FACACLASSIC

Note: An Annual Comprehensive Review, as required by §7 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, is conducted each year on committee data entered for the previous fiscal year (referred to as the reporting year). The data for the reporting year is not considered verified until this review is complete and the data is moved to history for an agency/department. See the Data From Previous Years section at the bottom of this page for the committee’s historical, verified data.

Details on agency responses to committee recommendations can be found under the Performance Measures section for each committee in the fields “Agency Feedback” and “Agency Feedback Comment.”

DOC - 80491 - Ocean Exploration Advisory Board - Statutory (Congress Created)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Committee Name	Ocean Exploration Advisory Board	Agency Name	Department of Commerce
Fiscal Year	2025	Committee Number	80491
Original Establishment Date	8/6/2012	Committee Status	Chartered
Actual Termination Date		Committee URL	http://oeab.noaa.gov/
Actual Merged Date		Presidential Appointments*	No
New Committee This FY	No	Max Number of Members*	15
Terminated This FY	No	Designated Fed Officer Position Title*	DFO
Merged This FY		Designated Federal Officer Prefix
Current Charter Date	7/26/2016	Designated Federal Officer First Name*	Liz
Date Of Renewal Charter	7/26/2026	Designated Federal Officer Middle Name
Projected Termination Date		Designated Federal Officer Last Name*	Tirpak
Exempt From Renewal*	Yes	Designated Federal Officer Suffix
Specific Termination Authority		Designated Federal Officer Phone*	301-734-1226
Establishment Authority*	Statutory (Congress Created)	Designated Federal Officer Fax*	111-111-1111
Specific Establishment Authority*	33 U.S.C. 3401 et seq.	Designated Federal Officer Email*	liz.tirpak@noaa.gov
Effective Date Of Authority*	3/30/2009
Exempt From EO 13875 Discretionary Cmte	Not Applicable
Committee Type*	Continuing
Presidential*	No
Committee Function*	Scientific Technical Program Advisory Board

RECOMMENDATION/JUSTIFICATIONS

Agency Recommendation*	Continue
Legislation to Terminate Required	Not Applicable
Legislation Status	Not Applicable
How does cmte accomplish its purpose?*	The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA's) Oceans Exploration Advisory Board (Board) was established (1) to advise the Administrator on priority areas for survey, discovery, and opportunities for extramural collaborationand partnerships; (2) to assist the program in the development of a 5-year strategic plan for the fields of ocean, marine, and GreatLakes science, exploration, and discovery; (3) to annually review the quality and effectiveness of the proposal review process established under section3403(a)(4); (4) to identify market barriers to development or commercialization of novel ocean mapping, exploration, andcharacterization products, processes, and tools; (5) to identify best practices to improve data management, processing, storage, and archiving standards; and (6) to provide other assistance and advice as requested by the Administrator.
How is membership balanced?*	The Board currently consists of approximately 12 members including a Chair, designated by the Under Secretary in accordance with Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) requirements. Consideration is given to members that are experts in fields relevant to ocean exploration, including ocean scientists, engineers and technical experts, and experts in education and communications. Membership is open to individuals from academia, government, industry, non-governmental not-for-profit organizations, and other ocean-related institutions. Consideration is also given to members that have national and international reputations, or have degrees or professional qualifications in: physical, chemical, or biological oceanography, social sciences, or ocean engineering, technology, operations, education, and/or communications. Members have scientific credentials and/or relevant experience that enable them to provide expert advice concerning the Boards' roles within the context of NOAA’s ocean missions and policies. OTHER BALANCE FACTORS: The categories of professional sector, geographic, gender and ethnic diversity are considered in the selection of Board members but are secondary to the scientific and technical expertise required.
How frequent & relevant are cmte mtgs?*	The Board formally meets approximately twice per year. The meetings are required to assure that all members are fully informed and are provided the opportunity to contribute.
Why advice can't be obtained elsewhere?*	The Board is established by law. It reports to the NOAA Administrator as directed by 33 U.S.C. 3401 et seq.
Why close or partially close meetings?	N/A
Recommendation Remarks

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

Outcome Improvement To Health Or Safety*	No	Action Reorganize Priorities*	Yes
Outcome Trust In Government	No	Action Reallocate Resources	Yes
Outcome Major Policy Changes	Yes	Action Issued New Regulations	No
Outcome Advance In Scientific Research	Yes	Action Proposed Legislation	No
Outcome Effective Grant Making	Yes	Action Approved Grants Or Other Payments	No
Outcome Improved Service Delivery	Yes	Action Other	Yes
Outcome Increased Customer Satisfaction	No	Action Comment	NOAA Ocean Exploration has implemented many of the OEAB recommendations that fall within its span of control. This includes meaningful input the organization's 5-year strategic plan and exploration priorities - for example the current campaign in the mid-Pacific region - the Board also conducted a Program Review of NOAA Ocean Exploration
Outcome Implement Laws/Reg Requirements	Yes	Grants Review*	No
Outcome Other	No	Number Of Grants Reviewed	0
Outcome Comment	N/A	Number Of Grants Recommended	0
Cost Savings*	Unable to Determine	Dollar Value Of Grants Recommended	$0.00
Cost Savings Comment	OEAB recommendations could result in efficiencies and cost savings to government, but these are not possible to quantify.	Grants Review Comment	OEAB is charged with an annual review of NOAA Ocean Exploration's grant making process, not for reviewing individual grant applications. The OEAB conducted the FY24 review on 09/217/2024.
Number Of Recommendations*	88	Access Contact Designated Fed. Officer*	Yes
Number Of Recommendations Comment	OEAB provided nine program review recommendations in FY25, bringing the total recommendations count to 97.	Access Agency Website	Yes
% of Recs Fully Implemented*	30.00%	Access Committee Website	Yes
% of Recs Fully Implemented Comment	See comment above. The OEAB provides complex analysis and recommendations, many of which must be implemented over time.	Access GSA FACA Website	Yes
% of Recs Partially Implemented*	25.00%	Access Publications	Yes
% of Recs Partially Implemented Comment	See comment above. Recommendations partially implemented generally require time (more than one year) to implement.	Access Other	No
Agency Feedback*	Yes	Access Comment	All OEAB documents and meeting information are available at the OEAB website (oeab.noaa.gov)
Agency Feedback Comment*	The agency provides feedback in response to formal letters from the OEAB chair, through senior agency participation in OEAB meetings, and through discussions between the OEAB chair and the OER director. All OEAB documents and meeting information are available at the OEAB website (oeab.noaa.gov)	Narrative Description*	The Board advises the Under Secretary on matters pertaining to ocean exploration including the identification of priority areas that warrant exploration; and the development and enhancement of technologies for exploring the oceans, managing the data and information, and disseminating the results. The Board also provides advice on the relevance of the program with regard to the NOAA Next Generation Strategic Plan and other guiding documents.

COSTS

1. Payments to Non-Federal Members*	$0.00	1. Est Paymnts to Non-Fed Membrs Nxt FY*	$0.00
2. Payments to Federal Members*	$0.00	2. Est. Payments to Fed Members Next FY*	$0.00
3. Payments to Federal Staff*	$25,000.00	3. Estimated Payments to Federal Staff*	$40,000.00
4. Payments to Consultants*	$0.00	4. Est. Payments to Consultants Next FY*	$0.00
5. Travel Reimb. For Non-Federal Membrs*	$33,000.00	5. Est Travel Reimb Non-Fed Membr nxtFY*	$40,000.00
6. Travel Reimb. For Federal Members*	$0.00	6. Est Travel Reimb For Fed Members*	$0.00
7. Travel Reimb. For Federal Staff*	$0.00	7. Est. Travel Reimb to Fed Staf Nxt FY*	$12,000.00
8. Travel Reimb. For Consultants*	$0.00	8. Est Travel Reimb to Consltnts Nxt FY*	$0.00
10. Other Costs	$0.00	10. Est. Other Costs Next FY*	$0.00
11. Total Costs	$58,000.00	11. Est. Total Next FY*	$92,000.00
Date Cost Last Modified	9/3/2025 12:10 PM	Est. Fed Staff Support Next FY*
Federal Staff Support (FTE)*	1.00	Est Cost Remarks
Cost Remarks

Interest Areas

Category Area Applied Science Applied Sciences Engineering Basic Science Basic Sciences Computer Technology Applications Data Data Integrity Data Quality Education Education Eligibility Social Services Energy Natural Resources Environment Oceans and Atmospheric Sciences Food and Drugs Biotechnology Government Federal Government International International Organizations Research Research and Development Science and Technology Innovation Science and Technology Social Sciences Social Sciences

Custom Links

Committee Level Reports