[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 227 (Friday, November 26, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66454-66457]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-30721]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[Docket No. 991028291-9291-01]
RIN 0648-ZA75


Office of Research and Applications Ocean Remote Sensing Program; 
Notice of Financial Assistance

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 
National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service 
(NESDIS).

ACTION: Notice of availability of Federal assistance.

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SUMMARY: The NESDIS Office of Research and Applications (ORA) announces 
the availability of Federal assistance for fiscal year 2000 (FY 2000) 
in the Ocean Remote Sensing Program area. This announcement provides 
details on the technical program, and includes detailed guidelines on 
proposal submission, evaluation criteria and selection procedures. 
Selected recipients will either receive a grant, or enter into a 
cooperative agreement with ORA, depending upon the amount of the 
Office's involvement in the project. A project will be considered a 
grant where the proposed work is considered substantially independent 
work. A cooperative agreement will be considered where there is 
substantial involvement by the Office in the proposed work.
    All applicants are required to submit a NOAA Grants Application 
Package and project proposal. The standard NOAA Grants Application 
Package (which includes Forms SF-424, SF-424A, SF-424B, SF-424C, SF-
424D, CD-511, CD-512, and SF-LLL) can be obtained from the NOAA Grants 
Website at http://www.rdc.noaa.gov /grants/pdf/. If 
Internet access is not available, a Grants Package can be obtained by 
mail by contacting the NOAA/NESDIS/ORA at (301) 763-8127. Funding for 
this program area in FY 2000 will be contingent upon the availability 
of funds but is anticipated to be in the range of $100,000 to $500,000. 
Individual awards are expected to range from a minimum of $50,000 to 
$150,000 on an annual basis. Successful proposals that are deemed to be 
exceptionally meritorious by the Selection Panel may be larger. There 
is no guarantee that all the areas of research interest identified in 
this Notice will be able to receive funding consideration.
    Pursuant to Executive Orders 12876, 12900, and 13021, the 
Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
(DOC/NOAA) is strongly committed to broadening the participation of 
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), Hispanic Serving 
Institutions (HSI), and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCU) in its 
educational and research programs. The DOC/NOAA vision, mission, and 
goals are to achieve full participation by Minority Serving 
Institutions (MSI) in order to advance the development of human 
potential, to strengthen the nation's capacity to provide high-quality 
education, and to increase opportunities for MSIs to participate in and 
benefit from Federal Financial Assistance programs. DOC/NOAA encourages 
all applicants to include meaningful participation of MSIs.

DATES: Proposals with completed Grants Applications Package must be 
received by ORA no later than 5:00 p.m. EST on January 17, 2000. Final 
selection is anticipated to be completed by approximately March 3, 
2000. The earliest anticipated start date is June 1, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Send all proposals to the Office of Research and 
Applications; NOAA/NESDIS; 5200 Auth Road; Room 701; Camp Springs, MD 
20746-4304. Proposals should cite this Notice and be sent to the 
attention of Dr. H. Lee Dantzler, Jr., Chief, Oceanic Research and 
Applications Division.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Administrative questions should be 
directed to Kathy LeFevre, (301) 763-8127 or [email protected]. 
Technical point of contact is Dr. H. Lee Dantzler, Jr. at (301) 763-
8184 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Authority: Statutory authority for these programs is provided 
under 33 U.S.C. 1442 (Research program respecting possible long-
range effects of pollution, overfishing, and man-induced changes of 
ocean ecosystems); 15 U.S.C. (Cooperative Agreements); and 49 U.S.C. 
44720 (Meteorological Services).

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA)

    This program is listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic 
Assistance under Number 11.440 (Research in Remote Sensing of the 
Earth and Environment).

General Information

    Environmental prediction, assessment and the conservation and 
management of coastal and oceanic resources are primary functions of 
NOAA. NESDIS, one of the five principal Offices within NOAA, is the 
world's largest civil, operational environmental space organization and 
operates the Nation's civil geostationary and polar-orbiting 
environmental satellites. NESDIS also facilitates the acquisition of 
non-U.S. environmental satellite data through international agreements. 
Satellite systems provide data and information that are critical to 
weather forecasting; natural disaster response and mitigation; climate 
change forecasts and research; living and non-living marine resources 
management; and coastal and open oceanographic research. ORA provides 
overall guidance and direction to the oceanic, atmospheric and climate 
research and applications activities of NESDIS. The Ocean Remote 
Sensing Program, managed by ORA's Oceanic Research and Applications 
Division, has as its goal to help build capabilities nationwide to make 
expanded and improved use of earth-orbiting satellite data and 
information. The Program has particular interest in activities relating 
to sustaining healthy coasts, building sustainable fisheries, 
recovering protected species, providing improved environmental 
forecasts, and preparing for future NOAA operational satellite 
missions.

Program Description

    The Ocean Remote Sensing Program seeks to expand the use of and 
improve access to operational satellite oceanographic data by state, 
Federal, regional governmental and non-profit entity users. The program 
is seeking proposals in each of the following research areas listed in 
approximate priority order: (1) The application of satellite 
oceanographic data and information in coastal and oceanic marine 
(living and non-living) resources management; (2) The application of 
satellite oceanographic data to gain improved insight on regional 
oceanographic factors affecting important fisheries and critical 
ecosystems (e.g., essential fish habitat, early life recruitment and 
survival, stock assessment, protected species, important socio-economic 
interactions, and coral reefs); (3) Innovative techniques to simplify 
and improve access to satellite oceanographic data by public users 
(e.g., access by educators, by users employing geographic information 
systems (GIS) technologies, and by users employing Internet-based

[[Page 66455]]

data access and data distribution technologies); (4) Research to 
increase the accuracy, precision and quantitative use of satellite 
oceanographic data in coastal and ocean surface research investigations 
(e.g., sea surface temperature, ocean color, ocean surface winds, sea 
level and surface height, and sea surface roughness derived from 
spaceborne synthetic aperture radar); (5) Research supporting the 
development of future ocean sensing capable U.S. satellite systems 
(e.g., the National Polar-Orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite 
System (NPOESS)); and (6) Improved coastal and oceanic climatologies 
using satellite oceanographic data. All proposals will be evaluated in 
the context of the potential value of the proposed work to a targeted 
user community (to be identified in the proposal), and the relationship 
of the proposed work to the NOAA/NESDIS mission (as described in the 
``General Information'' section of this Notice).

Background

    ORA provides overall guidance and direction to the research and 
application activities of NESDIS. ORA provides expert service to other 
NESDIS Offices and Centers relating to satellite sensor development, 
instrument performance, and systems hardware components. It coordinates 
with other NESDIS Offices and Centers, appropriate NOAA units, and U.S. 
Government agencies in the implementation and evaluation of operational 
and research satellite data and products that result from research 
activities. It coordinates research activities of mutual interest with 
the academic community, NASA laboratories, and with foreign 
organizations, particularly those in satellite operating countries. ORA 
provides advice to the Assistant Administrator concerning interfaces 
among the Centers and Offices of NESDIS and among the major NOAA 
elements in relation to broad scale scientific projects. It also 
produces and provides specific programmatic studies, statistics, and 
scientific recommendations as needed.

Project Proposals

    Project proposals must be received by ORA by the time and date 
indicated in the ``DATES'' section of this Notice. Proposals received 
after that time and date will not receive consideration. In addition to 
the information requested below, the offeror must submit a complete 
NOAA grants application package (with signed originals). All project 
proposals must include the sections identified below and total no more 
than eight pages (excluding title page and any appendices) in double-
spaced, 12-point font format. Multi-year proposals, in annual 
increments up to a maximum of three years, will be considered; however, 
funding beyond the first year will be dependent upon satisfactory 
performance and the continued availability of funds.
    1. Title page--The title page shall provide the project's title, 
the lead Principal Investigator (PI) name(s), Partner name(s) if any, 
the respective affiliations, complete addresses, telephone, FAX, and e-
mail information. The title page will also present the total proposed 
cost, the proposed budget period, and a brief abstract of the proposed 
work. The title page shall also identify the specific research area of 
interest (from those listed by number in the ``Program Description'' in 
this Notice), and clearly identify that the proposal is in response to 
this Notice. The title page should be signed by the PI(s) and the 
institutional representative of the PI's organization.
    2. Goals and Objectives--Identify broad project goals and 
quantifiable objectives.
    3. Background/Introduction--State the problem and summarize 
existing efforts in the context of present knowledge and/or 
capabilities.
    4. User Application Audience--Describe specifics of how the project 
will contribute to improving or resolving an issue with an identified 
primary target audience. The target audience must be explicitly stated.
    5. Project Description/Methodology--Describe the specifics of the 
proposed project (3 pages maximum).
    6. Project Partners--Identify any project partners, their 
respective roles, and their contributions/relationships to the proposed 
effort.
    7. Milestones and Outcomes--List target milestones, time lines, and 
desired outcomes. The potential value of the proposed work to the 
identified target audience's needs should be identified in this section 
of the proposal.
    8. Project Budget--Provide a detailed budget breakdown by category 
(and in multi-year proposed efforts, by year) and a brief narrative to 
provide the basis for the proposed budget.

Selection Process

    A project selection panel will be convened to review and to provide 
recommendations on selection using the criteria published in these 
guidelines. Each proposal will be reviewed by at least three reviewers 
who are qualified to review the proposed work. These reviewers may 
include both Federal and non-Federal individuals. Individuals in the 
Oceanic Research and Applications Division, however, will be excluded 
from participating in the review process. Proposals will be ranked 
according to a score (explained below) and presented to the Selecting 
Official (the Chief, Oceanic Research and Applications Division) for 
final selection. In addition to the individual proposal rankings 
assigned by the panel, the Selecting Official may consider program 
policy factors such as balance among the prioritized research areas of 
programmatic interest described in the ``Program Description'' section 
of this Notice, and (for cooperative agreements that have substantial 
ORA involvement) geographic location in making a final decision.

Selection Criteria (With Weights)

    All proposals will be scored using the following criteria:
1. Relevance of the Proposed Research to NESDIS and NOAA Missions (30 
Points)
    Does the proposed project (directly or indirectly) address a 
critical need? Are the project goals and objectives clear and concise? 
Does the proposed project have a clearly defined user audience? Are 
there direct ties to relevant NESDIS, NOAA, Federal, regional, state or 
local activities?
2. Technical Merit (25 Points)
    Is the approach technically sound? Does the proposed project build 
on existing knowledge? Is the approach innovative?
3. Applicability and Effectiveness (25 Points)
    Does the proposed work have the potential of increasing the 
accessibility, usability (i.e., easily understood and used), and 
relevance of satellite observed oceanographic data and information by 
the identified target user community? Does the proposed work provide 
for flexible, early and effective opportunities for user involvement 
(e.g., through cooperative experiments, demonstrations, or user 
evaluations)? Does the proposed work have the potential for long-term 
(lasting) value and widespread applicability? Does the proposed work 
include an effective mechanism by which the project's progress can be 
evaluated?
4. Cost Efficiency (15 Points)
    Is the budget realistic and commensurate with the project needs?

[[Page 66456]]

5. Overall Qualifications (5 Points)
    Are the proposers capable of conducting a project of the scope and 
scale proposed (i.e., scientific, professional, facility, and 
administrative resources/capabilities)? Are appropriate partnerships 
going to be employed to achieve the highest quality content and maximal 
efficiency?

Selection Schedule

    Proposals submitted in response to this Notice will be reviewed 
once during the year according to the following schedule:

Proposals due--January 17, 2000
Final Selection--Approximately March 3, 2000
Grant start date--Approximately June 1, 2000

    Note: All deadlines are for receipt by ORA no later than 5:00 
p.m. EST on the due date identified. All applicants are required to 
submit one original and two complete paper copies of (1) the signed 
completed proposal; and, (2) the completed and signed NOAA Grants 
Application Package. The Grants Application Package may be accessed 
on-line from the NOAA Grants Home Page at http://www.rdc.noaa.gov/
grants/index/html. Paper copies of this Notice and of the NOAA 
Grants Package can be obtained by mail by calling Kathy LeFevre at 
(301) 763-8127.

Funding Availability

    Specific funding available for awards in response to this Notice 
will be finalized after the NOAA budget for FY 2000 is authorized. 
Total funding available for this Notice is anticipated to be between 
$100,000 and $500,000. Individual awards are expected to range from a 
minimum of $50,000 to $150,000 on an annual basis. Successful proposals 
that are deemed by the selection panel to be exceptionally meritorious 
may be larger. There is no guarantee that sufficient funds will be 
available to make awards for all approved projects, nor that all 
research areas of interest will be supported. Publication of this 
Notice does not obligate NOAA toward any specific grant or cooperative 
agreement or to obligate all or any parts of the available funds.

Cost Sharing

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

Eligibility Criteria

    Applications for grants or cooperative agreements under this 
program announcement may be submitted in accordance with the procedures 
set forth in these specific guidelines by any U.S. state, territory, 
commonwealth, local or regional resource management agency; college or 
university; private industry; nonprofit organization; or cooperative 
research unit. Federal agencies or institutions are not eligible to 
receive Federal assistance under this Notice, but may be included as a 
participating partner(s) in the proposed work.

General Information for All Programs

Indirect Costs

    The total dollar amount of the indirect costs proposed in an 
application under this program must not exceed the current indirect 
cost rate negotiated and approved by the applicant's cognizant Federal 
agency (prior to the proposed effective date of the award), or 25 
percent of the total proposed direct costs dollar amount in the 
application, whichever is less.

Federal Policies and Procedures

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

Name Check Review

    All non-profit and for-profit applicants are subject to a name 
check review process. Name checks are intended to reveal if any key 
individuals associated with the recipient have been convicted of, or 
are presently facing, criminal charges such as fraud, theft, perjury, 
or other matters that significantly reflect on the recipient's 
management, honesty, or financial integrity.

Past Performance

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

Pre-Award Activities

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

No Obligation for Future Funding

    If the application is selected for funding, DOC has no obligation 
to provide any additional future funding in connection with that award. 
Renewal of an award to increase funding or extend the period of 
performance is at the total discretion of DOC.

Delinquent Federal Debts

    No award or Federal Funds shall be made to an applicant who has an 
outstanding delinquent Federal debt until either:
    (i) The delinquent account is paid in full,
    (ii) A negotiated repayment schedule is established and at least 
one payment is received, or
    (iii) Other arrangements satisfactory to DOC are made.

Primary Applicant Certifications

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

Non-Procurement Debarment and Suspension

    Prospective participants (as defined at 15 CFR part 26, Section 
105) are subject to 15 CFR part 26, ``Nonprocurement Debarment and 
Suspension'' and the related section of the certification form 
prescribed above applies.

Drug-Free Workplace

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

Anti-Lobbying

    Persons (as defined at 15 CFR part 28, Section 105) are subject to 
the lobbying provisions of 31 U.S.C. 1352, ``Limitation on use of 
appropriated funds to influence certain Federal contracting and 
financial transactions,'' and the lobbying section of the certification 
form prescribed above applies to application/bids for grants, 
cooperative agreements, and contracts for more than $100,000, and loans 
and loan guarantees for more than $150,000, or the single family 
maximum mortgage limit for affected programs, whichever is greater.

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.

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Lower-Tier Certifications

    Recipients shall require applicants/bidders for sub-grants, 
contracts, subcontracts, or other lower-tier-covered transactions at 
any tier under the award to submit, if applicable, a completed Form CD-
512, ``Certifications Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility 
and Voluntary Exclusion-Lower Tier Covered Transactions and Lobbying'' 
and disclosure form, SF-LLL, ``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities.'' 
Form CD-512 is intended for the use of recipients and should not be 
transmitted to DOC. SF-LLL submitted by any tier recipient or sub-
recipient should be submitted to DOC in accordance with the 
instructions contained in the award document.

False Statements

    A false statement on an application is grounds for denial or 
termination of funds and grounds for possible punishment by a fine or 
imprisonment as provided in 18 U.S.C. 1001.

Intergovernmental Review

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

Buy American-Made Equipment or Products

    Applicants are hereby notified that they will be encouraged, to the 
greatest extent practicable, to purchase American-made equipment and 
products with funding provided under this program in accordance with 
Congressional intent.

Classification

Executive Order 12866
    This action has been determined to be not significant for purposes 
of Executive Order 12866.
    Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person is required 
to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to, a penalty for failure 
to comply with a collection of information subject to the requirements 
of the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) unless that collection of 
information displays a currently valid OMB control number. This notice 
contains a collection of information requirements subject to the 
Paperwork Reduction Act. The use of Standards Forms 424, 424A, 424B, 
424C, 424D, SF-LLL and the name check form have been approved by OMB 
under the respective control numbers 0328-0043, 0348-0044, 0348-0040, 
0348-0041, 0348-0042, 0348-0046 and 0651-0001.

Mary M. Glackin,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Satellite and Information Services.
[FR Doc. 99-30721 Filed 11-24-99; 8:45 am]
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