Scientific Ocean Drilling Coordination Office (SODCO) for the Division of Ocean Sciences | 24 568

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is this NSF funding opportunity?

This opportunity is a solicitation from the National Science Foundation (NSF), Division of Ocean Sciences (OCE), to establish and operate a Scientific Ocean Drilling Coordination Office (SODCO). The opportunity record lists the title as "Scientific Ocean Drilling Coordination Office (SODCO) for the Division of Ocean Sciences" and the Funding Opportunity Number as 24-568.

What is the purpose of SODCO?

SODCO is intended to serve as the coordinating and management hub for NSF-supported ocean drilling activities that require subseafloor sampling, downhole measurements, and, in some cases, installation of long-term borehole observatories. The office is designed to help the community turn science goals into executable drilling programs by coordinating the operational pathway from concept to expedition.

Is SODCO supposed to operate a ship or own drilling hardware?

No. The solicitation describes SODCO as not being an office that runs a single ship or owns drilling hardware. Instead, it helps scientists match research goals to suitable drilling and coring platforms that already exist in the academic fleet or through commercial providers.

What kinds of activities will SODCO coordinate?

SODCO will coordinate and manage NSF-supported ocean drilling activities for the U.S. ocean science community, including work that involves subseafloor sampling, downhole measurements, and potentially the installation of long-term borehole observatories. Its scope is described broadly, including assisting in planning and executing all aspects of drilling activities.

How will SODCO support Principal Investigators (PIs) during early planning?

SODCO is expected to work directly with PIs early in the science planning process to help identify appropriate drilling and coring platforms and services for proposed expeditions. This includes assessing what systems exist, their capabilities and limitations, their availability in the needed timeframe, and what combination of services would be required to meet scientific objectives.

Will SODCO help select drilling systems and platforms for expeditions?

Yes. A central function described is helping match scientific objectives to the most suitable available platforms (academic or commercial) by evaluating system capabilities, constraints, and scheduling/availability relative to project needs.

Does SODCO need expertise in contracting and procurement?

Yes. Because projects may rely on leased commercial vessels or services, SODCO is expected to have enough contracting and technical expertise to develop requests for bids and help structure procurements for drilling services when needed.

Why does the solicitation emphasize connections to commercial drilling providers?

The solicitation anticipates that many NSF-funded drilling projects may rely on leased commercial vessels or services. For that reason, SODCO is expected to maintain active connections with the commercial drilling community and with other drilling organizations in the United States and internationally.

Is SODCO expected to interact with organizations beyond the United States?

Yes. NSF explicitly encourages collaboration with international partners and with scientists supported by other funding sources. SODCO should be prepared to align schedules, capabilities, and participation across institutions and borders as part of its coordinating role.

What is SODCO's role in technology and innovation?

SODCO is expected to take a proactive, outward-facing role in the ocean science community by helping stimulate innovation in drilling technologies and methods. The solicitation indicates SODCO should translate community science needs into actionable technology or design requirements and help guide development of new drilling approaches when existing options do not meet emerging research demands.

How does SODCO relate to community long-range science planning?

Requirements for SODCO-coordinated activities are described as being driven by both community-developed long-range science planning and by individual NSF-funded research proposals. In effect, SODCO supports implementation by helping organize operational pathways that enable drilling-based science plans to be carried out.

Is funding for specific drilling expeditions included in the SODCO award?

No. The solicitation draws a distinction between the SODCO cooperative agreement and expedition-specific funding. While SODCO helps assemble and coordinate the operational solution for drilling-based research programs, funding for a specific drilling expedition (including leasing a particular platform) is expected to be handled through a separate award mechanism.

What is the expected award structure for SODCO?

NSF indicates an intent to make a single award (one recipient organization) as a Cooperative Agreement. This structure reflects NSF's expectation of substantial involvement and ongoing coordination between NSF and the awardee.

How long is the award period?

The anticipated term is up to five years, with the possibility of renewal for up to an additional five years.

Is there a review point during the award?

Yes. The model includes a mid-term management review, which will inform whether NSF decides to renew the agreement or re-compete it for a subsequent period.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to certain U.S.-based entities. Eligible applicants include: (1) non-profit, non-academic organizations such as independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, and professional societies located in the United States and directly connected to education or research; (2) accredited U.S. institutions of higher education (including two- and four-year institutions and community colleges) applying on behalf of their faculty; and (3) federally recognized Tribal Nations.

Can an accredited community college apply?

Yes. The solicitation states that accredited U.S. institutions of higher education, including community colleges, may apply on behalf of their faculty.

Are federally recognized Tribal Nations eligible?

Yes. Federally recognized Tribal Nations are explicitly listed as eligible.

Can a U.S. institution include an international branch campus in the project?

The solicitation notes that if a proposal routes funding to an international branch campus of a U.S. institution (including via subawards or consultants), the proposer must clearly explain why that work benefits the project and why it cannot be performed at the U.S. campus.

What NSF office is sponsoring this opportunity?

The opportunity is through NSF's Division of Ocean Sciences (OCE).

What is the activity category?

The opportunity record lists the activity category as research and development.

What is the CFDA listing referenced?

The CFDA listing referenced in the opportunity record is 47.050.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number?

The Funding Opportunity Number provided is 24-568.

What was the closing date listed in the opportunity record?

The opportunity record lists an original closing date of July 30, 2024.

Does the notice specify an award ceiling or expected number of awards?

The provided text does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards. It does, however, state NSF's intent to make a single cooperative agreement to support SODCO for up to five years, with a possible renewal period.