Talking to OMB and OSTP

Since the physics community relies strongly on public funding for much of its forefront research, learning how to communicate effectively with a variety of science policy offices in Washington is essential. That communication often takes the form of personal visits or the writing of reports. Because the Office of Management {\&} Budget and the Office of Science {\&} Technology Policy have a joint role in assessing investments in basic physical sciences research, they are important audiences for the physics community. As a former OMB examiner and current OSTP policy analyst, I will explain how you can use the OMB/OSTP R{\&}D Investment Criteria to communicate more effectively with these offices about the federal research programs you care about. I will also analyze recent policy documents, such as \textit{Physics of the Universe}, \textit{Quantum Universe}, the HEPAP Long-Range Plan and the FESAC \textit{Priorities {\&} Balance }report, for their success as vehicles for communicating with important players in the science policy arena.