Ensuring the Quality and Credibility of Information
In order to ensure the quality and credibility of the scientific information we use to make decisions, the Fish and Wildlife Service has implemented a formal "peer review" process for influential scientific documents. While we have always consulted experts to ensure that our decisions are based on sound science, through this peer review process we follow the guidelines for Federal agencies spelled out in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) "Final Information Quality Bulletin for Peer Review," (PDF, 263 KB) released December 16, 2004. Part of the peer review process is to provide information online about how each peer review is to be conducted, as described in this peer review checklist.
Support Contractors Available to Conduct Peer Reviews
To support the objective of scientific integrity and peer review, the Service (and all other DOI bureaus and offices) has use of several agreements (contracts). The scope of these available agreements includes:
- Supporting peer reviews (of documents, data, models, study plans, proposals, and other forms of scientific information)
- Preparation and/or editing of NEPA documents
- National Wetland Inventory mapping, field surveys
- Hypothesis testing
- Field research studies
- Analysis of data
- Development and testing of scientific models
- Gathering and synthesis of information, literature, or cartography
- Preparation of reports
- Organization and conduct of public meetings
- Other science-related activities
All offices and Programs of the Service, along with other DOI bureaus, may access these contractors by task order through their servicing contracting offices.
Peer Review Agenda
Plans for peer review of scientific documents are available for your review as a category in our site library.
