V1, 7/18/05 15 This is addressed above. Federal Partners · SEACOOS is supported as a research and development activity from the Office of Naval Research by annual grant.  Funding has been earmarked in the ONR budget and is variable from one year to another.  SEACOOS is not the SE Atlantic ROOS in its present form. The experience of SEACOOS and the recent development of SECOORA should be used to develop a forward-looking budget and plan for sustaining an approved SE Atlantic integrated observing system after the five-year initial development of SEACOOS. The evaluators’ perspective on how SEACOOS can best contribute to the overall IOOS development is appreciated.  As stated above, the evaluation has helped us clarify our role.  We also view our collaboration with COSEE as an example of developing a plan that crosses budget lines for the benefit of multiple agencies. · If SEACOOS development is to continue past 2006, negotiation must begin immediately with Federal agency representatives in NOPP for sustained funding in the 2007 budget and beyond.   SECOORA is the appropriate body to engage in this discussion on behalf of SEACOOS and other components of an emerging IOOS regional system. We will work with and support SECOORA, especially through active engagement of various federal agencies, to help clarify the best form of interaction. · SEACOOS has initiated discussion of cooperation with NOAA, NSF, NASA, Army Corps of Engineers, and EPA under its rubric of “Federal Affiliates”. The common interests of SEACOOS and federal agencies should be documented element-by element throughout the SEACOOS project.  SEACOOS should prepare this list prior to the annual IOOS Development plan conference (MAY 2005) and bring together the relevant federal representatives at the conference.   This may ensure that SEACOOS interests are appropriately included in the IOOS Development Plan.  This practice should continue on an annual basis. The suggestion that key agency representatives be actively recruited to attend the annual implementation conference is novel and will be pursued. · Organizationally, SEACOOS has not addressed its position or role in the Ocean.US rubric of Research-Pilot Projects-PreOp-Operations. SEACOOS needs to clearly identify itself as a research activity with the Ocean.US organizational rubric and develop a roadmap for moving through the further stages of development. See next response