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sion through technical assistance and training related to our areas of expertise — 

 such as global climate change, coastal zone management and biodiversity. 



INFRASTRUCTURE PORTFOUO 



NOAA's plan for the future requires investment in its infrastructure to enable the 

 agency to carry out its programs efficiently, eflectively and reliably. 



Fleet Replacement and Modernization 



The majority of ships in the NOAA fleet are rapidly appi-oaching the maximum 

 age for cost effective and productive operations. With the help of the funds appro- 

 priated by Congress, NOAA has made substantial progress in modernizing its fleet 

 of ships. The highest priority fleet problems have been targeted and actions are un- 

 derway to solve these problems. Contracts have been awarded or are soon to be 

 awarded for major repairs to existing ships, construction of a new oceanographic 

 ship, and conversion of a Navy T-AGOS ship, chartering, and contracts for hydro- 

 graphic surveys. 



As with any program this size, there is a need for continuing review. A central 

 theme in all the reviews that have been conducted to date has been the rec- 

 ommendation for NOAA to investigate other sources for ship support including char- 

 ter with the private sector and further cooperation with UNOLS. Some FRAM fund- 

 ing has been used for charter and cooperative work with UNOLS. A contract for hy- 

 drographic survey services will be awarded shortly, and a charter contract for a fish- 

 eries research ship will be awarded late in 1994. 



The latest review of the FRAM Plan was by the Marine Board of the National 

 Academy of Sciences. In response to the Marine Board review, NOAA has estab- 

 lished a FRAM review team consisting of the Deputy Assistant Administrators for 

 the National Marine Fisheries Service, the National Ocean Survey, and the Office 

 of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research. The team will assess the FRAM program in 

 light of the Marine Board's recommendations and propose appropriate revisions to 

 the FRAM plan. In the interim NOAA will continue to pursue chartering and other 

 outsourcing opportunities aggressively as requirements and resources allow. We will 

 keep Congress apprised as this review continues and our new FRAM plan evolves. 



Underlying all of NOAA's operating programs are the capital assets without 

 which our observations, assessments, predictions and stewardship responsibilities 

 would be impossible. In FY 1995, $41.0 million are required to maintain our capital 

 assets. This is comprised of $23.1 million for Fleet Replacement and Modernization 

 for critical maintenance, repair,, and chartering, and $17.9 million for Environ- 

 mental Compliance and Facilities. 



H.R 4008, the NOAA Authorization Act of 1994, as ordered reported by the House 

 Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee has called for a study of the role of the 

 NOAA Corps in supporting NOAA missions. We are prepared to review all compo- 

 nents of our operations and the NOAA Corps is no exception. If a study is appro- 

 priate at this time, we believe that senior civilians within NOAA are the best people 

 to conduct such a study. NOAA's senior civilians have a clear understanding of both 

 the strengths and weaknesses of the NOAA Corps as well as how the Corps may 

 better serve NOAA. 



With regard to aircraft, the initial operating capability of NOAA's high altitude 

 aircraft is expected to provide a 20 percent improvement in the accuracy of landfall 

 predictions resulting in the saving of lives, a reduction in property damage, and the 

 elimination of costs associated with unnecessary evacuations. In FY 1994, NOAA 

 began an aggressive procurement process for the new aircraft, and in April provided 

 industry with our draft statement of work and specifications. The response received 

 from industry will be used to finalize the Request for Proposals (RFP) and specifica- 

 tions. We anticipate award of the aircraft contract in early calendar 1995. The first 

 operation flight of the new aircraft is scheduled for the 1996 hurricane season. 



The new high altitude aitcraft will eventually provide three capabilities: hurricane 

 surveillance, hurricane reconnaissance N and hurricane and tropospheric research. 

 In prior testimony, NOAA has referred to the aircraft missions as hurricane recon- 

 naissance and hurricane research. As specific requirements for this plane were 

 being developed, the reconnaissance mission was divided into two categories. The 

 National Hurricane Center's highest priority requirements are now referred to as 

 hurricane surveillance, and those of next priority are now labeled hurricane recon- 

 naissance. As funds become available, hurricane reconnaissance capability in sup- 

 port of the National Hurricane Center and hurricane research capability in support 

 of the Hurricane Research Center will be added to the aircraft. Lastly, the aircraft's 

 capability will be expanded to include tropospheric research. 



80-382 0-95-2 



