Core Model Evaluation for Physical Oceanography Applications

The National Ocean Service (NOS) is conducting market research to understand capabilities related to open-source, community-supported oceanographic models and their current and planned future capabilities. The goal is to evaluate and select an optimal set of core community model codes that can meet the NOAA mission, incorporate advances in computing infrastructure, leverage non-physics-based prediction methodologies, and integrate seamlessly with NOAA's UFS. The evaluation will target the underlying core codes currently used across NOS, as well as novel AI/ML architectures and other approaches. Some key points to consider include: • The NOS Modeling Vision is to deliver a comprehensive suite of nowcasts, forecasts, reanalysis, and decadal/climate-scale projections. • The NOS Modeling Strategy provides a strategic approach to improving the simulation and prediction of coastal and ocean phenomena. • The evaluation will be based on both quantitative and qualitative criteria. • The selected models will need to holistically meet NOS mission and/or modeling requirements. • The models will need to position NOS to better incorporate advances in computing infrastructure. • The models will need to leverage non-physics-based prediction methodologies like AI/ML. • The models will need to integrate seamlessly with NOAA's UFS.