[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 101 (Wednesday, May 27, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28989-28994]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-13943]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service
[Docket No. 980415097-8097-01]
RIN 0648-ZA40


Regional Nonindigenous Species Research and Outreach and Improved 
Methods for Ballast Water Treatment and Management: Request for 
Proposals for 1998

AGENCIES: National Sea Grant College Program, National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce and Fish and 
Wildlife Service, Department of Interior.

ACTION: Notice of request for proposals.

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[[Page 28990]]

SUMMARY: The purpose of this notice is to advise the public that the 
National Sea Grant College Program (Sea Grant) and the U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service (USFWS) are entertaining proposals to participate in 
innovative research, outreach, and demonstration projects that address 
the problems of nonindigenous species in U.S. coastal waters. Sea Grant 
will support regional projects to prevent and/or control nonindigenous 
species invasions in the marine environment. Sea Grant and the Service 
will support demonstration projects to improve ballast water treatment 
and management in U.S. marine waters in general (Service), and in 
Chesapeake Bay in particular (Sea Grant).

DATES: Proposals must be received by 4:00 p.m. EDT on July 8, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Proposals should be addressed to: National Sea Grant College 
Program, R/SG, Attn: Nonindigenous Species Competition, Room 11877, 
NOAA, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Leon M. Cammen, Nonindigenous Species 
Coordinator, or Mary Robinson, Secretary, National Sea Grant Office, 
301-713-2435; facsimile 301-713-0799; or Robert A. Peoples, U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service, 703-358-2025; facsimile 703-358-2044.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Program Authority

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 4701 et seq.; 33 U.S.C. 1121 et seq.
    Catalog of Federal Assistance Numbers: 11.417, Sea Grant 
Support; 15.FFA, Fish and Wildlife Management Assistance.

II. Program Description

Background

    Nonindigenous species introductions are increasing in frequency and 
causing substantial damage to the Nation's environment and economy. 
Although the most prominent of these has been the zebra mussel, many 
other nonindigenous species have been introduced and have truly become 
a nationwide problem that threatens many aquatic ecosystems. While some 
intentional introductions may have had beneficial effects, there are 
many other nonindigenous species already present in U.S. waters, or 
with the potential to invade, that may cause significant damage to 
coastal resources and the economies that depend upon them. In response, 
the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 
(16 U.S.C. 4701 et seq.) established a framework for the Nation to 
address the problems of aquatic nuisance species invasions of coastal 
and Great Lakes ecosystems.
    Although problems such as the zebra mussel and the sea lamprey 
within the Great Lakes have received the most attention, invasions of 
nonindigenous species in coastal marine environments are an increasing 
and serious threat. The National invasive Species Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 
104-332, 110 Stat. 4073) recognized this by calling for Federal funding 
to support aquatic nuisance species prevention and control in five 
regions of the U.S. coast: Chesapeake Bay, the Gulf of Mexico, the 
Pacific coast, the Atlantic coast, and the San Francisco Bay--Delta 
estuary.
    In addition, the Act recognized the serious threat posed by ballast 
water discharge in causing new invasions and called for ballast water 
management demonstration programs. A 1996 National Research Council 
study of the ballast water problem, ``Stemming the Tide,'' concluded 
that with the growth of global shipping, and the changes in modern 
shipping practices, introductions of nonindigenous species through 
ballast water discharge were likely to remain a serious problem. The 
study called for the development of improved technology for the 
management of ballast water to eliminate this threat to the Nation's 
ecosystems. A demonstration project is currently underway in the Great 
Lakes testing filtration of ballast water as method of reducing 
introductions, but it is acknowledged that there is unlikely to be a 
single solution that is acceptable for all modes of shipping operations 
and classes of vessels.

Funding Availability and Priorities

    The National Sea Grant College Program encourages proposals that 
address one of the following two program areas:
(1) Regional Research and Outreach to Prevent and Control Nonindigenous 
Species Invasions in Marine Environments
    Projects should provide an ``end-to-end'' approach that integrates 
the research with the outreach necessary to ensure that the results 
will be applied to address the problem in that region. Projects must be 
targeted toward one (or more) of the following regions: Chesapeake Bay, 
the Gulf of Mexico, the Pacific coast, the Atlantic coast, and the San 
Francisco Bay-Delta estuary. Possible topics include (but are not 
limited to): identification of vectors of introduction, development of 
cost-effective, realistic methods of prevention; development of 
selective, effective controls that minimize adverse ecological/
environmental impacts--engineering (redesigning water intakes, etc.), 
physical (scraping, filtering, etc.), chemical (biocides, antifoulants, 
etc.), biological (parasites, predators, etc.), and/or physicochemical 
(heat, salinity, pH, etc.); and identification of mechanisms for 
further dispersal of individual established species that will lead to 
the development of safeguards and protocols to prevent and/or slow the 
spread of nonindigenous species to uninfested areas.
    A total of $420,000 is available for this activity in FY1998; an 
additional $425,000 will be made available in FY1999 if appropriated. 
Proposals may be submitted for one or two years of activity; the second 
year of funding is contingent upon availability of funds and submission 
of an annual report showing satisfactory progress. Project activities 
should include identified milestones for each project year. Proposals 
may request up to $140,000 per year and must include additional 
matching funds equivalent to 33% of the Federal funds requested; for 
example, a proposal requesting a total of $270,000 for two years would 
have to include at least an additional $90,000 in matching funds. The 
total dollar amount of indirect costs proposed in an application under 
this program area must not exceed the indirect cost rate negotiated and 
approved by the cognizant Federal agency prior to the proposed 
effective date of the award or 100 percent of the total proposed direct 
costs dollar amount in the application, whichever is less. It is 
anticipated that from three to five projects will be supported; no more 
than one project will be funded in each region.
(2) Chesapeake Bay Ballast Water Management
    Research to develop workable and effective methods to eliminate 
ballast water discharge as a source of nonindigenous species 
introductions without imposing undue hardships on the shipping 
industry. Possible approaches include (but are not limited to) 
development and/or demonstration of technologies for treatment or 
management of ballast water on-board ship or for on-shore management. 
Projects that include on-vessel or on-shore demonstrations of 
feasibility will be given priority. Projects must be clearly targeted 
toward addressing ballast water management in Chesapeake Bay, but 
investigators located outside the Chesapeake Bay region may participate 
if all demonstrations are carried out on Chesapeake Bay.

[[Page 28991]]

    A total of $500,000 is available for this activity in FY1998. 
Proposals are limited to one year of funding, but activities may extend 
for up to two years; an annual report showing satisfactory progress 
must be submitted at the end of the first year. Project activities 
should include identified milestones for each project year. Proposals 
may request up to the full $500,000; matching fund are encouraged, but 
not required. The total of dollar amount of indirect costs proposed in 
an application under this program area must not exceed the indirect 
cost rate negotiated and approved by the cognizant Federal agency prior 
to the proposed effective date of the award or 100 percent of the total 
proposed direct costs dollar amount in the application, whichever is 
less.
    The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service encourages proposals that 
address the following program area:
(3) National Ballast Water Management
    Research to develop workable and effective methods to eliminate 
ballast water discharge as a source of nonindigenous species 
introductions without imposing undue hardships on the shipping 
industry. Possible approaches include (but are not limited to) 
development and/or demonstration of technologies for treatment or 
management of ballast water on-board ship or for on-shore management. 
Projects may be carried out in any U.S. waters except Chesapeake Bay.
    A total of $150,000 is available for this activity in FY1998; 
support will be made available at the same level in FY1999 and FY2000 
if funds are appropriated. Proposals may request up to three years of 
funding; the second and third years of funding are contingent upon 
availability of funds and submission of an annual report showing 
satisfactory progress. Project activities may be phased in and should 
include identified milestones for each project year. Proposals may 
request up to the full $150,000; matching funds are encouraged, but not 
required. For proposals submitted under this program area only, 
indirect costs may not exceed 15% of direct costs.

III. Eligibility

    Applications requesting support under the ``Regional Research and 
Outreach to Prevent and Control Nonindigenous Species Invasions in 
Marine Environments'' program area are restricted to universities and 
non-Federal research institutions. Applications requesting support 
under the ``Chesapeake Bay Ballast Water Management'' or ``National 
Ballast Water Management'' program areas may be submitted by 
individuals; public or private corporations, partnerships, or other 
associations or entities (including institutions of higher education, 
institutes, or non-Federal laboratories), or any State, political 
subdivision of a State, or agency or officer thereof.

IV. Evaluation Criteria

    The evaluation criteria for proposals submitted for support under 
the ``Regional Research and Outreach to Prevent and Control 
Nonindigenous Species Invasions in Marine Environments'' program area 
are:
    (1) Impact of proposed project (50%): Significance of the 
nonindigenous species problem that will be addressed; the effect this 
activity will have on reducing the impact of nonindigenous species on 
the environment and/or the economy, or the need for this activity as a 
necessary step toward such a reduction in impact.
    (2) Scientific or Professional Merit (20%): Degree to which the 
activity will advance the state of the science or discipline through 
use and extension of state-of-the-art methods.
    (3) User Relationships (15%): Degree to which potential users of 
the results of the proposed activity has been involved in planning the 
activity, will be involved in the execution of the activity, and/or are 
providing matching funds.
    (4) Innovativeness (10%): Degree to which new approaches to solving 
problems and exploiting opportunities in resource management or 
development, or in public outreach on such issues will be employed; 
alternatively, the degree to which the activity will focus on new types 
of important or potentially important resources and issues.
    (5) Qualifications and Past Record of Investigators (5%): Degree to 
which investigators are qualified by education, training, and/or 
experience to execute the proposed activity; record of achievement with 
previous funding.
    The evaluation criteria for proposals submitted for support under 
the ``Chesapeake Bay Ballast Water Management'' and ``National Ballast 
Water Management'' program areas are:
    (1) Impact of proposed project (40%): Potential effectiveness of 
ballast water treatment technologies or practices in reducing 
introductions of nonindigerous species.
    (2) Field-Scale Demonstration (10%): Inclusion of a field-scale 
demonstration of the proposed ballast water treatment technology or 
practices.
    (3) Scientific or Professional Merit (20%): Degree to which the 
activity will advance the state of the science or discipline through 
use and extension of state-of-the-art methods.
    (4) User Relationships (15%): Degree to which potential users of 
the results of the proposed activity have been involved in planning the 
activity, will be involved in the execution of the activity, and/or are 
providing matching funds.
    (5) Innovativeness (10%): Degree to which new approaches to solving 
problems and exploiting opportunities in resource management or 
development, or in public outreach on such issues will be employed; 
alternatively, the degree to which the activity will focus on new types 
of important or potentially important resources and issues.
    (6) Qualifications and Past Record of Investigators (5%): Degree to 
which investigators are qualified by education, training, and/or 
experience to execute the proposed activity; record of achievement with 
previous funding.

V. Selection Procedures

    All proposals will be evaluated and ranked in accordance with the 
assigned weights of the above evaluation criteria by one of two 
independent peer review panels consisting of government, academic, and 
industry experts; one panel will review the Regional Research Proposals 
and a second panel will review the Ballast Water Management proposals. 
These panel members will provide individual evaluations on each 
proposal, but there will be no consensus advice. Their recommendations 
and evaluations will be considered by the Program Managers in the final 
selection. Those proposals ranked by the panel as ``not recommended for 
funding'' will not be given further consideration. For the proposals 
rated either Excellent, Very Good or Good, the Sea Grant and USFWS 
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 USFWS or are 
approved for funding by other federal agencies, hence, awards may not 
necessarily be made to the highest-scored proposals; (b) select the 
proposals to be funded; (c) determine which components of the selected 
projects will be funded; (d) determine the total duration of funding 
for each proposal; and (e) determine the amount of funds available for 
each proposal. No more than one ``Regional Research'' project will be 
funded from any single region, but this limit will not be applied to 
the ``Ballast Water'' competitions. Investigators may be asked to 
modify objectives, work plans,

[[Page 28992]]

or budgets prior to final approval of the award. Subsequent grant 
administration procedures will be in accordance with the individual 
policies of the awarding agency. A summary statement of the scientific 
review by the peer panel will be provided to each applicant.

VI. Instructions for Application

General Guidelines

    The ideal proposal attacks a well-defined problem that will be or 
is a significant societal issue. The organization or people whose task 
it will be to make related decisions, or who will be able to make 
specific use of the projects results, will have been identified and 
contacted by the Principal Investigator(s). The project will show an 
understanding of what constitutes necessary and sufficient information 
for responsible decision-making or for applied use, and will show how 
that information will be provided by the proposed activity, or in 
concert with other planned activities.
    Research projects are expected to have: a rigorous, hypothesis-
based scientific work plan, or a well-defined, logical approach to 
address an engineering problem; a strong rationale for the proposed 
research; and a clear and established relationship with the ultimate 
users of the information. Research undertaken jointly with industry, 
business, or other agencies with interest in the problem will be seen 
as being meritorious. Their contribution to the research may be in the 
form of collaboration, in-kind services, or dollar support. Projects 
that are solely monitoring efforts are not appropriate for funding.

What To Submit

    Each proposal should include the items listed below. All pages 
should be single- or double-spaced, typewritten in at least a 10-point 
font, and printed on metric A4 (210 mm x 297 mm) or 8\1/2\'' x 11'' 
paper. Brevity will assist reviewers and program staff in dealing 
effectively with proposals. Therefore, the Project Description may not 
exceed 15 pages. Tables and visual materials, including charts, graphs, 
maps, photographs and other pictorial presentations are included in the 
15-page limitation. Conformance to the 15-page limitation will be 
strictly enforced. All information needed for review of the proposal 
should be included in the main text; no appendices are permitted.
    (1) Signed title page: The title page should be signed by the 
Principal Investigator and the institutional representative and should 
clearly identify the program area being addressed by starting the 
project title with either ``Regional Research and Outreach'', 
``Chesapeake Bay Ballast Water'', or ``National Ballast Water'' as 
appropriate. The Principal Investigator and institutional 
representative should be identified by full name, title, organization, 
telephone number and address. The total amount of Federal funds being 
requested should be listed for each budget period.
    (2) Project Summary: This information is very important. Prior to 
attending the peer review panel meetings, some of the panelists may 
read only the project summary. Therefore, it is critical that the 
project summary accurately describe the research being proposed and 
convey all essential elements of the research. The project summary 
should include: 1. Title: Use the exact title as it appears in the rest 
of the application. 2. Investigators: List the names and affiliations 
of each investigator who will significantly contribute to the project. 
Start with the Principal Investigator. 3. Funding request for each year 
of the project, including matching funds if appropriate. 4. Project 
Period: Start and completion dates. Proposals should request a start 
date of October 1, 1998, or later. 5. Project Summary: This should 
include the rationale for the project, the scientific or technical 
objectives and/or hypotheses to be tested, and a brief of summary of 
work to be completed.
    (3) Project Description (15-page limit): (a) Introduction/
Background/Justification: Subjects that the investigator(s) may wish to 
include in this section are: a) current state of knowledge; b) 
contributions that the study will make to the particular discipline or 
subject area; and c) contributions the study will make toward 
addressing the problem of nonindigenous species.
    (b) Research or Technical Plan: a) Objectives to be achieved, 
hypotheses to be tested; b) Plan of work--discuss how stated project 
objectives will be achieved; and c) Role of project personnel.
    (c) Output: Describe the project outputs that will enhance the 
Nation's ability to manage and control nonindigenous species impacts.
    (d) Coordination with others Program Elements: Describe any 
coordination with other agency programs or ongoing research efforts. 
Describe any other proposals that are essential to the access of this 
proposal.
    (4) Budget and Budget Justification: There should be a separate 
budget for each year of the project as well as a cumulative annual 
budget for the entire project. Applicants are encouraged to use the Sea 
Grant Budget Form 90-4, but may use their own form as long as it 
provides the same information as the Sea Grant form. Subcontracts 
should have a separate budget page. Matching funds must be indicated if 
required; failure to provide adequate matching funds will result in the 
proposal being rejected without review. Applicants should provide 
justification for all budget items in sufficient detail to enable the 
reviewers to evaluate the appropriateness of the funding requested. For 
applications submitted for the ``Regional Research and Outreach to 
Prevent and Control Nonindigenous Species Invasions in Marine 
Environments'' and the ``Chesapeake Bay Ballast Water Management'' 
program areas, the total dollar amount of indirect costs must not 
exceed the indirect cost rate negotiated and approved by the cognizant 
Federal agency prior to the proposed effective date of the award or 
1000 percent of the total proposed direct costs dollar amount in the 
application whichever is less. For proposals submitted for the 
``National Ballast Water Management'' program area only, indirect costs 
may not exceed 15% of direct costs. The Sea Grant Budget Form 90-4 is 
available through the World Wide Web (www.mdsg.umd.umd.edu/NSGO/
research/nonindigenous/RFP98.html) or form Dr. Leon Cammen at the 
National Sea Grant Office (phone: 301-713-2435 x136 or e-mail: 
[email protected]).
    (5) Current and Pending Support: Applicants must provide 
information on all current and pending support for ongoing projects and 
proposals, including subsequent funding in the case of continuing 
grants. All current project support from whatever source (e.g., 
Federal, State or local government agencies, private foundations, 
industrial or other commercial organizations) must be listed. The 
proposed project and all other projects or activities requiring a 
portion of time of the principal investigator and other senior 
personnel should be included, even if they receive no Federal salary 
support from the project(s). The number of person-months per year to be 
devoted to the projects must be stated, regardless of source of 
support. Similar information must be provided for all proposals already 
submitted or submitted concurrently to other possible sponsors, 
including those within NOAA and the USFWS.
    (6) Vitae (2 pages maximum per investigator).
    (7) Research Protocol (if appropriate): Research activities funded 
under this

[[Page 28993]]

program must not accelerate the spread of nonindigenous species to non-
infested watersheds. Therefore, investigators whose laboratories or 
research study sites are in currently uninfested areas must adopt 
procedures for handling the particular nonindigenous species that will 
prevent its release into the environment. Such proposals must contain a 
research protocol for review by an interagency committee created under 
the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 
before the grant can be awarded. Guidelines for developing suitable 
protocols are available through the World Wide Web (www.mdsg.umd.edu/
NSGO/research/nonindigenous/RFP98.html) or from Dr. Leon Cammen at the 
National Sea Grant Office (phone: 301-713-2435 x136 or e-mail: 
[email protected]). Proposals lacking a suitable protocol will not 
be eligible for funding.
    (8) Declaration of Vessel Selection (if appropriate): Applications 
proposing on-board demonstrations of ballast water management should 
address the requirements and priorities listed in the National Invasive 
Species Act of 1996 for selecting vessels for demonstration projects. 
These requirements are available through the World Wide Web 
(www.mdsg.umd.edu/NSGO/research/nonindigenous/RFP98.html) or from Dr. 
Leon Cammen at the National Sea Grant Office (phone: 301-713-2435 x136 
or e-mail: [email protected]).
    (9) Standard Application Forms: Applicants may obtain all required 
application forms through the World Wide Web (www.mdsg.umd.edu/NSGO/
research/nonindigenous/RFP98.html) or from Dr. Leon Cammen at the 
National Sea Grant Office (phone: 301-713-2435 x136 or e-mail: 
[email protected]). The following forms must be included:
    (a) Standard Forms 424, Application for Federal Assistance, 424A, 
Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs; and 424B, Assurances--
Non-Construction Programs, (Rev 4-88). Applications should clearly 
identify the program area being addressed by starting the project title 
with either ``Regional Research and Outreach'', ``Chesapeake Bay 
Ballast Water'', or ``National Ballast Water'' as appropriate. Please 
note that both the Principal Investigator and an administrative contact 
should be identified in Section 5 of the SF424. For Section 10, 
applicants for the Regional Research and Outreach to Prevent and 
Control Nonindigenous Species Invasions in Marine Environments and 
Chesapeake Bay Ballast Water Management program areas should enter 
``11.417'' for the CFDA Number and ``Sea Grant Support'' for the title; 
applicants for the National Ballast Water Management program area 
should enter ``15.FFA'' for the CFDA Number and ``Fish and Wildlife 
Management Assistant'' for the title. The form must contain the 
original signature of an authorized representative of the applying 
institution.
    (b) Primary Applicant Certifications. All primary applicants must 
submit a completed Form CD-511, ``Certifications Regarding Debarment, 
Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters; Drug-Free Workplace 
Requirements and Lobbying,'' and the following explanations are hereby 
provided:
    (i) 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 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;
    (iii) Anti-Lobbying. Persons (as defined at 15 CFR Part 28, Section 
105) are subject to the lobbying provisions of 31 U.S.C. 1352, 
``Limitation on use of appropriated funds to influence certain Federal 
contracting and financial transactions,'' and the lobbying section of 
the certification form prescribed above applies to applications/bids 
for grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts for more than 
$100,000, and loans and loan guarantees for more than $150,000, or the 
single family maximum mortgage limit for affected programs, whichever 
is greater; and
    (iv) Anti-Lobbying Disclosures. Any applicant that has paid or will 
pay for lobbying using any funds must submit an SF-LLL, ``Disclosure of 
Lobbying Activities,'' as required under 15 CFR Part 28, Appendix B.
    (c) Lower Tier Certifications. Recipients shall require applicant/
bidders for subgrants, contracts, subcontracts, or other lower tier 
covered transactions at any tier under the award to submit, if 
applicable, a completed Form CD-512, ``Certifications Regarding 
Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and Volumtary Exclusion-Lower Tier 
Covered Transactions and Lobbying'' and disclosure form, SF-LLL, 
``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities.'' Form CD-512 is intended for the 
use of recipients and should not be transmitted to the Department of 
Commerce (DOC). SF-LLL submitted by any tier recipient or subrecipient 
should be submitted to DOC in accordance with the instructions 
contained in the award document.

VII. How To Submit

    The original and two (2) copies of each proposal must be received 
in the National Sea Grant Office no later than 4:00 p.m. EDT on the 
closing date July 8, 1998. Although investigators are not required to 
submit more than 3 copies of the proposal, the normal review process 
requires 10 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 8.5 x 11''), or otherwise 
unusual materials submitted as part of the proposal. Only three copies 
of the Federally required forms are needed. Completed applications 
should be sent via regular mail to: National Sea Grant Office, R/SG, 
Attn: Nonindigenous Species Competition, NOAA, 1315 East-West Highway, 
Silver Spring, MD 20910.
    For express mail or courier-delivered applications, the following 
address must be used: National Sea Grant Office, R/SG, Attn: 
Nonindigenous Species Competition, NOAA, Room 11877, 1315 East-West 
Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Phone: 301-713-2435 (for express mail 
applications).
    Applications received after the deadline and application that 
deviate from the format described above will be returned to the sender 
without review. Fascimile transmissions and electronic mail submission 
of full proposals will not be accepted. If you have any questions or 
require further information, contact one of the agency coordinators 
listed above

VIII. Other Requirements

    (A) Federal Policies and Procedures--Recipients and subrecipients 
are subject to all Federal laws and Federal, Department of Commerce 
(DOC), and Department of Interior (DOI) policies, regulations, and 
procedures applicable to Federal financial assistance awards.
    (B) Past Performance--Unsatisfactory performance under prior 
Federal awards may result in an application not being considered for 
funding.
    (C) 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 or written 
assurance that may have been received, there is no obligation on the 
part of DOC or DOI to cover preaward costs.

[[Page 28994]]

    (D) No Obligation for Future Funding--If an application is selected 
for funding, DOC and DOI have no obligation to provide any additional 
future funding in connection with that award. Renewal of an award to 
increase funding or extend the period of performance is at the total 
discretion of DOC and DOI.
    (E) Delinquent Federal Debts--No award of Federal funds shall be 
made to an applicant who has an outstanding delinquent Federal debt 
until either:
    (1) The delinquent account is paid in full,
    (2) A negotiated repayment schedule is established and at least one 
payment is received, or
    (3) Other arrangements satisfactory to DOC or DOI are made.
    (F) Name Check Review--All non-profit and for-profit applicants are 
subject to a name check review process. Name checks are intended to 
reveal if any key individuals associated with the applicant have been 
convicted of or are presently facing criminal charges such as fraud, 
theft, perjury, or other matters which significantly reflect on the 
applicant's management honesty or financial integrity.
    (G) False Statements--A false statement on an application is 
grounds for denial or termination of funds and grounds for possible 
punishment by a fine or imprisonment as provided in 18 U.S.C. 1001.
    (H) Intergovernmental Review--Applications for support from the 
National Sea Grant College Program are not subject to Executive Order 
12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs. Applications for 
support from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are subject to 
Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.''
    (I) Purchase of American-Made Equipment and Products--Applicants 
are hereby notified that they will be encouraged to the greatest extent 
practicable, to purchase American-made equipment and products with 
funding provided under this program.

IX. Classification

    Prior notice and an opportunity for public comments are not 
required by the Administrative Procedure Act or any other law for this 
notice concerning grants, benefits, and contracts. Therefore, a 
regulatory flexibility analysis is not required for purposes of the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act.
    This action has been determined to be not significant for purposes 
of E.O. 12866.
    This notice contains collection of information requirements subject 
to the Paperwork Reduction Act. The Sea Grant Budget Form and Standard 
Forms 424, 424a, and 424b have been approved under control numbers 
0648-0034, 0348-0043, 0348-0044, and 0348-0040 with average responses 
estimated to take 15, 45, 180, and 15 minutes, respectively. These 
estimates include the time for reviewing instructions, searching 
existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and 
completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments 
on these estimates or any other aspect of these collections to National 
Sea Grant College Program, R/SG, NOAA, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver 
Spring, MD 20910 (Attention: Leon M. Cammen) and to the Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 
Washington, DC 20503 (Attention: NOAA Desk Officer). Notwithstanding 
any other provision of the law, no person is required to respond to, 
nor shall any person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply 
with, a collection of information subject to the requirements of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act, unless that collection of information displays 
a currently valid OMB Control Number.

    Dated: May 20, 1998.
Alan R. Thomas,
Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Research, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

    Dated: May 20, 1998.
Gary B. Edwards,
Assistant Director--Fisheries, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 98-13943 Filed 5-26-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-12-M