[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 225 (Tuesday, November 23, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65682-65686]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-30509]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[Docket No. 990929268-9268-01]
RIN: 0648-ZA72
Joint Announcement on Climate Variability and Human Health
AGENCY: Office of Global Programs, Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric
Research, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Commerce.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: With the intent of stimulating integrated multidisciplinary
studies and enhancing institutional coordination and collaboration, and
recognizing the interdisciplinary nature of the research as well as the
limited funding currently available, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the National
[[Page 65683]]
Science Foundation (NSF), in collaboration with interested private
sector partners, in this case, the Electric Power Research Institute
(EPRI), announce our interest in receiving research proposals to
improve our understanding of the human health consequences related to
climate variability and enhance the integration of useful climate
information into public health policy and decision-making. This joint
announcement is intended to support the formation of multidisciplinary
teams working in close collaboration on integrated projects to
illuminate pathways by which climate may affect human health, and which
explore the potential for applying climate forecast information in the
public health arena. Climate refers to climate variability across time
scales. Understanding how short term climate variability affects human
health may improve our knowledge of potential consequences of, and
adaptation to, longer term changes in the climate system.
EPRI is a tax-exempt non-profit organization under 26 U.S.C. 501
(c)(3). EPRI provides science and technology-based solutions of value
to its global energy customers. To carry out its mission, EPRI manages
programs of scientific research, technology development, and product
implementation. Collaborative funding of research can reduce the costs
of developing solutions to common environmental issues. EPRI provides
science and technology information to characterize issues and develop
solutions to address consequences. EPRI's participation in this Joint
Announcement is subject to NOAA Office of Global Programs entering into
a Memorandum of Understanding with EPRI.
Relevance of This Joint Announcement
In 1995, the White House along with the National Academy of
Sciences (NAS) elevated the climate and health issue through their
jointly sponsored Conference on Human Health and Global Climate Change.
Since then, several multi-agency sponsored workshops such as the
American Academy of Microbiology Colloquium on Climate Variability and
Human Health: An Interdisciplinary Perspective, and the workshop on
Climate Change and Vectorborne and other Infectious Disease: A Research
Agenda, have begun to define research needs in this emerging
discipline. The NAS National Research Council (NRC) Pathways report
recognizes that climate may have important impacts on human health but
that further study is necessary, and that such studies must also
address issues of social vulnerability and adaptability. The NRC also
is conducting a study on Climate, Ecology, Infectious Disease, and
Health.
Over the past several years as interest in this new field has
grown, research and analysis have demonstrated a connection between
climate and health in some cases. Yet it is well recognized that more
research is required. This coupled with an evolving capacity to
understand and predict natural changes in the climate system, and a
desire to provide climate forecast information for social benefit,
particularly in the public health sector, has driven demand for
improved understanding of the relationship between climate variability
and human health.
Both the scientific research results and recommendations stemming
from various meetings highlight the complexity of the research
questions and the need for a coordinated multi-agency and
interdisciplinary approach. The very nature of the research required
cuts across disciplinary boundaries, and spans a range of agency
missions and mandates and private sector interests. The NOAA Office of
Global Programs is interested in the production and application of
predictive climate information; EPA is concerned with the impacts of
climate change and variability on human health; and NASA's interests
include remote sensing observations, research, data, information and
technologies for public health. Moreover, NSF focuses on broadly based
fundamental research to improve understanding of the Earth system, and
EPRI addresses key research gaps in climate change and human health.
This announcement is offered as an experimental mechanism to fill
critical gaps in climate variability and human health research and to
coordinate funding of overlapping agency and institutional interests in
such research. Other private sector organizations interested in jointly
funding research through this announcement process should contact the
NOAA Program Officer: Juli Trtanj (301) 427-2089, ext. 134, or
internet: trtanj@ogp.noaa.gov. Research projects will be funded for a
one, two or three year period.
Program Objectives
The overarching goal of this announcement is to develop and
demonstrate the feasibility of new approaches or field studies that
investigate or validate well-formed hypotheses or models of climate
variability and health interactions. This announcement is offered as
part of an interagency effort to build an integrated climate and health
community. Proposed research submitted under this announcement is
encouraged to build on existing research activities, programs, research
sites and facilities, or data sets.
Requirements and General Guidance
Research teams must include, at a minimum, one investigator each
from the public health or medical response, ecology, and climate
communities working in close collaboration on an integrated project.
Research proposals submitted under this announcement are strongly
encouraged to include components addressing either the adaptation or
vulnerability of human and public health systems to climate
variability, or an economic analysis of using predictive climate
information, or both. The funding partners will look favorably on
research activities that involve end-users from the public health arena
(i.e., local public health officials, regional or international health
organizations, other public health or disaster management agencies and
institutions) and which address the means by which their research
results can be used by public health policy and decision-makers.
Investigators are encouraged to demonstrate that they will disseminate
research results through formal presentation during at least one
professional meeting and publication in a peer-reviewed journal.
Investigators should also plan to participate in an annual meeting
of researchers funded under this announcement. This meeting will be
organized by the funding partners and is intended to facilitate mid-
point discussions of research and methodology as well as presentations
of final research results. The participation of other team members,
particularly new researchers at the graduate and postdoctoral level, is
highly encouraged. An interim progress report will be required.
DATES: Unless otherwise noted, strict deadlines by which NOAA OGP must
receive proposals for submission to the FY 2000 process are: Pre-
proposals must be received by OGP no later than December 17, 1999, and
full proposals must be received no later than March 3, 2000. Applicants
who have not received a response to their pre-proposal within four
weeks should contact the program office: Juli Trtanj (301) 427-2089,
ext. 134 or internet: trtanj@ogp.noaa.gov.
The time from target date to grant award varies. We anticipate that
review of full proposals will occur in April or May 2000 for most
approved projects. July 1, 2000 may be used as the earliest
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proposed start date on the proposal, unless otherwise directed by the
appropriate Program Officer. Applicants should be notified of their
status within six months of full proposal submission. All proposals
must be submitted in accordance with the guidelines below. Failure to
heed the guidelines may result in proposals being returned without
review.
ADDRESSES: All submissions should be directed to: Office of Global
Programs (OGP); National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; 1100
Wayne Avenue, Suite 1225; Silver Spring, MD 20910-5603.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Irma duPree at the above address or
phone (301) 427-2089, ext. 107, fax: (301) 427-2072, Internet:
duPree@ogp.noaa.gov
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. Funding Availability
NOAA, EPA, NASA, NSF and EPRI believe that the research on the
relationship between climate variability and human health will benefit
significantly from a strong partnership with outside investigators.
Current plans assume that over 50% of the total resources provided
through this announcement will support extramural efforts, particularly
those involving the broad academic community. Total funding is
anticipated to be $1,500,000 with funding per proposal not to exceed
$150,000 per year. Funding may be provided by NOAA, EPA, NASA, NSF, or
EPRI.
This Program Announcement is for projects to be conducted up to a
three-year period by investigators both inside and outside of NOAA,
EPA, NASA, NSF, and EPRI. The funding instrument for extramural awards
will be a grant unless it is anticipated that any of the funding
entities will be substantially involved in the implementation of the
project, in which case the funding instrument should be a cooperative
agreement. Examples of substantial involvement may include but are not
limited to proposals for collaboration between a funding entity or
funding entity scientist, and a recipient scientist or technician and/
or contemplation by NOAA, EPA, NASA or NSF of detailing Federal
personnel to work on proposed projects. NOAA, EPA, NASA, and NSF will
make decisions regarding the use of a cooperative agreement on a case-
by-case basis. Funding for non-U.S. institutions and contractual
arrangements for services and products for delivery to NOAA are not
available under this announcement. Matching share is not required by
this program.
As part of a public-private sector partnership in climate, ecology
and human health, EPRI is interested in funding projects of interest to
the participating Federal Agencies. Such projects must otherwise have
qualified for Federal funding under this announcement.
2. Eligibility
Participation in this competition is open to all institutions
eligible to receive support from NOAA, EPA, NASA, and NSF. Extramural
eligibility is not limited and is encouraged with the objective of
developing a strong partnership with the academic community and users
of climate forecast information. Universities, non-profit
organizations, for profit organizations, state and local governments,
and Indian Tribes are included among entities eligible for funding
under this announcement. Civil servants in U.S. Government research
laboratories are eligible to apply, but may not request civil service
salary reimbursement. Funding for foreign institutions is not available
under this announcement. Applications will also be reviewed by EPRI to
ensure coordination in funding between public and private sectors.
3. Program Authority
NOAA Authority: 49 U.S.C. 44720 (b); 33 U.S.C. 883d, 883e; 15
U.S.C. 2904; 15 U.S.C. 2931 et seq.; (CFDA No. 11.431)--Climate and
Atmospheric Research.
EPA Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7403(a); 42 U.S.C. 7403(b); 42 U.S.C.
7403(g); 15 U.S.C. 2907(a); (CFDA No. 66.500--Office of Research and
Development.
NSF Authority: 42 USC 1861-75; (CFDA No. 47.050)-GEOSCIENCES.
NASA Authority: 15 U.S.C. 2932(a); 15 U.S.C. 2932(b); 15 U.S.C.
2932(e2); 15 U.S.C. 2936; (CFDA No. 43-999).
Guidelines for Submission
1. Pre-proposals
(a) Pre-proposals should be no longer than five pages in length and
include the names and institutions of all investigators, a statement of
the problem, description of data and methodology including names of
data sets and types of models or analysis, a general budget for the
project, and a description of intended use of results for public health
policy and decision making. As an attachment, please include a one to
two page biographical sketch for each investigator.
(b) The Program Officers will evaluate the pre-proposals.
(c) Submission of pre-proposals is not a requirement, but it is in
the best interest of the applicants and their institutions.
(d) Facsimile and email submissions are acceptable for pre-
proposals only.
(e) Projects deemed unsuitable during pre-proposal review will not
be encouraged to submit full proposals.
(f) Investigators who are not encouraged to submit full proposals
will not be precluded from submitting full proposals.
2. Criteria for Evaluation
Below are the criteria for evaluation that will be used for making
award decisions. Pre-proposals will be evaluated on likely ability to
meet these criteria.
(a) Scientific Merit--60% (to include: methodology, proof of data
quality and availability, experience of team and team members, and
relevant peer-reviewed publications)
(b) Responsiveness to announcement--20%
(c) Explicit multidisciplinary participation and collaboration--10%
(d) Potential for use by climate, ecology and health community or
public/environmental health community--10%
3. Selection Procedures and Review Process
All proposals, including those submitted by participating agency
employees, will be evaluated in accordance with the above evaluation
criteria by (a) independent peer mail review, and/or (b) independent
peer panel review. Each proposal will then be given a rating based on
these evaluations. Both agency and non-agency experts in the field may
be used in this process. Unsatisfactory performance by a recipient
under prior Federal awards may result in an application not being
considered for funding.
The Program Officers will not be voting members of an independent
peer panel. Each Program Officer will individually rank the proposals
considering the recommendations and evaluations of the independent peer
panel and the program policy factors listed below. The Federal Agency
Program Officers will then make the funding selections taking into
account these rankings, the panel review and evaluations, and program
policy factors listed below. Proposals are usually awarded in the
numerical order they are ranked based on the independent peer mail
review or the independent peer panel review. However, the Program
Officers may consider the following program policy factors: (a) Whether
the proposed research will contribute to the
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overall development of an integrated climate, ecology and health
community; (b) whether proposals do not substantially duplicate other
projects that are currently funded by NOAA, other Federal agencies or
funding sources or are approved for funding by NOAA, other Federal
agencies or funding sources; (c) whether proposals do not substantially
duplicate other proposals submitted in response to this announcement;
(d) whether proposals funded maximize use of available funds; and (e)
whether proposal costs fall within remaining funds available. As a
result of this review, the Program Officers may decide to select an
award out of order. The Program Officers will also determine the total
duration of funding and the amount of funding for each selected
proposal.
Federal agency employees are subject to statutes pertaining to non-
disclosure and confidentiality requirements protecting proprietary
information that may be contained in applications submitted for
potential funding. Non-Federal evaluators have agreed in writing to
similar non-disclosure and confidentiality provisions. Please note,
however, that should EPRI or another participating private organization
which jointly funds research under this notice select an application
for funding, none of the participating Federal agencies is responsible
for any unauthorized disclosure of information that may occur or any
dispute that may arise.
4. Proposal Submission
The following forms are required in each application, with original
signatures on each federal form. Failure to comply with these
provisions will result in proposals being returned without review.
(a) Full Proposals: (1) Proposals submitted to the NOAA Climate and
Global Change Program must include the original and two unbound copies
of the proposal. (2) Investigators are required to submit 3 copies of
the proposal; however, the normal review process requires 20 copies.
Investigators are encouraged to submit sufficient proposal copies for
the full review process if they wish all reviewers to receive color,
unusually sized (not 8.5x11''), or otherwise unusual materials
submitted as part of the proposal. Only three copies of the Federally
required forms are needed. (3) Proposals must be limited to 30 pages
(numbered), including budget, investigators' vitae, and all appendices.
Appended information may not be used to circumvent the page length
limit. Federally mandated forms are not included within the page count.
(4) Proposals should be sent to the NOAA Office of Global Programs at
the above address. (5) Facsimile transmissions and electronic mail
submission of full proposals will not be accepted.
(b) Required Elements: All proposals must include the following
elements:
(1.) Signed title page: The title page must be signed by the
Principal Investigator (PI) and the institutional representative. If
more than one investigator is listed on the title page, please identify
the lead investigator. The PI 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.
(2.) Abstract: An abstract must be included and should contain an
introduction of the problem, rationale and a brief summary of work to
be completed. The abstract should appear on a separate page, headed
with the proposal title, institution(s), investigator(s), total
proposed cost and budget period.
(3.) Results from prior research: The results of related research
activities should be described, including their relation to the
currently proposed work. Reference to each prior research award should
include the title, agency or institution, award number, PIs, period of
award and total award. The section should be a brief summary and should
not exceed two pages total.
(4.) Statement of work: The proposed project must be completely
described, including identification of the problem, scientific
objectives, proposed methodology, and relevance to the announcement.
Benefits of the proposed project to the general public and the
scientific community should also be discussed. A summary of proposed
work must be included clearly indicating that the proposed work is
achievable. The statement of work, including references but excluding
figures and other visual materials, must not exceed 15 pages of text.
Investigators wishing to submit group proposals that exceed the 15-page
limit should discuss this possibility with the appropriate Program
Officer prior to submission. In general, proposals from 3 or more
investigators may include a statement of work containing up to 15 pages
of overall project description plus up to 5 additional pages for
individual project descriptions.
(5.) Budget Justification: A brief description of the expenses
listed on the budget and how they address the proposed work. Itemized
justification must include salaries, equipment, publications, supplies,
tuition, travel, etc.
(6). Budget: The proposal must include total and annual budgets
corresponding with the descriptions provided in the statement of work.
Non-Federal Applicants must submit a Standard Form 424 (4-92)
``Application for Federal Assistance'', including a detailed budget
using the Standard Form 424a (4-92), ``Budget Information--Non-
Construction Programs''. The form is included in the standard NOAA
application kit. Additional text to justify expenses should be included
as necessary. Federal researchers should contact Irma duPree at 301-
427-2089 (ext. 107), for guidance regarding the types of forms required
for submission. Additionally, Federal researchers should provide, with
their application, the appropriate statutory authority which allows
their agency to receive funds from another Federal agency to complete
the work outlined in their proposal.
(7.) Vitae. Abbreviated curriculum vitae are sought with each
proposal. Reference lists should be limited to 10-15 of the most recent
and relevant publications with up to five other relevant papers.
(8.) Current and pending support: For each investigator, submit a
list that includes project title, supporting agency with grant number,
investigator months, dollar value, and duration. Requested values
should be listed for pending support.
(9.) List of suggested reviewers: The cover letter may include a
list of individuals qualified and suggested to review the proposal. It
also may include a list of individuals that applicants would prefer to
not review the proposal. Such lists may be considered at the discretion
of the Program Officers.
(c) Other requirements:
(1.) Applicants may obtain a standard NOAA application kit from the
Program Office.
Primary applicant certification--All primary applicants must submit
a completed Form CD-511, ``Certification Regarding Debarment,
Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters; Drug-Free Workplace
Requirements and Lobbying''. Applicants are also hereby notified of the
following:
(i). Nonprocurement Debarment and Suspension--Prospective
participants (as defined at 15 CFR part 26. section 105) are subject to
15 CFR part 26, ``Nonprocurement 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
[[Page 65686]]
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.
(d) Lower Tier Certifications:
(1.) Recipients must require applicants/bidders for subgrants,
contracts, subcontracts, or 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 DOC. SF-LLL submitted by any tier recipient or subrecipient should
be submitted to DOC in accordance with the instructions contained in
the award document.
(2.) Recipients and subrecipients are subject to all applicable
Federal laws and Federal and Department of Commerce policies,
regulations, and procedures applicable to Federal financial assistance
awards.
(3.) 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 assurance that
may have been received, there is no obligation to the applicant on the
part of Department of Commerce to cover pre-award costs.
(4.) This program is subject to the requirements of 15 CFR part 14,
``Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Other Agreements
with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Non-Profit
Organizations'', and 15 CFR part 24, ``Uniform Administrative
Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local
Governments'', as applicable. Applications under this program are not
subject to Executive Order 12372. ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs.''
(5.) 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.
(6.) 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.
(7.) No award of Federal funds shall be made to an applicant who
has an outstanding delinquent Federal debt until either: (i) The
delinquent account is paid in full, (ii) A negotiated repayment
schedule is established and at least one payment is received, or (iii)
Other arrangements satisfactory to the Department of Commerce are made.
(8.) Buy American-Made Equipment or Products--Applicants are
encouraged that any equipment or products authorized to be purchased
with funding provided under this program must be American-made to the
maximum extent feasible.
(9.) The total dollar amount of the indirect costs proposed in an
application under this program must not exceed the indirect cost rate
negotiated and approved by a cognizant Federal agency prior to the
proposed effective date of the award or 100 percent of the total
proposed direct cost dollar amount in the application, whichever is
less.
(e) If an application is selected for funding, the Department of
Commerce has no obligation to provide any additional future funding in
connection with the award. Renewal of an award to increase funding or
extend the period of performance is at the total discretion of the
Department of Commerce.
(f) In accordance with Federal statutes and regulations, no person
on grounds of race, color, age, sex, national origin or disability
shall be excluded from participation in, denied benefits of, or be
subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving
financial assistance from the NOAA Climate and Global Change Program.
The NOAA Climate and Global change Program does not have direct TDD
(Telephonic Device for the Deaf) capabilities, but can be reached
through the State of Maryland supplied TDD contact number, 800-735-
2258, between the hours of 8:00 am-4:30 p.m. Notwithstanding any other
provision of law, no person is required to respond to nor shall a
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 information displays a current valid OMB
control number.
Classification: The standard forms have been approved by the Office
of Management and Budget pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act under
OMB approval number 0348-0043, 0348-0044, and 0348-0046. This notice
has been determined to be not significant for purposes of Executive
Order 12866.
Dated: November 17, 1999.
David L. Evans,
Assistant Administrator, Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research,
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
[FR Doc. 99-30509 Filed 11-22-99; 8:45 am]
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