Which body was delegated the responsibility of creating guidelines to assist federal agencies comply with mandates?

The correct answer highlights the role of NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) and NSA (National Security Agency) in developing guidelines that help federal agencies meet legal and regulatory requirements. NIST is specifically tasked with establishing standards and guidelines for information security and technology, which includes federal compliance. The agency works on creating frameworks like the Risk Management Framework and the Cybersecurity Framework that provide structured approaches for agencies to enhance their security postures. Additionally, the NSA plays a critical role in the realm of national security-related information assurance, providing expertise and resources that can assist agencies in aligning with compliance mandates related to cybersecurity.

In the context of the other choices, while OMB (Office of Management and Budget) and DHS (Department of Homeland Security) have significant responsibilities regarding federal operations, their collaboration does not focus specifically on creating technical guidelines for compliance in the same way that NIST and NSA do. The FBI's mission is primarily centered on law enforcement and counterterrorism rather than creating compliance guidelines, making its combination with the NSA less relevant for this particular responsibility.