Regional Coastal Observing Systems (RCOS)

OMB Control No: 0648-0672	ICR Reference No: 202605-0648-002
Status: Received in OIRA	Previous ICR Reference No: 201406-0648-004
Agency/Subagency: DOC/NOAA	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Regional Coastal Observing Systems (RCOS)
Type of Information Collection: Reinstatement with change of a previously approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular	Date Submitted to OIRA: 05/27/2026

	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	36 Months From Approved
Responses	4	0
Time Burden (Hours)	300	0
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0

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Abstract: This is a request for reinstatement of a previously approved information collection. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA’s) National Ocean Service (NOS) Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) is a national-regional partnership working to provide new tools and forecasts to improve safety, enhance the economy, and protect our environment. The Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009 (ICOOS Act), as amended, directs NOAA, as the lead Federal agency for implementing and administering the National Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System (System), to “promulgate program guidelines to certify and integrate non-federal assets, including regional information coordination entities, into the System.” In response to the ICOOS Act mandate, NOAA developed program guidelines for the compliance procedures and requirements for certifying Regional Information Coordination Entities (RICEs), now known as Regional Coastal Observing Systems (RCOS), in a final rule RIN 0648-BC18. The program guidelines identify the process and requirements for certifying these RCOSs. Submission of an application for certification as a RCOS is voluntary, and there is no deadline for an entity to submit an application to be certified. The organization's application is used to collect information required by IOOS's regulations in order for IOOS to certify the organization as an RCOS and integrate it into the System. RCOSs operate regional observing networks throughout the United States, including the Pacific Islands and the Caribbean, and have implemented specific practices in regards to data collection, governance, and management. They must submit rigorous documentation of these practices to the IOOS offices for review and verification. This vetting process is thorough and requires a collaborative relationship between the organization and the IOOS Program staff. Once documentation is vetted and the organization is recognized as meeting NOAA standards, a Memorandum of Agreement is created, confirming the organization’s elevation to RCOS and certifying that their data can be used with the same quality assurance as federal data.

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Authorizing Statute(s): PL: Pub.L. 111 - 11 12304 Name of Law: Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009    PL: Pub.L. 116 - 271 103 Name of Law: Coordinated Ocean Observations and Research Act of 2020 (COORA)

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

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Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	90 FR 43584	09/10/2025
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	91 FR 30286	05/22/2026
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 1

IC Title Form No. Form Name Application for RICE certification NA Application for certification as a regional information cooordination entity Recertification as an RCOS N/A RCOS Application

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ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Request	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	4	0	0	0	0	4
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	300	0	0	-860	0	1,160
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0	0	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Increase Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Reduction Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

Short Statement: The application for certification has been removed as all parties have received certification. Recertification of an RCOS Application has been added as respondent's must recertify every 5 years.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $21,625

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     Yes

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     Yes

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? No

Agency Contact: Courtney Edwards 999 999-9999

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Common Form ICR:  No

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On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
		(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;
		(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;
		(c) It reduces burden on small entities;
		(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;
		(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;
		(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;
		(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:
			(i) Why the information is being collected;
			(ii) Use of information;
			(iii) Burden estimate;
			(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
			(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
			(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
		(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.
		(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and
		(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Certification Date: 05/27/2026

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