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.)
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