Regional Coastal Observing Systems (RCOS)

This is a request for reinstatement of a previously approved information collection. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA’s) National Ocean Service (NOS) Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) is a national-regional partnership working to provide new tools and forecasts to improve safety, enhance the economy, and protect our environment. The Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009 (ICOOS Act), as amended, directs NOAA, as the lead Federal agency for implementing and administering the National Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System (System), to “promulgate program guidelines to certify and integrate non-federal assets, including regional information coordination entities, into the System.” In response to the ICOOS Act mandate, NOAA developed program guidelines for the compliance procedures and requirements for certifying Regional Information Coordination Entities (RICEs), now known as Regional Coastal Observing Systems (RCOS), in a final rule RIN 0648-BC18. The program guidelines identify the process and requirements for certifying these RCOSs. Submission of an application for certification as a RCOS is voluntary, and there is no deadline for an entity to submit an application to be certified. The organization's application is used to collect information required by IOOS's regulations in order for IOOS to certify the organization as an RCOS and integrate it into the System. RCOSs operate regional observing networks throughout the United States, including the Pacific Islands and the Caribbean, and have implemented specific practices in regards to data collection, governance, and management. They must submit rigorous documentation of these practices to the IOOS offices for review and verification. This vetting process is thorough and requires a collaborative relationship between the organization and the IOOS Program staff. Once documentation is vetted and the organization is recognized as meeting NOAA standards, a Memorandum of Agreement is created, confirming the organization’s elevation to RCOS and certifying that their data can be used with the same quality assurance as federal data.

The latest form for Regional Coastal Observing Systems (RCOS) expires 2029-07-31 and is listed under ICR 202605-0648-002.

Application for RICE certification

Federal Enterprise Architecture: Natural Resources - Conservation, Marine and Land Management

Review document collections for all forms, instructions, and supporting documents - including paper/printable forms.