Certification. For purposes of these regulations, the term “certification” means the granting by NOAA of status to a non-federal entity as a participating RICE of the System authorized by section 12304 of the ICOOS Act. An applicant will not be considered to be participating in the System unless 1) it agrees to meet the certification standards issued by the Administrator issued herein, and 2) the Administrator declares the applicant to be part of the System as a certified RICE.

Equipment. For purposes of these regulations, the term “equipment” is defined as a tangible asset that is functionally complete for its intended purpose and has a capital cost of over $5,000. Both individual sensors and collections of sensors on a platform are considered equipment and are subject to the $5,000 minimum cost.

Non-Federal assets. The term “non-Federal assets” means all relevant coastal and ocean observation technologies, related basic and applied technology research and development, and public education and outreach programs that are integrated into the System and are managed through State, regional organizations, universities, nongovernmental organizations, or the private sector.

Owned and/or operated by the RICE. The term “owned and/or operated by the RICE” means non-Federal Assets that are either owned and/or operated directly by the RICE, or supported financially in part or in full by the RICE.

Regional Information Coordination Entity. The term “regional information coordination entity” means an organizational body that is certified or established by contract or memorandum by the lead Federal agency (NOAA) designated in the ICOOS Act, and that coordinates State, Federal, local, and private interests at a regional level with the responsibility of engaging the private and public sectors in designing, operating, and improving regional coastal and ocean observing systems in order to ensure the provision of data and information that satisfy the needs of user groups from the respective regions. The term “regional information coordination entity” includes regional associations described in the System Plan.

Employee of a Regional Information Coordination Entity. The term “Employee of a Regional Information Coordination Entity” means an individual identified in §997.23(d)(3) or (f)(1) of these Regulations and satisfies the requirements listed in §997.26(c).

System. The term “System” means the National Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System established in accordance with section 12304 of the ICOOS Act (33 U.S.C. 3603).

System Plan. The term “System Plan” means the plan contained in the document entitled “Ocean.US Publication No. 9, The First Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) Development Plan,” as updated by the Council under these regulations.