Program Update: Interagency Ocean Observation Committee – September 2011
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During their October 20, 2011 meeting, the Interagency Ocean Observation Committee (IOOC) will review the recommendations from the Data Partners Criteria Working Group and Regional Information Coordination Entities (RICE) Working Group. The IOOC chartered the two working groups to meet provision 12304 (c)(2)(E) of the Integrated Coastal Ocean Observation System Act of 2009 to “develop contract certification standards and compliance procedures for all non-Federal assets.” After a full review by the committee, the draft certification standards will undergo a 60-day review period on the Federal Register.
The independent cost estimate is currently in review process. The IOOC and Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) Program Office transmitted initial documentation to the contractor, including the statement of work, a work breakdown structure, ground rules and assumptions, and a cost analysis requirements document. The IOOS Program Office will also develop a federal cost estimate. The two cost estimates will go through a process of reconciliation.
The IOOS Program Office and IOOC hosted two well-attended town halls at the MTS/IEEE Oceans ’11 meeting September 19-22, 2011 in Kona, Hawaii. The first was entitled “Partnerships to Integrate Ocean Observations to Address Customer Needs,” and focused on how to successfully build partnerships across organizations regionally. The second was entitled “Emerging Ocean Observing Technologies Forum,” and examined how to improve marine technology development in both generating new ideas and building systems.
IOOC members are engaged with National Ocean Policy implementation, including the development of the Strategic Action Plan #9: “Ocean, Coastal, and Great Lakes Observations, Mapping, and Infrastructure.” The draft action plan was submitted to the National Ocean Council, and Interagency Policy Committees are currently conducting the policy and budget review.
Upcoming events
- The next full committee meeting will be held on Thursday, October 20, 2011 from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. at the Consortium for Ocean Leadership.
- Planning is underway for the next IOOC stakeholder workshop scheduled for February 2, 2012. The workshop will explore how access to data and integrated data products from the coastal marine environment can deliver economic and environmental benefits. An organizing team is meeting every two weeks to address content and logistics. The event will focus on ocean observing in the Pacific Northwest region. Microsoft Research will be hosting the event at their technology campus in Redmond, Washington.
Additional information and updates can be found on the committee’s website at www.iooc.us.
