[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 43 (Friday, March 5, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10630-10636]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-5116]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[Docket No. 990125030-9030-01]
RIN 0648-ZA56


National Oyster Disease Research Program and Gulf Oyster Industry 
Initiative: Request for Proposals for FY 1999

AGENCY: National Sea Grant College Program, National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of request for proposals.

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SUMMARY: The purpose of this notice is to advise the public that the 
National Sea Grant College Program (Sea Grant) is entertaining 
preliminary proposals and subsequently full proposals to participate in 
innovative research, outreach and demonstration projects in two 
separate competitions: one to continue the National Oyster Disease 
Research Program (ODRP) and one to continue the Gulf Oyster Industry 
Program (GOIP). In FY 1999 and 2000, Sea Grant expects to make 
available about $1,475,000 per year to support the National Oyster 
Disease Research Program through projects that focus on diseases that 
are impacting the oyster populations of the US, and about $930,000 per 
year to support the Gulf Oyster Industry Program through projects that 
focus on the oyster industry problems of the Gulf Coast with special 
emphasis on the human health considerations within that industry. 
Matching funds equivalent to a minimum of 50% of the Federal request 
must be provided for each project. Successful projects will be selected 
through national competitions.

DATES: Preliminary proposals must be submitted before 5 pm (local time) 
on April 5, 1999 to the nearest state Sea Grant College Program or the 
National Sea Grant Office (NSGO). After evaluation at the NSGO, some 
proposers will be encouraged to prepare full proposals, which must be 
submitted before 5 pm (local time) on May 27, 1999 to the nearest state 
Sea Grant College Program or the NSGO.


[[Page 10631]]


ADDRESSES: Investigators located in states with Sea Grant Programs must 
submit their preliminary proposals and full proposals through those 
programs. The addresses of the Sea Grant College Program directors may 
be found on Sea Grant's home page (http://www.mdsg.umd.edu/NSGO/
index.html) or may also be obtained by contacting the Program Manager 
at the National Sea Grant Office (see below). Investigators from non-
Sea Grant states may submit their preliminary proposals and proposals 
directly to the National Sea Grant Office at: National Sea Grant 
College Program. R/SG, Attn: Oyster Disease and Gulf Oyster Industry 
Competition, Room 11838, NOAA, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, 
MD 20910.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James P. McVey, Program Director for 
Aquaculture, National Sea Grant College Program, R/SG, NOAA, 1315 East-
West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, or Mary Robinson, Secretary, 
National Sea Grant Office, 301-713-2451, facsimile 301-713-0799.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Program Authority

    Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1121-1131.

(Catalog of Federal Assistance Number: 11.417, Sea Grant Support.)

II. Program Description

Background

    National Oyster Disease Research Program: For more than two 
decades, oyster populations in the Chesapeake Bay and mid-Atlantic area 
have been increasingly battered by Dermo and MSX, two parasitic 
diseases for which there is no known remedy. In the northeast, a new 
and as yet unidentified pathogen, called Juvenile Oyster Disease (JOD), 
has been taking a toll in hatcheries. On the west coast, the Pacific 
Oyster has been subjected to puzzling summer mortalities.
    The continuing decline of oyster stocks has been a catalyst for 
federal support of the Oyster Disease Research Program, a far-reaching 
effort by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to 
support innovative research that will lead to improved techniques for 
combating oyster disease. The Program began in 1990 with oversight by 
the NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service and its Chesapeake Bay 
Office, and is now administered by the National Sea Grant College, 
Program.
    Through competitive proposals each year, the Oyster Disease 
Research Program is supporting efforts to develop:
    (1) Optimal strategies for managing around disease.
    (2) Molecular tools to better monitor the onset and presence of 
disease.
    (3) Better understanding of the processes of parasitic infection.
    (4) Improved understanding of the oyster's immune system.
    (5) Hatchery techniques for producing disease-resistant strains.
    This extensive program of ongoing research, coupled with outreach 
and management efforts, aims to better serve the restoration of health 
populations of oysters in the nation's coastal waters.
    Gulf Oyster Industry Program: The Gulf Oyster Industry Program is a 
long term, research-based program aimed at assisting the oyster 
industry in states adjoining the Gulf of Mexico to achieve full 
economic recovery and sustainable oyster production. This program will 
foster the participation of highly qualified academic researchers with 
industry and management agency personnel in a organized, comprehensive 
search for practical solutions to the most pressing problems of the 
Gulf oyster industry, including those relating to Vibrio vulnificus, a 
human pathogen, and other human health risks associated with raw 
molluscan shellfish.

Funding Availability and Priorities

    The National Sea Grant College Program encourages proposals that 
address one of the following two program areas:
(1) National Oyster Disease Research Program (ODRP)
    The official vision statement for the program is ``to provide, 
through a coordinated research program, the technological basis for 
overcoming diseases which currently limit oyster production in the 
United States''. Even though ODRP emphasis is on diseases associated 
with the American oyster, proposals addressing disease problems of 
other oyster species will be considered as long as they relate to the 
priorities identified below:
    In response to the progress reports presented at the special 
session on the ``Oyster Disease Research Program--Progress to Date'', 
during the International Shellfish Restoration Conference, 21-23 
November, 1996, the ODRP Steering Committee recommended that future 
announcements encourage partnerships for the transfer of basic research 
findings and new technology where opportunity exists. These 
partnerships may consist of, but will not be limited to, such 
activities as involvement of private sector and extension/outreach in 
the implementation of research results and trials of diagnostic 
methods, or commercial development of tools for oyster disease 
management. Even though this Announcement is encouraging projects of 
this type, the Steering Committee recognizes that some of the best work 
being done on oyster disease involves basic research, which may not be 
ready for application, but which still contributes to a greater 
understanding of the fundamental nature of oyster diseases. Sea Grant 
will continue to support this basic research, while providing 
opportunity for those researchers that have already developed useful 
applications to receive consideration in the proposal process. We have 
also provided more detail on the results of ongoing research on the 
National Sea Grant Homepage on the World Wide Web at http://
www.mdsg.umd.edu.
    Another consideration identified by the Steering Committee involves 
creating opportunities for larger-scale efforts that build on existing 
progress where it would be meaningful. The intent of projects that 
would fall into this category should be research hypothesis testing, 
but not long-term monitoring. The committee felt that this is an avenue 
for reaching the next step programmatically, and would encourage 
researchers to build the appropriate partnerships and linkages, 
especially with concerned State agencies.
    Primary consideration for funding will be given to proposals which 
address the specific priorities listed below. These priorities, 
originally determined at a national workshop in January, 1995 and 
further refined at the Oyster Disease Research Program session during 
the International Shellfish Restoration Conference in 1996, are not 
listed in any implied order of importance.
    (1) Parasite life cycles and the dynamics and mechanisms of 
transmission--investigations of selected aspects of the life cycles of 
oyster pathogens, especially MSX and Perkinsus, and the dynamics/
mechanisms of disease transmission among host organisms.
    (2) Host-parasite interactions--investigations which: determine how 
pathogens avoid host defense mechanisms; biochemically characterize 
Perkinsus strains; determine factors which confer virulence to 
Perkinsus strains; determine mechanisms of infection/entry into the 
host; or compare disease processes in oyster species.
    (3) Mechanisms of disease resistance--continued emphasis is placed 
on studies concerning cellular/molecular mechanisms of disease

[[Page 10632]]

infection and resistance in Crassostrea spp. and studies which 
determine the mechanisms of immune response in oysters. In addition, 
analysis of host defense factors, the development of molecular markers 
of disease and stress resistance, the development of immuno-stimulants, 
the application of chemo-therapeutics, and the identification of 
pathogen virulence and resistance mechanisms are needed; as are studies 
comparing resistance among diploid and polyploid oysters.
    (4) Development and application of diagnostic methods for all 
oyster diseases--investigations which lead to the development and 
application of molecular techniques for disease diagnosis, and those 
which develop rapid field diagnostic methods are high priority.
    (5) Environmental influences on disease processes--proposals which 
address the influence of biotic and abiotic factors upon host-parasite 
interactions are high priority. Also included are studies of the 
effects of eutrophication upon disease dynamics, basic physiological 
and adaptation processes in both hosts and parasites, the mechanisms of 
the summer kill phenomenon, relationships between disease progression 
and climate, and the eco-physiology of Perkinsus.
    (6) Taxonomy, phylogeny and population studies of both hosts and 
parasites--emphasis continues on studies of variations in population 
susceptibility, host resistance and pathogen virulence. Also needed are 
investigations of the genetic structure of both hosts and parasites.
    (7) Development and application of selective breeding strategies--
We are seeking studies which develop molecular/biochemical markers for 
breeding resistance into oysters, as well as genome analysis and gene 
transfer techniques related to disease resistance. A priority in this 
category is an evaluation of non-native oyster species genomes with 
regard to disease resistance under aquaculture conditions.
    (8) Development and testing of geographic and mathematical models 
to improve understanding of disease dynamics--the highest priority 
topic in this category is the need for a dual disease model to examine 
the effects of environmental change upon oyster populations. A basic 
model now exists and new work in this area must clearly state how 
additional investment will take us to an even better level of 
prediction.
    (9) Design, apply and evaluate disease management strategies for 
enhanced natural and aquaculture production and prediction (i.e. 
advanced forecasting)--There are many issues related to establishment 
of recovery areas, remote setting, use of natural seed, bottom cleaning 
before setting, cultch type, etc. which should be addressed as 
management priorities.
    Approximately $1,475,000 in FY 1999 funding is available for this 
competition and additional funds are expected but not assured for FY 
2000. Therefore, two-year projects will be considered. Funding will be 
on an annual basis, with renewal depending upon satisfactory 
demonstration of progress and availability of funds.
(2) Gulf Oyster Industry Program
    The Gulf Oyster Industry Program was created as a result of 
information provided by Gulf oyster industry leaders, state resource 
managers, and academic researchers spanning the five-state Gulf region. 
Specific needs identified by these individuals were subsumed into 12 
concise issue statements as a result of a workshop held in New Orleans, 
Louisiana in 1997. This list of research and extension needs and 
proposed responses was presented to a select Industry Advisory Panel at 
the Gulf Oyster Industry Program Workshop conducted in New Orleans, 
La., on February 28, 1998, and the group was asked to establish 
research priorities based on that framework. Through an ensuing 
discussion, high-priority issues were delineated as shown below:
    (1) Human pathogenic organisms--Human pathogens associated with raw 
shellfish are perceived as a problem for consumers thus affecting 
market sales. This RFP seeks proposals that will develop means of 
treating oyster shell stock and oyster meats to eliminate Vibrio 
vulnificus, and to develop improved methods for depurating oysters such 
as the use of friendly bacteria or other water treatments.
    (2) Consumer attitudes and preferences--Public and consumer 
opinions are very important to the strengthening of the Gulf oyster 
industry. This RFP seeks proposals that will determine oyster consumer 
demographics, consumption patterns, attitudes and preferences. 
Development and testing of new oyster products to improve marketing is 
also high priority.
    (3) Oyster diseases--Oyster diseases are having a major impact on 
Gulf Coast Oyster stocks and for the most part this topic will be 
covered under the Oyster Disease topic in this solicitation. However, 
oyster disease research specific to the Gulf Coast will be considered 
in this solicitation.
    (4) Coastal restoration and freshwater diversions--These activities 
have impacted the Gulf oyster industry both positively and negatively. 
Sea Grant seeks proposals that will educate oystermen, public 
officials, and citizens regarding the economic role of the oyster 
industry and economic costs of displacing and relocating oyster bedding 
operations. Proposals to develop and test freshwater diversion and 
oyster farming strategies that reduce fouling of oysters by hooked 
mussels are also high priority.
    (5) Labor and mechanization--Production technology issues are 
becoming more important as the traditional labor base that supports 
harvesting, and processing declines. Proposals treating this problem 
with special attention to cost effective mechanized approaches to 
reduce labor costs in all areas of the industry are being sought.
    (6) Genetics and oyster hatchery technology--These technologies are 
needed to develop cost-effective hatchery/nursery operations to augment 
wild oyster production with specialized strains. The development of 
triploid oysters for the Gulf Coast, development of disease resistant 
oysters, enhancements or immune systems of juvenile oysters through 
vaccinations are examples of needed technology.
    (7) Hooked mussel fouling--Hooked mussel fouling on oyster growing 
areas has drastically increased harvesting costs by requiring laborious 
removal of mussels from marketable oysters or transplanting to higher 
salinity areas. Research on controlling or managing around hooked 
mussel fouling is of high priority.
    (8) Harmful algal blooms/red tide--Rapid and more sensitive 
detection methods for harmful algal species and management around algal 
bloom outbreaks are high priority research areas.
    (9) Point-source pollution--Specific point-sources of pollution 
negatively impact certain potential oyster growing waters, with 
consequent public health risks and loss of revenue to growers. Studies 
on identifying sources of pollution and restoration of water quality in 
coastal areas are of high priority.
    (10) Black drum predation--Development of novel methods of 
deterring black drum fish predation on oysters in context with present 
fishery regulations has been identified as an important area for 
research.
    (11) Economic impacts of regulatory action--The oyster industry is 
impacted by media comments and regulatory actions that change 
perceptions about

[[Page 10633]]

oyster products. Studies to determine the effect of inaccurate media 
reporting on sales, analyze the effect of de-listing of a processor or 
state from the Interstate Shippers List, and the impact of product 
disparagement on markets are appropriate for this competition.
    Primary consideration for funding will be given to proposals that 
address the topics listed above. Although the Industry Advisory Panel 
has indicated a clear preference for projects with a technological 
focus, more fundamental scientific studies may be supported when clear 
linkages between scientific findings and their incorporation into 
technological advances and management practices can be demonstrated.
    Approximately $930,000 in funding for FY 1999 is expected to be 
available for competitive project awards. A similar amount is expected 
for FY 2000. Therefore, two-year projects will be considered. Funding 
will be on an annual basis, with renewal depending upon satisfactory 
demonstration of progress and availability of funds. State Program 
Directors should allow enough time in their process to pass the 
proposals to the National Sea Grant Office by the dates indicated 
above.

III. Eligibility

    Applications requesting support under both of major topics listed 
in this call for proposals are open to all non-federal scientists and 
institutions. For the Oyster Disease Research topic National Marine 
Fishery Services personnel may participate in joint efforts with non-
federal persons or groups in these projects as long as these non-
federal persons or groups are the principal investigators and have 
applied and successfully competed for oyster disease research funds 
through the process outlined in this announcement. Investigators 
submitting proposals in response to this announcement are strongly 
encouraged to develop inter-institutional, inter-disciplinary research 
teams in the form of single, integrated proposals or as individual 
proposals that are clearly linked together. Such collaborative efforts 
will be factored into the final funding decision.

IV. Evaluation Criteria

    The evaluation criteria for proposals submitted for support under 
the Oyster Disease Research Program are as follows:
    (1) Impact of proposed project (35%)--Significance of the ODRP 
problem that is being addressed; the level of expected improvement of 
oyster industry production or technology as a result of funding or the 
need for this activity as a necessary step toward having a positive 
impact on future improvement of technology or production; the degree of 
collaboration of this activity with other ongoing or proposed 
activities.
    (2) Scientific or professional merit (30%)--Degree to which the 
activity will advance the state of the science or state-of-the-art 
methods.
    (3) Field-scale demonstration (5%)--Degree to which industry and 
state oyster managers are using or will use technology or products 
developed through applied research under actual field conditions.
    (4) User relationships (15%)--Degree to which the potential users 
of the results have been involved in the planning of 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 oyster disease research, or in 
public outreach on such issues will be employed, or 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; and record of achievement 
with previous funding.
    The evaluation criteria for proposals submitted for support under 
the Gulf Coast Oyster Industry Initiative are as follows:
    (1) Impact of proposed project (40%)--Significance of the GCOIP 
that will be addressed; the effect this activity will have on the 
improvement of oyster industry production or technology as a result of 
funding or the need for this activity as a necessary step toward having 
a positive impact on future improvement of technology or production; 
the degree of collaboration of this activity with other ongoing or 
proposed activities.
    (2) Field-scale demonstration (10%)--Degree to which industry and 
state oyster managers are using or will use technology or products 
developed through applied research under actual field or industry 
conditions.
    (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 Gulf Coast Oyster Industry 
issues, or in public outreach on such issues will be employed, or 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; and record of achievement 
with previous funding.

V. Selection Procedures

    Preliminary proposals will be evaluated by the Steering Committees 
that have been established for each of the oyster programs during a 
meeting to be held at the most convenient location for participation by 
the committee members. The Gulf Oyster Industry Steering Committee is 
composed primarily of industry representatives and proposers should 
keep that in mind when preparing preliminary proposals. The Steering 
Committee will evaluate the project's appropriateness according to the 
list of priorities listed above, and considering the projects currently 
underway in the Program; a list of those projects already funded is 
available from the National Sea Grant Office. The Steering Committee 
will make individual recommendations to the Director of the NSGO 
regarding which preliminary proposals may be suitable for further 
consideration. On the basis of the panel's recommendations, the 
Director of the NSGO will advise proposers whether or not the 
submission of full proposals is encouraged. Invitation to submit a full 
proposal does not constitute an indication that the proposal will be 
funded. Interested parties who are not invited to submit full proposals 
will not be precluded from submitting full proposals if they have 
submitted a preliminary proposal in accordance with the procedures 
described below.
    Full proposals will be received at the individual state Sea Grant 
Programs or at the National Sea Grant Office, if from a non-Sea Grant 
State, and sent to peer reviewers for written reviews. The National Sea 
Grant Office will obtain the written reviews for proposals from non-Sea 
Grant states. Complete full proposals and their written reviews will be 
sent by the state Sea Grant programs to the National Sea Grant Office 
to be ranked in accordance with the assigned weights of the above 
evaluation criteria by one of two independent peer review

[[Page 10634]]

panels consisting of government, academic, and industry experts; one 
panel will review the Oyster Disease Research Program and a second 
panel will review the Gulf Oyster Industry Program. The panel members 
of each panel will provide individual evaluations on each proposal, but 
there will be no consensus advice. Their recommendations and 
evaluations will be considered by the Sea Grant Program Managers in the 
final selection. Only those proposals rated by the panel as either 
Excellent, Very Good or Good will be eligible for funding. For those 
proposals, the Sea Grant Program Managers will: (a) Ascertain which 
proposals best meet the program priorities, and do not substantially 
duplicate other projects that are currently funded by NOAA or 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. 
Investigators may be asked to modify objectives, work plans, or budgets 
prior to approval of the award. Subsequent grant administration 
procedures will be in accordance with current NOAA grants procedures. A 
summary statement of the scientific review by the peer panel will be 
provided to each applicant.

VI. Instructions for Application

Timetable

    April 5, 1999, 5 pm (local time--Preliminary proposals due at state 
Sea Grant Program.
    April 8, 1999, 5 pm EST--Preliminary proposals due at NSGO.
    May 27, 1999, 5 pm (local time)--Full proposals due at state Sea 
Grant Program.
    July 7, 1999, 5 pm EST--Full proposals due at NSGO.
    October 1, 1999 (approximate)--Funds awarded to selected 
recipients; projects begin.

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.
    Applications must reflect the total budget necessary to accomplish 
the project, and be matched by at least one dollar of non-federal funds 
for each two dollars of federal funds. The appropriateness of all cost-
sharing will be determined on the basis of guidance provided in 
applicable Federal cost principles. The applicants will be bound by the 
percentage of cost sharing reflected in the grant award.

What to Submit

Preliminary Proposal Guidelines
    To prevent the expenditure of effort that may not be successful, 
proposers must first submit preliminary proposals. Preliminary 
proposals must 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. The following information should be included:
    (1) Signed title page: The title page should be signed by the 
Principal Investigator and should clearly identify the program area 
being addressed by starting the project title with either ``Oyster 
Disease Research Program'' or ``Gulf Oyster Industry Initiative.'' 
Principal Investigators and collaborators should be identified by 
affiliation and contact information. The total amount of Federal funds 
and matching funds being requested should be listed for each budget 
period, as well as the source of the matching funds. Preliminary 
proposals must include matching funds equivalent to at least 50% of the 
Federal funds requested.
    (2) A concise (2-page limit) description of the project, its 
expected output or products, the anticipated users of the information, 
and its anticipated impact. Proposers may wish to use the Evaluation 
Criteria for additional guidance in preparing the preliminary 
proposals.
    (3) Resumes (1-page limit) of the Principal Investigators.
    (4) Proposers are encouraged (but not required) to include a 
separate page suggesting reviewers that the proposers believe are 
especially well qualified to review the proposal. Proposers may also 
designate persons they would prefer not review the proposal, indicating 
why. These suggestions will be considered during the review process.
    Three copies of the preliminary proposals must be submitted to the 
state Sea Grant Program Director or, for investigators in non-Sea Grant 
states, directly to the National Sea Grant Office (NSGO) before 5 pm 
(local time) on April 5, 1999. Preliminary proposals submitted to state 
Sea Grant Programs will be forwarded, along with a cover letter, to Dr. 
James McVey, National Oyster Disease and Gulf Coast Oyster Industry 
Coordinator, at the address below so as to reach the NSGO on or before 
5 pm on April 8, 1999.
Full Proposal Guidelines
    Each full 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 ``Oyster Disease Research Program'' or ``Gulf 
Oyster Industry Initiative'', 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 and matching 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

[[Page 10635]]

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, 
1999. 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 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: (i) current 
state of knowledge; (ii) contributions that the study will make to the 
particular discipline or subject area; and (iii) contributions the 
study will make toward addressing the problems of Oyster Disease 
Research Program of Gulf Oyster Industry issues;
    (b) Research or technical plan: (i) Objectives to be achieved, 
hypotheses to be tested; (ii) Experimental design and statistical 
analysis to be used; (iii) Plan of work-discuss how stated project 
objectives will be achieved; and (iv) Role of project personnel.
    (c) Output: Describe the project outputs that will enhance the 
Nation's ability to improve the status of oysters and the oyster 
industry.
    (d) Coordination with other program elements: Describe any 
coordination with other agency programs or ongoing research efforts. 
Describe any other proposals that are essential to the success of this 
proposal.
    (e) References and literature citations: Should be included but 
will not be counted in the 15 page project description limit.
    (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; 
failure to provide adequate matching funds will result in the proposal 
being rejected without review. Each annual budget should include a 
separate budget justification page that itemizes all budget items in 
sufficient detail to enable reviewers to evaluate the appropriateness 
of the funding requested. Please pay special attention to any travel, 
supply or equipment budgets and provide details. Regardless of any 
approved indirect cost rate applicable to the award, the maximum dollar 
amount of allocable indirect costs for which the Department of Commerce 
will reimburse the Recipient shall be the lesser of: (a) The Federal 
share of the total allocable indirect costs of the award based on the 
negotiated rate with the cognizant Federal agency as established by 
audit or negotiation; or (b) The line item amount for the Federal share 
of indirect costs contained in the approved budget of the award.
    (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.
    (6) Vitae (2 pages maximum per investigator)
    (7) Standard application forms: Applicants may obtain all required 
application forms through the World Wide Web at http://
www.mdsg.umd.edu/NSGO/research/rfp/index.html, from the state Sea Grant 
Programs or from Dr. James P. McVey at the National Sea Grant Office 
(phone: 301-713-2451 x160 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 as appropriate. Please note that both the Principal 
Investigator and an administrative contact should be identified in 
Sections 5 of the SF424. For Section 10, applicants for the National 
Oyster Disease Research Program and Gulf Oyster Industry Initiative 
program areas should enter ``11.417'' for the CFDA Number and ``Sea 
Grant Support'' 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 as 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, ``Government-
wide 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 applicants/
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 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 the Department of 
Commerce (DOC). SF-LLL submitted by any tier recipient or subrecipient 
should be submitted to

[[Page 10636]]

DOC in accordance with the instructions contained in the award 
document.

VII. How to Submit

    Preliminary proposals and proposals must be submitted to the state 
Sea Grant Programs or, for investigators in non-Sea Grant states, 
directly to the National Sea Grant Office (NSGO), according to the 
schedule outlined above. Although investigators are not required to 
submit more than 3 copies of either preproposals or full proposals, the 
normal review process requires 10 copies. Investigators are encouraged 
to submit sufficient copies for the full review process if they wish 
all reviewers to receive color, usually 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. The addresses 
of the Sea Grant College Program directors may be found on Sea Grant's 
World Wide Web home page (http://www.mdsg.umd.edu/NSGO/index.html) or 
may also be obtained by contacting the Program Manager, Dr. James P. 
McVey, at the National Sea Grant Office (phone: 301-713-2451 x160 or e-
mail: [email protected]). Preproposals and proposals sent to the 
National Sea Grant Office should be addressed: National Sea Grant 
Office, R/SG, Attn: National Oyster Disease and Gulf Coast Oyster 
Industry Coordinator, 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 applications that 
deviate from the format described above will be returned to the sender 
without review. Facsimile transmissions and electronic mail submission 
of applications will not be accepted.

VIII. Other Requirements

    (1) Federal Policies and Procedures--Recipients and subrecipients 
are subject to all Federal laws and Federal and Department of Commerce 
(DOC) policies, regulations, and procedures applicable to Federal 
financial assistance awards.
    (2) Past Performance--Unsatisfactory performance under prior 
Federal awards may result in an application not being considered for 
funding.
    (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 or written 
assurance that may have been received, there is no obligation on the 
part of DOC to cover preaward costs.
    (4) No Obligation for Future Funding--If an 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.
    (5) Delinquent Federal Debts--No award of Federal funds shall be 
made to an applicant who has an outstanding delinquent Federal debt 
until either:
    (a) The delinquent account is paid in full,
    (b) A negotiated repayment schedule is established and at least one 
payment is received, or
    (c) Other arrangements satisfactory to DOC are made.
    (6) 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.
    (7) 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.
    (8) Intergovernmental Review--Applications for support from the 
National Sea Grant College Program are not subject to Executive Order 
12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.
    (9) 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.

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-
0362, 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: Francis S. Schuler) 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: February 25, 1999.
Louisa Koch,
Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Research, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
[FR Doc. 99-5116 Filed 3-4-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-KA-M