NAO 216-124: Policy on Development and Coordination of Economic Analyses and Statistics for NOAA

Issued 12/01/2019; Effective 12/01/2019 Last Reviewed Date 12/01/2019

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SECTION  1.  PURPOSE.

This Order establishes the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) policies and procedures for review of NOAA activities related to the development of economic analyses and statistics by the NOAA’s Chief Economist, Performance, Risk and Social Science Office, Office of Chief Financial Officer (OCFO) of certain activities related to the development of economic analyses and statistics for NOAA.

SECTION  2.  SCOPE.

This NOAA Administrative Order (NAO) applies to all NOAA offices and programs.

SECTION  3.  POLICY.

The purpose of this NAO is to facilitate the development of effective and robust economic analyses, as well as coordinate and align reporting to the Department of Commerce, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and the White House.

SECTION  4.  RESPONSIBILITIES.

.01  The NOAA Chief Economist responsibilities are to:

  1. Represent NOAA in high‑level departmental and interagency policy discussions regarding economic topics related to the NOAA’s mission and programmatic
    activity.
  2. Provide intellectual and strategic leadership analysis to promote, coordinate, integrate, and implement the use of rigorous economic analysis at both the
    agency and LO levels in support of the NOAA’s missions.
  3. Provide support in the development of cutting‑edge research and analysis methodologies to advance activities of strategic importance to NOAA.
  4. Maintain a repository of current and reliable economic statistics.
  5. Provide expert technical guidance and leadership to NOAA’s compliance with
    the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018; including the development and implementation of performance measures for planning and management, and evidence‑based projects.
  6. Foster a coordinated approach to studying socio‑economic issues with economic
    units within the Department of Commerce, as well as key Federal agencies and external stakeholders.
  7. Review proposals received by NOAA leadership for information and/or action(s) concerning sensitive and controversial economic policy.
  8. Advise the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, as well
    as other NOAA senior leaders, on economic and social science policy, and programmatic issues.

.02  To ensure agency‑wide methodological standard and alignment in the following:

  1. All Line/Staff Offices (LO/SO) should consult with the Chief Economist during
    the design phase and schedule follow up(s) as needed for the following analyses:
    1. Regulatory Impact Analyses of significant rulemakings [as defined
      by Executive Order’s 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review) and
      13563 (Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review)];
    2. Economic analyses developed for budget justification, such as
      economic impact analyses, cost‑benefit analysis, and return on
      investment;
    3. Economic analyses requested by the Department of Commerce,
      Congress, or the Executive Office of the President;
    4. Economic analyses developed to support performance measures and
      the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018; and
    5. Any other significant studies, on a case‑by‑case basis, as determined
      by NOAA leadership.
  2. All programs developing socio‑economic studies with Information Collection Requests (ICR) packages employing statistical methods with Supporting Statement
    B must be submitted to the NOAA Chief Economist for review and approval before submission to the NOAA Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) Officer. The NOAA
    PRA Officer will work in collaboration with the NOAA Chief Economist to
    ensure coordination of PRA requests to support socio‑economic studies.
  3. Line Offices without economic capabilities are encouraged to work in
    collaboration with the NOAA Chief Economist when developing studies on
    the value of NOAA’s products and services.
  4. The Chief Economist should be included in the review of proposed legislation referring to economic growth and development, such as the ocean economy and
    the economic impact of weather hazards.

SECTION  5.  REFERENCES.

  1.  Foundations for Evidence‑Based Policymaking Act of 2018.
  2.  Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review.
  3.  Executive Order 13563, Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review.
  4.  The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980.
  5.  Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) Guide, Version 2.0 (2011), United States Office of Personnel Management.
  6.  OMB Circular A-4, Regulatory Impact Analysis: A Primer.

SECTION  6.  EFFECT ON OTHER ISSUANCES.

.01  The Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Environmental Observation and Prediction Performing the duties of Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere signs because there is no delegation of authority for this NAO. 

.02  An electronic copy of this order will be posted on the NOAA Office of the Chief Administrative Officer website under the NOAA Administrative Issuances Section (http://www.corporateservices.noaa.gov/~ocao/index.html).

                                                                                                                                                                 

    

 

                                                                                      ___________________________________
Neil A. Jacobs, Ph.D.
Assistant Secretary of Commerce for
Environmental Observation and Prediction
Performing the Duties of
Under Secretary of Commerce
for Oceans and Atmosphere

 

Offices of Primary Interest:
Office of the Chief Financial Officer
All NOAA Line and Staff Offices