IMPLEMENTING ARRANGEMENT #15 Continuing Development of the Local
Analysis and Prediction System and Development of a Warning Dec-
ision Support System Pursuant to the Agreement Between the Taip-
ei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United St-
ates And the American Institute in Taiwan for Technical Coopera-
tion in Meteorology and Forecast Systems Development
Article I - Scope
This Implementing Arrangement describes the scientific and tech-
nical activities to be undertaken by the American Institute in
Taiwan (AIT), through its designated representative, the Foreca-
st Systems Laboratory (FSL) of the National Oceanic and Atmosph-
eric Administration (NOAA), United States Department of Commerce
. It provides for continuing development of the forecast system
being developed by the Joint Forecast Systems Project. This pro-
ject is a cooperative effort between AIT's designated represent-
ative, NOAA/FSL, and the Central Weather Bureau (CWB), the desi-
gnated representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Repre-
sentative Office in the United States (TECRO).
Article II - Authorities
The activities described in this Implementing Arrangement will
be carried out under the general terms and conditions establish-
ed by the Agreement between the American Institute in Taiwan and
the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the U-
nited States for Technical Cooperation in Meteorology and Forec-
ast Systems Development, and any subsequent revision as agreed
to by the parties. This Implementing Arrangement is the fifteen-
th such arrangement under a succession of umbrella agreements b-
etween TECRO and AIT.
NOAA has authority to participate in the meteorology and foreca-
st systems development project with AIT under:
A.15 U.S.C. 1525, the DOC Joint Project Authority, which provid-
es that DOC may enter into joint projects with nonprofit, res-
earch, or public organizations on matters of mutual interest,
the cost of which is equitably apportioned;
B.22 U.S.C. 3301 et seq., the Taiwan Relation Act of April 10, 1
979, Public Law 96-8, which authorizes agencies of the United
States Government to perform services for, and to accept funds
in payment from AIT;
C.15 U.S.C. 313, the Weather Service Organic Act, which authori-
zes the Secretary to perform meteorological services;
D.49 U.S.C. 44720(b), the Federal Aviation Act, which authorizes
the Department of Commerce to promote safety and efficiency in
air navigation; and
E.An agreement between AIT and the Taipei Economic and Cultural
Representative Office in the United States (TECRO), which aut-
horizes AIT to provide technical assistance from a designated
agency to an agency designated by TECRO. AIT has designated N-
OAA to provide technical assistance in meteorology and foreca-
st systems development.
TECRO has designated the Central Weather Bureau (CWB) of Taiw-
an to receive such technical assistance.
This Implementing Arrangement is hereby attached to that Agreem-
ent and becomes part of the Agreement.
Article III- Services
During the period of Implementing Arrangement #15 the FSL-CWB j-
oint team will focus on four ongoing tasks. The four ongoing ta-
sks are: 1) the Local Analysis and Prediction System (LAPS), wh-
ich performs high-resolution analyses and provides short-range
forecasts of the weather using both locally and centrally avail-
able meteorological observations, 2) the development of a Warni-
ng Decision Support System (WDSS), 3) the continuation of enhan-
cing CWB's current forecast workstation including a new system
called SCAN (System for Convective Analysis and Nowcasting), SC-
AN will provide short range forecasts of precipitation from rem-
ote-sensor observations, and 4) continuing integration on earli-
er cooperative projects.
These ongoing activities, described in more detail in the State-
ment of Work, will include the following four tasks:
Task #1 - Local Analysis and Prediction System (LAPS)
FSL and CWB have demonstrated the LAPS hot start capability at
CWB during Implementing Arrangement #14. For Implementing Arran-
gement #15, FSL will focus on the O to 12 hr. forecast using ho-
t start implementation as part of CWB operation and to ensure g-
ood cloud analysis with full radar coverage. FSL will apply the
hot start technique using the balanced LAPS analysis on a forec-
ast model for the Taiwan LAPS domain. FSL also will provide LAPS
training and technical support during the running of LAPS hot s-
tart at CWB.
Task #2 Warning Decision Support System (WDSS)
NSSL (National Severe Storms Laboratory) will lead the effort of
the development of a warning decision support system for CWB and
the WRA (Water Resources Agency).
CWB and the WRA will collaborate to develop a strategy and syst-
ems to improve the quantitative precipitation estimation and fl-
ood forecasting in Taiwan. The WDSS consists of four components:
1) data integration and 3-D mosaics, 2) quantitative precipitat-
ion estimation, 3) severe storm algorithms, and 4) the distribu-
tive hydrological model.
During IA #14, NSSL has delivered an initial WDSS system to CWB.
The initial system has radar data ingest with quality control,
initial development of QPE-SUMS (Quantitative Precipitation Est-
imation and Segregation Using Multiple Sensors) and a rapid pro-
totyping and development of the Vflo system which is a distribu-
tive hydrological run-off model. NSSL also provided initial WDSS
application training to CWB and WRA.
During IA #15, NSSL will focus on refining the Vflo model, enha-
ncement of QPESUMS, and radar data communication assistance. NS-
SL will also continue to assess and perform field testing to id-
entify real-time simulation issues and further operational needs
.
Vflo model will be refined, and the refinements include improve-
ments in the model physics and in product display. New paramete-
rs will be added in the model and improved GIS reference data w-
ill be incorporated.
Task #3 Forecast Assistant System
FSL and CWB will continue to enhance CWB's current forecast wor-
kstation, the Weather Integration and Nowcasting System (WINS),
to take advantage of continued AWIPS Modernization. FSL will su-
pport enhancement of WINS II in the area of severe weather warn-
ing and forecast capability. SCAN (System for Convection Analys-
is and Nowcasting) is a continuing activity for the AWIPS moder-
nization within the U.S. National Weather Service (NWS). SCAN is
an integrated suite of multi-sensor applications which detects,
analyzes and monitors convection and generates short-term proba-
bilistic forecast and warning guidance for severe weather and f-
lash floods. SCAN will provide more accurate, timely, and consi-
stent severe weather and flash flood warnings. For example, FFMP
(version 2.0) is the Flash Flood Monitoring and Prediction com-
ponent of SCAN, which is provided by the current AWIPS (Build 5.
1.2) workstation.
During IA #15, FSL and CWB will collaborate to develop a strate-
gy for the short range forecasts of precipitation from remote-s-
ensor observations using statistical extrapolative techniques.
During IA #15, FSL will also support CWB in the porting of SCAN
code to WINS II. The initial SCAN component will have a series
of severe weather detection and prediction algorithms plus data
integration techniques for CWB forecasters to use during severe
weather warning operations.
During IA #15, FSL will also provide technical support on GFlE,
D3D and FX-C software customization to CMTB; so that CWB can in-
clude these components as part of WINS II.
Task #4 - Continuing Interaction on Earlier Cooperative Proiects
Several earlier cooperative tasks have been completed. Technolo-
gy has been transferred successfully and is beginning to be used
operationally at CWB. FSL's development in these areas continues
, and further CWB/FSL interaction is important to keep CWB staff
up-to-date on current developments. This task will allow contin-
uing interaction at an appropriate level, including new software
releases of the forecast information system including the intem-
et-based forecast workstation, data assimilation, forecaster tr-
aining, exchange of visits, copying papers and reports, and e-m-
ail interaction.
Article IV-Financial Provisions
Tn accordance with the Agreement, NOAA/FSL is undertaking this
work as the designated representative of AIT. TECRO is required
to reimburse AIT for all costs incurred by ATT's designated rep-
resentative, NOAA/FSL, in association with the project covered
by this Implementing Arrangement. AIT will transfer to NOAA/FSL
all payments made by TECRO to AIT for costs incurred by NOAA/FSL
in association with this Implementing Arrangement. The total co-
st for activities described in this Implementing Arrangement is
mutually agreed to be U.S. $900,000.00. TECRO agrees to transfer
fifty percent of the funds to AIT in advance, with the remaining
fifty percent to be transferred upon completion of the year's a-
ctivities.
The funding arrangement represents an equitable apportionment of
project costs. NOAA's performance of activities under this Impl-
ementing Arrangement is subject to the availability of funds .
Article V - Intellectual Property Considerations
No intellectual property considerations are expected to arise in
conjunction with actmtles described in this Implementing Arrang-
ement. Existing system designs and computer software of the FSL
Forecast System are in the public domain. Reports, specificatio-
ns, and computer software prepared under this Implementing Arra-
ngement also will be in the public domain once NOAA and CWB have
approved them in final form.
Article VI - Effective Date, Amendment, and Termination
This ementing Arran ment is effectiveon the date of the last si-
gnature hereto. This Implementing Arrangement may be amended and
/or terminated in accordance with the terms of the Agreement. T-
he estimated completion date for the activities described in th-
is Implementing Arrangement is December 31, 2003.
FOR THE TAIPEI ECONOMIC AND FOR THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE IN
CULTURAL REPRESENTATIVE TAIWAN
OFFICE IN THE UNITED STATES
─────────────── ──────────────
Barbara Schrage
Deputy Managing Director
─────────────── ──────────────
Date Date
Statement of Work For Implementing Arrangement #15 Continuing
Development of the Local Analysis and Prediction System and Dev-
elopment of a Warning Decision Support System Between the Taipei
Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States
and The American Institute in Taiwan
1.0 - Background and Objectives
This Statement of Work addresses tasks that will be undertaken
by the joint team of FSL and CWB personnel in accordance with
the terms of Implementing Arrangement #15 of the Agreement Betw-
een the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in
the United States (TECRO), and the American Institute in Taiwan
(AIT) for Technical Cooperation in Meteorology and Forecast Sy-
stems Development, which provides for technical cooperation bet-
ween TECRO's designated representative, the Taiwan Central Weat-
her Bureau (CWB) and AIT's designated representative, the U.S.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Forecast Syst-
ems Laboratory (NOAA/FSL). The two designated representatives
cooperate on the development of meteorology and forecast systems
.
The WFO-Advanced system currently under development at the NOAA'
s Forecast Systems Laboratory (FSL) in Boulder Colorado has been
deployed as an essential part of AWIPS (Advanced Weather Intera-
ctive Processing System) for the U.S. National Weather Service (
NWS). The WFO-Advanced system development has been a very impor-
tant cooperative activity between FSL and CWB.
The WFO-Advanced system is a realization of the generic FX-Adva-
nced (FSL X-window Advanced) system. Figure I illustrates the W-
FO-Advanced components:
‧National and local data feeds
‧FSL's Local Analysis and Prediction System (LAPS)
‧Quantitative Precipitation Estimation and Segregation Using M-
ultiple Sensors (OPE-SUMS)
‧Geographical Information System (GIS) data
‧The interactive display system (D2D)
‧The AWIPS Forecast Preparation System (AFPS)
‧3-D visualization
‧Hydrological applications developed at the NWS Office of Hydr-
ology
‧A component that contains General X applications
‧Local Data Acquisition and Dissemination System (LDAD)
Four tasks are included in the Statement of Work: 1) the Local
Analysis and Prediction System (LAPS), 2) Warning Decision Supp-
ort System (WDSS), 3) Forecast Assistant System, and 4) continu-
ing interaction on earlier cooperative projects, such as data a-
ssimilation for a numerical weather prediction model.
┌──────────────────────────────┐
│ ┌──┐ │
│┌────┐│LAPS│ │
││Central │└──┘‧‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‧ │
││Models │ ：┌────┐┌──┐ ：┌───┐│
││and Data│┌──┐：│3-D ││AFPS│ ：│Disem-││
│└────┘│QPE-│：│Visuali-│└──┘ ：│inati-││
│┌────┐│SUMS│：│zation │ ：│on ││
││Local │└──┘：└────┘ ：│(LDAD)││
││Models │ ：┌────┐┌─────┐：└───┘│
││adn Data│┌──┐：│Hydrolo-││General X │： │
│└────┘│GIS │：│gical ││Applicati-│： │
│ │Data│：│Applica-││ons │： │
│ └──┘：│tions │└─────┘： │
│ ：└────┘ ： │
│ ‧‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‧ │
└──────────────────────────────┘
Figure WFO-Advanced
Tasks will be undertaken by the FSL-CWB Joint Team working at t-
he FSL facility in Boulder, Colorado, the NSSL-CWB Joint Team w-
orking at the NSSL facility in Norman, Oklahoma and by CWB staff
at the CWB facility in Taipei, Taiwan, as appropriate. This Sta-
tement of Work addresses only tasks that will be undertaken by
the FSL-CWB Joint Team and the NSSL-CWB Joint Team under the te-
rms of Implementing Arrangement #15. It describes the performan-
ce period, deliverables, and resource requirements.
2.0 - Task Descriptions
In terms of the overall program schedule, the following four ta-
sks have been identified as being critical during the January 1
to December 31, 2003, time period. These are listed below, along
with the proportion of resources that is to be allocated to each
task.
‧Task #1 - Local Analysis and Prediction System (LAPS) (20%)
‧Task #2 - Warning Decision Support System (WDSS) (40% )
‧Task #3 - Forecast Assistant System (35%)
‧Task #4 - Continuing interaction on earlier cooperative proje-
cts (5%)
These four tasks are described in more detail below.
Task #1 - Local Analysis and Prediction System (LAPS)
FSL and CWB have demonstrated the LAPS hot start capability at
CWB during Implementing Arrangement #14. For Implementing Arran-
gement #15, FSL will focus on the O to 12 hr. forecast using hot
start implementation as part of CWB operation and to ensure good
cloud analysis with full radar coverage. FSL will apply the hot
start technique using the balanced LAPS analysis on a forecast
model for the Taiwan LAPS domain. FSL also will provide LAPS tr-
aining and technical support during the running of LAPS hot sta-
rt at CWB.
The following summarizes the schedule and resources required for
Task #1:
Performance Period:
1.Work on initial hot start MM5 model 1/1/03 -12/30/03
implementation
2.Continue LAPS II analysis with surface QC 1/1/03 - 12/30/03
3.Provide LAPS user training, and 8/1/03 - 12/30/03
documentation
Resources Required: 20% FSUCWB Joint Team
Deliverables:
1.Improved cloud and precipitation analysis 11/30/03
2.LAPS II and MM5 hot start implementation with 11/30/03
surface QC at CWB
3.LAPS training materials 11/30/03
Task #2 - Warning Decision Support System (WDSS)
NSSL (National Severe Storms Laboratory) will lead the effort of
the development of a warning decision support system for CWB and
the WRA (Water Resources Agency). CWB and the WRA will collabor-
ate to develop a strategy and systems to improve the quantitati-
ve precipitation estimation and flood forecasting in Taiwan.
The WDSS consists of four components: 1) data integration and 3-
D mosaics, 2)
quantitative precipitation estimation, 3) severe storm algorith-
ms, and 4 the distributive hydrological model.
During IA #14, NSSL has delivered an initial WDSS system to CWB.
The initial system has radar data ingest with quality control,
initial development of QPE-SUMS (Quantitative Precipitation Est-
imation and Segregation Using Multiple Sensors) and a rapid pro-
totyping and development of the Vflo system which is a distribu-
tive hydrological run-off model. NSSL also provided initial WDSS
application training to CWB and WRA.
During IA #15, NSSL will focus on refining the Vflo model, enha-
ncement of QPESUMS, and radar data communication assistance. NS-
SL will also continue to assess and perform field testing to id-
entify real-time simulation issues and further operational needs
. Vflo model will be refined, and the refinements include impro-
vements in the model physics and in product display. New parame-
ters will be added in the model and improved GIS reference data
will be incorporated.
The following summarizes the schedule and resources required for
Task #2:
Performance Period:
1.Radar coverage data and radar quality 1/1/03-12/30/03
control improvement
2.Radar mosaic algorithm refinement 1/1/03-12/30/03
3.QPE-SUMS enhancement and training 1/1/03-12/30/03
4.Vflo model enhancement and training with 1/1/03-12/30/03
case studies
5.WDSS deployment and configuration 1/1/03-12/30/03
6.Vflo display enhancement 1/1/03-3/30/03
7.Case studies and model verification 1/1/03-12/30/03
Resources Required: 40% NSSLICWB Joint Team
Deliverables :
1.Radar data processing and algorithm software 11/30/03
2.WDSS software including initial QPE-SUMS, 11/30/03
documents and training sessions
3.3-D mosaics and radar QC software 11/30/03
4.Vflo model software, documents and training 3/30/03
sessions
5.Vflo web display enhancement 3/30/03
6.Vflo Version 2.0 training and users manual 11/30/03
7.Vflo quarterly progress reports and 3/31/03, 6/30/03
annual review , 9/30/03
(presentation) 11/30/03
Task #3 - Forecast Assistant System
FSL and CWB will continue to enhance CWB's current forecast wor-
kstation, the Weather Integration and Nowcasting System (WINS),
to take advantage of continued AWIPS Modernization. FSL will su-
pport enhancement of WINS II in the area of severe weather warn-
ing and forecast capability.
SCAN (System for Convection Analysis and Nowcasting) is a conti-
nuing activity for the AWIPS modernization within the U.S. Nati-
onal Weather Service (NWS). SCAN is an integrated suite of mult-
i-sensor applications which detects, analyzes and monitors conv-
ection and generates short-term probabilistic forecast and warn-
ing guidance for severe weather and flash floods. SCAN will pro-
vide more accurate, timely, and consistent severe weather and f-
lash flood warnings. For example, FFMP (version 2.0) is the Fla-
sh Flood Monitoring and Prediction component of SCAN, which is
provided by the current AWIPS (Build 5.1.2) workstation.
During IA #15, FSL and CWB will collaborate to develop a strate-
gy for the short range forecasts of precipitation from remote-s-
ensor observations using statistical extrapolative techniques.
During IA #15, FSL will also support CWB in the porting of SCAN
code to WINS II. The initial SCAN component will have a series
of severe weather detection and prediction algorithms plus data
integration techniques for CWB forecasters to use during severe
weather warning operations.
During IA #15, FSL will also provide technical support on GFE,
D3D and FX-C software customization to CWB; so that CWB can inc-
lude these components as part of WINS II.
The following summarizes the schedule and resources required for
Task #3:
Performance Period:
1.Develop strategy for short term 1/1/03 - 12/30/03
precipitation forecast and begin
statistical development
2.Port SCAN code to WINS 1/1/03 - 12/30/03
3.Provide technical support on D3D and FX-C 1/1/03 - 12/30/03
Resources Required: 35% FSL/CWB Joint Team
Deliverables :
1.SCAN software 11/30/03
2.Initial QPF development 11/30/03
3.D3D and FX-C software 11/30/03
Task #4- Continuing interaction on earlier cooperative projects
Several earlier cooperative tasks have been completed. Technolo-
gy has been transferred successfully and is beginning to be used
operationally at CWB. FSL's development in these areas continues
, and further CWB/FSL interaction is important to keep CWB staff
up-to-date on current developments. This task will allow contin-
uing interaction at an appropriate level, including new software
releases of the forecast information system including the inter-
net-based forecast workstation, data assimilation, forecaster
training, exchange of visits, copying papers and reports, and
e-mail interaction.
The following summarizes the schedule and resources required for
Task #4:
Performance Period:
1.Continuing interaction on earlier 1/1/03 - 12/30/03
cooperative projects
2.Provide support on CWB HPC procurement and 5/1/03 - 12/30/03
benchmark (attend the HPC procurement pla-
nning meeting and attempt to port the NFS
operational model to FSL Linux cluster)
Resources Reauired: 5% FSUCWB Joint Team
Deliverables:
1.Relevant documents, reports and electronic (as needed)
information
2.AWIPS upgrade software 11/30/03
3.HPC reports (a trip report of FSL recommendations 11/30/03
on CWB HPC procurement and a short working report
to discuss the initial NFS porting effort)
4.Satellite data receiving system consultation 11/30/03
3.0- Schedule
Functions Milestones
───── ─────
1.Provide LAPS II software with hot start model 12/03
2.Provide an initial WDSS including QPE-SUMS, and 12/03
Vflo model
3.Provide SCAN software and initial short-term QPF 12/03
4.Provide HPC technical support and relevant docu- 12/03
ment and technical support on WINS II
Schedule by Month
─────────
TASKS 1/1 2/1 3/1 4/1 5/1 6/1 7/1 8/1 9/1 10/1 11/1 12/1
─── ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─
Task 1
(LAPS)
────
LAP II and ───────────────────────→
MM5 with
hot start
Provide t- ───────→
raining a-
nd docume-
nt
Task 2
(WDSS)
────
Initial V- ───────────────────────→
flo model
and QPESU-
MS
Provide t- ───────→
raining a-
nd docume-
nt
Task 3
(Forecast
Assistant
system)
─────
Initial S- ───────────────────────→
CAN porti-
ng and in-
itial sho-
rt-term Q-
PF algori-
thm
Provide t- ──────────────────────→
echnical
support on
WINS II
Task 4
(interac- ─────────────────────────→
tion on e-
arlier ro-
jects)
─────
Provide HPC ────────────────→
technical
support
4.0 Budget
The following are the estimated costs for Implementing Arrangem-
ent #15
┌────┬────────┬──────────┬─────┐
│Tasks │Presonnel │Travel/Training │Total │
├────┼────────┼──────────┼─────┤
│Task #1 │$ 150,000 │$ 20,000 │$ 170,000 │
├────┼────────┼──────────┼─────┤
│Task #2 │$ 320,000 │$ 30,000 │$ 350,000 │
├────┼────────┼──────────┼─────┤
│Task #3 │$ 270,000 │$ 20,000 │$ 290,000 │
├────┼────────┼──────────┼─────┤
│Task #4 │$ 70,000 │$ 20,000 │$ 90,000 │
├────┼────────┼──────────┼─────┤
│Total │$ 180,000 │$ 90,000 │$ 900,000 │
└────┴────────┴──────────┴─────┘
As stated in Implementing Arrangement #15, the funds available
from CWB and the WRA (Water Resources Agency) to support the ta-
sks, traveling and meeting expenses described in this Statement
of Work, will be a total of US$ 900,000, of which US$650,000 wi-
ll be provided by CWB and $250,000 by WRA. All budget figures
are estimates. Actual amounts will be accrued for purposes of
fulfilling the financial arrangements described in the Implemen-
ting Arrangement, in accordance with the terms of the Agreement.
All programs within the Forecast Systems Laboratory use the same
budget procedures, whether they are base-funded programs or ext-
ernally-funded programs. Beginning in EY91, a facility charge
has been applied to all programs to cover management and admini-
strative costs as well as the use of the FSL facility and all
associated equipment and data.
FSL staff time is charged at the employee's salary plus the nor-
mal NOAA benefit, leave, and overhead charges. FSL professional
staff people are primarily in the civil service grade scales of
GS-11 to GS-14. Contract staff is in equivalent categories. 5.0
CWB Joint Team Assignments at FSL and NSSL Several tasks require
CWB staff in residence at FSL and NSSL. The primary effort of
CWB staff at FSL/NSSL during the Implementing Arrangement #15 p-
eriod will be directed toward developing the LAPS hot start sof-
tware, QPE-SUMS and short term QPF.
It is important that two or three CWB staff members be available
to work at FSL and
NSSL facilities during the period. Specific assignments will be
made to most efficiently use the available personnel resources.
Assignments for the CWB staff members would be as follows:
‧Developmerrt of the LAPS software and short term QPF (at FSL)
‧Development of decision tools (SCAN) (at FSL)
‧Development of the WDSS model (at NSSL).