|
| Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory |
|
|
| The LIGO Laboratory Charter (2002 - 2006) |
| October, 2001 |
| LIGO-M010213-01-M |
| Contents |
|
National Science Foundation Cooperative Agreement Institutional Roles and Responsibilities NSF Division of Grants and Agreements Reappointment and Performance Review of the Director Organization of the LIGO Laboratory Other Scientific Collaborations LIGO Program Advisory Committee LIGO Laboratory Executive Committee Hanford Observatory - Livingston Observatory Technical and Engineering Support Advanced Research and Development Environment, Safety and Health Protection Contractors, Collaborators and Visitors Governmental Code Requirements LIGO Program Advisory Committee NSF Site Visits/Visiting Committee Appendix A: Caltech - MIT Memorandum of Understanding Appendix B: LIGO Oversight Committee References |
|
Overview |
|
|
The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) is aimed at opening the field of gravitational-wave astrophysics through the direct detection of gravitational waves. LIGO detectors will use laser interferometry to measure the distortions of the space-time between free masses induced by passing gravitational waves. The design, construction, and operation of LIGO is being carried out by scientists, engineers, and staff at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Caltech has prime responsibility for the project under the terms of a Cooperative Agreementi with the National Science Foundation (NSF). LIGO is a national facility for gravitational-wave research, providing opportunities for the broader scientific community to participate in detector development, observations and data analysis. LIGO welcomes the participation of outside scientists at any of these levels. LIGO has been constructed in a phased approach beginning with one three-interferometer detector system and evolving to improved detector configurations to enable more sensitive gravitational-wave observation systems. The LIGO program during 2002 - 2006 is described in LIGO Proposal PHY - 0107417ii. LIGO will operate under this Agreementi as the LIGO Laboratory and will be managed following this LIGO Laboratory Charter. |
|
Objectives |
|
Scientific Objectives |
|
|
The scientific objectives of LIGO include research in the fundamental physics of gravitation as well as in astronomy and astrophysics. Possible advances in gravitational physics include:
Possible observations in astronomy and astrophysics that may not be measurable by other methods include:
It is highly likely, as has been the experience in opening other branches of observational astrophysics, that LIGO will expose new classes of sources. The LIGO facilities are designed to accommodate a succession of detection systems with enhanced sensitivity and adjustable spectral response to retain flexibility in the exploratory phase of the science and to optimize the scientific returns once gravitational waves have been detected. |
|
Technical Objectives |
|
|
The initial operational phase of LIGO includes the minimum facilities necessary for successful detection of gravitational waves: a continuously operating triple coincidence detector comprising three broadband interferometers, operated at two widely separated sites. Initial interferometers are based on reasonable extrapolations from experience with prior gravitational-wave detector prototypes, ancillary experiments and modeling. The performance of the initial interferometers is described in the proposalii. |
|
Facility Description |
|
|
The major LIGO facilities consist of vacuum systems at two widely separated sites - Hanford, Washington, and Livingston, Louisiana. The vacuum systems, in the shape of an L with 4 km arms, enclose laser interferometer beams. The beams originate and are detected at the vertex of the L (corner station) and are reflected from the ends of the L (end stations). At the Washington site, additional mirrors are placed at the midpoints (mid stations) of the arms to establish half-length interferometers. The system comprising three interferometers, a full length and a half-length at Washington and a full length at Louisiana, operate in triple coincidence as a single gravitational-wave detector. The vacuum system consists of two elements: the beam tubes running along the arms of the L and the vacuum chambers and associated tubing at the corner stations, end stations and mid stations (Washington). The vacuum chambers contain the test masses (end points of the interferometer) and their associated seismic isolation systems, the interferometer optics, the optics for beam injection and extraction from the interferometer and the electro-optic and mechanical instrumentation to maintain interferometer alignment and to detect the measured gravitational-wave signal. The beam tubes are enclosed in a cover for protection and to reduce interferometer noise from scattered light due to wind driven motions of the tubes. The buildings at both sites are designed to accommodate full exploitation of LIGO by an improved and/or multiple detector phase of LIGO. In addition to the vacuum chambers and pumps, the corner station houses the facility and interferometer control systems, the laser power and cooling systems, the data archiving and facility computer systems, office space for staff and visitors, staging areas, equipment receiving areas and small electronic and mechanical shops. The mid station and end station buildings are smaller, containing only vacuum chambers, pumps, and equipment receiving and staging areas. Full bandwidth analog strain signals from the interferometers will be digitized and recorded continuously for off-site analysis. Ancillary signals monitoring the state of the instrument, the facility and the environment will be archived continuously. Data will be analyzed for coincident bursts, periodic sources and a stochastic background of gravitational waves. |
|
| [ top ] |
|
Mission and Responsibilities |
|
|
The program and mission of LIGO is to:
The LIGO Laboratory will:
|
|
National Science Foundation Cooperative Agreement |
|
|
The LIGO Laboratory operates under a Cooperative Agreement between the US National Science Foundation (NSF) and the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). The Agreement defines the obligations of Caltech and MIT in carrying out the mission of the Laboratory. This Charter is incorporated by reference in the Cooperative Agreement in the governance of the LIGO Laboratory. |
|
|
The LIGO Laboratory reporting and oversight is defined in the organizational hierarchy shown in Figure 1.
|
|
|
NSF is responsible for providing funding, general oversight, monitoring, and evaluation to help assure Laboratory performance in accordance with approved work plans. NSF will strive to obtain funding consistent with the Target Funding Levels set forth in the Cooperative Agreement. The actual funding available for LIGO will be negotiated with the Laboratory on the basis of the Annual LIGO Work Plan that, upon approval by NSF, will constitute the official operating plan for the year. Within the framework of the annual operating plan, NSF will undertake to provide the funding in a timely fashion and to provide the necessary document reviews and approvals as indicated in the Work Plan. NSF involvement includes the following:
|
|
|
Within the NSF, the LIGO Program Manager is responsible for scientific, technical, cost and schedule review and agency guidance. Review of progress and programmatic review of annual work plans is the responsibility of the LIGO Program Manager. Direct communication between the LIGO Program Manager and the LIGO Laboratory is the method by which this review and guidance will be accomplished. Performance of work under the Cooperative Agreement is subject to the general guidance and oversight by the NSF Program Manager for LIGO. |
|
|
The NSF Division of Grants and Agreements is responsible for Cooperative Agreement matters between the NSF and Caltech. Formal communications related to contracts and the Division of Grants and Agreements and the Caltech Office of Sponsored Research will accomplish required approvals. Annual funding increments and contractual obligations flow from the Division of Grants and Agreements (DGA), National Science Foundation (NSF), to Caltech, under the Cooperative Agreement. Excluding certain contractual arrangements, all subcontracts in excess of $100,000 issued by Caltech are subject to approval by NSF/DGA. |
|
|
Caltech is accountable, as the awardee, for the performance of the LIGO Laboratory, as described in the LIGO Annual Work Plan. Caltech is responsible for staffing the Laboratory, providing institutional support and ensuring adequate oversight of the execution and performance of the program. Caltech's Office of Sponsored Research is responsible for matters between Caltech and NSF that pertain to the administration of the terms and conditions of the Cooperative Agreement and will accomplish this through formal communications with the NSF Division of Grants and Agreements. Legal review and matters related to real property and property management will be the responsibility of the Caltech Legal Counsel reporting to the President and the Caltech Vice President for Business and Finance, respectively. |
|
|
The LIGO Laboratory encompasses a joint effort of Caltech and MIT. The MIT roles and responsibilities are defined through a Memorandum of Understanding (Appendix A) and subcontract with Caltech. The MIT subcontract is subject to NSF approval. The MIT administration shares responsibility with the Caltech administration for overall oversight of the execution and performance of the LIGO program through representatives on the LIGO Oversight Committee. The MIT administration is also responsible for oversight, staffing and support of the MIT LIGO Group and for insuring that it successfully meets its institutional commitments. It is the policy of the LIGO Laboratory to have a fully integrated MIT participation with institutional boundaries minimized. |
|
Caltech Reporting |
|
|
LIGO activities at Caltech, like other research programs directed by physics faculty, are part of the Division of Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy (PMA) through which academic appointments and educational matters are administered. The Division also provides administrative and logistical support to LIGO and oversight of the Caltech effort on LIGO. |
|
|
At MIT, academic appointments and educational aspects of LIGO are administered through the Department of Physics; research activities are supported through the Center for Space Research. The Department of Physics and the Center for Space Research provide oversight of the MIT effort on LIGO and they report to the President of MIT through the Dean of Science. |
|
|
The presidents of Caltech and MIT have established a LIGO Oversight Committee, chaired by a member appointed by the Caltech President and composed of two members from each institution appointed by their respective presidents after mutual consultation. The Oversight Committee reports to the presidents through the Chair of Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy at Caltech and the Dean of Science at MIT. It will regularly provide review of LIGO program status and progress as required. The Oversight Committee functions under a formal written charge. |
|
|
The LIGO Laboratory Director is appointed by the Caltech President in consultation with the MIT President and with the approval of NSF. The Director performs his/her responsibilities in close association with the LIGO Laboratory Deputy Director, who is appointed by the Director with the approval of the Presidents and the NSF. The LIGO Laboratory Director, in association with the Deputy Director, reports progress on a periodic basis to the LIGO Oversight Committee. |
|
|
The Caltech Chair of the Division of Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy nominates the Director. The nomination is reviewed by the Caltech Provost and forwarded to the Caltech President. The President appoints the Director as provided above. The appointment is made in writing and the appointment letter states the term of the appointment, up to five years in duration. Caltech reviews the performance of the LIGO Director at the conclusion of the Director’s term or at any other earlier time deemed appropriate by the Division Chair. Following the review, the Division Chair may nominate the Director for continuation or reappointment or may nominate a new Director. This nomination is reviewed by the Provost and forwarded to the Caltech President for consideration and action as provided above. |
|
| [ top ] |
|
Organization of the LIGO Laboratory |
|
|
The organization of the LIGO Laboratory is shown here. It is a site-based organization in which each site is organized functionally. The LIGO Laboratory has a flat hierarchy. |
|
Directorate |
|
|
The LIGO Laboratory Directorate consists of the Director and the Deputy Director. Although each has different well-defined primary responsibilities, the overall Laboratory direction is fully shared and either can speak for the Laboratory. Both the Director and the Deputy Director are fully informed on all major decisions and will be mutually involved in the decision making as appropriate. The LIGO Laboratory Director has overall responsibility for the LIGO Laboratory. The Director’s primary responsibility is to ensure the development and implementation of the LIGO Laboratory program in a timely and cost effective manner with the goal of detecting gravitational waves and carrying out a program of gravitational wave astronomy. The Deputy Director is primarily responsible for executing the LIGO program and for organizing and directing the Laboratory team composed of Caltech and MIT staff. The Director is the principal point for communication and interaction with NSF, through its LIGO Program Manager. The Director is also responsible for maintaining interactions and collaboration with the scientific community (both national and international). |
|
LIGO Scientific Collaboration |
|
|
The LIGO Scientific Collaborationiii (LSC) will carry out the LIGO research and development program, develop priorities, and enable participation by collaborating groups. It will be organized as a separate entity distinct from the LIGO Laboratory. Through its Spokesperson, the LSC will communicate with the Laboratory through the Laboratory Directorate. Collaborative work between the LIGO Laboratory and the LIGO Scientific Collaboration will be defined in Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) between the Laboratory and responsible institutions. Specific tasks will be included in Attachments to these MOUs with defined deliverables and periods of performance. |
|
|
As the field of experimental gravitational wave research develops, it may become appropriate to form additional and independent scientific collaborations. These collaborations will, as well, be governed by MOUs and Attachments. |
|
LIGO Program Advisory Committee |
|
|
The LIGO Program Advisory Committee (PAC) is the principal source of advice to LIGO on scientific policy, technical choices, support of the scientific community and organizational matters. It provides peer review of scientific and technical proposals for the scientific use of LIGO. This peer review will be considered by the Laboratory Directorate in making decisions on disposition of proposals. The Committee meets several times per year and will be asked for advice through a written charge provided by the LIGO Laboratory Director. The Committee's advice will be used by the Directorate in making decisions. The Committee members are appointed for an initial term of three years, after which new members will be appointed with staggered terms to assure continuity and renewal of the Committee. |
|
|
The Executive Committee is the principal management body used by the Laboratory Directorate to review Laboratory program execution and status and to develop the basis for management decisions. The Executive Committee will meet regularly and be chaired by the Director, in association with the Deputy Director. It will consist of the managers of each of the LIGO Laboratory functional groups, LIGO Laboratory senior scientists, and all LIGO professorial faculty members at Caltech and MIT. |
|
|
The LIGO Laboratory operates an NSF-supported Visitors Program intended to provide research opportunities for scientific visitors to the campuses and Observatory sites and for visits by Laboratory staff to other research groups and sites. Supported visits are expected to be of significant duration (one month or longer) and are proposed as research projects to the Laboratory Directorate for review and subsequent support. Shorter term and targeted or informal visits will also take place and these will be supported from accounts separate from the Visitors Program described above. |
|
|
As a national facility based upon an exciting scientific research mission, LIGO can provide a focus for educational programs in science. A Science Education Program will reach beyond the traditional university role of educating undergraduate and graduate students to reaching K-12 grade level students. The managers of the Caltech, MIT, Hanford and Livingston groups will develop and lead programs in educational outreach to the general public, in on-site educational programs at the Observatory sites, as well as the university campuses, and in supporting program development consistent with other NSF educational initiatives. |
|
Industrial Liaison Program |
|
|
An Industrial Liaison Program will supplement the extensive industrial participation in LIGO construction. LIGO development of enabling technologies promises to provide new capabilities of interest to industry. These include advanced laser and optical technology, and new capabilities in vibration and acoustic isolation. An Industrial Liaison Program Manager will lead direct efforts to inform, collaborate and cooperate with industrial partners. A senior scientist or engineer reporting directly to the Laboratory Directorate will carry out this role. |
|
LIGO Laboratory Groups |
|
|
Each LIGO Laboratory group reports to the Directorate and is led by a Group Leader and, as needed, a Deputy Group Leader. These positions serve as line management for the respective group. Each group is represented on the Laboratory Executive Committee. Staff assignment to a functional group represents the principal assignment for each staff member. It is expected, however, that scientific and technical staff will participate significantly in activities of other functional groups. While each group has a primary function and funding source, it is expected that there will be substantial overlap in activities commensurate with the requirements of scientific research. Laboratory groups consist of three site-based groups and several Laboratory-wide functional groups. |
|
Hanford Observatory
- Livingston Observatory |
|
|
The Hanford Observatory and the Livingston Observatory are organized as separate functional groups within the LIGO Laboratory. Each is responsible for the effective operation of the facilities and scientific programs at the respective Observatory site. A scientist who serves as the Head of the Observatory leads each Observatory. In addition, each group includes a Site Manager who is responsible for the technical and operational effectiveness of the site facilities and staff. The Site Manager serves as the lead Environment, Safety and Health Officer for the Observatory site, reporting to the Head and, in this capacity, directly to the LIGO Laboratory Deputy Director. The staff at each Observatory is structured to support operations, maintenance and the scientific program. The staff is sufficient to assure adequate local human resources for all normal operations including scientific and technical expertise at the site. Each Observatory will work with LIGO staff from the Caltech and MIT groups in executing enhancements, upgrades and new capabilities and in carrying out the scientific program. |
|
MIT Group | |
|
The MIT Group supports the LIGO Laboratory program in operations, advanced R&D and gravitational wave research. The functions and activities in this group are reflected in their cost account structure that includes Operations/Project Office, Administration, Detector Support, Test Facilities, Data Analysis/Computing, and Advanced R&D. |
|
Administration |
|
|
The Administration Group is responsible for program planning support, for all business operations including budgeting, funds management, cost accounting, procurement, property management, personnel actions and effort reporting, for document and records management, for environment, safety and health programs, and for management of Laboratory Policies and Procedures. The Administration Group prepares Laboratory Proposals to the NSF and coordinates all formal communications with the NSF through the Caltech Office of Sponsored Research. The Administration Group provides administrative support for the Observatory sites, collaborative matters and administrative assistant and secretarial support to the LIGO Laboratory. |
|
Budgeting and Change Control |
|
|
For internal LIGO reporting and management, budgets are established at the beginning of each fiscal year based on the Annual Work Plan submitted to the NSF, the funding level approved by the NSF, and any guidance provided by the NSF. These budgets are established for each Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) element and cost category. The budgets are distributed to the responsible account managers and constitute authorization to commit funds. Monthly reports track actual costs against the budgets and enable corrective action if required. The Annual Work Plan and the annual budget include a Reserve account. LIGO establishes this Reserve to cover unforeseen actual expenses in excess of the cost estimates as well as costs that could not be anticipated at the time that the estimate was prepared. The use of Reserve is governed by the Change Control Procedures described below. No costs are accrued directly into the reserve account. Only costs conforming to the definition of "allocable costs" are recorded after budget is assigned to non-reserve accounts following application of the LIGO Change Control Procedure. |
|
Change Control Procedure |
|
|
Changes in the LIGO budget baseline are initiated through a documented request submitted by the cognizant account manager to the Business Manager. Requests are required for all cumulative budget changes within a subsystem account that exceed $50,000. The cognizant manager initiates the request, and if the need for a change control action is not certain, the burden on the cognizant manager shall be that a documented request will be made. The Business Manager logs each received Change Request and schedules meetings of the LIGO Change Control Board (CCB) to conduct reviews of open Change Requests. The LIGO Deputy Director chairs the LIGO CCB. Members of the CCB include the Observatory Heads as well as the group leaders of Technical and Engineering Support, Detector Support, MIT, and Data Analysis and Computing. The Business Manager is responsible for preparing the agenda and meeting minutes. The CCB reviews each request and makes recommendations to LIGO management. The Deputy Director issues a written notice of each decision. The Business Manager maintains a log of the status of all Change Requests and retains a file of all approved Change Requests in the LIGO Document Control Center (DCC). If a Change Request is approved, budget is removed from the Director's Reserve and moved into the account where the actual costs will be incurred. All budget reassignments address indirect expenses as well as benefits in the case of labor. Monthly internal reports track expenditures against budgets as well as changes to the budgets in each account. All change request activity and budgetary realignments are tracked and reported to the NSF in accordance with the reporting requirements identified in the Cooperative Agreement and this Laboratory Charter. |
|
Technical and Engineering Support |
|
|
The Technical and Engineering Support Group is responsible for all engineering design and analysis and design drafting for LIGO scientific programs, facilities, and research and development tasks. Members of this group team with LIGO staff and collaborators to support all activities requiring mechanical, optical and electrical engineering. This group provides technical configuration management, quality assurance and technical standards. |
|
Detector Support |
|
|
The Detector Support Group is responsible for assuring and improving the performance of the LIGO detector systems used in gravitational wave research. The group supports detector operations and data collection at the Observatory sites, conducts operational detector research and development with the goal of improving detector operational system performance and sensitivity, and provides scientific leadership in specifying and introducing detector improvements and upgrades, in association with the staff at the Observatory sites. |
|
Data Analysis and Computing |
|
|
The Data Analysis and Computing Group is responsible for the hardware and software systems for LIGO modeling and simulation and for data analysis including analysis of gravitational wave signal channels. This group carries the primary responsibility for all software standards and software engineering used in LIGO research. Systems for general computing are implemented and supported in this group. The group supports modeling of sources, algorithm development in support of detection, and computational technology in support of extraction of astrophysical information. |
|
Campus Research Facilities |
|
|
The Campus Research Facilities Group manages test and research facilities at the universities and Observatory sites not normally used for gravitational wave research. These include the MIT test interferometer and the Caltech test interferometer, as well as supporting infrastructure including special setups used for optics, laser and noise research, metrology and materials research. The group is responsible for the readiness and availability of the research facilities, and for supporting the research and test activities carried out by LIGO Laboratory and collaborator investigators using these facilities. This includes calibration, procedures documentation and training of investigators. |
|
Advanced Research and Development |
|
|
The Advanced Research and Development Group leads the execution of the R&D program to define future LIGO detector upgrades and to new detectors. This program is structured in a detailed collaboration with member institutions of the LIGO Scientific Collaboration. The R&D program is described in the proposal PHY - 0107417. |
|
Environment, Safety and Health Protection |
|
|
ES&H is a line management responsibility. The LIGO Laboratory Deputy Director is responsible for ES&H programs throughout LIGO. At each Observatory site, the Site Manager serves as the primary manager responsible for ES&H programs and in this capacity the Site Manager is directly responsible to the Deputy Director. |
|
Objectives |
|
|
The LIGO ES&H program has the following specific objectives:
|
|
Responsibilities |
|
|
The LIGO ES&H program is the responsibility of the Deputy Director. The Deputy Director has responsibility to insure that LIGO staff members and collaborators identify specific ES&H issues and risks, and establish appropriate safeguards and procedures for addressing those risks. |
|
Environmental Protection |
|
|
The LIGO Laboratory shall follow standards and practices that fully support all applicable environmental protection policies and requirements. |
|
Safety and Health Protection |
|
|
Caltech has an established Safety Office, responsible for the Institute's overall safety and health program, and LIGO management will implement the applicable health and safety program elements as outlined in the Caltech Safety Manual. The Caltech Safety Office policies will be applicable to the Observatory sites, supplemented by additional policies developed by LIGO staff in consultation with the Caltech Safety Office. For work performed at MIT, the safety and health protection measures adopted by MIT will similarly apply. |
|
Employee Training |
|
|
Laboratory employees will be provided with procedures, training and information to ensure their safety. Briefings and presentations will be made to managers and supervisors to communicate ES&H policies and procedures. |
|
Contractors, Collaborators and Visitors |
|
|
Contractors and visitors to the LIGO operational sites will be informed of ES&H rules and procedures applicable to the specific area. Hosts will be responsible for the safety of visitors. |
|
Documentation |
|
|
The LIGO Laboratory shall provide hazard assessments, safety analyses and evaluations as required. Specific procedures and training documents will be prepared and released. |
|
Governmental Code Requirements |
|
|
The LIGO Laboratory, including its contractors, will comply with applicable US Federal Codes, laws and regulations, industrial codes and state rules, regulations and codes. The Administration Group, together with the Deputy Director, will be responsible for clarifying compliance requirements and the resolution of safety issues. |
|
Procurements and Subcontracts |
|
Policy |
|
|
LIGO procurements occur at both Caltech (including the Caltech-managed Observatory sites) and MIT. These are processed according to the procedures established by the Purchasing Department at the host institution and approved by the Office of Naval Research under OMB requirements. All LIGO facilities and equipment procurements will be processed and administered by the Caltech or MIT Purchasing Department depending upon the institution originating the procurement, assisted by the LIGO Laboratory staff. Major procurements involving substantive efforts (subcontracts valued in excess of $100,000) will be submitted to NSF for approval or concurrence, in accordance with the Cooperative Agreement. LIGO Laboratory staff performs subcontract technical and programmatic management. All procurements and subcontracts will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Cooperative Agreement and the requirements of land sale and lease documents pertaining to the LIGO Observatory sites. |
|
Responsibilities |
|
|
The LIGO Deputy Director is responsible for ensuring that all aspects of LIGO facilities and equipment procurement are managed and planned successfully. An acquisition plan will support the procurement approach for major procurements in excess of $100,000. The Deputy Director, in association with the Director, shall approve all major subcontracts. The Administration Group is responsible for preparing, facilitating and administering the documentation associated with major LIGO procurements. The cognizant technical Task Leaders will initiate subcontracts and procurements. Working closely with the Administration Group, the Task Leaders will be responsible to assure that all procured components, items, services and construction are produced and delivered as required to support the LIGO Laboratory objectives. The Task Leaders will also provide technical direction and oversight of these contracts and procurements. |
|
Approach |
|
|
Procurement policies and procedures, embodied in the Caltech Purchasing Policy and Procedure Manual, will be utilized for all facilities and equipment procurement actions originating at Caltech. This manual establishes compliance with the NSF Cooperative Agreements. All major procurements that require NSF concurrence will be identified and scheduled in the annual Work Plan. Similarly, LIGO Laboratory procurements originating at MIT may be placed using corresponding policies and procedures at MIT. Both Caltech and MIT have procurement systems approved by the Office of Naval Research under OMB requirements. |
|
| [ top ] |
|
Reporting and Reviews |
|
Annual Report |
|
|
The LIGO Laboratory through the Caltech Office of Sponsored Research will submit an Annual Report to the NSF by August 1 containing a summary of overall progress during the past year, including results to date, and a comparison of actual accomplishments with the proposed goals of the currently approved Work Plan; an indication of any current problems or favorable or unusual developments and any other pertinent information. The Annual Report will also contain the annual Work Plan and funding request for the one-year period beginning October 1. The Work Plan will summarize the proposed goals for R&D, science and collaborative programs for the program year for which funds are sought. Proposed staffing levels, significant staffing changes, an organization chart, and an explanation of changes in the LIGO organization will be presented. The Work Plan shall include a calendar of proposed meeting dates for the LIGO Program Advisory Committee, scientific workshops and reviews and an acquisition plan for all procurements in excess of $100,000 , including the proposed date of submission to NSF and the type of procurement. The Annual Work Plan is prepared in accordance with the most current version of the NSF Grant Proposal Guide. |
|
Other Reporting |
|
|
The Caltech Office of Financial Services submits to NSF a quarterly reconciliation report covering all NSF sponsored grants at Caltech, including LIGO. This report identifies the incurred expenditures for the quarter, cumulative expenditures effective at the close of the quarter, and the available balance against the allocation for the LIGO Laboratory. Caltech will submit for approval by NSF all collaborative Memoranda of Understanding. |
|
LIGO Oversight Committee |
|
|
The LIGO Oversight Committee will hold regular meetings to review progress and to resolve institutional issues. Special meetings may be held to resolve particular issues that must be resolved before the next scheduled meeting. |
|
LIGO Program Advisory Committee |
|
|
NSF shall be informed of all meetings of the PAC, shall be invited to attend, and shall receive copies of relevant reports. |
|
NSF Site Visits/Panel |
|
|
The NSF will conduct periodic site visits to review LIGO activities. The NSF will convene Panels to conduct periodic reviews of the LIGO Laboratory, covering technical and management issues. NSF shall provide the Laboratory with a copy of the charge to the Panel prior to the review, with adequate time to agree on the agenda and to prepare the necessary presentation material. |
|
Workshops |
|
|
The LIGO Laboratory will sponsor or participate in workshops on specific topics relevant to the development of gravitational-wave interferometers. The frequency of such workshops and the topics they address will be determined in consultation with interested outside scientists, such as LIGO Research Community, the LIGO Scientific Collaboration and the other international groups pursuing laser interferometer gravitational-wave detection. |
|
Technical Reports |
|
|
To enhance the participation of the general scientific community in gravitational wave research, the LIGO Laboratory will continue the publication of research results in refereed journals, and will make unpublished internal technical reports available to the NSF and to the general scientific community on request. |
|
Appendix A |
|
 |
|
 |
|
Appendix B |
|
 |
|
 |
|
References |
|
|
i Cooperative Agreement No. PHY-0107417 between the
National Science Foundation, Washington, D.C. 20550 and the California Institute
of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, dated October 2001. ii Proposal PHY - 0107417, Continuing LIGO Operations (FY 2002 - 2006), December 2000. iii http://www.ligo.org |
