Opportunity Information: Apply for USGS FA 17 0313
This grant opportunity is a USGS (Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey) Notice of Intent to make a single Cooperative Agreement award to UNAVCO for work that strengthens the West Coast earthquake early warning system known as ShakeAlert. The project focus is on bringing real-time Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) observations more fully into ShakeAlert operations, with the broader goal of helping move ShakeAlert from a development or pilot posture into a true production-grade Earthquake Early Warning (EEW) capability serving the U.S. West Coast.
At its core, the proposed work is about improving how real-time GNSS data are collected, transported, and delivered into the ShakeAlert processing environment. The title highlights three practical performance targets: improving telemetry (the communications pathways that carry data from field stations to processing centers), reducing latency (cutting the time between measurement at a station and availability to the warning algorithms), and enhancing the robustness of GNSS data flow (making the stream more reliable and resilient so data continue to arrive even under challenging conditions). These upgrades are aimed specifically at existing Plate Boundary Observatory (PBO) stations located across California, Oregon, and Washington, which are key states for seismic risk along the Pacific margin.
The technical motivation behind incorporating real-time GNSS into ShakeAlert is that GNSS can measure permanent ground displacement and longer-period motion that traditional seismic instruments can struggle with during very large earthquakes, when sensors may clip or when magnitude estimates saturate. By integrating GNSS alongside seismic data, ShakeAlert can potentially improve magnitude and faulting estimates for major events, reduce the risk of underestimating large earthquakes, and provide more stable situational information as an event evolves. In practice, that benefit depends heavily on data arriving quickly and consistently, which is why the grant centers on telemetry improvements and latency reduction rather than simply adding more sensors.
Administratively, this opportunity is listed as discretionary funding using a Cooperative Agreement, which typically means the USGS expects substantial involvement during the period of performance (for example, coordination on technical direction, milestones, integration requirements, and operational acceptance). The program is tied to CFDA number 15.807, and it is structured as a targeted award: the posting is a Notice of Intent to award to UNAVCO, rather than an open solicitation meant to fund multiple competing applicants. The eligibility field notes nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education), aligning with UNAVCOs nonprofit status and its historic role operating geodetic infrastructure and services for the research and hazard communities.
The funding parameters included in the notice specify an award ceiling of $697,806 and an expectation of one award. The posting was created on July 14, 2017, with an original closing date of July 28, 2017. The funding opportunity number is USGS FA 17 0313. Taken together, those details indicate a time-bounded, purpose-built investment aimed at operational readiness: improving the real-time GNSS pipeline at existing PBO stations in CA, OR, and WA so ShakeAlert can ingest high-quality displacement data with minimal delay and better reliability, supporting the transition of EEW on the West Coast into a production system.Apply for USGS FA 17 0313
- The Department of the Interior, Geological Survey in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Notice of Intent - Incorporating Real-time GNSS into ShakeAlert: Improving Telemetry, Reducing Latency, and Enhancing Robust GNSS Data Flow at Existing PBO Stations in CA, OR, and WA" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.807.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jul 14, 2017.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 28, 2017. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $697,806.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What agency is offering this grant opportunity?
This opportunity is issued by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), within the Department of the Interior.
What type of funding opportunity is this?
It is a discretionary funding opportunity structured as a Cooperative Agreement, indicating USGS expects substantial involvement during the project period (such as coordination on technical direction, milestones, integration requirements, and operational acceptance).
Is this an open, competitive solicitation?
No. The posting is a Notice of Intent to make a single award to UNAVCO, rather than an open solicitation intended to fund multiple competing applicants.
Who is the intended recipient of the award?
The notice indicates USGS intends to make a single Cooperative Agreement award to UNAVCO.
How many awards are expected?
The notice specifies an expectation of one award.
What is the maximum (ceiling) funding amount?
The award ceiling listed in the notice is $697,806.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is USGS FA 17 0313.
What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
The program is tied to CFDA number 15.807.
When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?
The posting was created on July 14, 2017, and the original closing date was July 28, 2017.
What is the main purpose of this project?
The proposed work is intended to strengthen the West Coast earthquake early warning system known as ShakeAlert by bringing real-time Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) observations more fully into ShakeAlert operations, supporting a broader transition from a development/pilot posture toward a production-grade Earthquake Early Warning (EEW) capability for the U.S. West Coast.
What specific performance targets does the project emphasize?
The project highlights three practical performance targets: improving telemetry (communications pathways from field stations to processing centers), reducing latency (the time between measurement and availability to algorithms), and enhancing the robustness of GNSS data flow (reliability and resilience of the real-time stream).
What does "telemetry" mean in the context of this opportunity?
Telemetry refers to the communications pathways that carry data from field stations to processing centers. The project aims to improve those pathways so GNSS observations reach ShakeAlert systems more effectively.
What does "latency" mean here, and why does it matter?
Latency is the delay between when a GNSS station measures motion and when that information becomes available to the ShakeAlert warning algorithms. Lower latency is important because the usefulness of real-time GNSS for early warning depends heavily on fast, consistent delivery of data.
What does "robustness" of GNSS data flow mean?
Robustness refers to making the GNSS data stream more reliable and resilient, so data continue to arrive consistently even under challenging conditions.
Which earthquake early warning system is being supported?
The work supports ShakeAlert, the West Coast earthquake early warning system.
Why integrate real-time GNSS into ShakeAlert operations?
The technical motivation is that GNSS can measure permanent ground displacement and longer-period motion that traditional seismic instruments can struggle with during very large earthquakes (for example, when sensors clip or magnitude estimates saturate). Integrating GNSS alongside seismic data can help improve magnitude and faulting estimates for major events, reduce the risk of underestimating large earthquakes, and provide more stable situational information as an event evolves.
Is the project mainly about installing new sensors?
No. The notice emphasizes improving how real-time GNSS data are collected, transported, and delivered into the ShakeAlert processing environment. The focus is on telemetry upgrades and latency reduction to make existing data streams arrive quickly and consistently, rather than simply adding more sensors.
Which GNSS stations are the focus of the upgrades?
The upgrades are aimed specifically at existing Plate Boundary Observatory (PBO) stations.
What geographic area does the project cover?
The work targets PBO stations across California, Oregon, and Washington, reflecting the seismic risk along the U.S. Pacific margin and ShakeAlert's West Coast mission.
How does this project relate to moving ShakeAlert into production?
It is described as a purpose-built investment aimed at operational readiness: improving the real-time GNSS pipeline at existing PBO stations in CA, OR, and WA so ShakeAlert can ingest high-quality displacement data with minimal delay and better reliability, supporting the transition of EEW on the West Coast into a production system.
What does the eligibility information indicate?
The eligibility field notes nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education). This aligns with UNAVCO's nonprofit status and its historic role operating geodetic infrastructure and services for research and hazard communities.
What does a Cooperative Agreement imply for project management?
Based on the notice description, a Cooperative Agreement implies substantial USGS involvement during the period of performance, potentially including coordination on technical direction, milestones, integration requirements, and operational acceptance.
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