IPTD-118
Volunteer Continuous Monitoring Data Management System
Description
Volunteer groups that collect data throughout the state of NJ. Some of this data is collected via continuous monitoring data loggers. (Equipment that records data continuously at set intervals such as every 15 minutes, 1 hour, etc.) Continuous data collects 24/7. These groups need a database to organize and store their data, a method for retrieving and downloading this data, and a way to display this data.
There is already an existing system through Rutgers University that handles continuous buoy data. But we cannot store the volunteer data in this system because the data quality isn't considered as precise as what the DEP generates. So it needs to be branded very differently and kept separated from data that DEP would otherwise use for guidance for regulatory purposes. (But we still find value in looking at this data to guide some future decision making.)
We are asking permission to use Rutgers to build a simplified version of the Continuous Monitoring Buoy system to handle the Volunteer Monitoring Continuous data.
This will be handled as a separate Rutgers University (RU) contract instead of trying to develop it with left over RU maintenance funds. I’m beginning to work with the program on drafting up a vision and Scope of Work so that Rutgers can quote a price. Then we will run details past management.
The hope was to start building this system with left over funding prior to the end of the contract period (12/31/23). This is no longer looking feasible due to a shortage of Rutgers staff resources, so I have put in for a 6 month no cost time extension for the Data Maintenace Contract that was going to fund this project. This will give WRM till 06/30/23 to spend down the remaining balance for this specific project initiative. I will evaluate progress in the spring to see if another contract extension is warranted.
WMSPC has 35K left over in a data maintenance contract from 2019. I keep extending the contract end period by 6 months, so I don’t lose the money. We are going to try to have RU start building this system with that 35K. Most if not all of the system should get build. I want to spend this money down and close out the contract so I don’t have to keep doing amendment modifications to the contract.
Please review Project IT Sheet. The main ask for DOIT from WMSPC is to give us permission to work with Rutgers University to create this system for us. If permission is granted, I can take it from there and handle everything going forward. If you don’t want me to head in this direction, we can discuss your suggested alternatives.
Draft DOIT Project IT sheet has been written up and sent out to the program to review.
Met with group on 7/21/22. They need to discuss some items internally to ensure there is upper management support to complete the project and funding to do so. The consensus is they would like Rutgers to do this because staff have been happy with the Rutgers system that currently handles DEP collected continuous monitoring data. They want something similar to handle Volunteer related data.