[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 43 (Friday, March 5, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10640-10644]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-5118]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[Docket No. 990125032-9032-01]
RIN 0648-ZA58


Sea Grant Technology Program: 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 for a technology 
transfer and development program to fulfill its broad responsibilities 
in fostering economic competitiveness through the transfer of 
technology pertaining to the development and utilization of ocean, 
coastal, and Great Lakes resources. In FY 1999, Sea Grant expects to 
provide about $1,550,000 to support projects that can accelerate the 
transfer of academic science and technology to the market. Of this 
amount, $800,000 will be allocated for technologies related 
specifically to aquaculture. It is desirable that proposals, which must 
be submitted through state Sea Grant Programs, involve industrial 
partners. Matching funds equal to a minimum of 50% of the federal 
request must be provided. Successful projects will be selected through 
national competition.

DATES: Preliminary proposals must be submitted before 5 pm (local time) 
on April 5, 1999 to the nearest state Sea Grant College Program. After 
evaluation at the National Sea Grant Office, 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.

ADDRESSES: Preliminary proposals and full proposals must be submitted 
through the nearest state Sea Grant Program. 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).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Vijay G. Panchang, Program 
Manager, National Sea Grant College Program, R/SG, NOAA, 1315 East-West 
Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Tel. (301) 713-2435 ext. 142; e-mail: 
Vijay.P[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Program Authority

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

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

II. Program Description

Background

    The ocean environment has traditionally provided an abundance of 
economic opportunities over a wide spectrum of activities. As a result 
of growing population pressures, the demands to maintain a sustainable 
and healthy environment, and ongoing scientific advancements, the 
economic potential afforded by the marine environment may be expected 
to increase. On the other hand, globalization has put unprecedented 
demands on U.S. industry for innovation and the development of new 
technologies. Economic competitiveness can be fostered by creating 
opportunities for collaboration between industrial and academic 
scientists and engineers, as well as by supporting post-fundamental 
work to accelerate the conversion of academic research into products 
with commercial value.
    The ``National Sea Grant College Program Reauthorization Act of 
1997'' (33 U.S.C. 1121-1131) calls upon the National Sea Grant College 
Program (Sea Grant) to foster economic competitiveness, invest in 
technology transfer, and create partnerships between the Federal 
Government and universities, private industry, and other agencies in 
the development and utilization of marine resources. To meet these 
objectives, Sea Grant's technology program is meant to serve as a 
catalyst for scientific entrepreneurship and technology transfer and 
thereby enhance commerce. With at least one-third of the total cost 
provided as required matching funds by the grantee, Sea Grant expects 
to provide federal support of approximately $1,550,000 to support new 
projects in 1999. The federal request for each project, which will be 
of 18 months duration or less, may not exceed $150,000.

Program Goals

    To conduct focuses projects that can lead to the development and 
utilization of marine resources and related technological innovations 
and their acceptance in the marketplace (both in the U.S. and abroad); 
to increase interactions between the nation's academic scientists and 
engineers and their industrial counterparts; to accelerate the transfer 
of research-based marine science from universities to new technologies 
in industry; to provide a mechanism for industry to influence Sea Grant 
research priorities and solve problems of importance to industry; to 
increase cost-effectiveness of seafood production through aquaculture; 
and to forge long-term relationships between Sea Grant colleges and 
industrial firms.

Funding Priorities

    The Sea Grant technology program provides support for applied 
research and development projects that ultimately facilitate the 
transfer of new products and processes related to the development of 
marine resources,

[[Page 10641]]

including cost reductions for processes and product safety. Proposals 
must be submitted through a state Sea Grant program, but in a true 
partnership that benefits national or regional economies, industrial 
cooperation in academic research and development efforts could be 
expected and such cooperation should be sought. University faculty are 
the major source for identifying potential industrial collaborators and 
suitable research topics. However, other sources can be used to 
identify potential industrial partners or user groups, such as the Sea 
Grant Marine Extension Program, university industrial relations 
offices, and the Sea Grant Review Panel. Sea Grant directors are 
encouraged to use a variety of sources in building successful 
partnerships with industry or other user groups.
    Several types of projects will be considered under this 
announcement. These include, for example, the following:
    (1) Additional developmental work that can accelerate the 
transition of academic research to marketplace acceptance. For example, 
pilot-scale testing of technologies developed in academia may be 
necessary to establish economic feasibility. A private sector partner 
may or may not be identified. (If the work has imminent commercial 
implications and an industrial partner is involved, the partner may 
reasonably be expected to provide matching funds.)
    (2) A project which does not lead to a commercializable product per 
se, but is of mutual benefit to industry and academia. For example, if 
industry anticipates future trends either due to market forces or 
government regulations, it may wish to prepare for them by developing 
technologies with help from academia. If there is actual transfer of 
technologies to industry, then participation by an industrial partner 
may be appropriate.
    (3) Technology transfer or demonstration projects and workshops/
forums given by academic researchers and mainly targeted to industry, 
involving registration or other fees paid by industry which can 
constitute industrial match.
    (4) Technology transfer to user groups in government or other 
agencies that enhances cost-effectiveness of operations.

(Proposals that will be considered under this announcement are not 
limited to the above types of projects, which are given by way of 
example only.)
    Projects in all areas of marine resource utilization and economic 
development of coastal environments will be considered. (See Sea 
Grant's Long Range Plan on Sea Grant's home page or that of the nearest 
Sea Grant College program). Examples include biotechnology, 
environmental technology, fisheries and aquaculture, and marine 
infrastructure. However, $800,000 will be earmarked for technologies 
related specifically to projects dealing with aquaculture. The 
development of a robust aquaculture industry is part of NOAA's 
Strategic Plan and is intended to help meet the seafood needs of a 
growing population, reduce imports of fisheries products, and benefit 
the nation's balance of trade. In particular, proposals are sought that 
deal with enabling technologies for species with major commercial 
potential in the near future; areas of interest are: the performance 
and cost-effectiveness of environmentally sound culture systems; 
license and permit procedures; best management procedures; genetic 
improvement leading to reduced production costs; production of less 
expensive feed delivery and utilization; stability, palatability, and 
shelf-life of aquaculture products; health and disease diagnosis and 
control; and related areas. A match equal to at least one-half of the 
federal contribution is required for all proposals.

III. Eligibility

    Applications 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 Sea Grant Technology Program are:
    A. Importance of the problem and the benefits expected to the 
nation due to the advancement of technology (30%).
    B. Appropriateness of methodologies to be used (30%).
    C. Potential for technology transfer to user groups such as 
industry and/or for enhanced economic value. Participation (especially 
matching contributions) by an industrial partner or other user groups 
will be viewed favorably (30%).
    D. Qualifications of project participants (10%).

V. Selection Procedures

    Preliminary proposals will be reviewed at the National Sea Grant 
Office (NSGO) by a panel composed of individuals from the federal 
government with expertise in industry/academic interactions and/or 
academia and industry. The panel will be asked to assess each proposal 
based on the importance of the technology to the nation, the potential 
for technology transfer to user groups and/or enhanced economic value, 
and the qualifications of project participants from the viewpoint of 
the project. The panel 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 
recommenda-tions, 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 who will conduct the mail peer review of the proposed project 
for importance of the problem being addressed, scientific and technical 
merit, and potential for technology transfer or enhanced economic 
value. 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 an independent peer review panel consisting of government, 
academic, and industry experts. 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 
National Sea Grant Office 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 National Sea Grant 
Office will: (a) ascertain which proposals best meet the program goals, 
and do not substantially duplicate other projects that are currently 
funded or are approved for funding by NOAA and 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 final approval of 
the award. Subsequent grant administration

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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 17, 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

    Interested parties must submit a preliminary proposal, and if 
invited, a full proposal through university-based Sea Grant programs 
for a grant to support up to two-thirds of the total budget. The 
project can be for a maximum of 18 months duration. No more than 
$150,000 of federal funds may be requested for the project. Allocation 
of matching funds, equal to at least half the federal request, must be 
specified in the budget.

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 ``Sea Grant 
Technology Program.'' 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, 
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 that 
addresses the following questions: What technology will be developed? 
How is it important to the nation? What fundamental work has been done 
that allows advancement of this technology to a more applied level? 
What are the anticipated economic benefits? Proposers should consult 
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 
nearest state Sea Grant Program Director before 5 pm (local time) on 
April 5, 1999. Preliminary proposals will then be forwarded by the Sea 
Grant Programs, along with a cover letter, to Dr. Vijay Panchang, 
Program Manager, at the address below so as to reach the National Sea 
Grant Office (NSGO) on or before 5 pm on April 8, 1999. No 
institutional signatures or federal government forms are needed while 
submitting preliminary proposals.
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; literature citations are not 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 ``Sea Grant Technology Program.'' 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.
    (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, 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) Previous 
fundamental research and a description of what additional work is 
needed to enhance the economic value of this fundamental work; (ii) 
contributions that the study will make to the particular discipline or 
subject area; and (iii) significance of the proposed technology to the 
region and nation;
    (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 or work--detailed methodology, 
collaboration with industry or other user groups (if appropriate), and 
a timetable for project activities; and (iv) Role of project personnel.
    (c) Output/Anticipated Economic Benefits: This may be measured, for 
example, by patents or licenses; commercializable new products (e.g., 
pharmaceutical and other products from marine biotechnology, equipment 
for aquaculture operations, products used in or obtained from marine 
engineering operations, computer models for simulation of marine 
processes, etc.); process improvements (e.g., seafood processing, 
harbor design or dredging procedures, biochemical engineering, etc.); 
corporate investments in academic research efforts; private sector job 
opportunities for students involved in the project.
    (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.

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    (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 one cumulative 
budget for the entire project period. 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. The 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) Letter of commitment from any industrial partner, if 
appropriate.
    (8) A brief (one-page) description of the collaborating industrial 
firm, if appropriate.
    (9) 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. Vijay Panchang at the National Sea Grant Office 
(phone: 301-713-2435 x142 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 not that both the Principal 
Investigator and an administrative contact should be identified in 
Section 5 of the SF424. For Section 10, applicants 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 explanation 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, ``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 of subrecipient 
should be submitted to 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 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, 
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. 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. Viujay Panchang, at the National 
Sea Grant Office (phone: 301-713-2435 x152 or e-mail: 
[email protected]). Preproposals and proposals sent to the 
National Sea Grant Office should be addressed to: National Sea Grant 
Office, R/SG, Attn: Sea Grant Technology Program Coordinator, NOAA, 
Room 11828, 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.

[[Page 10644]]

VIII. Other Requirements

    (A) 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.
    (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 to cover preaward costs.
    (D) 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.
    (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 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.
    (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.

Classification

    Prior notice and an opportunity for public comments are not 
required by the Administrative Procedure Act or any other laws 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. 99-5118 Filed 3-4-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-KA-M