Notice2025-11107
Notice of Brennan Ocean Mapping Fund Opportunity for Ocean and Coastal Mapping and Request for Partnership Proposals
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Published
June 17, 2025
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
This notice invites non-Federal entities to partner with the ocean and coastal mapping programs of NOAA's National Ocean Service on jointly-funded projects of mutual interest and establishes selection criteria and submission requirements for such projects under the Brennan Ocean Mapping Fund opportunity. With this funding opportunity, NOAA will match selected non-Federal partners at a 70:30/NOAA:partner ratio for projects proposing to contract for ocean, coastal, and/or Great Lakes mapping data totaling up to $1,000,000 per project. Selected non-Federal partners further benefit from this opportunity by leveraging NOAA's contracting and data management expertise. This ocean and coastal mapping funding opportunity is subject to the availability of funds.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 115 (Tuesday, June 17, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 115 (Tuesday, June 17, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25588-25590]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-11107]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice of Brennan Ocean Mapping Fund Opportunity for Ocean and
Coastal Mapping and Request for Partnership Proposals
AGENCY: National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of matching fund opportunity; request for proposals.
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SUMMARY: This notice invites non-Federal entities to partner with the
ocean and coastal mapping programs of NOAA's National Ocean Service on
jointly-funded projects of mutual interest and establishes selection
criteria and submission requirements for such projects under the
Brennan Ocean Mapping Fund opportunity. With this funding opportunity,
NOAA will match selected non-Federal partners at a 70:30/NOAA:partner
ratio for projects proposing to contract for ocean, coastal, and/or
Great Lakes mapping data totaling up to $1,000,000 per project.
Selected non-Federal partners further benefit from this opportunity by
leveraging NOAA's contracting and data management expertise. This ocean
and coastal mapping funding opportunity is subject to the availability
of funds.
DATES: Please note the following dates associated with this
opportunity:
<bullet> Informational Webinar: Thursday, August 14, 2025, at 1
p.m. Eastern Time (ET): This informational webinar will provide more
information about the matching fund opportunity and answer any
questions. Advanced registration is required. Register by 11:59 p.m. ET
on Thursday, August 14, 2025.
<bullet> Virtual office hours: Friday, September 19, 2025, between
10 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET: Advanced registration is required. Register by
11:59 p.m. ET on September 17, 2025.
<bullet> Proposal submission and selection timeline:
<bullet> Statements of interest or proposals as described in
Section VI of SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION are due Friday, October 10,
2025, by 5 p.m. ET.
<bullet> NOAA plans to issue its decision on the proposals in
December 2025. NOAA will then work with selected project partners to
develop draft agreements by the end of January 2026.
<bullet> Following final agreement approval, project partners will
be expected to transfer their matching funds to NOAA in June to
September 2026. Funds must be transferred before October 1, 2026.
<bullet> NOAA would issue task orders to its survey contractors
under these agreements from January to September 2027.
ADDRESSES: For additional information, including a summary of the
informational webinar, presentation slides, and questions and answers,
visit: <a href="https://iocm.noaa.gov/planning/contracts-grants-agreements.html">https://iocm.noaa.gov/planning/contracts-grants-agreements.html</a>.
<bullet> Register for the informational webinar by Thursday, August
14, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. ET at <a href="https://forms.gle/BEowFcoMRnkap2Qi9">https://forms.gle/BEowFcoMRnkap2Qi9</a>.
<bullet> Request a 30-minute time slot during virtual office hours
by September 17, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. ET at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#86eff1e1e9e5eba8f5f2e7e0e0c6e8e9e7e7a8e1e9f0"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e78e908088848ac99493868181a789888686c9808891">[email protected]</span></a>.
<bullet> Proposals must be submitted via email by Friday, October
10, 2025, at 5 p.m. ET to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#701907171f131d5e0304111616301e1f11115e171f06"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="cea7b9a9a1ada3e0bdbaafa8a88ea0a1afafe0a9a1b8">[email protected]</span></a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Meredith Westington, NOAA Integrated
Ocean and Coastal Mapping, 505-278-9851, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e8819f8f878b85c69b9c898e8ea886878989c68f879e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="224b55454d414f0c5156434444624c4d43430c454d54">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
NOAA's Office of Coast Survey (OCS) and National Geodetic Survey
(NGS) conduct mapping activities that are foundational to maritime
commerce, domestic energy and seafood production, tourism and
recreation, and hazard mitigation and emergency response, among other
interests. NOAA has considerable hydrographic and shoreline mapping
contracting expertise, including a cutting-edge understanding of the
science and related acoustic systems as well as data standards to
ensure broad usability of that data.
The Ocean and Coastal Mapping Integration Act establishes the
Interagency Working Group on Ocean and Coastal Mapping (IWG-OCM) and
directs NOAA to use the IWG-OCM to ``establish and maintain a program
to coordinate comprehensive Federal ocean and coastal mapping
efforts.'' (33 U.S.C. 3501, 3502) NOAA is committed to meeting this
mapping requirement as collaboratively as possible and adhering to the
Integrated Ocean and Coastal Mapping (IOCM) principle of ``Map Once,
Use Many Times.'' However, the resources needed to fully achieve the
goal of comprehensively mapping U.S. waters and coasts currently exceed
the capacity of NOAA and its Federal partners. Mapping the full extent
of waters subject to U.S. jurisdiction relies on non-Federal partners
to contribute to the effort.
The Brennan Ocean Mapping Fund, which was established by statute in
2022 (33 U.S.C. 3504a, 3506), is one way that NOAA seeks to increase
the coordinated acquisition, processing, stewardship, and archival of
new ocean and coastal mapping data in U.S. waters. NOAA Rear Admiral
Richard T. Brennan, former OCS Director and former President of the
Hydrographic Society of America, was one of IOCM's strongest advocates.
Sadly, Rear Admiral Brennan passed away in May 2021. IOCM continues to
implement Rear Admiral Brennan's vision and passion for collaborative
ocean mapping through this matching fund opportunity named in his
honor.
II. Description
This notice invites non-Federal entities to partner with the ocean
and coastal mapping programs of NOAA's National Ocean Service on
jointly-funded projects of mutual interest that address the strategic
areas of focus noted in section III. These projects will establish
ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes survey and mapping partnerships using
NOAA's geospatial contracting vehicles with pre-qualified technical
experts in surveying and mapping. NOAA will use the selection criteria
and submission requirements described below in sections V and VI,
respectively, to review project proposals.
The goal of this Brennan Ocean Mapping Fund opportunity is to
leverage NOAA and non-Federal partner funds to acquire more ocean and
coastal mapping data from qualified contract surveyors during Fiscal
Year (FY) 2027, which spans October 1, 2026, to September 30, 2027.
Subject to the availability of funds, NOAA will provide up to 70
percent of the total project cost, with the selected entity providing
at least 30 percent of the total project cost. For example, for a $1
million project, NOAA would provide up to $700,000, and the partner
must provide at least $300,000.
Subject to the availability of funds, NOAA anticipates funding
between two and five projects, with a total cost of up to $1 million
per project. NOAA may consider providing additional funding for a
project, thereby exceeding $1 million, subject to the availability of
funds and NOAA's discretion. All
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projects are expected to have a FY 2027 project start date, and NOAA
must receive all non-Federal partner matching funds before October 1,
2026. NOAA reserves the right to increase or decrease its funding match
based on the quality and feasibility of proposals received. After NOAA
selects a non-Federal entity as a partner, NOAA will enter into an
agreement with the partner pursuant to the Coast and Geodetic Survey
Act of 1947 (33 U.S.C. 883e), which enables NOAA to receive and expend
funds for the mapping project.
In addition to providing matching funds, NOAA brings its expertise
to manage survey planning, quality assure all data and products,
provide the data and products to the partners within an agreed-upon
timeframe, and handle data submission to NOAA's National Centers for
Environmental Information for archiving and public accessibility. All
ocean and coastal data and related products from the Brennan Ocean
Mapping Fund program will be available to the public to the greatest
extent allowed by applicable laws. The specific value-added services
NOAA will provide include:
<bullet> Assurance that the data are collected by qualified survey
contractors to ensure broadest use and accessibility of the data;
<bullet> Project management and GIS-based task order planning,
negotiation, and award of necessary procurement contracts that are
tailored to meet the interests of matching fund partners and ensure the
most efficient use of mapping platforms (e.g., aerial, shipboard, and
uncrewed vehicles). Managing survey compliance with applicable laws,
such as the National Environmental Policy Act and National Historic
Preservation Act;
<bullet> Data processing, quality assessment, and review of all
acquired hydrographic data; and
<bullet> Data management and stewardship through data archive at
the National Centers for Environmental Information.
Data acquisition collection methods include, but are not limited
to, multibeam echosounder, side scan sonar, lidar (topographic,
bathymetric, mobile), subsurface and airborne feature investigations,
and sediment sampling. Products acquired may include, but are not
limited to:
<bullet> Bathymetric data (multibeam, single beam, lidar);
<bullet> Backscatter;
<bullet> Water column (depth dependent);
<bullet> Side scan sonar imagery;
<bullet> Feature detection reports;
<bullet> Sensor/data corrections and calibrations (e.g.,
conductivity, temperature and depth casts, horizontal/vertical position
uncertainty);
<bullet> Survey and control services, including the installation,
operation, and removal of temporary water level and Global Navigation
Satellite System Observations;
<bullet> High-resolution topographic/bathymetric product
generation; and
<bullet> A final project report.
More information on NOAA's contracted surveying and mapping
processes and products can be found in the:
<bullet> OCS Hydrographic Surveys Contract Vehicle at <a href="https://nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/data/hydrographic-surveys-contract-vehicle.html">https://nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/data/hydrographic-surveys-contract-vehicle.html</a>.
<bullet> NGS Scope of Work for Shoreline Mapping at <a href="https://geodesy.noaa.gov/ContractingOpportunities/cmp-sow-v15.pdf">https://geodesy.noaa.gov/ContractingOpportunities/cmp-sow-v15.pdf</a>.
III. Strategic Areas of Focus
For this opportunity, proposals will be considered that align with
national priorities and the goals of the National Strategy for Mapping,
Exploring, and Characterizing the United States Exclusive Economic Zone
(NOMEC, 2020) and associated Implementation Plan (NOMEC IP, 2024); the
Implementation Plan for the Alaska Coastal Mapping Strategy (ACMS IP,
2022); and the OCS Strategic Plan 2023-2027 (all available at: <a href="https://iocm.noaa.gov/about/strategic-plans.html">https://iocm.noaa.gov/about/strategic-plans.html</a>). Those goals include:
1. Map U.S. Waters: Mapping U.S. waters deeper than 40m by 2030 and
shallower waters by 2040 would give the United States unprecedented and
detailed information about the depth, shape, and composition of its
seafloor and Great Lakes (NOMEC Goal 2). Based on the January 2025
analysis of data holdings at NOAA's National Centers for Environmental
Information, 46 percent of U.S. ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes waters
remain unmapped (<a href="https://iocm.noaa.gov/seabed-2030-status.html">https://iocm.noaa.gov/seabed-2030-status.html</a>).
Acquiring the best available data in poorly surveyed and gap areas
means working with partners to contribute to the effort (NOMEC Goal 5).
2. Expand Alaska Coastal Data Collection to Deliver the Priority
Geospatial Products Stakeholders Require: Mapping the Alaska coast is
challenging. However, using targeted and coordinated data collections
will potentially reduce overall costs and improve the cost-benefit
ratio of expanded mapping activities (ACMS IP Goal 2).
3. Collaborate to Increase Ocean and Coastal Mapping in U.S.
Waters: OCS will partner on integrated ocean and coastal mapping,
leverage current and expanded resources, and increase data acquisition
using traditional and emerging technologies (OCS Strategic Plan 2023-
2027 Goal 1).
The following resources may be used to support project proposals:
<bullet> the U.S. Mapping Coordination website, a collaboration
site for mapping data acquisition, shows current NOAA mapping plans as
well as the latest in Federal mapping priorities and select regional
mapping priorities: <a href="https://iocm.noaa.gov/maps/USMappingCoordination/">https://iocm.noaa.gov/maps/USMappingCoordination/</a>;
<bullet> the U.S. Bathymetry Coverage and Gap Analysis and
associated Bathymetric Coverage Report tool: <a href="https://iocm.noaa.gov/seabed-2030-bathymetry.html">https://iocm.noaa.gov/seabed-2030-bathymetry.html</a> and <a href="https://gis.charttools.noaa.gov/bathy-coverage-report/">https://gis.charttools.noaa.gov/bathy-coverage-report/</a>; and
<bullet> the U.S. Interagency Elevation Inventory: <a href="https://coast.noaa.gov/inventory/">https://coast.noaa.gov/inventory/</a>.
More information on NOAA's surveying and mapping contracting
vehicles is available at <a href="https://iocm.noaa.gov/planning/contracts-grants-agreements.html">https://iocm.noaa.gov/planning/contracts-grants-agreements.html</a>, along with background information, questions
and answers, and presentation slides on this funding opportunity.
IV. Proposal Eligibility
This matching fund opportunity is available to non-Federal
entities. Examples of non-Federal entities include State and local
governments, Tribal entities, universities, researchers and academia,
the private sector, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and
philanthropic partners. Qualifying proposals must demonstrate the
ability to provide at least 30 percent of the funds needed for the
proposed project. A coalition of non-Federal entities may assemble
funds for the match and submit a proposal jointly; however, NOAA will
request a central point of contact to initiate the transfer of funds to
NOAA. Use of other Federal agency funds as part of the non-Federal
entity's or entities' match funds will be considered on a case-by-case
basis and only as authorized by applicable laws. In-kind contributions
to strengthen the project proposal are welcome; however, they do not
count toward the match and are not required.
V. Selection Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated by the Brennan Ocean Mapping Fund
Program Management Team. Submissions will be ranked based on the
following selection criteria:
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1. Project justification (30 points)--This criterion ascertains
whether there is intrinsic IOCM value in the proposed work and/or
relevance to national priorities and NOAA's strategic areas of focus
(noted in section III), including downstream partner proposals and
uses. It is recommended to make use of, and reference to, resources
outlined in section III.
2. Statement of need (10 points)--This criterion assesses clarity
of project need, partner project funding alternatives if not selected,
anticipated outcomes, and public benefit.
3. Specified partner match (20 points)--This criterion evaluates
the partner match, such as the identification of a point of contact for
the entity submitting the proposal, as well as any partnering entities;
a clear statement on partner matching funds provenance (e.g., State
appropriations, NGO funds, or other sources); and timing of funds
availability. Proposals with multiple partners that are combining funds
for the match will need to identify a central point of contact who will
work with the partners to collate the funds and initiate the transfer
of funds to NOAA. In-kind contributions do not count toward the funding
match, but are welcome to strengthen the proposal.
4. Project costs (15 points)--This criterion evaluates whether the
proposed budget is realistic and commensurate with the proposed project
needs and timeframe.
5. Project feasibility and flexibility (25 points)--This criterion
assesses the likelihood that the proposal would succeed, using
evaluations of survey conditions, project size, location, weather, NOAA
analysis of environmental compliance implications, project flexibility
and adaptability to existing NOAA plans and schedules, and other
factors.
During the proposal review period, the Brennan Ocean Mapping Fund
Program Management Team reserves the right to engage with proposal
points of contact to ask questions and provide feedback on project
costs and feasibility.
VI. Submission Requirements
Project Proposal--To qualify, a proposal shall not exceed six (6)
total pages and must include the following three components:
1. A project title; executive summary (3-5 sentences); and the
names, affiliations, and roles of the project partners and any co-
investigators, as well as the project lead that will serve as primary
contact (1 page maximum).
2. A justification and statement of need; description and graphics
of the proposed survey area, including relevance to the strategic areas
of focus noted in section III and degree of flexibility on timing of
survey effort (4 pages maximum).
3. A project budget that lists the source(s) and amount(s) of
funding that the partner would provide as its match to NOAA. The budget
must confirm that partner funds can be transferred to NOAA before
October 1, 2026 (1 page maximum).
Proposals must be sent in a PDF format, and use 12-point, Times New
Roman font, single spacing, and 1-inch margins. Failure to adhere to
these submission requirements will result in the proposal being
returned without review and eliminated from further consideration.
To facilitate review, NOAA welcomes the submission of GIS files of
project areas. These ancillary GIS files must be in SHP format.
Project proposals, including any optional GIS files of the proposed
project areas, must be received via email at the email address listed
in the ADDRESSES section by the deadline stated in the DATES section.
Please include all required components of the proposal as attachments
to one email. If an entity is unable to apply for this particular
opportunity, but is interested in participating in similar, future
opportunities, NOAA requests a one-page statement of interest, also by
the deadline stated in the DATES section. Incomplete and late
submissions will not be considered.
VII. Management and Oversight
Once the Brennan Ocean Mapping Fund Program Management Team selects
project proposals, NOAA will coordinate the development of agreements,
funding transfers, project planning, environmental compliance,
acquisition awards, and the quality assurance process with the project
partners. NOAA may bring in additional partners and/or funding (Federal
and/or non-Federal) to expand a project, if feasible. Approved projects
will be reviewed by NOAA annually to ensure they are responsive to
partner interests and NOAA mission requirements.
Authority: 33 U.S.C. 883e; 33 U.S.C. 3504a, 3506.
RDML Benjamin K. Evans,
Director, Office of Coast Survey Acting Director, National Geodetic
Survey National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration.
[FR Doc. 2025-11107 Filed 6-16-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-G1-P
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