Freelancer.com presents

Counting Every Drop Challenge

On Behalf of Bureau of Reclamation, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and NASA Tournament Lab

Review results

Counting Every Drop AMPS Divide And Conquer

Design an Innovative Precipitation Measurement Device

Freelancer and Reclamation

Freelancer, in partnership with GEONOR, is running a contest with a total prize purse of $300,000 USD on behalf of Bureau of Reclamation, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and NASA Tournament Lab. The Counting Every Drop Challenge seeks solutions to improve designs for ground-based precipitation measurement devices (precipitation gauges) that will be used to better inform water management decisions critical for human safety and environmental health, including forecasting, water supplies, monitoring water-year precipitation, controlling floods, and planning for irrigation needs.

Enter now for the chance to win a portion of the Phase 1 $80,000 USD prize purse.

Prize: $80,000 USD total prize purse

Counting Every Drop Challenge Phase 1

Create a concept paper on your precipitation measurement device.

Engineer fascinated with scientific data

Prize: $220,000 USD total prize purse

Counting Every Drop Challenge Phase 2

Incorporate your Phase 1 concept into a prototype ready for field testing by NRCS.

The Challenge

Water resources managers rely on ground-based precipitation measurements to monitor basin conditions and support streamflow, water supply, and flood forecasts. These forecasts, in turn, inform water management decisions ranging from water allocation to flood control to environmental restoration. Despite the critical importance of precipitation gauges for water resources management, current precipitation gauges are subject to several challenges and limitations related to operation and maintenance (O&M) requirements and data accuracy and reliability. The Counting Every Drop Challenge, seeks for new or improved designs for ground-based precipitation measurement devices to address measurement limitations of existing precipitation gauges, including measurement accuracy, resolution, and stability, and to address operations and maintenance (O&M) challenges of existing precipitation gauges.

Get Involved

How does it work?

The challenge will be run in two phases with a total prize purse of $300,000.00 USD.

Phase 1

Phase 1 solvers will submit a white paper describing their proposed precipitation measurement device and how it will satisfy the requirements listed in the Challenge Rules. Up to eight teams will be awarded and qualify to compete in Phase 2.

Phase 2

Phase 2 solvers will need to create a prototype based on their concept presented in Phase 1 and have it ready for lab and field testing. A preliminary review will be conducted to show the progress made on the prototype through written description and video demonstration. Up to 5 teams will be selected from the preliminary review to move on to compete for the top solution prize of $100,000 USD. All solutions are eligible for a share of the $30,000 USD innovation awards.

The Bureau of Reclamation

The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Reclamation places great emphasis on fulfilling its water delivery obligations, water conservation, water recycling and reuse, and developing partnerships with our customers, states, and Native American Tribes, and in finding ways to bring together the variety of interests to address the competing needs for limited water resources. Visit here for more information.

NASA Open Innovation

Reclamation and Freelancer started their relationship with Freelancer's participation in the NASA Open Innovation Services 2 (NOIS2) joint tender. Click here for more information on other Freelancer NOIS2 projects.