[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 210 (Monday, November 1, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58817-58823]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-28574]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[Docket No. 991027290-9290-01]
RIN 0648-ZA74
Application of Marine Biotechnology to Assess the Health of
Coastal Ecosystems: Request for Proposals for FY 2000
AGENCY: National Sea Grant College Program, National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of request for proposals.
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SUMMARY: The purpose of this notice is to advise the public that the
National Sea Grant College Program (Sea Grant) is entertaining
preliminary proposals and subsequently full proposals for innovative
research, education and outreach projects that develop and utilize
molecular and cellular biology and its applications to assess the
levels and effects of contaminants, and pathogens on the health of the
coastal ecosystem. In FY 2000 and 2001, Sea Grant expects to make
available about $1,500,000 per year to support projects which utilize
marine biotechnology (molecular or cellular biology) to address
environmental issues effecting the coast. Proposals may request up to
$300,000 per year for a maximum of two years, and each proposals must
include additional matching funds equivalent to at least 50% of the
Federal funds requested.
DATES: Preliminary proposals must be received before 5 p.m. (local
time) on December 1, 1999 by the nearest state Sea Grant College
Program or the National Sea Grant Office (NSGO). After evaluation at
the NSGO, some proposers will be encouraged to prepare full proposals,
which must be received
[[Page 58818]]
before 5 p.m. (local time) on February 15, 2000 at the nearest state
Sea Grant College Program or NSGO.
ADDRESSES: Preliminary proposals and full proposals must be submitted
through the nearest state Sea Grant Program. The addresses of the Sea
Grant College Program directors may be found on Sea Grant's home page
(http://www.nsgo.seagrant.org/SGDirectors.html) or may also be obtained
by contacting the Program Manager at the NSGO (see below).
Investigators from non-Sea Grant states may submit their preliminary
proposals and proposals directly to the NSGO at: National Sea Grant
College Program, R/SG, ATTN: Mrs. Geri Taylor, Environmental Marine
Biotechnology, Room 11841, NOAA, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring,
Maryland 20910.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Linda E. Kupfer, Biotechnology
Program Manager, National Sea Grant College Program, R/SG, NOAA, 1315
East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, or Mary Robinson,
Secretary, NSGO, 301-713-2435; facsimile 301-713-0799; e-mail:
linda.kupfer@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Program Authority
Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1121-1131. Catalog of Federal Assistance
Number: 11.417, Sea Grant Support.
II. Program Description
Background
Preservation of coastal ecosystems is critically important to the
American public. There are growing concerns with the status and health
of vital marine resources. Increasing development of coastal areas and
pollution from variety of sources now exert relentless pressure upon
these environments. Recognition that widespread threats to coastal
ecosystems impact human health as well as traditional and emerging
economic interests resonates throughout the scientific and management
communities. The National Research Council's Ocean Studies Board
recently reported in ``Challenges on the Horizon,'' that improving the
health of the coastal oceans and sustaining ocean ecology in the face
of mounting anthropogenic impacts represent key challenges for ocean
research. Realization of the close link between the oceans and human
health has sparked interest and involvement from scientists, health
care professional and other stakeholders as cited in the Ocean Studies
Board's report, ``From Monsoons to Microbes.''
There are numerous chemical and biological threats to the health of
the marine environment, which can effect its potential to sustain
essential biodiversity, its ability to fuel valuable economic interests
and its effect on human health. These range from severe impacts of
point-source contamination and diseases to far more subtle stress
imposed by sublethal and non-point source contamination exposure over
long time frames. Development of coastal areas and the associated
changes in land use patterns apply additional impacts to the coastal
ecosystem. The response of the biota to the cumulative stress is now
evident in a variety of compelling ways. Specific examples of the
widespread nature and ramifications of environmental stress in the
coastal environment include:
(1) 75% of U.S. commercial fisheries are dependent upon estuaries
at some point in their life cycle; however, it is estimated that 40% of
estuarine and coastal waters are unfit for swimming or fishing due to
excess nutrients, wastewater discharge, viruses and bacteria.
(2) Chemicals of anthropogenic origin have been found in coastal
waters throughout the United States. In many areas, contaminants such
as metals (cadmium, copper and mercury) and organic chemicals (PCBs,
PAHs, pesticides) are found in sufficient concentrations to pose major
concerns to managers.
(3) Human diseases are increasing in part due to anthropogenic
causes such as sewage disposal and farming practices.
(4) It is estimated that currently 60% of the world population
lives in the coastal zones. This is expected to increase significantly
in the next decade.
While these problems have continued to mount, our understanding of
the concurrent biological and ecological ramifications have not
followed in step. Consequently, we are poorly equipped to evaluate
these problems and to adequately suggest and implement remedies.
Historically, a number of factors have prevented this. We are using for
the most part the tools of early twentieth century biology when better
ones are available. Techniques with sufficient resolution to discern
the mechanisms underlying these problems have rarely been applied
within the context of the health of the marine environment. In
addition, the highly interdisciplinary nature of these problems have
been difficult to support by traditional funding paths. Also there is a
significant lack of understanding in the public domain regarding
biotechnology and its applications in the marine environment. An
accelerated program of biotechnology education, communication and
outreach is critical to public acceptance and trust in the use of
marine biotechnology tools.
Overcoming these barriers is the emphasis of this Request for
Proposal (RFP). This RFP is meant to support the application of
innovative, state of the art molecular and cellular biotechnology
research, education and outreach, including interdisciplinary efforts,
designed specifically to address tractable problems pertaining to the
health of the marine ecosystem.
The same innovative technology that has yielded such profound
changes in the way that biomedical research is conducted and has become
commonplace in virtually all modern biology laboratories will be
applied in the critical area of environmental research. Techniques
utilized in a typical molecular and cellular biology laboratory can now
be viewed as an accessible biological toolbox that enables researchers
to answer insightful questions relating to stress detection and
monitoring methodologies. Marine biotechnology has become a mature and
powerful driving force that is poised to lead to new developments in
our understanding of how marine organisms and the coastal ecosystems
respond to pollution, disease and environmental stress.
This RFP builds upon the success of the first two marine
biotechnology initiatives funded by Sea Grant. These programs were
instrumental in focusing university molecular and cellular biology
research on marine issues. The benefits of previously funded research
in marine biotechnology include new natural products, new
pharmaceuticals, and new tools for fisheries management as well as
development of new research systems for fundamental research and new
insights into ocean dynamics. This RFP will focus the considerable
power of molecular and cellular biology on the marine area, an area of
strategic importance that to date has been poorly represented despite
its great national importance.
Funding Availability and Priorities
This RFP will fund a nationwide research, education and outreach
program that is designed to foster innovative approaches to the study
of health of the marine environment. It is designed to encourage
collaboration among academics and key resource decision makers to
insure that results are distributed in an appropriate fashion among a
variety of key user groups ranging from the research and
[[Page 58819]]
management communities to the general public.
The focus of the research conducted in this initiative addresses a
topic of pressing national importance to better understand the marine
ecosystem and the impact of contaminants and pathogens on this system.
The overarching goal is to add new focus and direction to Sea Grant
funded research and to enhance its impact through innovative research
studies, interdisciplinary studies, educational programs and outreach
efforts. Research proposals should focus on tractable problems and
specific, identifiable outcomes which impact the problem. An advisory
board of noted scientists, managers and industry representatives was
convened to help refine the focus of this RFP.
Research areas may include the application of cellular and
molecular biological techniques for the:
(1) Detection and Characterization of Pollutants and Disease on the
coastal ecosystem.
(a) Development of novel biosensors (including in situ biosensors)
for major groups of pollutants and contaminants (toxics; heavy metals
such as cadmium, copper and mercury; organics such as PCBs, PAHs, and
pesticides; and endocrine disrupters).
(b) Detection and characterization of sublethal effects of
pollutants, contaminants, and pathogens (excluding effects of harmful
algal blooms) in ecologically and economically important stocks in the
natural environment (excluding aquacultured animals and oysters as
these are covered under other competitions).
(c) Identification and detection of biomarkers for the purpose of
health and environmental quality assessment.
II. Education and Outreach
(1) Public outreach, extension and educational support for
understanding and applying marine biotechnology concepts and tools as
they relate to sustaining the health of the marine environment through
an informed citizenry.
(2) Interdisciplinary workshops and meetings linking marine
biotechnology science with scientists, managers, industry
representatives and other stakeholders.
About $1,500,000 is available from the National Sea Grant College
Program to support these projects in FY2000; an additional $1,500,000
may be available in FY 2001 depending on the overall funding
appropriation for the National Sea Grant College Program. Researchers
are encouraged to include outreach in their proposals as appropriate.
Project activities should include identified milestones for each
project year, and the second year of funding is contingent upon
availability of funds and submission of an annual report showing
satisfactory progress. Projects may request up to $150,000 per year for
a maximum of two years and each proposal must include additional
matching funds equivalent to at least 50% of the Federal funds
requested; for example, a proposal requesting a total of $200,000 in
Federal support for two years would have to include at least an
additional $100,000 in matching funds. Regardless of any approved
indirect cost rate applicable to the award, the maximum dollar amount
of allocable indirect costs for which the Department of Commerce will
reimburse the recipient shall be the lesser of: (a) the Federal share
of the total allocable indirect costs of the award based on the
negotiated rate with the cognizant Federal agency as established by
audit or negotiation; or (b) the line item amount for the Federal share
of indirect costs contained in the approved budget of the award.
III. Eligibility
The National Sea Grant College Program is a network of 29
university-based programs in coastal and Great Lake states involving
more than 300 institutions nationwide in research, outreach, and
education. Applications may be submitted by individuals associated with
these institutions and also by individuals, public or private
corporations, partnerships, or other associations or entities
(including non-Sea Grant institutions of higher education, institutes,
or non-Federal laboratories), or any State, political subdivision of a
State, or agency or officer thereof. Applications by individuals not
affiliated with Sea Grant institutions should preferably be
collaborative efforts with Sea Grant university investigators.
Awards to successful applicants from Sea Grant institutions will be
issued through the local Sea Grant Programs. Awards to successful
applicants from institutions from non-Sea Grant states will be issued
through the NSGO.
IV. Evaluation Criteria
The evaluation criteria for proposals submitted for support under
the ``Application of Marine Biotechnology to Assess the Health of the
Coastal Ecosystems'' are as follows:
(1) Impact of Proposed Project (50%): Significance of the problem
addressed or the effect and impact the proposal will have on
understanding or solving this problem and supporting the health of the
coastal environment; or the need for this activity as a necessary step
for the assessment and understanding of the health of the coastal
ecosystem; and the degree to which potential users of the results of
the proposed activity have been involved in planning the activity and
will be involved in the execution of the activity as appropriate.
(2) Scientific or Professional Merit (50%): Degree to which the
activity will advance the state of the science or discipline through
synthesis of existing information and use and extension of cutting edge
as well as state-of-the-art methods; degree to which new approaches to
solving problems and exploiting opportunities in resource management or
development, or in public outreach on such issues will be employed;
degree to which the activity will focus on new types of important or
potentially important resources and issues; degree to which
investigators are qualified by education, training and/or experience to
execute the proposed activity; and record of achievement with previous
funding.
V. Selection Procedures
Preliminary proposals must be submitted in order to be eligible to
submit a full proposal. Preliminary proposals will be reviewed at the
NSGO by a panel composed of government, academic, and industry experts
according to the evaluation criteria listed above. The panel will make
individual recommendations to the Director of the NSGO regarding which
preliminary proposals may be suitable for further consideration. On the
basis of the panel's recommendations, the Director of the NSGO will
advise proposers whether or not the submission of full proposals is
encouraged. Invitation to submit a full proposal does not constitute an
indication that the proposal will be funded. Interested parties who are
not invited to submit full proposals will not be precluded from
submitting full proposals if they have submitted a preliminary proposal
in accordance with the procedures described below.
Full proposals will be received at the individual state Sea Grant
Programs (or at the NSGO, if from a non-Sea Grant state) and sent to
peer reviewers for written reviews which will be based on the
evaluation criteria listed above. The NSGO will obtain the written
reviews for proposals from non-Sea Grant states. Complete full
proposals and their written reviews will be sent by the state Sea Grant
programs to the NSGO to be ranked in accordance with the assigned
weights of the above evaluation criteria by an independent peer review
panel
[[Page 58820]]
consisting of government, academic, and industry experts. Panel members
will provide individual evaluations on each proposal, but there will be
no consensus advice. The NSGO will consider their recommendations and
evaluations in the final selection. Only those proposal rated by the
panel as either Excellent, Very Good or Good are eligible for funding.
For those proposals, the NSGO will: (a) Ascertain which proposals best
meet the program priorities, as described in Section II under Funding
Availability and Priorities, giving consideration to geographic
distribution and representation, maintaining a balanced program of
research, and not substantially duplicating other projects that are
currently funded or are approved for funding by NOAA and other federal
agencies, hence, awards may not necessarily be made to the highest-
scored proposal; (b) select the proposals to be funded; (c) determine
which components of the selected projects will be funded; (d) determine
the total duration of funding for each proposal; and (e) determine the
amount of funds available for each proposal. Investigators may be asked
to modify objectives, work plans, or budgets prior to final approval of
the award. Subsequent grant administration procedures will be in
accordance with current NOAA grants procedures. A summary statement of
the scientific review by the peer panel will be provided to each
applicant.
VI. Instructions for Application
Timetable
December 1, 1999, 5 pm (EST)--Preliminary proposals due at state
Sea Grant Program or at NSGO for proposals from non Sea Grant states.
December 6, 1999, 5 pm (EST)--Preliminary proposals that were
submitted to the state Sea Grant Programs should be transmitted by
those programs to the NSGO so as to be received on this date.
February 15, 2000, 5 pm (EST)--Full proposals due at state Sea
Grant Program or at NSGO for proposals from non Sea Grant states.
February 21, 2000, 5 pm (EST)--Full proposals submitted to state
Sea Grant Program should be transmitted by those programs to the NSGO
so as to be received on this date.
March 29, 2000, 5 pm (EST)--Reviewed full proposals due at NSGO.
July 1, 2000, PM EST (approximate)--Funds awarded to selected
recipients projects begin.
General Guidelines
The ideal proposal attacks a well-defined, tractable problem that
will be or is a significant societal issue. Ideally the outcome of the
proposal will make a tangible impact on that issue. The organization or
people whose task it will be to make related decisions, or who will be
able to make specific use of the projects results, will have been
identified and contacted by the Principal Investigator(s). The project
will show an understanding of what constitutes necessary and sufficient
information for responsible decision-making or for applied use, and
will show how that information will be provided by the proposed
activity, or in concert with other planned activities.
Research projects are expected to have: a rigorous, hypothesis-
based scientific work plan, or a well-defined, logical approach to
address a problem; a strong rationale for the proposed research; and a
clear and established relationship with the ultimate users of the
information. Projects that are solely monitoring efforts using existing
technologies are unlikely to be funded.
What To Submit
Preliminary Proposal Guidelines
To prevent the expenditure of effort that may not be successful,
proposers must first submit preliminary proposals. Preliminary
proposals must be single- or double-spaced, typewritten in at least a
10-point font, and printed on metric A4 (210 mm x 297 mm) or 8\1/2\'' x
11'' paper. The following information should be included:
(1) Signed title page: The title page should be signed by the
Principal Investigator and should clearly identify the program area
being addressed by starting the project title with ``Environmental
Marine Biotechnology''. Principal Investigators and collaborators
should be identified by affiliation and contact information. The total
amount of Federal funds and matching funds being requested should be
listed for each budget period, as well as the source of the matching
funds; the total should include all subrecipient's budgets on projects
involving multiple institutions. Preliminary proposals must include
matching funds equivalent to at least 50% of the Federal funds
requested.
(2) A concise (2-page limit) description of the project, its
expected output or products, the anticipated users of the information,
and its anticipated impact. Proposers may wish to use the Evaluation
Criteria for additional guidance in preparing the preliminary
proposals.
(3) Resumes (1-page limit) of the Principal Investigators.
(4) Proposers are encouraged (but not required) to include a
separate page suggesting reviewers that the proposers believe are
especially well qualified to review the proposal. Proposers may also
designate persons they would prefer not review the proposal, indicating
why. These suggestions will be considered during the review process.
Full Proposal Guidelines
Each full proposal must include the first six items listed below:
the standard forms included as Item 7 will only be required for
proposals selected for funding. All pages should be single- or double-
spaced, typewritten in at least a 10-point font, and printed on metric
A4 (210 mm x 297 mm) or 8\1/2\'' x 11'' paper. Brevity will assist
reviewers and program staff in dealing effectively with proposals.
Therefore, the Project Description may not exceed 15 pages. Tables and
visual materials, including figures, charts, graphs, maps, photographs
and other pictorial presentations are included in the 15-page
limitation; literature citations and letters of support, if any, are
not included in the 15-page limitation. Conformance to the 15-page
limitation will be strictly enforced. All information needed for review
of the proposal should be included in the main text; no appendices,
other than support letters, if any, are permitted. Failure to adhere to
the above limitations will result in the proposal being rejected
without review.
(1) Signed Title Page: The title page should be signed by the
Principal Investigator and the institutional representative and should
clearly identify the program area being addressed by starting the
project title ``Environmental Marine Biotechnology''. The Principal
Investigator and institutional representative should be identified by
full name, title, organization, telephone number, and address. The
total amount of Federal funds being requested should be listed for each
budget period; the total should include all subrecipient's budgets on
projects involving multiple institutions.
(2) Project Summary: This information is very important. Prior to
attending the peer review panel meetings, some of the panelists may
read only the project summary. Therefore, it is critical that the
project summary accurately describes the research being proposed and
conveys all essential elements of the research. Applicants are
encouraged to use Sea Grant Project Summary Form 90-2, but may use
their own form as long as it provides the same information as the
[[Page 58821]]
Sea Grant form. The project summary should include: 1. Title: Use the
exact title as it appears in the rest of the application. 2.
Investigators: List the names and affiliations of each investigator who
will significantly contribute to the project. Start with the Principal
Investigator. 3. Funding: Funding request for each year of the project,
including matching funds if appropriate. 4. Project Period: Start and
completion dates. Proposals should request a start date of July 1,
2000, or later. 5. Project Summary: This should include the rationale
for the project, the scientific or technical objectives and/or
hypotheses to be tested, and a brief summary of work to be completed.
(3) Project Description (15-page limit):
(a) Introduction/Background/Justification: Subjects that the
investigator(s) may wish to include in this section are: (i) Current
state of knowledge; (ii) Contributions that the study will make to the
particular discipline or subject area; (iii) Contributions and impacts
the study will make toward addressing the health of the marine
ecosystem utilizing marine biotechnology; and (iv) As appropriate,
contributions of investigator's previously funded research results to
current proposal.
(b) Research or Technical Plan: (i) Objectives to be achieved,
hypotheses to be tested; (ii) Plan of work--discuss how stated project
objectives will be achieved; and (iii) Role of project personnel.
(c) Output: Describe the project outputs and impacts that will
enhance the Nation's ability in utilizing marine biotechnology to
understand and assess the health of the marine ecosystem.
(d) Coordination with other Program Elements: Describe any
coordination with other agency programs or ongoing research efforts.
Describe any other proposals that are essential to the success of this
proposal.
(e) Literature Cited: Should be included here, but does not count
against the 15-page limit.
(4) Budget and Budget Justification: There should be a separate
budget for each year of the project as well as a cumulative annual
budget for the entire project. Applicants are encouraged to use the Sea
Grant Budget Form 90-4, but may use their own form as long as it
provides the same information as the Sea Grant form. Successful
applicants whose awards would be made through a state Sea Grant Program
must consult with that state Sea Grant Program budget office to ensure
that all necessary overhead costs are included. Subcontracts should
have a separate budget page. Matching funds must be indicated if
required; failure to provide adequate matching funds will result in the
proposal being rejected without review. Applicants should provide
justification for all budget items in sufficient detail to enable the
reviewers to evaluate the appropriateness of the funding requested. For
all applications, regardless of any approved indirect cost rate
applicable to the award, the maximum dollar amount of allocable
indirect costs for which the Department of Commerce will reimburse the
Recipient shall be the lesser of: (a) the Federal share of the total
allocable indirect costs of the award based on the negotiated rate with
the cognizant Federal agency as established by audit or negotiation; or
(b) the line item amount for the Federal share of indirect costs
contained in the approved budget of the award.
(5) Current and Pending Support: Applicants must provide
information on all current and pending support for ongoing projects and
proposals, including subsequent funding in the case of continuing
grants. All current project support from whatever source (e.g.,
Federal, State, or local government agencies, private foundations,
industrial or other commercial organizations) must be listed. The
proposed project and all other projects or activities requiring a
portion of time of the Principal Investigator and other senior
personnel should be included, even if they receive no Federal salary
support from the project(s). The number of person-months per year to be
devoted to the projects must be stated, regardless of source of
support. Similar information must be provided for all proposals already
submitted or submitted concurrently to other possible sponsors,
including those within NOAA.
(6) Vitae (2 pages maximum per investigator).
(7) Standard Application Forms: Applicants may obtain all required
application forms at the following Internet website: (http://
www.nsgo.seagrant.org/research/rfp/index.html#3), from the state Sea
Grant Programs, or from Dr. Linda Kupfer at the NSGO (phone: 301-713-
2435 x154 or e-mail: linda.kupfer@noaa.gov). For proposals selected for
funding, the following forms must also be submitted:
(a) Standard Forms 424, Application for Federal Assistance, and
424B, Assurances--Non-Construction Programs, (Rev 4-88). Applications
should clearly identify the program area being addressed by starting
the project title with Environmental Marine Biotechnology. Please note
that both the Principal Investigator and an administrative contact
should be identified in Section 5 of the SF424. For Section 10,
applicants should enter ``11.417'' for the CFDA Number and Sea Grant
Support for the title. The form must contain the original signature of
an authorized representative of the applying institution.
(b) Primary Applicant Certifications. All primary applicants must
submit a completed Form CD-511, ``Certifications Regarding Debarment,
Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters; Drug-Free Workplace
Requirements and Lobbying'', and the following explanations are hereby
provided:
(i) Non-Procurement Debarment and Suspension. Prospective
participants (as defined at 15 CFR Part 26, Section 105) are subject to
15 CFR Part 26, ``Non-Procurement Debarment and Suspension'' and the
related section of the certification form prescribed above applies;
(ii) Drug-Free Workplace. Grantees (as defined at 15 CFR Part 26,
Section 605) are subject to 15 CFR Part 26, Subpart F, ``Government-
wide Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Grants)'' and the related
section of the certification form prescribed above applies;
(iii) Anti-Lobbying. Persons (as defined at 15 CFR Part 28, Section
105) are subject to the lobbying provisions of 31 U.S.C. 1352,
``Limitation on use of appropriated funds to influence certain Federal
contracting and financial transactions'', and the lobbying section of
the certification form prescribed above applies to applications/bids
for grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts for more than
$100,000, and loans and loan guarantees for more than $150,000, or the
single family maximum mortgage limit for affected programs, whichever
is greater; and
(iv) Anti-Lobbying Disclosures. Any applicant that has paid or will
pay for lobbying using any funds must submit an SF-LLL, ``Disclosure of
Lobbying Activities'', as required under 15 CFR Part 28, Appendix B.
(c) Lower Tier Certifications. Recipients shall require applicants/
bidders for subgrants, contracts, subcontracts, or other lower tier
covered transactions at any tier under the award to submit, if
applicable, a completed Form CD-512, ``Certifications Regarding
Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion-Lower Tier
Covered Transactions and Lobbying'' and disclosure form, SF-LLL,
``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities''. Form CD-512 is intended for the
use of recipients and should not be transmitted to the Department of
Commerce (DOC). SF-LLL submitted by any tier recipient or subrecipient
should be submitted to
[[Page 58822]]
DOC in accordance with the instructions contained in the award
document.
VII. How To Submit
Preliminary proposals and proposals must be submitted to the state
Sea Grant Programs or, for investigators in non Sea Grant states,
directly to the National Sea Grant Office (NSGO), according to the
schedule outlined above. Although investigators are not required to
submit more than 3 copies of either pre-proposals or full proposals,
the normal review process requires 10 copies. Investigators are
encouraged to submit sufficient copies for the full review process if
they wish all reviewers to receive color, unusually sized (not 8.5'' x
11''), or otherwise unusual materials submitted as part of the
proposal. Only three copies of the Federally required forms are needed.
The addresses of the Sea Grant College Program directors may be found
at the following Internet website: (http://www.nsgo.seagrant.org/
SGDirectors.html) or may be obtained by contacting the Program Manager,
Dr. Linda Kupfer at the NSGO (phone: 301-713-2435 x154 or e-mail:
linda.kupfer@noaa.gov). Pre-proposals and proposals sent to the NSGO
should be addressed to: NSGO, R/SG, Attn.: Mrs. Geraldine Taylor,
Environmental Marine Biotechnology, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 11806,
Silver Spring, MD 20910 (phone number for express mail applications is
301-713-2435).
Applications received after the deadline and applications that
deviate from the format described above will be returned to the sender
without review. Facsimile transmissions and electronic mail submission
of pre-proposals and full proposals will not be accepted.
VIII. Other Requirements
(A) Federal Policies and Procedures--Recipients and subrecipients
are subject to all Federal laws and Federal and Department of Commerce
(DOC) policies, regulations, and procedures applicable to Federal
financial assistance awards.
(B) Past Performance--Unsatisfactory performance under prior
Federal awards may result in an application not being considered for
funding.
(C) Pre-Award Activities--If applicants incur any costs prior to an
award being made, they do so solely at their own risk of not being
reimbursed by the Government. Notwithstanding any verbal or written
assurance that may have been received, there is no obligation on the
part of DOC to cover pre-award costs.
(D) No Obligation for Future Funding--If an application is selected
for funding, DOC has no obligation to provide any additional future
funding in connection with that award. Renewal of an award to increase
funding or extend the period of performance is at the total discretion
of DOC.
(E) Delinquent Federal Debts--No award of Federal funds shall be
made to an applicant who has an outstanding delinquent Federal debt
until either:
(1) The delinquent account is paid in full,
(2) A negotiated repayment schedule is established and at least one
payment is received, or
(3) Other arrangements satisfactory to DOC are made.
(F) Name Check Review--All non-profit and for-profit applicants are
subject to a name check review process. Name checks are intended to
reveal if any key individuals associated with the applicant have been
convicted of or are presently facing criminal charges such as fraud,
theft, perjury, or other matters which significantly reflect on the
applicant's management honesty or financial integrity.
(G) False Statements--A false statement on an application is
grounds for denial or termination of funds and grounds for possible
punishment by a fine or imprisonment as provided in 18 U.S.C. 1001.
(H) Intergovernmental Review--Applications for support from the
National Sea Grant College Program are not subject to Executive Order
12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs''.
(I) Purchase of American-Made Equipment and Products--Applicants
are hereby notified that they will be encouraged, to the greatest
extent practicable, to purchase American-made equipment and products
with funding provided under this program.
(J) Pursuant to Executive Orders 12876, 12900, and 13021, the
Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(DOC/NOAA) is strongly committed to broadening the participation of
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), Hispanic Serving
Institutions (HSI), and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCU) in its
educational and research programs. The DOC/NOAA vision, mission, and
goals are to achieve full participation by Minority Serving
Institutions (MSI) in order to advance the development of human
potential, to strengthen the nation's capacity to provide high-quality
education, and to increase opportunities for MSIs to participate in and
benefit from Federal Financial Assistance programs. DOC/NOAA encourages
all applicants to include meaningful participation of MSIs.
Institutions eligible to be considered HBCU/MSIs are listed at the
following Internet website: http://www.ed.gov/offices/OCR/99minin.html.
(K) For awards receiving funding for the collection or production
of geospatial data (e.g., GIS data layers), the recipient will comply
to the maximum extent practicable with E.O. 12906, Coordinating
Geographic Data Acquisition and Access, The National Spatial Data
Infrastructure, 59 Fed. Reg. 17671 (April 11, 1994). The award
recipient shall document all new geospatial data collected or produced
using the standard developed by the Federal Geographic Data Center, and
make that standardized documentation electronically accessible. The
standard can be found at the following Internet website: (http://
www.fgdc.gov/standards/standards/html).
Classification
Prior notice and an opportunity for public comments are not
required by the Administrative Procedure Act or any other law for this
notice concerning grants, benefits, and contracts. Therefore, a
regulatory flexibility analysis is not required for purposes of the
Regulatory Flexibility Act.
This action has been determined to be not significant for purposes
of E.O. 12866.
This notice contains collection of information requirements subject
to the Paperwork Reduction Act. The Sea Grant Budget Form, 90-4, Sea
Grant Summary Form, 90-2, and Standard Forms 424, and 424b have been
approved under control numbers 0648-0362, 0648-0362, 0348-0043, and
0348-0040 with average responses estimated to take 15, 20, 45, and 15
minutes, respectively. These estimates include the time for reviewing
instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the
collection of information. Send comments on these estimates or any
other aspect of these collections to National Sea Grant College
Program, R/SG, NOAA, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910
(Attention: Francis S. Schuler) and to the Office of Information and
Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Washington, DC
20503 (Attention: NOAA Desk Officer). Notwithstanding any other
provision of the law, no person is required to respond to, nor shall
any person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with, a
collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork
Reduction Act, unless that collection of
[[Page 58823]]
information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number.
Dated: October 27, 1999.
Louisa Koch,
Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric
Research, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
[FR Doc. 99-28574 Filed 10-29-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-KA-P
