SSP Roles and Responsibilities: Who's On First?

The Science Support Partnership is a complex program with a number of players.  The following should help to outline who the various players are, and what their individual roles are throughout the process. 

FWS Project Officer:  The individual responsible for the focus (assurance that the proposal is designed to meet the specific need) and programmatic aspects of a project.  Serves as the counterpart to the Principal Investigator to assure project is progressing and that products are delivered on schedule.

• Develops problem statement in accordance with FWS guidance
• When developing problem statement, communicates with regional and programmatic offices and partners, as appropriate, to develop potential cross-regional/programmatic proposal to optimize funding
• Upon notification from FWS Research Coordinator of project selection, makes contact with the USGS to locate Principal Investigator
• Jointly develops formal proposal with Principal Investigator and obtains required approval
• Submits proposal to FWS Research Coordinator in accordance with established time line
• Communicates with Principal Investigator throughout life of the project
• Tracks project progress, resolves issues as they arise, notifies FWS Research Coordinator of significant issues (notable findings, performance, termination, etc.)
• Receives progress reports and final products
• Provides copies of progress reports and final products to the FWS Research Coordinator and other interested parties
• Applies new information to address management problem
• Completes project evaluation and transmits to the FWS Research Coordinator

Principal Investigator:  The individual responsible for the design, conduct, interpretation and reporting of research or other activity described in a proposal.  Serves as the counterpart to the Project Officer to assure project is progressing and that products are delivered on schedule.

• Obtains required approval from Center Director/Unit Leader to participate in the project and jointly develops proposal with the FWS Project Officer.
• Upon notification of project selection, prepares a full project plan in accordance with USGS Science Quality policy or organizational guidelines (i.e. university policy and procedures)
• Obtains review and approval in accordance with USGS Science Quality policy or organizational guidelines
• Upon notification, contacts Project Officer and begins work in accordance with project schedule
• Communicates with Project Officer throughout life of the project
• Resolves issues as they arise
• Provides progress reports and final products on schedule to the PO

USGS Center Director/Unit Leader (or delegate when appropriate):  The individual responsible for assuring that adequate funds are identified for the projects successful completion and for assuring that the Science Quality Policy is adhered to.  

• Reviews and approves proposal
• Notifies Principal Investigator of project selection and requests a full project plan
• Reviews and approves the full project plan
• Notifies USGS Headquarters when project plan has been approved
• Upon receipt of fund allocation, notifies Principal Investigator to begin project
• Reviews and approves all products before submission to FWS
• Resolves issues of concern elevated by the Principal Investigator and Project Officer (performance concerns, project terminations, etc.)

FWS Research Coordinator (Regions and Washington):  The individual responsible for coordinating, tracking and monitoring science support activities within their purview.

• Tracks availability of science support funds
• Initiates annual call for problem statements based on availability of funds
• Prioritizes problem statements following Regional or Washington Office protocols
• Notifies FWS Project Officers of selected problem statements and requests formal proposals
• Notifies other Research Coordinators and the Office of Research Coordination of problem statement selections to identify areas of potential overlap or common interest
• Reviews and approves proposals
• Participates in conference call with other Research Coordinators and the Office of Research Coordination to discuss approved proposals and to share information
• Prepares proposal package and obtains RD/AD approval and transmits to the FWS Office of Research Coordination
• Provides assistance to Project Officer as necessary
• Receives progress reports and final products from Project Officer and makes them available to others
• Provides project evaluation form to PO
• Resolves issues as they arise
• Provides accomplishment data to the FWS Office of Research Coordination for use during the annual budget process

FWS Office of Research Coordination:  The office responsible for coordinating and tracking overall program activities.

• Provides updates, guidance and assistance to FWS employees and others as necessary to ensure success of program
• Ensures established time line is followed
• Schedules conference call with FWS Research Coordinators to discuss proposals prior to finalizing annual proposal package
• Collates selected proposals from Regions and Washington and prepares package for Director approval
• Transmits approved proposal package to USGS Headquarters

USGS Headquarters:  The office responsible for coordinating and tracking overall program activities.

• Provides updates, guidance, and assistance to USGS employees and others as necessary to ensure success of program
• Informs USGS Regional Offices, Center Directors, and Unit Leaders of the annual proposal process timeline
• Ensures established time line is followed
• Notifies Regional Offices, Center Directors, Unit Leaders and non-USGS PIs of project selection and provides guidance as necessary
• Upon receipt of approved full project plan, provides funding to PI
• Collates accomplishment data for uses during the annual budget process

USGS BRD Regional Offices: The office responsible for coordinating, tracking and monitoring science support activities within their purview.

• Provides assistance with locating qualified PIs to address management problems
• Remain aware of approved and active proposals
• Resolves issues of concern elevated by the Principal Investigator and Project Officer (performance concerns, project terminations, etc.)

USGS Cooperative Research Unit Program:  The office responsible for coordinating, tracking and monitoring science support activities within their purview.

• Provides assistance with locating qualified PIs to address management problems
• Inform the Units of approved proposals
• Initiates Research Work Orders with host universities
• Resolves issues of concern elevated by the Principal Investigator and Project Officer (performance concerns, project terminations, etc.)