Interagency Working Group on Facilities and Infrastructure (IWG-FI)

Composed of federal oceanographic facilities managers, the Interagency Working Group on Facilities and Infrastructure (IWG-FI) advises the Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology (SOST) on policies, procedures, and plans relating to oceanographic facility use, upgrades, and investments. This group also provides guidance on requirements and other matters relative to National oceanographic assets to the SOST.

In 2010, the IWG-FI formed the Task Force on Unmanned Systems (TFUS). This task force was initiated to advise the IWG-FI on policies, procedures, and plans relating to unmanned systems uses, upgrades, and investments. The scope of this task force included: Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV), Gliders, Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), Unmanned Surface Vessels (USV) and Lagrangian Platforms.  In 2012, TFUS was approved by the IWG-FI co-chairs to become a standing committee called the Subcommittee on Unmanned Systems (SUS).  The goals of the group, to advise the IWG-FI on policies and plans related to unmanned systems, remains the same.

The IWG-FI prepared and published Federal Oceanographic Fleet Status reports in 2007, 2013, and 2016, which described the capacity of the Federal Oceanographic Fleet (Fleet) and government-wide priorities, activities, and needs to support high priority research and surveys. In 2023, the IWG-FI began preparing the most up-to-date Fleet Status report and are currently working on publication.

Additional information about the IWG-FI can be found in our Publications & Reports section.