[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 191 (Friday, October 2, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53014-53020]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-26373]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[Docket No. 980911235-8235-01]
RIN [0648-ZA49]


Coastal Services Center Broad Area Announcement

AGENCY: National Ocean Service (NOS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of availability of Federal assistance.

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SUMMARY: The Coastal Services Center (CSC) announces the availability 
of Federal assistance for fiscal year 1999 (FY99) in the following 
program areas: Landscape Characterization and Restoration; Training 
Projects; and Special Projects. This announcement provides detailed 
guidelines for these program areas and includes details for the 
technical program, evaluation criteria, and selection procedures of 
each. Selected recipients will enter into either a cooperative 
agreement with CSC or receive a grant depending upon the amount of CSC 
involvement in the project--substantial involvement with a cooperative 
agreement versus independent work with a grant.
    All applicants are required to submit a NOAA Grants Application 
Package and project proposal. The standard NOAA Grants Application 
Package (which includes forms SF-424, SF-424A, SF-424B, SF-424C, SF-
424D, CD-511, CD-512, and SF-LLL) can be obtained from the NOAA Grants 
Website at www.rdc.noaa.gov/grants/pdf/. If internet access 
is not available, the Grants Package can be obtained by contacting the 
NOAA CSC at (843) 740-1200. Funding will be contingent upon the 
availability of funds but will be in the range of $100,000 to 
$1,410,000.

DATES: Each program area has specific dates for application and 
proposal deadlines. Refer directly to that program area description 
under Supplementary Infromation below.

ADDRESSES: Send all proposals to: NOAA CSC, 2234 South Hobson Avenue, 
Charleston, South Carolina 29405-2413. Landscape Characterization and 
Restoration proposals should be sent to the attention of Pace Wilber. 
Training Project proposals should be sent to the attention of Jennet 
Robinson Alterman. Special Project proposals should be sent to the 
attention of Jan Kucklick.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Administrative questions should be 
directed to Violet Legette, 843-740-1222 or [email protected]. 
Technical point of contact for Landscape Characterization and 
Restoration is Pace Wilber, 843-740-1235 or [email protected]. 
Technical point of contact for Training Projects is Jennet Robinson 
Alterman, 843-740-1210 or [email protected]. Technical point of 
contact for Special Projects is Jan Kucklick, 843-740-1279 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Authority

    Statutory authority for these programs is provided under 16 U.S.C. 
Sec. 1456 c (Technical Assistance); 15 U.S.C. Sec. 1540 (Cooperative 
Agreements); and 33 U.S.C. Sec. 1442 (Research program respecting 
possible long-range effects of pollution, overfishing, and man-induced 
changes of ocean ecosystems).

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA)

    The CSC Program is listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic 
Assistance under Number 11.473.

General Background

    Guiding the conservation and management of coastal resources is a 
primary function of NOAA. NOAA accomplishes this goal through a variety 
of mechanisms, including collaborations with the coastal resource 
management programs of the Nation's states and territories. The mission 
of the NOAA CSC is to foster and sustain the environmental and economic 
well being of the coast by linking people, technology, and information. 
The goal of the Center is to build capabilities throughout the Nation 
to address pressing issues of coastal health and change by conserving 
coastal environments and promoting efficient and sustainable commercial 
and residential development.

Landscape Characterization and Restoration

Program Description

    NOAA's Coastal Services Center (CSC) seeks proposals from state or 
local resource management agencies or academic institutions for a two-
year cooperative agreement under which either a regional habitat 
restoration plan or an ecological and socioeconomic characterization 
will be developed for a coastal watershed that drains into the Gulf of 
Mexico (Cooperator shall specify exact location in the proposal). The 
product must help Federal, state, and local coastal managers include 
ecosystem processes in their resource

[[Page 53015]]

management, regulatory, and land-use planning decisions. The product 
must be in an interactive digital format using a geographic information 
system (GIS) and hypertext-mark-up-language (HTML) and will be 
distributed on CD-ROM and via the Internet. Maximum anticipated funding 
for FY 99 and FY 00 is $160,000 per year; funding in both years is 
subject to Federal appropriations, second year funding also requires 
satisfactory progress during the first year. Only one award is 
anticipated from this announcement.

Background

    The CSC conducts a variety of projects that directly apply to the 
state and local coastal management community. The goal of the Landscape 
Characterization and Restoration (LCR) Program is to help state, and 
local coastal managers include ecosystem processes in their resource 
management, regulatory, and land use planning decisions. The program 
works towards this goal by examining interrelationships between 
ecology, land use, human demographic, and socioeconomic trends on 
ecosystem/watershed scales and by developing tools needed to integrate 
those relationships into management practices.
    LCR projects directly address management issues that are both 
locally significant and of regional importance (e.g., habitat 
restoration, non-point source pollution reduction, growth management). 
Projects generally include development of habitat, wetland function, 
demographic, and land use maps; information syntheses, natural resource 
databases; environmental models; and customized GIS or similar software 
to forecast results of management alternatives.
    The Program's principal products are watershed-level habitat 
restoration plans and ecological and socioeconomic characterizations of 
watersheds. The Program has completed or is currently working on 
characterizations of Otter Island, South Carolina, the ACE (Ashepoo-
Combahee-Edisto) Basin, South Carolina, and Kachemak Bay, AK. The 
Program has a regional habitat restoration plan underway for subtidal 
habitats in NY/NJ Harbor. An overview of these projects is available 
through the Internet (nttp://www.csc.noaa.gov/1cr/).

Roles and Responsibilities

    By working in a cooperative partnership, the unique skills, 
capabilities, and experiences of the CSC and the Cooperator will 
combined and offer an opportunity for each organization to further its 
goals. Specific roles and responsibilities are described below.
1. CSC
    a. General Approach--The CSC will provide general guidance on how 
to develop a regional habitat restoration plan or how to conduct an 
ecological and socioeconomic characterization (whichever is appropriate 
for the selected project).
    b. Interface Architecture--The CSC will develop the general 
architecture for the GIS and HIML user interfaces. As indicated below, 
the Cooperator will take the lead in formatting the collected 
information according to the specifications of that architecture.
    c. Information Compilation and Product Production--The CSC will 
compile the information and user interfaces onto a CD-ROM (or CD-ROM 
set, whichever is appropriate), develop liner notes, and prepare 
product evaluation forms, The CSC also will provide guidance on and 
assistance with compiling products for distribution through the 
Internet using the Cooperator's server, if the Cooperator chooses to 
distribute products through the Internet.
    d. Product Distribution via CD-ROM--The CSC will be the primary 
distributor of the CD-ROM(s) to the coastal management community 
outside the state in which the project is done. Although the CSC is 
providing this function, the Cooperator will be free to distribute the 
CD-ROM(s) to whomever they desire and can provide Internet access to 
the product.
2. Cooperator
    The Cooperator has primary responsibility for the following aspects 
of the project:
    a. Issue Identification Phase--The Cooperator will, as needed, 
refine the management issue(s) that guide(s) the project from the 
issue(s) identified in the proposal.
    b. Development of Information--The Cooperator will develop and 
collect information (text, tables, graphics, charts, and maps) and 
tools (organizational structure and models) needed to address the focal 
objective(s); develop and collect metadata and other information needed 
to assess the quality of the data and tools; and develop practical 
management scenarios for testing how well the products help address 
management objective(s) used to focus the characterization project or 
restoration plan.
    c. Integration and Organization of Information--The Cooperator will 
determine how the projects should be organized to maximize utility to 
the Cooperator and coastal managers.
    d. Information Formatting--The Cooperator will ensure the collected 
information and tools are formatted so they can be compiled onto a CD-
ROM. CSC will assist the Cooperator by developing format guidelines.
    e. Product Distribution via the Internet--The Cooperator can 
provide Internet access to the products. As indicated above, the CSC 
will provide guidance on and assistance with compiling the information 
for distribution through the Internet.
3. CSC and the Cooperator
    The CSC and the Cooperator share responsibility for the following 
activities:
    a. Task Plan--The CSC and the Cooperator will jointly develop a 
task plan.
    b. Product Distribution Plan--The CSC and Cooperator will jointly 
develop a distribution plan for the products. This plan will identify 
potential users and training needs.
    c. Product Training--The CSC and Cooperator will jointly conduct 
training workshops whereby users of the product gain familiarity with 
the information developed, learn how the data apply to the targeted 
management objective(s), and provide feedback on how the product can be 
improved.

Project Proposals

    CSC must receive proposals by November 30, 1998. In addition to the 
information requested below, the Cooperator must submit a complete NOAA 
grants package. All project proposals must include the following 
sections and total no more than 8 pages (double-spaced and exclusive of 
appendices):
    Goal, Objectives(s), and Geographic Area--Identify whether the 
project is an ecological and socioeconomic characterization or a 
regional habitat restoration plan. Identify the specific geographic 
area that will be examined. Identify the specific management 
objective(s) of the project, including description of current 
management goals that are not being achieved, how products from this 
cooperative agreement will significantly address that deficiency, and 
the benefits that will result to the Cooperators, partners, public, and 
coastal management community.
    Background/Introduction--Provide sufficient background information 
for reviewers to independently assess the local significance and 
regional importance of the management objectives that will be addressed 
by the

[[Page 53016]]

project. Summarize the status of any existing efforts by the Cooperator 
and partners to address these objectives.
    Audience--Identify potential users of the product and how those 
users will incorporate the product in their management of coastal 
resources.
    Project Description/Methodology--Provide a general work plan that 
divides the project into discrete steps, identifies critical decision 
points, and discusses any obstacles to completing the project that may 
require special planning. One of the initial tasks of the cooperative 
agreement will be for the CSC and Cooperator to prepare a detailed task 
plan. The general work plan requested here should demonstrate that the 
Cooperator and partners have sufficient local knowledge of the 
management problems to lead a joint effort directed towards determining 
appropriate solutions.
    Project Partners and Support--Identify project partners and 
describe their respective roles. Include a letter from partners 
acknowledging their participation in the project. Describe the 
resources the Cooperators and partners have for conducting an 
ecological and socioeconomic characterization or preparation of a 
regional restoration plan, including personnel qualifications 
(education, experience, and time available to work on the project), 
facilities, equipment, and, to the extent practicable, the information 
and tools already available. Describe how widely the project is 
supported within the coastal management community and offer evidence of 
that support.
    Milestone Schedule--List target milestones, timelines, and describe 
how each milestone addresses project objectives. Project Budget--
Provide a detailed budget breakdown that follows the categories and 
formats in the NOAA grants package and a brief narrative justification 
of the budget.

Selection Process

    All projects will be reviewed to make sure they are consistent with 
the CSC and NOAA missions as described previously under ``General 
Background.'' In addition, all proposals will be reviewed for technical 
merit and management relevance per ``Selection Criteria'' as outlined 
below. Review panels will be set up with two CSC and at least two non-
NOAA reviewers to assist in evaluation of the proposals. All proposals 
received will be ranked according to score and the Selecting Official 
(CSC Director) will use those scores to aid the final decision. The 
Selecting Official may also consider program policy factors in the 
final decision to ensure CSC projects are balanced geographically and 
institutionally.

Selection Criteria (with weights)

    All proposals will be scored using the following criteria:
Significance (25 points)
    How well the proposal demonstrates the local significance and 
regional importance of the issues(s) or management objective(s) that 
will guide development of the characterization project or regional 
restoration plan. At a minimum, the proposal must identify management 
goals that currently are not being achieved, describe how products from 
this cooperative agreement will significantly address that deficiency, 
and the benefits that will result to the public and coastal management 
community.
Approach (25 points)
    How well the proposing agency demonstrates its abilities to acquire 
and synthesize data (including spatial data), including personnel 
qualifications, experience, and time available; facilities; and 
equipment. How well the proposal divides the project into discrete 
steps and outlines how those steps will be accomplished.
Outcomes (20 points)
    How well the proposing agency demonstrates that the project 
outcomes will significantly address the management issue(s) targeted by 
the characterization or regional restoration plan and that the 
collective resources of the proposing agency and partners will ensure 
projected outcomes are met.
Partnerships (20 points)
    How well the proposing agency demonstrates that the project is 
broadly supported by the coastal management community (e.g., state and 
local, governments, environmental non-governmental agencies), that a 
broad group of coastal managers and constituent groups will contribute 
to the design and assembly of the product(s), and that a broad group of 
coastal managers will use the product(s).
Efficiency (10 points)
    How well the proposing agency demonstrates that the budget is 
commensurate with project needs and that the partnerships employed will 
improve the overall cost effectiveness of the project and value of the 
products.

Selection Schedule

    The following schedule lists the dates for the project selection 
and award process: Proposal Deadline (with completed Grant Package) 
November 30, 1998, Earliest Grant Start Date April 1, 1999.
    Note: The deadline is for receipt by Close of Business [5:00 
P.M., Eastern Standard Time] on the dates identified. Receipt of 
proposal and Grant Package will be time stamped.

Funding Availability

    Specific funding available for awards will be finalized after NOAA 
budget for FY 99 is authorized. Maximum total funding available for 
this announcement will be $160,000 per year. There is no guarantee that 
sufficient funds will be available to make an award for the project. 
Publication of this notice does not obligate NOAA toward any specific 
grant or cooperative agreement or to obligate all or any parts of the 
available funds.

Cost Sharing

    There is no requirement for cost sharing in response to these 
guidelines and no additional weight will be given to proposals with 
cost sharing.

Eligibility Criteria

    Applications for cooperative agreements under this announcement may 
be submitted, in accordance with the procedures set forth in these 
specific guidelines, by any state or local resource management agency, 
college, or university. Federal agencies or institutions are not 
eligible to receive federal assistance under this notice.

Training Projects

Program Description

    NOAA's Coastal Services Center (CSC) is seeking proposals for 
training projects that directly apply to the goals of the state and 
local coastal management community. Project proposals may be submitted 
based on ``Selection Schedule'' below and will be reviewed twice during 
the year--December 1998 (with earliest start date of May 1999) and 
March 1999 (with earliest start date of August 1999). Anticipated total 
funding in FY 99 for Training Projects is between $50,000 and $500,000. 
Individual projects will be funded in the $10,000 to $50,000 range for 
one year with the potential for additional option years, depending on 
the availability of funds through the federal appropriations process.

Background

    The CSC conducts a variety of projects that directly apply to the 
state and local coastal management community. The goal of the training 
program is to provide assistance to the state and local coastal 
management

[[Page 53017]]

community for training and capacity building on a broad range of topics 
related to the management of coastal resources.
    Projects supported in FY 97 and FY 98 included a variety of 
conferences and training workshops related to harmful algal blooms; 
coral reef monitoring technologies; mapping and monitoring of submerged 
aquatic vegetation; coastal hazards mitigation; collaborative 
approaches to the coastal permit review process; public participation 
processes; uses of GIS software products, including ArcView, 
ArcScan, and Avenue; creating FGDC-compliant 
metadata; application of the Public Trust Doctrine to coastal 
management; land use planning for local government officials; 
collaborative problem-solving skills for mid-level coastal management 
professionals; and education on dune protection and beach access for 
local officials, as well as coastal homeowners, builders and real 
estate agents. The Training Institute also supported a variety of local 
as well as national meetings, workshops, and conferences.
    The CSC expects to award grants and cooperative agreements (for 
those projects with substantial involvement by the CSC) to 
organizations across the United States with proven abilities to 
implement training and capacity building at the state and local levels. 
All project proposals received will be reviewed for technical merit and 
relevancy to important coastal management issues (see ``Selection 
Criteria'' below). Topics of priority interest for FY99 for which 
proposals will be considered include:
Cooperative Agreements
    An introduction to the United States coastal management program 
(using distance education technologies); Designing and facilitating 
collaborative problem-solving processes; local, state, or regional 
coastal hazard mitigation planning; and Coastal applications of GIS 
technologies.
Grants
    Convening public participation processes; Integrating local 
cultural concerns with the regulatory process; Coastal conflict 
resolution; Designing and facilitating collaborative problem-solving 
processes; Facilitating and managing meetings; and Creating and 
managing FGDC-compliant metadata.

Project Proposals

    Project proposals will be reviewed twice during the year--December 
1998 and March 1999 (see ``Selection Schedule'' below for a description 
of timelines and start dates). In addition to the information requested 
below, the Cooperator must submit a complete NOAA grants package.
    All project proposals must include the following sections and total 
no more than 8 pages (double-spaced and excluding appendices):
    Goals and Objectives--Identify broad project goals and measurable 
objectives.
    Background Introduction--clearly state the problem or issue to be 
addressed and provide a summary of existing efforts at the Federal, 
state and local levels.
    Audience--explicitly identify the primary target audience(s).
    Needs Assessment--describe the process that was, or will be used, 
to assess the needs of the target audience(s) for training to improve 
technical or management skills required to effectively address the 
stated problem.
    Grant or Cooperative Agreement--indicate whether the proposal is 
for a Grant or a Cooperative Agreement (the latter which requires 
substantial involvement by the CSC).
    Project Description/Methodology--describe the specifics of the 
project and details about how it would be conducted (3 pages maximum).
    Project Partners--identify project partners and their respective 
roles.
    Roles and Responsibilities for Cooperative Agreement proposals 
(e.g., with substantial CSC involvement) explicitly describe the roles 
and responsibilities of the collaborator and CSC, as well as any joint 
responsibilities.
    Milestone and Outcomes--list a project timeline (including closing 
date), target milestones, and specific outcomes in terms of deliverable 
projects or services.
    Evaluation--describe the process to be used for evaluating the 
short and long-term impacts of the project.
    Sustainability--describe how the desired project outcomes would be 
sustained and how the project would help to contribute to a long-term 
solution to the stated problem or issue.
    Contact Persons--identify the primary point of contact for the 
project proposal, including an administrative point of contact and/or a 
contact person with substantive knowledge of the proposal.
    Project Budget--provide a detailed budget breakdown by category 
(including in-kind and/or matching contributions) and a brief 
justification for budget items.

Selection Process

    All projects will be reviewed to ensure they are consistent with 
CSC and NOAA missions as described previously under ``General 
Background.'' In addition, all projects will be reviewed for technical 
merit and relevance to coastal management issues per ``Selection 
Criteria'' as outlined below. Review panels will be set up with a 
minimum of three reviewers, of which two would be external to NOAA, to 
assist in the evaluation of the project proposals. All projects 
received during each of the two evaluation periods will be ranked 
according to the scores awarded by members of the review panel and 
Selection Official (Coastal Management Services Branch Chief) will use 
those scores to aid the final decision. The Selection Official may also 
consider program policy factors in the final decision to ensure the 
projects are balanced by topic area, geographicall and institutionally.

Selection Criteria (with weights)

    All proposals will be scored using the following criteria:
Relevance to Priority Coastal Management Issues (25 points)
    Does he proposed project address (directly or indirectly) a 
critical national, regional, state, or local coastal management 
problem, issue, or concern? Does the proposed project identify a 
clearly defined coastal management audience for the training?
    Does the proposed project address a priority training need 
identified by the coastal management community Does the project 
proposal have direct linkages with a state coastal management agency, a 
National Estuarine Research Reserve, and/or a National Marine 
Sanctuary? Does the proposed project have management relevance beyond 
the project itself? (i.e, Will it have a broad impact on other related 
issues? Will it lay the foundation for other advancements? Will it 
create a useful model for others in the coastal management community?)
Technical Merit (25 points)
    Are the project goals and objectives clear and concise? Is the 
proposed approach technical sound and based on appropriate principles 
and process methodologies for adult learning?
    Does the project innovative and progressive approaches to coastal 
problem solving? Does the project utilize and build upon the latest 
knowledge about the substantive issues?
Application and Effectiveness of Delivered Products (20 points).
    Will the project produce a tangible product or service for use by 
the coastal management community?

[[Page 53018]]

    Will the products be delivered to the appropriate audience(s)?
    How useful (and easy to use) will the products be to the target 
audience(s)?
    Does the proposal include an implementation process that ensures 
flexibility and responsiveness to the needs and input of the target 
audience(s)?
    Will the product be delivered in a timely manner?
    Will the products have widespread applicability and/or long-term 
utility?
    Will the outreach methods being utilized effectively transfer 
information or skills to the target audience(s)?
Efficient Use of Resources (20 points)
    Is the proposed budget commensurate with the project needs?
    Will appropriate partnerships be employed to ensure high quality 
and maximum efficiency?
    Will in-kind and/or matching contributions be used to maximize 
leverage of the funds requested?
    Will cost recovery methods (e.g., registration fees) be utilized to 
maximize leverage of the funds requested?
    Has the sustainability of the project and/or the desired outcomes 
been addressed?
    Does the proposed project use resources in new or innovative ways?
Qualifications (10 points)
    Are the proposers capable of conducting a project of the scope and 
scale proposed (i.e., do they possess adequate professional, 
administrative, and facility capabilities)?

Selection Schedule

    Training project proposals will be reviewed twice a year. The 
following schedule lists the approximate dates for the project 
selection and award process for grants and/or cooperative agreements:

Proposal Deadline (with completed Grant Package) (Cycle #1) December 
18, 1998
Earliest Grant Start Date (Cycle May 1, 1999
Proposal Deadline (with completed Grant Package) (Cycle #2) March 19, 
1999
Earliest Grant Start Date (Cycle #2) August 1, 1999

    Note: All deadlines are for receipt by Close of Business [5:00 
p.m., Eastern Standard Time] on the dates identified. Receipt of 
proposal and Grant Package will be time stamped.

Funding Availability

    Specific funding available for awards will be finalized after NOAA 
budget for FY 99 is authorized. Total funding available for this 
announcement will be between $50,000 and $500,000. There is no 
guarantee that sufficient funds will be available to make awards for 
all approved projects. Publication of this notice does not obligate 
NOAA toward any specific grant or cooperative agreement or to obligate 
all or any parts of the available funds.

Cost Sharing

    Although there is no requirement for cost sharing and cost recovery 
to qualify for funding, additional points will be awarded to proposals 
that include these provisions. (See Selection Criteria #4 above.)

Eligibility Criteria

    Applications for grants under this program announcement may be 
submitted, in accordance with the procedures set forth in these 
specific guidelines, by any state or local resource management agency, 
college or university, private industry, nonprofit organization, or 
cooperative research unit. Other Federal agencies or institutions are 
not eligible to receive federal assistance under this notice.

Special Projects

Program Description

    NOAA's Coastal Services Center (CSC) is seeking proposals for 
special technical, management, or planning projects that directly apply 
to the goals of the state and local coastal management community. 
Project proposals may be submitted based on ``Selection Schedule'' 
below and will be reviewed twice during the year, December 1998 (with 
earliest start date of May 1999) and March 1999 (with earliest start 
date of August 1999). Anticipated funding in FY 99 will be between 
$50,000 and $750,000. Most projects will be funded in the $25,000 to 
$75,000 range for one year with the potential for option years 
(depending on the availability of funds through the federal 
appropriation process). One or two projects per year of special merit 
or management may be considered at annual levels above $75,000 
depending on the availability of funds.

Background

    The CSC conducts a variety of projects that directly apply to the 
state and local coastal management community. The goal of the Special 
Projects is to provide assistance to the local coastal management 
community for technical or management issues on a very broad range of 
topics related to coastal resources and their wise management.
    In FY 97 and 98, projects were supported which included boating, 
shipping and navigation; beach management and conservation; coastal 
hazards mitigation; habitat protection and restoration; protected 
areas; all forms of pollution control; training, education and outreach 
activities; and technology commercialization and innovation. In some 
cases, projects have included use of high-end spatial data in 
development of specific GIS tools for application to coastal resource 
management issues. Other activities supported included local-level 
meetings, workshops, and national meetings and conferences.
    The CSC expects to work an equally broad range of topics in FY 99 
and will be awarding grants and cooperative agreements (for those 
projects with substantial CSC involvement) to organizations across the 
United States with proven abilities to implement practical solutions at 
a state and local level. All project proposals received will be 
reviewed for technical merit and management relevance.

Project Proposals

    Project proposals will be reviewed two times a year--December and 
March (see ``Selection Schedule'' below for a description of timelines 
and start dates). In addition to the information requested below, the 
Cooperator must submit a complete NOAA grants package. All project 
proposals must include the following sections and total no more than 8 
pages (double-spaced and excluding appendices):
    Goals and Objectives--identify broad project goals and quantifiable 
objectives.
    Background/Introduction--state the problem and summarize existing 
efforts at all levels.
    Audience--describe specifies of how the project will contribute to 
improving or resolving an issue with the primary target audience. The 
target audience must be explicitly stated.
    Project Description/Methodology--describe the specifies of the 
projects (3 pages maximum).
    Project Partners--identify project partners and their respective 
roles.
    Milestones and Outcomes--list target milestones, timeliness, and 
desired outcomes in terms of products and services.
    Project Budget--provide a detailed budget breakdown by category and 
provide a brief narrative budget justification.

Selection Process

    All projects will be reviewed to ensure they are consistent with 
the CSC and NOAA missions as described

[[Page 53019]]

previously under ``General Background.''. In addition, all projects 
will be reviewed for technical merit and management relevance per 
``Selection Criteria'' as outlined below. Review panels will be set up 
with at least two external (non-NOAA) and two internal reviewers to 
assist in the evaluation of these special project proposals. All 
projects received during one period will be ranked according to score 
and the selecting official (CSC Director) will use those scores to aid 
in the final decision. The Selection Official may also consider program 
policy factors in the final decision to ensure the projects are 
balanced by topic area, geographically and institutionally.

Selection Criteria (with weights)

    All proposals will be scored using the following criteria:
Management Relevance (30 points)
    Does the proposed project (directly or indirectly) address a 
critical national, state, or local management need?
    Does the proposed project address a priority problem as well as in 
immediate concern?
    Are the project goals and objectives clear and concise? Are there 
direct ties to the state coastal management agency, National Estuarine 
Research Reserve, and/or National Marine Sanctuary?
    Does the proposed project have a clearly defined management 
audience and do the products have clearly defined users?
    Will the outreach/transfer mechanisms be effective (in transferring 
science tools and information to management)?
Technical Merit (25 points)
    Is the approach technically sound?
    Does the proposed project have technical relevance beyond the 
project (i.e., Will it have a broad impact on other related activities? 
Will it lay the groundwork for other major scientific advances? Will it 
dissolve a technological/information barrier?)
    1. Does the proposed project build on existing knowledge?
    2. Is the approach innovative?
    3. Quality Control/Quality Assurance (and metadata requirements as 
appropriate) adequately addressed?
Applicability and Effectiveness of Products and their Delivery (25 
points)
    Will the proposed project produce useful (and easily used) 
products, services, or an understanding for the target audience and 
users?
    Is project implementation likely to be flexible and responsive to 
public and user input?
    Will the products be delivered in a timely and appropriate manner 
to appropriate recipients?
    Will the products have long-term (lasting) value and widespread 
applicability?
    Will the outreach/transfer mechanisms be effective (in transferring 
science tools and information to management)?
Efficiency (15 points)
    Is the budget commensurate with the project needs?
    Are appropriate partnerships going to be employed to achieve the 
highest quality content and maximal efficiency?
    Does the proposed project use resources efficiently or in new, 
innovative ways?
Overall qualifications (5 points)
    Are the proposers capable of conducting a project of scope and 
scale proposed? (i.e., Are there adequate professional, facility, and 
administrative capabilities?)

Selection Schedule

    Special projects will be reviewed two times a year. The following 
schedule lists the approximate dates for the project selection and 
award process for grants and/or cooperative agreements:

Proposal Deadline (with completed Grant Package) (Cycle #1 December 21, 
1998
Earliest Grant Start Date (Cycle #1) May 1, 1999
Proposal Deadline (with completed Grant Package) (Cycle #2) March 19, 
1999
Earliest Grant Start Date (Cycle #2) August 1, 1999

    Note: All deadlines are for receipt by Close of Business [5:00 
P.M. Eastern Standard Time] on the dates identified. Receipt of 
proposal and Grant Package will be time stamped.

Funding availability

    Specific funding available for awards will be finalized after NOAA 
budget for FY99 is authorized. Total funding available for this 
announcement will be between $50,000 and $750,000. There is no 
guarantee that sufficient funds will be available to make awards for 
all approved projects. Publication of this notice does not obligate 
NOAA toward any specific grant or cooperative agreement or to obligate 
all or any parts of the available funds.

Cost Sharing

    There is no requirement for cost sharing in response to this 
program announcement and no additional weight will be given to 
proposals with cost sharing.

Eligibility Criteria

    Applications for grants under this program announcement may be 
submitted, in accordance with the procedures set forth in these 
specific guidelines, by any state or local resource management agency, 
college or university, private industry, nonprofit organization, or 
cooperative research unit. Other federal agencies or institutions are 
not eligible to receive federal assistance under this notice.

General Information for All Programs

Indirect Costs

    The total dollar amount of the indirect costs proposed in an 
application under any of these programs must not exceed the current 
indirect cost rate negotiated and approved by the applicant's cognizant 
Federal agency, prior to the proposed effective date of the award of 
100 percent of the total proposed direct costs dollar amount in the 
application, whichever is less. If a rate has not been established, one 
will be negotiated by the Department of Commerce Office of Inspector 
General.

Federal Policies and Procedures

    Recipients and sub-recipients are subject to all Federal laws and 
Federal and DOC policies, regulations, and procedures applicable to 
Federal assistance awards.

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 recipient have been convicted of, or 
are presently facing, criminal charges such as fraud, theft, perjury, 
or other matters that significantly reflect on the recipient's 
management, honesty, or financial integrity.

Past Performance

    Unsatisfactory performance under prior Federal awards may result in 
an application not being considered for funding.

Pre-Award Activities

    If applicants incur any costs prior to an award being made, they do 
so solely at their own risk of not being reimbursed by the Government. 
Notwithstanding any verbal or written assurance that may have been 
received, there is no obligation on the part of DOC to cover pre-award 
costs, should an award not be made or funded at a level less than 
requested.

[[Page 53020]]

No Obligation for Future Funding

    If the application is selected for funding, DOC has 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.

Delinquent Federal Debts

    No award or 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 DOC are made.

Primary Applicant Certifications

    All organizations or individuals preparing grant applications must 
submit a completed Form CD-511 ``Certification Regarding Debarment, 
Suspension, and Other Responsibility Matters; Drug-Free Workplace 
Requirements and Lobbying,'' and explanations are hereby provided:

Non-Procurement 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;

Drug-Free Workplace

    Grantees (as defined at 15 CFR part 26, section 605) are subject to 
15 CFR part 26, subpart f, ``Government-wide Requirements for Drug-Free 
Workplace (Grants)'' and the related section of the certification form 
prescribed above applies;

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 application/bids for grants, 
cooperative agreements, and contracts for more than $100,000, and loans 
and loan guarantees for more than $150,000; and

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 shall require applicants/bidders for sub-grants, 
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 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 sub-
recipient should be submitted to DOC in accordance with the 
instructions contained in the aware document.

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.

Intergovernmental Review

    Applications under this program are subject to Executive Order 
12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.''

Buy American-Made Equipment or 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 in accordance with 
Congressional intent.

Classification

    This action has been determined to be not significant for purposes 
of Executive Order 12866.
    Prior notice and an opportunity for public comment are not required 
by the Administrative Procedure Act or any other law for this notice 
concerning grants, cooperative agreements, benefits, and contracts. 
Therefore, a regulatory flexibility analysis is not required for 
purposes of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. Notwithstanding any other 
provision of law, no person is required to respond to, nor shall a 
person be subject to, a penalty for failure to comply with a collection 
of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction 
Act (PRA) unless that collection of information displays a currently 
valid OMB control number.
    This notice contains a collection-of-information requirement 
subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act. The collection-of-information 
has been approved by OMB, OMB Control Numbers 0348-0043, 0348-0044, 
0348-0040, 0348-0046, and 0605-0001.

    Dated: September 25, 1998.
Nancy Foster,
Assistant Administrator for Ocean Services and Coastal Zone Management.
[FR Doc. 98-26373 Filed 10-1-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-12-M