60 likes | 176 Views
Working Group to Develop Funding Models for New Ships: Final Report. Mark Abbott, Vernon Asper , Susan Avery, Rob Dunbar, Dave Farmer, Steve Lohrenz , Shirley Pomponi , Nancy Rabalais Assistance from Rob Munier and Jon Alberts. Task Statement.
E N D
Working Group to Develop Funding Models for New Ships: Final Report Mark Abbott, Vernon Asper, Susan Avery, Rob Dunbar, Dave Farmer, Steve Lohrenz, Shirley Pomponi, Nancy Rabalais Assistance from Rob Munier and Jon Alberts
Task Statement • Review existing models to fund and support the academic research fleet and develop alternative approaches that can be prioritized and recommended to the Board • Build on recent NRC, UNOLS, and FOFC reports • Focus on how to implement plans, not revisit the content of the fleet renewal plans
September Retreat • The Good Ol’ Days • Dick Pittenger, Steve Ramberg, Dolly Dieter • Current Realities • Bob Winokur, Bob Houtman, Mark Coles, Cecile Daniels, Sue LaFratta, Dave Hebert, Jim St. John • Future Options • Kate Moran, Joel Parriott, Dixon Butler
Report Structure • The Issue • Set up of the importance of an effective and implementable plan • The Rationale • The science case • The National Ocean Policy • Developing community relations and support • The structure of a research fleet plan • Multi-decadal, life cycle costs, community engagement, enduring, but adaptable • Components of the plan • Essential principles of accountability/responsibility, transparency, flexibility for local solutions, and leadership • Acquisition models and their challenges • Governance models • A new way forward
Elements of a New Process • Decadal survey process to develop requirements, life cycle costs, and priorities • Fleet as a portfolio of capabilities and costs • Balance community and individual institutional interests • Portfolio of acquisition processes • Multi-year “escrow” account to provide predictable resources for construction and operations • MREFC-type process brings rigor and transparency • Governance strategy formalizes the roles and responsibilities of the federal agencies • Commit to implementation of the decadal plan • Designate a lead agency
Final Thoughts • Foster a sense of ownership of the fleet assets by the community • Deeper involvement by a broader range of institutions • Open and transparent process to set priorities and make difficult choices • Agencies must forego some level of flexibility to implement the decadal plan • Recognize commitment of the community • But with a long-term funding line come new resources • Relinquish some local rights in exchange for a community-based process along with its support • Will we avoid a collapse of the academic research fleet?