The purpose of this notice is to solicit proposals for a single cooperative agreement between NOAA and an institution of higher learning to operate and maintain a Joint Hydrographic Center as authorized in the Ocean and Coastal Mapping Integration Act and the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act. Additional supportive policy statements for the guidance of activities at these centers include the November 2019 Presidential Memorandum on ocean mapping, which calls for mapping, exploring, and characterizing the U.S. EEZ to improve our Nation's understanding of our vast ocean resources and to advance the economic, security, and environmental interests of the United States. Proposals submitted in response to this announcement should advance the purposes of the Acts and the Proclamation by addressing the Program Priorities described in this announcement.