The Technology Assessment Program (TAP) and the Technology Collaborations Program (TCP) are administered by the OORP Emerging Technologies Branch (ETB) Research Support Section (RSS). These research programs underpin and support mission-specific areas across the Bureau such as policy development, critical safety elements, decision-making tools, and process safety events, and risks.
The TAP Program has four primary objectives:
- Technical Support - Provide BSEE’s decision makers with engineering support as they evaluate operational proposals from industry on a variety of topics and related technical issues. The Technical Support staff ensures these proposals comply with applicable regulations, rules, operational guidelines and standards.
- Technology Assessment - Investigates and assessing industry applications of technological innovations and promoting the use of the best available and safest technologies in Bureau regulations, rules and operational guidelines.
- Research Catalyst - Promotes operational safety, pollution prevention, and supports leadership during offshore energy extraction activities.
- International Regulatory - Provides international cooperation for Research and Development initiatives, enhances the safety of offshore energy extraction activities and the development of appropriate regulatory program elements worldwide. For more information about international research coordination efforts, see the BSEE ICRARD page or visit ICRARD.org.
The TCP includes exploration and advancement of new technologies or operational practices for the offshore environment, this Program leverages universities, federal partners, through and Interagency Agreements with other federal agencies
RSS responsibilities also include the research need identification, budget solicitation, peer review activity, and the coordination of closeout activities, including the appropriate dissemination of research conclusions, findings and recommendations.
The RSS staff provides guidance and assistance during the pre-solicitation, pre-award, source selection and post-award stages, and coordinates contract activities primarily through the use of purchase orders, contracts, cooperative agreements, and interagency agreements