83_FR_692 83 FR 688 - Request for Information-National Space Weather Action Plan

83 FR 688 - Request for Information-National Space Weather Action Plan

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 4 (January 5, 2018)

Page Range688-689
FR Document2018-00031

The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to seek inputs from the public on establishing space weather research priorities to address Action 5.5.1 in the National Space Weather Action Plan. This RFI is intended to gather information from external stakeholders about potential space weather research activities that will help guide the science and technology priorities of Federal agencies. The public input will be used as guidance by various concerned Federal agencies in planning for targeted research programs. Input is sought from space weather community including researchers in academia and industry, non-governmental organizations, scientific and professional societies, and all other interested members of the public. Suggestions in response to this RFI will assist NSF and other federal agencies including NASA, DOC and DOD in carrying out action 5.5.1.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 4 (Friday, January 5, 2018) 
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 4 (Friday, January 5, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 688-689]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-00031]



[[Page 688]]

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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Request for Information--National Space Weather Action Plan

ACTION: Notice for request of information.

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SUMMARY: The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to seek 
inputs from the public on establishing space weather research 
priorities to address Action 5.5.1 in the National Space Weather Action 
Plan. This RFI is intended to gather information from external 
stakeholders about potential space weather research activities that 
will help guide the science and technology priorities of Federal 
agencies. The public input will be used as guidance by various 
concerned Federal agencies in planning for targeted research programs. 
Input is sought from space weather community including researchers in 
academia and industry, non-governmental organizations, scientific and 
professional societies, and all other interested members of the public. 
Suggestions in response to this RFI will assist NSF and other federal 
agencies including NASA, DOC and DOD in carrying out action 5.5.1.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted by March 6, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Email comments to [email protected]. Include ``RFI Response: 
SWORM Goal 5.5.1'' in the subject line of the message. The response 
must be an attachment to the email. See the instructions in the 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for comment guidelines.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact [email protected] for further 
information. Any requests for clarification must be received no later 
than seven (7) business days prior to the close of this RFI in order to 
receive a timely response.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background Information

    On October 29, 2015, the White House OSTP released the National 
Space Weather Strategy (NSWS) and Space Weather Action Plan (SWAP). The 
NSWS identifies several key goals in specific areas of space weather 
research and operations to make the national critical infrastructure 
and technologies resilient to space weather events. The NSWS also calls 
for improving national space-weather services through advancing 
fundamental understanding of the underlying physical processes and 
their forecasting. The SWAP document, which accompanied NSWS, specifies 
actions to develop and continually improve predictive models through 
enhanced fundamental understanding of space weather and its drivers. In 
particular, the SWAP Action 5.5.1 directed NSF, NASA, DOC and DOD with 
documenting priorities for research and development (R&D) efforts to 
enhance the fundamental understanding of space weather and its drivers 
and to improve space weather forecasting capabilities.

    Action 5.5.1: NSF and NASA, in collaboration with DOC and DOD, 
will lead an annual effort to prioritize and identify opportunities 
for research and development (R&D) to enhance the understanding of 
space weather and its sources. These activities will be coordinated 
with existing National-level and scientific studies. This effort 
will include modeling, developing, and testing models of the coupled 
sun-Earth system and quantifying the long- and short-term 
variability of space weather.

    Forecasting space weather depends on understanding the fundamental 
processes that give rise to hazardous events. Continued support for 
basic research in solar and space physics is essential to achieve the 
level of understanding required for accurate predictions. Particularly 
important is the study of processes that link the Sun-Earth system and 
that control the flow of energy within the coupled system.
    Space weather science as a discipline is still in its nascent 
phase. There exist significant gaps in the fundamental understanding of 
many physical processes and coupling mechanisms underpinning various 
space weather phenomena. This poses a major limiting factor for 
improving space weather prediction, including some of the most 
important and immediate operational needs. It is, therefore, essential 
to continue untargeted investments in basic research into areas that in 
unforeseeable ways can lead to a better understanding of the physical 
processes that drive space weather.
    High priority space weather research topics and linkages to the 
SWAP Benchmarks (Goal 1) were assessed by the 5.5.1 interagency working 
group. The SWAP benchmarks are a set of physical characteristics and 
conditions against which a space-weather event can be measured. They 
describe the nature and intensity of extreme space-weather events, 
providing a point of reference from which to improve understanding of 
space-weather effects. Addressing research that would advance our 
physical understanding of the phenomenology behind these benchmarks 
will ultimately improve our predictive capability necessary for 
operational advancements.

II. Purpose

    Successful execution of Action 5.5.1 requires definitions of 
research priorities in the context of benchmarks identified by NSWS 
Goal 1. An interagency working group developed the first set of 
priorities in fulfillment of this task. To ensure that an optimal list 
of priorities is generated, which could benefit all interested parties 
including Federal agencies, state and local governments, universities, 
policy groups, and the private sector, the broader community must weigh 
in. This RFI requests public comments to SWAP Action 5.5.1 to support a 
public dialogue on developing research priorities to enhance 
fundamental understanding of space weather and its drivers to develop 
and continually improve predictive models.
    This RFI seeks inputs from the research community on setting 
research priorities, which will then be used as guidance by various 
concerned agencies in planning for space weather related research 
programs. Examples of space weather research topics include ionospheric 
irregularities and structure, thermospheric neutral density and neutral 
wind response to external drivers, forecasting of GICs, radiation belt 
dynamics, SEP events, flare and CME initiation and propagation, 
forecasting of EUV and proxy F10.7, predictions of ICME amplitudes and 
directions, magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling during space weather 
events, etc.

III. Response Instructions

    The specific objective of this RFI is to seek information that will 
assist the Action 5.5.1 Working Group in determining a list of space 
weather research priorities.
    Disclaimer: Federal agencies may or may not use any responses to 
this RFI as a basis for a subsequent project, program, or funding 
opportunity. Responses to this RFI will not be returned. The National 
Science Foundation is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the 
information received, or provide feedback to respondents with respect 
to any information submitted under this RFI. No requests for a bid 
package or solicitation will be accepted; no bid package or 
solicitation exists. In order to protect the integrity of any possible 
future acquisition, no additional information will be provided and no 
appointments for presentations will be made in reference to this RFI. 
This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and 
does not constitute a solicitation. Responders to

[[Page 689]]

this RFI will have no competitive advantage in receiving any awards 
related to the submitted input on a potential space weather-related 
research priority.
    Confidential Information: Some contents of the submissions may be 
made public. Therefore, responses must be unclassified and should not 
contain any information that might be considered proprietary, 
confidential, business sensitive, or personally identifying (such as 
home address or social security number).
    Instructions: One page documents per topic, multiple documents are 
allowed. Reponses must include the following sections; (1) Title--short 
and descriptive, (2) Brief Summary of Impacts--a bulleted list of 
systems impacted by the potential study, (3) Description--a succinct 
discussion of the topic, its importance, and relevant supporting 
evidence or arguments, (4) 5-10 year Imperatives--a bulleted list of 
the steps necessary to carry out the research including comments on 
relative importance to other. A section including references can be 
added if needed. Responses should follow the template outlined below. 
Responses may be no longer than 1 page type written in 12-point font.

Response Template

Title of the priority
Brief Summary of Impacts
     One sentence summary of impact 1
     One sentence summary of impact 2
    Background and Relevance
    A few paragraphs explaining the background of the space weather 
research priority, its relevance to SWAP Goal 5.5.1 and supporting 
justification of why this is a high priority issue.
5-10 Year Goals
    Over the next 5 to 10 years it is imperative to:
     One sentence summary of goal 1
     One sentence summary of goal 2
References
    Include essential references only

References:

National Space Weather Strategy, https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/sites/default/files/microsites/ostp/final_nationalspaceweatherstrategy_20151028.pdf.
National Space Weather Action Plan, https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/sites/default/files/microsites/ostp/final_nationalspaceweatheractionplan_20151028.pdf.

    Dated: January 2, 2018
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2018-00031 Filed 1-4-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7555-01-P

688 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 4 / Friday, January 5, 2018 / Notices NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION continually improve predictive models II. Purpose through enhanced fundamental Successful execution of Action 5.5.1 Request for Information—National understanding of space weather and its requires definitions of research Space Weather Action Plan drivers. In particular, the SWAP Action priorities in the context of benchmarks 5.5.1 directed NSF, NASA, DOC and identified by NSWS Goal 1. An ACTION:Notice for request of DOD with documenting priorities for information. interagency working group developed research and development (R&D) efforts the first set of priorities in fulfillment of SUMMARY: The purpose of this Request to enhance the fundamental this task. To ensure that an optimal list for Information (RFI) is to seek inputs understanding of space weather and its of priorities is generated, which could from the public on establishing space drivers and to improve space weather benefit all interested parties including weather research priorities to address forecasting capabilities. Federal agencies, state and local Action 5.5.1 in the National Space Action 5.5.1: NSF and NASA, in governments, universities, policy Weather Action Plan. This RFI is collaboration with DOC and DOD, will lead groups, and the private sector, the intended to gather information from an annual effort to prioritize and identify broader community must weigh in. This external stakeholders about potential opportunities for research and development RFI requests public comments to SWAP space weather research activities that (R&D) to enhance the understanding of space weather and its sources. These activities will Action 5.5.1 to support a public will help guide the science and dialogue on developing research be coordinated with existing National-level technology priorities of Federal priorities to enhance fundamental and scientific studies. This effort will include agencies. The public input will be used modeling, developing, and testing models of understanding of space weather and its as guidance by various concerned the coupled sun-Earth system and drivers to develop and continually Federal agencies in planning for quantifying the long- and short-term improve predictive models. targeted research programs. Input is variability of space weather. This RFI seeks inputs from the sought from space weather community research community on setting research including researchers in academia and Forecasting space weather depends on priorities, which will then be used as industry, non-governmental understanding the fundamental guidance by various concerned agencies organizations, scientific and processes that give rise to hazardous in planning for space weather related professional societies, and all other events. Continued support for basic research programs. Examples of space interested members of the public. research in solar and space physics is weather research topics include Suggestions in response to this RFI will essential to achieve the level of ionospheric irregularities and structure, assist NSF and other federal agencies understanding required for accurate thermospheric neutral density and including NASA, DOC and DOD in predictions. Particularly important is neutral wind response to external carrying out action 5.5.1. the study of processes that link the Sun- drivers, forecasting of GICs, radiation DATES: Written comments must be Earth system and that control the flow belt dynamics, SEP events, flare and submitted by March 6, 2018. of energy within the coupled system. CME initiation and propagation, ADDRESSES: Email comments to Space weather science as a discipline forecasting of EUV and proxy F10.7, spwxrfi@nsf.gov. Include ‘‘RFI is still in its nascent phase. There exist predictions of ICME amplitudes and Response: SWORM Goal 5.5.1’’ in the significant gaps in the fundamental directions, magnetosphere-ionosphere subject line of the message. The understanding of many physical coupling during space weather events, response must be an attachment to the processes and coupling mechanisms etc. email. See the instructions in the underpinning various space weather SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for phenomena. This poses a major limiting III. Response Instructions comment guidelines. factor for improving space weather The specific objective of this RFI is to FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: prediction, including some of the most seek information that will assist the Contact spwxrfi@nsf.gov for further important and immediate operational Action 5.5.1 Working Group in information. Any requests for needs. It is, therefore, essential to determining a list of space weather clarification must be received no later continue untargeted investments in research priorities. than seven (7) business days prior to the basic research into areas that in Disclaimer: Federal agencies may or close of this RFI in order to receive a unforeseeable ways can lead to a better may not use any responses to this RFI timely response. understanding of the physical processes as a basis for a subsequent project, SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: that drive space weather. program, or funding opportunity. High priority space weather research Responses to this RFI will not be I. Background Information topics and linkages to the SWAP returned. The National Science On October 29, 2015, the White House Benchmarks (Goal 1) were assessed by Foundation is under no obligation to OSTP released the National Space the 5.5.1 interagency working group. acknowledge receipt of the information Weather Strategy (NSWS) and Space The SWAP benchmarks are a set of received, or provide feedback to Weather Action Plan (SWAP). The physical characteristics and conditions respondents with respect to any NSWS identifies several key goals in against which a space-weather event can information submitted under this RFI. specific areas of space weather research be measured. They describe the nature No requests for a bid package or and operations to make the national and intensity of extreme space-weather solicitation will be accepted; no bid critical infrastructure and technologies events, providing a point of reference package or solicitation exists. In order to resilient to space weather events. The from which to improve understanding protect the integrity of any possible daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES NSWS also calls for improving national of space-weather effects. Addressing future acquisition, no additional space-weather services through research that would advance our information will be provided and no advancing fundamental understanding physical understanding of the appointments for presentations will be of the underlying physical processes phenomenology behind these made in reference to this RFI. This RFI and their forecasting. The SWAP benchmarks will ultimately improve our is issued solely for information and document, which accompanied NSWS, predictive capability necessary for planning purposes and does not specifies actions to develop and operational advancements. constitute a solicitation. Responders to VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:30 Jan 04, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\05JAN1.SGM 05JAN1

Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 4 / Friday, January 5, 2018 / Notices 689 this RFI will have no competitive Dated: January 2, 2018 Activity for Which Permit Is Requested advantage in receiving any awards Suzanne H. Plimpton, Enter Antarctic Specially Protected related to the submitted input on a Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Areas (ASPAs), sample collection and potential space weather-related research Foundation. import into the USA. The applicant priority. [FR Doc. 2018–00031 Filed 1–4–18; 8:45 am] proposes to collect moss and soil Confidential Information: Some BILLING CODE 7555–01–P samples from ASPAs to investigate how contents of the submissions may be warming will affect Antarctic moss made public. Therefore, responses must terrestrial ecosystems. Moss and soil be unclassified and should not contain NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION samples, up to 3 cm deep, would be any information that might be collected using a metal 2 cubic Notice of Permit Applications Received considered proprietary, confidential, centimeter coring device. Up to 180 Under the Antarctic Conservation Act business sensitive, or personally samples total from each of seven of 1978 identifying (such as home address or different moss species and up to 400 social security number). AGENCY: National Science Foundation. total soil samples will be collected. Instructions: One page documents per Sample collection would require access topic, multiple documents are allowed. ACTION: Notice of permit applications to APSA in the South Shetland Islands. Reponses must include the following received. The samples would be imported back to sections; (1) Title—short and the home university. descriptive, (2) Brief Summary of SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is required to publish Location Impacts—a bulleted list of systems impacted by the potential study, (3) a notice of permit applications received ASPA 125, Fildes Peninsula, King Description—a succinct discussion of to conduct activities regulated under the George Island, including Zone 125c, the topic, its importance, and relevant Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978. Glacier Dome Belligshausen (Collins supporting evidence or arguments, (4) NSF has published regulations under Glacier); ASPA 150, Ardley Island, 5–10 year Imperatives—a bulleted list of the Antarctic Conservation Act in the Maxwell Bay, Antarctic Peninsula; the steps necessary to carry out the Code of Federal Regulations. This is the ASPA 126, Byers Peninsula, Livingston research including comments on required notice of permit applications Island. relative importance to other. A section received. Dates of Permitted Activities including references can be added if DATES: Interested parties are invited to needed. Responses should follow the January 30–June 30, 2018. submit written data, comments, or template outlined below. Responses views with respect to this permit Nadene G. Kennedy, may be no longer than 1 page type application by February 5, 2018. This Polar Coordination Specialist, Office of Polar written in 12-point font. application may be inspected by Programs. Response Template interested parties at the Permit Office, [FR Doc. 2018–00009 Filed 1–4–18; 8:45 am] address below. BILLING CODE 7555–01–P Title of the priority ADDRESSES: Comments should be Brief Summary of Impacts addressed to Permit Office, Office of • One sentence summary of impact 1 Polar Programs, National Science NUCLEAR REGULATORY • One sentence summary of impact 2 Foundation, 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, COMMISSION Alexandria, Virginia 22314. Background and Relevance FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: [NRC–2018–0001] A few paragraphs explaining the background of the space weather Nature McGinn, ACA Permit Officer, at Sunshine Act Meeting Notice research priority, its relevance to the above address, 703–292–8030, or SWAP Goal 5.5.1 and supporting ACApermits@nsf.gov. DATES: Weeks of January 8, 15, 22, 29, justification of why this is a high SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The February 5, 12, 2018. priority issue. National Science Foundation, as PLACE: Commissioners’ Conference 5–10 Year Goals directed by the Antarctic Conservation Room, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Act of 1978 (Pub. L. 95–541, 45 CFR Maryland. Over the next 5 to 10 years it is 670), as amended by the Antarctic STATUS: Public and Closed. imperative to: Science, Tourism and Conservation Act • One sentence summary of goal 1 of 1996, has developed regulations for Week of January 8, 2018 • One sentence summary of goal 2 the establishment of a permit system for There are no meetings scheduled for References various activities in Antarctica and the week of January 8, 2018. designation of certain animals and Include essential references only certain geographic areas a requiring Week of January 15, 2018—Tentative References: special protection. The regulations Thursday, January 18, 2018 establish such a permit system to National Space Weather Strategy, https:// 9:00 a.m. Strategic Programmatic designate Antarctic Specially Protected obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/sites/ Overview of the Decommissioning Areas. daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES default/files/microsites/ostp/final_ and Low-Level Waste and Spent nationalspaceweatherstrategy_ Application Details Fuel Storage and Transportation 20151028.pdf. Business Lines (Public Meeting) National Space Weather Action Plan, https:// Permit Application: 2018–030 (Contact: Damaris Marcano: 301– obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/sites/ default/files/microsites/ostp/final_ 1. Applicant: Sarah Eppley, Portland 415–7328) nationalspaceweatheractionplan_ State University, Department of Biology, This meeting will be webcast live at 20151028.pdf. PO Box 751, Portland, OR 97207. the Web address—http://www.nrc.gov/. 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Document Created: 2018-10-26 09:31:53
Document Modified: 2018-10-26 09:31:53
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice for request of information.
DatesWritten comments must be submitted by March 6, 2018.
ContactContact [email protected] for further information. Any requests for clarification must be received no later than seven (7) business days prior to the close of this RFI in order to receive a timely response.
FR Citation83 FR 688 
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