[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 127 (Monday, July 3, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34519-34522]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-16288]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[Docket No. 950621163-5163-01]
RIN: 0648-ZA17


NOAA Pan-American Climate Studies (PACS), Program Announcement

AGENCY: Office of Global Programs, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Pan-American Climate Studies (PACS) Program is a 
contribution to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
(NOAA) Climate and Global Change Program, and as such is 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 PACS Program is a 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: Strict deadlines for submission to the FY 1996 process are: 
Letters of Intent must be received at the Office or Global Program 
(OGP) no later than August 2, 1995. Full proposals must be received at 
OGP no later than September 22, 1995. Applicants should receive 
notification of the suitability of their intended proposals by August 
11, 1995. Investigators who have not received notification by that date 
should contact the program office. The time from target date to grant 
award varies with program area. We anticipate that review of the full 
proposal will occur during the fall of 1995 and funding should begin 
during the early spring of 1996 for most approved projects. April 1, 
1996, should be used as the proposed start date on proposals, unless 
otherwise directed by a Program Manager. Applicants should be notified 
of their status within 6 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: Proposals should be submitted to:

Office of Global Programs, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 1100 Wayne Avenue, Suite 1225, Silver Spring, MD 20910-
5603, Attn: Michael Patterson

    An Applications Kit can be obtained from: Grant Management 
Division, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1325 East 
West Highway, Room 5426, Silver Spring, MD 20910.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Michael Patterson at the above address, 301-427-2089x12, Internet: 
P[email protected]; or Stephen Piotrowicz, NOAA/Office of Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Research, 1315 East-West Highway, Rm 11560, Silver 
Spring, MD 20910, 301-713-2465, Internet: SP[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Funding Availability

    This Program Announcement is for projects to be conducted by 
investigators both inside and outside of NOAA, over a period of up to 
three years. NOAA believes that the Climate and Global Change Program 
will benefit significantly from a strong partnership with outside 
investigators. Current Program plans assume that approximately 50% of 
the total anticipated new resources available ($0-5-1.0 million) in FY 
1996 will support extramural efforts, particularly those involving the 
academic community. Actual funding levels may be subject to change 
depending on the final FY 1996 budget appropriation. For Federal 
Government investigators, funding will be provided through intra- or 
interagency transfers, as appropriate. For non-Federal investigators, 
the funding instrument will be a grant unless it is anticipated that 
NOAA will be substantially involved in the implementation of the 
project for which an award is to be made, 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 are not available under this 
announcement.

Program Authority

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. App. 1463; 33 U.S.C. 883d, 883e; 15 U.S.C. 
2904; 15 U.S.C. 2931 et seq.

[[Page 34520]]


(CFDA No. 11.431)--Climate and Atmospheric Research

Program Objectives

    PACS is a joint Program of the NOAA Office of Global Programs (OGP) 
and Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR)/Environmental 
Research Laboratories (ERL) which falls within the scope of the U.S. 
GOALS (Global Ocean-Atmosphere-Land System) Program. PACS is designed 
to advance the ability to predict seasonal to interannual climate 
variability, particularly summertime precipitation, over the Americas. 
Specific scientific objectives are to better understand and more 
realistically model (1) the seasonally varying mean climate over the 
Americas and adjacent ocean regions, with emphasis on the intertropical 
convergence zones, the North and South American monsoons, the 
equatorial cold tongues, the subtropical oceanic stratus decks, and the 
dominant tropical and extratropical cyclone tracks; (2) the role of 
boundary processes in forcing seasonal to interannual climate 
variability, with emphasis on tropical sea surface temperature in 
relation to continental precipitation; (3) the coupling between the 
oceanic mixed layer and the atmospheric planetary boundary layer in the 
tropical Atlantic and eastern Pacific; and (4) the processes that 
determine the structure and evolution of the tropical sea surface 
temperature field.

Program Priorities

    With limited funding anticipated for new starts in FY 1996, NOAA 
will place emphasis on new projects designed to improve the 
understanding and modeling of coupled ocean-atmosphere interactions in 
the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. This region has been identified as 
an initial target in PACS because of its importance in influencing the 
seasonally-varying precipitation over the American continents. 
Proposals are encouraged to focus on pilot field observations, data 
management, and empirical studies. Pilot field observing efforts are 
needed to provide improved measurements of rainfall, surface fluxes and 
upper ocean and atmospheric dynamics in the East Pacific Intertropical 
Convergence Zone (ITCZ) and other important phenomena in the eastern 
Pacific Ocean. Field observing projects are expected, to the greatest 
extent possible, to build upon existing observing systems and planned 
field projects and to be well coordinated with other observing efforts 
in the region. Data management activities should aim at providing PACS-
related global data sets (particularly satellite observations), field 
projects, and modeling efforts. Empirical studies should provide 
preliminary analysis of data available in the eastern Pacific in an 
effort to establish the background climatology required for model 
validation and field program planning in this region. Proposals in 
response to the announcement are expected to be of one to three years 
duration.

Eligibility

    Extramural eligibility is not limited and is encouraged with the 
objective of developing a strong partnership with the academic 
community. Non-academic proposers are urged to seek collaboration with 
academic institutions. Universities, non-profit organizations, for 
profit organizations, State and local governments, and Indian Tribes, 
are included among entities eligible for funding under this 
announcement.
    The NOAA Climate and Global Change Program has been approved for 
multi-year funding up to a three year duration. Funding for non-U.S. 
institutions is not available under this announcement.

Letters of Intent

    Letters of Intent: (1) 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, approximate cost of the project, and program element(s) 
to which the proposal should be directed. (2) Evaluation will be by 
program management, according to the selection criteria for full 
proposals described. (3) It is in the best interest of applicants and 
their institutions to submit letters of intent; however, it is not a 
requirement. (4) Facsimile and electronic mail are acceptable for 
letters of intent only. (5) Projects deemed unsuitable during program 
review should not be submitted as full proposals.

Evaluation Criteria

    Consideration for financial assistance will be given to those 
proposals which address one of the Program Priorities listed above and 
meet the following evaluation criteria:
    (1) Scientific Merit (20%): Intrinsic scientific value of the 
subject and the study proposed.
    (2) Relevance (20%): Importance and relevance to the goal of the 
Climate and Global Change Program and to the research areas listed 
above.
    (3) Methodology (20%): Focused scientific objective and strategy, 
including measurement strategies and data management considerations; 
project milestones; and final products.
    (4) Readiness (20%): Nature of the problem; relevant history and 
status of existing work; level of planning, including existence of 
supporting documents; strength of proposed scientific and management 
team; past performance record of proposers.
    (5) Linkages (10%): Connections to existing or planned national and 
international programs; partnerships with other agency or NOAA 
participants, where appropriate.
    (6) Costs (10%): Adequacy of proposed resources; appropriate share 
of total available resources; prospects for joint funding; 
identification of long-term commitments. Matching funding is 
encouraged, but is not required.

Selection Procedures

    All proposals will be evaluated and ranked in accordance with the 
assigned weights of the above evaluation criteria by (1) independent 
peer mail review, and/or (2) independent peer panel review; both NOAA 
and non-NOAA experts in the field may be used in this process. Their 
individual recommendations and evaluations will be considered by the 
Program Managers in final selections. Those ranked by the panel and 
program as not recommended for funding will not be given further 
consideration and will be notified of non-selection. For the proposals 
rated either Excellent, Very Good or Good, the Program Managers will: 
(a) Ascertain which proposals meet the objectives, fit the criteria 
posted, and do not substantially duplicate other projects that are 
currently funded by NOAA or are approved for funding by other federal 
agencies, (b) select the proposals to be funded, (c) determine the 
total duration of funding for each proposal, and (d) determine the 
amount of funds available for each proposal. Awards are not necessarily 
made to the highest-scored proposals, even though scoring is one of 
several factors considered in selecting proposals for award.
    Unsatisfactory performance by a recipient under prior Federal 
awards may result in an application not being considered for funding.

Proposal Submission

    The guidelines for proposal preparation provided below are 
mandatory. Failure to heed these guidelines may 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 not 

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required to submit more than 3 copies of the proposal. (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 should 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 project area is being addressed. The PI 
and institutional representative should be identified by fullname, 
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 projects 
supported by NOAA and other agencies should be described, including 
their relation to the currently proposed work. Reference to each prior 
research award should include the title, agency, 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, 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. A year-by-year summary of 
proposed work must be included clearly indicating that each year's 
proposed work is severable and can easily be separated into annual 
increments of meaningful work. 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: 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. The proposal must include detailed total and annual 
budgets corresponding with the descriptions provided in the statement 
of work. Additional text to justify expenses should be included as 
necessary.
    (6) 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.
    (7) 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.
    (8) 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 Officer.
    (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:
    1. 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 from prescribed above applies;
    2. 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;
    3. 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
    4. 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.
    Lower Tier Certifications--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) 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.
    (4) This program is subject to the requirements of OMB Circular No. 
A-110, ``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, 

[[Page 34522]]
``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 of 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.
    (d) 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.
    (e) 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 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
    Classification: This notice has been determined to be not 
significant for purposes of Executive Order 12866. 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.

    Dated: June 27, 1995.
J. Michael Hall,
Director, Office of Global Programs, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration.
[FR Doc. 95-16288 Filed 6-30-95; 8:45 am]
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