[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 111 (Thursday, June 10, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31188-31192]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-14783]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[Docket No. 990416102-9102-01]
RIN 0648-ZA64


Notice and Request for Proposals

AGENCY: National Weather Service (NWS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce (DOC).

ACTION: Request for proposals.

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SUMMARY: The Collaborative Science, Technology, and Applied Research 
(CSTAR) Program represents an NOAA/NWS effort to create a cost-
effective continuum from basic and applied research to operations 
through

[[Page 31189]]

collaborative research between operational forecasters and academic 
institutions which have expertise in the environmental sciences. These 
activities improve the accuracy of forecasts and warnings of 
environmental hazards by applying scientific knowledge and information 
from the modernization of the NWS. The NOAA CSTAR Program is a 
contributing element of the U.S. Weather Research Program, which is 
coordinated by the interagency Committee on Environmental and Natural 
Resources. NOAA's program is designed to complement other agency 
contributions to that national effort.

DATES: Proposals must be received by the NWS no later than close of 
business, Friday, October 1, 1999. We anticipate review of full 
proposals will occur during October 1999 and funding should begin 
during early 2000 for most approved projects. January 1, 2000, should 
be used as the proposed start date on proposals, unless otherwise 
directed by the appropriate Program Officer. Applicants should be 
notified of their status within 3 months of the closing date. All 
proposals must be submitted in accordance with the guidelines below. 
Failure to follow these guidelines will result in proposals being 
returned to the submitter.

ADDRESSES: Proposals must be submitted to National Weather Service, 
NOAA; 1325 East-West Highway, Room 13316; Silver Spring, Maryland 
20910-3283.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sam Contorno at the above address, or 
at phone 301-713-1970 ext. 193, or fax to 301-713-1520, or on the 
Internet at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Funding Availability

    NOAA/NWS believes its warning and forecast mission will benefit 
significantly from a strong partnership with outside investigators. 
Current program plans assume the total resources provided through this 
announcement will support extramural efforts through the broad academic 
community. Because of Federal budget uncertainties, it has not been 
determined how much money will be available through this announcement. 
Proposals should be prepared assuming an annual budget of no more than 
$125,000. It is expected between two and four awards will be made 
dependent on the availability of funds. This program announcement is 
for projects to be conducted by university investigators not to exceed 
a 3-year period. When a proposals for a multi-year award is approved, 
funding will initially be provided for only the first year of the 
program. If an application is selected for initial funding, the NWS has 
no obligation to provide additional funding in connection with that 
award in subsequent years. Funding for each subsequent year of a multi-
year proposal will be contingent upon satisfactory progress in relation 
to the stated goals of the proposal to address specific science needs 
and priorities of the NWS and the availability of funds. Applications 
should include a scope of work and a budget for the entire award 
period. Each funding period must be discrete and clearly distinguished 
from any other funding period. The funding instrument for extramural 
awards will be a cooperative agreement since one or more NOAA/NWS 
components--forecast offices, Centers, or regional headquarters--will 
be substantially involved in implementation of the project. Examples of 
substantial involvement may include, but are not limited to, proposals 
for collaboration between NOAA scientists and a recipient scientist 
and/or contemplation by NOAA of detailing Federal personnel to work on 
proposed projects. Funding for non-U.S. institutions and contractual 
arrangements for services and products for delivery to NOAA are not 
available under this announcement. Matching share is not required by 
this program.

Program Objectives

    The long term objective of the CSTAR Program is to improve the 
overall forecast and warning capabilities of the operational 
hydrometeorological community by addressing the following national 
science priorities: Quantitative Precipitation Estimation (QPE) and 
Forecasting (QPF), including precipitation type and probabilistic QPF 
(PQPF); Flash flood and probabilistic river prediction; Prediction of 
seasonal-to-interannual and decadal climate variability, and the 
impacts of these variabilities on extreme weather events; Prediction of 
tropical cyclones near landfall, including track, intensity, and 
associated precipitation, and hazardous weather; Prediction of marine 
conditions, including fog, winds, coastal ocean, and open ocean waves; 
The effect of topography and other surface forcing on local weather 
regimes; Locally hazardous weather, especially severe convection, 
winter weather, and phenomena that affect aviation; Conditions 
conducive for the rapid development of wildfires and the dispersion of 
smoke and other air-quality hazards.
    Individual NWS Regions and Centers have a subset of these science 
priorities due to differences in factors such as topography, weather 
regimes, and mission.

Program Priorities

    NOAA will give sole attention to individual proposals addressing 
the identified science needs/priorities from NWS Regions and the 
National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) as listed below. 
It is anticipated one proposal will be funded addressing one or more of 
the science needs/priorities of both the NWS Eastern and Central 
Regions. Universities are also encouraged to submit proposals 
addressing any of the science needs/priorities of other NWS Regions and 
Centers. However, there is no guarantee funding will be available for 
these activities. Principal investigators must clearly describe 
collaborative activities and scientific interactions with NWS forecast 
offices, River Forecast Centers, National Centers, or regional 
headquarters throughout the course of the research proposal. A proposal 
must be submitted by multiple principle investigators and contain at 
least two distinct subtasks addressing one or more of the science 
needs/priorities listed by a single NWS Region or by NCEP. 
Investigators are asked to specify clearly which science priorities/
needs are being pursued and to which region or center(s) they belong.
    The names, affiliations and phone numbers of relevant NWS regional/
NCEP focal points are provided. Prospective applicants should 
communicate with these focal points for information on priorities 
within regional science needs. Applicants should send proposals to the 
NOAA NWS program office identified earlier rather than to individual 
focal points.

NWS Central Region Science Needs/Priorities

    The NWS Central Region science needs/priorities which can be 
addressed by proposals are as follows:
    Improve severe weather warnings by:
    (1) Developing more accurate conceptual models for tornado, hail, 
and wind events for different geographical locations in Central Region, 
including the Central Plains, Northern Plains, Ozark Plateau, mid and 
upper Mississippi Valley, lower Ohio Valley, and Great Lakes regions.
    (2) Developing more accurate diagnostic strategies/methodologies to 
interrogate remote sensing data (radar, satellite, etc.) particularly 
for weaker and shorter lived severe thunderstorm and tornado events.
    (3) Expanding our understanding of elevated nocturnal convection 
for

[[Page 31190]]

different geographical locations in Central Region.
    Improve QPFs through a better understanding of:
    (1) The climatology of precipitation, including subregional 
information stratified by day, season, and amount and time of 
occurrence.
    (2) Cloud physics and micro-physical processes related to 
precipitation efficiency of stratiform and connective clouds.
    (3) Water vapor distribution and transport.
    (4) The initiation of convective precipitation (tropical, lake/sea 
breeze, complex terrain, etc.).
    (5) The uniqueness of stratiform precipitation.
    (6) The uniqueness of extreme heavy rain events.
    (7) Precipitation estimation methods.
    (8) Geographic and orographic influences. Improve winter weather 
forecasts by better understanding the development, intensification, and 
sudden acceleration northeastward of strong mid-west storm systems 
following lee side cyclogenesis.
    Improve aviation forecasts by better understanding the development 
and dissipation of fog and stratus for the different geographical 
locations in Central Region. Develop more efficient and effective 
methodologies to review numerical model guidance in the forecast 
process. Develop innovative methodologies to improve weather services 
to the public.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard Livingston, NOAA/NWS/Central 
Region Scientific Services Division, 816-426-5672 ext. 300, or on the 
Internet at Richard.L[email protected].

NWS Eastern Region Science Needs/Priorities

    NWS Eastern Region has listed the following science needs/
priorities to be addressed by proposals:
    Unique geomorphic influences on weather problems such as the type, 
amount, duration, and intensity of precipitation associated with the 
complex terrain of the Appalachian Mountains; or the formation, 
duration, and intensity of severe storms and winter weather phenomena 
along the Atlantic Seaboard and the Great Lakes. The relationship of 
land-falling tropical storms and hurricanes to severe weather, heavy 
precipitation, flooding, and flash flooding throughout the eastern 
United States. The development and enhancement of severe storms 
throughout the Middle Atlantic and the Piedmont regions due to the 
influence of small-scale thermal and moisture boundaries. The 
interaction of gravity waves and related phenomena with severe storms 
and winter weather systems throughout the East.
    The primary factors causing high winds, waves, and flooding near 
the Atlantic Coast, Chesapeake Bay, and Great Lakes. Widespread river 
and localized flash flooding produced by synoptic and sub-synoptic 
scale weather systems interacting with the complex topography and 
expanding urbanization of the eastern United States.
    Innovative approaches to formulate, produce, display, and deliver 
high-resolution hydrometeorological forecasts and products to meet the 
evolving needs of the user community throughout the heavily populated 
eastern United States.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gary Carter, NOAA/NWS//Eastern Region 
Scientific Services Division, 516-524-5131, or on the Internet at 
[email protected].

NWS Western Region Service Needs/Priorities

    The science needs/priorities are based on Doppler weather 
surveillance radar (WSR-88D) measurements of convective and wintertime 
QPEs over complex terrain in the inter-mountain West area of the United 
States. In the arid inter-mountain West, water is a critical and 
closely managed resource. Complex terrain, the location of many NWS 
WSR-88D radars on mountain tops, and unique meteorological/orographic 
characteristics of western storms combine to limit the effectiveness of 
the current WSR-88D QPE algorithms. Proposals should be targeted at 
improving the capability of the WSR-88D to assist operational 
forecasters to: Make better summertime convective flash-flood warnings 
over inter-mountain West terrain.
    Provide improved WSR-88D-based winter season rain and snow QPEs. 
These WSR-88D based QPEs are very dependent on complex terrain.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andy Edman, NOAA/NWS/Western Region 
Scientific Services Division, 801-524-5131, or on the Internet at 
[email protected].

NWS Pacific Region Science Needs/Priorities

    The science needs/priorities of the NWS Pacific Region are as 
follows:
    Optimizing the utility of new observing systems, especially 
satellite observations over the Pacific. Conducting observational 
synoptic climatological studies. Helping develop and enhance 
operational and off-line mesoscale modeling studies and capabilities 
aimed at improving Pacific Region model support.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Jackson, NOAA/NWS/Pacific Region 
Regional Scientist, 808-532-6413, or on the Internet at 
[email protected].

NWS National Centers for Environmental Prediction Science Needs/
Priorities

    The individual centers of NCEP have established the following 
science needs/priorities which may be addressed in proposals:
Environmental Modeling Center
Atmospheric and ocean data assimilation.
Atmospheric and ocean numerical forecast modeling.
Hydrometerological Prediction Center
Ensemble models for PQPF.
Targeted observations for improvement of medium range forecasting(day 
3-7).
Marine Prediction Center
Objective marine verification using all in-situ and remote data 
sources.
Improved use of surface marine observations from all sources in data 
assimilation.
Climate Prediction Center
Improve monthly and seasonal precipitation skill scores.
Improve coupled model and associated ensemble runs.
Aviation Weather Center
Improve prediction of locally hazardous weather (e.g., sever 
convection, winter weather, etc.) that affect aviation.
Improve predictions of icing and turbulence.
Storm Prediction Center
Development of technology to remotely sense the detailed vertical 
distribution of moisture in the atmosphere.
Development of a relocatable mesoscale model which has detailed 
boundary layer physics for improvement in forecasting hail, wind gusts, 
etc.
Tropical Prediction Center
Improve hurricane-intensity and wind-structure forecasts. Continue 
improving hurricane track forecasts.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sondra Young, NOAA/NWS/National 
Centers for Environmental Prediction, 301-763-8000 ext. 7004, or on the 
Internet at [email protected].

[[Page 31191]]

Eligibility

    All accredited U.S. colleges and universities are eligible for 
funding under this announcement. The restriction is needed because the 
results of the collaboration are to be incorporated in academic 
processes which ensure academic multidisciplinary peer review as well 
as Federal review of scientific validity for use in operations. Funding 
for non-U.S. institutions is not available under this announcement.

Evaluation Criteria

    The evaluation criteria and weighting of the criteria are as 
follows:
    (1) Operational Applicability (30 percent): Importance and 
applicability of the proposed science activities to operational 
hydrometeorology. Are prospects good that the proposed science 
priorities can be transferred to weather forecast operations in a 
reasonable time frame?
    (2) Scientific Merit (30 percent): Intrinsic scientific value of 
the subject and the study proposed as they relate to the specific 
science priorities.
    (3) Experience of principal investigators collaborating and 
interacting with operational hydrometeorologists (20 percent): 
Principal investigators must clearly document past scientific 
collaborations with operational meteorologists.
    (4) Cost Effectiveness (10 percent): Ability of researchers to 
leverage other resources; high ratio of operationally useful results 
versus proposed costs.
    (5) Methodology (10 percent): Focused scientific objective and 
strategy, including data management considerations, project milestones, 
and timeliness; and final products.

Selection Procedures

    All proposals will be evaluated and individually ranked in 
accordance with the assigned weights of the above evaluation criteria 
by an independent peer panel review, three to seven NWS experts 
representing NWS Regions and Centers and non-Federal experts may be 
used in this process. Their recommendations and evaluations will be 
considered, along with the program policy factors discussed below, by 
the selecting official who will select the proposals to be funded and 
determine the amount of funds available for each proposal. 
Unsatisfactory performance by a recipient under prior Federal awards 
may result in an application not being considered for funding. Because 
the selecting official will take into account program policy factors, 
awards may not necessarily be made to the highest scored proposals.

Program Policy Factors

    In deciding which applications are to be funded, the Selecting 
Official will choose at least one award which addresses the Central 
Region science needs and at least one award which addresses the Eastern 
Region science needs. Further, the selecting official may take into 
account the need to spread awards geographically and among 
universities. While a university may submit more than one application, 
the selecting official may limit the awards to only one per university. 
Finally, the amount of funds available and whether an application 
substantially duplicates other projects currently approved for funding 
or funded by NOAA or other Federal agencies may be considered by the 
Selecting Official.

Proposal Submission

    The requirements for proposal preparation are provided below. 
Failure to follow these requirements will result in proposals being 
returned to the submitter.

Proposals

    (1) Proposals submitted to the NOAA NWS CSTAR Program must include 
the original and two unbound copies of the proposal.
    (2) Investigators are not required to submit more than three copies 
of the proposal. Investigators are encouraged to submit official 
proposal copies for the full review process if they wish all reviewers 
to receive color, unusually sized (not 8.5 x 11), or otherwise unusual 
materials submitted as part of the proposal. Only three copies of the 
federally required forms are needed.
    (3) Proposals are limited to 30 pages (numbered), including budget, 
investigators vitae, and all appendices and should be limited to 
funding requests for 1- to 3-year duration. Appended information may 
not be used to circumvent the page length limit. Federally mandated 
forms are not included within the page count.
    (4) Proposals should be sent to the NWS at the address listed 
earlier.
    (5) Facsimile transmissions and electronic mail submission of full 
proposals will not be accepted.
    Required Elements: All proposals should include the following 
elements:
    (1) Signed title page. The title page should be signed by the 
Principal Investigator (PI) and the institutional representative and 
should clearly indicate which project area is being addressed. The PI 
and institutional representative should be identified by full name, 
title, organization, telephone number, and address. The total amount of 
Federal funds being requested should be listed for each budget period.
    (2) Abstract: An abstract must be included and should contain an 
introduction of the problem, rationale, and a brief summary of work to 
be completed. The abstract should appear on a separate page, headed 
with the proposal title, institutions investigators, total proposed 
cost, and budget period.
    (3) Results from prior research. The results of related projects 
supported by NOAA and other agencies should be described, including 
their relation to the currently proposed work. Reference to each prior 
research award should include the title, agency, award number, PIs, 
period of award, and total award. The section should be a brief summary 
and should exceed two pages total.
    (4) Statement of work. The proposed project must be completely 
described, including identification of the problem, scientific 
objectives, proposed methodology, relevance to the priorities of the 
NWS Region or Center, and the program priorities listed above. Benefits 
of the proposed project to the general public and the scientific 
community should be discussed. A year-by-year summary of proposed work 
must be included. The statement of work, including references but 
excluding figures and other visual materials, must not exceed 15 pages 
of text. In general, proposals from three or more investigators may 
include a statement of work containing up to 15 pages of overall 
project description plus up to 5 additional pages for individual 
project descriptions.
    (5) Budget, Applicants must submit a Standard Form 424 
``Application for Federal Assistance,'' including a detailed budget 
using the Standard Form 424a, ``Budget Information--Non-Construction 
Programs.'' The form is included in the standard NOAA application kit. 
The proposal must include total and annual budgets corresponding with 
the descriptions provided in the statement of work. Additional text to 
justify expenses should be included as necessary.
    (6) Vitae. Abbreviated curriculum vitae are sought with each 
proposal. Reference lists should be limited to all publications in the 
last 3 years with up to five other relevant papers.
    (7) Current and pending support. For each investigator, submit a 
list which includes project title, supporting agency with grant number, 
investigator months, dollar value, and duration. Requested values 
should be listed for pending support.

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Other Requirements

    (1) Applicants may obtain a standard NOAA application kit from the 
NOAA Office of Grants Management. Primary applicant Certification--All 
primary applicants must submit a completed Form CD-511, ``Certification 
Regarding Debarment, Suspension, and Other Responsibility Matters; 
Drug-Free Workplace Requirements and Lobbying.'' Applicants are also 
hereby notified of the following:
    (2) Nonprocurement Debarment and Suspension. Prospective 
participants (as defined at 15 CFR 26.105) are subject to 15 CFR part 
26, ``Nonprocurement Debarment and Suspension,'' and the related 
section of the certification form prescribed above applies; to State 
and Local Governments, as applicable. Applications under this program 
are not subject to E.O. 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.''
    (3) All non-profit and for-profit applicants are subject to a name 
check review process. Name checks are intended to reveal whether 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.
    (4) 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.
    (5) No award of Federal funds shall be made to an applicant who has 
an outstanding delinquent Federal debt until either:
    (i) the delinquent account is paid in full,
    (ii) A negotiated repayment schedule is established and at least 
one payment is received, or
    (iii) Other arrangements satisfactory to DOC.
    (6) Buy American-Made Equipment or Products. Applicants who are 
authorized to purchase equipment or products with funding provided 
under this program are encouraged to purchase American-made equipment 
and products to the maximum extent feasible.
    (7) The total dollar amount of the indirect costs proposed in an 
application under this program must not exceed the indirect cost rate 
negotiated and approved by a cognizant Federal agency prior to the 
proposed effective date of the award.
    (8) Federal Policies and Procedures. Recipients and subrecipients 
are subject to all Federal laws and Federal and DOC policies, 
regulations, and procedures applicable to Federal financial assistance 
awards.
    (9) Pre-award Activities. If applicants incur any costs prior to an 
award being made, they do so solely at their own risk of not being 
reimbursed by the Government. Notwithstanding any verbal or written 
assurance that may have been received, there is no obligation on the 
part of DOC to cover pre-award costs.
    (10) 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.
    (11) 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.
    (12) 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.
    (13) 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 DOC. SF-LLL 
submitted by any tier recipient or subrecipient should be submitted to 
DOC in accordance with the instructions contained in the award 
document. If an application is selected for funding, the DOC has no 
obligation to provide any additional future funding in connection with 
the award. Renewal of an award to increase funding or extend the period 
of performance is at the total discretion of the DOC.
    In accordance with Federal statutes and regulations, no person on 
grounds of race, color, age, sex, national origin, or disability shall 
be excluded from participation in, denied benefits of, or be subjected 
to discrimination under any program or activity receiving financial 
assistance from the NOAA NWS. The NOAA NWS does not have a direct 
telephonic device for the deaf (TDD capabilities can be reached through 
the State of Maryland-supplied TDD contact number, 800-735-2258, 
between the hours of 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
    This notice contains collection-of-information requirements subject 
to the Paperwork Reduction Act. The standard application forms required 
to be used have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget 
under control numbers 0348-0043, 0348-0044, and 0348-0046. 
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person is required to 
respond to nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure to 
comply with a collection of information subject to the requirements of 
the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information 
displays a current valid OMB control number.

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 313; 49 U.S.C. 44720 (b); 33 U.S.C. 883d, 
883e; 15 U.S.C. 2904; 15 U.S.C. 2931 et seq. (CFDA No.11.468)--
Applied Meteorological Research.

    Classification: This notice has been determined to be not 
significant for purposes of E.O. 12866. The standard forms have been 
approved by the Office of Management and Budget pursuant to the 
Paperwork Reduction Act under OMB approval number 0348-0043, 0348-0044, 
and 0348-0046.

    Dated: June 7, 1999.
John J. Kelly, Jr.,
Assistant Administrator for Weather Services.
[FR Doc. 99-14783 Filed 6-9-99; 8:45 am]
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