Research Support Planning

1
Research Support Planning

• Polar Research Support Section

Al Sutherland Ocean Projects Manager NSF/Office
of Polar Programs
Brian Stone Research Support Manager NSF/Office
of Polar Programs
2
OPP Funding

• Differs from most traditional NSF grants
• OPP Science Section funds direct researcher
  support
• OPP Research Support section funds field support
  and activities in the field
• Direct research support through prime contractor

3
NSF Support Concept

• Provide the researcher with the basic tools
  needed to do research in Antarctica
• Efforts on pre-planning to minimize time on-ice.
  Maximize throughput
• Allow researchers to focus on achieving
  scientific objectives

4
Budgeting

• NSF Supplies
• Multi-user equipment
• Travel / ticketing
• All subsistence on ice
• Cold weather clothing
• Consumables

• Research Budget
• Specialized equipment
• Unique field gear
• Lodging food

5
Helicopters

• McMurdo Station
• 2 Bell 212
• 2 AS-350-B2 A-Star
• 2 US Coast Guard
• Vessels
• As required

6
Light Aircraft

• Twin Otter
• Basler-Turbo 67
• Medium to short range

7
LC-130 Hercules

• Deep field work
• Extended Range

• Outsize cargo capability
• Airdrop

8
Dry Valleys Field Camps
9
Dry Valleys Tent Camp
10
Deep Field Camp
Siple Dome Field Camp
11
South Pole Observatories
Degree Angular Scale Interferometer (DASI)
12
Palmer Station
13
Boating at Palmer Station
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Research Support Capabilities set U.S. Program
Apart

• Ability to put researchers on almost any part of
  Antarctic continent
• Focused, short-duration efforts which maximize
  observing time for researcher
• Flexibility to accommodate academic commitments
• Time investment on the part of the researcher

15
Proposal Review

• OPP requires the proposer to complete an
  Operational Requirements Worksheet
• Research Support Section conducts operational
  support assessment
• Separate from merit review
• Not every project is supportable.

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The ORW

• Operational Requirements Worksheet (ORW)
• Electronic form contained in Electronic Support
  Planner (ESP)
• High-level requirements document which frames the
  general operational needs of the project
• Some operational knowledge required
• Advice assistance is available
• Used to determine operational support assessment
  of project

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The SIP

• Support Information Packet (SIP)
• More detailed requirements document
• Researcher completes prior to deployment
• Annual requirement - reviewed by NSF
• Must be consistent with ORW

18
The RSP

• Research Support Plan (RSP)
• Summary of support to be provided during
  deployment
• NSF-approved support
• Keys into contractor performance metrics
• Most important document for on-ice support

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Support Planning Process
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General Support Flags

• Work in dangerous locations
• Diving
• Explosives use
• Work which requires ACA permits
• Radioactives
• Cryogenics
• Cargo requirements
• Major equipment needs

• Construction requirements
• Computer communications needs
• Lab/office square footage
• Power consumption
• Aircraft usage
• Vehicle/Boating use
• Numbers of personnel
• Dates/time on ice

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USAPMarine Science Support
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Marine Science SupportWho Does What?

• RPSC - Marine Science
• Edison Chouest Offshore
• At-Sea Triad of Leadership

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Marine Science SupportOrganization

• RPSC
• Science Support Division
• Marine Science Support
• Assign POC (Project Support Manager). Work with
  you on SIP and planning. Procure consumables and
  common use equipment. Ship all equipment.
  Provide shipboard technician support force and
  Marine Projects Coordinator (MPC).

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Marine Science SupportOrganization

• Edison Chouest Offshore (ECO)
• Subcontract to RPSC. Own and operate the two
  research vessels
• Provide Master and Marine crew. Operate winches,
  cranes and all shipboard (non-scientific)
  equipment.

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Triad of Leadership

• Chief Scientist
• RPSC Marine Projects Coordinator (often POC/PSM)
• Captain (ECO)

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USAPMarine Science Support
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Nathaniel B. Palmer
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NBP

• Larger vessel (308 ft)
• Scientific Party of 39
• Greater Ice breaking Capability (all but harshest
  winter Antarctic Sea Ice)
• Ranges the entire Southern Ocean

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Nathaniel B. Palmer
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Nathaniel B. Palmer
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Laurence M. Gould
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Laurence M. Gould

• Smaller vessel (230 ft)
• Scientific Party of 28
• Lighter Icebreaking. Typically works in
  Peninsula.
• Coupled to Palmer Station for logistics. Stop at
  Palmer very likely.

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Laurence M. Gould
34
Laurence M. Gould
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Ship SupportUnique things to think about on ORW

• Schedule
• Port to Port time?
• Flexibility in dates?
• Location/Track line
• Be specific
• Provide Chartlets

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Ship Scheduling Cycle

• June - Proposals Due
• Jul-Aug - OPS Review Strawman Schedule
• Sep-Oct - Science-OPS Meetings (yes, no, maybe)
• - PM Notifications (Declines)
• Nov-Dec - RPSC Detailed Schedule Development
• Jan-Apr - Final Decisions on Maybes
• - RPSC public schedule Web
  (iterative)
• May - Final(?) Schedule

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Ship SupportWhere to get advice

• WEB Site
• http//www.usap.gov/vesselScienceAndOperations/
• Schedules, Equipment, Pictures, Contacts
• RPSC
• Jim Holik (holikji_at_usap.gov) 303-790-8606
• Other POC/PSMs
• NSF
• Al Sutherland (alsuther_at_usap.gov) 703-292-7457
• Or Your Science Program Manager