[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 245 (Wednesday, December 22, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71742-71746]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-33200]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Office of Science Financial Assistance Program Notice 00-05:
Natural and Accelerated Bioremediation Research Program
AGENCY: U.S. Department of Energy
ACTION: Notice inviting research grant applications.
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SUMMARY: The Office of Biological and Environmental Research (OBER) of
the Office of Science, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), hereby
announces its interest in receiving applications for research grants in
the Natural and Accelerated Bioremediation Research (NABIR) Program.
Applications should describe research projects in one of the following
categories:
[[Page 71743]]
1. Research projects that address the scientific aims of individual
NABIR elements including Biogeochemistry, Biotransformation, Community
Dynamics, Biomolecular Science and Engineering, and Assessment.
2. Research projects to be performed at a Field Research Center
addressing field scale biostimulation of microbiological processes that
immobilize metals and/or radionuclides. Interdisciplinary teams should
include, at a minimum, experts in the fields of microbiology,
geochemistry, and hydrology.
DOE has proposed to establish a Field Research Center (FRC) at one
of two national laboratories, either the Y-12 site near Oak Ridge
National Laboratory (ORNL) or the Hanford site at Pacific Northwest
National Laboratory (PNNL). DOE is now preparing an Environmental
Assessment pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to
determine whether to prepare an environmental impact statement or a
finding of no significant impact for the establishment of an FRC at one
of these alternative sites. As part of its assessment, the Department
will also evaluate a ``no-action'' alternative under which it would
preserve the status quo and establish no FRC. The Department has
identified ORNL as its preferred alternative in the draft Environmental
Assessment.
Any awards made to perform research at the FRC will be contingent
upon the outcome of this NEPA review, and no awards will be made until
the appropriate NEPA review is completed. All research applications
that are bounded by the assumptions, impacts, and analysis of the
Environmental Assessment will be presumed to be covered by the
Assessment. All research applications that appear to exceed the
assumptions, impacts, or analysis of the Assessment will be reviewed to
determine what, if any additional NEPA review is required.
Applications for research in the Bacterial Transport (Acceleration)
or System Integration Elements will not be considered at this time.
Applications for research on Bioremediation and its Societal
Implications and Concerns (BASIC) will be solicited under a separate
announcement.
DATES: Researchers are strongly encouraged (but not required) to submit
a preapplication for programmatic review. Early submission of
preapplications is encouraged, to allow time for review for
programmatic relevance. A brief preapplication should consist of one or
two pages of narrative describing the research objectives and methods.
The deadline for receipt of formal applications is 4:30 p.m.,
E.S.T., February 28, 2000, to be accepted for merit review and to
permit timely consideration for award late in Fiscal Year 2000 or in
early Fiscal Year 2001. An original and seven copies of the application
must be submitted; however, applicants are requested not to submit
multiple applications using more than one delivery or mail service.
ADDRESSES: If submitting a preliminary application, referencing Program
Notice 00-05, it should be sent by e-mail to
anna.palmisano@science.doe.gov.
Formal applications referencing Program Notice 00-05 on the cover
page must be forwarded to: U.S. Department of Energy, Office of
Science, Grants and Contracts Division, SC-64, 19901 Germantown Road,
Germantown, MD 20874-1290, ATTN: Program Notice 00-05. This address
must also be used when submitting applications by U.S. Postal Service
Express Mail or any other commercial overnight delivery service, or
when hand-carried by the applicant.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Anna Palmisano, Environmental
Sciences Division, SC-74, Office of Biological and Environmental
Research, Office of Science, U.S. Department of Energy, 19901
Germantown Road, Germantown, MD 20874-1290, telephone: (301) 903-9963,
e-mail: anna.palmisano@science.doe.gov, fax: (301) 903-8519. The full
text of Program Notice 00-05 is available via the Internet using the
following web site address: http://www.sc.doe.gov/production/grants/
grants.html.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The mission of the NABIR Program is to
provide the fundamental science to serve as the basis for development
of cost-effective bioremediation of radionuclides and metals in the
subsurface at DOE sites. NABIR research encompasses both intrinsic
bioremediation by naturally occurring microbial communities, as well as
accelerated bioremediation through the use of nutrient amendments
(inorganic, organic or enzymatic) or microbial amendments. The program
consists of seven interrelated scientific research elements
(Biogeochemical Dynamics, Biotransformation, Community Dynamics and
Microbial Ecology, Biomolecular Science and Engineering,
Biotransformation and Biodegradation, Bacterial Transport, and Systems
Integration/Data Management). The program also includes an element
addressing ethical, legal and social issues of bioremediation called
Bioremediation and its Societal Implications and Concerns (BASIC). The
NABIR program desires to integrate a field research capability with its
existing research program. DOE has proposed to establish a Field
Research Center (FRC) at one of two national laboratories, either the
Y-12 site near Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) or the Hanford site
at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). DOE is now preparing
an Environmental Assessment pursuant to the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) to determine whether to prepare an environmental
impact statement or a finding of no significant impact for the
establishment of an FRC at one of these alternative sites. As part of
its assessment, the Department will also evaluate a ``no-action''
alternative under which it would preserve the status quo and establish
no FRC. The Department has identified ORNL as its preferred alternative
in the draft Environmental Assessment. Any awards made for research to
be performed at the FRC will be contingent upon the outcome of this
NEPA review, and no awards will be made until the appropriate NEPA
review is completed. All research applications that are bounded by the
assumptions, impacts, and analysis of the Environmental Assessment will
be presumed to be covered by the Assessment. All research applications
that appear to exceed the assumptions, impacts, or analysis of the
Assessment will be reviewed to determine what, if any, additional NEPA
review is required. Additional information about NABIR and the proposed
Field Research Center can be accessed from the NABIR Homepage: http://
www.lbl.gov/NABIR/.
Program Focus
The NABIR Program supports hypothesis-driven research that will
help determine the potential for, and advance the field of,
bioremediation as a cleanup option at the DOE sites. The focus of the
NABIR Program is on field-scale research addressing metal and
radionuclide contamination in subsurface environments at DOE sites.
However, the research program will support laboratory, theoretical,
modeling, and other non-field research projects, if they fill gaps that
would be necessary to complete understanding for field-scale
applications. Although the program is directed at specific goals, it
supports research that is more fundamental in nature than demonstration
projects. The NABIR program emphasizes the bioremediation of metals and
radionuclides in the subsurface below the root zone, including both
vadose and saturated zones. Typically, the bioremediation of metals and
radionuclides involves, but
[[Page 71744]]
is not limited to, mobilization and immobilization scenarios.
Investigators without access to laboratories licensed to work with
radionuclides may propose research with non-radioactive surrogates of
radionuclides, or collaborate with investigators working in a licensed
laboratory. Research on bioremediation of organic contaminants, such as
solvents and complexing agents will not be considered, except to the
extent that they influence the primary goal of understanding the
remediation of metals and radionuclides. The NABIR Program will not
support research to evaluate the risk to humans or to the environment.
Applicants are encouraged to review the NABIR Primer, available at
http://www.lbl.gov/NABIR/primer/primer.html, for information on
contaminants of DOE interest.
NABIR is a research program designed to serve as a foundation for
developing microbial in situ bioremediation techniques. Although
ancillary benefits of the research to other cleanup needs such as the
use of bioreactors to process waste streams are anticipated, NABIR will
not support research leading to ex situ treatments. NABIR research may,
however, lead to the application of in situ bioremediation in
conjunction with other cleanup methods, for example, using
bioremediation to mobilize radionuclides so that pump-and-treat
techniques could be more effective. Problems characterized by large
areas with low-concentration of contaminants are emphasized over
problems of localized, high concentrations. Research on
phytoremediation will not be supported by NABIR.
Research plans that involve the potential release of nutrients,
enzymes, and/or chemicals to the field (both at contaminated and non-
contaminated control sites) should discuss the involvement of the
public or stakeholders in their research, beginning with experimental
design through completion of the project. All applicants should discuss
other relevant societal issues, where appropriate, which may include
intellectual property protection, and communication with and outreach
to affected communities (including members of affected minority
communities where appropriate) to explain the proposed research.
A centrally-maintained database is being developed to provide
appropriate data, such as site characterization and kinetics data,
needed by a broad segment of investigators. Applications shall include
a short discussion of the Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC)
measures that will be applied in data gathering and analysis
activities. Successful grantees will be expected to coordinate their
QA/QC measures with NABIR program personnel.
Current Request for Applications
Two kinds of projects are solicited in this request for
applications:
1. Research projects that address the scientific aims of individual
NABIR elements including Biogeochemistry, Biotransformation, Community
Dynamics, Biomolecular Science and Engineering, and Assessment.
2. Research projects to be performed at a Field Research Center
addressing field scale biostimulation of microbiological processes that
immobilize metals and/or radionuclides. Research would be conducted at
the proposed NABIR Field Research Center near Oak Ridge National
Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN or the Hanford site at Pacific Northwest
National Laboratory (PNNL). Interdisciplinary teams should include, at
a minimum, experts in the fields of microbiology, geochemistry, and
hydrology.
Applications for research on Bacterial Transport and Systems
Integration will not be addressed at this time. Applications for
research on Bioremediation and its Societal Implications and Concerns
(BASIC) will be solicited under a separate announcement.
Research Projects Addressing Individual Elements
Applicants for research projects within individual program elements
should state which science element is most closely aligned with the
proposed research. Although applicants may propose research that
transcends more than one research element, a primary element should be
specified for the purpose of merit review.
Biogeochemical Dynamics: Successful bioremediation of metals and
radionuclides at DOE sites is closely linked to understanding the
complex and dynamic interplay of hydrological, geochemical, and
biological processes within geological media. Understanding the natural
biogeochemical processes that control the mobility and form of
radionuclides is one of the most challenging problems affecting the
future viability of bioremediation at DOE sites, particularly within
the thick vadose zones and saturated zones below the root zone where
much of the contamination resides.
DOE cleanup problems are at the field scale; the immediate priority
in biogeochemical dynamics is to understand the underlying mechanisms
and processes governing metal and radionuclide behavior to the field.
Focus will be on understanding how natural biogeochemical processes
control the mobility and stability of contaminants in waste mixtures,
including the biogeochemical processes that modify the form and
behavior of contaminants in mixtures. New and creative scientific
approaches are sought that address the following fundamental research
questions:
What are the principal biogeochemical reactions that
govern the concentration, chemical speciation, and distribution of
metals and radionuclides between the aqueous and solid phases?
What are the thermodynamic and kinetic controls on these
reactions?
What are the major factors controlling the rate and extent
of oxidation and reduction of multivalent radionuclides and naturally-
occurring metals in various mineral phases? How can these factors be
manipulated to enhance or limit the mobility of contaminants?
What are the biogeochemical and transport processes that
control biological availability, transformation, and movement of
radionuclides and metals?
Biotransformation: Biotransformation of metals and radionuclides in
subsurface environments is poorly understood, and predictive models
based on laboratory studies have not always accurately simulated the
observed fate of metals and radionuclides in the field. Knowledge of
the metabolic pathways for transformation of these contaminants by
naturally occurring microbial communities in vadose zones, saturated
zones and the waste plume is needed. It is important to understand the
kinetics of desirable metal and radionuclide biotransformations and the
physicochemical factors affecting those kinetics. Research is needed to
address questions such as:
What are the metal-and radionuclide-transforming
capabilities of indigenous microorganisms in deep vadose or saturated
zones representative of DOE sites?
What are the metabolic pathways for microbial
transformation of metals and radionuclides, and can these biological
processes be harnessed to sequester metals and/or radionuclides in the
subsurface?
What factors control the kinetics of desirable metal and
radionuclide biotransformations in vadose and saturated zones?
How important are microbial consortial interactions in the
biotransformation of metals and radionuclides?
[[Page 71745]]
How is the biotransformation of metals and radionuclides
affected by chelators?
Community Dynamics and Microbial Ecology: Fundamental
research in Community Dynamics and Microbial Ecology at both the
molecular and the microbial level is needed to understand the natural
intrinsic processes of bioremediation at contaminated sites. Knowledge
of microbial community structure and function may ultimately provide
the ability to control or stimulate subsurface communities capable of
transformation of radionuclides and metals. The influence of
environmental factors on subsurface communities is important to
determining the potential for metal and radionuclide biotransformation.
Research should be directed toward the characterization of microbial
communities at contaminated sites, and toward understanding microbial
community dynamics in the presence of metals and radionuclides.
Research is needed to address questions such as:
Is there sufficient biological activity and diversity in
subsurface environments to support natural and/or accelerated
bioremediation of metals and radionuclides?
What are the effects of metals and radionuclides on
microbial community activity and diversity, including both metabolic
and genetic activity and diversity?
Do different microbial species interact within communities
in subsurface environments contaminated with metals and radionuclides?
Such interactions might include competition for substrate, or
consortial interactions for transformation of metals and radionuclides.
Biomolecular Science and Engineering: The overall goal of research
in the Biomolecular Science and Engineering element is to use molecular
and structural biology to enhance understanding of bioremediation of
metals and radionuclides, and to genetically modify macro-molecules and
microorganisms to improve their bioremedial activities. Using
information and data gained from other program elements, the molecules,
enzymes, and enzymatic pathways that are most effective for
bioremediation of metals and radionuclides will be identified. DOE
objectives and priorities for research in Biomolecular Science and
Engineering are to: (i) Identify, clone, and sequence novel genes and
promoters important to the bioremediation of metals and radionuclides;
(ii) construct or enhance bioremedial enzymatic pathways; and (iii)
transfer key genes for bioremediation to microbes that can survive and
compete effectively in a contaminated subsurface environment. Field
release of genetically engineered microorganisms at the proposed FRC,
however, will not be allowed. Research in these areas is encouraged
that includes:
How can we identify and characterize important genes, gene
clusters, promoter elements, proteins, and protein pathways involved in
the detoxification of metals and radionuclides or that affect the
ability of organisms to live and survive under conditions in which
metals and radionuclides are present in significant amounts?
How can we identify and characterize genes, gene clusters,
and promoter elements from different organisms that can work together
to effect bioremediation?
How can we identify and characterize the transfer or
acquisition of genes, gene clusters, and promoter elements from one
organism to another that can influence processes involved in
bioremediation?
What novel and innovative technologies for the
identification and characterization of genes, gene clusters, promoters,
and pathways involved in bioremediation can be explored and, on a field
scale, used?
Assessment: The two primary objectives of research in the
Assessment program element are to study innovative and effective
methods for assessing or quantifying (i) bioremediation rate and
activity, including microbial community structure and dynamics,
biotransformation processes and rates, and electron flow; and (ii)
bioremediation end points, including not only the concentration and
speciation of the contaminants and byproducts but also the stability
and bioavailability of residual end-products. NABIR will not, however,
fund projects that examine human health risks of end points. Priority
will be given to research applications that could lead to fieldable,
cost-effective, real time assessment techniques and/or instrumentation.
Assessment research addressing bacterial transport will not be covered
in this solicitation. Research is sought to answer questions such as:
Can quantitative techniques be adapted or developed for
measurement of microbial community structure, activity, and
effectiveness during bioremediation?
What are the geophysical, geochemical, and hydrologic
properties critical to bioremediation effectiveness and how can they be
quantitatively determined?
Can bioremediation endpoints that accurately measure
bioavailability be quantitatively established?
Field Scale Bioremediation Experiment
Although bioremediation of metals and radionuclides has been
studied in the laboratory, and bioremediation technologies have been
demonstrated in the field, there are few examples of carefully
controlled, hypothesis-driven, in situ bioremediation research at the
field-scale. The availability of contaminated sites for NABIR research
at the proposed Field Research Center would create an opportunity for
such field scale experiments. The focus of the first set of field
experiments at the proposed FRC would be on immobilization of metals or
radionuclides in situ by microbiological processes.
Applicants should propose a testable hypothesis for field research,
and they should describe a detailed technical approach that should
include (1) Establishing an experimental and control plot within the
proposed contaminated field site, and (2) manipulating the experimental
plot by amendments of nutrients or other chemicals that might stimulate
microbial communities to immobilize contaminants such as uranium. A
statistically robust sampling regimen to determine the efficacy of the
manipulation should also be described. Moreover, the applicant must
explain the technical feasibility of performing the proposed field
research.
The applicants should propose research to be performed as an
interdisciplinary team including, at a minimum, expertise in
microbiology, geochemistry and hydrology. The Principal Investigator
for the team must have prior experience in relevant field research.
Multi-institutional partnerships are strongly encouraged; for example,
applicants may draw expertise from National Laboratories, academia, and
other institutions engaged in basic research. The applicants should
also describe how they would communicate their proposed experimental
design and their results to stakeholders, regulators, and community
groups. Although compliance with NEPA is the responsibility of DOE,
grantees proposing to conduct field research are expected to provide
information necessary for the DOE to complete the NEPA review and
documentation. For further information on the proposed FRC, access the
NABIR Homepage or contact Mr. Paul Bayer (paul.bayer@science.doe.gov).
[[Page 71746]]
It is anticipated that approximately $5 million will be available
for multiple awards to be made in late FY 2000 and early FY 2001 in the
categories described above, contingent on availability of appropriated
funds. Applications may request project support up to three years, with
out-year support contingent on availability of funds, progress of the
research and programmatic needs. Annual budgets for projects in the
five scientific research element projects are expected to range from
$100,000 to $400,000 total costs. Annual budgets for interdisciplinary
field research projects at the proposed FRC are expected to range from
$300,000-$1,000,000 for total costs. Costs for drilling at the proposed
FRC should not be included in the applicant's budget. DOE may encourage
collaboration among prospective investigators to promote joint
applications or joint research projects by using information obtained
through the preliminary applications or through other forms of
communication.
Applications will be subjected to formal merit review (peer review)
and will be evaluated against the following evaluation criteria which
are listed in descending order of importance codified at 10 CFR
605.10(d):
1. Scientific and/or Technical Merit of the Project;
2. Appropriateness of the Proposed Method or Approach;
3. Competency of Applicant's personnel and Adequacy of Proposed
Resources;
4. Reasonableness and Appropriateness of the Proposed Budget.
Also, as part of the evaluation, program policy factors become a
selection priority. Note, external peer reviewers are selected with
regard to both their scientific expertise and the absence of conflict-
of-interest issues. Non-federal reviewers will often be used, and
submission of an application constitutes agreement that this is
acceptable to the investigator(s) and the submitting institution.
Information about the development, submission of applications,
eligibility, limitations, evaluation, the selection process, and other
policies and procedures may be found in 10 CFR Part 605, and in the
Application Guide for the Office of Science Financial Assistance
Program. Electronic access to SC's Financial Assistance Application
Guide is possible via the World Wide Web at: http://www.sc.doe.gov/
production/grants/grants.html. DOE is under no obligation to pay for
any costs associated with the preparation or submission of applications
if an award is not made. In addition, for this notice, the research
description must be 20 pages or less, exclusive of attachments, and
must contain an abstract or summary of the proposed research (to
include the hypotheses being tested, the proposed experimental design,
and the names of all investigators and their affiliations). Attachments
should include short curriculum vitae, QA/QC plan, a listing of all
current and pending federal support and letters of intent when
collaborations are part of the proposed research. Curriculum vitae
should be submitted in a form similar to that of NIH or NSF (two to
three pages), see for example: http://www.nsf.gov:80/bfa/cpo/gpg/
fkit.htm#forms-9.
The Office of Science as part of its grant regulations requires at
10 CFR 605.11(b) that a recipient receiving a grant and performing
research involving recombinant DNA molecules and/or organisms and
viruses containing recombinant DNA molecules shall comply with the
National Institutes of Health (NIH) ``Guidelines for Research Involving
Recombinant DNA Molecules,'' which is available via the world wide web
at: http://www.niehs.nih.gov/odhsb/biosafe/nih/rdna-apr98.pdf, (59 FR
34496, July 5, 1994,) or such later revision of those guidelines as may
be published in the Federal Register.
Grantees must also comply with other federal and state laws and
regulations as appropriate, for example, the Toxic Substances Control
Act (TSCA) as it applies to genetically modified organisms. Although
compliance with NEPA is the responsibility of DOE, grantees proposing
to conduct field research are expected to provide information necessary
for the DOE to complete the NEPA review and documentation.
Additional information on the NABIR Program is available at the
following web site: http://www.lbl.gov/NABIR/. For researchers who do
not have access to the world wide web, please contact Karen Carlson;
Environmental Sciences Division, SC-74; U.S. Department of Energy;
19901 Germantown Road; Germantown, MD 20874-1290; phone: (301) 903-
3338; fax: (301) 903-8519; E-mail: karen.carlson@science.doe.gov; for
hard copies of background material mentioned in this solicitation.
The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number for this program
is 81.049, and the solicitation control number is ERFAP 10 CFR part
605.
Issued in Washington, DC on December 15, 1999.
John Rodney Clark,
Associate Director of Science for Resource Management.
[FR Doc. 99-33200 Filed 12-21-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-U
