Proposals for Operation, Support, Improvement, and Expansion of the ShakeAlert Earthquake Early Warning System for the West Coast

Background
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) Earthquake Hazards Program aims to support earthquake hazards research and monitoring to develop information, knowledge, and methods relevant to major Earthquake Hazards Program elements. The program focuses on Assessment and Characterization of Earthquake Hazards, Monitoring and Reporting Earthquake Activity and Crustal Deformation, Conducting Research into Earthquake Causes and Effects, and Earthquake and Safety Information for Loss Reduction.

Grant Details
The USGS Earthquake Hazards Program is seeking proposals for the Operation, Support, Improvement, and Expansion of the ShakeAlert Earthquake Early Warning System for the West Coast. The program requires that proposed activities align with the core components of the most recent ShakeAlert Technical Implementation Plan, USGS Earthquake Hazard Program ShakeAlert Alerting Priorities document, and other ShakeAlert project planning documents. The proposals should focus on improving the performance, utility, and reliability of ShakeAlert system alert products for large earthquakes, especially in Cascadia.
The highest priority is on reliable, sustainable operations and maintenance of the current production system, improving the system’s value for its users, and completion of the seismic sensor infrastructure by end of 2025. The proposed work should be aligned with U.S. Government, USGS, and ANSS guidelines.

Eligibility Requirements
The U.S. Geological Survey is requesting a limited competition for the incorporation of real-time GNSS observations into the research and data collection project ShakeAlert. Invited applicants to the limited competition have demonstrated their abilities to contribute geodetic data for ShakeAlert, have carried out and applied related geodetic research and development for early warning development.

Period of Performance
The length of the project period will be 3 years with funding to be obligated annually. Start dates for awards under this Program Announcement will be on or about August 15, 2024. Cooperative agreements will be for a term of three years.

Grant Value
$12 million in funding for all awards will be available under this Program Announcement in FY2024 to support the Operation, Support, Improvement, and Expansion of the ShakeAlert Earthquake Early Warning System for the West Coast.