NTIA improves the nation’s understanding of broadband availability by improving data collection and analytic capabilities. NTIA promotes more efficient federal broadband investments, especially in critical rural areas where data does not always accurately reflect broadband availability.

The number of new and existing minority business enterprises (MBE) assisted through an MBDA program. A MBE is a business enterprise that is at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more socially or economically disadvantaged individual; and the management and daily business operations of which are controlled by one or more socially or economically disadvantaged individuals.

The Department of Commerce International Trade Administration (ITA) supports jobs for American workers and strengthens U.S. economic and national security by facilitating U.S. exports and inward investment. In fiscal years (FY) 2020 and 2021, ITA will increase the dollar value of U.S. exports and inward investment facilitated by 10 percent annually, while ensuring that over 75 percent of U.S. exporter clients assisted are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

The process of designating or expanding National Marine Sanctuaries (NMS) and National Estuarine Research Reserves (NERRs) can take several years. To provide more regular updates, measure tracks progress in advancing proposed designations and expansions through these processes. The area for a proposed expansion or designation is only added to the measure once it completes a step in process, and only steps completed on or after 10/1/2021 are counted. For Sanctuaries, target and actual areas (sq. miles) are estimated based on proposal information; they remain estimates until actual designation or expansion is complete. For NERRs, the area for a proposed reserve cannot be estimated (and therefore are not included in targets or actuals) until the state-directed site selection process is complete and a range of alternatives (i.e., proposed reserve boundaries) has been developed for the environmental analysis process.

This measure tracks success in translating research findings into useful tools, technologies and information services that improve the use and management of coastal, ocean, and Great Lakes ecosystems. This measure communicates the number of Sea Grant products (e.g., planning and mapping tools, sensors, observation tools, genetic markers, decision-support tools, or data-sharing websites) that address the management of land, water and living resources in coastal areas resulting from Sea Grant activities (whether research, extension, education or communications) and used by partners or customers. The data will be collected from the Sea Grant Network-wide database; only previously unreported tools, technologies and information services will be included in the annual number.

Seaports with access to Physical Oceanographic Real-Time Systems (PORTS®) data move vessels and their cargo more safely and efficiently, and this measure tracks the number of top U.S. seaports that have access to PORTS® data. To create a list of the Nation’s top 175 seaports, NOS selected the top 152 ports by international tonnage, accounting for more than 99.9% of all direct imports and exports by tonnage in 2016. NOS added to this list 23 seaports that are critical to coastal military installations, the Nation’s energy supply, or commercial marine fisheries landings.

This measure tracks the percentage of fish stocks that are below their annual catch limit (ACL) in a given year. In 2007, Congress enacted a requirement to use ACLs to end and prevent overfishing. The use of ACLs has been successful in ending and preventing overfishing, as stock assessments have shown the number of stocks subject to overfishing continuing to decline. Performance is measured by comparing the final annual catch estimate to the ACL for each stock that has an ACL. If the final annual catch estimate for the stock is less than the ACL, NOAA will report that the stock did not exceed its ACL.

This measure shows the average number of days to complete an informal ESA Section 7 consultation. Federal agencies must consult with NOAA when any project or action might affect an ESA-listed marine species or a critical habitat. The process begins as informal consultation, but if it is determined that the action is likely to adversely affect a listed species and/or its critical habitat, the consultation must be formal. A large majority of consultations are handled informally.

Number of jobs created through minority business manufacturing and export activity. MBDA tracks job creation and job retention through its national network of Minority Business Centers, Advanced Manufacturing Centers, the Federal Procurement Center, and the American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian Broad Agency Announcements.