[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 66 (Wednesday, April 7, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16930-16937]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-8616]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of Naval Research

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

[Docket No. 990203 041-9041-01; I.D. No. 020299B]
RIN 0648-ZA60


Request for Proposals for the Ecology and Oceanography of Harmful 
Algal Blooms Project

AGENCIES: The Coastal Ocean Program and the National Sea Grant College 
Program/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)/
Commerce; the National Center for Environmental Research and Quality 
Assurance/Environmental Protection Agency(EPA); the Directorate for 
Geosciences, Division of Ocean Sciences/National Science 
Foundation(NSF); the Office of Naval Research(ONR) /Department of 
Defense; and the Office of Earth Science/National Aeronautics Space 
Administration(NASA).

ACTION: Supplemental notification for financial assistance for project 
grants.

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SUMMARY: The purpose of this notice is to advise the public that the 
NOAA Coastal Ocean Program(COP), the NOAA National Sea Grant College 
Program, the EPA National Center for Environmental Research and Quality 
Assurance, the NSF Directorate for

[[Page 16931]]

Geosciences, Division of Ocean Sciences, the Department of Defense/
Office of Naval Research, and the Office of Earth Science, National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration are soliciting research proposals 
of 1 to 5 years in duration for the Ecology and Oceanography of Harmful 
Algal Blooms (ECOHAB) program. This program provides support for 
research on all aspects of harmful algal bloom(HAB) ecology and 
oceanography in U.S. coastal waters. This document details the 
requirements for applications for research support to address general 
HAB ecology and oceanography that will be considered by the Federal 
research partnership consisted of NOAA, NSF, EPA, ONR, and NASA.

DATES: The deadline for proposals is June 7, 1999, by 3:00 PM, EST.

ADDRESSES: Submit the original and two copies of your proposal to 
Coastal Ocean Program Office (ECOHAB 99), SSMC#3, 9th Floor, Room 9752, 
1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. NOAA Standard Form 
Applications with instructions are accessible on the following COP 
Internet Site in a read-only format. Blank Forms may be printed out, 
but information cannot be saved to the web site, nor transmitted 
electronically to NOAA.
    http://www.cop.noaa.gov

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
    Technical Information: Dr. Kevin Sellner, ECOHAB Coordinator, COP 
Office, 301-713-3338/ext 127, Internet: [email protected].
    Business Management: Leslie McDonald, COP Grants Office, (301) 713-
3338/ext 137, Internet: Leslie.McD[email protected].
    If you have Brown Tide Research Initiative (BTRI) related 
questions, contact Sue Banahan, COP Office, 301-713-3338/ext 115, 
Internet: [email protected]. More information on the BTRI research 
program is available through the World Wide Web on New York Sea Grant's 
website (http://www.seagrant.sunysb.edu/pages/btri.htm), or by 
contacting Cornelia Schlenk of New York Sea Grant (NYSG) at 516-632-
6906, Internet: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Program Description: For complete Program Description and Other 
Requirements criteria for the Coastal Ocean Program, see COP's General 
Grant Administration Terms and Conditions initial notice in the Federal 
Register (63 FR 44237, August l8, 1998) and at internet site: http://
www.cop.noaa.gov.
    Harmful Algal Blooms(HABs) include toxic and noxious phytoplankton 
(including Pfiesteria-like organisms) and benthic algae. Evidence 
suggests that, over the last few decades, the frequency and duration of 
HABs have been increasing nationally and worldwide. Formerly, only a 
few regions of the U.S. were affected by HABs, but now virtually every 
coastal state has reported major blooms. In many cases, blooms extend 
over large geographic areas and are composed of more than one harmful 
or toxic species. Furthermore, HABs are not unique to the United States 
and have attracted interest from many countries that have commercial 
and recreational activities in the coastal ocean. Most recently, a 
Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission-Scientific Committee on 
Oceanic Research workshop (GEOHAB, Global Ecology and Oceanography of 
HABs) in Denmark convened to consider the establishment of an 
international research program on the increasing problem of HABs in our 
world's coastal oceans.
    In spite of a growing list of affected resources, our understanding 
of the biological, physical, and chemical processes that regulate HABs 
is limited. Toxic blooms can potentially impact virtually all 
compartments of the marine foodweb due to adverse effects on viability, 
growth, fecundity, and recruitment of marine organisms. Because toxins 
can move through ecosystems, the impacts can be far reaching. Likewise, 
dramatic shifts in structure of an ecosystem can accompany plankton 
blooms and macroalgal overgrowth in benthic systems. In the context of 
ecological effects, our present knowledge is inadequate to define the 
scale and complexity of many HAB phenomena.
    Impacts of HABs are extensive. Periodic blooms in some coastal 
areas have caused collapse of ecosystems, with accompanying serious 
economic impacts. Economic losses in the U.S. from HABs are likely to 
exceed one billion dollars over several decades. The costs of HABs are 
included in toxin monitoring programs, closures of shellfish beds, 
collapse of some fisheries and shellfisheries, mortality of fish and 
shellfish, disruptions in tourism, threats to public and coastal 
resource health, publication of watershed, health and seafood 
advisories, and medical treatments.
    HABs are not only economically costly, but they also cause severe 
human health effects. Human illnesses due to natural algal toxins 
include ciguatera fish poisoning, paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP), 
amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP), neurotoxic shellfish poisoning, 
diarrhetic shellfish poisoning, and short-term neurocognitive 
dysfunction from exposure to Pfiesteria piscicida. Severe cases of PSP 
and ASP can result in death within 24 hours of consuming the toxic 
shellfish from respiratory arrest and brain dysfunction. Additionally, 
ASP can have the devastating side effect of permanent memory loss.
    The interagency ECOHAB program addresses the need for long-term, 
large-scale, multidisciplinary research, and is outlined in the 
report,`` ECOHAB, the Ecology and Oceanography of Harmful Algal 
Blooms'' (Anderson, D.M. 1995. WHOI, Woods Hole, MA, 66 pp.; http://
habserv1.whoi.edu/hab/nationplan/ECOHAB/PDF/ECOHABPDF.html). The 
primary objective of this notice is to solicit proposals for research 
on the environmental processes that facilitate and regulate HABs in the 
coastal ocean. Developing an understanding of how physical and 
biological processes interact to promote bloom development, 
maintenance, and decline will contribute to the ultimate goal of 
preventing, managing, controlling, and mitigating the impacts of HABs, 
outlined in the nation's comprehensive Federal approaches, ``Marine 
Biotoxins and Harmful Algae: A National Plan'' (Anderson, D.M., S.B. 
Galloway, and J.D. Joseph. 1993. WHOI Technical Report 93-02, Woods 
Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA 44 pp.; http://
www.redtide.whoi.edu/hab/nationplan/s-kplan/s-kcontents.html) and 
``Harmful Algal Blooms in Coastal Waters: Options for Prevention, 
Control, and Mitigation'' (Boesch, D.F. et al 1997. NOAA COP Decision 
Analysis Series No.10, NOAA Coastal Ocean Office, Silver Spring, MD 46 
pp.).
    To address the increased need for research on HABs, NOAA, NSF, EPA, 
ONR, and NASA combine each agency's unique interests and missions into 
this coordinated research program. The interests and objectives of each 
agency are defined in the following paragraphs:
     NOAA--HABs and related biotoxin risk must be managed if we are to 
build viable and valuable sustainable fisheries, protect threatened and 
endangered species, and effectively manage coastal activities and 
resources. NOAA's interest is in developing effective techniques for 
prevention, control, and mitigation to assist in reducing the impacts 
of HABs on public health, living marine resources, and coastal 
habitats. Developing predictive

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and early warning capabilities for HABs is a specific area of emphasis.
     NSF--Many aspects of species-specific dynamics of plankton, 
macroalgal populations, and species succession that contribute to bloom 
formation are poorly understood. NSF's interest is in increasing our 
understanding of the direct and indirect causes of HABs in our coastal 
regions and their ecological consequences through research on the 
physiological and ecological basis for bloom formation, the physical 
and chemical attributes of coastal oceans that facilitate them, the 
population attributes of bloom species, and the long-term consequences 
of ecosystem changes.
     EPA--Research programs support an integrated approach to protect 
the integrity of ecosystems that are affected by blooms through the 
development of bioindicators for toxic forms of HABs and through the 
restoration of degraded ecosystems using a watershed approach. Specific 
areas of emphasis for ecosystem protection related to Pfiesteria and 
other HABs include the impact of nutrients from agricultural activities 
and other non-point sources of pollution with investigations conducted 
at the regional or watershed scale.
     ONR--Plankton blooms resulting from complex coupled physical/
biological processes strongly affect the physical, optical, and 
acoustic properties of the coastal ocean. ONR's interest is in 
characterizing and forecasting the physical, bioacoustical, and optical 
properties of blooms to improve the capability of the fleet to operate 
effectively within coastal environments worldwide.
     NASA--Algal pigments affect optical properties of the water in 
well-characterized ways. In the open ocean, it is possible to quantify 
pigment concentration using remote sensing techniques because 
phytoplankton are solely responsible for variation in water color. In 
nearshore, estuarine, and inland waters, suspended sediments and 
dissolved organic compounds make the optical properties much more 
complex. The goal of detecting algal blooms in the presence of other 
colored materials is the subject of ongoing research. NASA is 
interested in developing remote sensing techniques that could be 
applied to the detection or tracking of harmful algal blooms in 
nearshore coastal environments.
    Research Goals and Topical Areas:
    A. The specific goals of the research solicited by this notice are 
to:
    (1) Understand the causes of blooms;
    (2) Determine the sources, fates, and consequences of HABs in 
foodwebs and fisheries;
     (3) Develop an enhanced predictive and early warning capability 
for the occurrence and impact of HABs; and
    (4) Explore means for prevention, mitigation, and control of HABs.
    B. To address these needs, ECOHAB will support research on general 
themes of:
    (1) Characterization and detection of HAB cells, life stages, and 
toxins;
    (2) Mechanisms underlying the initiation, distribution, and 
accumulation of individual bloom-forming species;
    (3) Physiological and biochemical bases of the ecological role of 
toxins in bloom-forming species;
    (4) Physical and biological processes that influence the transport, 
fate, and effects of marine biotoxins and other HAB impacts;
    (5) The influence of human and natural factors on the biophysical 
mechanisms that facilitate and regulate HABs, including detection and 
tracking of conditions suspected of being conducive to bloom formation 
and potential methods of control;
    (6) Longer term consequences of ecosystem changes brought about by 
the increasing frequency and persistence of planktonic blooms and 
community alterations that can accompany macroalgal overgrowth in 
benthic systems; and
    (7) Development of models of the physical, biogeochemical, and 
ecological processes that can ultimately lead to HAB prediction.
    A significant challenge to the implementation of this program is 
that HAB phenomena are diverse with respect to the causative organisms 
involved, the hydrographic or environmental regimes in which they 
occur, the factors regulating bloom dynamics, and the nature and extent 
of their impacts. Whereas laboratory research helps define factors that 
could be significant in causing blooms, field research and model 
development are essential to determine and predict the conditions under 
which blooms form. Comprehensive multidisciplinary studies are needed 
to fully understand the complex mechanisms underlying the growth and 
accumulation of harmful species, the formation, transfer, and fate of 
toxins, the impacts of HABs and toxins on ecosystems, and the influence 
of human activities on these processes.
    This announcement provides an opportunity for investigators to 
propose research to address the national problem of HABs. Proposals are 
sought for individual studies or small interdisciplinary efforts that 
address gaps in knowledge related to the nature of HAB phenomena. These 
studies should address fundamental ecological and oceanographic 
questions related to HABs. For example, individual studies by one or 
more investigators or by small teams could address such research issues 
as physical transport and techniques for identifying, detecting, and 
monitoring biotoxins and HAB species.
    Studies of nutrient kinetics, physiological bases of growth and 
toxin production for harmful species, toxin transfer through the 
foodweb, and mechanisms for controlling blooms would be of interest. 
The purpose of the individual studies is to encourage research into key 
questions on the underlying mechanisms involved with HABs and their 
control, without necessarily being limited to particular study regions.
    Proposals are sought for the following four topical areas:
    (1) Ecology and oceanography of HABs, including Pfiesteria,
    (2) Long Island brown tides,
    (3) Prevention, control, and mitigation of HABs impacting 
fisheries, aquaculture, and human health, and
    (4) Economic assessments of HABs.
    The following describe in detail the type of proposals sought for 
each topical area:
    (1) Proposals on the ecology and oceanography of HAB species, 
including Pfiesteria, are encouraged, with support provided by NOAA, 
NSF, and EPA. This is a broad category that encourages proposals on all 
aspects of HABs and Pfiesteria along U.S. coasts. Proposals addressing 
prevention, control, and mitigation of Pfiesteria will be considered as 
part of this topical area; proposals addressing mitigation, management, 
and control of other HAB species are to be submitted to the National 
Sea Grant College Program topical area three.
    (2) Proposals of 1 to 3 years in duration are sought to address the 
gaps in knowledge of factors leading to the initiation, persistence, 
and subsidence of brown tide (Aureococcus anophagefferens) in New 
York's embayments. The NOAA Coastal Ocean Program (COP), in cooperation 
with New York Sea Grant, established the Brown Tide Research Initiative 
(BTRI). The goal of this program is to understand and predict the onset 
of brown tide blooms and to advance strategies for mitigating its 
environmental impacts.
    Proposals applying for BTRI funds should address one or more of 
ECOHAB goals under Section A.,(1)(3) and/or (4) and research themes 
under Section B., (2)(5) and/or (7) in the context of the

[[Page 16933]]

specific scientific objectives of the BTRI. Those objectives are:
    (a) Identification of the physical, chemical, and biological 
factors that initiate and sustain brown tide blooms. Investigations 
into a range of factors will be considered. Of special interest are 
laboratory, mesocosm, and field studies in the areas of growth 
physiology of Aureococcus; nutrient (and other growth factors) budgets 
in affected areas, including the role of groundwater and its 
constituents; water column conditioning; benthic-pelagic coupling; 
dynamics of brown tide blooms and other resident planktonic 
communities; and the role of allelopathy in brown tide blooms. 
Retrospective analysis and synthesis of existing data and information 
that can explain and predict brown tide events will also be considered 
(e.g., examinations of water quality monitoring data sets and previous 
studies).
    (b) Techniques to isolate and maintain axenic cultures of 
Aureococcus.
    (c) Identification of the factors leading to the cessation of brown 
tide blooms. This may include investigations on activities of viruses 
and other pathogens, autolysis, and ecology of the resident grazing 
community.
    Research should be hypothesis-based and focused on understanding 
the causes of brown tide blooms, with the goal to advance information 
for developing approaches to avoid or minimize these blooms. 
Geographically, this effort is focused on New York's affected bays 
(e.g., the Peconic Bays and the South Shore Estuary). It is expected 
that information gained in this study will provide insight useful in 
understanding and managing brown tide occurrences in Rhode Island and 
New Jersey and will shed light on other harmful algal bloom phenomena. 
Investigators will be expected to justify proposed research within the 
context of proposed or on-going work and build upon rather than repeat 
previous experimental efforts.
    (3) NOAA's National Sea Grant College Program solicits proposals 
that focus on two topical areas. The first of these two are the 
development of mitigation, management, and potential control strategies 
to enhance our ability to protect commercially important fisheries, 
aquaculture, and human health from the impacts of HAB species other 
than Pfiesteria.
    (4) The National Sea Grant College Program is also interested in 
requests specific to the assessment of the economic impacts of HABs 
(including Pfiesteria) in order to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of 
potential management actions.

Part I: Schedule and Proposal Submission

    The guidelines for proposal preparation provided here are
    mandatory. Proposals received after the published deadline or 
proposals that deviate from the prescribed format will be returned to 
the sender without further consideration. This announcement and 
additional background information will be made available on the COP 
home page on the World Wide Web at http://www.cop.noaa.gov.
    ECOHAB will support projects ranging from laboratory studies by 
individual investigators or by small research teams through 
coordinated, well-integrated, multidisciplinary field programs. Studies 
will also be supported to develop predictive models and address gaps in 
knowledge related to mechanisms that regulate harmful algal species, 
including Pfiesteria and related taxa. While the agencies will maintain 
separate funding mechanisms, a common review process will be used to 
evaluate and select proposals.
    Upon conclusion of external peer and panel merit review, 
meritorious proposals may be recommended for funding by any of the 
agencies. Subsequent grant administration procedures will be in 
accordance with the individual policies of the awarding agency. In 
addition to the extramural funding, NOAA and other permitted Federal 
partnering agencies may fund investigators from other Federal 
laboratories that successfully compete through the ECOHAB Program 
announcement. To address the increased need for research on HABs, NOAA, 
NSF, EPA, ONR, and NASA combine each agency's unique interests and 
missions into this coordinated research program.

Full Proposals

    Letters of Intent and/or partial proposals are not requested under 
this notice. Applications must include the original and two unbound 
copies of the full proposal. Investigators are not required to submit 
more than three copies of the proposal; however, the normal review 
process requires twenty copies. Investigators are encouraged to submit 
sufficient proposal copies for the full review process if they wish all 
reviewers to receive color or otherwise unusual materials submitted as 
part of the proposal. Facsimile transmissions and electronic mail 
submission of full proposals will not be accepted.

Required Elements

    All applicants must closely follow the instructions and guidelines 
in the Standard NOAA Application Forms and Kit (see Part II) for 
preparation of the proposal.
    Each proposal must include the following eight elements:
    (1) Signed summary title page. The title page should be signed by 
the principal investigator (PI) and the institutional representative. 
The summary title page identifies the project's title starting with the 
acronym ECOHAB, a short title (less than 50 characters), and the lead 
PI's name and affiliation, complete address, phone, FAX and e-mail 
information.
    (2) One-page abstract/project summary. An abstract must be included 
and should contain an introduction of the problem, rationale, 
scientific objectives and/or hypotheses to be tested, and a brief 
summary of work to be completed. The abstract should appear on a 
separate page, headed with the proposal title, institution(s), 
investigator's name(s), total proposed cost, and budget period.
    (3) Statement of work/project description. The first section of the 
project description must be a summary of previous relevant research. 
This section should also include the following: (a) the objective for 
the period of proposed work and its expected significance; (b) the 
relation to the present state of knowledge in the field and relation to 
previous work and work in progress by the proposing principal 
investigator(s); (c) a discussion of how the proposed project lends 
value to the program goals; and (d) specific plans for making research 
products generated in the project, such as environmental data, 
cultures, genetic sequences, etc., available to the scientific 
community. NOAA and NSF have specific requirements that environmental 
data be submitted to the National Oceanographic Data Center; 
participating agencies may have additional requirements or guidelines 
for sharing of research materials and data.
    Project management should be clearly identified with a description 
of the management function within a team. It is important to provide a 
full scientific justification for the research; do not simply reiterate 
justifications presented in this notice.
    The project description section should not exceed 15 pages. Page 
limits are inclusive of figures and other visual materials, but 
exclusive of references and milestone chart. The type size must be 
clear and readily legible, in 12 point size. There must be no more than 
6 lines in a vertical space of 2.5 cm, and margins at the top, bottom, 
and each

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side of pages should be a minimum of 2.5 cm.
    (4) Milestone chart. Time lines of major tasks covering the 
duration of the proposed project - up to 60 months.
    (5) Budget. Applicants must submit the Facesheet, Standard Form 424 
(Rev July 1997), ``Application for Federal Assistance'', to indicate 
the total amount of funding proposed for the whole project period. 
Proposals must also include annual budgets that correspond with the 
descriptions provided in the statement of work. Therefore, applicants 
are also required to submit the Standard Form 424A (Rev 7-97), ``Budget 
Information - Non-Construction Programs'' in order to provide a 
detailed budget for fiscal year increments.
    Include a budget narrative/justification to support all proposed 
budget object class categories. Note that, for multiyear project 
periods, the out-year budget estimates are to be included in Section E 
on Standard Form 424A. These forms are included on the COP website 
listed under Part II, Application Forms and Kit. The program office 
shall review the proposed budgets to determine the necessity and 
adequacy of proposed costs for accomplishing the objectives of the 
proposed grant.
    NSF requests information on ship requirements in order to schedule 
time on University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS) 
vessels as NSF might fund any of the proposals submitted. Ship 
requirements and costs do not need to be included on the budget forms 
SF-424 or SF-424A, but must be separately identified by submitting a 
NSF-UNOLS Ship Time Request Form (OMB #3145-0058, expiration date 
September 1999) identifying ship, sea days, ship requirements (berths, 
labs, wire capabilities, special equipment, etc). Support of ships 
required for field studies are a significant cost that will be 
evaluated in any proposals for funding, so the need should be 
adequately justified within the project description. The funding 
mechanism for ship time is agency specific.
    The NSF form is included as Appendix A, ``Instructions for 
Preparation of Proposals Requesting Support for Oceanographic 
Facilities'', NSF 94-124. The form is also available via the UNOLS web 
site at ttp://www.gso.uri.edu/unols/ship/shiptime.html. Paper copies 
may be requested from UNOLS, but the electronic version is strongly 
preferred for ease of information exchange and processing. The 
investigator is responsible for sending copies to the UNOLS office and 
ship operators. If no ship time is required, submit the UNOLS form and 
indicate that no shiptime is required.
    (6) Biographical sketch. All senior personnel must provide two-page 
summaries that include the following:
    (a) A listing of professional and academic essentials and mailing 
address;
    (b) A list of up to five publications most closely related to the 
proposed project and five other significant publications, within the 
last five years. Additional lists of publications, lectures, etc., 
should not be included;
    (c) A list of all persons and their organizational affiliation in 
alphabetical order who have collaborated on a project or publication 
within the last 48 months, including collaborators on the proposal and 
persons listed in the publications. If there are no collaborators, this 
should be so indicated;
    (d) A list of persons (including their organizational affiliation), 
with whom the individual has had an association as thesis advisor or 
postdoctoral scholar sponsor;
    (e) A list of the names and institutions of the individual's own 
graduate and postgraduate advisors.
    The material presented in (c)(d) and (e) is used to assist in 
identifying potential conflicts or bias in the selection of reviewers.
    (7) Current and pending support. NSF requires information on 
current and pending support of all proposers. Describe all current and 
pending support for all PIs, including subsequent funding in the case 
of continuing grants. A model format is available on NSF Form 1239, 
available at http://www.nsf.gov/cgi-bin/getpub?99form1239. This form is 
part of the NSF Grant Proposal Guide and Proposal Forms Kit. Use of 
this form is optional; however, the categories of information included 
on the NSF Form 1239 must be provided.
    All current 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 PI and 
other senior personnel should be included, even if they receive no 
salary support from the project(s). The total award amount for the 
entire award period covered (including indirect costs) should be shown, 
as well as the number of person-months per year to be devoted to the 
project, regardless of source of support.
    (8) Appendices. The only material permitted in the Appendix is an 
EPA quality assurance (QA) statement (QANS, OMB #2080-0033, approved 8/
14/97) for proposals for topical area (1), general HAB research 
(including Pfiesteria) that involve data collection or processing, 
surveys, environmental measurements, and/or modeling. The statement 
simply indicates how quality processes or products will be assured. 
This statement should not exceed two consecutively numbered, 8.5 x 11-
inch pages of single-spaced standard 12-point type with 1-inch margins.
    For topical area (1) projects that involve environmentally related 
measurements or data generation, a quality system that complies with 
the requirements of ANSI/ASQC E4, ``Specifications and Guidelines for 
Quality Systems for Environmental Data Collection and Environmental 
Technology Programs'', must be in place as follows:
    (a) The activities to be performed or hypothesis to be tested 
(reference may be made to the specific page and paragraph number in the 
application where this information may be found); criteria for 
determining the acceptability of data quality in terms of precision, 
accuracy, representativeness, completeness, and comparability.
    (b) The study design including sample type and location 
requirements and any statistical analyses that were used to estimate 
the types and numbers of samples required for physical samples or 
similar information for studies using survey and interview techniques
    (c) The procedures for the handling and custody of samples, 
including sample identification, preservation, transportation, and 
storage.
    (d) The methods that will be used to analyze samples or data 
collected, including a description of the sampling and/or analytical 
instruments required.
    (e) The procedures that will be used in the calibration and 
performance evaluation of the sampling and analytical methods used 
during the project.
    (f) The procedures for data reduction and reporting, including a 
description of statistical analyses to be used and any computer models 
to be designed or utilized associated with verification and validation 
techniques.
    (g) The intended use of the data as they relate to the study 
objectives or hypotheses.
    (h) The quantitative and or qualitative procedures that will be 
used to evaluate the success of the project.
    (i) Any plans for peer or other reviews of the study design or 
analytical methods prior to data collection.

[[Page 16935]]

    ANSI/ASQC E4, ``Specifications and Guidelines for Quality Systems 
for Environmental Data Collection and Environmental Technology 
Programs'' is available for purchase from the American Society for 
Quality Control, phone 1-800-248-1946, item T55. Only in exceptional 
circumstances should it be necessary to consult this document.

Proposal Format and Assembly

    Clamp the proposal in the upper left-hand corner, but otherwise 
leave it unbound. Use 1 inch (2.5 cm) margins at the top, bottom, left, 
and right of each page. Use clear and easily legible type face in 
standard size of 12 points. Print on one side of the page only. These 
guidelines for proposal preparation are mandatory. Proposals that 
deviate from the prescribed format will be returned to the sender 
without further consideration.

Part II: Further Supplementary Information

    (l) Program Authorities for COP and Sea Grant/NOAA-33,U.S.C. 1121 
et. seq. as amended; for EPA-33, U.S.C 1251 et. seq. and 40 CFR parts 
30 and 40; for NSF-42, U.S.C. 1861 et. seq.; for ONR-10, U.S.C 2358 as 
amended and 31 U.S.C 6304; and for NASA-14 CFR part 1260.
    (2) Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Numbers. 11.478 for the 
Coastal Ocean Program; 11.417 for NOAA/Sea Grant; 66.500 for the 
Environmental Protection Agency; 47.050 for the National Science 
Foundation, and 12.300 for the Office of Naval Research.
    (3) Program Description. See initial COP General Notice (63 FR 
44237, August 18, 1998).
    (4) Funding Availability. Publication of this notice does not 
obligate any agency to any specific award or to any part of the entire 
amount of funds available. Recipients and subrecipients are subject to 
all Federal laws and agency policies, regulations, and procedures 
applicable to Federal financial assistance awards.
    A total of $2,150,000 is available for general research on HABs, 
including Pfiesteria, topical area (1). Small individual studies may 
typically request $80,000-$100,000 per investigator annually; EPA 
funding will be limited to $150,000 per year for a maximum of 3 years. 
Requests to support small group or team projects, including those with 
field components, are expected to be proportionately higher. In any 
proposal, support should be strongly justified. All projects should 
budget funds for investigator participation in an ECOHAB meeting in FY 
2000.
    Funds available for research under the BTRI, topical area (2), are 
approximately $400,000 in FY 1999, $400,000 in FY 2000, and $300,000 in 
FY 2001, pending appropriations. Proposed projects may be 1 to 3 years 
in length. The annual funding level of a typical grant (one to two 
investigators) may be up to $100,000, although more comprehensive, 
multidisciplinary proposals may require higher levels of funding. All 
proposed BTRI projects should budget funds (as necessary) for 
investigators to participate in the BTRI Symposium held annually on 
Long Island, NY.
    A total of $550,000 is available for the National Sea Grant College 
Program research topics, prevention, control, and mitigation for 
fisheries and aquaculture and economic assessment, topical areas (3) 
and (4). The annual funding level of a typical grant (one to two 
investigators) is anticipated to be up to $100,000, although more 
comprehensive, multidisciplinary proposals may require higher levels of 
funding. Proposed activities may extend for up to 2 years, but funding 
to cover both project years will be awarded in FY99; an annual report 
showing satisfactory progress must be submitted at the end of the first 
year.
    Project activities should include identified milestones for each 
project year. Support in years after FY99 are contingent upon the 
availability of funds and the requirements of an individual agency 
supporting the project.
    (5) Matching Requirements. For proposals submitted to the National 
Sea Grant College Program topical areas on (a) prevention, control, and 
mitigation of HABs for fisheries and aquaculture and (b) economic 
assessment (see paragraph (4), matching funds equivalent to 50 percent 
of Federal funds requested must be provided; for the other two topical 
research areas (general HABs and Pfiesteria, and BTR research), no 
matching funds are required.
    Proposals must include matching funds equivalent to at least 50 
percent of Federal funds requested, or at least 33 percent of the total 
project cost; for example, a request of $100,000 in Federal funds must 
be accompanied by at least $50,000 in matching funds.
    (6) Type of Funding Instrument. Project grants.
    (7) Eligibility Criteria. This opportunity is open to all 
interested, qualified, non-federal, and Federal researchers. Non-
federal researchers should comply with their institutional requirements 
for proposal submission. Non-NOAA Federal applicants will be required 
to submit certifications or documentation which clearly show that they 
can receive funds from the Department of Commerce (DOC) for this 
research. Foreign researchers must subcontract with U.S. proposers. 
Non-federal researchers affiliated with NOAA-University Joint 
Institutes should comply with joint institutional requirements. Non-
federal awardees will be funded either through grants to their 
institutions or through their joint institutes. Proposals deemed 
acceptable from Federal researchers will be funded through NOAA via a 
mechanism other than a grant or cooperative agreement. DOC requirements 
will prevail if there is a conflict between DOC requirements and 
institutional requirements.
    (8) Award Period. Full Proposals can cover a project period from 1 
to 5 years as listed here: Funds are available for general HABs and 
Pfiesteria from FY1999 through FY2004; BTRI from FY1999 through FY2001; 
and for the National Sea Grant College topics from FY1999 through 
FY2000 - all dependent on continuing appropriations. Multiyear awards 
may be funded in total or incrementally on an annual basis; the funding 
period by participating agencies is at the discretion of the individual 
agency.
    (9) Indirect Costs. If indirect costs are proposed, the following 
statement applies: The total dollar amount of the indirect costs 
proposed in an application must not exceed the indirect cost rate 
negotiated and approved by a cognizant Federal agency prior to the 
proposed effective date of the award.
    (l0) Application Forms and Kit. When applying for financial 
assistance under this announcement, applicants will be able to obtain a 
copy of the Federal Register announcement and a standard NOAA 
Application Kit from the COP home page at the following World Wide Web 
address: http://www.cop.noaa.gov. If you are unable to access this 
information, you may also call COP at (301) 713-3338, extension 116, to 
leave a mailing request.
    The Standard Forms 424 (Rev July 1997) Application for Federal 
Assistance; 424A (Rev July 1997); Budget Information - Non-Construction 
Programs; and 424B (Rev July 1997) Assurances - Non Construction 
Programs shall be used in applying for financial assistance. In 
addition, other forms required include the CD-511, Certifications 
Regarding Debarment, Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters; Drug-
Free Workplace Requirements and Lobbying (submitted with the 
application package); the CD-512, Certification Regarding Debarment, 
Suspension, Ineligibility and Voluntary

[[Page 16936]]

Exclusion-Lower Tier Covered Transactions and Lobbying (this 
certification is to remain with the recipient and not to be forwarded 
to the Grants Officer); and SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities 
(if applicable).
    (11) Project Funding Priorities. Priority consideration will be 
given to those highly ranked proposals that promote balanced coverage 
of ECOHAB science goals (pp. 7-8, Research Goals and Topical Areas), 
provide a programmatically balanced approach to missions of each 
agency, and avoid duplication of completed or on-going work.
    (12) Evaluation Criteria. Consideration for financial assistance 
will be given for proposals that address the following elements:
    (a) Scientific Merit (20 percent): Intrinsic scientific value of 
the proposed work and the likelihood that it will lead to fundamental 
advancements and new discoveries, or that it will have substantial 
impact on progress in that field;
    (b) Research Performance Competence (20 percent): The capability of 
the investigator and collaborators to complete the proposed work as 
evidenced by past research accomplishments, previous cooperative work, 
timely communication, and sharing of findings, data, and other research 
products;
    (c) Relevance (20 percent): Likelihood that the research will 
contribute to the goals of ECOHAB and lead to improved management of 
coastal resources;
    (d) Technical Approach (20 percent): Availability of focused 
science objectives and a complete but efficient strategy for making 
measurements and observations in support of the objectives. The 
scientific approach is sound and logically planned throughout the cycle 
of the proposed work;
    (e) Linkages (10 percent): Connections to existing or planned 
studies, or demonstrated cooperative arrangements to provide or use 
data or other research results to achieve the goals of ECOHAB and this 
specific notice;
    (f) Costs (10 percent): Adequacy of the proposed resources to 
accomplish the proposed work, and the appropriateness of the requested 
proportion of the total available funds.
    (13) Selection Procedures. All proposals will be evaluated and 
ranked individually in accordance with the assigned weights of the 
above evaluation criteria by (a) independent peer mail review and by 
(b) independent peer panel review. Both Federal and non-federal experts 
in the field may be used in this process. The peer mail reviewers will 
be several individuals with expertise in the subjects addressed by 
particular proposals. Each mail reviewer will see only certain 
individual proposals within his or her area of expertise, and rank them 
individually on a scale of 1'' to 5'', where scores represent 
respectively: excellent, very good, good, fair, poor.
    The peer panel will consist of 8 to 10 individuals, with each 
individual having expertise in a separate area, so that the panel as a 
whole covers a broad range of scientific expertise. The panel will have 
access to the mail reviews of all proposals, and will use the mail 
reviews in discussion and evaluation of the entire slate of proposals. 
Each panel member will rank proposals on the scale of ``1'' to ``5'', 
as stated in the preceding paragraph.
    The program officer(s) will not vote as part of the independent 
peer panel. Those proposals receiving an average panel rank of Fair or 
Poor will not be given further consideration and will be notified of 
non-selection. For the proposals rated by the panel as either 
Excellent, Very Good, or Good, the program managers will first apply 
the project funding priorities listed earlier in this document under 
Part 11, Paragraph (11). (However, EPA will consider only Excellent and 
Very Good proposals for funding). Second, the program managers will 
select the proposals to be recommended for funding; third, determine 
the total duration of funding for each proposal; and fourth, determine 
the amount of funds available for each proposal. Awards may not 
necessarily be made to the proposals scored the highest by individual 
panel and/or mail reviews.
    When a decision is made (whether an award or declination), verbatim 
copies of reviews, excluding the names of the reviewers, and summaries 
of review panel deliberations, if any, become available to the 
proposer. No information directly identifying reviewers or other 
pending or declined proposals will be released.
    Dependent on the agency recommending support, investigators may be 
asked to modify objectives, work plans, or budgets and provide 
supplemental information required by the agency prior to the award. 
Subsequent grant administration procedures will be in accordance with 
the individual policies of the awarding agency. A summary statement of 
the scientific review by the peer panel will be provided to each 
applicant.
    (14) Other Requirements. See initial COP Notice (63 FR 44237, 
August 18, 1998), at the COP Internet Site: http://www.cop.noaa.gov.
    This notification involves collections of information subject to 
the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act. The standard NOAA 
forms have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
under control numbers 0348-0043, 0348-0044, 0348-0040 and 0348-0046. 
The EPA-required QA statement was approved in OMB document #2080-0033 
(August 14, 1997). The NSF-UNOLS Ship Time Request Form and the NSF 
Form for Current and Pending Support have been approved by OMB as 
follows:
    The UNOLS form, also titled NSF Form 831 (Rev July 1992) has OMB 
clearance through September l999 under control number OMB #3145-0058. 
The form is available via the UNOLS web site at the following web site: 
http://www.gso.uri.edu/unols/ship/shiptime.html. Paper copies may also 
be requested from UNOLS, but the electronic version is strongly 
preferred for ease of information exchange and processing. The NSF 
guidelines and ship-time form were included in the then-existing e-mail 
based Internet electronic dissemination system operated by NSF - 
Science and Technology Information System). The NSF Form l239 (Oct 
1998) for Current and Pending Support is cleared as part of the NSF 
Grant Proposal Guide and Proposal Forms Kit under OMB# 3145-0058 with 
an expiration date of September l999.
    Notwithstanding any other provision of 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 displays a 
current valid OMB control number.


[[Page 16937]]


    Dated: March 23, 1999.
Ted I. Lillestolen,
Deputy Assistant Administrator, Ocean Service and Coastal Zone 
Management.

    Dated: March 17, 1999.
Norine E. Noonan,
Assistant Administrator, Office of Research and 
Development,Environmental Protection Agency.

    Dated: March 16, 1999.
G. Michael Purdy,
Director, Division of Ocean Sciences, National Science Foundation.

    Dated: March 29, 1999.
Steven E. Ramberg,
Department Head, Ocean, Space and Atmosphere Science and Technology 
Department, Office of Naval Research.

    Dated: March 26, 1999.
Jack A Kaye,
Director, Research Division, Office of Earth Science,NASA Headquarters.
[FR Doc. 99-8616 Filed 4-6-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F