The Test and Evaluation Branch (OPS24) provides quality assurance by validating functional and operational requirements for new NWS operational systems and/or changes to existing systems prior to deployment for official use in meteorological and hydrologic service operations. It does so through conducting Systems Tests (ST) and Operational Tests and Evaluations (OT&E).

Each test is over seen by an independent group of users of systems under test during both test phases. The group is called the Test Review Group (TRG). The TRG adjudicates problems found during the test phases. After the completion of a test, the TRG presents a recommendation to NWS management whether the new system or changes to an existing system should be nationally deployed into NWS service operations.

The Test and Evaluation Branch is one of four branches in the Field Systems Operations Center (FSOC) of the Office of Operational Systems(OOS).

The Test and Evaluation Branch is responsible for testing the following NWS operational systems:

• Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS)
• Radiosonde Replacement System (RRS)
• NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards Console Replacement System (NWR/CRS)
• Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System (AWIPS) Hardware

AWIPS software is tested by the AWIPS Support Branch (OPS21), also located in the Field Operations Support Center. The NOAA/NWS 1988 Doppler Weather Surveillance Radar (WSR-88D) is tested by the Radar Operations Center (OPS4) located at Norman, OK. The NOAA/NWS data buoys are tested by the National Data Buoy Center (OPS5) located at NASA Stennis Space Center, MS

Test authorization and guidance is provided by the following National Weather Service Policy Directive (NWSPD) and two NWS Instructions (NWSI):

1. NWSPD 30-3 - Operational Test and Evaluation (November 17, 2006)
2. NWSI 30-301 - System Test (ST) Process (January 11, 2007)
3. NWSI 30-302 - Operational Test and Evaluation Process (July 30, 2007)