[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 114 (Tuesday, June 13, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37118-37122]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-14856]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Docket No. 000531162-0168-02; I.D. 040400B]
RIN 0648-AN49


New England Fishery Management Council; Notice and Request for 
Sea Scallop Research Proposals

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of solicitation for applications.

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SUMMARY: NMFS issues this document to describe how you, the researcher, 
may be selected to perform sea scallop research projects funded by a 1-
percent set aside of the scallop total allowable catch (TAC) under 
Framework Adjustment 13 to the New England Fishery Management Council's 
(Council's) Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan (FMP) and 
Framework Adjustment 34 to the Council's Northeast Multispecies FMP 
(Frameworks 13/34) and how NOAA and the Council will determine whether 
to select your proposal. Framework 13/34 proposes to allow scallop 
vessels temporary access to the groundfish closed areas on Georges Bank 
and Nantucket Shoals to harvest sea scallops and will allow selected 
vessels to land scallops in excess of the trip limit or take additional 
trips and use the proceeds of the catch or additional trips to offset 
the costs of the research proposals submitted in response to this 
notification. Pending approval by NOAA, certain scallop vessels during 
the 2000 scallop fishing year will be allowed in Closed Area II, the 
Nantucket Lightship Area, and Closed Area I for periods of time to be 
specified in the final rule implementing the framework action. 
Frameworks 13 and 34, if approved by NOAA, would allow for three trips 
per vessel in Closed Area II, one trip per vessel in the Nantucket 
Lightship Area, and two trips per vessel in Closed Area I, unless 
modified by action taken by the Regional Administrator, Northeast 
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator).
    In anticipation of final approval of these framework adjustments, 
NOAA, in cooperation with the Council, is soliciting proposals for sea 
scallop research activities. Vessels participating in an approved 
project and fishing in the closed areas would be authorized by the 
Regional Administrator to take additional trips into the closed areas 
and/or to land scallops in excess of the 10,000-lb (4,536-kg) trip 
limit allowed for all closed area trips.

DATES: All research proposals to be conducted with TAC set aside funds 
from Closed Area II must be received between June 13, 2000 and no later 
than 5:00 p.m., local time, on June 28, 2000, in the office listed in 
the ADDRESSES section of this document. Postmarks will not be 
sufficient. Facsimile applications will not be accepted.
    For further information related to the timeframe for review and 
selection of proposals to be conducted with TAC set aside funds from 
Closed Area II and for information related to the TAC set aside for 
research proposals for Closed Area I and the Nantucket Lightship Closed 
Area, see Section A, Background, under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION of 
this document.

ADDRESSES: Proposals must be submitted to Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional 
Administrator, NMFS, Northeast Regional Office, 1 Blackburn Drive, 
Gloucester, MA 01930. Marked ``Attention--Sea Scallop Research 
Proposals.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patricia M. Fiorelli, New England 
Fishery Management Council, (978) 465-0492 or David Gouveia, National 
Marine Fisheries Service, (978) 281-9280.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

    All research proposals to be conducted with TAC set aside funds 
from Closed Area II must be received during the period identified in 
the DATES section of this document. Prior to selection, applications 
may be reviewed and evaluated by the Council at the request of NOAA and 
become subject to public review as part of an open public comment 
process at the Council meeting. If it is determined that the Council 
should evaluate the proposals in a public meeting, the Council 
anticipates that the review will occur on or about June 30, 2000. 
Subsequently, the Council will provide its recommendations to NOAA no 
later than July 7, 2000. Researchers may submit proposals for sea 
scallop research to be conducted with TAC set-aside funds from the 
Nantucket Lightship Closed Area and Closed Area I during the June 13, 
2000 to June 28, 2000 submission period; however, a second Request for 
Proposal will be published in the Federal Register concerning the 
harvest of research set aside scallops from these areas at a later 
date. All proposals received for TAC set-aside funds from the Nantucket 
Lightship Closed Area and Closed Area I will be kept on file and 
reviewed against other proposals received as a result of a future 
notice. Researchers may amend proposals submitted under this notice for 
TAC set-aside funds from the Nantucket Lightship Closed Area and Closed 
Area I during the request for proposal period specified in a future 
notice.
    The TAC set-aside for sea scallop research would total 191,000 lb 
(86,637.6 kg) of scallops and have an estimated value of $955,000. The 
TAC for the sea scallop research by area would be as follows: Closed 
Area II, 66,000 lb (29,937.6 kg); the Nantucket Lightship Area, 55,000 
lb (24,948 kg); and Closed Area I, 70,000 lb (31,752 kg).

B. Authority

    Issuing grants is consistent with Secs. 402(e), 303(b)(11), 304(e), 
and 404(c)

[[Page 37119]]

of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.

C. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA)

    11.454, Unallied Management Projects

D. Funding Instrument and Project Period

    We will award a grant through the NOAA grant award process to 
successful applicants. The project period for sea scallop research is 
June 15, 2000, through June 15, 2001.

E. Funding Availability

    No Federal funds are provided for sea scallop research under this 
notification. The Federal Government's contribution to the project will 
be a Letter of Authorization that will provide special fishing 
privileges in response to sea scallop research proposals selected to 
participate in this program. The Federal Government shall not be liable 
for any costs incurred in the conduct of the project. The funds 
generated from the additional landings authorized in the Letter of 
Authorization shall be used to cover the cost of the sea scallop 
research, including vessel costs, and to compensate vessel owners for 
expenses incurred. Therefore, the owner of each fishing vessel selected 
to land scallops in excess of the trip limit or from additional 
authorized trips must use the proceeds of the sale of the excess catch 
to compensate the researcher for costs associated with the research 
activities and use of the vessel. Any additional funds above the cost 
of the research activities (or excess program income) shall be retained 
by the vessel owner as compensation for the use of his/her vessel.

F. Scope of Sea Scallop Research

    Projects funded under the sea scallop TAC set aside program should 
enhance understanding of the scallop resource or contribute to the body 
of information on which management decisions are made. Sea scallop 
research may be conducted in or outside of a closed area, within or 
outside of the Sea Scallop Exemption Program timeframe, and onboard a 
fishing or other type of vessel. Sea scallop research conducted with 
these TAC set-aside funds also may or may not involve the harvest of 
scallops.
    Funds generated from the set-aside landings shall be used to cover 
the cost of the research activities, including vessel costs, and to 
compensate boats for expenses incurred during the collection of set-
aside scallops. For example, they could be used to pay for gear 
modifications, monitoring equipment, additional provisions (e.g., fuel, 
ice, food for scientists) or the salaries of research personnel. The 
Federal Government is not liable for any costs incurred by the 
researcher or vessel owner should the sale of the excess catch not 
fully reimburse the researcher or vessel owner for their expenses.

G. Eligibility Criteria

    All for-profit and non-profit institutions; state, local or tribal 
governments; educational institutions; institutions of higher 
education; and individuals are eligible to apply provided that all 
proposal requirements are satisfied and the proposal is received by the 
date specified in this notice.
    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, Hispanic Serving 
Institutions and Tribal Colleges and Universities in its educational 
and research programs. The DOC/NOAA vision, mission and goals are to 
achieve full participation by Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) 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.

H. Proposal Requirements

    Proposals must be submitted to NOAA and must identify the sea 
scallop research to be conducted and the total amount of scallops 
requested for the project, including their approximate cash value. 
Additionally, each proposal must identify the requirements for the 
participating vessel(s) that would make a closed area trip to collect 
the scallop set aside. The vessel selected by the applicant should be 
listed in the proposal, if possible, or specifically identified prior 
to final approval by NOAA. Proposals may request that the scallop set-
aside be collected separately from the sea scallop research trip or 
other related research trip. The separate sea scallop research 
compensation trips do not necessarily have to be conducted by the same 
vessel. The Council or NMFS contact person may provide assistance to 
researchers who are seeking vessels to participate in the collection of 
set aside scallops or directly in research projects. The Council or 
NMFS may publish a list of those vessel owners willing to participate 
through their respective homepages.
    The researcher's proposal must state the amount of funds required 
to support the research project, as well as the amount required to 
compensate the vessel owner either for the collection of set aside 
scallops or for participation in the research project, or both. The 
proposal must also include the agreement between the vessel owner and 
researcher that shows exactly how the research activity is to be paid 
for, if possible, or provided prior to final approval by NOAA.

I. Project Evaluation and Approval

    As stated earlier, applications may be reviewed and evaluated by 
the Council at the request of NOAA and become subject to public review 
as part of an open public comment process at the Council meeting. In 
the event that an application contains information or data which the 
applicant does not want disclosed prior to award for purposes other 
than the evaluation of the application, the applicant should mark each 
page containing such information or data with the words
    ``Privileged Information/Confidential/Commercial or Financial 
Information--Limited Use'' at the top of the page to assist NOAA in 
making disclosure determinations when submitting information to the 
Council for review. DOC regulations implementing the Freedom of 
Information Act (FOIA) are found at 15 CFR Part 4, ``Public 
Information,'' which sets forth rules for DOC to make requested 
materials, information, and records publicly available under the FOIA. 
To the extent permitted under the FOIA, the contents of applications 
and proposals submitted by successful applicants may be released in 
response to FOIA requests.

J. Project Funding Priorities

    Sea scallop research projects that identify and evaluate gear to 
reduce groundfish bycatch and habitat impacts and that provide improved 
information concerning scallop abundance estimates are considered high 
priority by the Council. Sea scallop research that involves evaluating 
the distribution, size composition, and density of scallops in the 
closed areas prior to the open periods also will be considered high 
priority. Other research needs are described in this section (not 
listed in order of priority) and also will be considered by the Council 
and NOAA.
    1. Evaluation of ways to control predation on scallops;

[[Page 37120]]

    2. Sea scallop research to actively manage spat collection and 
seeding;
    3. Social and economic impacts and consequences of closing areas to 
enhance productivity and improve yield for scallops and other species;
    4. High resolution surveys that include distribution, recruitment, 
mortality and growth rate information;
    5. Estimation of factors affecting fishing power for each limited 
access vessel;
    6. Demonstration projects to identify ways to reduce discard 
mortality, increase efficiency without increasing fishing power (e.g., 
decreasing processing time with sorters) and improve safety;
    7. Sea scallop research to identify scallop habitat and ecological 
relationships that affect reproduction, recruitment mortality and 
growth, including those enhanced/impeded by area closures;
    8. Quantification of fishing costs related to fishing in specific 
areas (e.g., fishing gear modification, steaming time, and opportunity 
cost);
    9. Experimental designs with control areas using alternative 
management strategies, such as area licensing and rotational closures 
(projects should include an analysis of yield improvement, habitat 
impacts and social impacts, including conflict resolution across 
fisheries);
    10. Identification of fishermen's perceptions about area-based 
management and alternative strategies;
    11. Processing and analyzing of data that will be collected or that 
have already been collected;
    12. Broader investigations of variability in dredging efficiency 
across habitats (substrates, current velocities, etc.) times, areas, 
and gear designs; and
    13. Sea scallop research that provides more detailed scallop life 
history information (especially on age-and-area specific natural 
mortality and growth) and to identify stock-recruitment relationships.

K. Evaluation Criteria

    Independent technical experts may be asked to participate in the 
evaluation process. Proposals will be evaluated based on the assigned 
score for each of the following criteria:
    1. A clear definition of the problem, need, issue or hypothesis to 
be addressed (10 points);
    2. A clear definition of the approach to be used, including 
theoretical studies, laboratory analyses, and/or field work (15 
points);
    3. Adequate justification as to how the project is likely to 
achieve its stated objectives (20 points);
    4. Identification of anticipated benefits, potential users and 
methods of disseminating results (10 points);
    5. Relevance of the project to the research needs identified by the 
Council (20 points);
    6. Demonstration of support, cooperation and/or collaboration with 
the fishing industry (15 points); and
    7. Cost-effectiveness of the project (10 points).

L. Selection Procedures

    If the Council participates in the selection process, the Council's 
Research Steering Committee will evaluate each research proposal based 
on the criteria identified in this notification and make 
recommendations for selection to the Council. The Council will then 
make its recommendations to the Regional Administrator based on the 
Research Steering Committee recommendations. NOAA must then consider 
the Council's recommendations, provide final approval of the projects 
and authorize selected vessel(s) to exceed the possession limit, take 
additional trips or be exempt from other regulations specified in the 
Sea Scallop FMP through written notification to the applicant. Because 
NOAA will take into account program policy factors such as time of year 
the research activities are to be conducted, administrative functions 
including evaluations of proposals through the Experimental Fishery 
Procedures contained in 50 CFR 600.745 and 648.12, and logistic 
concerns, projects may not be selected in the order recommended by the 
Council.
    If the Council does not participate in the evaluation of the 
proposals, NOAA will convene a review panel to evaluate the proposals 
using the same criteria and scoring process. Based on the 
recommendation of the members of this panel and program policy factors 
identified in this notification, NOAA would provide final approval and 
authorize vessels to participate in the sea scallop research projects. 
All sea scallop research must be conducted in accordance with 
provisions approved by NOAA and provided in a Letter of Authorization 
issued by NMFS.

M. Proposal Format

    Proposals should be limited to 6 pages, excluding item 5. The 
format may vary but must include:
    1. A project summary;
    2. A narrative project description to include: (a) Project goals 
and objectives; (b) the relationship of the proposed project to 
management needs or priorities identified by the New England Fishery 
Management Council; (c) a statement of work (project design and 
management--who is responsible, expected products, participants other 
than applicant); and (d) a summary of the existing state of knowledge 
related to project and contribution and relevance of the proposed work;
    3. A description of all funding sources (including revenues derived 
from the sale of scallops harvested under the research TAC set aside) 
and funding needs; this element of the proposal must include the amount 
of scallop TAC set aside requested and the expected funds to be 
generated by the sale of those scallops; also the expected percentage 
of funds to be allocated to the researcher and any involved fishing 
vessel;
    4. A budget that includes a breakdown of costs (permit costs, 
equipment, supplies, overhead); applicants must submit a Standard Form 
424 ``Application for Federal Assistance'' including a detailed budget 
using Standard Form 424A, ``Budget Information-- Non-Construction 
Programs,'' Standard Form 424B, ``Assurances--Non-Construction 
Programs,'' and Commerce Department Form CD-511, ``Certifications 
Regarding Debarment, Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters: Drug 
Free Workplace Requirements and Lobbying.'' Copies of these Standard 
Forms may be found on the Internet in a PDF (Portable Document Format) 
version at http://www.whitehouse.gov/OMB/grants/index.html under the 
title ``Grants Management Forms,'' or by contacting the New England 
Fishery Management Council office; and
    5. Supporting documents (resumes, cooperative research agreements, 
contracts, etc.).

N. Final Reports

    NOAA or the Council will require project researchers to submit an 
interim and/or final report describing their research project results, 
or other acceptable deliverable(s), in a timeframe that is specific to 
the type of research conducted. The format of the final report may 
vary, but must contain:
    1. A brief summary of the final report;
    2. A description of the issue/problem that was addressed;
    3. A detailed description of methods of data collection and 
analyses;
    4. A discussion of results and any relevant conclusions presented 
in a format that is understandable to a non-technical audience; this 
should include benefits and/or contributions to management decision-
making;
    5. A list of entities, firms or organizations that actually 
performed

[[Page 37121]]

the work and a description of how that was accomplished; and
    6. A detailed final accounting of all funds used to conduct sea 
scallop research, and including those provided through the research 
set-aside. The financial information must be submitted on Office of 
Management and Budget Standard Form-269. Copies of this Standard Form 
may be found on the Internet in a PDF (Portable Document Format) 
version at http://www.whitehouse.gov/OMB/grants/index.html under the 
title AGrants Management Forms,@ or by contacting the New England 
Fishery Management Council office.

O. Other Requirements

    Evaluations of the impacts of sea scallop research, which involve 
exemptions to the current fishing regulations, other than those stated 
in Sea Scallop FMP, will be made by NMFS. Vessels conducting certain 
types of sea scallop research requiring relief from fishery regulations 
may be required to obtain an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP). To apply 
for an EFP, interested parties must submit an application to NMFS at 
least 60 days before the effective date of the EFP. Additional time 
could be necessary for NMFS to make a determination about the need for 
an Environmental Assessment. If required, preparation of this document 
may be the responsibility of the researcher.

P. Other Requirements of Recipients

1. 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.

2. Past Performance

    Unsatisfactory performance under prior Federal awards may result in 
a proposal not being selected.

3. Delinquent Federal Debt

    A proposal submitted by an applicant who has an outstanding 
delinquent Federal debt is not eligible for selection 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.

4. Name Check Review

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

5. Primary Applicant Certifications

    All primary applicants must submit a completed Form CD-511, 
``Certifications Regarding Debarment, Suspension and Other 
Responsibility Matters; Drug-Free Workplace Requirements and 
Lobbying,'' and the following explanations are hereby provided:
    i. Nonprocurement Debarment and Suspension. Prospective 
participants (as defined 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;
    ii. Drug-Free Workplace. Grantees (as defined at 15 CFR 26.605) are 
subject to 15 CFR part 26, subpart F, ``Governmentwide Requirements for 
Drug-Free Workplace (Grants)'' and the related section of the 
certification form prescribed above applies;
    iii. Anti-Lobbying. Persons (as defined at 15 CFR 28.105) 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; and
    iv. Anti-Lobbying Disclosures. Any applicant that has paid or will 
pay for lobbying using any funds must submit an SF-LLL, ``Disclosure of 
Lobbying Activities,'' as required under 15 CFR part 28, appendix B.

6. 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.

7. False Statements

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

8. Preaward Activities

    If you incur any costs prior to receiving an award agreement signed 
by an authorized NOAA official, you do so solely at your own risk of 
these costs not being included under the award. Notwithstanding any 
verbal or written assurance that you may have received, preaward costs 
are not allowed under the award unless the grants officer approves them 
in accordance with 15 CFR 14.28.

9. Future Awards

    If we select your application to perform sea scallop research to be 
conducted with the scallop TAC set aside, we have no obligation to 
provide any additional TAC set-aside obligations in connection with 
that award.

Classification

    Prior notice and opportunity for public comments are not required 
by the Administrative Procedure Act or any other law for this notice 
concerning grants, benefits, and contracts.
    Because a general notice of proposed rulemaking as specified in 5 
U.S.C. 533, or any other law, was not required for this action, the 
analytical requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601 
et seq., are not applicable.
    This document contains collection of information requirements 
subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). The standard application 
forms have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
under control numbers 0348-0043 and 0348-0044. 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 PRA, unless that collection 
displays a currently valid OMB control number.
    Applications under this program are subject to Executive Order 
12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.''
    This action has been determined to be not significant for purposes 
of E.O. 12866.

[[Page 37122]]


    Dated: June 7, 2000.
William Fox,
Acting Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-14856 Filed 6-8-00; 2:59 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F