[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 249 (Wednesday, December 27, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 81836-81841]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-33000]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Docket No. 000309067-0365-02]
RIN 0648-ZA82


National Marine Aquaculture Initiative: Request for Proposals FY-
2001

AGENCY: National Sea Grant College Program, Office of Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Research (OAR), National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of request for proposals.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The purpose of this notice is to advise the public that the 
Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR), through a process 
that includes other Department of Commerce agencies, including the 
national Sea Grant College Program, National Marine Fisheries Service 
(NMFS), and the National Ocean Service (NOS), is seeking pre-proposals 
and full proposals to participate in innovative research,

[[Page 81837]]

policy and regulatory analysis and development, and outreach and 
demonstration for the development of marine aquaculture in the United 
States. For purposes of this competition the Great Lakes, and the 
species in them, are considered marine. OAR will hold an open 
competition for up to $5 million per year for two years (pending 
available funds), with individual projects up to $500,000 per year. The 
purpose is to develop a highly competitive, sustainable marine 
aquaculture industry that will meet growing consumer demand for aquatic 
foods and products that are of high quality, safe, competitively priced 
and are produced in an environmentally responsible manner.

DATES: Preliminary proposals must be received in the Office of Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Research by 4 p.m. EST, on February 20, 2001, and full 
proposals by 4 p.m., May 1, 2001. Preliminary proposal selection and 
notification will occur by March 9, 2001, and proposal selection will 
occur by June 10, 2001, and grant start dates will be September 1, 
2001.

ADDRESSES: Applicants should be sent to the Office of Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Research.
    Mailing address: Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, Attn: 
National Marine Aquaculture Initiative Coordinator, NOAA, 1315 East-
West Highway, Room 11838, Silver Spring, MD 20910.
    For express mail or courier-delivered applications, the following 
address must be used: National Sea Grant Office, R/SG. Attn: National 
Marine Aquaculture Initiative Coordinator, NOAA, Room 1877, 1315 East-
West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Phone: 301-713-2435.
    Electronic Addresses: To contact: [email protected]; 
or [email protected] 
    NOAA/DOC Aquaculture Task Force members--www.noaalib.docaqua/
frontpage/html.;
    Sea Grant Directors--www.mdsg.umd.edu/ngo/research;
    Sea Grant Forms--(www.nsgo.seagrant.org/research/rfp/index.html)
    List of previous projects--www.noaalib.aquadoc/frontpage/html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James P. McVey, National Marine 
Aquaculture Initiative Coordinator, or Mary Robinson, Secretary, 
National Sea Grant Office, 301-713-2451, facsimile 301-713-0799.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Program Authority

    33 U.S.C. 1121 et seq.

Background

    Worldwide fisheries production will be inadequate to meet the needs 
of the world's population without supplementation through aquaculture 
and marine fish enhancement. The development of a robust aquaculture 
industry can help meet the seafood needs of the domestic market, reduce 
imports of fishery products and benefit the nation's balance of trade. 
In the U.S., marine aquaculture has been very slow to develop for a 
variety of reasons including the lack of appropriate technologies, 
difficulty in obtaining financing, concerns over environmental impacts, 
multi-use conflicts in the coastal zone, and difficult and expensive 
permit and licensing processes, to name a few. However, none of these 
problems are insurmountable and the need for creating a marine 
aquaculture sector has never been greater.
    NOAA includes aquaculture in its Strategic Plan under the Build 
Sustainable Fisheries Initiatives as part of a three-part program that 
integrates aquaculture, capture fisheries and coastal community 
development in order to maximize value from coastal resources. This 
Initiative, in addition to a DOC Aquaculture Initiative, calls for NOAA 
and DOC to undertake research, demonstration, education/outreach, 
regulatory and financial support activities in support of marine 
aquaculture. A NOAA/DOC Aquaculture Task Force has been created to 
implement the provisions of these Initiatives. NOAA recognizes the role 
of other Departments such as USDA and DOI and state management partners 
in aquaculture and coordinates with other Department representatives at 
the regional level and at the national level through the Joint Sub-
Committee on Aquaculture. The NOAA/DOC program is aligned with the 
National Aquaculture Development Plan created by the Joint Sub-
Committee on Aquaculture.

Leveraging and Process

    This solicitation allows funding of proposals from institutions of 
higher education, other non-profits, commercial organizations, state, 
local and Indian tribal governments and Federal agencies. Matching 
funds are not required but proposals that combine resources from 
institutions such as universities, Federal and State agencies, private 
industry and foundations in a regional context will be looked on most 
favorably (See ``User Relationships'' under the Evaluation Criteria).
    This will be a two stage competition with two-page pre-proposals 
used in an initial selection process and full proposals requested from 
those selected in the pre-proposal process. The pre-proposal process is 
to reduce the burden of preparing full proposals that do not have a 
high probability for funding. Those not submitting pre-proposals are 
not eligible to submit full proposals, but those submitting pre-
proposals, and not selected to submit full proposals, have the option 
to submit full proposals. The funds for this competition are in the 
Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research and Federal agencies may 
participate, however, the National Sea Grant College Program will 
administer the grant process.

Funding Availability and Priorities

    The Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research encourages proposals 
that address the following: research, development, policy and 
management, extension and education priorities that have been developed 
through the NOAA/DOC budget process. FY 2001 funding for this program 
has not yet been appropriated, but it is anticipated that up to $5 
million will be available for this competition in FY 2001, and a 
similar amount is anticipated for FY 2002. Therefore, we will accept 
proposals of one-or-two year duration for a maximum of $500,000 per 
year or a total of $1,000,000 for 2 years. However, funding after year 
one will depend upon funds received through the Federal budget process 
and a review of first year progress, and second year funding cannot be 
guaranteed. Applicants should check with the list of projects funded 
during the last 2 years to determine what has already been funded and 
how a proposed project might contribute to the ongoing DOC marine 
aquaculture initiative (See electronic addresses).
    Areas of priority include:
    Research. Aquaculture research can include husbandry; system 
engineering; genetics; disease prevention, diagnosis and control; 
nutrition; environmental studies; social sciences; marketing; product 
transport and product development; and other disciplines. We are 
encouraging research that addresses priority issues that stand as 
obstacles to the present and future success of the sustainable 
aquaculture in the United States. Where practicable, multi-
disciplinary, regionally-based, studies are encouraged (See ``User 
Relationships'' under the Evaluation Criteria). NOAA is seeking 
proposals on enabling technologies for the existing aquaculture 
industries and for less developed areas of aquaculture such as

[[Page 81838]]

marine ornamentals, water re-use systems, offshore or open ocean 
systems, and marine species enhancement. We are also looking for 
proposals on the siting of aquaculture activities and studies on the 
environmental, genetic and trophic level consequences of marine 
aquaculture and marine species enhancement. The goal is to develop new 
industry opportunities using research resources at Federal, State, 
academic and private industry facilities.
    Demonstration. Projects to allow pilot scale testing of 
technologies to prove concepts, establish economic feasibility, conduct 
environmental monitoring and modeling, develop multi-use platforms and 
evaluate marine species enhancement and production technologies will be 
considered for this competition.
    Regulatory issues. Proposals to define and clarify license and 
permit procedures, address the use of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) 
for aquaculture, develop siting criteria and siting methods including 
aquaculture zoning, develop best management practices and codes of 
conduct for aquaculture and address the issues of aquaculture in 
interstate commerce and improved food safety are encouraged and have 
been identified as high priority topics by industry and federal 
agencies involved in development of the National Aquaculture 
Development Plan.
    Education/outreach. Education and outreach activities that convey 
research results to the end users, determine industry needs, educate 
the public and involve and instruct students in aquaculture-related 
science will be considered.
    Financial support. Proposals that address the financial 
requirements of aquaculture, help set priorities for financial support 
and address marketing and trade issues are encouraged. Creation of 
model business plans that provide financial institutions with decision-
making tools for aquaculture investments will also be considered.
    Regional and issue coordination. OAR recognizes the need for 
integrated regional planning and prioritization in order to focus 
Federal assistance efforts. OAR is seeking proposals to establish 
mechanisms for broad regional planning that would address NOAA goals to 
promote environmentally sound aquaculture. In some cases, like water 
re-use technologies, the issue may have interest across several regions 
and in such cases a national or multi-regional approach to coordination 
would be encouraged.

III. Eligibility

    Eligible applicants are institutions of higher education, other 
non-profits, commercial organizations, state, local and Indian tribal 
governments and Federal agencies. 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 agencies shall be effected by an intra-
agency fund transfer. Proposals selected from a non-NOAA federal agency 
will be funded through an inter-agency 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 product goods or services from applicants, the Economy Act 
(31 U.S.C. 1535) is not an appropriate legal basis.

IV. Evaluation Criteria

    The evaluation criteria for proposals submitted for support under 
the National Marine Aquaculture Initiative are as follows:
    Scientific or Professional Merit (maximum 45 points)--The clarity 
of objectives and the level of scientific endeavor or professional 
merit exhibited in the proposal. The presence of a clear work plan, and 
probability of success. The innovativeness of the approach to the 
problem or the unique combination of technologies and disciplines to 
overcome a significant problem.
    Impact of Proposed Project (maximum 30 points)--Significance of the 
problem relative to the priorities listed in this announcement, and the 
degree to which the activity, if successful, will advance the state of 
the science, industry, or state-of-the-art methods for marine 
aquaculture. The degree to which the project is cost effective relative 
to the work proposed.
    User Relationships (maximum 20 points) degree to which the 
potential users of the results, i.e., industry, have been involved in 
the planning of the activity, will be involved in the execution of the 
activity and/or are providing funds. Degree to which inter-
institutional and multi-disciplinary programs have been developed in 
order to leverage funds and resources. Presence of a plan to 
disseminate the results to user groups and the public.
    Qualifications and Past Record of Investigators (maximum 5 
points)--Degree to which investigators are qualified by education, 
training, and/or experience to execute the proposed activity; record of 
achievement with previous funding.

Selection Procedures

    A pre-proposal review panel, to be organized by the Office of 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, will be convened at the NOAA Offices 
in Silver Spring, MD and will review all preliminary proposals. The 
pre-proposal review panel will consist of government, academic, 
industry and Non-government organization (NGO) representatives. This 
panel will assign points on an individual basis to each pre-proposal 
based on the evaluation criteria and priorities contained in this 
request for proposals. Those receiving an average score of the 
individual ratings over 81 points will be asked to submit full 
proposals. No consensus advice will be provided by the review panel to 
the NOAA/DC Aquaculture Task Force.
    Full proposals submitted to the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Research will be sent to peer reviewers for written reviews. Reviewers 
will be asked to evaluate the proposals using the evaluation criteria 
listed in this announcement. Complete full proposals and accompanying 
written reviews will be sent to the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Research and evaluated by a peer review panel comprised of government, 
academic, industry and NGO experts organized by OAR. The members of the 
panel will provide individual point scores for each proposal using the 
evaluation criteria listed in this announcement and the input provided 
by the written reviews, but there will be no consensus advice. Their 
evaluations will be considered by the NOAA/DOC Aquaculture Steering 
Committee for final project selection. (See address for list of NOAA/
DOC Aquaculture Task Force Members.)
    For proposals rated above 81 points in average score, the NOAA/DOC 
Aquaculture Task Force managers will make the final project selection. 
They will: (a) Verify that projects address the priority areas listed 
in this announcement; (b) determine whether NOAA or other federal 
agencies are funding or planning to fund similar projects; (c) 
determine which proposals best meet the timeliness and overall vision 
of the NOAA/DOC aquaculture initiative projects; (d) can be 
accommodated within available funding (see summary and background 
sections of this document; (e) determine if components of the selected 
projects should not be funded; (f) determine the total duration of 
funding appropriate for each proposal; (g) determine the amount of 
funds available for each proposal.

[[Page 81839]]

Consequently, awards may not necessarily be made to the highest-scored 
proposals. Investigators may be asked to modify objectives, work plans, 
or budgets prior to approval of the award. Subsequent administrative 
processing will be in accordance with current NOAA grants procedures. A 
summary statement of the scientific review by the peer panel will be 
provided to each applicant.
    Applications must reflect the total budget necessary to accomplish 
the project. Cost sharing is not required but encouraged as part of the 
selection criteria listed here (See ``User Relationships'' in the 
Evaluation Criteria). The appropriateness of all cost-sharing will be 
determined on the basis of guidance provided in applicable Federal cost 
principles. The applicants will be bound by the percentage of cost 
sharing reflected in the grant award.

V. Instructions for Application

What to Submit

    Preliminary proposals. Each preliminary proposal should not exceed 
two typewritten pages using 10 point font or larger, and provide the 
title of the research project; the title, name and address of 
investigators and partners; a background section that sets the stage 
for the work and identifies how the research would fit into any ongoing 
research in this area; a rationale of why the work should be conducted; 
a clear statement of objectives; the general methodology that will be 
used; and an estimated budget amount. The criteria for selection of 
preliminary proposals are the degree to which they fit the priority 
areas and evaluation criteria listed in this notice. A one page 
biography for each investigator should be included and will not be 
counted in the two page limit.
    Full proposals. Each full proposal, that will be requested as the 
result of the pre-proposal process or those applicants submitting 
anyway, should include the items listed here. All pages should be 
single- or double-spaced, typewritten in at least a 10-point font, and 
printed on metric A4 (210 mm x 297 mm) or 8\1/2\" x 11" paper. Brevity 
will assist reviewers and program staff in dealing effectively with 
proposals. Therefore, the Project Description may not exceed 15 pages. 
Tables and visual materials, including charts, graphs, maps, 
photographs and other pictorial presentations are included in the 15-
page limitation. The signature page, summary page, references/
literature cited, budgets and budget notes, current and pending support 
sections and vitae do not count in the 15 page limit. 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 are permitted.
    Federal agencies submitting proposals need to follow all of the 
instructions for submissions up to but not including Standard 
Application Forms for proposals.
    (1) Signed title page: The title page should be signed by the 
Principal Investigator and the institutional representative and should 
clearly identify the program area being addressed by starting the 
project title with: National Marine Aquaculture Initiative. The 
Principal Investigator and institutional representative should be 
identified by full name, title, organization, telephone number and 
address. The total amounts of requested Federal funds and matching 
funds should be listed for each budget period.
    (2) Project Summary: This information is very important. It is 
critical that the project summary accurately describe the research 
being proposed and convey all essential elements of the research. The 
project summary should not exceed two pages and include: (a) Title: Use 
the exact title as it appears in the rest of the application. (b) 
Investigators: List the names and affiliations of each investigator who 
will significantly contribute to the project. Start with the Principal 
Investigator. (c) Funding request for each year of the project, 
including matching funds. (d) Project Period: Start and completion 
dates: Proposals should request a start date of July 1, 2001 or later. 
(e) Project Summary: This should include the rationale for the project, 
the scientific or technical objectives and/or hypotheses to be tested, 
and a brief summary of work to be completed.
    (3) Project description (15-page limit) Introduction/background/
justification: Subjects that the investigator(s) may wish to include in 
this section are: (a) Current state of knowledge; (b) contributions 
that the study will make to the particular discipline or subject area; 
and (c) contributions the study will make toward addressing the 
problems identified in the National Marine Aquaculture Initiative.
    Research or technical plan: (a) Objectives to be achieved, 
hypotheses to be tested; (b) Plan of work--discuss how stated project 
objectives will be achieved; and (c) Role of project personnel.
    Output: Describe the project outputs that will contribute to 
improving and further developing marine aquaculture in the U.S.
    Coordination with other program elements: Describe any coordination 
with other agency programs or ongoing research efforts. Describe any 
other proposals that are essential to the success of this proposal.
    (4) References and literature citations: Should be included as 
appropriate.
    (5) Budget and matching funds justification: There should be a 
separate budget for each year of the project as well as a cumulative 
budget for the entire project. Applicants are encouraged to use the Sea 
Grant Budget Form 90-4, but may use their own form as long as it 
provides the same information as the Sea Grant form. 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. Pay special attention to any 
travel or supply budgets and provide details. The total dollar amount 
of indirect costs must not exceed the indirect cost rate negotiated and 
approved by the cognizant Federal agency prior to the proposed 
effective date of the award or 100 percent of the total proposed direct 
costs dollar amount in the application, whichever is less. The Sea 
Grant Budget Form 90-4 is available through the World Wide Web or from 
the initiative coordinator (See electronic addresses).
    (6) Current and pending support: Applicants must provide 
information on all current and pending Federal support for ongoing 
projects and proposals, including subsequent funding in the case of 
continuing grants. The proposed project and all other projects or 
activities requiring a portion of time of the principal investigator 
and other senior personnel should be included. The relationship between 
the proposed project and these other projects should be described, and 
the number of person-months per year to be devoted to the projects must 
be stated.
    (7) Vitae (2 pages maximum per investigator). This is not counted 
in the 15 page maximum.
    (8) Standard application forms:
    Standard application forms are not necessary for pre-proposals or 
for the first request for full proposals. They will only be necessary 
when projects have been selected for funding.
    Applicants may obtain all required application forms from state Sea 
Grant Programs, through the World Wide Web (see electronic addresses) 
or from the project coordinator. The following forms must be included:
    (a) Standard Forms 424, Application for Federal Assistance, 424A, 
Budget

[[Page 81840]]

Information--Non-Construction Programs; and 424B, Assurances--Non-
Construction Programs, (Rev 4-88). Applications should clearly identify 
the program area being addressed by starting the project title with 
``National Marine Aquaculture Initiative''. Please note that both the 
Principal Investigator and an administrative contact should be 
identified in Section 5 of the SF424. The form must contain an original 
signature of the applicant institution's authorized representative.
    (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, section 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, 
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;
    (iii) 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
    (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 sub-grants, 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 sub-recipient 
should be submitted to DOC in accordance with the instructions 
contained in the award document.
    Applications received after the deadline and applications that 
deviate from the format described will be returned to the sender 
without review. Facsimile transmissions and electronic mail submission 
of applications will not be accepted.

How To Submit

    Applicants residing in Sea Grant states may, at their discretion, 
submit preliminary proposals and proposals through the state Sea Grant 
programs, according to the schedules established by the state programs 
based on the submission dates to the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Research listed above. No culling of pre-proposals will occur at the 
state Sea Grant level. Sea Grant program directors will receive a list 
of proposals coming from their state as a courtesy. If applicants 
choose to submit proposals through Sea Grant programs, applicants 
should contact the state Sea Grant programs for submission dates and 
the number of copies required. A list of state Sea Grant program 
directors and their addresses can be found on the web (See Electronic 
Addresses) or obtained through Dr. James McVey.
    Applicants not residing in Sea Grant states, or not wishing to 
submit through a state Sea Grant Program may submit directly to the 
Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (see addresses). Although 
investigators are not required to submit more than 3 copies of the 
proposal to the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research the normal 
review process requires 10 copies. Investigators are encouraged to 
submit sufficient proposal copies for the full review process if they 
wish all reviewers to receive color graphics, glossy photographs, 
nonstandard-sized pages (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.

Other Requirements

Federal Policies and Procedures

    Unsatisfactory performance under prior Federal awards may result in 
an application not being considered for funding.
    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 or written assurance that may have been 
received, there is no obligation on the part of Department of Commerce 
to cover pre-award costs.
    Applicants are hereby notified that they are encouraged to the 
extent feasible, to purchase American-made products with funding 
provided under this program.
    If an application is selected for funding, Department of Commerce 
has no obligation to provide any additional future funding in 
connection with that award. Renewal of an award to increase funding or 
extend the period of performance is at the total discretion of 
Department of Commerce.
    No award of Federal funds shall be made to a applicant who has an 
outstanding delinquent Federal debt or fine until either:
    ii. 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 Department of Commerce are 
made.
    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.
    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:
    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.
    Applications under this program are subject to Executive Order 
12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.''
    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.

[[Page 81841]]

    This action has been determined to be not significant for purposes 
of Executive Order 12866.
    This notice contains collection-of information requirements subject 
to the Paperwork Reduction Act. The Sea Grant Project Summary Form and 
the Sea Grant Budget Form have been approved under the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) Control Number 0648-0362, with estimated 
times per response of 20 and 15 minutes, respectively. The use of 
Standard Forms 424, 424A, 424B, and the SF-LLL have been approved by 
OMB under the respective control numbers 0348-0043, 038-0044, 038-0040 
and 038-0046. The response time estimates above include the time for 
reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and 
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. Send comments on these estimates or any 
other estimates of these collections to the National Sea Grant Office/
NOAA, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910 and to the 
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and 
Budget, Washington, DC 20503 (Attention: NOAA Desk Officer). 
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 20, 2000
David L. Evans,
Assistant Administrator for Oceanic and Atmospheric Research.
[FR Doc. 00-33000 Filed 12-26-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3516-KA-M