[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 249 (Wednesday, December 27, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 81833-81836]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-32999]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Docket No. 001027299-0299-01]
RIN 0648-ZA95


NOAA Climate and Global Change Program, Program Announcement

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: With the intent of stimulating integrated multidisciplinary 
studies and enhancing institutional collaboration, National Oceanic 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Environmental Protection Agency 
(EPA), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the 
National Science Foundation (NSF), and the Electric Power Research 
Institute (EPRI), announce our interest in receiving research proposals 
to improve our understanding of the human health consequences related 
to climate variability and enhance the integration of useful climate 
information into public health policy and decision-making. This joint 
announcement is intended to support the formation of multidisciplinary 
teams working in close collaboration on integrated projects to 
illuminate pathways by which climate may affect human health, and which 
explore the potential for applying climate forecast information in the 
public health arena. Climate refers to climate variability across time 
scales. Understanding how short term climate variability affects human 
health may improve our knowledge of potential consequences of, and 
adaptation to, longer term changes in the climate system.

Relevance of This Joint Announcement

    In 1995, the White House along with the National Academy of 
Sciences elevated the climate and health issue through their jointly 
sponsored Conference on Human Health and Global Climate Change. Since 
then, several multi-agency sponsored workshops such as the American 
Academy of Microbiology Colloquium on Climate Variability and Human 
Health: An Interdisciplinary Perspective, and the workshop on Climate 
Change and Vector-borne and other Infectious Disease: A Research 
Agenda, have begun to define research needs in this emerging 
discipline. The recently issues NRC Pathways report recognizes that 
climate may have important impacts on human health but that further 
study is necessary, and that such studies must also address issues of 
social vulnerability and adaptability. The NRC also is conducting a 
study on Climate, Ecology, Infectious Disease and Health.
    Over the past several years as interest in this new field has 
grown, research and analysis have demonstrated a connection between 
climate and health in some cases. Yet it is well recognized that more 
research is required. This, coupled with an evolving capacity to 
understand and predict natural changes in the climate system, and a 
desire to provide climate forecast information for social benefit, 
particularly in the public health sector, has driven demand for 
improved understanding of the relationship between climate variability 
and human health.
    Both the scientific research results and recommendations stemming 
from various meetings highlight the complexity of the research 
questions and the need for a coordinated multi-agency and 
interdisciplinary approach. The very nature of the research required 
cuts across disciplinary boundaries, and spans a range of agency 
missions and mandates and private sector interests. The NOAA Office of 
Global Programs is interested in the production and application of 
predictive climate information; EPA is concerned with the impacts of 
climate change and variability on human health; and NASA's interests 
include remote sensing observations, research, data, information and 
technologies for public health. Moreover, NSF focuses on broadly based 
fundamental research to improve understanding of the Earth system, and 
EPRI addresses key research gaps in climate change and human health. 
This announcement is offered as an experimental mechanism to fill 
critical gaps in climate variability and human health research and to 
coordinate funding of overlapping agency and institutional interests in 
such research. Other private sector organizations interested in jointly 
funding research through this announcement process should contact the 
NOAA Program Officer Juli Trtanj (301) 427-2089, ext. 134, or internet: 
[email protected]. Research projects will be funded for a one, two or 
three year period. Funding beyond the first year is contingent upon 
availability of funds.

Program Objectives

    The overarching goal of this announcement is to develop and 
demonstrate the feasibility of new approaches or field studies that 
investigate or validate well-formed hypotheses or models of climate 
variability and health interactions. This announcement is offered as 
part of an interagency effort to build an integrated climate and health 
community. Proposed research submitted under this announcement is 
encouraged to build on existing research activities, programs, research 
sites and facilities, or data sets.

Requirements and General Guidance

    Research teams should include, at a minimum, one investigator each 
from the public health or medical response, ecology, and climate 
communities working in close collaboration on an integrated project. 
Research proposals submitted under this announcement are strongly 
encouraged to include components addressing either the adaptation or 
vulnerability of human and public health systems to climate 
variability, or an economic analysis of using predictive climate 
information, or both. (See Criteria for Evaluation b). The funding 
partners will look favorably on research activities that involve end-
users from the public health arena (i.e., local public health 
officials, regional or international health organizations, other public 
health or disaster management agencies and institutions) and which 
address the means by which their research results can be used by public 
health policy and decision-makers. (See Criteria d). Investigators are 
encouraged to demonstrate that they will disseminate research results 
through formal presentation during at least one professional meeting 
and publication in a peer-reviewed journal. (See Criteria b).
    Investigators should also plan to participate in an annual meeting 
of researchers funded under this announcement. This meeting will be 
organized by the funding partners and is intended to facilitate 
midpoint

[[Page 81834]]

discussions of research and methodology as well as presentations of 
final research results. The participation of other team members, 
particularly new researchers at the graduate and postdoctoral level, is 
highly encouraged. An interim progress report will be required.

DATES: Unless otherwise noted, strict deadlines by which NOAA OGP must 
receive proposals for submission to the FY 2001 process are: Pre-
proposals must be received by OGP no later than January 31, 2001, and 
full proposals must be received no later than April 6, 2001.; 
Applicants who have not received a response to their pre-proposal 
within four weeks should contact the program office: Juli Trtanj (301) 
427-2089, ext. 134 or internet: [email protected]. The time from 
target date to grant award varies. We anticipate that review of full 
proposals will occur in May or June 2001, for most approved projects. 
September 1, 2001, may be used as the earliest proposed start date on 
the proposal, unless otherwise directed by the appropriate Program 
Officer. Applicants should be notified of their status within six 
months of full proposal submission. All proposals must be submitted in 
accordance with the requirements listed below. Failure to heed the 
requirements may result in proposals being returned without review.

ADDRESSES: All submissions should be directed to: Office of Global 
Programs (OGP); National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; 1100 
Wayne Avenue, Suite 1225; Silver Spring, MD 20910-5603.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Irma duPree at the above address or 
phone (301) 427-2089, ext. 107, fax: (301) 427-2072, Internet: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

1. Funding Availability

    NOAA, EPA, NASA, NSF and EPRI believe that the research on the 
relationship between climate variability and human health will benefit 
significantly from a strong partnership with outside investigators. 
Current plans assume that over 50% of the total resources provided 
through this announcement will support extramural efforts, particularly 
those involving the broad academic community. Funding may be provided 
by NOAA, EPA, NASA, NSF or EPRI.
    This Program Announcement is for projects to be conducted up to a 
three-year period by investigators both inside and outside of NOAA, 
EPA, NASA, NSF and EPRI. The funding instrument for extramural awards 
will be a grant unless it is anticipated that any of the funding 
entities 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 collaboration between a funding entity or 
funding entity scientist, and a recipient scientist or technician and/
or contemplation by NOAA, EPA, NASA or NSF of detailing Federal 
personnel to work on proposed projects. NOAA, EPA, NASA and NSF will 
make decisions regarding the use of a cooperative agreement on a case-
by-case basis. Matching share is not required by this program.

2. Eligibility

    Participation in this competition is open to all institutions 
eligible to receive support for NOAA, EPA, NASA, NSF and EPRI. For 
awards to be issued by NOAA, eligible applicants are institutions of 
higher education, hospitals, other nonprofits, commercial 
organizations, foreign governments, organizations under the 
jurisdiction of foreign governments, international organizations, 
state, local and Indian tribal governments and Federal agencies. 
Applications from non-Federal and Federal applicants will be 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 intragency fund 
transfer. Proposals selected for funding from a non-NOAA Federal Agency 
will be funded through an interagency transfer. 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.

3. Program Authority

    NOAA Authority: U.S.C. 2931 et seq.; (CFDA No. 11.431)--CLIMATE AND 
ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH.
    EPA Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7403(a); 42 U.S.C. 7403(b); 42 U.S.C. 
7403(g); 15 U.S.C. 2907(a); (CFDA No. 66.500)--OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND 
DEVELOPMENT.
    NSF Authority: 42 U.S.C. 1861-75; (CFDA No. 47.050)--GEOSCIENCES.
    NASA Authority: 15 U.S.C. 2932(a); 15 U.S.C. 2932(b); 15 U.S.C. 
2932(e2); 15 U.S.C. 2936; (CFDA No. 43-999).

Guidelines for Submission

1. Pre-proposals

    (a) Pre-proposals should be no longer than eight pages in length 
(no attachments please) and include the names and institutions of all 
investigators, a statement of the problem, description of data and 
methodology including names of data sets and types of models or 
analysis, a general budget for the project, a description of intended 
use of results for public health policy and decision making, and a one 
to two page biographical sketch for each investigator.
    (b) The Program Officers will evaluate the pre-proposals.
    (c) Submission of pre-proposals is not a requirement, but it is in 
the best interest of the applicants and their institutions.
    (d) Facsimile and email submissions are acceptable for pre-
proposals only.
    (e) Projects deemed unsuitable during pre-proposal review will not 
be encouraged to submit full proposals.
    (f) Investigators who are not encouraged to submit full proposals 
will not be precluded from submitting full proposals.

2. Criteria for Evaluation

    Below are the criteria for evaluation which will be used for making 
award decisions. Pre-proposals will be evaluated on likely ability to 
meet these criteria.
    (a) Scientific Merit-60% (to include: Methodology, proof of data 
quality and availability, experience of team and team members, and 
relevant peer-reviewed publications)
    (b) Responsiveness to announcement-20%
    (c) Explicit multidisciplinary participation and collaboration--10%
    (d) Potential for use by climate, ecology and health community or 
public/environmental health community--10%

3. Selection Procedures and Review Process

    The Program Officers will not be voting members of an independent 
peer panel. Each Program Officer will individually rank the proposals 
considering the recommendations and evaluations of the independent peer 
panel and the program policy factors listed below. The Federal Agency 
Program Officers will then make the funding selections taking into 
account these rankings, the panel review and evaluations, and program 
policy factors listed below. Proposals are usually awarded in the 
numerical order they are

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ranked based on the independent peer mail review or the independent 
peer panel review. However, the Program Officers may consider the 
following program policy factors: (a) Whether proposals do not 
substantially duplicate other projects that are currently funded by 
NOAA, other Federal agencies or funding sources; (b) whether proposals 
do not substantially duplicate other proposals submitted in response to 
this announcement; (c) whether proposals funded maximize use of 
available funds; and (d) whether proposal cost fall within remaining 
funds available. As a result of this review, the Program Officers may 
decide to select an award out of order. The Program Officers will also 
determine the total duration and amount of funding for each selected 
proposal. Both agency and non-agency experts in the field may be used 
in this process.
    Unsatisfactory performance by a recipient under prior Federal 
awards may result in an application not being considered for funding.
    Federal agency employees are subject to statutes pertaining to non-
disclosure and confidentiality requirements protecting proprietary 
information that may be contained in applications submitted for 
potential funding. Non-Federal evaluators have agreed in writing to 
similar non-disclosure and confidentiality provisions. Please note, 
however, that should EPRI or another participating private organization 
which jointly funds research under this notice select an application 
for funding, none of the participating Federal agencies is responsible 
for any unauthorized disclosure of information that may occur on any 
dispute that may arise.

4. Proposal Submission

    The following forms are required in each application, with original 
signatures on each federal form. Failure to comply with these 
provisions will result in proposals being returned without review.
    (a) Full Proposals: (1) Proposals submitted to the NOAA Climate and 
Global Change Program must include the original and two unbound copies 
of the proposal. (2) Investigators are required to submit 3 copies of 
the proposal; however, the normal review process requires 20 copies. 
Investigators are encouraged to submit sufficient proposal copies for 
the full review process if they wish all reviewers to receive color, 
unusually sized (not 8.5 x 11''), or otherwise unusual materials 
submitted as part of the proposal. Only three copies of the Federally 
required forms are needed. (3) Proposals must be limited to 40 pages 
(numbered), including statement of work, budget, investigators' vitae, 
and all appendices. Appended information may not be used to circumvent 
the page length limit. Federally mandated forms are not included within 
the page count. (4) Proposals should be sent to the NOAA Office of 
Global Programs at the above address. (5) Facsimile transmissions and 
electronic mail submission of full proposals will not be accepted.
    (b) Required Elements: All proposals must include the following 
elements:
    (1.) Signed title page: The title page must be signed by the 
Principal Investigator (PI) and the instititional representative. If 
more than one investigator is listed on the title page, pleases 
identify the lead investigator. The PI 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 budget period.
    (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.) Results from prior research; The results of related research 
activities should be described, including their relation to the 
currently proposed work. Reference to each prior research award should 
include the title, agency or institution, award number, PIs, period of 
award and total award. The section should be a brief summary and should 
not exceed two pages total.
    (4) Statement of work: The proposed project must be completely 
described, including identification of the problem, scientific 
objectives, proposed methodology, and relevance to the announcement. 
Benefits of the proposed project to the general public and the 
scientific community should also be discussed. A summary of proposed 
work must be included clearly indicting that the proposed work is 
achievable. The statement of work, including references but excluding 
figures and other visual materials, must not exceed 15 pages of text. 
Investigators wishing to submit group proposals that exceed the 15-page 
limit should discuss this possibility with the appropriate Program 
Officer prior to submission. In general, proposals from 3 or more 
investigators may include a statement of work containing up to 15 pages 
of overall project description plus up to 5 additional pages for 
individual project descriptions.
    (5.) Budget Justification: A brief description of the expenses 
listed on the budget and how they address the proposed work. Itemized 
justification must include salaries, equipment, publications, supplies, 
tuition, travel, etc.
    (6.) Budget; The proposal must include total and annual budgets 
corresponding with the descriptions provided in the statement of work. 
Non-Federal Applicants must submit a Standard Form 424 (4-92) 
``Application for Federal Assistance'', including a detailed budget 
using the Standard Form 424a (4-92), ``Budget Information--Non-
Construction Programs''. The form is included in the standard NOAA 
application kit. Additional text to justify expenses should be included 
as necessary. Federal researchers should contact Irma duPree at (301) 
427-2089 ext. 107, for guidance regarding the types of forms required 
for submission. Additionally, Federal researchers should provide, with 
their application, the appropriate statutory authority which allows 
their agency to receive funds from another Federal agency to complete 
the work outlined in their proposal.
    (7.) Vitae: Abbreviated curriculum vitae are sought with each 
proposal. Reference lists should be limited to 10-15 of the most recent 
and relevant publications with up to five other relevant papers.
    (8) Current and pending support: For each investigator, submit a 
list that includes project title, supporting agency with grant number. 
Investigator months, dollar value and duration. Requested values should 
be listed for pending support.
    (9) List of suggested reviewers: The cover letter may include a 
list of individuals qualified and suggested to review the proposal. It 
also may include a list of individuals that applicants would prefer to 
not review the proposals. Such lists may be considered at the 
discretion of the Program Offices.
    (c) Other requirements:
    Applicants may obtain a Standard NOAA application kit from the 
Program homepage at http://www.ogp.noaa.gov/, or from Irma duPree at 
the Program Office (301) 427-2089 X107.
    Primary applicant certification--All primary applicants must submit 
a completed Form CD-511, ``Certification Regarding Debarment, 
Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters; Drug-Free Workplace 
Requirements and Lobbying'' Applicants are also hereby notified of the 
following:

[[Page 81836]]

    1. Nonprocurement Debarment and Suspension--Prospective 
participants (as defined at 26 CFR part 26, section 105) are subject to 
15 CFR part 26, ``Nonprocurement Debarment and Suspension'' and the 
related section of the certification form prescribed above applies.
    2. Drug Free workplace--Grantees (as defined at 15 CFR part 26, 
section 605) are subject to 15 CFR part 26, subpart F, Government-wide 
Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Grants)`` and the related section 
of the certification form prescribed above applies;
    3. Anti-Lobbying--Persons (as defined at 15 CFR part 28, section 
105) are subject to the lobbying provisions of 31 U.S.C. 1352, 
``Limitation on use of appropriated funds to influence certain Federal 
contracting and financial transactions'', and the lobbying section of 
the certification form prescribed above applies to applications/bids 
for grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts for more than 
$100,000, and loans and loan guarantees for more than $150,000, or the 
single family maximum mortgage limit for affected programs, whichever 
is greater; and
    (4) 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.
    (d) Lower Tier Certifications:
    (1.) Recipients must require applicants/bidders for subgrants, 
contracts, subcontracts, or 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.
    (2.) 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.
    (3.) Pre-award Activities--If applicants incur any costs prior to 
an award being made, they do so solely at their own risk of not being 
reimbursed by the Government. Notwithstanding any verbal 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.
    (4.) This program is subject to the requirements of OMB Circular 
No. A-110, ``Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Other 
Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other 
Non-Profit Organizations'', and 15 CFR part 24, ``Uniform 
Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to 
State and Local Governments'', as applicable. Applications under this 
program are not subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental 
Review of Federal Programs.''
    (5.) 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.
    (6.) 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.
    (7.) 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.
    (8.) Buy American-Made Equipment or 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.
    (9.) The total dollar amount of the indirect costs proposed in an 
application under this program must not exceed the indirect cost rate 
negotiated and approved by a cognizant Federal agency prior to the 
proposed effective date of the award or 100 percent of the total 
proposed direct cost dollar amount in the application, whichever is 
less.
    (e) 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.
    (f) In accordance with Federal statutes and regulations, no person 
on grounds of race, color, age, sex, national origin or disability 
shall be excluded from participation in, denied benefits of, or be 
subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving 
financial assistance from the NOAA Climate and Global Change program. 
The NOAA Climate and Global Change Program does not have direct TDD 
(Telephonic Device for the Deaf) capabilities, but can be reached 
through the State of Maryland suppled TDD contact number, 800-735-2258, 
between the hours of 8:00 am-4:30 p.m.
    Classification: This notice contains collection-of-information 
requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act. The use of 
Standard Forms 424, 424A, and SF--LLL have been approved by OMB under 
the respective control numbers 0348-0043, 0348-0044, and 0348-0046. 
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 Paper Reduction 
Act, unless that collection displays a currently valid OMB control 
number. This notice has been determined to be not significant for 
purposes of Executive Order 12866.

    Dated: December 20, 2000.
David L. Evans,
Assistant Administrator, Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
[FR Doc. 00-32999 Filed 12-26-00; 8:45 am]
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