Online Peer Review for Risk Global Components

In September 2009, the Risk Focus Group drafted an initial set of Requests for Proposals for the Risk Global Components of GEM. The following RfPs were subsequently uploaded to the GEM website:
- GEM Ontology and Taxonomy
- Global Exposure Database
- Global Earthquake Consequences Database
- Global Vulnerability Estimation Methods
- Inventory Data Capture Tools

In order to obtain feedback from the wider risk community on the planning of the risk activities in GEM and the structure, content and budget of the RfPs, an online peer review system was set up through the website in order to receive comments on each RfP. Contributors were asked to answer the following questions and then provide any further general comments:
1) Is the document clear and understandable, as to what is required and is to be delivered?
2) Is the period of performance adequate?
3) Is the budget adequate (keep in mind that the total for all proposals cannot change)?
4) In your opinion, how useful will the products of this RfP be?
5) How likely is it that you will respond to this RfP?

This peer review system remained open from 16/10/2009 until 23/11/2009 and the comments that were published on the website are reported in the document attached below, together with the responses of the Risk Focus Group.

Both the Scientific Board and Governing Board of GEM agree that the consultation process has been successful, having drawn responses form a good number of experts (though with a disappointing focus on Europe and the US); also, they agree that the comments have largely been about clarification rather than challenging the proposed structure of the RfPs.