99-17490. NOAA Climate and Global Change Program, Program Announcement  

  • [Federal Register Volume 64, Number 131 (Friday, July 9, 1999)]
    [Notices]
    [Pages 37101-37105]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 99-17490]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
    
    National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
    [Docket No. 990513129-9129-01]
    RIN 0648-ZA65
    
    
    NOAA Climate and Global Change Program, Program Announcement
    
    AGENCY: Office of Global Programs, Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric 
    Research, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Commerce.
    
    ACTION: Notice.
    
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    SUMMARY: The Climate and Global Change Program represents a National 
    Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) contribution to evolving 
    national and international programs designed to improve our ability to 
    observe, understand, predict, and respond to changes in the global 
    environment. This program builds on NOAA's mission requirements and 
    longstanding capabilities in global change research and prediction. The 
    NOAA Program is a key contributing element of the U.S. Global Change 
    Research Program (USGCRP), which is coordinated by the interagency 
    Committee on Environmental and Natural Resources. NOAA's program is 
    designed to complement other agency contributions to that national 
    effort.
    
    DATES: Unless otherwise noted, strict deadlines for submission to the 
    FY 2000 process are: Letters of intent must be received at the Office 
    of Global Programs (OGP) no later than July 31, 1999. Full proposals 
    must be received at OGP no later than October 15, 1999. Applicants who 
    have not received a response to their letter of intent within four 
    weeks should contact the Program Manager. The time from target date to 
    grant award varies by program area. We anticipate that review of full 
    proposals will occur during late September 1999 through March 2000, and 
    funding should begin during the spring of 2000 for most approved 
    projects. May 1, 2000, should be used as the proposed start date on 
    proposals, unless otherwise directed by the appropriate Program 
    Officer. Applicants should be notified of their status within six 
    months. All proposals must be submitted in accordance with the 
    guidelines below. Failure to heed these guidelines may result in 
    proposals being returned without review.
    
    ADDRESSES: Letters of Intent and Proposals should be submitted to: 
    Office of Global Programs; 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 
    at (301) 427-2089 ext. 107, fax: (301) 427-2222, Internet: 
    duPree@ogp.noaa.gov.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    
    1. Funding Availability
    
        NOAA believes that the Climate and Global Change Program will 
    benefit significantly from a strong partnership with outside 
    investigators. Current Program plans assume that over 50% of the total 
    resources provided through this announcement will support extramural 
    efforts, particularly those involving the broad academic community. 
    Because of ongoing debates on the Federal budget, it is uncertain how 
    much money will be available through this announcement. Actual funding 
    levels will depend upon the final FY 2000 budget appropriations. This 
    Program Announcement is for projects to be conducted by investigators 
    both inside and outside of NOAA, primarily over a one, two or three 
    year period. The NOAA Climate and Global Change Program has been 
    approved for multi-year funding up to a three year duration. The 
    funding instrument for extramural awards will be a grant unless it is 
    anticipated that NOAA 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 
    NOAA or NOAA scientists and a recipient scientist or technician and/or 
    contemplation by NOAA of detailing Federal personnel to work on 
    proposed projects. NOAA 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 is not available under this announcement. Matching 
    share is not required by this program.
    
    2. Program Authority
    
        49 U.S.C. 44720(b); 33 U.S.C. 883d, 883e; 15 U.S.C. 2904; 15U.S.C. 
    2931 et seq.; (CFDA No. 11.431)--CLIMATE AND ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH
    
    3. Program Objectives
    
        The long term objective of the Climate and Global Change Program is 
    to provide reliable predictions of climate variability and change with 
    associated regional implications on time scales ranging from seasons to 
    a century or more. NOAA believes that climate variability across these 
    time scales can be modeled with an acceptable probability of success 
    and are the most relevant for fundamental social concerns. Predicting 
    the behavior of the coupled ocean-atmospheric-land surface system will 
    be NOAA's primary contribution to a successful national effort to deal 
    with observed or anticipated changes in the global environment. NOAA 
    has a range of unique facilities and capabilities that can be applied 
    to Climate and Global Change investigations. Proposals that seek to 
    exploit these resources in collaborative efforts between NOAA and 
    extramural investigators are encouraged.
    
    4. Program Priorities
    
        In FY 2000, NOAA will give priority attention to individual 
    proposals in the Main Program Elements listed below. The names, 
    affiliations and phone numbers of relevant Climate and Global Change 
    Program Officers are provided. Funding for some programs may be limited 
    to ongoing projects or may be used to fund projects proposed in FY 1999 
    that were unable to be funded due to budgetary circumstances. 
    Prospective applicants should communicate with Program Officers for 
    information on priorities within program elements and prospects for 
    funding.
    
    (A) Aerosols
    
        The Aerosols program element focuses on research to improve the 
    predictive understanding of the role of anthropogenic aerosols in 
    climate focusing. For further information, please contact Joel Levy, 
    NOAA/Office of Global Programs, 301-427-2089 ext. 111, Internet: 
    levy@ogp.noaa.gov.
    
    (B) Atmospheric Chemistry
    
        The Atmospheric Chemistry Project focuses on global monitoring, 
    process-oriented laboratory and field studies, and theoretical modeling 
    to improve the predictive understanding of the atmospheric trace gases 
    that influence the earth's chemical and radiative balance. For an 
    information sheet containing further details, contact: Joel
    
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    M. Levy, NOAA/Office of Global Programs, 301-427-2089 ext.111, 
    Internet: levy@ogp.noaa.gov; or Fred C. Fehsenfeld, NOAA/Aeronomy 
    Laboratory, Boulder, CO, 303-497-5819, Internet: fcf@al.noaa.gov.
    
    (C) Climate and Societal Interactions (CSI)
    
        Research on Vulnerability, Opportunities, and Response Options. 
    Variability, change, and surprise results from a wide variety of 
    climatological, social, economic and ecological circumstances and 
    interactions. The purpose of this program is to increase understanding 
    of the impacts of climate variability and change as conditioned by 
    ongoing processes of decision-making and socio-economic transformation. 
    The suite of efforts is intended to further research-based integration 
    between studies of the whole of the climate system, including human 
    components, such as health, and evolving informational and educational 
    needs of decision-makers in climate sensitive sectors. The goal is to 
    provide the basis for more effective application of climate 
    information, including climate forecasts, for purposes of adaptation. 
    The intent of this program is to encourage overlapping research 
    approaches to integrate knowledge for problem solving. Prospective 
    applicants are strongly encouraged to communicate with Program Officers 
    listed within this program.
    
    (D) Human Dimensions of Global Change Research (HDGCR)
    
        The Human Dimensions of Global Change Research program is aimed at 
    understanding how social and economic systems are currently influenced 
    by fluctuations in climate, and how human behavior can be (or why it 
    may not be) affected based on information about variability in the 
    climate system. In addition, a separate program announcement for HDGCR 
    may be issued later this year because an interagency joint announcement 
    on human vulnerability and opportunities associated with climate and 
    environmental surprise is under consideration. For more information and 
    a detailed information sheet, contact: Caitlin Simpson, NOAA/Office of 
    Global Programs, 301-427-2089 ext. 152, Internet: simpson@ogp.noaa.gov.
        A joint interagency announcement is also anticipated on Climate and 
    Health. (For more information on this future announcement contact Juli 
    Trtanj, NOAA/Office of Global Programs, 301-427-2089 ext. 134, 
    Internet: trtanj@ogp.noaa.gov.)
    
    (E) Regional Assessments
    
        NOAA's present program of Regional Assessments possesses three 
    distinct qualities: (1) Interdisciplinarity, integration and synthesis; 
    (2) Bridging the gap between climatic, environmental and societal 
    interactions on different temporal and spatial scales; and (3) Decision 
    support and services. It requires innovative partnerships among a 
    spectrum of interests (Federal, State, local and private) to enable 
    regional organizational capacity to develop accurate (i.e., identifying 
    risks, uncertainties, and/or indeterminacies), balanced syntheses and 
    services on an ongoing basis. As such, the program relies heavily on 
    consolidating the results and data from ongoing NOAA-OGP disciplinary 
    program elements, already funded in a region, into an integrated 
    framework. For more information and a detailed information sheet, 
    contact: Roger Pulwarty, NOAA/Office of Global Programs, 301-427-2089 
    ext. 103, Internet: pulwarty@ogp.noaa.gov.
    
    (F) Climate Change Date and Detection
    
        The scientific goals of this element include efforts to: (1) 
    Provide data and information management support activities needed to 
    assure the availability of critical data sets from a variety of 
    national and international programs of primary interest to NOAA's 
    Climate and Global Change Program, e.g., the CLIVAR (Climate 
    Variability and Predictability) Program, GEWEX (Global Energy & Water 
    Cycle Experiment), GCOS (Global Climate Observing System), National and 
    International Assessments, etc.; (2) provide data and information 
    management support related to cross cutting science efforts necessary 
    to assess seasonal, interannual, decadal, and longer climate variations 
    and changes; (3) document the quantitative character of observed 
    climate variations and changes; and (4) attribute changes in the 
    observed climate record to specific climate forcings.
    
    (G) NOAA/NASA Jointly Sponsored Project
    
        A number of new starts are anticipated within the NOAA/National 
    Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) co-sponsored project that 
    supports research in the areas of data fusion and enhancement of 
    climate data sets through the use of space and/or ground based 
    observations. Preference will be given to those proposals that use more 
    than one observing system to develop a blended data set.
    
    (H) NOAA/DOE Jointly Sponsored Project
    
        A very limited number of new starts are anticipated within the 
    NOAA/Department of Energy (DOE) co-sponsored project that specifically 
    addresses all aspects of Climate Change Detection and Attribution.
        Additional details on the jointly sponsored projects are provided 
    on the supplementary fact sheet included in the Program Announcement 
    mailing (additional copies of the supplementary fact sheet can be 
    obtained from Irma duPree at the Office of Global Programs). For 
    further information contact: Bill Murray, NOAA/Global Programs, 301-
    427-2089 ext. 133, Internet: murray@ogp.noaa.gov; Chris Miller, NOAA/
    Global Programs, 301-427-2089 ext. 143, Internet: miller@ogp.noaa.gov; 
    Martha Maiden, NASA/Headquarters 202/358-1078, Internet: 
    maiden@hq.nasa.gov; or Rick Petty, DOE/Environmental Sciences Division, 
    Germantown, MD; 301-903-5548, Internet: Rick.Petty@oer.doe.gov.
    
    (I) Climate Dynamics and Experimental Prediction
    
        This program will not accept applications to initiate centers at 
    new institutions, but will accept renewal applications for ongoing 
    efforts or as part of ongoing negotiations. Qualified applications for 
    this program may be submitted throughout the year. For further 
    information, contact Mark Eakin, NOAA/Global Programs, 301-427-2089 
    ext. 109, Internet: eakin@ogp.noaa.gov.
    
    (J) Climate Variability and Predictability (CLIVAR)
    
        CLIVAR focuses on the role of the coupled ocean and atmosphere 
    within the overall climate system, with emphasis on variability, 
    especially within the oceans, on seasonal to centennial time scales. 
    CLIVAR intends to explore predictability and how to improve predictions 
    of climate variability and climate change using existing, re-analyzed, 
    and new global observations, enhanced coupled ocean-atmosphere-land-ice 
    models and paleoclimate records. A separate program announcement for 
    CLIVAR will be issued later this year inviting proposals for CLIVAR 
    Atlantic, CLIVAR Pacific (formerly GOALS), and CLIVAR PACS. 
    Investigators interested in these program areas are encouraged to 
    respond to this later announcement. For further information on the 
    Atlantic, please contact James Todd, NOAA /Global Programs, 301/427-
    2089 ext. 139, Internet: todd@ogp.noaa.gov. For the Pacific and PACS 
    efforts, please
    
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    contact, Michael Patterson, NOAA/Global Programs, 301-427-2089 ext. 
    102, Internet: patterson@ogp.noaa.gov.
    
    (K) Economics and Human Dimensions of Climate Fluctuations
    
        Please see Climate and Societal Interactions (CSI) above.
    
    (L) GEWEX Continental-Scale International Project (GCIP)
    
        GCIP supports research directed at closing regional water and 
    energy budgets, developing coupled hydrologic-atmospheric models and 
    interpreting hydroclimatic predictions for water resource managers 
    within the Mississippi River Basin. For this call priority will be 
    given to research in the Missouri River Basin. Details of the priority 
    research needs are outlined in the CCIP Major Activities Plan for the 
    Large Scale Area--Northwest. A later joint GCIP/PACS call dealing with 
    monsoonal circulations and summer precipitation is under consideration 
    and will be outlined in a subsequent information sheet. For more 
    information, contact Rick Lawford, NOAA/Office of Global Programs, 301-
    427-2089 ext. 146, Internet: lawford@ogp.noaa.gov.
    
    (M) Global Carbon Cycle (GCC)
    
        GCC focuses on global observations, process-oriented field studies 
    and modeling to improve our ability to predict the fate of 
    anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2), and future CO2 concentrations. A 
    separate program announcement for GCC may be issued later this year 
    because an interagency joint announcement in this area is under 
    consideration. For an information sheet containing further details and 
    the current priorities, please contact Lisa Dilling, NOAA/Office of 
    Global Programs, 301-427-2089 ext. 106, Internet: dilling@ogp.noaa.gov 
    or see the web at: http://www.ogp.noaa.gov/MPE/GCC/GCCinfo.html.
    
    (N) Global Ocean--Atmosphere--Land System (GOALS):
    
        Please see Climate Variability and Predictability (CLIVAR) above.
    
    (O) Pan-American Climate Studies (PACS)
    
        Please see Climate Variability and Predictability (CLIVAR) above.
    
    (P) Ocean-Atmosphere Carbon Exchange Study (OACES)
    
        Please see Global Carbon Cycle (GCC) above.
    
    (Q) Paleoclimatology
    
        The NOAA Paleoclimatology Program will entertain proposals that 
    support the joint IGBP PAGES/WCRP CLIVAR Research Initiative. This 
    initiative is jointly supported by NOAA and the National Science 
    Foundation (NSF) through the Earth System History (ESH) Program at NSF. 
    All proposals must be submitted to the NSF/ESH Program by January 15 
    each year. For more information, please contact Heather Benway, NOAA/
    Global Programs, 301-427-2089 ext. 113, Internet: benway@ogp.noaa.gov; 
    Jonathan Overpeck NOAA/National Geophysical Data Center, Boulder, CO; 
    303-497-6172, Internet: jto@mail.ngdc.noaa.gov; or Connie Sancetta, 
    National Science Foundation (NSF) OCE Program, Arlington, VA; 703-306-
    1586, Internet: sancett@nsf.gov. or visit http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/1997/
    nsf9716/nsf97161.htm.
    
    5. Eligibility
    
        Extramural eligibility is not limited and is encouraged with the 
    objective of developing a strong partnership with the academic 
    community. Universities, non-profit organizations, for-profit 
    organizations, State and local governments, and Indian Tribes, are 
    included among entities eligible for funding under this announcement.
        Funding for non-U.S. institutions is not available under this 
    announcement.
    
    6. Letters of Intent
    
        Letters of Intent should provide a concise description of the 
    proposed work and its relevance to the program element to which it is 
    directed. (A) Investigators must identify the program element that is 
    being pursued in the Letter of Intent. Failure to identify program 
    element will result in return of application. Secondary program 
    elements should also be identified, if appropriate. (B) Investigators 
    must identify a project title in the Letter of Intent (LOI). (C) 
    Letters should be no more than two pages in length and include the name 
    and institution of principal investigator(s), a statement of the 
    problem, brief summary of work to be completed, methodology to be used, 
    and approximate cost of the project. (D) It is in the best interest of 
    applicants and their institutions to submit letters of intent; however, 
    it is not a requirement. (E) Facsimile and electronic mail are 
    acceptable for letters of intent only. (F) Full proposals will be 
    encouraged only for LOIs deemed relevant by Program Management.
    
    7. Evaluation Criteria
    
        Consideration for financial assistance will be given to those 
    proposals that address one of the Program Elements listed and meet the 
    following evaluation criteria:
        (A) Scientific Merit: Intrinsic scientific value of the subject and 
    the study proposed, including methodology and readiness.
        (B) Relevance: Importance and relevance to the goals of the 
    selected Program Element(s). (See Program Objectives above)
    
    8. Selection Procedures
    
        All proposals, including those submitted by NOAA employees, will be 
    evaluated in accordance with the above evaluation criteria by (A) 
    independent peer mail review, and/or (B) independent peer panel review, 
    and a rating will be calculated based on these evaluations; both NOAA 
    and non-NOAA experts in the field may be used in this process. The 
    program officer will not be a voting member of an independent peer 
    panel. The recommendations and evaluations of the panel members will be 
    considered by the Program Officer in final selections. 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 Manager will ascertain which proposals do not 
    substantially duplicate other projects that are currently funded by 
    NOAA or are approved for funding by other federal agencies, and fall 
    within remaining funds available. As a result of this review, the 
    Program Manager may decide to select an award out of order. The Program 
    Manager will also determine the total duration of funding and the 
    amount of funding for each selected proposal. Unsatisfactory 
    performance by a recipient under prior Federal awards may result in an 
    application not being considered for funding.
    
    9. Proposal Submission
    
        The following forms are required in each application, with original 
    signatures on each federal form. Failure to comply will result in 
    proposal application being returned.
        (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. 
    For an optimal review, investigators are encouraged to submit 
    sufficient proposal copies, especially color or unusually sized (not 
    8.5''x11''), or otherwise unusual materials submitted as part of the 
    proposal. Only three
    
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    original copies of the Federally-required forms are needed. (3) 
    Proposals must be limited to 30 pages (numbered), including budget, 
    investigators vitae, and all appendices, and should be limited to 
    funding requests for one to three year duration. 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 should be signed by the 
    Principal Investigator (PI) and the institutional representative and 
    should clearly indicate which program element is being addressed. 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 each prior research project (during 
    the last 3 years) relevant to the proposed effort should be summarized 
    in brief paragraphs. This section should not exceed two pages. (4) 
    Statement of work: The proposed project must be completely described, 
    including identification of the problem, scientific objectives, 
    proposed methodology, relevance to the goal of the Climate and Global 
    Change Program, and the program priorities listed above. Benefits of 
    the proposed project to the general public and the scientific community 
    should be discussed. 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. 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. Item justifications must include salaries, 
    equipment, publications, supplies, tuition, travel, etc. (6) Budget: 
    The proposal must include total and annual itemized 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.'' Travel must be itemized to include 
    destination, airfare, per diem, lodging and ground travel. The form is 
    included in the standard NOAA application kit. (7) Vitae: Abbreviated 
    curriculum vitae are sought with each proposal. Reference lists should 
    be limited to all publications in the last three years 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 per year, dollar value 
    and duration. Requested values should be listed for pending support.
        (C) Other requirements: Applicants may obtain a standard NOAA 
    application kit from the Program Office.
    
    10. 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:
        (A) 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;
        (B) Drug Free Workplace: Grantees (as defined at 15 CFR part 26, 
    section 605) are subject to 15 CFR Part 26, Subpart F, ``Governmentwide 
    Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Grants)'' and the related section 
    of the certification form prescribed above applies;
        (C) 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 program, whichever is 
    greater; and
        (D) 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.
    
    11. Lower Tier Certifications
    
        (A) 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.
        (B) 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.
        (C) Preaward 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.
        (D) This program is subject to the requirements of OMB Circular No. 
    A-110, Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements 
    with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and other Non-Profit 
    Organizations, and 63 CFR 47155, September 4, 1998, ``Uniform 
    Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions 
    of Higher Education, Hospitals, Other Non-Profit and Commercial 
    Organizations, to State and Local Governments'', as applicable. 
    Applications under this program are not subject to Executive Order 
    12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.''
        (E) 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
    
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    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.
        (F) 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.
        (G) 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.
        (H) Buy American-Made Equipment or Products--Applicants are 
    encouraged that any equipment or products authorized to be purchased 
    with funding provided under this program be American-made to the 
    maximum extent feasible.
        (I) 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.
        (J) 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.
        (K) 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, denial 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 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
        (L) Notwithstanding any other provisions 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.
    
    12. 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: July 2, 1999.
    Louisa Koch,
    Deputy Assistant Administrator.
    [FR Doc. 99-17490 Filed 7-8-99; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 3510-KB-M