[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 239 (Tuesday, December 12, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 77586-77590]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-31607]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Docket No. 001027300-0300-01]
RIN 0648-ZA96


The Argo Project: Global Ocean Observations for Understanding and 
Prediction of Climate Variability

AGENCY: Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of request for proposals.

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SUMMARY: The purpose of this notice is to advise the public that the 
Office of

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Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR), on behalf of the National Ocean 
Partnership Program (NOPP), is entertaining preliminary proposals 
(Letters of Intent) and subsequently full proposals for implementing 
the next phase of the U.S. contribution to the global Argo array of 
profiling floats. The NOPP was established by 10 U.S.C. 7902 et seq. to 
(1) promote the national goals of assuring national security, advancing 
economic development, protecting qualify of life, and strengthening 
science education and communication through improved knowledge of the 
ocean; and (2) coordinate and strengthen oceanographic efforts in 
support of those goals by identifying and carrying out partnerships 
among Federal agencies, academia, industry, and other members of the 
oceanographic scientific community in the areas of data, resources, 
education, and communication. In 1999, Argo was identified as a key 
NOPP program and selected for implementation. In FY 2001, NOAA intends 
to begin the long-term deployment and operation of Argo. Contingent on 
the availability of appropriated funds, this phase of Argo is expected 
to continue for five years. The level of funding available each year 
will be dependent on appropriations. It is expected that approximately 
$3,000,000 will available on a continuing basis for the project.
    Timetable: January 12, 2001, 5 pm (EST)--One Letter of Intent (LOI) 
(not required) due at NOAA/Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research. 
The LOI may be transmitted by facsimile or electronic mail.
    March 16, 2001, 5 pm (EST)--One original plus two copies of the 
full proposal due at NOAA/Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research. 
If color and/or grayscale graphics are included in the proposal, and 
offerer feels that color or grayscale graphics would be necessary for 
the review process, the offerer may submit twelve additional copies of 
these graphics. The proposal must clearly delineate each partner's 
efforts and the associated request(s) for NOPP funds as well as any 
cost-sharing. Separate budgets within the single proposal will be 
required if more than one funding action is needed. Facsimile or 
electronic transmissions of the full proposal will not be accepted.
    July 1, 2001 (approximate)--Funds awarded to selected recipients. 
Program begins.

ADDRESSES: Letters of Intent (LOI) and Proposal submissions must be 
directed to the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research at: Office 
of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research; National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, R/OSS2; ATTN: Dr. Stephen R. Piotrowicz; SSMC3, Room 
11554; 1315 East-West Highway; Silver Spring, MD 20910.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Stephen R. Piotrowicz at the above 
address, or at phone: (301) 713-2465 Ext. 124, Facsimile: (301) 713-
0158, internet: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:   

I. Program Authority

    Authority: 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. 11.431)--Climate and 
Atmospheric Research.

II. Program Description

Background

    Argo, a broad-scale global array of temperature/salinity profiling 
floats, is planned as a major component of the ocean observing system, 
with deployment scheduled to begin in 2000. Conceptually, Argo builds 
on the existing upper-ocean thermal networks, extending their spatial 
and temporal coverage, depth range and accuracy, and enhancing them 
through addition of salinity and velocity measurements. Argo is 
designed to have a strong complementary relationship with the Jason 
altimeter mission. For the first time, the physical state of the upper 
ocean will be systematically measured and assimilated in near real-
time.
    The objectives of Argo fall into several categories. Argo will 
provide a quantitative description of the evolving state of the upper 
ocean and the patterns of ocean climate variability, including heat and 
freshwater storage and transport. The data will enhance the value of 
the Jason altimeter through measurement of subsurface vertical 
structure (T(z), S(z)) and reference velocity, with sufficient coverage 
and resolution for interpretation of altimetric sea surface height 
variability. Argo data will be used for initialization of ocean and 
coupled forecast models, data assimilation and dynamical model testing. 
A primary focus of Argo is seasonal to decadal climate variability and 
predictability, but a wide range of applications for high-quality 
global ocean analyses is anticipated.
    The initial design of the Argo network is based on experience from 
the present observing system, on newly gained knowledge of variability 
from the TOPEX/Poseidon altimeter, and on estimated requirements for 
climate and high-resolution ocean models. All Argo data will be 
publicly available in near real-time via the GTS, and in scientifically 
quality-controlled form with a few months delay. Global coverage should 
be achieved during the Global Ocean Data Assimilation Experiment 
(GODAE), which together with CLIVAR (CLImate VARiability and 
Predictability Program) and GCOS/GOOS, provide the major scientific and 
operational impetus for Argo. The design emphasizes the need to 
integrate Argo within the overall framework of the global ocean 
observing system.
    International planning for Argo, including sampling and technical 
issues, is coordinated by the Argo Science Team. Nations presently 
having Argo plans that include float procurement or procurement, 
include Australia, Canada, France, Japan, U.K., and U.S.A., plus a 
European Union proposal. Combined deployments from these nations are 
expected to exceed 700 floats per year by 2002.

Funding Availability

    This RFP is to implement the NOAA component of the U.S. 
contribution to Argo. Actual funding levels will depend upon the final 
FY 2001 budget appropriations. This Program Announcement is for a 
program to be conducted by investigators both inside and outside of 
NOAA, over a five year period. It is expected, though not certain, that 
a single program involving multiple investigators will be funded. In 
accordance with the NOPP, team efforts among academia, industry, and 
government participants with cost sharing proposals are very strongly 
encouraged. For Federal Government investigators, funding will be 
provided through intra- or interagency transfers, as appropriate. The 
funding instrument for extramural awards will be a grant unless it is 
anticipated that NOAA will be substantially involved in the 
implementation of the project, in which case the funding instrument 
should be a cooperative agreement. Examples of substantial involvement 
may include but are not limited to proposals for collaborative between 
NOAA or NOAA scientists and a recipient scientist or technician and/or 
contemplation by NOAA of detailing Federal personnel to work on 
proposal projects. NOAA will make decisions regarding the use of the a 
cooperative agreement on a case-by-case basis.

III. Eligibility

    Eligible applicants are institutions of higher education, other 
non-profits, commercial organizations, international organizations, 
state, local and Indian tribal governments and Federal agencies. 
Applicants from non-Federal and Federal applicants will be

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competed against each other. Proposals selected for funding from non-
Federal applicants will be funded through a project grant or 
cooperative agreement under the terms of this notice. Proposals 
selected for funding from NOAA employees shall be effected by an 
intraagency fund transfer. Proposals selected for funding from a non-
NOAA Federal agency will be funded through an interagency transfer. 
Please Note: Before non-NOAA Federal applicants may be funded, they 
must demonstrate that they have legal authority to receive funds from 
another federal agency in excess of their appropriation. Because this 
announcement is not proposing to procure goods or services from 
applicants, the Economy Act (31 USC 1535) is not an appropriate legal 
basis.

IV. Evaluation Criteria

    Evaluations of the proposals will use the following selection 
criteria:
    1. Overall technical merits of the proposal, including (20%):
    a. Deployment strategy, including how the proposed strategy 
complements and/or supplements other components of the observing system 
as they relate to operational predictions, as well as to the objectives 
of CLIVAR and GODAE;
    b. Deployment logistics, including communications as well ad 
deployment; and
    c. Data management.
    2. Relevance of the proposed program to NOPP objectives of 
developing a better understanding of oceans and establishing U.S. 
leadership in oceanography through a formal partnership mechanism 
including (20%)
    a. Data accessibility,
    b. Broad participation within the oceanographic community,
    c. Partners with a long-term commitment to the proposed objectives;
    d. Resource sharing among partners, and
    e. The degree of cost-sharing by partners with the requested 
Partnership funding.
    3. The offeror's capabilities, related experience, and facilities 
or unique combinations of these that are critical to the program's 
objectives (20%).
    4. The qualifications and experience of the proposed principal 
investigator(s) and key personnel (20%).
    5. The degree of significant partnering among at least two of the 
following parties: Academia, industry or government (10%).
    6. Realism of the proposed costs (10%).

V. Selection Procedures

    All proposals, including those submitted by NOAA employees, will be 
evaluated and ranked using the criteria above by: (1) Independent peer 
mail review, and/or (2) independent peer panel review; both NOAA and 
non-NOAA experts in the field may be used in this process. The program 
officer will no be a voting member of an independent peer panel. The 
results of the peer reviews are provided to the NOPP Interagency 
Working Group. The NOPP Interagency Working Group determines the 
proposals to be funded, subject to the concurrence of the National 
Ocean Research Council (NORLC) for funding. The NORLC reviews and 
approves a NOPP program at a regular NORLC meeting. An award may be 
selected outside of the ranking order provided by the peer mail or peer 
panel reviewers. Reasons for an award outside of the ranking order are 
logistical (e.g, access to deployment platforms) and timeliness (e.g., 
it takes an unusually long time, for example, a couple of years from 
receipt of funding to full deployment of floats supported each year). 
The Program Manager will also determine the total duration of funding. 
Unsatisfactory performance by a recipient under prior Federal awards 
may result in an application not being considered for funding.

V. Instruction for Application

What To Submit

Letter of Intent
    To prevent the expenditure of effort that may not be successful, it 
is in the best interest of applicants to submit letters of intent, 
however, it is not a requirement. Letters for Intent must be single- or 
double-spaced, typewritten in at least a 10-point font, and printed on 
metric A4 (210 x 297 mm) or 8\1/2\" x 11" paper. The following 
information should be included:
    (1) Title page: The title page should clearly identify the program 
area being addressed by starting the project title with ``The Argo 
Project: Global ocean observations for understanding and prediction of 
climate variability.'' Principal Investigators and collaborators should 
be identified by affiliation and contact information. The total amount 
of Federal funds and matching funds being requested should be listed 
for each budget period.
    (2) A concise (2-page limit) description of the program including a 
brief summary of work to be completed, methodology to be used, 
approximate costs of the major elements (salaries and benefits; direct 
costs such as float acquisition and preparation, communications and 
data management; travel, including deployment costs; indirect costs) of 
the project. Evaluation will be by program management. It is in the 
best interest of applicants and their institutions to submit letters of 
intent; however, it is not a requirement. Facsimile and electronic mail 
are acceptable for letters of intent only. Projects deemed suitable 
during Letters of Intent (LOI) review will be encouraged to submit full 
proposals.
    (3) Resumes (1-page limit) of the Principal Investigators.
Full Proposed Guidelines
    Each full proposal must include the first seven items listed below; 
the standard forms included as Item 8 will only be required for 
proposal(s) selected for funding. All pages should be single- or 
double-spaced, typewritten in at least a 10-point front, and printed on 
metric A4 (210 x 297 mm) or 8\1/2\" x 11" paper. Brevity will assist 
reviewers and program staff in dealing effectively with proposals, 
therefore, the Program Description may not exceed 15 pages. Tables and 
visual materials, including figures, charts, graphs, maps, photographs 
and other pictorial presentations are included in the 15-page 
limitation; literature citations and letters of support, if any, are 
not included in the 15-page limitation. Conformance to the 15-page 
limitation will be strictly enforced. All information needed for review 
of the proposal should be included in the main text; no appendices, 
other than support letters, if any, are permitted. Failure to adhere to 
the above limitations will result in the proposal being rejected 
without review.
    (1) Signed Title Page: The title page should be signed by the 
Principal Investigator and the institutional representative and should 
clearly identify program by starting the title ``The Argo Project: 
Global ocean observations for understanding and prediction of climate 
variability.'' The Principal Investigator 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 year of the program; the total 
should include all subrecipient's budgets on projects involving 
multiple institutions.
    (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, institution(s) investigator(s), total proposed 
cost and budget period.
    (3) Program Description/Work Statement (15-page limit): The Program 
Description should include

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identification of the problem, objectives (both operational and 
scientific) of the work, relevance to the operational prediction 
mission, proposed implementation strategy, proposed methodology (e.g., 
float acquisition, communications, deployment), and a transition plan 
for long-term data management. The following elements should be 
described in detail:
    (a) Deployment strategy: The program should include a plan for 
interactions with the operational and research communities with regard 
to the deployment strategy for the U.S. contribution to the global 3-
degree array. The program should describe with whom interactions will 
occur, and how their recommendations will be considered to determine 
the configuration of the array that you intend to deploy. The program 
should also address how the proposed deployment strategy complements 
and/or supplements other components of the observing system as they 
relate to operational predictions, as well as to the objectives of 
CLIVAR (CLImate VARiability program) and GODAE (Global Ocean Data 
Assimilation Experiment).
    (b) Deployment logistics: All costs associated with the 
implementation of Argo should be included, including communications and 
deployment costs. The proposal should demonstrate that access to 
appropriate deployment platforms (ships, aircraft) is available to 
implement the strategy being proposed.
    (c) Data Management: The proposal should also include a plan for 
continued inter-comparison of floats from different manufacturers 
within the consortium and within the international science group. It 
should illustrate how real-time (within 24 hour) delivery of data will 
be achieved. Since the implementation of the global Argo array will be 
the responsibility of several international groups that may change over 
time, the proposal must include a plan for maintaining the integrity of 
the data system (data flow and quality control) over the lifetime of 
the program.
    (4) Budget and Budget Justification: There should be a separate 
budget for each year of the project as well as a cumulative annual 
budget for the entire project. Subcontracts should have a separate 
budget page. Matching funds must be indicated. Applicants should 
provide justification for all budget items in sufficient detail to 
enable the reviewers to evaluate the appropriateness of the funding 
requested. For all applications, regardless of any approved indirect 
cost rate applicable to the award, the maximum dollar amount of 
allocable indirect costs for which the Department of Commerce will 
reimburse the Recipient shall be the lesser of: (a) The Federal share 
of the total allocable indirect costs of the award based on the 
negotiated rate with the cognizant Federal agency as established by 
audit or negotiation; or (b) the line item amount for the Federal share 
of indirect costs contained in the approved budget of the award.
    (5) Current and Pending Support: Applicants must provide the 
following information on the relationship between this project and 
other work planned, anticipated, or underway under Federal assistance: 
current and pending support for ongoing projects and proposals, 
subsequent funding in the case of continuing grants, and the number of 
person-months per year to be devoted by the principal investigator to 
each project.
    (6) Vitae (2 pages maximum per investigator): Abbreviated 
curriculum vitae are sought with each proposal. Reference lists should 
be limited to all publications in the last three years with up to five 
other relevant papers.
    (7) 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, 
Principal Investigators, of award and total award. The section should 
be a brief summary and should not exceed two pages total.
    (8) Standard Application Forms: For proposal(s) selected for 
funding, the following forms must also be submitted: (a) Standard Form 
424, Application for Federal Assistance, and 424B, Assurances-Non-
Construction Programs, (Rev 4-88). Please note that both the Principal 
Investigator and an administrative contact should be identified in 
Section 5 of the SF424. For Section 10, applicants should enter 
``11.431'' for the CFDA Number and ``Climate and Atmospheric Research'' 
for the title. The form must contain the original signature of an 
authorized representative of the applying institution.
    (b) 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) Non-Procurement Debarment and Suspension. Prospective 
participants (as defined at 15 CFR part 26, Sec. 26.105 105) are 
subject to 15 CFR part 26, ``Non-Procurement Debarment and Suspension'' 
and the related section of the certification form prescribed above 
applies;
    (ii) Drug-Free Workplace. Grantees (as defined at 15 CFR part 26, 
Sec. 26.605) 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;
    (iii) Anti-Lobbying. Persons (as defined at 15 CFR part 28, 
Sec. 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.
    (c) 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 the Department of 
Commerce (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.

VI. Other Requirements

    (A) Federal Policies and Procedures--Recipients and subrecipients 
are subject to all applicable Federal laws and Federal and Department 
of Commerce policies, regulations, and procedures applicable to Federal 
financial assistance awards.
    (B) Past Performance--Unsatisfactory performance under prior 
Federal awards may result in an application not being considered for 
funding.
    (C) Preaward 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

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verbal assurance that may have been received, there is no obligation to 
the applicant on the part of Department of Commerce to cover pre-award 
costs.
    (D) No Obligation of Future Funding--If an application is selected 
for funding, the Department of Commerce 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 Department of Commerce.
    (E) Delinquent Federal Debts--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 the Department of Commerce 
are made.
    (F) Name and 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.
    (G) Intergovernmental Review--This program is subject to the 
requirements of OMB Circular No. A-110, and 15 CFR part 14, ``Uniform 
Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions 
of Higher Education, Hospitals, Other Non-Profit and Commercial 
Organizations'', to State and Local Governments'', as applicable. 
Applications under this program are not subject to Executive Order 
12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.''
    (H) 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.
    (I) Purchase of American-Made Equipment and Products--Applicants 
are encouraged that any equipment or products authorized to be 
purchased with funding provided under this program must be American-
made to the maximum extent feasible.
    (J) 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. 
Institutions eligible to be considered HBCU/MSIs are listed at the 
following Internet website: http://www.ed.gov/offices/OCR/99minin.html.
    (K) For awards receiving funding for the collection or production 
of geospatial data (e.g., GIS data layers), the recipient will comply 
to the maximum extent practicable with E.O. 12906, Coordinating 
Geographic Data Acquisition and Access, The National Spatial Data 
Infrastructure, 59 FR 17671 (April 11, 1994). The award recipient shall 
document all new geospatial data collected or produced using the 
standard developed by the Federal Geographic Data Center, and make that 
standardized documentation electronically accessible. The standard can 
be found at the following Internet website: (http://www.fgdc.gov/standards/standards/html)
    (L) Notwithstanding any other provision of the 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.

Classification

    Prior notice and an opportunity for public comments are not 
required by the Administrative Procedure Act or any other law for this 
notice concerning grants, benefits, and contracts. Therefore, a 
regulatory flexibility analysis is not required for purposes of the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act.
    This action has been determined to be not significant for purposes 
of E.O. 12866.
    This notice contains collection of information requirements subject 
to the Paperwork Reduction Act. The use of Standard Forms 424, 424B, 
and SF-LLL have been approved by OMB under the respective control 
numbers 0328-0043, 348-0040, and 0348-0046. Notwithstanding any other 
provision of the 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 requirements of the Paperwork 
Reduction Act, unless that collection of information displays a 
currently valid OMB control number.

    Dated: December 6, 2000.
David L. Evans,
Assistant Administrator, Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
[FR Doc. 00-31607 Filed 12-11-00; 8:45 am]
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