SECOORA will submit a proposal in response to the anticipated US Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) FY 2026 Notice of Funding Opportunity. This opportunity will cover a 5-year period and will sustain critical observing, modeling, product, and service activities while also seeking opportunities to add new multidisciplinary projects. To develop the proposal, SECOORA is soliciting Letters of Intent (LOIs) from a broad stakeholder base. SECOORA will conduct a two part LOI evaluation and assemble our IOOS 5-year proposal from the top ranking LOIs.
SECOORA’s 2026 – 2030 Regional Coastal Ocean Observing System – Strategic Operational Plan, which is based on the needs of the region and the ability to make significant progress in priority areas, will serve as a guide for the SECOORA proposal. LOIs should address at least one of the SECOORA focus areas: Coastal Hazards and Climate Variability; Ecosystems, including Water Quality and Living Marine Resources; and Marine Operations. All proposed projects should address the priorities in this document.
General Information
The LOI solicitation memo provides an overview of the 2026 – 2031 proposal development process. All applicants are encouraged to review this memo, as well as the documents listed below, before submitting a response to the LOI or RFQ.
- Review Panel Term of Reference
- Letter of Intent (LOI) Template- LOIs Due September 9th by 5:00 PM ET
- Weighted Criteria for Evaluation of Submitted LOIs
- Water Level Request for Qualifications (RFQ) – RFQs Due September 9th by 5:00 PM ET
- IOOS Notice of Funding Opportunity – Anticipate release in September 2025
Background Information
- Questions about the LOI and water level RFQ received via email will be posted and answered on the SECOORA 2026-2031 IOOS LOI Solicitation Process Q&A.
- Q&A webinar was on August 12th at 12 PM ET.
- 2026 – 2030 Regional Coastal Ocean Observing System – Strategic Operational Plan
- SECOORA Data Management and Communications (DMAC) Plan
Proposal Development Timeline
Subject to change.
- December 2024
- Board of Directors approves 5 Year Proposal Process
- July 2025
- Solicit nominees for Comprehensive Review Panel
- Advertise proposal process to members
- Board approval of slate for Comprehensive Review Panel
- July 25, 2025 – Release LOI solicitation and Water Level RFQ
- August 2025
- August 12, 2025 – Q&A Webinar (Click here to register)
- September 2025
- September 9, 2025 at 5:00 PM ET – Deadline to submit LOIs and Water Level RFQs
- Anticipated release of IOOS Notice of Funding Opportunity
- Subject Matter Expert reviews begin
- October 2025
- Subject Matter Expert reviews due back to SECOORA
- Comprehensive Review Panel review begins
- November 2025
- Comprehensive Review Panel ranks LOIs
- LOI applicants are notified if they will or will not be part of the SECOORA proposal
- Proposal writing
- End of November – Final proposal draft submitted to Board of Directors
- December 2025
- Board approves proposal
- December 22, 2025 – SECOORA submits proposal to NOAA