# Presentation: 649794

## All-HandsMiami

- Scott Rayder Chief of Staff  National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- February 17, 2006

## Menu Slide

- NOAA’s Vision and Mission
- Leadership Changes
- Corporate NOAA
- Employee Information
- Updates
- NOAA Budget

- Current Events
- Hurricane Response
- NOAA in the Media
- GEOSS
- Ocean Action Plan
- Challenges / Opportunities
- “One NOAA”

- NOAA Town Hall—Miami

**Notes:**
This is the context we are working in, and some of the challenges and opportunities that we face.

## NOAA’s Vision

- An informed society that uses a comprehensive understanding of the role of the oceans, coasts and atmosphere in the global ecosystem to make the best social and economic decisions

- NOAA Town Hall—Miami

## NOAA’sMission & Goals

- To understand and predict changes in the Earth’s environment and to conserve and manage coastal and marine resources to meet the Nation’s economic, social and environmental needs
- Mission Goals:
- Protect, restore, and manage the use of coastal and ocean resources through an ecosystem approach to management
- Understand climate variability and change to enhance society’s ability to plan and respond
- Serve society’s needs for weather and water information
- Support the Nation’s commerce with information for safe, efficient, and environmentally sound transportation
- Provide critical support for NOAA’s mission

- NOAA Town Hall—Miami

## NOAA Leadership Changes

- Organizational chart available at
- www.pco.noaa.gov

- Corporate Functions
- Education—Louisa Koch
- Legislative Affairs—Eric Webster
- Military Affairs—CAPT (sel) R. Scott Steadley, USN
- Decision Coordination Office & Program Coordination Office—Tim McClung
- Operating Branches
- OAR—Dr. Rick Spinrad
- NOS—Jack Dunnigan
- Program Goal Leads
- Ecosystem—Steve Murawski (NMFS) (A)
- Weather & Water—George Smith (NWS)
- Commerce & Transportation—CAPT Steven Barnum (NMAO) (A)
- Mission Support
- Satellite Services—Gary Davis (NESDIS) (A)

- NOAA Town Hall—Miami

**Notes:**
Since the VADM last spoke to you we have had several changes to the NOAA Leadership.  Particularly, Dr. Rick Spinrad is now the AA for Oceanic and Atmospheric Research and just last month Jack Dunnigan became AA of the National Ocean Service (start date was January 22).

Louisa Koch now heads up the newly named Office of Education

## Corporate NOAA

- NOAA Town Hall—Miami

**Notes:**
Review NOAA structure and how it is working

This diagram is meant to show the integration of our corporate NOAA structure, not shown on the previous diagram.  Line offices, goal leads, and councils all have to work together for us to complete our mission.

## Corporate NOAA

- NOAA Town Hall—Miami

## Employee Information

- Workforce Management
- QuickHire – continuing to makeimprovements.
- Contract expires Sept. 2006 – We are working with Department of Commerce tocreate the best Statement ofWork to improve current systemor purchase better system.

- QuickHire Login Screen

- https://jobs1.quickhire.com/scripts/doc.exe

- NOAA Town Hall—Miami

**Notes:**
In November, 2004, NOAA migrated to QuickHire, a new automated job posting and application system to replace the Commerce Opportunities On-Line (COOL) system. 
Most applicants will find using QuickHire easy and intuitive. You may already have used QuickHire if you applied for vacancies at a number of other agencies including NIST, ITA, PTO, and Office of the Secretary, or here since November. QuickHire is already used by many other Federal agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services, and the U.S. Geological Survey.

NOTE: Our Workforce Management Office continues to work with DOC to drive still much needed functionality into the system.  While the system could still improve, we are working hard to best utilize the system.  Despite significant system problems with QuickHire, which resulted in a 50% historical decline in positions normally advertised during the first half of the year fiscal year, we made 700 out of 911 job offers (77%) within 99 calendar days, which is on target with our corporate performance measure.

Background on QuickHire: All DOC bureaus are using Quick hire;  WFMO and DOC are currently working together to either improve the current system or purchase another system. 

## Employee InformationPay Banding Demonstration Project

- NOAA working with Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to expand participation under the guidelines used by the DOC Pay Banding Demonstration project
- In order to make this demo project permanent, NOAA is seeking OPM’s approval to change from a demo project to an Alternate Personnel System
- OPM has the next action
- NOAA Workforce Management Staff meeting with OPM on January 26, 2006.
- Pending positive meeting with OPM, NOAA’s Workforce Management Office will conduct the necessary management and employee briefings, including negotiating terms with our bargaining units

- NOAA Town Hall—Miami

**Notes:**
Background: The FY05 Senate report language authorized an increase of participants in the demo project to over 6000 employees.  Unfortunately, the law caps Pay Banding Demonstration Projects at 5000 employees, putting the law at odds with the Senate report.

In order to make this demo project permanent, NOAA is seeking OPM’s approval to change from a demo project to an Alternate Personnel System.

DOC has been briefed on the pay banding project. WFMO and OPM are working closely together to clarify the language  

## Employee Information5-Level Performance Management System

- Covered Employees: GS, Wage System, Wage Marines
- Linking individual performance with NOAA goals
- Performance Awards linked to achievement of NOAA goals
- Rollout:
- 11/05 – 03/06:  union briefings, negotiations
- 04/06 – 08/06:  employee, managers training
- 09/30/06:  closeout of two-level system; five-level effective 10/01/06

- NOAA Town Hall—Miami

**Notes:**
Covered Employees: GS, Wage System, Wage Marine:
On 10/13/05, all DOC bureaus except for NOAA, Census, and the Office of Inspector General transferred their non-Demonstration Project employees to the new, five-level system
NOAA is using FY06 to complete labor relations obligations and provide training regarding the five-level system
All former two-level (pass/fail) employees will be covered by the new, five-level performance management system
These employees include General Schedule and Federal Wage System employees as well as Wage Marines

Linking individual performance with NOAA goals:
DOC had several goals in mind when spearheading this performance management change effort:
OPM has concluded that the two-level system does not provide for adequate distinctions in performance—the five-level system will provide these distinctions
DOC felt it could more effectively mete out performance management policy by consolidating its systems into the Demo Project and the five-level system instead of having varied performance management throughout the bureaus
Linking individual performance to organizational goals—That is, demonstrating to each employee how his or her everyday activities affect NOAA’s strategic goals
Part of President’s Management Agenda initiative in the strategic management of human capital—achieving a results-oriented NOAA

Performance awards linked to achievement of NOAA goals:
Performance Awards will be reinstated under the new, five-level system
Other awards—Special Acts, Cash-in-Your-Account awards, and Time-Off awards--will still be available throughout the year to recognize accomplishments as they occur
Performance Awards will be distributed within the months after the end of the appraisal cycle (September 30th)
Performance Awards are determined by measuring the degree to which an employee has forwarded organizational goals—the highest performers should receive the largest performance awards

Rollout:
“-11/05 – 03/06:  union briefings, negotiations”
In late October, the unions were notified of the new, five-level system and were given copies of the DAO and the Performance Management Handbook, both of which govern the new system
Since then, the Workforce Management Office has been working with union management officials and moving labor negotiations forward

“-04/06 – 08/06:  employee, managers training”
Once union negotiations are complete, the Workforce Management Office will rollout training to employees and managers, with more specific training directed at supervisors

“-09/30/06:  closeout of two-level system; five-level effective 10/01/06”
By the end of October 2006,—30 days after the end of the current appraisal cycle-- all two-level plans (unless labor relations obligations have not been completed) will be finalized and closed out
By the end of November 2006, all covered employees will have five-level performance plans in place

## Employee Information NOAA Aviation Safety

- November 29, 2004: Safety Stand-Down
- July 1, 2005, Aviation Safety Policy, Executive Council approved
- Full implementation required by October 1, 2006
- Establishes a corporate NOAA Aviation Safety Board & Aviation Safety Program
- Brings NOAA into compliance with 41 Code of Federal Regulation 102-33 Management of Government Aircraft
- Provides for Aviation Safety Management
- Interim Directive continuing “safety stand-down”

- NOAA Town Hall—Miami

**Notes:**
Policy Highlights
  Establishes a corporate NOAA: 
         Aviation Safety Board
         Aviation Safety Program
  Ensures NOAA aviation safety standards are incorporated in procurement documents and written agreements for aviation services – CONTRACTED AIRCRAFT
Requires all NOAA pilots to meet the same certification, currency, and training standards to fly missions on behalf of NOAA

Program Highlights
Full-time aviation safety staff
Provides aviation safety tools and training
Maintains agreements with aviation safety training providers (commercial and govt) for NOAA
Centrally acquires, maintains and distributes Aviation Life Support Equipment
Maintains NOAA Aircraft Operator Database (NAOD)
Evaluates aircraft operators (listed on NAOD)
Maintains NOAA Aviation Medical Screening Database
Assists NOAA contracting officials with safety aspects of aviation services procurement
Hosts annual aviation safety conference

Aviation Safety Policy and Program

The Aviation Safety Policy has been prepared in the form of a new NOAA Administrative Order (209-124) and is being routed for final clearance and signature by VADM Lautenbacher.  The Policy clearance coversheet states, "This Order is being issued prior to NOAA’s ability to fully comply with all dictates of the Order.  Because certain components of the policy have yet to be developed, this Order will be implemented incrementally, with an estimated date of 1 October 2006 for full implementation.  Any implementation of the provisions of this policy within organizations represented by a labor union will be consistent with existing collective bargaining agreements and the Federal Labor-Management Relations Statute."NMAO is in the process of hiring staff to support the Aviation Safety Program and is developing the components of the Program. 

The Aviation Life Support Equipment (ALSE) Program has identified Line Office ALSE requirements and upon transfer of funds to NMAO, the Program will begin purchasing and distributing ALSE to the field.

The Aviation Safety Board had their first meeting on January 10.

## NOAA Combined Federal Campaign

| Donations as of 1/30/06 |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| NOAA Contribution |  | $698,289 |
| 2005 Goal |  | $651,115 |
| % of Goal |  | 107% |

- $651,115

- NOAA Town Hall—Miami

**Notes:**
I would like to congratulate everyone who donated to the Combined Federal Campaign.  I am happy to report that NOAA has again exceeded its goal!

## Updates

## Miami Updates and Information

- 2005 Atlantic Hurricane Season
- VADM’s Weekly Emails
- Office of Communications:** **Provide effective communications both within and outside of NOAA
- Required notification to Hill is at OMB
- Chief Administrative Office working necessary steps to make Communications Office a reality

- Hurricane Katrina

- NOAA Town Hall—Miami

**Notes:**
This area suffered damage from a number of storms this year including both Katrina and Wilma – There was some facilities damage and folks also suffered damage to homes but continue working. 
Acknowledge the Miami Herald Series and the recent Miami Herald Article, “Latest Forecast: 1,000 jobs cut”
See VERA Talking Points

Admiral Lautenbacher’s Weekly Emails:
The VADM’s weekly all-staff e-mails go out every Friday, and your items may be good ones to include. Check with your supervisors first, and then send to your PCO representative. I encourage each of you to think like a reporter -- look around and consider the "news" within your own offices and departments and, where there is information that you believe will interest many NOAA staff, please be sure to share it!  
Office of Communications:
This is an area in which I am pleased with the progress we are making in developing a Corporate NOAA.  We are moving on ideas you generated at last December’s meeting in developing communications strategy for a Corporate NOAA.
We’ve been moving forward on the Communications Office you wanted – the paperwork is done and was sent to OMB Nov. 28.  Bill Broglie’s office is continuing with the necessary steps so we can make this a reality as soon as we notify the Hill.

## NOAA Budget

## NOAA Budget

- NOAA Budget

- ($ in Billions)

- NOAA Town Hall—Miami

**Notes:**
There is more interest in controlling the deficit – showing change in the thought process by the deficit hawks
FY07 The President has requested $3.684 billion for NOAA – the same as last year
FY06 Enacted  $3.9 billion for NOAA:  $364.8 million above the request. 
          Good – Matches record number for NOAA
          Bad – lots of earmarks which could have impact on the mission (To be Determined)

Hurricane recovery activities for Hurricane Katrina, Rita, and Wilma are putting enormous burden on the Treasury; and continuing war debts and war on terrorism
There is a need to justify budgets; No guarantee agencies will even get inflation costs.

FY06:  NASA/NSF: $22.1 billion
$16.5 billion for National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA): $260.3 million above the FY05 level and $1 million above the request. 
$5.65 billion for National Science Foundation: $180.5 million above the FY05 level and $48 million above the request. 
FY06:  Commerce and Related Agencies: $6.6 billion (NOAA see above)
$44.8 million for the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR):  $3.8 million above the FY05 level and $6 million above the request. 
$406.9 million for the International Trade Administration (ITA): $10.7 million above the FY05 level and $3 million above the request. 
$284.1 million for the Economic Development Administration (EDA): equal to the FY05 level and $257.4 million above the request; Does not include the Strengthening America’s Communities Initiative. 
$812.2 million for the Bureau of the Census: $67.4 million above the FY05 request 
$40.1 million for National Telecommunication and Information Administration (NTIA):  $1.4 million above the FY05 level and $16.6 million above the request. 
$22 million for public telecommunications facilities, planning, and construction
$1.7 billion for the Patent and Trademark Office (PTO): $158.5 million above the FY05 level and equal to the revised request. 
$761.8 million for the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST): $62.5 million above the FY05 level and $229.8 million above the request. $106 million for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP); $80 million for the Advanced Technology Program (ATP). 

## NOAA FY06BudgetTop 20 Impacts

- NOAA FY06BudgetTop 20 Impacts

|  | Activity ($ in millions)  | LO | ‘06 PB | ‘06 Conf | Delta | Comments  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Absorbing Pay Raise of 3.1% | NOAA |  |  | ($8.0) | Absorbing 3.1% Pay Raise amounts to $10M cut. |
| 2 | Across the Board Rescissions  | NOAA |  | ($36.0) | ($36.0) | $11M across the board cut and $25M carry over cuts. |
| 3 | Base Operations & Systems O&M  | NWS | $745.3 | $730.2 | ($15.1) | Cut Systems O&M, Wx Research, AHPS, & Air Quality Forecasts and did not correct labor issue. |
| 4 | DOC Working Capital Fund | PS | $40.7 | $34.0 | ($6.7) | Cut could increase direct bills for Line Offices.  |
| 5 | NOAA Facilities Maintenance | PS | $22.0 | $11.0 | ($11.0) | Delays backlog of repair actions. Boulder rent issue. |
| 6 | Space Environment Center | NWS | $7.2 | $4.0 | ($3.2) | Reprogramming needed to avoid staffing cuts. |
| 7 | NOAA Corps Salaries | OMAO | $4.3 | $0.0 | ($4.3) | Payment from Line Offices not funded. |
| 8 | Data Centers | NESDIS | $33.6 | $25.1 | ($8.4) | Reprogramming needed to avoid staffing cuts. |
| 9 | Rent Payments | OAR | $1.5 | $0.0 | ($1.5)  | Rent for Norman was not funded. |
| 10 | FSV 2 Completion  | OMAO | $5.8 | $5.8 | $0.0 | Funds equitable adjustment not vessel completion. |

- NOAA Town Hall—Miami

**Notes:**
NOAA’s Top 20 programs that were affected in the FY06 Budget.  

NOTE: The numbers you reflect the conference mark since the final budget, which includes rescissions, is still not set

## NOAA FY06BudgetTop 20 Impacts (contd.)

- NOAA FY06BudgetTop 20 Impacts (contd.)

|  | Activity ($ in millions)  | LO | ‘06 PB | ‘06 Conf | Delta | Comments  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 11 | Galveston Lab | NMFS | $2.0 | $0.0 | ($2.0) | Delays completion of 3 year repair effort. |
| 12 | HPCC Computing | OAR | $12.9 | $6.4 | ($6.5) | Impacts research computing and NOAA comms capacity. |
| 13 | Climate Observations | OAR | $69.2 | $39.9 | ($29.3) | Delays GEOSS and impacts critical climate research. |
| 14 | NURP Centers | OAR | $10.5 | $4.2 | ($6.3) | Could force closure of 3 East Coast Centers. |
| 15 | Response & Restoration | NOS | $16.4 | $10.0  | ($6.4) | Defers creation of 7th NRT.  |
| 16 | National Sea Grant Program  | OAR | $61.2 | $55.3 | ($5.9) | Impacts critical ocean research activities. |
| 17 | Protected Resources | NMFS | $30.9 | $26.0 | ($4.9) | Impacts ESA Section 7 Consultations.  |
| 18 | Pacific Salmon Fund | NMFS | $90.0 | $67.2 | ($22.8) | Alaska fully funded in mark, impacts other States. |
| 19 | GOES Satellites  | NESDIS | $240.5 | $221.7 | ($19.1) | Defers HES Instrument from 2012 to 2014.  |
| 20 | Ocean Exploration  | OAR | $22.7 | $13.8 | ($8.9) | Impacts OE vessel completion & research cruises. |

- NOAA Town Hall—Miami

## NOAA FY06 Budget Successes

- NPOESS request funded 100% and increased funding for Operations Research and Facilities by $24.6M over request
- Marine Operations and Services funded at $111.3M and increase of $11.5M over request including full year days at sea for HI’IALAKAI and OSCAR DYSON
- Fully funds Tsunami Warning Network and includes earmarks for enhancing the program
- $54.6M Emergency Supplemental Funds for Katrina and future hurricane related costs
- Procurement Acquisition and Construction request fully funded including Supercomputing, NEXRAD, ASOS, AWIPS, WFO Construction
- Includes $27M to construct joint NOAA/NASA facilities for the National Data Buoy Center

- NOAA Town Hall—Miami

## One NOAA vs. Budget Year 2007

- In FY06....

- NSF: $5.6B

- NASA: $16.5B

- NOAA: $3.9B

- NASA vs. NWS
- NASA vs. OAR
- NASA vs. NOS
- NASA vs. NMFS
- NASA vs. NESDIS

- NSF vs. NWS
- NSF vs. OAR
- NSF vs. NOS
- NSF vs. NMFS
- NSF vs. NESDIS

- NOAA Town Hall—Miami

**Notes:**
If we are going to compete against NASA and NSF we need to come to together as a collective organization-we cannot do this as a set of independent programs!
Our fractured approach has led to incoherence and losses spread inconsistently through NOAA

FY07 President’s Budget Requests:
	NASA:  $16.79 B 
	NSF:     $6.02 B
	NOAA:  $3.684 B

## Current Events

## Hurricane Response

- One NOAA response
- Forecasts
- Wetland assessment (satellites)
- Citation flights – digital imagery
- NRTs – NOAA Ships
- Oil spill response
- Environmental assessment cruises

- NOAA Town Hall—Miami

**Notes:**
The Gulf of Mexico ecosystem has many components with which NOAA is involved.  All of these components, including the fisheries, wetlands and coasts were severely impacted as were the ports and communities from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.  

NOAA’s National Weather Service did an excellent job predicting the path of both Hurricanes and the strength at landfall.  NWS weather forecast offices in the area were severely impacted, yet the NWS continued to supply accurate forecasts for the recovery area subsequent to the storm.
NOAA’s Satellite and Information Service provided satellite imagery to help assess the impact of the storms on wetlands, including NOAA funded restoration projects.  Additionally, imagery assisted forecasts and other assessments.

NOAA’s Navigation Response Teams convened from all over the country to survey the ports to ensure safety for passage allowing the Coast Guard to open the ports quite after the storms passed.  NOAA Ships THOMAS JEFFERSON and NANCY FOSTER were diverted to assist in the opening of Gulf ports.  Our ships and NRTs worked in extraordinary conditions to reopen one of the most economically important port areas of the country.

NOAA’s Office of Response and Restoration is still on the ground evaluating the impacts and status of the numerous oil spills in the area.  The Scientific Support Team has been diligently working as part of the interagency response to cleaning up these oil spills.

NOAA’s Aircraft fleet supported damage assessment flights, VIP over flights and digital imagery collection.  In fact, our digital imagery was linked to the Google website and allowed displaced families to assess the status of their homes prior to returning to the area.  This, of course, was not possible for everyone, but some were assisted by the large collection of images.

NOAA has conducted three sets of environmental assessment cruises and will continue these efforts until at least the end of the year.  Preliminary results show no elevated contaminant levels in white shrimp and no elevated hydrocarbon or E. coli levels in fish and crab samples. 

And finally, I want to recognize everyone in NOAA, including our offices in the Norfolk area, for the support given to the NOAA facilities and personnel in the Gulf region.  For example, I know that the Marine Operations Center – Atlantic supported the NOAA Ships GORDON GUNTER and OREGON II during and after the passage of the storm.

## NOAA in the Media

- Robert Ricks

- Max Mayfield

- NOAA Town Hall—Miami

**Notes:**
NOAA has received a great deal of positive press coverage over the last few months, particularly for our role in hurricane forecasting and reconstruction.

Dateline NBC highlighted Robert Ricks, a meteorologist from the Weather Forecast Office in Slidell, La.  The night before landfall he issued the urgent warning about the power of Katrina and the aftermath to come.   His warning has been widely quoted and noted, among other things, that “

Max Mayfield, Director of NOAA’s National Hurricane Center was named “Person of the Week” by ABC News (September 23, 2005) for his role in hurricane prediction and preparedness. 

There has also been some confusion in the press regarding our research budgets.  Some of you may have seen the Miami Herald Hurricane Series.  This investigative series discussed a number of issues related to hurricane research, reconnaissance and prediction.  The articles compared the Hurricane Research Division’s budget to that of NSSL – we’ve been working to correct any misperceptions that may have resulted from these articles through interviews and op eds and letters to the editors.  

The StormReady concept originated in Tulsa in the late 1990s and has spread around the country – there are currently 50 states that are StormReady and already in 2006, 64 more sites have been named StormReady.  This is a great accomplishment for NOAA, helping us to achieve our goal of protecting lives and property.  

## 2006 NOAA Heritage Week

- Treasures of NOAA’s Ark— Pioneers: People and Technology
- Exhibit open March 4 – Sept. 4, 2006 at
- Nauticus in Norfolk, VA
- Ideas for 2007 NOAA Heritage Week:  _[Cheryl.Oliver@noaa.gov](mailto:Cheryl.Oliver@noaa.gov)_

- For more information: _www.preserveamerica.noaa.gov_

- NOAA Town Hall—Miami

**Notes:**
Artifacts representing nearly 200 years of science, service and stewardship by the NOAA and its ancestor agencies were on public display at the agency’s headquarters in Silver Spring, Md., February 6-11, 2006 during the second annual NOAA Heritage Week.  Over 1,800 people visited the exhibit.  

The “Treasures of NOAA’s Ark-Pioneers: People and Technology” exhibit highlights groundbreaking technologies developed by NOAA and its predecessors that have helped save lives, promote commerce, and expand our knowledge of the Earth.

This year was also the first year of our pilot program to include visits from local school groups. NOAA's Office of Education coordinated the visits and two Einstein Fellows developed activities about weather mapping and coastal mapping.  This was a key addition to this year's NOAA Heritage Week and promoted the First Lady's education agenda AND Preserve America objectives. 

This event shows that the history of NOAA and the nation are truly intertwined. 

If you have ideas for the 2007 NOAA Heritage Week or have questions about how your office can become involved, please contact Cheryl Oliver. 

## NOAA Education 

- NOAA’s Environmental Literacy Grants (new in 2005)
- Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship Program (new in 2005)
- 110 students coming this summer!
- 2006 applications due out this spring!
- Interagency Ocean Education Coordination (new in 2006)
- Expand NOAA’s Authority for Education
- NOAA Organic Act – build on education authorization in the 2006 appropriations bill

- NOAA Town Hall—Miami

**Notes:**
The NOAA Office of Education (OEd) is issuing a request for applications for environmental literacy projects. Funded projects will be between one and five years in duration and will (1) further the use and incorporation of the Ocean Literacy Essential Principles and Fundamental Concepts in formal and informal education and/or measure ocean literacy among the public; or (2) strengthen the capacity develop a workforce knowledgeable about weather and climate. All projects shall employ the strategies articulated in the NOAA Education Plan and involve NOAA entities as partners. It is anticipated that final recommendations for funding under this announcement will be made by June 30, 2006, and that projects funded under this announcement will have a start date no earlier than September 1, 2006. 

Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship Program in honor of the former Senator Ernest F. Hollings (D, SC).  
The scholarship program will provide approximately 100 awards of up to $28,425 to college juniors and seniors pursuing undergraduate degrees related to oceanic and atmospheric science, research, technology, and education.
Reflective of the broad academic disciplines that support NOAA’s mission, this scholarship hopes to draw the interest of students from the natural and physical sciences, mathematics, engineering, computer science, social and behavioral sciences, and teacher education.
The scholarship will provide two years of academic assistance, a paid full-time summer internship at a NOAA or NOAA partner facility, and attendance at a Hollings Scholars Conference at the conclusion of the internship.   
The internship is intended to provide scholars with “hands-on” multidisciplinary training opportunities in NOAA related science, research, technology, policy, management, and education activities.
This program compliments a larger effort to enhance NOAA’s strategic efforts to promote environmental literacy and ensure a future world class workforce capable of predicting environmental changes, managing ocean resources, protecting life and property, and providing decision makers with reliable and useable scientific information.

Interagency Education Task force
  The Task Force will identify opportunities and articulate priorities for enhancing ocean education, outreach, and capacity building.
  The NOAA Ocean Council along with the NOAA Education Council will guide NOAA’s participation in this interagency task group.  Louisa Koch is NOAA’s representative

## GEOSSIntegrated Observations & Data Management

- GEOSSIntegrated Observations & Data Management

- NOAA Town Hall—Miami

**Notes:**
I’d like to switch gears now and discuss earth observations.

GEOSS is the Global Earth Observation System of Systems.  This is really the largest umbrella under which everything else fits.  This is an end-to-end system of integrated pieces.  The aim is not to change the excellent technology and other approaches that are already working, but to identify and implement those things that will make GEOSS emerge in a manner that is as interrelated as the planet we aim to observe, predict and protect.  This leads to the concept of interoperability, and the recognition that no matter how effective and efficient all of our single-purpose systems may be, their value will be much greater when they can work together.

The GEOSS initiative focuses on integration of data, for short and long-term purposes, on an international scale.  

The view of the slide is from an integration perspective and is designed to show there are two areas of likely integration benefit: at the collection level, geospatially; and within the data management system, where we transform raw data into useable information to meet user needs. The view also emphasizes the point that our mission goals are the recipients of data and/or information sets to meet their requirements.

Integration is both vertical and horizontal....

## GEO Moves ForwardWorking Towards Implementation

- Received approval for formal GEO organization and 10-year implementation plan
- Held GEO-I in May 2005, and GEO-II in December 2005
- New GEO Secretariat Director, Jose Achache
- Agreed to 2006 Work Plan and adopted a budget
- Formally created GEO Committees
- GEONETCast as tangible near term project to implement GEOSS
- United States announced intention to move GOES satellite to a position to help offset the lack of sounder data over South America

- NOAA Town Hall—Miami

## Ocean Action Plan Progress

- Legislation Transmitted
- NOAA Organic Act Establishing NOAA within DOC
- National Offshore Aquaculture Legislation
- Reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Act
- Improved Governance
- Improve Federal Coordination and Governance
- Support Regional Partnerships
- Support Marine Transportation
- Earth Observations
- Building an Integrated Ocean Observation System to support GEOSS

- NOAA Town Hall—Miami

**Notes:**
NOAA is responsible for 47 assigned items from the Ocean Action Plan.  We also are actively collaborating with several federal agencies, states, tribes and non governmental organizations on a number of other areas highlighted in the Ocean Action Plan.  We are excited to be able to work with our federal partners and other groups on establishing a common set of goals and objectives for conserving our ocean, coastal and Great Lakes resources.

These are a few areas in the Ocean Action Plan that we have made progress on.

## Ocean Action Plan “Next Steps”

- Reinforce Regional Partnerships
- Gulf of Mexico Alliance
- Northeast Regional Ocean Council
- Align Federal Actions for Coastal Development and Management
- Integrated Ocean and Coastal Mapping
- Integrated Ocean Observing System

- NOAA Town Hall—Miami

**Notes:**
This is a list of areas that go beyond the Ocean Action Plan.  Some of which, were addressed in the Pew Oceans Commission and the Ocean Commission’s recommendations.  We are excited to take the Ocean Action Plan as well as both Commissions’ reports to the next level.

Reinforce Support for Regional Governance
Continue to identify and promote opportunities to coordinate and collaborate with State, Tribal and local authorities, the private sector, as well as internationally.  Some of the areas could include:
Building on Gulf of Mexico discussions promised in the OAP by committing resources to implementation of the Gulf of Mexico Alliance Governors’ Action Plan
Supporting rebuilding efforts in the Gulf of Mexico post-Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.  To accomplish this, Federal agencies will have to proactively coordinate internally as well as externally with the States and local authorities.  External coordination can include evaluating state and local rebuilding proposals or providing science-based assessments on progress
Coordinating the federal effort to support the New England states in their Northeast Regional Ocean Council initiative
Conducting outreach and education to other regional areas (e.g. West Coast, Pacific and Pacific Northwest, Mid-Atlantic, Caribbean, Alaska) and develop strategies for involving inland states

Align Federal Actions along National Priorities for Coastal Development and Management
To support state efforts in developing hazard resilient and economically sound communities, including the rebuilding efforts related to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, a number of areas of federal involvement could be addressed, which were addressed by the U.S. Commission on Ocean policy, including:
Coastal development and coastal hazards, including federal funding and infrastructure programs to discourage inappropriate growth in fragile and 	hazard-prone coastal areas
Comprehensive wetlands protections, integrating existing wetlands permitting processes into a broader management approach

Integrated Ocean and Coastal Mapping
NOAA Office of Coast Survey has accepted the challenging responsibility of coordinating NOAA-wide Integrated Ocean and Coastal and Mapping (IOCM) requirements and activities.Mike Gibson, of Coast Survey, has agreed to tackle this important task to provide a centralized focal point for NOAA IOCM  activities as we identify, describe and coordinate ocean and coastal mapping requirements, establish priorities, encourage innovative technologies and applications, and document available technologies and best practices.

Integrated Ocean Observation System
Today: Biological, ecological, and oceanographic and socioeconomic observing systems planned and operated independently to serve discrete scientific and resource management missions
With IOOS: Obs systems optimized and integrated to support an ecosystem approach to coastal and marine living resource management through the production and delivery of integrated ecosystem assessments

## NOAA Leadership

- NOAA Town Hall—Miami

**Notes:**
While NOAA is taking a lead role in the new ocean governance structure from the Ocean Action Plan, NOAA is also providing leadership in the international arena as well.

This is just a sample of some of the international organization that NOAA is involved in:

World Meteorological Organization (WMO) – Jack Kelly
Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) – Rick Spinrad
Group on Earth Observations (GEO) - VADM
International Whaling Commission (IWC) - Hogarth
International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) - Hogarth

## NOAA Opportunities

- NOAA’s “Policy on Partnerships in the Provision of Environmental Information”
- NOAA Transition of Research to Operations/Applications
- Providing Clear and Easy Discovery of, and Access to, Data and Information Products
- Incorporating the Capability to Measure Biological Data in Observing Systems including Data Policy and Management of Data
- Sanctuary Designation of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands

- NOAA Town Hall—Miami

**Notes:**
This is a small selection of the challenges and opportunities facing NOAA.

NOAA’s “Policy on Partnerships in the Provision of Environmental Information”:  
The FRN asking for comments to this policy closed on November 2nd.  
Approximately, 140 responses have been received so far (More could arrive through post office mail).  This is about 1/10 of the number commenting on the original policy.

NOAA Transition of Research to Operations/Applications

Providing access to data and information products

Incorporating Biological data in observing systems

Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Sanctuary Designation

## NOAA Opportunities Recapitalization

- Operational Satellites
- Geostationary Orbiting Environmental Satellites-R (GOES-R)
- National Polar Orbiting Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS)
- Fleet and Aircraft Modernization
- Observing Infrastructure
- Surface Observations
- Ocean Observations
- Facilities Construction and Maintenance
- NOAA Satellite Operations Facility
- National Weather Center Building-Norman, Oklahoma

- NOAA Town Hall—Miami

**Notes:**
Operational Satellites
Geostationary Orbiting Environmental Satellites
GOES is a key component of our observation platforms – we rely on it heavily for severe weather and tropical storms monitoring.  I mention this because I want to ensure you address geostationary satellites in your prioritization and final report. 

NOAA has awarded three prime contracts for the GOES-R System Program Definition and Risk Reduction (PDRR): Lockheed Martin, Boeing Space Systems, Northrop Grumman. The PDRR Phase focuses on conducting system trade studies and risk reduction activities to define the cost, schedule, and performance baseline of the system. The PDRR base contract consists of three contracts with an estimated value of   $10M each and period of six months 

Background
Two potential $10M follow-on options, with periods of 6 and 10 months respectively, may extend the PDRR contract period of performance to 22 months.  Key Government and contractor efforts include affordability trade studies and requirements review which will help determine what should be done within the financial limitations of the Government.

After the PDRR Phase, NOAA will competitively award one single prime contract for the GOES-R System Acquisition & Operations (A&O) Phase 

Polar Orbiting Environmental Satellites (POES)
Polar satellites provide key benefits to the Nation
NPOESS will augment those benefits by bringing current research capabilities into operations
Images of weather are of great value in determining and understanding what is happening at the time the pictures are taken. They’re also of great value in communicating to the public.  However, much of the key data used to produce the long-range forecasts that allow adequate advance warning of major weather phenomena is from sounders on polar satellites.  NOAA has had great increases in its numerical weather prediction models due in large part to the use of new data sources from research-oriented polar satellites.  NPOESS will for the first time transition these research instruments and their improved data to operations.  
The right-hand image above, from MODIS, shows Hurricane Katrina about to make landfall in New Orleans.  The left-hand image shows AVHRR sea surface temperature data, with Katrina’s track overlaid.  Katrina was one of the worst natural disasters to hit the U.S., but how much worse would it have been without early warning?  Polar satellite observations are invaluable in the effort to minimize damage to lives and property due to natural phenomena.

Observing Infrastructure
Surface Observations: 
Move from Next Generation Radar (NEXRAD) to Multi-Function Phased Array Radar (MPAR). Using multiple beams and frequencies that are controlled electronically, phased array radar reduces the scan time of severe weather from six minutes for NEXRAD radar to only one minute, producing quicker updates of data and thereby potentially increasing the lead time for tornado warnings well beyond the current average of 11 minutes. Other technology being developed at NSSL will extend lead times even farther. 
A National Weather Radar Testbed is being established at NSSL, which will provide the first surveillance phased array radar facility available on a full-time basis to the radar meteorological research community. The new system will be able to scan the atmosphere with more detail at lower elevations than current radar allows. It will also be able to re-scan areas of severe weather very quickly, improving forecasters’ warning capability. In addition, the new technology will gather storm information not currently available, such as rapid changes in wind fields, to provide forecasters with better conceptual storm models and to initialize stormscale forecast models. 

Ocean Observations: 
The Bush Administration has committed $37.5 over the next two years to provide tsunami warning coverage for the entire U.S. coast.   Under the Administration’s proposal, the U.S. tsunami warning system will provide 24/7 operations at NOAA’s tsunami warning centers, include a network of 39 second generation DART buoy stations, expand the NOAA tide station network, enhance seismic monitoring, and improve community preparedness.

Facilities:  
NOAA has new facilities coming online this year.  NOAA Satellite Operation Facility in Suitland and The National Weather Center Building in Norman Oklahaoma.

## SES Summit III

- Highlights
- Straight Talk
- Stockdale Paradox
- One NOAA

- Confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever that might be.

- Retain faith that you will prevail in the end

- Admiral Jim Stockdale

- AND at the same time

- The Stockdale Paradox

- NOAA Town Hall—Miami

## One NOAA

- NOAA’s mission is complex, involving biological, chemical, and physical issues—all intertwined.
- Large-scale (regional to global) multidisciplinary studies are necessary to achieve understanding of our environment.
- A collective NOAA is critical to completing our mission and solving the major environmental challenges that face our nation and planet.

- NOAA Town Hall—Miami

## Communication is KeyBreaking the Bubbles

- EASY

- EASY

- EASY

- EASY

- REALLY DIFFICULT

- DIFFICULT

- EASY

- NOAA Town Hall—Miami

**Notes:**
Without communication we are just a series of poorly connected islands that are limited by the resources inherent to each “island”.

When we function as a collective group only then can we effectively fulfill our mission of understanding, managing, conserving and predicting changes in the Earth’s environment.  The processes of which are inextricably linked and if NOAA is to do an effective job it must be connected to the same degree.

## The Future Is Bright!

- NOAA is:
- An Effective, Successful Organization With World-wide Recognition
- Composed of Talented, Experienced & Dedicated People
- Critical to Meeting the Nation’s & the World’s Economic & Environmental Challenges
- Organizationally Positioned to Provide Leadership
- Where Science Gains Value
- NOAA is All of Us Working Together With a Unified Vision & Consistent Message

- Thank you for your service!

- NOAA Town Hall—Miami

## Got Questions...?

- _[AskTheBoss@noaa.gov](mailto:AskTheBoss@noaa.gov)_

- For information on other NOAA activities:
- http://www.pco.noaa.gov

- NOAA Town Hall—Miami

**Notes:**
NOTE: For 2005, we received 16 emails to ASKTHEBOSS.

## Backup Slides

- VADM Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr., USN (Ret.)Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere  |  NOAA Administrator

## FY 2007 Budget Highlights

- Request is $227M or 5.8% below the FY 2006 enacted
- Request of $3,684M is $345M or 10.3% above the FY 2007 Base
- Request Reflects the Current Fiscal Environment
- Sustains Mission Critical Services to the Nation
- Proposes Increases for High Priority Programs
- Satellite Continuity
- Fisheries Management
- Tsunami and Hurricane Warnings
- Marine Transportation Safety

- NOAA Town Hall—Miami

**Notes:**
Overall, this is an austere request with some marginal increases for Fisheries (primarily Gulf of Mexico) and expanded climate/ocean observations. 

Of the $345M increase,  $183.8M or 53% of this total address key areas:

Adjustments to base/inflation	$29.6M
Satellite continuity	$124.3M
Facility construction	$29.9M

Adjustments to Base / Inflation supports pay raise of 2.2%. 

Support current satellite profiles for GOES and NPOESS per the FY 06 President Budget decisions.