The formula-driven calculation projects investment data at 3, 6, and 9 year intervals from the investment award. The formula is based on a study done by Rutgers University, which compiled and analyzed the performance of EDA construction investments after 9 years. This approach was reviewed and validated by third-party analysis conducted by Grant Thornton in 2008. Based on this formula and a review of EDA's historical results, EDA estimates that 40% of the 9-year projection would be realized after 3 years, 75% after 6 years, and 100% after 9 years.

This measure determines the perceived value added by the University Centers (UCs) to their clients. EDA funds UCs to provide technical assistance and specialized services (for example, feasibility studies, marketing research, economic analysis, environmental services, and technology transfer) to local officials and communities. This assistance improves the community’s capacity to plan and manage successful development projects. UCs develop client profiles and report findings to EDA, which evaluates the performance of each center once every 3 years and verifies the data. “Taking action as a result of the assistance facilitated” means to implement an aspect of the technical assistance provided by the UC in one of several areas: economic development initiatives and training session development; linkages to crucial resources; economic development planning; project management; community investment package development; geographic information system services; strategic partnering to public or private sector entities; increased organizational capacity; feasibility plans; marketing studies; technology transfer; new company, product, or patent development; and other services.

The formula-driven calculation projects investment data at 3, 6, and 9 year intervals from the investment award. The formula is based on a study done by Rutgers University, which compiled and analyzed the performance of EDA construction investments after 9 years. This approach was reviewed and validated by third-party analysis conducted by Grant Thornton in 2008. Based on this formula and a review of EDA's historical results, EDA estimates that 40% of the 9-year projection would be realized after 3 years, 75% after 6 years, and 100% after 9 years.

This measure tracks the number of protected species stocks for which adequate assessments are available. Assessments are vital to determine the scientific basis for supporting and evaluating the impact of management actions. To be deemed adequate, assessments must be based on recent quantitative or qualitative analysis sufficient to determine current stock status based on a variety of data category levels (e.g., life history, threats, stock structure, assessment quality, assessment frequency, and abundance), and conservation status. Stock status projections are highly dependent on survey frequencies, assessment time frames, and fiscal constraints. This measure covers the protected species stocks covered by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) or listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The number of such stocks continues to increase as new species are listed and as new stocks of listed species and marine mammals are identified— the latter typically indicates increased knowledge about population stock structure.

The National Ocean Acidification Observing Network (NOA-ON) is comprised of a suite of sensor assets. Each sensor tracks the daily cycle of ocean carbonate chemistry, which allows us to characterize Ocean Acidification in accordance with the Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring (FOARAM) Act. This network provides the capacity to track long-term changes in ocean chemistry and to alert stakeholders and industry partners about corrosive events impacting the Nation’s blue economy.

This measure tracks progress toward the recovery of endangered, threatened, or depleted protected species under NMFS’ jurisdiction. The species included in this measure are listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) or as depleted under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). Decreases may occur when species are de-listed or when separate stocks of a listed species are merged. Recovery of threatened, endangered, or depleted species can take decades. It may not be possible to recover or de-list a species in the near term, but progress can be made to stabilize or increase the species population. For some species, this means trying to stop steep population declines, while for others it means trying to increase their numbers.

This measure tracks the number of protected species stocks for which adequate assessments are available. Assessments are vital to determine the scientific basis for supporting and evaluating the impact of management actions. To be deemed adequate, assessments must be based on recent quantitative or qualitative analysis sufficient to determine current stock status based on a variety of data category levels (e.g., life history, threats, stock structure, assessment quality, assessment frequency, and abundance), and conservation status. Stock status projections are highly dependent on survey frequencies, assessment time frames, and fiscal constraints. This measure covers the protected species stocks covered by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) or listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The number of such stocks continues to increase as new species are listed and as new stocks of listed species and marine mammals are identified— the latter typically indicates increased knowledge about population stock structure.

The formula-driven calculation projects investment data at 3, 6, and 9 year intervals from the investment award. The formula is based on a study done by Rutgers University, which compiled and analyzed the performance of EDA construction investments after 9 years. This approach was reviewed and validated by third-party analysis conducted by Grant Thornton in 2008. Based on this formula and a review of EDA's historical results, EDA estimates that 40% of the 9-year projection would be realized after 3 years, 75% after 6 years, and 100% after 9 years.

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.