Program Update: Interagency Ocean Observation Committee – April 2012
The Interagency Ocean Observation Committee (IOOC) is bringing together community leaders in ocean observing, research, policy, management and decision-making to develop a coordinated ocean observing strategy for the next decade. The upcoming Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) Summit on November 13-16, 2012 at the Hyatt Dulles strives to achieve better integration of regional, national and global ocean observing efforts. Individuals can participate in the strategy coordination through submitting white papers, participating on thematic writing teams, participating at the IOOS Summit and implementing summit outcomes. The IOOS Summit is the exclamation point on the work preceding the event and will convene 200 representatives as a diverse cross-section of the expansive ocean observing community. For more information and to submit an expression of interest, please click here.
The public review period on the proposed draft IOOS certification standards ended on January 6, 2012. The National Science Foundation will publish the final certification in the Federal Register. The IOOC was directed by section 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.” The certification criteria is a culmination from two working groups focused on governance/management and data partnership components of regional entities associated with IOOS. The next step in the process is for the committee to adjudicate all comments received and publish the final certification criteria.
The Independent Cost Estimate (ICE) is being executed by the NASA Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL). JPL is working with the IOOS Program Office to ensure the project is on track.
The next full committee meeting will be held on Thursday, June 21, 2012 from 2:00 -4:00 p.m. at the Consortium for Ocean Leadership.
More information about the IOOC can be accessed on the IOOC website, which contains updated information regarding commenting opportunities on committee activities, upcoming and past events, as well as relevant scientific, technical and policy publications. If you have any questions, please visit the committee’s website or send an email to iooc@oceanleadership.org.
