[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 188 (Wednesday, September 27, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58058-58060]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-24811]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


Office of Science; Office of Science Financial Assistance Program 
Notice 00-21: Bioremediation and Its Societal Implications and Concerns 
(BASIC) Research Program

AGENCY: U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

ACTION: Notice inviting grant applications.

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SUMMARY: The Office of Biological and Environmental Research (OBER) of 
the Office of Science (SC), U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) hereby 
announces its interest in receiving applications for research grants in 
Bioremediation and its Societal Implications and Concerns (BASIC). 
BASIC is a key element of the Natural and Accelerated Bioremediation 
Research (NABIR) program that provides the fundamental science 
underlying bioremediation of radionuclides and metals in subsurface 
environments at DOE sites. Research is encouraged that identifies 
critical societal, cultural, legal, policy, regulatory or other issues 
that could enhance or complicate the development and utilization of 
bioremediation methods or approaches. Educational activities that 
enhance the dialogue among scientists, regulators and community members 
about plausible implementation of bioremediation of radionuclides and 
metals are also being sought. Partnerships between social scientists 
and physical/biological scientists in the development of BASIC projects 
are strongly encouraged.

DATES: Researchers are strongly encouraged to submit a pre-application 
for programmatic review. Early submission of pre-applications is 
encouraged, to allow time for review for programmatic relevance. The 
deadline for receipt of pre-applications is November 6, 2000. A brief 
pre-application should consist of one or two pages of narrative 
describing the research objectives and methods.
    The deadline for receipt of formal applications is 4:30 p.m., 
E.S.T., December 21, 2000 to be accepted for merit review and to permit 
timely consideration for award in Fiscal Year 2001 or in early Fiscal 
Year 2002. An original and seven copies of the application must be 
submitted; however, applicants are requested not to submit applications 
using more than one delivery or mail service.

ADDRESSES: If submitting a pre-application, it should reference Program 
Notice 00-21, and may be sent by e-mail to: 
[email protected]. Hard copies can be sent to Daniel Drell, 
Ph.D., Life Sciences Division, SC-72/GTN, Office of Biological and 
Environmental Research, Office of Science, U.S. Department of Energy, 
19901 Germantown Road, Germantown, MD 20874-1290.
    Formal applications referencing Program Notice 00-21 on the cover 
page must be forwarded to: U.S. Department of Energy, Office of 
Science, Grants and Contracts Division, SC-64, 19901 Germantown Road, 
Germantown, MD 20874-1290, ATTN: Program Notice 00-21. This address 
must also be used when submitting applications by U.S. Postal Service 
Express Mail or any other commercial overnight delivery service, or 
when hand-carried by the applicant.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Daniel Drell, Life Sciences 
Division, SC-72, Office of Biological and Environmental Research, 
Office of Science, U.S. Department of Energy, 19901 Germantown Road, 
Germantown, MD 20874-1290, telephone: (301) 903-4742, e-mail: 
[email protected], fax: (301) 903-8521. The full text of 
Program Notice 00-21 is available via the World Wide Web at the 
following address: http://www.sc.doe.gov/production/grants/grants.html.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Approximately 50 years of U.S. production of 
nuclear weapons have left a legacy of radioactive, chemical and other 
hazardous waste at DOE sites. Much of this legacy consists of mixtures 
of these waste components. Cleanup or stabilization of contaminated 
sites using conventional technologies such as

[[Page 58059]]

landfilling, vitrification or incineration carries a very high price 
tag, estimated to be in excess of $100 billion. This high cost has 
sparked interest in the development of innovative and potentially cost-
saving technologies such as bioremediation. Bioremediation of metals 
and radionuclides involves the use of microorganisms to remove these 
contaminants from the aqueous phase by precipitation or complexation, 
thus reducing the risk to humans and the environment. Such approaches 
may involve stabilizing the radionuclides and metals by immobilizing 
them in place, and long-term stewardship to ensure that they are not 
re-mobilized over time.
    The Natural and Accelerated Bioremediation Research (NABIR) Program 
provides the fundamental science to serve as the basis for development 
of cost-effective bioremediation of radionuclides and metals in 
subsurface environments at DOE sites. NABIR research encompasses both 
intrinsic bioremediation by naturally occurring microbial communities, 
as well as accelerated bioremediation through the use of nutrient 
amendments or addition of microorganisms. At present, the program is 
exploring the use of naturally occurring microorganisms as amendments; 
however, genetically engineered microorganisms may also be considered 
in the future. The program consists of seven interrelated scientific 
research elements (Biogeochemical Dynamics, Biotransformation, 
Community Dynamics and Microbial Ecology, Assessment, Biomolecular 
Science and Engineering, Bacterial Transport, and Systems Integration/
Data Management). A Field Research Center (FRC) for NABIR research has 
recently been established in Bear Creek Valley near the Y-12 site at 
the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The FRC 
provides an area containing both contaminated and uncontaminated 
subsurface environments for performing field-scale, hypothesis-driven 
research and for collecting field samples for laboratory based studies. 
Additional information about NABIR and the Field Research Center may be 
found on the NABIR homepage: http://www.lbl.gov/NABIR or on the FRC 
homepage: http://www.esd.ornl.gov/BCV-FieldSite.
    The NABIR program also includes an element addressing educational, 
legal and societal issues of bioremediation called Bioremediation and 
its Societal Implications and Concerns (BASIC) which is the subject of 
this solicitation. The BASIC element is directed at defining and 
understanding the societal implications of implementing in situ 
bioremediation approaches for metals and radionuclides. Stabilization 
of radionuclides and metals in place through biologically mediated 
immobilization is a bioremediation approach under investigation by 
NABIR researchers. Such an approach, however, necessitates long term 
stewardship to ensure the contaminants remain immobilized. Communities 
and other stakeholders may have concerns regarding this potential 
bioremediation strategy. The introduction of non-native microorganisms 
or the manipulation of the environment to change its microbial 
composition or chemical characteristics may raise concerns among those 
who live or work nearby. Even the reintroduction of native 
microorganisms into their natural environment can raise concerns. 
Although it might be many years before genetically engineered 
microorganisms may be considered for limited release to clean up DOE 
sites, it is wise to begin now to consider some of the issues involved. 
It is a fundamental principle of the NABIR program that stakeholders 
associated with affected communities must be involved in any 
discussions about the possible use of novel approaches and/or processes 
to remediate a contaminated site and that identifying issues of 
potential concern to stakeholders should be done well in advance of any 
possible deployment decisions.
    DOE seeks applications for research to investigate societal issues 
and to inform stakeholders and the general public on bioremediation 
issues related to NABIR. Applications should address effective ways to:
    (1) Define the societal, legal, ethical, cultural and regulatory 
concerns associated with plausible application of in situ 
bioremediation of radionuclides and metals. Concerns to be addressed 
might include: (1) Introduction of chemical additives to the subsurface 
to enhance immobilization of radionuclides or metals and to reduce 
risk; (2) introduction of naturally occurring but non-indigenous 
microorganisms to enhance bioremediation; (3) introduction of 
genetically engineered microorganisms to stabilize radionuclides and 
metals at contaminated sites; and (4) public attitudes toward long term 
stewardship for sites where radionuclides and metals are left in place 
in an immobile, biologically unavailable form, following 
bioremediation. Research and conferences are encouraged that identify 
critical regulatory, policy, societal, legal and other issues that 
could enhance or complicate the development and plausible 
implementation of NABIR bioremediation approaches or methods. 
Partnerships between social scientists and physical/biological 
scientists in the development of BASIC projects are strongly 
encouraged.
    (2) Develop and promote greater understanding of the science and 
societal implications of bioremediation. DOE solicits applications for 
the preparation and dissemination of educational materials, in any 
appropriate medium, that will enhance understanding of the scientific 
as well as the societal aspects of bioremediation among the general 
public or specified groups. Educational efforts that target specific 
groups should include a detailed description of the relationship 
between NABIR and that group or community in addition to assessment 
measures for determining the effectiveness of the educational effort. 
DOE also encourages applications for the support of conferences 
focusing on the legal and societal implications of NABIR.
    Applicants should demonstrate their knowledge of any relevant 
literature and should include detailed plans for the gathering and 
analysis of factual information and its societal implications. 
Applicants are encouraged to make use of NABIR relevant activities or 
field sites, such as the DOE Field Research Center at the Oak Ridge 
National Laboratory, where bioremediation experiments are planned or 
underway. All research applications should address the issue of 
efficient dissemination of results to the widest appropriate audience; 
free availability via the World Wide Web is strongly encouraged, where 
appropriate. Examples of possible BASIC research topics include, but 
are not limited to:
    Cultural risks and concerns about bioremediation--Applications are 
sought to identify and explore cultural concerns relating to 
bioremediation and its possible implementation. Of particular interest 
is understanding the potential impacts of bioremediation. Would 
bioremediation be viewed in a positive or negative way in light of its 
impact on, and potential future uses of, the land? If so, what are the 
cultural bases for these views? What are the cultural positions or 
attitudes on the potential need for long term stewardship of sites, 
where contaminants are stabilized, and what are its impacts? What 
variation can be described in attitudes towards the risks that might be 
associated with the use of bioremediation?
    Legal issues--Research should address the potential legal issues 
surrounding the use of naturally occurring or genetically engineered

[[Page 58060]]

microorganisms for in situ bioremediation of radionuclides and metals. 
Such issues might include intellectual property rights, community 
consent for the use of bioremediation strategies, and adjudication 
scenarios involving controversies over the use of bioremediation. 
Potential legal issues involving the need for long term stewardship of 
sites where contaminants have been stabilized are of special interest. 
Also, while risk assessments are not a subject of this solicitation, 
legal perspectives on the implications of potential bioremediation 
strategies compared to other strategies could be explored.
    Education of stakeholders and the general public on 
bioremediation--Educational activities that promote interactions and 
communications between NABIR scientists and involved stakeholders, as 
well as enhance the knowledge base of scientists, regulators and 
community members are strongly encouraged. Of particular interest are 
communities adjacent to DOE sites. Relevant activities could include 
(1) the development, deployment and implementation of educational 
curriculum units on bioremediation and its implications; (2) the 
development of educational materials using diverse media; or (3) the 
sponsoring of educational forums bringing together bioremediation 
scientists, stakeholders, and members of other interested communities 
(e.g., judges, regulators, etc.). Applications in response to this 
element of this solicitation should include discussion of dissemination 
plans as well as ways to assess the impact of the proposed educational 
activities on the targeted group following completion of the grant 
period.

Program Funding

    It is anticipated that up to $500,000 per year will be available 
for multiple awards to be made in late FY 2001 and early FY 2002 in the 
categories described above, contingent on availability of appropriated 
funds. Applications may request project support up to three years, with 
out-year support contingent on availability of funds, progress of the 
research and programmatic needs. Annual budgets for projects in the 
BASIC Program are expected to range from $50,000 to $200,000 total 
costs. DOE may encourage collaboration among prospective investigators 
to promote joint applications or joint research projects by using 
information obtained through the preliminary applications or through 
other forms of communication.

Merit Review

    Applications will be subjected to formal merit review (peer review) 
and will be evaluated against the following evaluation criteria, which 
are listed in descending order of importance codified at 10 CFR 
605.10(d):
    1. Scientific and/or Technical Merit of the Project;
    2. Appropriateness of the Proposed Method or Approach;
    3. Competency of Applicant's personnel and Adequacy of Proposed 
Resources;
    4. Reasonableness and Appropriateness of the Proposed Budget.
    Also, as part of the evaluation, program policy factors become a 
selection priority. External peer reviewers are selected with regard to 
both their scientific expertise and the absence of conflict-of-interest 
issues. Non-federal reviewers will often be used, and submission of an 
application constitutes agreement that this is acceptable to the 
investigator(s) and the submitting institution.

Submission Information

    Information about the development, submission of applications, 
eligibility, limitations, evaluation, the selection process, and other 
policies and procedures may be found in 10 CFR Part 605, and in the 
Application Guide for the Office of Science Financial Assistance 
Program.
    Electronic access to SC's Financial Assistance Application Guide is 
possible via the World Wide Web at: http://www.sc.doe.gov/production/grants/grants.html. DOE is under no obligation to pay for any costs 
associated with the preparation or submission of applications if an 
award is not made. In addition, for this notice, the research 
description must be 20 pages or less, exclusive of attachments, and 
must contain an abstract or summary of the proposed research (to 
include the work to be undertaken or the hypotheses being tested, the 
proposed approach(s) and method(s), and the names of all investigators 
and their affiliations). Attachments should include short curriculum 
vitae for all key personnel, a QA/QC plan, a listing of all current and 
pending federal support and letters of intent when collaborations are 
part of the proposed research. Curriculum vitae should be submitted in 
a form similar to that of NIH or NSF (two to three pages), see for 
example: http://www.nsf.gov:80/bfa/cpo/gpg/fkit.htm#forms-9.
    Additional information on the NABIR Program is available on the 
World Wide Web at: http://www.lbl.gov/NABIR/. For researchers who do 
not have access to the world wide web, please contact Karen Carlson, 
Environmental Sciences Division, SC-74, U.S. Department of Energy, 
19901 Germantown Road, Germantown, MD 20874-1290, phone: (301) 903-
3338, fax: (301) 903-8519, E-mail: [email protected], for 
hard copies of background material mentioned in this solicitation.

The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number for this program 
is 81.049, and the solicitation control number is ERFAP 10 CFR Part 
605.


    Issued in Washington, DC on September 19, 2000.
John Rodney Clark,
Associate Director of Science for Resource Management.
[FR Doc. 00-24811 Filed 9-26-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P