFC Series
      Editor;
 12.  Forwarding documents that are ready for publication to the RFC
      Publisher;
 13.  Forwarding records of edits and author dialog to the RFC
      Publisher so these can be preserved;
 14.  Liaising with the streams as needed.
 All these activities will be done under the general direction, but
 not day-to-day management, of the RSE and need some level of
 coordination with various submission streams and the RSE.
 The RFC Production Center contractor is to be selected through an
 IASA Request for Proposal (RFP) process as described in Section 4.1.

2.3. RFC Publisher

 The RFC Publisher responsibilities include the following:
 1.  Announcing and providing on-line access to RFCs.
 2.  Providing an on-line system to submit RFC Errata.
 3.  Providing on-line access to approved RFC Errata.
 4.  Providing backups.
 5.  Providing storage and preservation of records.
 6.  Authenticating RFCs for legal proceedings.
 All these activities will be done under the general direction, but
 not day-to-day management, of the RSE and need some level of
 coordination with various submission streams and the RSE.
 The RFC Publisher contractor is to be selected through an IASA RFP
 process as described in Section 4.1.

Kolkman, et al. Informational [Page 13] RFC 6635 RFC Editor Model (Version 2) June 2012

3. Committees

3.1. RFC Series Oversight Committee (RSOC)

 The IAB is responsible for the oversight of the RFC Series and acts
 as a body for final conflict resolution, including the process
 described in Section 4.3.
 In order to provide continuity over periods longer than the NomCom
 appointment cycle [RFC3777] and assure that oversight includes
 suitable subject matter expertise, the IAB will establish a group
 that implements oversight for the IAB, the RFC Series Oversight
 Committee (RSOC).
 The RSOC will act with authority delegated from the IAB: in general,
 it will be the RSOC that will approve consensus policy and vision
 documents as developed by the RSE in collaboration with the
 community.  While it is expected that the IAB will exercise due
 diligence in its supervision of the RSOC, the RSOC should be allowed
 the latitude to do its job without undue interference from the IAB.
 Therefore, it is expected that the IAB will accord RSOC reports and
 recommendations the benefit of the doubt.
 For all decisions that affect the RSE individually (e.g., hiring and
 firing), the RSOC prepares recommendations for the IAB, but the final
 decision is the responsibility of the IAB.  For instance the RSOC
 would do the following:
 o  perform annual reviews of the RSE and report the result of these
    reviews to the IAB.
 o  manage RSE candidate selection and advise the IAB on candidate
    appointment (in other words, select the RSE subject to IAB
    approval).
 RSOC members are expected to recognize potential conflicts of
 interest and behave accordingly.
 For the actual recruitment and selection of the RSE, the RSOC will
 propose a budget for the search process.  It will work with IASA to
 refine that budget and develop remuneration criteria and an
 employment agreement or contracting plans, as appropriate.
 The RSOC will be responsible for ensuring that the RFC Series is run
 in a transparent and accountable manner.
 The RSOC shall develop and publish its own rules of order.

Kolkman, et al. Informational [Page 14] RFC 6635 RFC Editor Model (Version 2) June 2012

 The initial RSOC was charged with designing and executing a
 solicitation, search, and selection process for the first actual (not
 transitional or "acting") RSE appointment.  That process involved
 iteration on this and related documents and evaluation of various
 strategies and options.  During the creation of this document, it was
 expected that the RSOC would describe the process it ultimately
 selected to the community.  The RSOC did involve the community in
 interim considerations when that was likely to be of value.
 Following completion of the selection process, the RSOC will
 determine the best way to share information learned and experience
 gained with the community and determine how to best preserve that
 information for future use.

3.1.1. RSOC Composition

 The RSOC will operate under the authority of the IAB, with the IAB
 retaining final responsibility.  The IAB will delegate authority and
 responsibility to the RSOC as appropriate and as RSOC and RSE
 relationships evolve.  The RSOC will include people who are not
 current IAB members.  Currently, this is aligned with the IAB program
 structure.  The IAB will designate the membership of the RSOC with
 the following goals: preserving effective stability; keeping it small
 enough to be effective, and keeping it large enough to provide
 general Internet community expertise, specific IETF expertise,
 publication expertise, and stream expertise.  Members serve at the
 pleasure of the IAB and are expected to bring a balance between
 short- and long-term perspectives.  Specific input about, and
 recommendations of, members will be sought from the streams, the
 IASA, and the RSE.
 In addition to the members from outside of the IAB appointed to the
 RSOC, IAB members may participate as full members of the RSOC.  Under
 most circumstances, there will be a specific individual IAB member
 appointed by the IAB as the program lead, who will be a full member
 of the RSOC.  This member's role is distinct from any RSOC-internal
 organizational roles, such as would be created by the RSOC choosing
 to appoint a chair from among its members.  Other IAB members may
 choose to be full members of the RSOC, with the consent of the IAB.
 This consent is primarily concerned with avoiding overpopulating the
 RSOC and providing it with relatively stable membership, which will
 work best if it is not too large a committee.
 The IAOC will appoint an individual to serve as its liaison to the
 RSOC.  The RSE and the IAOC Liaison will serve as non-voting ex
 officio members of the RSOC.  Either or both can be excluded from its
 discussions if necessary.

Kolkman, et al. Informational [Page 15] RFC 6635 RFC Editor Model (Version 2) June 2012

4. Administrative Implementation

 The exact implementation of the administrative and contractual
 activities described here are a responsibility of the IETF
 Administrative Oversight Committee (IAOC, [RFC4071]) in cooperation
 with the RFC Series Editor.  The authority structure is described in
 Figure 2 below.
                 +----------------+       +----------------+
                 |                |       |                |
                 |      IAB       |       |     IAOC       |
                 |                |       |                |
                 +==========+-----+       +-+--------------+
                 |          |               .
                 |   RSOC   |               .
                 |          |               .
                 +----+-----+               .
                      |                     .
                      |                     .
                      |   ...................
                      |   .                 .
             +--------V---V----+            .
             |                 |            .
             |       RFC       |            .
             |      Series     |            .
             |      Editor     |            .
             |                 |            .
             +--------+--------+            .
                      |                     .
                      |        .................
                      |        .               .
                      +--+----------------+    .
                         |     .          |    .
                         |     .          |    .
                     +---V-----V--+    +--V----V---+
                     |    RFC     |    |    RFC    |
                     | Production |    | Publisher |
                     |   Center   |    |           |
                     +------------+    +-----------+
                   Authority Structure of the RFC Series
                       Legend:
                       -------    IAB RFC Series Oversight
                       .......    IAOC Contract/Budget Oversight
                               Figure 2

Kolkman, et al. Informational [Page 16] RFC 6635 RFC Editor Model (Version 2) June 2012

4.1. Vendor Selection for the Production and Publisher Functions

 As stated earlier, vendor selection is done in cooperation with the
 streams and under the final authority of the IAOC.
 The RSE owns and develops the work definition (the SOW) and
 participates in the IASA vendor selection process.  The work
 definition is created within the IASA budget and takes into account
 the stream managers and community input.
 The process to select and contract for an RFC Production Center, RFC
 Publisher, and other RFC-related services, is as follows:
 o  The IAOC establishes the contract process, including the steps
    necessary to issue an RFP when necessary, the timing, and the
    contracting procedures.
 o  The IAOC establishes the Selection Committee, which will consist
    of the RSE, the IAD, and other members selected by the RSOC and
    the IAOC.  The Committee shall be chaired by the RSE.
 o  The Selection Committee selects the vendor, subject to the
    successful negotiation of a contract approved by the IAOC.  In the
    event that a contract cannot be reached, the matter shall be
    referred to the Selection Committee for further action.
 o  The Selection Committee may select an RFC Publisher either through
    the IASA RFP process or, at the Committee's option, the Committee
    may select the IETF Secretariat to provide RFC Publisher services,
    subject to negotiations in accordance with the IASA procedures.

4.2. Budget

 The expenses discussed in this document are not new expenses.  They
 have been and remain part of the IETF Administrative Support Activity
 (IASA, [RFC4071]) budget.
 The RFC Series portion of the IASA budget shall include entries for
 the RSOC, RSE, RFC Production Center, and the RFC Publisher.  The
 IASA budget shall also include entries for the streams, including the
 independent stream.
 The IAOC has the responsibility to approve the total RFC Editor
 budget (and the authority to deny it).  The RSE must work within the
 IAOC budgetary process.

Kolkman, et al. Informational [Page 17] RFC 6635 RFC Editor Model (Version 2) June 2012

 The RSE is responsible for managing the RFC Editor function to
 operate within those budgets.  If production needs change, the RSE is
 responsible for working with the Production Center, and where
 appropriate, other RFC Editor component institutions, relevant
 streams, and/or the RSOC to determine what the correct response
 should be.  If they agree that a budgetary change is needed, that
 decision needs to be taken to the IAD and the IAOC.

4.3. Disagreements among Entities Related to the RFC Editor

 The RFC Series Editor and the RFC Production Center and Publisher
 facilities work with the various streams to produce RFCs.
 Disagreements may arise between these entities during the execution
 of the RFC Editor operations.  In particular, different streams may
 disagree with each other, or disagree with the RFC Editor function.
 Potentially, even the RSOC or the IAOC could find themselves in
 disagreement with some aspect of the RFC Editor operations.  Note
 that disagreements between an author and the RFC Production Center
 are not cross-entity issues, and they are to be resolved by the RSE,
 in accordance with the rest of this document.
 If such cross-entity disagreements arise, the community would
 generally hope that they can be resolved politely and directly.
 However, this is not always possible.  At that point, any relevant
 party would first formally request a review and reconsideration of
 the decision.  If the party still disagrees after the
 reconsideration, that party may ask the RSE to decide or, especially
 if the RSE is involved, the party may ask the IAB Chair (for a
 technical or procedural matter) to mediate or appoint a mediator to
 aid in the discussions, although he or she not is obligated to do so.
 All parties should work informally and in good faith to reach a
 mutually agreeable conclusion.  As noted below, any such issues that
 involve contractual matters must be brought to the attention of the
 IAOC.  If the IAB Chair is asked to assist in resolving the matter,
 the Chair may ask for advice or seek assistance from anyone the Chair
 deems helpful.  The Chair may also alert any appropriate individuals
 or organizations to the existence of the issue.
 If such a conclusion is not possible through the above less formal
 processes, then the matter must be registered with the RFC Series
 Oversight Committee.  The RSOC may choose to offer advice to the RSE
 or more general advice to the parties involved and may ask the RSE to
 defer a decision until it formulates its advice.  However, if a
 timely decision cannot be reached through discussion, mediation, and
 mutual agreement, the RSE is expected to make whatever decisions are
 needed to ensure the smooth operation of the RFC Editor function;
 those decisions are final.

Kolkman, et al. Informational [Page 18] RFC 6635 RFC Editor Model (Version 2) June 2012

 The RSE may make final decisions unilaterally only to assure the
 functioning of the process, and only while there is an evaluation of
 current policies to determine whether they are appropriately
 implemented in the decision or need adjustment.  In particular, it
 should be noted that final decisions about the technical content of
 individual documents are the exclusive responsibility of the stream
 approvers from which those documents originate, as shown in the
 illustration in Figure 1.
 If informal agreements cannot be reached, then formal RSOC review and
 decision making may be required.  If so, the RSE must present the
 issues involved to the community so that the community is aware of
 the situation.  The RSE will then report the issue to the RSOC for
 formal resolution by the RSOC with confirmation by the IAB in its
 oversight capacity.
 IAB and community discussion of any patterns of disputes are expected
 to inform future changes to RFC Series policies, including possible
 updates to this document.

4.4. Issues with Contractual Impact

 If a disagreement or decision has immediate or future contractual
 consequences, it falls under BCP 101 [RFC4071] and IASA; thus, the
 RSE must identify the issue and provide his or her advice to the
 IAOC; additionally, if the RSOC has provided advice, forward that
 advice as well.  The IAOC must notify the RSOC and IAB regarding the
 action it concludes is required to resolve the issue based on its
 applicable procedures and provisions in the relevant contracts.

5. IANA Considerations

 This document defines several functions within the overall RFC Editor
 structure, and it places the responsibility for coordination of
 registry value assignments with the RFC Production Center.  The IAOC
 will facilitate the establishment of the relationship between the RFC
 Production Center and IANA.
 This document does not create a new registry nor does it register any
 values in existing registries, and no IANA action is required.

6. Security Considerations

 The same security considerations as those in [RFC4844] apply.  The
 processes for the publication of documents must prevent the
 introduction of unapproved changes.  Since the RFC Editor maintains
 the index of publications, sufficient security must be in place to
 prevent these published documents from being changed by external

Kolkman, et al. Informational [Page 19] RFC 6635 RFC Editor Model (Version 2) June 2012

 parties.  The archive of RFC documents, any source documents needed
 to recreate the RFC documents, and any associated original documents
 (such as lists of errata, tools, and, for some early items, originals
 that are not machine readable) need to be secured against any kind of
 data storage failure.
 The IAOC should take these security considerations into account
 during the implementation and enforcement of the RFC Editor component
 contracts.

7. Acknowledgments

 The RFC Editor model was conceived and discussed in hallways and on
 mailing lists.  The first iteration of the text on which this
 document is based was first written by Leslie Daigle, Russ Housley,
 and Ray Pelletier.  In addition to the members of the IAOC and IAB in
 conjunction with those roles, major and minor contributions were made
 by (in alphabetical order): Bob Braden, Brian Carpenter, Sandy
 Ginoza, Alice Russo, Joel M. Halpern, Alfred Hoenes, Paul Hoffman,
 John Klensin, Subramanian Moonesamy, and Jim Schaad.
 The IAOC members at the time this RFC Editor model was approved were
 (in alphabetical order): Bernard Aboba (ex officio), Eric Burger,
 Dave Crocker, Marshall Eubanks, Bob Hinden, Russ Housley (ex
 officio), Ole Jacobsen, Ray Pelletier (non-voting), and Lynn St.
 Amour (ex officio).
 The IAB members at the time the initial RFC Editor model was approved
 were (in alphabetical order): Loa Andersson, Gonzalo Camarillo,
 Stuart Cheshire, Russ Housley, Olaf Kolkman, Gregory Lebovitz, Barry
 Leiba, Kurtis Lindqvist, Andrew Malis, Danny McPherson, David Oran,
 Dave Thaler, and Lixia Zhang.  In addition, the IAB included two ex
 officio members: Dow Street, who was serving as the IAB Executive
 Director, and Aaron Falk, who was serving as the IRTF Chair.
 The IAB members at the time the this RFC was approved were (in
 alphabetical order): Bernard Aboba, Ross Callon, Alissa Cooper,
 Spencer Dawkins, Joel Halpern, Russ Housley, David Kessens, Olaf
 Kolkman, Danny McPherson, Jon Peterson, Andrei Robachevsky, Dave
 Thaler, and Hannes Tschofenig.  In addition, at the time of approval,
 the IAB included two ex officio members: Mary Barnes who was serving
 as the IAB Executive Director, and Lars Eggert, who was serving as
 the IRTF Chair.

Kolkman, et al. Informational [Page 20] RFC 6635 RFC Editor Model (Version 2) June 2012

8. References

8.1. Normative References

 [RFC4844]  Daigle, L. and Internet Architecture Board, "The RFC
            Series and RFC Editor", RFC 4844, July 2007.
 [RFC4071]  Austein, R. and B. Wijnen, "Structure of the IETF
            Administrative Support Activity (IASA)", BCP 101,
            RFC 4071, April 2005.
 [RFC2850]  Internet Architecture Board and B. Carpenter, "Charter of
            the Internet Architecture Board (IAB)", BCP 39, RFC 2850,
            May 2000.

8.2. Informative References

 [RFC5620]  Kolkman, O. and IAB, "RFC Editor Model (Version 1)",
            RFC 5620, August 2009.
 [RFC3777]  Galvin, J., "IAB and IESG Selection, Confirmation, and
            Recall Process: Operation of the Nominating and Recall
            Committees", BCP 10, RFC 3777, June 2004.

Authors' Addresses

 Olaf M. Kolkman (editor)
 EMail: olaf@nlnetlabs.nl
 Joel M. Halpern (editor)
 Ericsson
 EMail: joel.halpern@ericsson.com
 Internet Architecture Board
 EMail: iab@iab.org

Kolkman, et al. Informational [Page 21]

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