[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 233 (Monday, December 4, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 75681-75683]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-30767]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


Office of Science; Office of Science Financial Assistance Program 
Notice 01-12: Natural and Accelerated Bioremediation Research (NABIR) 
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 
the Natural and Accelerated Bioremediation Research (NABIR) Program. 
Applications should describe research projects that address the 
scientific aims of individual NABIR Science Elements including 
Biogeochemistry, Biotransformation, Community Dynamics, as well as 
Assessment projects that relate to those elements. Applications for 
research in other elements will not be considered at this time. 
Applications for research on Bioremediation and its Societal 
Implications and Concerns (BASIC) have been solicited under a separate 
announcement (Notice 00-21).

DATES: Researchers are strongly encouraged (but not required) to submit 
a preapplication for programmatic review. The deadline for 
preapplications is January 8, 2001. A brief preapplication 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., February 28, 2001, to be accepted for merit review and to 
permit timely consideration for award late 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 
multiple applications using more than one delivery or mail service.

ADDRESSES: If submitting a preapplication, referencing Program Notice 
01-12, it should be sent by e-mail to: [email protected].
    Formal applications referencing Program Notice 01-12 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 01-12. 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. Anna Palmisano, Environmental 
Sciences Division, SC-74, Office of Biological and Environmental 
Research, Office of Science, U.S. Department of Energy, 19901 
Germantown Road, Germantown, MD 20874-1290, telephone: (301) 903-9963, 
e-mail: [email protected], fax: (301) 903-8519. The full 
text of Program Notice 01-12 is available via the Internet using the 
following web site address: http://www.sc.doe.gov/production/grants/grants.html.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The mission of the NABIR Program is to 
provide the fundamental science to serve as the basis for development 
of cost-effective bioremediation of radionuclides and metals in the 
subsurface at DOE sites. In particular, the program focuses on research 
that will lead to immobilization of radionuclides and/or metals in 
place, or that will reduce re-mobilization. NABIR research encompasses 
both intrinsic bioremediation by naturally occurring microbial 
communities, as well as accelerated bioremediation through the use of 
nutrient amendments (inorganic, organic or enzymatic) or microbial 
amendments. The program consists of seven interrelated scientific 
research elements (Biogeochemical Dynamics, Biotransformation, 
Community Dynamics and Microbial Ecology, Biomolecular Science and 
Engineering, Biotransformation and Biodegradation, Bacterial Transport, 
and Systems Integration/Data Management). The program also includes an 
element addressing ethical, legal and social issues of bioremediation 
called Bioremediation and its Societal Implications and Concerns 
(BASIC). The NABIR program has established a Field Research Center 
(FRC) at the Y-12 site near Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). The 
FRC is a focal point of NABIR field research and can provide 
investigators with DOE-relevant samples contaminated with uranium and 
other radionuclides or metals. Additional information about NABIR and 
the Field Research Center can be accessed from the NABIR Homepage: 
http://www.lbl.gov/NABIR/.

Program Focus

    The NABIR Program supports hypothesis-driven research that will 
help determine the potential for, and advance the field of, 
bioremediation as a cleanup option for radionuclides and metals in 
subsurface environments (both vadose and saturated zones, below the 
root zone) at the DOE sites. Contaminants of particular interest are 
the radionuclides uranium, technetium, and plutonium and the metals 
chromium and mercury. While the focus of the NABIR Program is on field-
scale research, the research program will support laboratory, 
theoretical, modeling, and other non-field research projects, if they 
fill gaps that would be necessary to complete understanding required 
for field-scale applications. Problems characterized by large areas 
with low-concentration of contaminants are emphasized over problems of 
localized, high concentrations. NABIR research will focus on research 
leading to immobilization rather than mobilization scenarios for 
bioremediation of metals and radionuclides. Although the program is 
directed at specific goals, it supports research that is more 
fundamental in nature than demonstration projects.
    NABIR will not support research leading to ex situ treatments, nor 
will research on phytoremediation be supported. Research on 
bioremediation of organic contaminants, such as solvents and complexing 
agents will not be considered, except to the extent that they influence 
the primary goal of understanding the remediation of radionuclides and 
metals. The NABIR

[[Page 75682]]

Program will not support research to evaluate the risk of contaminants 
to humans or to the environment.
    Research plans that involve the potential release of nutrients, 
enzymes, and/or chemicals to the field (both at contaminated and non-
contaminated control sites) should discuss the involvement of the 
public or stakeholders in their research, beginning with experimental 
design through completion of the project. Applications involving 
microbial amendments will be solicited in a separate annuncement. All 
applicants should discuss other relevant societal issues, where 
appropriate, which may include intellectual property protection and 
communication with and outreach to affected communities (including 
members of affected minority communities where appropriate).
    A centrally-maintained database is being developed to provide 
appropriate data, such as site characterization and kinetics data, 
needed by a broad segment of investigators. Applications shall include 
a short discussion of the Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) 
measures that will be applied in data gathering and analysis 
activities. Successful grantees will be expected to coordinate their 
QA/QC measures with NABIR program managers.

Current Request for Applications

    Research projects that address the scientific aims of individual 
NABIR elements, including Biogeochemistry, Biotransformation, Community 
Dynamics, as well as Assessment projects supporting those three 
elements are being solicited. Applications for research on other 
elements will not be addressed at this time. Applications for research 
on Bioremediation and its Societal Implications and Concerns (BASIC) 
have been solicited under a separate announcement (Notice 00-21). 
Applicants for research projects within individual program elements 
should state which science element is most closely aligned with the 
proposed research. Applicants are encouraged to propose 
interdisciplinary research that transcends more than one research 
element. However, a primary element should be specified for the purpose 
of merit review.

Biogeochemical Dynamics

    The goal of this area is to understand the fundamental 
biogeochemical reactions that would lead to long-term immobilization of 
metal and radionuclide contaminants in the subsurface. The focus is on 
reactions that govern the concentration, chemical speciation, and 
distribution of metals (Cr, Hg) and radionuclides (U, Tc, Pu) between 
the aqueous and solid phases.
    Contaminated subsurface environments are complex. Biogeochemical 
reactions in subsurface environments are influenced by a wide variety 
of factors, including the availability of electron donors and 
acceptors, the nature of the microbial community, the chemical species 
or form of contaminant, the hydrology, and the nature of the 
environmental matrix. Often several competing redox reactions make the 
prediction of the substrates, products, and kinetics difficult. The 
biogeochemical reactions are further complicated by the sorption of 
contaminants and reaction products to mineral surfaces, and the 
presence of natural organic matter and co-contaminants. The research 
challenge is to identify and prioritize the key biogeochemical 
reactions that are needed to predict the rate and extent of reactions 
to immobilize radionuclides and metals for long term stability. New and 
creative scientific approaches are sought that address the following 
fundamental research questions:
     With the goal of increasing immobilization of 
radionuclides and metals, what are the principal biogeochemical 
reactions that govern the concentration, chemical speciation, and 
distribution of metals and radionuclides between the aqueous and solid 
phases? What are the thermodynamic and kinetic controls on these 
reactions? How do factors such as co-contaminants, sorption processes, 
and the structure and composition of minerals that serve as terminal 
electron acceptors, influence these reactions?
     With the goal of decreasing the possible re-mobilization 
of immobilized radionuclides and metals, how can the above questions be 
addressed? Under what conditions would the contaminants remobilize, and 
what alterations to the environment would increase the long-term 
stability of metals and radionuclides in the subsurface?
     What influence do hydrological processes such as reactive 
transport, advective/dispersive transport and colloidal transport have 
on the biological availability, transformation, and movement of 
radionuclides and metals?

Biotransformation

    DOE subsurface sites encompass a range of redox environments where 
contaminants such as uranium are present. One challenge is to 
understand the impact of these environments on microbial physiological 
processes involved in the transformation of radionuclides and metals to 
an immobilized form. Knowledge of the metabolic pathways for 
transformation of these contaminants by naturally occurring microbial 
communities in vadose zones, saturated zones and the waste plume is 
needed. A second challenge is to accelerate the rates of these 
physiological processes in situ, in complex subsurface environments. 
Biotransformation of metals and radionuclides in the subsurface is 
poorly understood, and predictive models based on laboratory studies 
have not always accurately simulated the observed fate of metals and 
radionuclides in the field. It is important to understand the kinetics 
of desirable metal and radionuclide biotransformations and the 
physicochemical factors affecting those kinetics. Research is needed to 
address questions such as:
     What are the primary metabolic pathways for 
biotransformation of radionuclides and/or metals by subsurface 
microorganisms at DOE sites, such as the FRC?
     Can these biotransformations be harnessed or accelerated 
to immobilize radionuclides and/or metals in the subsurface?
     What environmental controls affect microbial physiological 
processes involved in radionuclide and metal biotransformations leading 
to immobilization in vadose and saturated zones? What factors inhibit 
these transformations in situ?

Community Dynamics and Microbial Ecology

    Fundamental research in Community Dynamics and Microbial Ecology at 
both the molecular and the microbial level is needed to understand the 
natural intrinsic processes of bioremediation at contaminated sites. 
One challenge is to determine if sufficient genotypic and/or phenotypic 
potential exists to support natural and/or accelerated (biostimulated) 
bioremediation. Knowledge of microbial community structure and function 
may ultimately provide the ability to control or stimulate subsurface 
communities capable of transformation of radionuclides and metals. A 
second challenge is to optimize the community structure and activity 
for immobilization of radionuclides and metals, and to determine the 
long term stability of bioremediative communities. Research is needed 
to address questions such as:
     Is there sufficient biological activity and diversity in 
subsurface environments to support natural and/or accelerated 
bioremediation of metals and radionuclides?

[[Page 75683]]

     What are the effects of metals and radionuclides (or other 
environmental factors) on microbial community activity and diversity, 
particularly of populations that transform radionuclides and metals?
     What is the role of consortial interactions on 
biotransformations of metals and radionuclides in contaminated 
subsurface environments? Such interactions might include competition 
for electron donors and acceptors, or other consortial interactions 
that affect the transformation of metals and radionuclides.
     What is the potential importance of gene transfer in 
natural microbial communities at subsurface sites contaminated with 
radionuclides or metals?

Assessment

    The Assessment Element is a cross-cutting element with a goal to 
develop innovative methods to assess processes and endpoints in support 
of the NABIR Science Elements. In this call, assessment projects that 
support the Science Elements of Biogeochemistry, Biotransformation, and 
Community Dynamics/Microbial Ecology are being sought. Methods may 
range from molecular to field scale, but they should improve the 
understanding of in situ bioremediation processes in subsurface 
environments contaminated with radionuclides and metals. Priority will 
be given to research applications that could lead to fieldable, cost-
effective, real time assessment techniques and/or instrumentation. 
NABIR will not fund projects that examine endpoints relating to human 
health risks. Research should address the development of innovative and 
effective methods for assessing or quantifying:
     Biogeochemical processes, biotransformation processes and 
rates, and microbial community structure and function relative to 
bioremediation of metals and radionuclides.
     Bioremediation end points, in particular, the 
concentration, speciation and stability of radionuclide and metal 
contaminants.

Program Funding

    It is anticipated that approximately $2 million 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 
four scientific research element projects are expected to range from 
$100,000 to $400,000 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. Note, 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. Renewal applications must include a list 
of publications resulting from prior NABIR funding. 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 hypotheses being tested, the 
proposed experimental design, and the names of all investigators and 
their affiliations). Attachments should include short curriculum vitae, 
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.
    The Office of Science as part of its grant regulations requires at 
10 CFR 605.11(b) that a recipient receiving a grant and performing 
research involving recombinant DNA molecules and/or organisms and 
viruses containing recombinant DNA molecules shall comply with the 
National Institutes of Health (NIH) ``Guidelines for Research Involving 
Recombinant DNA Molecules,'' which is available via the world wide web 
at: http://www.niehs.nih.gov/odhsb/biosafe/nih/rdna-apr98.pdf, (59 FR 
34496, July 5, 1994,) or such later revision of those guidelines as may 
be published in the Federal Register.
    Grantees must also comply with other federal and state laws and 
regulations as appropriate, for example, the Toxic Substances Control 
Act (TSCA) as it applies to genetically modified organisms. Although 
compliance with NEPA is the responsibility of DOE, grantees proposing 
to conduct field research are expected to provide information necessary 
for the DOE to complete the NEPA review and documentation.
    Additional information on the NABIR Program is available at the 
following web site: 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 November 27, 2000.
John Rodney Clark,
Associate Director of Science for Resource Management.
[FR Doc. 00-30767 Filed 12-1-00; 8:45 am]
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