FY 2020 Ocean Technology Transition Project | NOAA NOS IOOS 2020 2006167

Opportunity Information: Apply for NOAA NOS IOOS 2020 2006167

The FY 2020 Ocean Technology Transition Project (OTT) is a NOAA-led funding opportunity under the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS), offered in coordination with the National Oceanographic Partnership Program (NOPP). Its core purpose is to speed up the shift from research-stage ocean observing technologies to real-world, sustained operations. IOOS is focused on improving ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes observations, data delivery, tools, and forecasts that support public safety, economic activity, and environmental protection. OTT is essentially designed to close a familiar gap in applied science: promising technology often exists in advanced research or prototype form, but it can take years to become reliable, integrated, and maintainable enough for routine operational use. This program targets that transition period directly.

The opportunity supports technology-based solutions that strengthen coastal and Great Lakes observing and the supporting digital ecosystem around it. In this announcement, "technologies" is defined broadly and includes physical observing systems like sensors and instrumentation for marine and Great Lakes environments, as well as information technology improvements such as data management systems, data visualization platforms, modernization of technical infrastructure, and decision-support product development. The emphasis is not on basic research or early-stage invention, but on pushing already-maturing technologies through the practical steps required before operators can depend on them long term. Typical transition activities include system integration, field and lab testing, validation, verification, performance characterization, and other work that proves a technology can function reliably in operational settings.

A defining feature of OTT is its operational commitment requirement. Projects are expected to focus on technologies with demonstrated operators who are ready to adopt them and commit to integrated, long-term use. In other words, applicants need to show there is a real end user prepared to run the technology as part of an ongoing observing or data delivery system, rather than treating it as a one-off demonstration. Open data sharing is also a key expectation, aligning with IOOS goals of making observations and derived products broadly accessible. To keep projects anchored on this implementation path, the solicitation requires applicants to identify a Transition Manager, and it specifies that a formal Transition Plan must be delivered in Year One. That plan functions as a practical roadmap for how the technology will move from its current maturity level into sustained operations, including roles, milestones, and adoption steps.

Funding is offered through a cooperative agreement, reflecting NOAA's expectation of involvement during the project period rather than a hands-off grant. For FY 2020 through FY 2022, IOOS estimated up to $7.5 million could be available total, depending on appropriations and fund availability. NOAA anticipated making multiple awards. Typical award sizes were described as up to $400,000 per year for up to three years, with the note that exceptions could be made for highly ranked proposals. The opportunity lists an award ceiling of $1,200,000, which aligns with a three-year project at the typical annual level. Another practical point for applicants is that proposals not selected in the current fiscal cycle could be considered for funding in the next fiscal year (FY 2021) without NOAA running a new competition, meaning strong proposals might remain viable beyond the initial decision window.

Eligibility is broad across the non-federal sector. Eligible applicants include institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, for-profit organizations, and state, local, and tribal governments. Federal agencies and foreign governments cannot serve as the primary recipient, but they are encouraged to participate as partners when it makes sense. When partners will receive funds, the lead applicant is expected to pass funding through appropriate mechanisms such as subawards or subcontracts. If the partner is a NOAA office or laboratory, transfers would be handled internally. The solicitation also makes clear that it will not fund continuation of projects previously supported by the Ocean Technology Transition Project, so applicants need to propose new transition efforts rather than extensions of past OTT awards.

Several compliance and cost notes are embedded in the announcement. One explicit restriction is that paying for transportation, travel, or other expenses for any federal employee is not allowable. Applicants are also encouraged to consult the IOOS Ocean Technology Transition program website for detailed background and program expectations, which suggests that successful proposals should closely align with IOOS operational needs and the program's established transition framework.

Key administrative details from the notice include: the agency is the U.S. Department of Commerce (NOAA), the opportunity number is NOAA NOS IOOS 2020 2006167, the instrument type is a cooperative agreement, and the CFDA number listed is 11.012. The original closing date shown is January 13, 2020, and the opportunity was created on August 5, 2019. Overall, the program is best understood as targeted implementation funding for ocean and Great Lakes observing capabilities that are beyond the research phase but still need the engineering, integration, and operational proof needed to become dependable parts of IOOS-related systems.

• The Department of Commerce in the environment, natural resources, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY 2020 Ocean Technology Transition Project" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 11.012.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2019-08-05.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-01-13. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,200,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

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