FIPS

from The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008)

Federal Information Processing Standards
FIPS

   <standard> (FIPS) United States Government technical
   {standards} published by the {National Institute of Standards
   and Technology} (NIST).  NIST develops FIPS when there are
   compelling Federal government requirements such as for
   security and {interoperability} but no acceptable industry
   standards or solutions.

   Computer-related products bought by the US Government must
   conform to FIPS.

   (2003-06-04)

from V.E.R.A. -- Virtual Entity of Relevant Acronyms (June 2006)

FIPS
       Federal Information Processing Standard (NIST, USA)